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: Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds; Jerry Jo
Deckert, EMS Director; Rita Gee, Treasurer; Sherry Thompson, Health Department
Administrator; J.D. Nuefeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager; David
Graber, Transfer Station Manager; Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator;
and Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator.
Marty Long made the motion to approve the
minutes of the August 15, 2006 regular meeting and the August 24, 2006 special
meeting as well as the claims against the various funds of the county. Carl
Higgs seconded the motion. Following clarification of two vouchers, motion
passed unanimously.
Marty Long made the motion to appoint Carl Higgs
as voting delegate for the annual KCAMP and KWORCC meetings and Marty Long as
alternate voting delegate. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Marty Long made the motion to adopt Resolution
06-08 authorizing and directing the calling of a question submitted election
for the purpose of issuing bonds to provide part of the cost of improving the Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Trendsetters Co-op/Main Street Project Members,
Ginger Anthony, Tracy Teeter, Janice Battin, Jeani Gustafson and Cheryl Deyoe,
gave an update on the Main Street revitalization plan. They reported that 140
of 200 shares have been sold and the retail store will open sometime after the
first of the year. They are looking for additional Main Street property to
lease for additional small shops.
Robin Hathaway, County Attorney, requested
approval to purchase a computer for her secretary. Approval was given to
purchase the computer from the Computer Alchemist at a cost of $1,100.00.
Discussion was held on the tax foreclosure sale. In other business, Ms.
Hathaway informed the board that she has not received anything from Great
Plains Development regarding collection of a defaulted loan. She will contact
Great Plains Development regarding this. Discussion was held on zoning and
planning issues. Ms. Hathaway said she has not received anything from the
City/County Building Official regarding recent problems in the 3-mile area. She
will contact Mr. Hampton concerning this.
Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator,
presented road-crossing permits for the commissioners’ review and approval. Mr.
Kramer reported complaints from landowners regarding prairie dog control. He
stated that the problem is that some property owner’s control their prairie
dogs but their neighbors don’t. Mr. Kramer asked for commissioner input regarding
this. He explained that prairie dog control material is purchased by the county
and sold to farmers at cost. The commissioners asked Mr. Kramer to see if there
might be a county policy from the past regarding this and also check on
legislation regarding prairie dog control. Mr. Kramer explained that there is
also inconsistency in the control of noxious weeds between property owners. Mr.
Kramer will check with the county attorney regarding noxious weed laws.
Discussion was held on a building for noxious weed storage. Mr. Kramer
explained that he would like to have a building big enough to store chemical as
well as the 2 noxious weed trucks. He said he would like to take bids toward
the end of the year with an early spring construction timeline for the
building. The commissioners approved Mr. Kramer’s timeline. Mr. Kramer will
advertise for bids on the project and make sure all contractors have the same
specifications on which to bid.
Lance Babcock, Sheriff, reported that the 911
Grant Application was sent in. The grant request is $136,000 to help get necessary
mapping completed. Sheriff Babcock said he needs to upgrade 2 computers in his
department. Marty Long made the motion to approve the purchase of 2 computers
at a cost not to exceed $2500 from the Computer Alchemist. Carl Higgs seconded
the motion and it passed unanimously. At Sheriff Babcock’s request, Marty Long
made the motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss
non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously. After 15 minutes, the meeting continued in open session.
Scott Nichols, Chamber of Commerce Manager and
Tourism Committee Member, presented an update on tourism. He presented a
picture of a billboard that will be used to advertise Ulysses/Grant County as a
shortcut to the Rockies. The billboard will be on US 56 at the 144/160
interchange for SW bound traffic out of Dodge City. Mr. Nichols informed the
commissioners the 2006 State of the State Kansas Economic Policy Conference
will be October 26, 2006 at the University of Kansas and Pioneer Communications
via a live video link. Mr. Nichols said the scouts plan to have Cub Mobile
races September 30 on Hampton Road if there is no objection from the county. The
commissioners had no problem with this and asked him to coordinate the event with
Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator.
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds
Manager, presented a list of groups that have been exempt from paying rental
fees at the civic center. The decision was made that the groups/organizations
that are on the list of exempt events as presented by Mr. Neufeld would
continue to be exempt with the exception of churches. It was noted that some
churches were charged rental fees and some were not. It was the consensus of
the commissioners that all churches be charged for using the facility. Any
church wanting an exemption from fees to rent the auditorium can make a request
to the county commissioners. The decision was made that exempt organizations
would be required to pay the deposit as is required by all individuals and
groups who rent space at the Civic Center. Approval was given to purchase a
computer for the secretary at the Civic Center. Marty Long made the motion to
recess into executive session for 5 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel.
Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 5 minutes the
meeting continued in open session.
Bob Moore, Insurance Agent, talked to the
commissioners about having each employee complete a health questionnaire in
order to receive better quotes from prospective health insurance providers.
Following discussion, Mr. Moore said he would try to get quotes with the
information he has.
Robert Ohlen, Hospital Administrator, as well as
some hospital board members and city officials met to view a video presentation
promoting the hospital bond election.
Carl Higgs made the motion to adjourn at 3:15
p.m. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Madison
Traster, Chairman