C20080916 September
16, 2008
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 September 2, 2008 minutes and the claims against the
various funds of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and following
deletion of a duplicate voucher and clarification of a cell phone voucher,
motion passed unanimously.
The decision was made to proceed
with a tax sale this year. The clerk will notify the Treasurer and County Attorney regarding this.
Discussion was held on the pigeon
problem at the courthouse. The economizers on the rooftop air conditioning
units were turned off to eliminate a problem with pigeon waste collecting in
the filters of the units.
Carl Higgs made the motion to
approve the purchase of a computer, HP Printer, cables and Ethernet card,
configuration, testing, and set up for a total cost of $2300.00 from Henry M.
Adkins & Son, Inc. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously. This computer will be used solely for election purposes, including
ballot design.
Marty Long made the motion to
nominate Carl Higgs as the voting delegate for the annual KWORCC and KCAMP
meeting in November and to nominate Madison Traster as alternate voting
delegate. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Randy McCauley, Road Department
Administrator, asked about changing the bid letting date for the bypass project
from November 2008 to January 2009. He said the engineer recommended this in
hopes that oil prices will be lower at that time. The commissioners authorized
Mr. McCauley to try and change the date. Madison Traster made the motion to
approve a resolution that certifies that all real property acquisitions and
utility arrangements have been made regarding Project 34KA-0493-01 which is
located at Road K from US-160 N 3.1 miles & W 1 mile to K-25. Carl Higgs
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mr. McCauley reported that an
individual is interested in purchasing the county’s old fuel pumps, and a
representative from Hoidale said they might be worth about $200 each. The
commissioners approved selling the pumps for whatever he can get for them. In
other business Mr. McCauley said a portable toilet would cost about $700.00. It
could be used not only at the gravel pit when screening but also on road
projects.
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Manager,
met with the commissioners. Commissioner Traster asked how long the urinals
have been in the Civic Center. Mr. Neufeld explained that the urinals
themselves are old but self-flushing kits were recently added.
Larry Kepley, local citizen,
reported that he served for a number of years on the Cimarron Advisory
Committee and one of the things they worked with was weather modification. He
believes from the scientific evidence that has been done the program is a good
one. He believes hail suppression has been a benefit to us in decreasing hail
insurance rates. Mr. Kepley said he is interested in seeing the program
continue in the county. The commissioners said they had made the decision not
to participate in the program in 2009 but they would look at it again when
working on the 2010 budget.
Lynda Fort, local citizen, asked if
the county would be able to help with funding the city’s centennial celebration
next year. The request is for $8,000.00. Mrs. Fort did not want an answer at
this time.
Carl Higgs made the motion to
recess into executive session for 20 minutes for the purpose of discussing
financial matters concerning the county and non-elected personnel. Madison
Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 20 minutes the
meeting continued in open session.
The commissioners recessed for
lunch with the City of Ulysses at Park View Assisted Living. Those attending
from the city were: Thadd Kistler, Mayor; Daron Hall, City Manager; Mary Smith,
City Clerk; and Council Members Ed Wiltse, Pete Woods and Scott Malone. Bind
weed in the city was discussed. The commissioners said the county would be
willing to treat the bind weed if the city could identify locations it is
growing. Commissioner Traster asked if the corners that were added on Main
Street several years ago could be removed. He also asked the council if the
street lights could be timed to blink between certain hours of the night/day to
make Main Street travel easier when there is virtually no traffic. The city
will check on this.
Anita Quimby, Health Department
Administrator, requested approval to increase the pay for the ARNP from $35/hr
to $40/hr. There has been no increase in the rate of pay for this position for
the past 9 years. The commissioners approved this request. Chairman Long
informed Mrs. Quimby that there is discussion regarding the senior center and
health department. He assured her she would be included in any discussion
regarding changes with the building they are in. Mrs. Quimby explained that
there is not a duplication of services provided by nurses in the health
department and senior center. When questioned, she said her department could
probably do the same work as the Sr. Center nurses but she would have to hire
more help to do the job. Mrs. Quimby also said she and the staff at the Senior
Citizen’s Center work well together.
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Manager,
requested approval to purchase 12 roasters from Dave Seibel at a cost of
$300.00. The commissioners approved his request.
Gene Pflughoft, Economic
Development Director, met with the commissioners. 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. Madison Traster made the motion to
appoint Dr. Tim Cantrell to the Economic Development Board of Directors
replacing Dave Jesse whose term is up. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
The decision was made to have a
silent auction, which is open to the public, for the sale of used courthouse
computer equipment. The clerk will set the time, date and location for the
auction and advertise it to the public.
Discussion was held on what to do
with the old care home when it is vacated. No formal motion was made but it was
the consensus of all three commissioners that the building should be demolished
if no better plan is presented before that time.
The commissioners adjourned to meet
again in regular session on October 8, 2008.
__________________________
______________________________
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Marty
Long, Chairman