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 Department Administrator; Todd Hampton, City/County Building Official; Pete Clinesmith, Noxious Weed Director; Lance Babcock, Sheriff; Nancy Ramski, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager; Rita Gee, Treasurer; Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds; David Wagner, Transfer Station Manager; and John Crosby, Fire Chief.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to approve the minutes of the December 20, 2005 meeting and the claims against the various funds of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Robert Ohlen, Hospital CEO, requested approval to transfer 16 electric beds, over-bed trays, and bedside tables, and spare parts from the hospital to the care home. Carl Higgs made the motion to approve transferring the beds, over-bed trays, bedside tables, and spare parts to the care home. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Nancy Ramski, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager, presented an update on her department. She reported that interviews for the secretary position at the civic center would start this week.

 

            Bobby Myers, Central State Mechanical, requested a tax abatement based on the county’s Economic Incentive Policy. Mr. Myers reported that they have 35 full time employees at the present time. Gene Pflughoft, Economic Development Director, also attended this portion of the meeting. He will contact the state to determine if the necessary qualifications have been met. It was the consensus of the commissioners that they had no problem with the tax abatement if qualifications are met. Mr. Pflughoft will also talk to the county attorney regarding this.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to change the Purchasing Procedures policy Page 10, Bonds: Section A, Item 3 to comply with state law. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Item 3 will now read: Labor and material payment bonds (statutory bond) will be required for all contracts exceeding $100,000 entered into by the county for the purpose of making public improvement, constructing any public building or making repairs on same. The bonds are required by K.S.A. 60-1111 and insure the payment of all indebtedness incurred for labor furnished, materials, equipment or supplies used or consumed in connection with, or in or about, the construction, improvements or repairs. These bonds are issued in favor of the State of Kansas and are filed with the clerk of the district court. (The statutory amount had been $10,000.)

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve paying the county’s 2006 dues to the Kansas Association of Counties in the amount not to exceed $4,506.51. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners reviewed maps for possible commissioner redistricting to more adequately reflect the population of the county. A final review will be done at their organizational meeting.

 

            Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator, requested approval to take bids on crushing the concrete that has been taken in at the Transfer Station. The commissioners authorized Mr. Kramer to solicit bids for crushing the concrete. Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for 30 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 30 minutes the meeting continued in open session. Later in the day Carl Higgs made the motion to set the salary of the Road Department Administrator at $58,500.00 due to an increase in duties and responsibility. Marty Long seconded the motion. Following discussion the motion passed unanimously. The administrator’s performance will be reviewed during the year to determine if another adjustment is needed.

 

            David Wagner, Transfer Station Manager, asked about the possibility of transferring a pickup to his department for his use when going to seminars and training. A decision on this request was tabled. Discussion was held on his department’s dump truck, which needs a new motor. A decision on replacing or repairing the truck will be made at a later meeting. The commissioners asked if Mr. Wagner could get along for a while by borrowing a road department truck when it is needed. Mr. Wagner said he could do this.

 

            Cindy Koehn, local citizen, requested the commissioners consider some sort of animal control resolution within the 3-mile area around the city. She cited several instances where dogs had injured or killed poultry and animals on her property. The commissioners said they would have the county attorney investigate what their options are. They explained that they did not want to pass any resolution that would affect the entire county regarding this.

 

            Loren Wright, Surveyor, met with the commissioners. Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for15 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, met with the commissioners. Carl Higgs made motion to recess into executive session for 30 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 30 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on January 17, 2006.

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Madison Traster, Chairman