C20091020 October
20, 2009
The Board of County Commissioners met with
Chairman Carl Higgs, Commissioner Marty Long and County Clerk Linda McHenry
present. Commissioner Madison Traster was absent due to a State committee
meeting.
During the public forum portion Fred
Borthwick, local citizen, thanked the commissioners for the county?s
contribution which enabled him to attend the World War II Veterans? Honor
Flight to Washington, D.C. Mr. Borthwick told the commissioners about some of
things they saw in Washington.
Marty Long made the motion to approve the
minutes of the October 7, 2009 meeting and the claims against the various funds
of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed.
Later in the morning Marty Long made the
motion to approve the additional voucher to Schwerdt Design for artwork and
decorations for the care home in the amount of $1871.46. Carl Higgs seconded
the motion and it passed.
Commissioners Carl Higgs and Marty Long were
both contacted by a local citizen who was concerned about the county?s
ambulance rates. This person had been told that it costs more for a Grant County resident to be picked up and transported
by Grant County EMS than it costs a resident from anther county to be
picked up and transported by our ambulance service. Commissioner Long reported
that he asked our EMS Director about this allegation and it is not true. It was
explained to him that the basic rate for the transport is the same. The only
difference is the mileage rate which will vary depending on how many miles the
ambulance travels. It is also noted that Grant County EMS does not pick up out
of county residents to take them to that county?s hospital. Our interlocal
agreement with surrounding counties allows transporting residents from those
counties to Grant County if they doctor in Ulysses.
Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator,
presented a quote for a truck to replace the 2000 shop truck. Marty Long made
the motion to purchase a 2009 1 Ton Chevrolet from Riley Chevrolet at a cost of
$27,357.00. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed.
DeDe Lane, Solid Waste Management Committee,
presented the 2010 committee membership list for the commissioners review.
Marty Long made the motion to accept the Solid Waste Management Committee List
for 2010 as presented. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed.
Marty Long made the motion to continue the
county?s current BlueCross/BlueShield plan for 2010. The monthly premium rates
for health and drug coverage are: Employee=$469.52; Employee/Child=$904.55;
Employee/Spouse=$1008/46; and Employee/Dependents =$1443.49. Carl Higgs
seconded the motion and it passed. The increase in premium is because there
have been six major claims filed this year.
Cecilia Gonzales and Christy Monson,
Fountain of Life Assembly of God, explained that her church has used the Civic
Center facilities for the past several years. She asked about the possibility
of having fees waived for using the facilities. Commissioner Long explained
that fees are waived on an individual basis before functions are held and are
primarily given for fund raisers or events such as concerts or revivals which
are open to the community. He explained that fees for using the facilities for
birthday parties or showers would not be waived.
The commissioners recessed for lunch with
City of Ulysses officials at Park View Assisted Living. Those in attendance
from the city were: Mayor Thadd Kistler, Administrator Daron Hall, City Clerk
Dana Cotherman, and Council Members, Ann Papay, Larry Velasquez and Tim
McCauley. Survey results were discussed. The county will put the results on
their website.
The Legacy @ Park View Board of Trustees
members attended the commissioners? meeting. Those in attendance were: Pam
Gindlesberger, Larry Rumburg, Julia Traster, Richard Pickler and Larry Kepley. The
smoking policy at the care home and assisted living facilities was discussed. Mrs.
Gindlesberger stated that if a smoking area is designated outside the care
home, you have to have a designated area indoors as well. It was further
explained that indoor smoking areas have to be adequately ventilated and
monitored and this is cost prohibitive. At the request of the board, Marty
Long made the motion to recess into executive session for 5 minutes to discuss
non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed. After 5
minutes the meeting continued in open session.
Discussion was held on demolition specifications
for the old care home. The clerk will advertise for bids for 2 weeks in the
local paper. The specs will be posted on the county?s website. Bids will be
opened at the November 13, 2009 commissioner meeting.
The commissioners adjourned to meet again in
regular session on November 3, 2009.
___________________________ ___________________________
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Carl
Higgs, Chairman