C20111206 December 6, 2011
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 am with Chairman Linda McHenry, Commissioner Marty Long and the County Clerk present. Commissioner Carl Higgs was absent due to another commitment.
Russell Child Development presented cookies to the commissioners in appreciation of their continued support. Pastor Randy Parks provided prayer and Linda McHenry led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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; JD Neufeld, Civic Center Manager; Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator; Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director; DeDe Lane, Purchasing Agent; Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds; Lance Babcock, Sheriff; and John Crosby, Fire Chief.
Kristy Frazee, Health Department Administrator, reported she will be purchasing a reception desk and a new exam table. Ms. Frazee requested approval to dispose of the old exam table. Marty Long made the motion to dispose of the broken exam table at the landfill. Linda McHenry seconded the motion and it passed. The commissioners reviewed and signed a letter for Medicare (CMS) stating the county is legally and financially responsible for the Health Department.
Lance Babcock, Sheriff, reported he will be buying four new computers for his department this year. Also, due to unforeseen illness, several employees in the Sheriff?s Department have not taken vacation and Sheriff Babcock would like them paid as per commissioners' minutes dated August 3, 2010. It was the consensus of the commissioners to allow Sheriff Babcock to pay his employees for some of the unused vacation. Marty Long made the motion to go into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Linda McHenry seconded the motion, and it passed. After 15 minutes the meeting resumed with no action taken.
Marty Long made the motion to approve the minutes of the November 15, 2011 meeting along with the claims against the various funds of the county. Linda McHenry seconded the motion, and it passed.
Linda McHenry made the motion to approve the written request from Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds to have Salina Blueprint microfilm her records at a cost of $10,878, and per Ms. Sullivan's request $2,478 from the Register of Deeds budget and $8,400 from the Register of Deeds Technology fund. Marty Long seconded the motion, and it passed.
Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator, asked for permission to get bids for a new truck. Discussion was held on where to get bids since one local dealership has closed their doors. It was the consensus of the commissioners per purchasing procedure policy that Mr. McCauley get three bids.
Debbie Long, Clerk of the District Court, presented a quote from Pioneer Communications on a conference speaker phone; a quote from J&M Paint and Decorating Center for carpet; and two quotes, one from Southern Office Supply and one from Office Solutions for two desks. Ms. Long explained she was tearing out the mounted cabinet/desks in her office and the carpet would repair the area and the desks would replace the built in cabinet/desks. Linda McHenry made the motion to approve the quote from Pioneer Communications for a conference phone at a cost of $1,030; the quote from J&M Paint for transition carpet at a cost of $306.60; and also the quote from Southern Office Supply for two desks at a cost of $1,950. Marty Long seconded the motion, and it passed.
LaVonne Michael, Director of the Senior Center and John Crosby, Ross of Ulysses, discussed the 22 year old furnace units on the roof of the Senior Center/Health Department Building. There are eight units servicing the whole building and they need replaced. The units are constantly breaking down and it is costing too much to continue repairing them. Discussion was held on when to replace the units and it was decided if Mr. Crosby could get one unit up and going, the county will replace several units starting in the spring.
Phil Porter, Youth Leader and Kris Humphrey, Pastor of the Oasis Church, proposed holding an overnight event in the Civic Center. Mr. Humphrey explained the event was not to benefit the church, but an event for security and safety as well as being full of fun for the participants. The event would be for grades 6 through 12, and would start Saturday night at 11:00 pm and end at 7:00 am Sunday morning. Discussion was held on sponsors, security and rooms needed. After lunch the commissioners met with JD Neufeld, Civic Center Manager at the Civic Center to discuss the Safe New Year's Event. The commissioners agreed to allow this function to proceed. It was further agreed to waive the facility fee, but Grant County will require they purchase liability insurance for the inflatable toys.
Leslie Mangels, Economic Development Director, visited with the commissioners concerning land for a prospective business, and asked the commissioners to consider purchasing the ground now. Commissioner Long would like to wait and see if the business chose our community first. Ms. Mangels asked commissioners if they knew any avenues for her to pursue to gain information for economic development in our area. The commissioners will keep her abreast of any they come across.
Marty Long made the motion to give all full time Grant County employees, who have been working for a year or more, a onetime bonus of $500. Linda McHenry seconded the motion, and it passed. Commissioner Long requested this onetime bonus check be paid with a separate check run and not be given with their regular paychecks.
Marty Long made the motion for adjournment at 1:44 pm, to meet again in regular session December 20, 2011 at 9:00 am. Linda McHenry seconded the motion, and it passed.
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Sheila Brown, County Clerk Linda McHenry, Chairman