Minutes, January 19, 2010

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

JANUARY 19, 2010

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 19^th day of January 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 January 11, 2010.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, met with the Commissioners to discuss the Assistant Director position.  Commissioner Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:30 a.m. until 9:50 a.m.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioner returned to open session at 9:50 a.m. and Commissioner Kueser moved to continue the executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:53 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  County Clerk, Jan Andrews, was included in the executive session.  The Commissioner returned to open session at 10:00 a.m.  Commissioner Kueser moved to establish a salary for the EMS position of Assistant Director at range 4, step d and to make the position an exempt position. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  Mrs. Maze will offer the position to Gaye Woods.  Mrs. Maze submitted three proposals for a new telephone system.  They were from Nex-Tech $2,653, H&B $2,752 and Wilson Communications $3,984.44.  The Nex-Tech proposal included cordless phones that were not included in the other bids.  The Commissioner felt with the paging system built into the system, cordless phones costing $300 were not needed.  Commissioner Kueser moved to accept the bid of H&B in the amount $2,752 for a DSX40 NEC telephone system.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  One of the overhead doors is in need of repair or maybe replacement.  Not knowing if it can be repaired, the Commissioners authorized replacement of door if within $3,600.

 

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, introduced Jill Nichols, Rice County Coordinator of Economic Development, who explained the Rice County e-waste system and asked if Ellsworth County would like to join their e-waste group.  Ellsworth County was included in the original grant for the program, but up until now, has not utilized the service.  They would provide the trailer and Ellsworth County would transport the e-waste to Rice County for disposal.  Also, they may conduct some collection events during the year.  Presently, there would be no cost to the county for the service, however, the grant is up for renewal in 2011 and there could be some fees attached at that time.  Commissioner Kueser moved to join Rice County's e-waste program for 2010.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, reported an accident that happen on a job between two county vehicles.  If the insurance company determines the accident was 100% fault of the employee, they will notify the county and they ask that the employee be notified.  It appears that the bridge in Saline County that touches in Ellsworth County and Lincoln County, has gotten funding for replacement and that both Ellsworth and Lincoln County will be asked to pay percentage wise the amount that FEMA and the State does not cover.  NCRS is going to be moving 2,700 tons of rock on the 3-mile road and Mr. Nondorf has given permission to use the road with special conditions.  The state is requiring counties to have spill control plans in place and Kirkham Michael has been working on our plan for the past year.  He has had meetings with the employees and had them sign a sheet showing they have had training on the control spill plan.  He also has notified the county departments that use the gasoline pumps.  He has asked those departments using the county fuel pumps to adhere to the rules of turning their engines off while fueling. If spills continue, departments will be cut off from using the pumps.

 

Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, and Ralph Doubrava, Contractor, met with the Commissioners to discuss modification mainly to the reception area of the Health building.  They would like to have cubicle like partitions at the reception desk to protect the privacy of the public.  Also, they would like to have a wall extended into the reception office to make the one exam room private as it is now visible from the reception area and a door put in the back hallway.  The Wick program will pay $4,963 on the project and leaving a projected $13,086 to be taken from the Health Capital Outlay fund.  To get a better perspective of the changes, the Commissioner will go to the Health Department next Monday and view the proposed changes.

 

Chairman Rush left the meeting at 11:45 p.m. and Vice-Chairman Kueser chaired the remaining meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Approval of the Job Description and salary range for the EMS Assistant Director was done during the appointment session with the EMS Director.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatements 94,99,100 &101 in the amount of $569.14.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Vice-Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m.

 

 

_____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes, January 11, 2010

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

JANUARY 11, 2010

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 11^th day of January 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 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 December 28, 2009 and January 4, 2010.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS & APPOINTMENTS FOR 2010:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to appoint Kermit Rush as Chairman of the Ellsworth County Board of Commissioners for 2010.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to appoint Terry Kueser as Vice-Chairman of the Ellsworth County Board of Commissioners for 2010.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the following list of appointments for 2010:

Health Supervisor                                                                   Ronda Kasiska

Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor                                          Teresa Shute

Road & Bridge Supervisor                                                      Richard Nondorf

Purchasing Officer                                                                  Janet Andrews

Health Officer                                                                         Dr. Ronald Whitmer

County Coroners                                                                     Dr. Dennis Kepka

                                                                                                Dr. Ronald Whitmer

                                                                                                Dr. Jerzy Smolka

Special Deputy Coroner                                                          Shawn McGowan, PA

