C20111004 October 4, 2011
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 am with all members and the County Clerk present.
The monthly department head meeting was held with the following in attendance: Kristy Frazee, Health Department Administrator; Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator; Rita Gee, Treasurer; Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds; JD Neufeld, Civic Center Manager; Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator; Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director; and Lance Babcock, Sheriff. Pastor Steve Swann provided prayer and Linda McHenry led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Lance Babcock and Randy McCauley met with commissioners to discuss removing a wall between two rooms on the top floor of the courthouse. Landmark Appraisal contacted the county clerk to see if it would be possible to renovate the rooms to accommodate a wheelchair. The commissioners gave their blessing and thanked Mr. Babcock and Mr. McCauley for offering to get the renovation started on the rooms.
Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director, informed the commissioners of a mold problem at the EMS building. A drain in the shower backed up onto the floor, wall and carpet. Ms. Deckert will be getting bids to repair the damaged area. Jerry Jo also informed commissioners the Kansas Legislature has passed law requiring EMS first responders, EMT-basics and EMT-intermediate certified personnel to retrain, which will upgrade the level of care they provide. Ms. Deckert proposed paying the instructors $15.00 per hour; the first responder and EMT-basic students $100.00 each; and the EMT-intermediate students $300.00 each. The total estimated cost to the EMS fund would be $3,100 in 2011 and $9,750 in 2012. The required training has been scheduled so completion could be accomplished by December 2012. Marty Long made the motion to allow first responder and EMT-basic students a payment of $100 each; and EMT-intermediate students a payment of $300.00 each; as well as pay the instructor rate of $15.00 per hour. Carl Higgs seconded the motion, as it passed unanimously.
JD Neufeld, Civic Center Manager, asked permission to dispose of two fuel storage tanks. The commissioners would like the storage tanks advertised and sold by sealed bid. Mr. Neufeld also asked to dispose of some banquet chairs that were damaged by freight haulers. The company was contacted to pick up the chairs, but they did not want them back. The commissioners instructed Mr. Neufeld to dispose of the structural damaged chairs at the transfer station. The chairs that had cosmetic damage could be advertised and sold to the public. The chairs will be sold on a first come, first serve basics for $20.00 in lots of 8 chairs.
Kevin Shapland, Fair Board President and Mari Honstead, Fair Board Secretary, explained an erroneous billing from the Ulysses News. Mr. Shapland explained the fair board was not contacted by the Ulysses News to publish a fair tab this year and they did not feel they owed the bill. The fair board sent a letter in August to Shayla explaining the problem. The commissioners asked the fair board to re-contact the paper and try to resolve the matter because it sounded as if there had been miscommunication between them. The commissioners suggested negotiating with the Ulysses News to get a reduced price for the fair tab. Ms. Honstead will get with the paper and report back at a later date.
Steve Spade, Salesman for A-Lert Roofing Systems, updated the commissioners on the roof leak at the Museum. The roofing crew finished the repairs and reworked the flashing to prevent future leaks.
Marty Long and Linda McHenry selected Carl Higgs to be the Grant County voting delegate for matters pertaining to KCAMP. Marty Long will be the alternate voting delegate.
Marty Long made the motion to approve the minutes of the September 20, 2011 meeting along with the claims against the various funds of the county. Carl Higgs second the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator met with commissioners. Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. After 20 minutes the meeting continued in open session.
Discussion was held on the treasurer's report of the three year delinquent real estate and mineral taxes. It was the consensus of the commissioners to turn the list over to the county attorney to proceed with a tax sale.
The commissioners adjourned at 11:40 am to reconvene at noon for lunch with the Hospital Board of Trustees at Park View Assisted Living. Those attending from the hospital were: David Higgs and Dr. Mark Gerstberger, Trustees; Art Frable, Administrator, and Robert Jacobi, Director of Finance. General discussion was held.
The commissioners adjourned at 1:15 pm and will meet again in regular session on October 18, 2011 at 9:00 am.
___________________________ ____________________________
Sheila Brown, County Clerk Linda McHenry, Chairman