Minutes, August 17, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

AUGUST 17, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 17^th day of August 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

                                                            Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioners

                                                            Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

1.                  OPENING BUSINESS:

 

Chairman Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda with an addition.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of August 10, 2009.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Duke Ranker and Jack Rathbun were present and asked for clarification on grave markers for veterans who did not belong to a legion.  The Commissioner explained their policy was to provide a grave marker for the families, upon their request, at a cost of $12.  Upon the purchase, they would be given Mr. Ranker's name if they wanted him to set it for them.

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz, reported he had received estimates on the new radio system and he felt they were excessive and they could operate without them.  However, there might be a lease cost on the repeater on the tower.  He is still getting bids on repair of the sidewalk on the North side of the jail.

 

Carl Miller, Appraiser, reported he had been served on the lawsuit instigated by the Ellsworth County Independent/Reporter and visited with the Commissioners about the controversy.  The Commissioners thanked Mr. Miller for his professionalism in handling the manner but felt the matter could have been resolved if the newspaper had communicated with them before seeking legal counsel.  The requested information has been forwarded to the newspaper.

 

At 10:00 a.m. Chairman Oller called the 2010 Budget Hearing to order.  No one was present for the hearing.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the 2010 Budget as printed.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, discussed the letter received by Saline County asking that we contribute to the cost of repairing a bridge that in located on the line with Ellsworth and Lincoln County.  They have applied for FEMA funds and if they are approved the County's cost would be $11,000.  Presently, the bridge is closed.  Mr. Nondorf asked the Commissioners to sign some documents related to the second stimulus project.  Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 11:12 a.m. until 11:25 a.m.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioner returned to open session at 11:25 a.m.  No action was taken.

 

Amy Boxberger, Central Kansas Community Corrections, reported on the year-end outcomes which were very favorable.  They were able to meet their 2008 goals and had a good cash carryover.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Kansas Department of Corrections Community Corrections Comprehensive Plan Quarterly and Year End Outcome Report and the FY 2010 Carryover Reimbursement Plan Budget Summary.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

Enel, owner of Smoky Hill Windfarms, asked to substitute Letters of Credit for the money being in held in escrow per our agreements.  The Escrow Agreement does provided that after the construction phase is completed, Letter of Credit could be substituted.  Commissioner Kueser moved to allow Enel to substitute Letters of Credit for the cash currently being held in the escrow accounts.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 12:05 p.m.

 

 

______________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, August 17, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

AUGUST 10, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 10^th day of August 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

                                                            Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioners

                                                            Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

1.                  OPENING BUSINESS:

 

Chairman Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda as printed.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of August 3, 2009.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Terry Robl reported he had purchased the land behind the EMS building from Loren Reber and would like to have an easement such as Mr. Reber had with the county.  Since he has sold his business on the other side, there would be a possibility that he would not have access to the property.  He plans to use the property for equipment storage and in the long term may build an equipment storage facility.  The Commissioners had no problem with giving him an easement but it would be one that could not be transferred or be considered appurtenant to any real estate owned by Mr. Robl.  The County Attorney will prepare an easement for signature.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Resolution 05R09, A Floodplain Management Resolution, Resolution 06R09, A Resolution To Be Used By Counties When Applying For Participation In The NFIP and Resolution 07R09, A Resolution Adoption By Reference.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

The Commissioners reviewed the updated employee handbook and made several suggestions for change before the final draft.

 

5.                  ADJOURNEMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m.

 

 

_____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

 

Minutes, August 3, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

AUGUST 3, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 3rd day of August 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

                                                            Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioners

                                                            Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

1.                  OPENING BUSINESS:

 

Chairman Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Agenda with an addition.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of July 20, 2009 with a correction.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, wanted to make the Commissioners aware of a situation she had this past weekend. A citizen had three loads of shingles on Sunday and insisted that she open the landfill to accommodate him.  She refused and he became irate and continued to call her.  Her view was that once she did it for him, she would have to do it for everyone setting a precedent.  Also, recently a citizen made an illegal dump on a bridge which contained used needles and instead of ticketing him, the Sheriff's deputy found the individual and him made him clean it up.  She would like to see the resolution of illegal dumping followed with a fine and perhaps that would cut down on some of the illegal dumping.  The Commissioners agreed that it should be prosecuted.