Workman compensation Physicians                                       Dr. Ronald Whitmer

                                                                                                Dr. Dennis Kepka

                                                                                                Dr. Jerzy Slomka

                                                                                                Shawn McGowan, PA

EMS Director                                                                          Michelle Maze

EMS Medical Advisor                                                              Dr. Dennis Kepka

EMS Liaison                                                                             Shawn McGowan

Emergency Management Director                                        Kenny Bernard

Official Newspaper                                                                 Ellsworth County Independent

                                                                                                Reporter

 

Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  Commissioner Rush, newly elected Chairman, presided over the remaining meeting.

 

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, reported landfill employee, Gene Diaz, was quitting due to health reasons and she had placed an ad in the paper to fill the part-time position.  A new sign is needed for the landfill and she had contacted the Ellsworth Correctional Facility to see if they could make the sign.  The County would only have to pay for the materials.  Rice County has their e-waste up and running and they would like to talk with the Commissioners about sending our e-waste to Rice County as Ellsworth County was included in their grant submission.  An appointment was made for next Monday.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:30 a.m. until 10:25 a.m.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:25 a.m.  No action was taken.

 

Carl Miller, Appraiser, presented his 2009 evaluations.  Also, two taxpayers who qualified for the Neighborhood Revitalization program did not pay their taxes by the due date making them delinquent.  According to the NR program, if a taxpayer in the program is delinquent, they are automatically removed from the program.  The Commissioners discussed the issue and decided to adhere to the plan document.  Mr. Miller will notify the taxpayers of the decision.

 

Upon the request of Sheriff Tracy Ploutz, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 11:10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioner returned to open session at 11:30 a.m.  No action was taken.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the job description, position and salary range for Investigator for the Sheriff Department.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

4.         OLD BUSINESS:

 

The approval of the job description for EMS Billing Clerk and Assistant Director was tabled until next week when they will schedule an appointment with the EMS Director, Michelle Maze.

 

5.         NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatements 78,93,95-98 in the amount of $672.96.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the revised G-9. Inclement Weather section in the Personnel Policy to include closing of the Courthouse.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

After review of the KCAMP Risk Avoidance Grant Program, the County Clerk was asked to give the information to all department heads.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to accept the resignation of Melvin Splitter, Trustee of Green Garden Township.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

6.         ADJOURNMENT:

 

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

 

 

 

_______________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 4, 2010

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

JANUARY 4, 2010

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 4^th day of January 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 Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

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

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of December 28^th 2009.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Josh Beckman, Kirkham, Michael & Associates, reported back that the landfill expansion application and requested drawing had not been sent to the state as yet.  He will be working on the drawing this week and the application should be finished by the end of next week.  The Commissioners asked to let them know when the application was sent in so they could follow-up with the State and move the process along.  The current pit is filling up fast and in the spring, more roofing will be coming to the landfill.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, informed the Commissioners the Storm Spotter's meeting for Ellsworth County would be April 1 at the Holyrood Fire Station at 6:00 p.m.  More information will be distributed closer to the date of the meeting.  The mobile command unit has been completely updated.  The base unit in the dispatchers at the Sheriff's office is being updated to digital.

 

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, presented two firm proposals to change the locks at the jail to a 2-key system.  The labor would be $4,825 and the new tumblers $2,802.75.  Commissioner Kueser authorized the proposals to change the locks at the jail to a 2-key system at a cost of $7,627.75 to be taken from the County Building Fund.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  Sheriff Ploutz also discussed a section in the policy book that does away with holiday pay if an employee calls in sick the day before or after a holiday.  They can be paid for the day, but they would have to use a sick day.   The Commissioners expressed their view that the policy was appropriate but appreciated his opinion.

