C20071016 October
16, 2007
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular
session at 9:30 a.m. with all members and the County Clerk present.
Madison Traster made the motion to approve the
minutes of the October 2, 2007 meeting and the claims against the various funds
of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and following clarification of
three vouchers it passed unanimously.
Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator,
met with the commissioners to open bids for the sale of a 1992 pickup. Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the high bid from Metcalf Trucking of $1,701.00 for the
pickup. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Madison Traster made the motion to approve the quote from Southwest Sales of $1,449.50 for an
electric winch. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mr.
McCauley reported he plans to start work on Road W in two weeks. The
commissioners approved filling the position, which is open due to the
resignation of an employee. He asked if the county is going to start spraying
cheatgrass. The commissioners requested more information before making a
decision. Later in the day Mr. McCauley reported that he talked to Pete
Clinesmith, Noxious Weed Director, regarding cheatgrass treatment. He said this
is the time of year to treat the grass. He will get a cost estimate to
determine if there is enough money in the budget to proceed with treatment this
fall.
Lance Babcock, Sheriff, gave an update on the
building project. He requested approval to purchase a dispatcher desk so it
will be ready when the remodeling of that department starts. After viewing
several options, Madison Traster made the motion to approve the low bid from
Uptime at a cost not to exceed $9,855.00 for a dispatcher desk. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Sheriff Babcock informed the
commissioners he has to replace a toilet in the jail. The commissioners
authorized him to make this repair. In other business, Sheriff Babcock said he
is going to remodel a room as a visitors’ room which will include a wall with
windows and phones for conversation. The cost for this will be paid by the
inmate fund. Discussion was held on sidewalks that need to be replaced at the Law Enforcement Center. Madison Traster made the motion to approve the removal and
replacement of concrete sidewalks at a cost of $3,316.00. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Gene Pflughoft, Economic Development
Coordinator, met with the commissioners. Madison Traster made the motion to
recess into executive session for 25 minutes for the purpose of discussing
contractual matters. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
After 25 minutes, the meeting continued in open session.
Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director, and
Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator, presented information on a mass
casualty transport vehicle to the commissioners. Ms. Deckert explained the
Chief of Police has a school bus that was donated to the city to be converted
to a crime scene investigation unit. Instead of using the bus, he used an old
ambulance for this purpose. He has donated the bus to the Southwest Regional
Emergency Planning Council for use as a mass casualty transport vehicle. That Council
has allocated $50,000 to convert the bus but they need a host county for the
vehicle, and Jerry Jo & Don asked if the commissioners would approve Grant County being the host. They confirmed the host county will be responsible for
insurance and maintenance on the vehicle. Ms. Deckert said there is space in
the ambulance barn to house the bus. It was explained that the vehicle could be
a shelter for responders to an incident. The commissioners approved being the
host county for the vehicle.
The commissioners recessed for lunch with the city
council at Park View Assisted Living. Those attending from the city were: Mayor
Thadd Kistler; Council Members, Ann Papay, John Duran, John Battin and Scott
Malone; and Administrator Bud Newberry.
Armando Minjarez and residents from Bedrock
Mobile Home Park met with the commissioners. Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director,
also attended the meeting. Mr. Minjarez said the owner of the park has agreed to
purchase 2 of the containers, which are used for shelters, at a cost of $7,000.
He also explained they are researching the cost for electrical and other work
for the shelters. Dirt to cover the shelters was discussed. Commissioner Long
explained that excess dirt from projects, such as the care home, is usually
retained and used by the county. He said the county might be able to donate
some dirt for the project but Armando will need to let them know how much dirt
is needed before a decision can be made. The commissioners recommended the
group talk to Mexican American Ministries to see what help they might be. They
also recommended that he contact Ron Masson to see if the HIGH organization can
help him.
Madison Traster made the motion to recess into
executive session for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing possible
contractual and financial matters concerning the county. Carl Higgs seconded
the motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in
open session.
Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into
executive session for 30 minutes for the purpose of discussing financial matters
pertaining to the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously. After 30 minutes the meeting continued in open session and then
adjourned.
______________________________ ___________________________
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Marty
Long, Chairman