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            The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. with all members and the County Clerk present.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to approve the minutes of the December 6, 2005 minutes and the claims against the various funds of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Brent Walker, Recreation Director, and David Seibel, Recreation Board Member, met with the commissioners regarding the cost for the filtering system for the swimming pool. Mr. Walker explained that he called their accountant and he said they would not have adequate funds to pay the cost in this fiscal year. Mr. Walker presented a list of expenses totaling $48,136.04 that recreation has paid on pool repairs and improvements since July 1, 2004. Later in the day the commissioners had a lengthy discussion about the swimming pool filtering system. Due to the incorrect design of the original system and the need to have the filtering system and heater operational next summer, Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the funds for a new filtration system for the pool at a cost of $96,400.00 as presented by Paddock Enterprises. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator, presented a bid to have laminated bronze glass installed over 7 windows in his office and the Emergency Operations Center in the basement of the courthouse. Carl Higgs made the motion to accept the bid from JR’s Glass at a cost not to exceed $1,250.00. Mr. Button requested approval to purchase a new computer at a cost of $1,300.00 from the Computer Alchemist. He stated that he priced a similar computer with Dell at a cost of $1,800.00. Carl Higgs made the motion to purchase the computer from the Computer Alchemist at a cost not to exceed $1,300.00. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Due to high utilization of the county’s health insurance, Marty Long made the motion to contract with reinsurance carrier HCC Life, through EPOCH, and to change from a $30,000 specific deductible to a $20,000 specific deductible for 2006. Carl Higgs seconded motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Tom Kramer, Road Foreman, Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, Gene Pflughoft, Economic Development Director, and Rod Kreie, Economic Development Board of Directors, met with the commissioners. Mr. Kramer presented a letter regarding the proposed FY2009 Economic Development Project Application. The Kansas Department of Transportation needs to know if the commissioners are interested in pursuing the project. Following discussion the commissioners agreed that they are still interested in proceeding with the project. Mr. Kramer will relay this to KDOT. Final approval of the Economic Development Projects will be done in January. Mr. Kramer presented information on a dump truck that is being sold by an individual. The commissioners are not interested in purchasing a truck at this time. Mr. Kramer gave an update on the bathroom project at the road department.

 

In other business, Rod Kreie and Gene Pflughoft from Economic Development reported on the progress concerning West Industries sweet corn plant. They stated that the goal of economic development is to see that the sweet corn facility continues to operate, employ local people, and makes a positive impact on the economy of Grant County. In addition, Economic Development would like to see the debts of West Industries repaid. The Sunflower Bank of Ellinwood, Kansas has placed the sweet corn plant into foreclosure. Economic Development has recruited another firm that has contracted to purchase this facility. The new company wants to continue in the sweet corn business and in addition, build a large nursery business. It was also reported that the Development Corporation is pursuing the personal guarantees of the membership of West Industries in the foreclosure litigation.

 

            Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director, Bob Forsen, Planner, and contractors, Gary Cheek, Rod Trebelcock, Craig Malone, and Jeff Rollins attended the bid opening for renovation of the ambulance building. Trebelcock and Cheek bid $60,614.00; Malone Enterprises bid $50,400.00; and AB Tech bid $46,512.00. Carl Higgs made the motion to accept the low bid of $46,512.00. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to give all county employees a 3% cost of living increase for 2006 effective with the first pay period of the new year. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The unanimous decision was made to set the salary for the Road and Bridge Administrator at $56,000.00 for 2006. A copy of wage changes for 2006 is attached as a part of this record.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 1144 revising municipal zoning ordinances for the City and its zoning jurisdiction. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Lance Babcock, Sheriff, presented bids for 32 new cameras for the jail. Bids ranged from $30,000 to $60,000. Sheriff Babcock obtained camera system information on the Internet and can purchase the equipment for $15,000.00. He said he would put the system in himself to save money. Marty Long made the motion to approve the purchase of 32 indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras for the Law Enforcement Center at a cost not to exceed $15,000, with the cost to be paid by the county’s special equipment fund. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to approve the 2006 Solid Waste Management Committee list. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners looked into the tax abatement requested by Darren Wilkey on behalf of Carlos Moral at the last commissioner meeting. It was found that the project did not meet the requirements of the county’s tax abatement policy.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to adjourn at 3:15 p.m. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Madison Traster, Chairman