 

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, reported they had 713 page outs this year and will get final figures for the year to them in the next couple of weeks.  Employee Derek Walter has successfully completed his Paramedic certification and will be moved to 10a $9.47 effective January 1, 2010.  The new billing clerk started today.  The Holyrood ambulance is in Ellsworth right now and they have been using the ALS unit and seem to be very pleased with it.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the 2010 Ellsworth/Kanopolis Chamber dues of $200.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the December payroll in the amount of $207,448.41.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the December accounts payable and prewritten checks for a total of $203,389.13.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatement #86 for $68.88.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve a 2010 Cereal Malt Beverage license for Martin Oil Company.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve of Letter of Support for Wireless 911 Grant Funding.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

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

 

 

________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

 

 

Minutes, December 28, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

DECEMBER 28, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 28^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

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

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 December 21^st 2009.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Josh Beckman, Kirkham, Michael & Associates, asked about the repair of a bridge that Saline County had proposed to rebuild and had asked that Ellsworth County and Lincoln County share the expense as it was one that touched on all three counties.  The Commissioners felt the project was dead because it was being funded mostly by state money. Also, there are some reservations as to whether the bridge is actually in Ellsworth County.  Mr. Beckman was asked to check on the progress of the expansion of the landfill documentation and ascertain whether it had been forwarded to the State for approval.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, reported he had an audit of the locks in the jail.  He would like to change the lock system so that there would be only two keys for the entire jail system.  The cost of changing out 31 doors would be approximately $4,825 and then there would be a cost of $3,000 for the tumblers.  Upon the completion, he would have a maintenance contract to have the locks checked each year and repaired if necessary.  Also, he would like to have the initial cost of rekeying the locks come from the County Building fund and then he would budget the yearly maintenance.  The Commissioners asked that Sheriff Ploutz come back with a firm bid for the proposal.  Mr. Ploutz presented the Commissioner with a report showing the income and expenditures for 2009 for the Special Law Enforcement Trust Fund.  The fund had a balance of $576.55.  

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatements 82-75 in the amount of $307.50.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m.

 

 

__________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

Minutes, December 21, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

DECEMBER 21, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 21^st 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

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

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 Rush moved to approve the Minutes of December 14^th 2009.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, reported the combine loss for the rural health center and hospital for November was $35,000 with a year-to-date loss of $321,859.  However, they have applied for some Medicare adjustments which have not been approved as yet.  Their satisfaction surveys still show a high percentage of approval with eight out of ten being survey saying they would recommend the facility.  The assessment team will be back on February 2 & 3 and will conduct some training as well as continue their assessment.  They are still working on the shelter grant funding.

 

 

Tim Vandall, Ellsworth City Administrator, and Dave Smith, Ellsworth City Chief of Police, met with the Commissioner to ask them to waive the tipping fees for a trailer they plan to tear down and bring into the landfill.  The Commissioners explained that they could not accept a trailer since it is metal and if they wanted to put it in the metal pile; they would have to break it up.  The properties in the City that they would like to clean up are tax delinquent, and they questioned when those properties would go up for a tax sale.  As a rule, the County Attorney does not put properties that are a liability to the county up for a tax sale.  However, the Commissioner expressed their desire to work with the city on these properties.

 

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, visited with the Commissioners about the job description for his new position of Investigator.  It has been sent to Austin Peters to have it evaluated and put in our salary/range scale.  Sheriff Ploutz discussed purchasing a 4-wheel drive vehicle in 2010 for himself and having the one he presently drives put into the patrol fleet.  During the recent storm, they certainly felt the need to have another 4-wheel vehicle.

 

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, discussed her two new job descriptions, Billing Clerk and Assistant Director.  They, too, have been forwarded to Austin Peters for evaluation and placement in salary/range scale.  She has interview for the billing clerk position and has hired Kathy Engeland to start January 4^th  and Gaye Woods will fill the sport of Assistant Director at a salaries to be yet determined.  r.

 

Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, reported the H1N1 flu shots are now available to the public and she is having two clinics this week.  She has received additional funding for the HIN1 flu and has sent in a request to purchase a generator for approximately $7,600 with these funds.  In total she has received $24,606 from the H1N1 funding stream and with the generator will have spent $11,420.  Previously, she purchased a refrigerator to store vaccines.  The remaining funds will be used to offset expenses.  Mrs. Kasiska also expressed concerns about the pay scale, in particular the one for nurses.  She feels she is not able to hire a full time nurse at our salary level and asked the Commissioners to consider raising it.  With the budgets being set for this year and the fact that they would find it hard to justify making changes to only one position and not others, they felt they could not address it this year, but they would put it on their agenda before making budget for 2011.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the 2010 KAC dues in the amount of $1,613.80.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatements 73-75 & 79-81 in the amount of $1,121.08.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Due to the snow storm on December 9^th the Courthouse did not open until 12 Noon.  Therefore, all employees who worked those three hours will be compensated by having three hours added to their vacation benefit.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 12:10.

 

 

 

_____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk