Minutes, December 14, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

DECEMBER 14, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 14^th day of December 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

                                                            Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioner

                                                            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 Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of December 7, 2009 with corrections.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Lech Wisniewski, Partnership Specialist with the US 2010 Census, discussed the 2010 census and the importance of Ellsworth County having a good count.  In the last census there was only a 61% response from Ellsworth County and that resulted in Ellsworth County losing 39% of tax money that could have been allocated to them.  The Smoky Hill Economic Development group had offered to spearhead the Complete County Committee for Ellsworth County but now that the director is leaving, he is not sure if that support is still there.  He has been working with come County Clerks to get places set up for the Q & A Centers and then places that will have the forms available for those that did not get contacted by mail or individually.  The Commissioners pledged their support of the efforts.

 

Jo Funk, Sanitarian with the Saline-Salina Health Department, brought Christmas treats for the Commissioners and discussed the recent decision by the State of disallow them to inspect restaurants in Salina.  They will now all be done by the State.

 

Teresa Shute, Noxious Week-Landfill Supervisor, presented a proposal by Robson's for new furniture for the outside office in the amount of $1,850.  Although there was no motion, the Commissioners approved the purchase.  Mrs. Shute also reported that the Road & Bridge Department was sanding the roads at the landfill.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

After much discussion, Commissioner Rush moved to approve the payment of the North Central Flint Hills Agency On Aging Administration Fees for 2010 in the amount of $1,501.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0. 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the request for After Prom Donations for all three high schools for $100 each to be taken from the Special Alcohol Fund.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Cereal Malt Beverage license renewal for on premise and off premise for the Dry Dock and give them permission to remain open until 2:00 a.m. January 1, 2010.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0. 

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the 2010 League of Kansas Municipalities dues in the amount of $478.75.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatement #71 in the amount of $80.54.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Oller moved to approve the Cereal Malt Beverage renewal for the Service Oil Company.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 11:45 p.m.

 

 

 

_______________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk
 

Minutes, December 7, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

DECEMBER 7, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 2^nd day of December 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

                                                            Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioner

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

1.                  OPENING BUSINESS:

 

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

 

Commissioner Oller moved to approve the Agenda with an addition.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of November 30, 2009.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Rob Fillion and Curt Glaser, Smoky Hill Development Corp., visited with the Commissioners clarifying that the entire amount of the county's economic development budget was dedicated to them.  At the present time with the fringe benefits added to the salary, they are over the $45,000 allotted to them.  Since Mr. Fillion has resigned as Director and they have not hired anyone yet, but have hired Mr. Fillion on an hourly basis as needed and would like the county to pay the salary and then they would reimburse the county for any amount over the $45,000.  The Commissioners agreed to the proposal.  Also, in hiring a new director, they would like to continue the arrangement of the salary being run through the county's payroll system and they would continue to reimburse the county for anything over $45,000 including salary and benefits (Insurance, Kpers, FICA, Unemployment).  That was agreeable with the Commissioners.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the November accounts payable for $271,613.86 and prewritten warrants of $22,830.12 for a total payment of $294,443.98.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to pay the 2009 and 2010 dues for a total of $1,000 to the Central Prairie RC&D.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the three year audit contract, 2009, 2010 and 2011, with Lindberg Vogel Pierce Faris, Chartered.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Bylaws and Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with KCAMP, Resolution 09R12.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.   

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the renewal of a Cereal Malt Beverage License for D&S Convenience Shop.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Oller moved to give $25 to full time employees through the payroll system for a Christmas bonus.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 10:50 a.m.

 

 

______________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

Minutes, November 30, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

NOVEMBER 30, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 30^th day of November 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

                                                            Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioner

                                                            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 Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of November 23, 2009.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, discussed the 2008 audit report with the Commissioners.  They are expecting a Medicare adjustment of approximately $460,000 for the fiscal year 2008.  In light of the audit report, Mr. Masse felt that there should be some concentration on the financial aspect of the hospital.  Hopefully, the strategic assessment will help with that effort.  The building project is still being reviewed with staff and the architects and they are still continuing with medical recruitment.  As of October, 2009, there was a year-to-date loss of $388,960 and the cases of H1N1 as decreased.

 

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz asked to add a part-time staff position of investigator.  The Commissioners asked that he write up a job description for the position and the impact on his budget.  Right now, he is looking at $10 per hour but he will need to see where the job description falls within the salary schedule.  He will not begin the new position until January 1, 2010.  Sheriff Ploutz's second request was to have an audit of the locks at the jail and see what needs to be repaired.  The repairs could cost upward of $3,000 which he would like to have taken out of the building fund.  Also, he would like to have a yearly maintenance contract for the locks which would be absorbed by his budget.  The Commissioner approved the audit, but to get back to them before doing any actual work.  The third request was to contract for advance health care for the jail facility.  They, too, would do an audit of the expenses to see if they could save money by the services being contracted.  They would use a local doctor and would have a nurse on site to administer the medications.  The Commissioners agreed to the audit and then come back to them before entering into any contract.

 

Larry Sharp, KCAMP Insurance, visited with the Commissioners about the county's insurance performance.  The loss ratio average for the last year was 84% but the insurance premiums are based on a 4-year average and the county's 4-year average is 47%.  Also, the premiums are based on additions and deletions of property to the list.  Mr. Sharp reported that KCAMP now has a Law Enforcement Training Course on line and that if utilized could help the law enforcement officers get they training they need plus college credit without the travel.

 

Carl Miller, Appraiser, reviewed with the Commissioners concerns of citizens at an area of the lake.  In one of the housing developments, plans are underway to building a mini-warehouse right in the middle of area of recently built or updated cabins.  This, of course, brings up the conversation of zoning and he wondered if the Commissioners had thought about raising the issue again.  At the present time, the Commissioners responded they had such a bad reaction at the last exploration of the topic, that they had not reconsidered it.   Due to an experience with a co-worker at another county, Mr. Miller asked the Commissioners to look at the funeral leave policy in the handbook and consider either increasing it or making it more flexible for the loss of a mother, father, child or spouse.  Now it states 24 hours, but if you are the one making the arrangements or have to travel to a different location, that is not enough time.  The Commissioners felt that additional time could be taken from the employee's vacation time; however, they will look at the policy.  Additional software for personal property will have to be purchased for the conversion to the Orion appraisal system.  The cost will be approximately $550.  Mr. Miller asked for an opinion on church exempt property.  A BOTA exemption was granted to the Assembly of God Church for property purchased in 2005.  The property has never been developed and appears not to be used for the intended request of the exempt.  This year he did put the platted portion back on the tax roll and has received a complaint.  Given several options to consider, the Commissioner asked that the church resubmit their exemption and the appraiser ask for a hearing.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to appoint Kenneth Parks to represent Ellsworth County on the Board of Directors of the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency of Aging, Inc.   Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to appoint Shawn McGowan as Ellsworth County Special Coroner for 2010.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatements 23,24,31,32,&33 in the amount of $1,059.98.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the November payroll in the amount of $180,032.83.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

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

 

 

 

__________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, November 30, 2009

 

Minutes, November 23, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

NOVEMBER 23, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 23^rd day of November 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

                                                            Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioner

                                                            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 as printed.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of November 9, 2009.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Josh Beckman, Kirkham Michael & Associates, was present for the Public Forum to give the Commissioners an update on several projects they are working on for the county.  The low road project, a state stimulus project, was bid and Venture received the bid.  The other stimulus project, the Salt Mine Road, is contingent upon funds being available.  It will be bid in March, but if the funding is not there, the contracts will not be awarded.  They will be starting the bridge inspections per the contract with the county and they plan to talk with the Road & Bridge Supervisor to see if he wanted to move the bridge on the low road up on the State's schedule.  Presently, it is to be bid in 2013.
 

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Upon the request of Michelle Maze, EMS Director, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from  9:10 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 9:30 a.m.  Mrs. Maze reported Terri Stone had resigned and she would like to realign the positions at the EMS.  Presently, she has two vacant EMT positions and she does not want to fill those positions but instead make one of those positions an assistant director and the other a full-time billing clerk.  Commissioner Rush moved to allow the realignment of EMT positions to one full time billing clerk and an assistant director and address her schedule accordingly.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, reported the following three items:  A hazmat training exercise has been scheduled with Homeland Security; that Homeland Security, through a grant of $8,228, has funded an 800 radio update for the Sheriff's office and one radio; and the GPS units for the fire and EMS departments will be updated.

 

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, presented two bids for the roofing of the Noxious Weed building that was damaged in the recent hail storm and adding guttering.  The bid from Reliant Roofing, LLC was $10,479.20 and BC Roofing was $9,710.55.  Commissioner Kueser moved to accept the bid from BC Roofing in the amount of $9,710.55 contingent upon being able to lock up that price for the work being done in 2010.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  Commissioner Kueser moved to allow the $10,742 insurance payment for the roof this year to be carried over and expended from the 2009 budget in 2010.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to change the Policy Statement for Ellsworth County Markers for Veteran's Graves to read:  "There will be no charge to the families requesting the marker".  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

The Commissioners discussed a request from the Ellsworth County Council on Aging for additional funding.  They are out of money and do not have enough money to make the November and December payroll.  Commissioner Rush moved to give ECCA a one time donation of $3,000 from the General Fund to finish out the year.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Resolution 09R08, A Resolution Transferring From The Road & Bridge Department To The Special Machinery Fund; Resolution 09R09, A Resolution Transferring From The Health Fund To The Health Capital Outlay Fund; and Resolution 09R10, A Resolution Transferring From The General Fund To The Equipment Reserve Fund.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Resolution 09R11, A Resolution Exempting Ellsworth County, Kansas From Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, As Promulgated by F.A.S.B.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Oller moved to approve a two cereal malt beverage licenses for Smoky Hill Trading Post, one for on premises and one for off premises.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatements 1-11, 13,15,16 & 21 in the amount of $17,142.84.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Adds 6,7,9,12,14 & 18 in the amount of $991.36.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

The appointment of a representative to the North Central-Flint Hills Area on Aging, Inc. was tabled until next week.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 11:35 a.m.

 

 

___________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk