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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