C20071218 December
18, 2007
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular
session at 9:30 a.m. with all members and the County Clerk present.
David Seibel, Grant County Recreation Commission
Board Member, informed the commissioners their director resigned. Mr. Seibel
gave an update on their building project. He asked if the county could help with
the dirt work for the project which would provide an estimated cost savings of
$9,000.00. Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator, attended this portion
of the meeting. He said his department would be willing to help with this if
the commissioners approve. The commissioners gave their approval for the road
department doing the dirt work for GCRC. Mr. Seibel said they would pay for the
material. Mr. Seibel also stated Grant County Recreation would remember this
and be willing to help the county when needed.
Rita Gee, Treasurer, explained the former policy
on holding an accounts payable check for delinquent personal property. She said
she wasn’t sure this was applicable to real property.
Madison Traster made the motion to approve the
minutes of the December 4, 2007 meeting and the claims against the various
funds of the county accept for the voucher to Grant County Gazette until
clarification of the statutes regarding holding payment for unpaid taxes. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Carl Higgs made the motion to transfer the
unexpended balances of the various funds to special funds as allowed by
statute. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Doug Yoder, Care Home Consultant, presented
information from Atmos Energy for a gas main at a cost of $6,700.00. Mr. Yoder
explained there is $15,000 budgeted for utility work. He reported that a phone
system and cable quote from Pioneer Communications is coming in lower than the
budgeted amount of $80,000.00. He also informed the commissioners that when
dirt work started they ran into spongy soil. The estimate to fix this was
$55,000.00. The actual cost was $19,800.00. Mr. Yoder will return in 2 - 3
months with another update.
Carl Higgs made the motion to approve paying
installation and training costs for software in the amount of $1,107.00 for the
Clerk of the District Court’s office. Madison Traster seconded the motion and
it passed unanimously. Approval for the software was given at the last meeting.
The installation and training quote was received after that meeting.
The commissioners approved the Community
Corrections Act Agencies Application for FY 2007 Unexpended Funds.
Robin Hathaway, County Attorney, met with the
commissioners. Madison Traster made the motion to recess into executive session
for 20 minutes for the purpose of discussing land acquisition. Marty Long
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 20 minutes the meeting
continued in open session. Discussion was held on a possible policy regarding
holding a vendor’s accounts payable check due to unpaid property taxes. The
statutes regarding this apply to unpaid personal property taxes. The decision
was made to pay the voucher from the Gazette.
Bob Moore, Insurance Agent, reported that vision
and dental rates are unchanged this year. He talked about flexible spending
accounts and said he can set one up for the county. He explained that if the
company administers the program there would be a $450.00 set up fee and $5/month
per person per month. No decision was made at this time.
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds
Manager, presented quotes for ductwork materials for the Commercial Building. Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the bid to furnish and install two “spiral
duct” systems in the commercial building at a cost not to exceed $5,775.00.
Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The commissioners discussed the old Duckwall
building. It was the consensus of the commissioners that the county needs to
purchase the building before any more work is done there.
The commissioners recessed for lunch with the
City of Ulysses at Park View Assisted Living. Those attending from the city
were: Council Members, Ann Papay, Scott Malone, Pete Woods, John Battin and
John Duran. General discussion was held. It was the consensus of the council
members that it is their intention to address the drainage issue involving the
hospital in 2008.
David Kinkelaar, Local businessman, and Scott
Nichols, Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, presented information on liquor by
the drink. Mr. Kinkelaar explained that there have been wine tasting, etc. that
have been done in the past that can no longer be done because the state is
starting to scrutinize these functions and since Grant County is not a liquor
by the drink county, the wine functions can not be done. Discussion was held on
the possibility of placing the issue on the ballot at the next General Election
in November 2008.
Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director, requested
approval to purchase one advanced airway manikin, two airway management trainer
manikins, and one cricothyrotomy trainer at a total cost of $4,648.53. Chairman
Long asked what equipment was being used now. It was explained that the current
equipment is old and needs to be replaced. Ms. Deckert reported a grant has
been received from the state in the amount of $14,640.00 to be used for the EMT
class. The money will be received after the first of the year. She asked
approval to apply for another grant program through the State Board of EMS for
another training manikin, which costs $3,900.00. She also would like to apply
for grant money to help pay expenses for 3 paramedic students who are part-time
employees. The commissioners approved her grant requests. Ms. Deckert said they
are doing very well with their vehicles. Carl Higgs made the motion to purchase
four manikins at a cost not to exceed $4,648.53. Madison Traster seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator,
asked if the commissioners would sign the paperwork for the road project, and
it will be finalized when the land is acquired. The commissioners agreed to
this. Mr. McCauley talked about engineering costs of $15,000 to design a box
culvert for drainage. The decision was made to table this for the present. Due
to the road contractor taking longer to complete the asphalt contract Kirkham
Michael is asking for an increase of $1,428.00 for testing services. The
commissioners did not approve the increase. Mr. McCauley will talk to Kirkham
Michael regarding this matter.
Lance Babcock, Sheriff, requested approval to
purchase 50 chairs and 10 tables for the meeting room in the new addition of
the Law Enforcement Center, 6 chairs for the deputies, and 6 visitor’s chairs.
Sheriff Babcock informed the commissioners the city has purchase equipment for
the interview rooms, which will be used by both entities. Madison Traster made
the motion to approve the furniture outlined above at a cost of $5,370.00. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Nancy Woods, USD 214 Member, presented
information on the Ulysses Career Learning Academy. She is asking for a letter
of support from the commissioners for this project. Madison Traster made the
motion to support this program. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk, requested approval
to proceed with a wellness plan for county employees and their spouses. She
proposed the county pay 60% of the cost for employees and their spouses to join
the Grant County Recreation Wellness Center. If there is 30% participation the
cost to the county would be $7,200.00. The employee would have to sign a paper
saying if they did not attend the required number of sessions per month, the
county could withhold its share from the employee’s paycheck. She also
requested the county continue paying the cost for employees to swim but also include
spouses in this. The estimated cost for this is $2,500.00. Chairman Long asked
that a weight loss incentive program be included in plans for a wellness
program. The clerk will work on this and have a plan with agreement document
ready by the first meeting in February.
The commissioners adjourned to meet again in
regular session on January 4, 2008.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Marty
Long, Chairman