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: Lance Babcock, Sheriff; Mary K. Sullivan,
Register of Deeds; Rita Gee, Treasurer; Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director; Tom
Fuhrmann, Appraiser; Todd Hampton, City/County Building Official; Don Button,
Emergency Management Coordinator; J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Manager; David
Graber, Transfer Station Manager; and Tom Kramer, Road Department
Administrator.
Marty Long made the motion to approve the
minutes of the November 13 and November 28, 2006 meetings and the claims
against the various funds of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and
following clarification of several vouchers, the motion passed unanimously.
As part of the public forum, Commissioner Long
reported that David Dikeman was concerned that Cecil Simpson has posted public
land with no hunting signs. The land in question is near the Transfer Station
and is leased from the county by a private individual which gives him the right
to post the property.
Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator, John
Duran, Road Foreman, Randy McCauley, Road Foreman, and Luie Diaz, Shop Foreman,
met with the commissioners. Motor grader bids were opened. Bids were received
from Foley Equipment Co., Murphy Tractor and Equipment Co., and Van Kepple Co.
Mr. Kramer said all bidders met the minimum specifications. He presented cost
information on equipment the county currently owns. Carl Higgs made the motion
to accept the bid from Foley Equipment Co. for a 2007 Caterpillar Motor Grader
at a cost with trade of $106,974.00. Marty Long seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
Robert Ohlen, Hospital Administrator, requested
approval to dispose of a dishwasher, 26 dining room chairs and a 1983 Chevrolet
pickup. Marty Long made the motion to approve the Hospital Board of Trustees’
disposing of the items as requested. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
Bob Forsen, local designer, reported plans for
the Law Enforcement Center expansion are nearly ready to send to the engineer.
He asked what the commissioners’ thoughts are about a safe room for the
dispatchers. Commissioner Long stated that if the room could be made tornado
safe at a reasonable cost, the commissioners would be in favor of this. Mr.
Forsen said this might not be possible due to the original construction of the
building. He also reported that office modules comparable to those in the emergency
management department cost about $2700 per office. He explained that wood
cabinets could be built for $800 an office. Mr. Forsen said he will talk to the
Sheriff and the Chief of Police regarding this. He said he would be meeting
with the Sheriff, the Chief of Police and Pioneer Communications personnel to
develop the communications portion of the plan. They will also discuss flooring
material.
Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director, met with the
commissioners. At Ms. Deckert’s request 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.
Approval was given for the County Clerk to attend the Certified Public Managers Program in 2007.
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Manager, presented a
plan for trees at the parking lot at the fairgrounds. A drip system is being
designed and poles will be obtained from Pioneer Electric to use as a barrier.
Commissioner Higgs questioned the need for this due to the expense involved.
Mr. Nuefeld presented quotes for burnishers to polish floors at the civic
center. Battery and propane powered burnishers will be demonstrated before one
is purchased. A quote for new counter tops in the kitchen was presented. The
proposal was for $1,245.44 from Ulysses Building Supply, Inc. Steve Eddie’s
quote to put a stainless counter top where the main sink is would be $2,980.00.
The decision was made to approve the counter top from Ulysses Building Supply.
Mr. Neufeld explained that water usage at the civic center, airport, ball
fields, dog pound and road department is read from one meter. Mr. Nuefeld will
track the usage and later it will be determined if anything needs to be done to
distribute the charges to the various departments. Putting a loop in the system
to provide better water service for all entities will also be examined. Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 5 minutes for purpose of
discussing non-elected personnel. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously. After 5 minutes the meeting continued in open session.
Bruce Schultz, BlueCross BlueShield
Representative, explained the differences between the Comprehensive Major
Medical Program and the Shared Pay Comprehensive Program. Following his
presentation the commissioners made the decision to select Option 1 of the
Shared Pay Comprehensive Program as the county’s insurance plan for 2007.
Based on the request of the Treasurer and Clerk,
Marty Long made the motion to amend Grant County’s policy on paying employees
that all county employees’ payroll checks will be paid using direct electronic
deposit to the bank of their choice. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
Marty Long made the motion to adjourn at 3:55
p.m. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Madison Traster, Chairman