The Board
of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. with all members
and the County Clerk present.
The monthly
department head meeting was held with the following in attendance: Tom Kramer,
Road Foreman; Sean Gooding, EMS Director; Don Button Emergency Management
Coordinator; Todd Hampton, City/County Building Official; Frank Goldsby, Public
Works Administrator; Sherry Thompson, Health Department Administrator; Rita
Gee, Treasurer; Nancy Ramski, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager; Tom
Fuhrmann, Appraiser; Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds; and Lance Babcock,
Sheriff.
Madison
Traster made the motion to approve the minutes of the August 6, August 17, and
August 28, 2004 meetings and the claims against the various funds of the county.
Gene Schwein seconded the motion. Following clarification of two vouchers the
motion passed unanimously.
Tom Kramer,
Road Foreman, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, presented bids for
a new pickup. Gene Schwein made the motion to accept the best bid of $21,711
for a pickup from Riley Ford. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously. Discussion was held on lighting at the care home. Mr. Goldsby said
there is adequate street lighting but there needs to be more lighting at the
entrance of the care home. Commissioner Higgs said he talked to Pam
Gindlesberger regarding this and she is going to work on the problem.
Cara
Britton, Norma Hill, Deb Maupin and Von Anthony, Home Products Dinner
Representatives, talked to the commissioners regarding some concerns they have
regarding preparations for the dinner. The commissioners said they would try to
help with the concerns.
Loyetta
Skeen, Clerk of the District Court, requested approval to purchase new chairs
for both Judge offices. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the purchase of
two chairs from Southwestern Office Plus at a cost not to exceed $684 for each
chair. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Don Button,
Emergency Management Coordinator, presented an update on his department.
Gene
Schwein made the motion to approve Resolution 04-02 petitioning the Kansas
Association of Counties for an amendment to its Bylaws, creating a Legislative
Policy Committee and establishing the purpose and membership thereof. Madison
Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Tom Kramer,
Road Foreman, Larry Davis, Pioneer Electric, and Randy Grubbs, road department
employee met with the commissioners. Mr. Davis presented information on moving
the electric poles at the entrance of the courthouse parking lot. Don Button,
Emergency Management Coordinator, and Lance Babcock, Sheriff, were called to
attend this portion of the meeting. After viewing the parking lot and poles it
was decided that Tom Kramer would talk to Pioneer Communications regarding
their box at the same location as the electric poles. Mr. Kramer will also talk
to an electrician to determine what needs to be done with wiring. In other
business, Mr. Grubbs talked to the commissioners about spraying noxious weeds
within a quarter mile of home sites. He explained that according to state laws,
he is supposed to spray noxious weeds along all right-of-way including the area
within a quarter mile of home sites. Madison Traster made the motion to change
the roadside spraying policy to include spraying all roadside right-of-way
where noxious weeds are growing. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Bids were
opened for the construction of a new building for Grant County Extension.
Malone Enterprises submitted a bid for a metal building in the amount of
$180,000 plus $3,800 to upgrade the furnace and air conditioning. Malone
Enterprises also submitted a bid for a wood frame building in the amount of
$185,900 plus $3,800 to upgrade the furnace and air conditioning. No other bids
were submitted. Gene Schwein made the motion to accept the bid of $185,900 plus
$3,800 to upgrade the furnace and air conditioning for a wood frame building
from Malone Enterprises. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Sean
Gooding, EMS Director, talked to the commissioners about purchasing another
vehicle for his department. Mr. Gooding presented quotes for new and used
vehicles. Madison Traster made the motion to purchase a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe
from Riley Chevrolet at a cost not to exceed $32,290.00. Gene Schwein seconded
the motion and it passed unanimously. The vehicle will be purchased through the
special equipment fund.
Tom
Fuhrmann, Appraiser, met with the commissioners. Gene Schwein made the motion
to recess into executive session for one hour for the purpose of discussing
contractual and legal matters. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously. After one hour the meeting continued in open session.
Frank
Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, met with the commissioners. Gene Schwein
made the motion to recess into executive session for 30 minutes for the purpose
of discussing non-elected personnel. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously. After 30 minutes the meeting continued in open session.
Gene
Schwein made the motion to contribute $9,100 to RRISK for 2005. Madison Traster
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Discussion
was held on a question from Greg Soelter regarding the county paying the second
half property taxes on the West Industries property in exchange for the rent
and electric bill for the Extension Office. (The Extension Office is renting
space at West Industries until they move to their new building.) The
commissioners made the decision to pay the rent and electric bills as agreed
and have West Industries pay the second half taxes.
The
commissioners made the unanimous decision to approve a proposal from Bob Forsen
to inspect the courthouse roof two times a year at a cost of $95.00 per
inspection.
The
commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on September 21, 2004.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Carl
Higgs, Chairman