Minutes, February 22, 2010

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

FEBRUARY 22, 2010

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 22^nd day of February 2010 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

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

OPENING BUSINESS:

 

Chairman Rush 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 February 16, 2010.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Shirley Thagard, a property owner from Idaho, was in town on business and wanted to attend a Commission meeting.  She is the owner of the Alco building in Ellsworth.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, reported the January financials showed a monthly loss of $63,058 and a year-to-date loss of $707,533.  He presented the Commissioners with a summary of the Straudwater Associates' report and went through each bulleted item.  Most of the item addressed the need for increased revenues.  Also discussed, was the proposed $4 million bond issued scheduled for this year for expansion of the hospital.  It was agreed that it would not be on the ballot this year.  However, the plans would be reassessed and perhaps addressed in the spring of 2011.  At the request of Commissioner Oller, they are negotiating with Health Quest for lab services for employees in the county that have that insurance benefit.

 

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, and Timothy Vandall, Ellsworth City Administrator, met to discuss the TotalNotify system.  Both agreed that it would be a benefit for the county as well as the city.  However, at the present time, there did not seem to be a cost benefit for a joint contract.  It was suggested that an informational meeting be held with the representatives of Nex-Tech and invite all the cities in the county.  The Clerk was asked to contact Nex-Tech and set up a meeting sometime in March.

 

Dave Smith, Ellsworth Police Chief, requested to use both 2009 and 2010 landfill waivers granted to cities, if asked, to tear down two condemned properties in the City of Ellsworth.  The Commissioners debated whether the 2009 waiver could be granted in 2010.  Also, there is a question as to whether one of the buildings, a mobile home, can be taken and at the present time.  Also, we are not accepting concrete.  He was asked to contact the Landfill Supervisor, Teresa Shute, about the availability of landfill space and the mobile home and then come back to them for consideration of the two waivers.

 

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, and Larry J. Schieferecke, Kirkham Michael & Associates, met with the Commissioners on the application for the landfill expansion.  Mr. Schieferecke reported that the application would be to KDHE next week, however, it could be more than three months before it is approved.  KDHE has given permission to move the burn pit.  The Commissioners asked to be kept apprised of the progress of the application.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

The County Clerk presented the 2009 County Inventory.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatement #108 in the amount of $1,556.54.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 11:05 a.m. to go to the Landfill and Noxious Weed to look at requested repairs to the facilities.

 

 

__________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk