C20080902 September
2, 2008
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: Rita Gee, Treasurer; Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS
Director; Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator; J.D. Neufeld, Civic
Center Manager; Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds; Don Button, Emergency
Management Coordinator; and Todd Hampton, City/County Building Official.
Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the
minutes of the August 19, 2008 meeting and the claims against the various funds
of the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion. Following clarification of
two vouchers the motion passed unanimously.
The commissioners authorized John Crosby to
proceed with having a licensed plumber install a freeze proof faucet on the
roof of the courthouse. This will facilitate the cleaning of the roof and A/C
units. It was pointed out that filters on all the A/C units need to be replaced
on a regular basis.
The commissioners discussed Kenny Sneyd’s
concern with nonpayment for towing charges, which was talked about at the last
commissioner meeting. It was the consensus of commissioners to allow the
Sheriff’s policies and procedures to take care of this issue since he is an
elected official.
Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator,
presented bids for crushing concrete at the landfill. Lee Construction bid
$2500.00 for mobilization and $48,655.00 (5260 tons at $9.25/Ton) to crush the
concrete. Dodge City Sand Co. bid $10.75/Ton or $56,545.00. Carl Higgs made the motion to accept the low bid of $51,155.00 from Lee Construction for
crushing the concrete. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously. At Mr. McCauley’s request, Carl Higgs made the motion to recess
into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Madison
Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 10 minutes the
meeting continued in open session. In other business, the commissioners made
the decision that the county will not accept a negative dilute specimen on any
drug test. Whenever there is a negative dilute specimen, a repeat test will be
performed.
Discussion was held on what to do with the old
care home. Chairman Long said he was in favor of bulldozing the old care home.
Commissioner Higgs indicated he was not ready to make a decision at this time.
Tom Fuhrmann, County Appraiser, reported the
hard drive in one of their servers from the state crashed. There are problems
with the other servers and a real danger that information will be lost so Mr.
Fuhrmann is in the process of converting to central hosting through the state.
He said there is no cost for the central hosting at this
time. There will be some cost if the appraiser’s office has to have a dedicated
internet connection, but Pioneer Communications is working to see if something
can be done to increase the courthouse internet speed.
Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director, reported she has
been checking on an ambulance purchase. She said there are 3 companies she is
looking at. She said the quotes range from $117,000 to $127,000. Production
time is 120 to 260 days. Ms. Deckert said the two 2002 ambulances will be in
service for several years. The commissioners said it was their understanding
when the third ambulance was sold to Greensburg there would be no new purchases
for a while. Ms. Deckert will check her five-year plan to see when the next
purchase is planned. Ms. Deckert reported on a leak in the garage area when the
driving rain occurred several weeks ago. She said that leak has been fixed but
the building is going to need some maintenance in the near future. She also said
there are some sewer problems with tree roots in the lines.
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds
Manager, reported the scrubber had quit working again but they were able to get
it started. The company said the machine needs a new circuit board that will
cost about $800.00. A new scrubber would cost $12,000 to $15,000. A new
scrubber is included in the Park Maintenance five-year plan for 2009. The
commissioners suggested that Mr. Neufeld spend the next few months checking to
see what type of new scrubber would be best for use at the civic center. The
commissioners authorized Mr. Neufeld to take sealed bids on the old truck at
the civic center.
LaVonne Michael, Senior Center Director, and
Betty Warner, Board on Aging Board Member, met with the commissioners. Bill
Anderson, Jessie Nickerson, Dennis Leighty, Shirlene Madsen, Joanne Lance,
Betty Radloff, Wanda Bloesser, and Debbie Long, local citizens also attended
this portion of the meeting. Mrs. Michael presented a brief history of the
senior citizens center. She gave reason the senior center needs more space and requested
the commissioners consider allowing the senior citizens to build a new facility
on the ground currently occupied by the old care home. (A copy of the formal
request is attached as a part of this record.) LaVonne explained that she
thinks she can use fund raisers and grant money to build a new facility. Chairman
Long gave all in attendance an opportunity to speak for a few minutes. It was the
consensus of those who spoke that they do not want their taxes to increase any
more at this time so they are not if favor of building a new senior center. No
decision was made by the commissioners.
The commissioners adjourned to meet again in
regular session on September 16, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.
____________________________ ____________________________
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Marty
Long, Chairman