Minutes, March 15, 2010

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

March 15, 2010

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 15^th day of March 2010 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            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 Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of March 8, 2010.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Peggy Svaty, Clerk of the District Court, informed the Commissioners that they had received word from the State that court employees will be furloughed for three Fridays in April and one in May.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Ron Etchison and Jean Schoon, representing the Holyrood Senior Center, presented their budget request for 2011 of $9,508.55 a 12% increase. 

 

At the request of the County Clerk, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:23 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 9:30 a.m.  No action was taken.

 

Pam Hays and Brad Kratzer, Soil Conservation District, reported they were going to have "Roll Out the Rain Barrel" event in Ellsworth on March 25^th from 4-7p.m.  The barrel is used to collect rain water from the downspouts on a house and use it for watering flowers, gardens and etc.  The barrels will sell for $10.

 

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz had a request from Geary County to purchase Scott Anson's bulletproof vest.  Mr. Anson has moved to Geary County and is working for them.  Since the vests are fitted to the individual, it was agreed to sell the vest to Geary County for $250.  Upon the request of Sheriff Ploutz, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:42 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.  County Clerk, Jan Andrews, was included in the executive session.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 9:50 a.m.  No action was taken.  Mr. Ploutz reported he had purchase two grill guards for the pickups at a cost of $550 each.

 

Dave Smith, Ellsworth City Police Chief, requested a $1,000 landfill waiver for the City of Ellsworth.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve a $1,000 landfill waiver as requested.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Brent Goss, Extension Specialist, informed the Commissioners that Extension was holding a meeting on the 23^rd of March on pine wilt.  The disease has spread over the county and those trees infected need to cut down and burned by the 1^st of May in order to stop or slow down the disease.  He also was concerned that any pine trees infected brought into the landfill burn pile be burned immediately.

 

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, presented paperwork for signature on the next bridge to be done through the State's five year bridge plan.  The bridge being replaced is at Black Wolf.

 

Gary Wacker, Hi-Plains Sands, discussed the bad roads in the county, especially on the routes that they haul materials.  He felt the county crew had done a good job keeping on top of them, but he felt that some parts of the road needed a more permanent solution.  Mr. Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, felt they were doing the best they could with the budget and manpower available to him.  After a constructive discussion, the Commissioners asked that Mr. Nondorf try to seek out the portions of the roads in question and schedule in depth repairs using a different material.

 

Roberta Waymaster, Technology Committee, updated the Commissioners on the website and purchase of the anti-virus for all county computers.  Since our webmaster, Bob Fitzgerald, is now working at the Road & Bridge Department, he does not have the time during the day to work on the website and answer requests.  She has checked with Mr. Nondorf, the head of the department, and he has approved Mr. Fitzgerald to come into the shop after hours to work on the website when needed.   As previously discussed, Mr. Fitzgerald will be paid $17.50 per hour and  not to exceed four hours each week at the present time.

 

Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, asked the Commissioners to signs some grant papers and a contract for Nutrition Services.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatement #118 in the amount of $50.24.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

The Commissioners authorized the use of the Courthouse for World Day of Prayer Services on May 6, 2010.

 

The Commissioners authorized the County Clerk to ask the two individual interested in the old garage doors declared surplus property at the EMS to submit sealed bids for their purchase.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m.

 

 

_____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk