The Board of County Commissioners met in regular
session at 9:30 a.m. with all members and the County Clerk present.
In the public forum portion of the meeting, Cary
Binney requested approval to have the World Day of Prayer on the steps of the
courthouse at 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on May 3, 2007. The commissioners
approved his request.
Carl Higgs made motion to approve the minutes of
the March 6, 2007 meeting and the claims against the various funds of the
county. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Gene Pflughoft, Economic Development Director,
and Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator, met with the commissioners. Carl Higgs made a motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss contractual
matters. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After
15 minutes the meeting continued in open session.
Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator, and
Luie Diaz, Shop Foreman, met with the commissioners. Mr. Diaz presented quotes
for a transmission jack. Madison Traster made the motion to approve the bid not
to exceed $1,700.00 from Southwest Kansas Sales. Carl Higgs seconded the motion
and it passed unanimously. Mr. Kramer presented quotes for road material. Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the quotes from Klotz Sand & Asphalt for approximately
1800 tons of CM-B at a cost of $3.50/ton and approximately 4400 tons of CM-A at
a cost of $10.50/ton. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously. No decision was made on CM-C. Mr. Kramer said there are areas
where culverts are needed but other areas where a low water crossing would be
better. He plans to use crushed rock or crushed concrete to build a base for
the low water crossings.
Ginger Anthony, Museum Curator, and Jeff Trotman
and Mark Giesaking, Historical Society Board Members, presented information on
the roof work that was done 3 years ago at the museum. It was stated that
Ulysses Building Supply was the contractor for that project and they have had
no success locating the roofer who actually did the work. Discussion was held
on replacing the roof. Discussion was held on replacing the 29 year old air
conditioning unit on top of the building. The cost for the unit would be
$3,500. Commissioner Long recommended that the board find a roofing contractor
outside the county, if necessary and determine what needs to be done to fix the
roof. He also stated that the board might want to ask the county attorney to
determine if the roof warranty would be enforceable.
Lance Babcock, Sheriff, gave an update on the 911
project. He reported the aerial photography has been completed. Sheriff Babcock
talked about prisoner medical bills at the county owned clinic. The pricing
from them has increased due to it being a rural health care clinic. He is also
taking prisoners to Hugoton since there is no dentist available in Ulysses. He
will check with Diamond Pharmaceutical to see what prescription rates would be
from them. In other business, Sheriff Babcock reported he has a jailer position
open and has a part time person who would like to fill the position. The
commissioners approved hiring the individual. Discussion was held on the City’s
proposed storage building for confiscated vehicles and other equipment. Sheriff
Babcock said there is a need for some place where these items can be secured.
The monthly luncheon with the City of Ulysses was held at Park View Assisted Living with the following in attendance: Mayor Ed
Wiltse; and Council Members, Thadd Kistler, Ann Papay and John Duran. General
discussion was held. Councilwoman Papay mentioned the storage facility for
confiscated vehicles and other equipment. The commissioners said they thought
the county would be willing to participate in this project. Commissioner Long
gave an update on the Law Enforcement Center expansion project.
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds
Manager, reported his plans to attend a management workshop in Great Bend. Bids were opened for lawn care. Gray’s Yard Service bid $3,450.00 for spraying
certain county lawns and $510.00 for aeration. K & K Lawn Care bid
$2,376.00 for lawn care as advertised. Madison Traster made the motion to
approve the bid of $2,376.00 from K & K Lawn Service. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Discussion was held on a floor
burnisher. Madison Traster made the motion to purchase a 27” High Performance Battery Burnisher at a cost not to exceed $3,950.00 from Betco. Marty Long seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Stephen D. Shadden, Director of the 26th
Judicial District of Kansas Juvenile Corrections & Prevention Services,
gave an overview of their programs. Discussion was held on adding six ISP
computer extensions for Liz Rice’s office in the courthouse. This would enable Ms.
Rice to begin an on-line computer school. The commissioners questioned if there
was enough physical space available for this but had no problem with it if it
does not interfere with the county’s computer/internet system. The clerk’s
office will check with Pioneer Communications regarding this and contact Mr.
Shadden with their findings.
Pat LeClerc, BlueCross BlueShield
Representative, explained the prescription co-pay again. She said they only
have the 3 tier plan available.
Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator,
gave an update on FEMA reimbursement following the ice storm. He said he
received the first check yesterday in the amount of $3,705.00 on the care home
portion. He reported on the safety committee meeting. The safety committee had
the following recommendations: (1) the entrances on the north and west side of
the courthouse need to be enclosed to keep the steps safe during inclement
weather; (2) lighting for the east parking lot; and (3) the enclosure at the
east door needs to be repaired. He also reported that the safety committee is
going to start touring each county facility in May.
Loyetta Skeen, Clerk of the District Court,
reported the hard drive in the courtroom computer crashed. Information from the
hard drive has been retrieved and a new computer has been purchased. Cost of
the new Dell PC is $1,426.00.
Carl Higgs made the motion to set the median
rate of pay for the position of Health Department Administrator at $19.50 since
the position is no longer required to be a nurse, and to hire Anita Alvarado as
Health Department Administrator at a starting rate of 90 % of the median or
$17.55/hour.
Kevin Gray, Gray’s Yard Service, presented
information on the courthouse yard. The south side of the yard and sprinkler
system is going to be destroyed when construction is done on the LEC. Mr. Gray
proposed replacing the sprinkler system and the yard. He will bring several
options for the commissioners to consider to the next meeting.
Billie Sue Upshaw, Western Prairie Care Home
Administrator, reported on damage to the care home roof and interior due to the
ice and snow storm. The care home’s insurance company said they would not cover
the damage. The commissioners said they do not want to spend $54,000 to repair
the roof at this time. There was some question as to whether the roof would
leak when it rains. The commissioners recommended having the county attorney
send a letter to the care home’s insurance company. They also recommended
getting more quotes for the repairs.
Karla Wood, Ulysses New, met with the
commissioners. Carl Higgs made the motion to participate in the Experience Grant County publication at a cost not to exceed $399.00. The motion was
seconded and passed.
Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into
executive session for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing law enforcement
sensitive homeland security material. Madison Traster seconded the motion and
it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open session.
The commissioners reviewed a request for
intergovernmental comments on an application for a rural economic development
loan project for Critical Care Transfer. The unanimous decision was made to
recommend that clearance for the project should be granted.
Due to 10 years of service, special training and
certifications attained by, and her ability and willingness to fill in when the
Emergency Management Coordinator has to be out of county, Carl Higgs made the motion to increase Vivian Button’s rate of pay to $10.25/hour. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The commissioners adjourned to meet again in
regular session on April 3, 2007. They will meet in special session on March
22, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. in Hugoton, Kansas at Memorial Hall. They will meet with
commissioners from Morton, Stanton and Stevens County.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Marty Long, Chairman