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            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