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;
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager; David Graber, Transfer
Station Manager; Todd Hampton, City/County Building Official; John Crosby, Fire
Chief; Lance Babcock, Sheriff; Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator;
Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director; Sherry Thompson, Health Department
Administrator; and Rita Gee, Treasurer. Matt Mercer, Regional Homeland Security
Coordinator, also attended this portion of the meeting.
Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the
minutes of the September 19, 2006 minutes and the claims against the various
funds of the county. Marty Long seconded the motion and following clarification
of 3 vouchers the motion passed unanimously.
Discussion was held on military leave time. The
commissioners made the unanimous decision that an employee who is absent due to
military duty for Reserve or National Guard weekend and annual training will be
treated as active work time up to 15 days per year. During such service leave,
an employee receives normal pay, accrues vacation and sick leave, and is
entitled to all benefits accruing under this system. A policy on an employee
being deployed to active duty will be discussed at a later meeting.
Brent Walker, Grant County Recreation Commission
Director, presented a proposal to put a metal building at the swimming pool
park that would be used for wellness center, yoga, aerobics and wrestling as
well as other activities. The commissioners said they had no problem with this.
Mr. Walker explained that they would also like to construct an adult soccer
field, sprinkler system and public restrooms. It was the consensus of the
commissioners that GCRC could make any improvements to the park that they want
and can afford.
Marty Long made the motion to contract with Hay
Rice, and Associates to perform the county’s audit for 2006 at a cost that
should not exceed $20,000, for 2007 at a cost that should not exceed $21,000
and 2008 for a cost that should not exceed $21,500. Carl Higgs seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
J.D. Rice and Jim Jarboe, Kearny County, Impact Productions, presented information on the Sports World Project, and asked if the
county would be willing to participate at the same level as last year. They
said Rich Garza is coming October 23, 24 & 25 to Kearny and Grant County schools. Marty Long made the motion to contribute $1600 to Impact Productions
to help with the cost. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Madison Traster made the motion to approve the
clerk’s request to purchase rolling ballot and supply carts, rolling carts for
the touch screen voting machines and provisional ballot bags at a total cost of
approximately $3,500. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Marty Long made the motion to adopt Resolution
06-10 resolving that the financial statements and reports of the county be
prepared on the basis of cash and disbursements as adjusted to show compliance
with the cash basis and budget laws of this State. Carl Higgs seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator,
and Matt Mercer, Regional Homeland Security Coordinator, met with the
commissioners. Mr. Button presented the annual participation agreement. Mr.
Button asked if he could use his budget to purchase lunch for the participants
of the workshop he is having on October 12, 2006. The workshop will
be held from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at Pioneer Communications meeting room.
He also asked if he could purchase some of the meal for the full-scale exercise
on the 21st. The commissioners approved his requests.
The commissioners recessed for lunch with the
hospital board at Park View Assisted Living. Discussion was held about
responses from the hospital video. Discussion was also held on interest rates
for the hospital 15-year bond compared to the care home 10-year bond.
John Pinegar and Doug Smith, Pinegar, Smith and
Associates, met with the commissioners. Mr. Pinegar said they look forward to
doing the feasibility study regarding upgrading the rail that is currently in
place to heavy rail. He reported that they have had 20 meetings with groups and
individuals and will have at least that many more in their research. Mr.
Pinegar explained that their assessment will be their best professional
judgment based on their findings over the next 45 days.
Bob Forsen met with the commissioners to discuss
plans for the law enforcement expansion. Commissioner Long stated that he had
been in touch with Sheriff Babcock and Bud Newberry, City Administrator, and
they agree that the dispatch office will be left in the same location but it
will be made larger. The building will have separate entrances for the police
department and the sheriff’s department. The commissioners authorized Mr.
Forsen to proceed with the plans for the expansion project. The emergency
services in the county will be invited to the next regular meeting for any
questions or suggestions they might have.
Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator,
presented road-crossing permits for Pioneer Communications that were reviewed and
approved by the commissioners. Discussion was held on the speed limit for the
new truck route. Mr. Kramer said the engineer recommended posting the road at a
reduced speed. The decision was made to post the route from Hwy 25 to Patterson
Avenue 65 mph and post from Patterson Avenue south 55 mph. In other business,
Prairie Dog control was discussed. Carl Higgs made the motion to charge
landowners the price of the bait and $10.00 per hour labor charge to help with
Prairie Dog control. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Alan Olson, Chief of Police, and Penny Noyes,
Doves, met with the commissioners. Ms. Noyes talked to the commissioners about
putting a multi purpose room in the new addition to the law enforcement center
that could be used for supervised visitation as well as other purposes.
Marty Long made motion to recess into executive
session for 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded
the motion and it passed unanimously. Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator,
Lance Babcock, Sheriff, and Linda McHenry, County Clerk, attended this portion
of the meeting. After 15 minutes, the meeting continued in open session.
Discussion was held on the county’s employee performance evaluations and pay
plan. The commissioners suggested that department heads meet to discuss issues
regarding the pay play.
The commissioners adjourned to meet again in
regular session on October 17, 2006.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Madison Traster, Chairman