C20111221 December 21, 2011
The regular meeting set for December 20, 2011 was delayed one day due to severe blizzard conditions. The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 am with Chairman Linda McHenry, Commissioner Carl Higgs and the County Clerk present. Commissioner Marty Long was absent due to an emergency and jointed the meeting at 11:20 am.
Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the minutes of the December 6, 2011 meeting along with the claims against the various funds of the county. Linda McHenry seconded the motion, and it passed.
Lance Babcock, Sheriff, informed the commissioners he will be purchasing replacement mattresses for the jail beds. Sheriff Babcock will also be replacing the shower rods with shower slides with mounted tracts for added jail safety. The Sheriff then presented two quotes for three (3) new computers at the Law Enforcement Center. Carl Higgs made the motion to accept the low bid from Tech-USA Computer Services for three (3) new computers at a cost of $820.00 for each computer. Linda McHenry seconded the motion, and it passed.
Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the request from the County Clerk to purchase a Dell Scanner for the election program, at a cost not to exceed $1,069.59 and for it to be taken out of the special equipment fund. Linda McHenry seconded the motion, and it passed.
Carl Higgs made the motion to transfer the unexpended balances of the various funds to special funds as allowed by statue. Linda McHenry seconded the motion, and it passed.
Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator, discussed pickup bids. The commissioners tabled the bids for the new pickup at the Road Department until next meeting. Discussion was held on the snow removal difficulties at the county facilities.
John Crosby, Fire Chief; and Fire Fighters, Jimmy Walters, Chris Kincaid, Andrew Fort, Terry Crosby, Jeff Baier, and Darcy Nightengale, met with commissioners to request new air packs due to the failures and deterioration in the present ones. They proposed purchasing high pressure air packs that have twice the breathing time than the present ones. Mr. Crosby told commissioners the purchase was planned for 2013, but they are having too much trouble and need to make the change now. It was the consensus of the commissioners to allow the Fire Chief to seek bids.
Rick Belt, Grant County Chamber Member, and Marietta Hauser, Grant County Chamber of Commerce Director, requested to be considered in the future for budget appropriations. The Grant County Chamber is receiving $12,500 yearly from the City of Ulysses and they are still having trouble making ends meet. The director would like to spend more time carrying out chamber functions and less time fund raising. The commissioners will hold this request for the 2013 budget work session.
Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator, and JD Neufeld, Civic Center Manager, met with commissioners to continue the discussion of snow removal from county facilities. The Civic Center has some equipment that would be helpful in snow removal. A plan was set in place for future snow storms, concentrating on emergency services first. It was agreed the Civic Center staff would start on storm days with county facility sidewalks. Mr. McCauley also visited with commissioners concerning a request from a citizen wanting to buy big concrete pieces at the Transfer Station. It was the consensus of the commissioners to allow the big pieces to be sold, if they were not going to be used by the Road Department.
Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director, updated the commissioners on EMS staff procedure during storms. Ms. Deckert presented two bids for three (3) complete vision video laryngoscopes sets from Bound Tree Medical and King Systems Medical Company, both companies bidding $3,375.95. The laryngoscopes would be stocked on each ambulance and paramedics are the only staff qualified to use the equipment. Carl Higgs made the motion to purchase three (3) vision video laryngoscope sets at a cost not to exceed $3,375.95. Linda McHenry seconded the motion, and it passed. Commissioner Long joined the meeting. Ms. Deckert's second agenda item was to discuss the fees the EMS charges for ambulance use. The fees have not gone up in 5 years and Medicare is increasing the allowed amount January 1, 2012. Carl Higgs made the motion to increase the ambulance rates for 2012. Marty Long seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
The commissioners moved to recess at 11:45 am and reconvene at Park View Assisted Living to lunch with the city. Those attending from the city were: Mayor, John Battin; Council Members, Janet Stewart, Tim McCauley, John Duran, Larry Velasquez; and Administrator, Daron Hall. General discussion was held.
Commissioners discussed the Grant County Museum roof. A-Lert has returned to repair leaks on two different occasions but the roof still is not fixed and continues to leak. The commissioners asked a letter be written to Steve Sapde with A-Lert Roofing stating the commissioners? concerns.
Carl Higgs made the motion for adjournment at 1:42 pm, to meet again in regular session January 3, 2012. Marty Long seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
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Sheila Brown, County Clerk Linda McHenry, Chairman