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            The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. with all members and the County Clerk present.

 

            Pat Traster, President of United Methodist Women, and Michelle Kissell, Treasurer UMW, requested that the fee for using the Civic Center for their annual bazaar and turkey dinner be waived. Marty Long made the motion to waive the fee for this UMW event. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made motion to approve the minutes of the September 5, 2006 meeting and the claims against the various funds of the county. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Loyetta Skeen, Clerk of the District Court, requested approval to purchase six chairs for counsel table and lateral file cabinets for storage. Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the purchase of the chairs at a cost not to exceed $1,744.20 and the lateral files at a cost not to exceed $3,216.00 from Southern Office Supply. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Henry Smith, Todd Hampton, and Don Button, Solid Waste Management Committee, presented the updated Solid Waste Management Plan, for the commissioners’ review. Marty Long made the motion to approve the revised Solid Waste Management Plan. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Robin Hathaway, County Attorney, and Gary Hathaway, Assistant County Attorney, presented an update on the tax foreclosure sale. Tentatively the sale will be held in December. Discussion was held on requiring a minimum amount as a bid. The consensus was that there should be no minimum bid amount. Marty Long made the motion to authorize the county attorney to proceed with the tax foreclosure sale. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. In other business, Ms. Hathaway confirmed that the City/County Building Official has contacted her regarding issues in the 3-mile area.

 

            Harold DuPree, Airport Board Member, reported the airport project will start on the 20th. Discussion was held on possible crop damages on farm ground the county leases out. This issue is addressed in the farm leases.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to adopt Resolution 06-09 authorizing the issuance of $7,750,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2006A, for the Western Prairie Care Home and accepting the bid from UMB Bank at an average net interest rate of 3.838321% on the bonds. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager, presented computer quotes and a time clock quote for the commissioners’ review. Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the purchase of a computer from the Computer Alchemist at a cost of $1350.00 plus the cost for transferring information from the old computer. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Marty Long made the motion to purchase an Acroprint Time Clock from Quill at a cost of $529.99. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to appoint Madison Traster as voting delegate to the annual Kansas Association of Counties meeting in November. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed. Marty Long made the motion to appoint Carl Higgs as 1st alternate voting delegate and Marty Long as 2nd alternate voting delegate. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            John Crosby, Fire Chief, and Don Spangler, Weis Fire & Safety Equipment, along with the commissioners viewed a new fire pumper/truck. Carl Higgs made the motion to purchase the 2006 pumper/truck from Weis Fire Equipment at a cost not to exceed $223,848.00. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The truck will be purchased through the Fire Equipment Fund in which money has been transferred for several years to allow the purchase. Mr. Crosby stated that with this purchase Units 221 & 222 will be retired.

 

            The commissioners attended a luncheon with city officials at Park View Assisted Living. Those present from the city were: Ed Wiltse, Mayor; Bud Newberry, City Administrator; and City Council Members, John Duran, Pete Woods, Thadd Kistler, and Ann Papay. Discussion was held on heavy rail for the county. The commissioners shared a proposal from Pinegar, Smith & Associates, Inc. regarding professional services and explained that the county would probably be contracting with the firm. It was the consensus of the city officials that the city might be able to help with this cost.

 

            Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator, discussed the control of prairie dogs in the county. Mr. Kramer presented a law stating it is legal to control them. The decision was made that Mr. Kramer will draft a policy regarding this and return with it for the commissioners’ approval. In other business Mr. Kramer was given approval to take bids on a distributor truck and chip box.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to contract with Pinegar, Smith & Associates, Inc. to work in cooperation with local, state and federal public policy makers to prepare a strategic plan with the principal goal of securing federal and state funding for heavy rail track in Grant County. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The fee for researching, preparing and presenting the plan is $28,000 and any out of pocket expenses will be billed on a monthly basis.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to adjourn at 2:50 p.m. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                          Madison Traster, Chairman