The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. with all members and the County Clerk present.

 

            The monthly department head meeting was held with the following in attendance: Tom Kramer, Road Foreman; Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator; David Wagner, Transfer Station Manager; John Crosby, Fire Chief; Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds; Pete Clinesmith, Noxious Weed Director; Rita Gee, Treasurer; Todd Hampton, City/County Building Official; and Nancy Ramski, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the claims against the various funds of the county and the minutes of the August 16, 2005 meeting. Marty Long seconded the motion and following clarification of several vouchers, the motion passed unanimously.

 

            Arlin Alexander presented a petition for a one-mile field road on the east edge of the county. Following discussion, it was decided that he would talk to the adjoining tenants in an effort to resolve the issue.

 

            David Wagner, Transfer Station Manger, presented a quote from Terracon for soil tests to be performed during the landfill closure. Marty Long made the motion to hire Terracon Consulting Engineers for their services for the closure of Pit One in an amount not to exceed $12,000.00. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to increase Armando Minjarez compensation for the mural he painted from $1,500.00 to the original bid amount of $2,000.00. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve an ordinance amending the official zoning district map by changing certain property from A-L (Agricultural) to R-1 (Single-Family Residential). Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to increase the mileage rate from 35 cents to the amount allowed by I.R.S., which is 40.5 cents when a personal vehicle is used for county business, with the provision that the rate could change depending on fluctuation in fuel prices. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to take sealed bids on the 1991 Chevy Caprice. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Robin Hathaway, County Attorney, and Rita Gee, Treasurer, talked to the commissioners about delinquent taxes. Mrs. Gee informed the commission that there are 101 parcels of real estate with delinquent taxes in the amount of $457,656.54, and 12 parcels of severed mineral with delinquent taxes of $841.83. It was determined that most of the delinquency is for special assessments against the property involved. Following discussion it was decided that the county attorney would do additional research regarding this matter.

 

            Tom Kramer, Road Foreman, presented quotes on crack sealing material. Marty Long made the motion to accept the quote from Welborn sales not to exceed $13,005.00. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. In other business, Mr. Kramer talked to the commissioners about putting a gas fired radiant furnace in the shop replacing one big gas furnace. Mr. Kramer also asked about the possibility of building a new restroom for the shop and eliminate some other plumbing problems, including a sink that needs to be replaced and moving the washer and dryer. He explained that his department, during times when roadwork can’t be done, would provide the labor for this. Approval was given to proceed with the restroom project. Mr. Kramer also received approval to sell a Cummins engine that can no longer be used by the road department. He will advertise to take sealed bids with a minimum acceptable bid. Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            Harold DuPree, Airport Board, presented an update on the airport project. He said easements from the pipeline companies that go across the property involved would have to be obtained. He will talk to the engineers to see if they are going to do this. If not, he will talk to the county attorney about it.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for 30 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 30 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            Gene Pflughoft, Economic Development Director, reported that Smithfield is not going to consider Kansas as a location for their packing plant. Mr. Pflughoft presented information to renew the county’s non-metropolitan enterprise zone designation. Carl Higgs made the motion to reappoint Rod Kreie and David Jesse to the Economic Development Board. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to adjourn at 5:15 p.m. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Madison Traster, Chairman