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 October 3 and October 9, 2006 meetings and the claims against
the various funds of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion. Following
clarification of several vouchers, the motion passed unanimously.
John Wire, Great Plains Development, Inc.,
commended the commissioners for having the county’s enterprise zone designation
updated through 2008. He explained there are advantages to this when applying
for a grant. Discussion was held on the various services administered by Great
Plains Development. Mr. Wire reported that the county still has money remaining
to loan through the micro loan program. Later in the day, Carl Higgs made the
motion to pay membership dues to Great Plains Development, Inc. in the amount
of $1,581.80. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The
decision was made that Gary Hathaway and Carl Higgs would remain Grant County’s representatives to GPDI.
Tom Kramer, Road and Bridge Administrator,
presented bids for an oil distributor on a new truck chassis and a chip box.
Victor L. Phillips bid $125,147.00 for an oil distributor/truck and $105,337.00
for a chip spreader. Van Keppel Company bid $133,130.00 for a chip spreader and
$137,226.00 for an oil distributor/truck. Mr. Kramer will do a comparison of
the equipment and return with a recommendation. Later in the day, Mr. Kramer
reported that Victor L. Phillips Company had not bid the equipment to
specifications. Due to Van Keppel Company having the best bid, Carl Higgs made the motion to purchase a 2007 Etnyre Chip Spreader and a 2007 Etnyre Oil
Distributor including a new truck for a total cost of $270,356.00. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Discussion was held on the new road
project. Based on the recommendation of the Road Administrator, the decision
was made not to make any changes regarding stop signs until the project is
completed. Mr. Kramer reported that he will be meeting with the city
administrator and the city street supervisor regarding street and road work and
equipment.
Rita Gee, Treasurer, Lance Babcock, Sheriff, and
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager, presented information
from the Department Head/Pay Plan Committee. They talked about use of vacation
leave accrued by new employees. As an option the committee recommends that a
new employee who needs time off during their first year of employment, the time
off would be recorded and when their year of initial employment was up, they
would be able to be paid for that time. This would be an agreement between the
department head and the employee. The commissioners approved this proposal. At
the recommendation of the Department Head/Pay Plan Committee, the commissioners
also approved holiday pay for part time employees who work year round. They
also approved discontinuing the use of computerized employee performance
evaluations.
Jerry Stuckey and Kenby Clawson, Northwest
Cotton Growers Association, reported that last year a cotton crop near Ryus got
hit severely because a neighbor treated his property with 2-4D. Mr. Stuckey
said there are other chemicals that can be used but they are usually more
expensive. They requested the commissioners pass a resolution asking KDA to
make regulations restricting use of certain chemicals. The commissioners will
consider their request.
The commissioners recessed for lunch with the
City of Ulysses. Those attending were: Bud Newberry, City Administrator; Ed
Wiltse, Mayor; and Council Members, Ann Papay, Rod Kreie, Scott Malone. General
discussion was held.
A meeting for interested parties to discuss the
addition to the law enforcement center was attended by the following: Jerry Jo
Deckert, EMS Director; Todd Hampton, City/County Building Official; Bob Forsen,
designer; Penny Noyes, DOVES Administrator; Ed Wiltse, Mayor of Ulysses; Bud
Newberry, City Administrator; David Black City Attorney; Don Button, Emergency
Management Coordinator; John Crosby, Fire Chief; Lance Babcock, Sheriff; Loy
Henderson, Undersheriff; Alan Olson, Chief of Police; and Council Members, Ann
Papay, Scott Malone, and Rod Kreie. Following input from those who wanted to
contribute, the decision was made that a committee consisting of Commissioner Marty
Long, Sheriff Babcock, Police Chief Alan Olson and Mayor Ed Wiltse will meet to
discuss final plans for the expansion.
The decision was made to change the second
meeting in November to the 28th due to the conflict of the annual Kansas
Association of Counties meeting in Topeka.
The decision was made to canvass the results of
the general election on Monday, November 13 at 9:30 a.m. since November 10 is a
holiday.
Julie Meier, Deputy Clerk, presented information
on purchase cards. The commissioners authorized the Clerk’s Office to
investigate this further.
Bob Moore, Insurance Agent, asked when the
commissioners want to look at insurance quotes. He will bring quotes
to the next meeting.
Carl Higgs made the motion to increase the rate
of pay for the Chief Deputy Clerk by $2.00 per hour as compensation for website
maintenance effective immediately. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
The commissioners adjourned at 3:30 p.m. to meet
again in regular session on November 7, 2006.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Madison Traster, Chairman