 

The County Clerk reported the employee health insurance contract with the State of Kansas expires this year and asked if they wanted to renew it for an additional three years.  The Commissioner agreed to renew it for three additional years.  The contract will be forthcoming for signature in the next couple of weeks.

 

Duke Ranker spoke to the Commissioners regarding a letter he received from a veteran's wife who has a husband buried in the Kanopolis Cemetery and does not have a US Veteran flag marker.  The county has a policy to provide such markers for those who request it at a cost of $12.  The Commissioners gave Mr. Ranker a flag marker to put on the grave and the County Clerk will write a letter to the veteran's wife letting her know that one is being put on the grave and the cost of the marker. 

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush reported he had inquired about ambulance grants when he was at the North Central Regional Planning Commission meeting and had received some information.  The County Clerk will give the information to the EMS Director for follow-up.  Also, Chairman Rush reported the grass and weeds behind the EMS building looked terrible and he will contact the Road & Bridge Department about cleaning it up.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the July payroll in the amount of $175,013.27.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the July accounts payable in the amount of $154,441.39 and prewritten warrants of $31,494.27 for a total of $185,935.66.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

 

 

____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk 

 
 

 

 

July 27, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

JULY 27, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 27^th day of July 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

                                                            Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioners

                                                            Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

1.                  OPENING BUSINESS:

 

Chairman Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda with an addition.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of July 20, 2009.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz and Alex Vodraska informed Commissioners there may be changes regarding emergency communications.  The state is expanding from the present 800 mega-hertz frequencies to the "trunking" of frequencies.  With the new system, the sheriff deputies would lose the ability to communicate directly with the Highway Patrol but communications could be routed through the dispatchers.  Also, the changes would result in the EMS losing its 800 mega-hertz frequency to communicate directly with the Ellsworth County Medical Center.  The county could lease space on the frequency at a cost for every radio which could be as much as $30,000 per year.   Sheriff Ploutz did not think it would be necessary, but they will do more checking.  Sheriff Ploutz expressed his concern about the sidewalk on the north side of the jail.  The County Commissioners will view the sidewalk after the meeting.

 

Linda Mowery, Ellsworth County/Independent Reporter, informed the Commissioners of her decision to file suite against the county to recoup her legal expenses in regards to obtaining an Attorney General's Opinion on what she considered a Kansas Open Records violation by the County Appraiser.  The Attorney General's Opinion was in the newspaper's favor giving her the option of suing for the legal costs.  The Commissioners express their concern that she did not communicate with them about the problem before contacting an attorney.

 

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, presented the 24-Hour Shift Policy and 24-Hour Guidelines for approval.  Commissioner moved to approve the 24-Hour Shift Policy and Guidelines as presented.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  When asked about losing the 800 mega-hertz frequency allowing for direct communication with the hospital, Mrs. Maze replied they would fall back on their former system and it should not be a problem.  Discussion was held on the fees charged the school district for ambulance standby at football games and wrestling matches.  It was decide that the fees should be raised to $75 for the first four hours and $40 per hour for each additional hour.  Mrs. Maze will inform both school districts of the increase in fees.

 

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, reported that the insurance company would be paying out $35,000 on the tractor that was hit by the train and would be putting the tractor up for bids for salvage.  He may put in a bid for the tractor for parts.  A new turnkey tractor and mower would cost approximately $75,000.  He received notification from the state that the salt mine road was approved as a project for the stimulus funds received by the state and the project would be bid in March, 2010.  Ellsworth County will be responsible for anything over $260,000 and the project is slated to cost $320,000.   The engineering cost for the project is $7,000 which has to be paid by the county.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the engineering contract with Kirkham, Michael & Associates for $7,000 for the salt mine road project.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Randall Hofmeier and Jerry Pugh, Bartlett, Settle & Edgerle, went over the 2010 budget with the Commissioners.  Commissioner Kueser moved to publish the 2010 budget with a hearing date of August 17, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to appoint Albert Oller as delegate and Kermit Rush as alternate for the 34^th Annual Kansas Association of Counties Conference.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

The County Clerk reported she is finalizing the paper work needed for the county to be a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m.

 

 

 

________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk