The Board
of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. with all members
and the County Clerk present.
Gene
Schwein made motion to approve the minutes of the July 6, 2004 minutes and the
claims against the various funds of the county. Madison Traster seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Faye Trent,
Great Plains Development, and Gene Pflughoft, Economic Development Director,
met with the commissioners. Ms. Trent presented a micro loan application for
the commissioners’ consideration. Madison Traster made the motion to approve
the micro loan application for the Ulysses Photo Center/A1 Digital Images in
the amount of $16,000. Gene Schwein seconded the motion. Following discussion
the motion passed unanimously. Interest rates for the micro loans were
discussed. At the present time the rate is 4%. The commissioners made the
decision to leave the rate as is for now. It can be changed if interest rates
increase substantially. Ms. Trent explained the services they will provide if
they are given the contract to administer the revolving loan. The services
include the following: Continuing making sure all the servicing items that are
required for each loan are done, the insurance (to make sure the county is the
loss payee and/or mortgagee if there is a building involved); They will require
monthly financials from everyone in order to do a business analysis to see if
there are any problems; Monthly notices will be sent out saying your payment is
due (past due notices are sent at least two times); They will keep track of
payments making sure everything is there (sometimes they even do the deposit
for the county); and They will prepare semiannual reports throughout the life
of the loan proceeds. Ms. Trent stated that it is the county’s responsibility
to make sure all the procedures are done, no matter who is doing the work.
Tom Kramer,
Road Foreman, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, discussed their
5-year plan and their 2005 budget request. The commissioners reviewed and
approved three road-crossing permits for OXY USA, Inc. and one permit for
Pioneer Natural Resources.
Scott
Nichols, Chamber Manager, and Gene Pflughoft, Economic Development Director,
asked what kind of arrangements could be made to help pay rent and utilities
for them as the county did in the past. It was the consensus of the
commissioners that this should be a part of the economic development budget
request. Mr. Pflughoft informed the commissioners that he would like to
administer the revolving loan for the Community Development Block Grant Micro
Loan. The commissioners tabled a decision on who will administer the loan.
Henry
Helmke, Southwest Kansas Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Foundation, Inc.
(SKADAF, Inc.), requested that the commissioners continue to fund that
organization. He didn’t request a specific amount. SKADAF provided services to
3 people from Grant County during the past fiscal year.
John
Crosby, Fire Chief, gave an update on his department. He said he would like to
put a fence back up and mark the fire station somehow so it will be
distinguishable from the airport terminal. He stated that he is going to talk
to the Airport Board regarding this. Mr. Crosby explained that he budgeted
replacing some more windows next year. He said the department’s command unit is
beginning to have problems. He said the next time an ambulance is purchased he
would like to transfer the one that is being traded to the fire department for
use as a command vehicle. He said they would be willing to pay the ambulance
department the trade in amount. The commissioners said they could support this
request. Mr. Crosby reported that the Mennonite community approached him about
having a substation in Hickok. He estimates the cost for this to be five to six
thousand dollars for the first year. The Mennonites would furnish the building
and the county would provide a pumper truck for the present. Training will be
done in conjunction with the rest of the fire department. When a new
mini-pumper is purchased, the old one can be transferred to the substation. Mr.
Crosby said he might have to purchase some new bunker gear, but he will try to
use what they have. The commissioners authorized Mr. Crosby to proceed with
plans to put a substation at or near Hickok since this would be beneficial to
the fire department and county. Mr. Crosby requested approval to purchase 4
pagers and a radio. Gene Schwein made the motion to purchase one HT1250 at a
cost of $736.25 and four pagers at a cost not to exceed $475 each. Madison
Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Bobbie
Lewis, Grant County Recreation Commission Director, presented a quote for
materials to replace light poles at the Legion Field. Madison Traster made the
motion to approve the Musco Lighting quote of $64,000 for the materials. Gene
Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Jack
Kincaid, local citizen, met with the commissioners to discuss the possibility
of the county leasing the Berkley Medical Building. The commissioners explained
that the building is too big for the county’s needs.
Following a
request from Linda McHenry, County Clerk and Election Officer, Madison Traster
made the motion to approve paying election board head judges $150 for Election
Day and their attendance at the mandated election worker school. Other election
board workers and interpreters will receive $125 as compensation. Gene Schwein
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The
commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on August 3, 2004.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Carl
Higgs, Chairman