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 motion to approve the minutes of the January 2, January 11 and January 15, 2007 meetings and the various claims against the different funds of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to nominate Marty Long as chairman for 2007 and that nominations cease. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve Organization Agenda Items 2 – 15 excepting Item 4.  Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. A copy of the Organizational Agenda is attached as a part of this record.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion that mileage be paid at 45 cents/mile when using personal vehicle for county business. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made motion to approve Item 17 appointing the administrative heads for approving claims against the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to appoint Dr. Mark Gerstberger to the BobWilson Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees replacing Terri Christian whose term has expired. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Madison Traster made the motion to reappoint Eldon Dirks to the Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to reappoint Julia Traster to the Western Prairie Care Home Board of Trustees. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to reappoint Dale Cole to the Board on Aging and to appoint Mary Cott to that board replacing Mollie Beard whose term expired. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to reappoint Daron Cowan, Kevin Shapland Katrina Benyshek, Terri Trotman, Dennis Deyoe, and Tony Cavasos to the Fair Board. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made motion to reappoint Larry Rumburg as the county’s representative to the area mental health. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to reappoint Mary Gleason as Grant County’s Board Representative to the Southwest Developmental Services, Inc. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to appoint the following members to the Grant County Safety Committee: David Graber to fill unexpired term of former manager, J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center, Carlos Luna, R & B, Bonnie Wells, Courthouse and O. LaVonne Michael, Senior Center.

 

            Lance Babcock, Sheriff, met with the commissioners. Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing financial matters pertaining to the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            The clerk relayed to the commissioners that the Chief of Police reported that a lady in the rural area northwest of town has complained that there is a problem with dogs in the county. Chairman Marty Long said the county has addressed this issue several times but there appears to be no viable solution to the problem without a county-wide resolution. A county-wide resolution would be applicable to all rural citizens and this is not being considered at the present.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to give county employees a 3% increase as a COLA. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. A copy of the increases is attached a part of this record.

 

            Robin Hathaway, County Attorney, informed the commissioners that the only paper that qualifies as the official county newspaper at this time is the Ulysses News. She explained that when the Grant County Gazette becomes eligible under the statutes, they could name it as an official paper for the county.

 

            Based on the report from the county attorney, Madison Traster made the motion to designate the Ulysses News as the county’s official newspaper. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 45 minutes for the purpose of discussing personnel, insurance claims, and matters of attorney/client privilege. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 45 minutes, the meeting continued in open session.

 

            Rita Gee, Treasurer, met with the commissioners. Robin Hathaway, County Attorney, accompanied Mrs. Gee to the meeting. Mrs. Gee asked for clarification of minutes from the December 28, 2006. Mrs. Gee said the money she gets from the motor vehicle money is not to be considered part of her compensation. She said the minutes were not clear to her. Commissioner Long explained that the increase was given to the Sheriff, Register of Deeds and Clerk because the commissioners were trying to be fair and equal to them since they don’t have a special fund that provides them with extra income every year as the treasurer does.  Mrs. Gee said the motor vehicle fund costs taxpayers not one dime, it is based on fees. The commissioners noted that the fee is still coming from the public’s pocket. Mrs. Gee said it appears the treasurer didn’t get a raise, since the minutes say the increase is an adjustment for 2005 and 2006. She said that honestly, the minutes state nothing about what she said. Commissioner Madison Traster said they had called her in to their last meeting and told her their plans and when she left she said it was fair and they thought she was completely satisfied. Mrs. Gee reiterated that the money the treasurer gets is extra money and is not considered part of her compensation by statute. Mrs. Gee said that at the December 28 meeting, she was thanked for her time and she thought she was being dismissed so she didn’t remain in the room to hear their final action. Mrs. Gee asked if she deserved to be considered for an increase for 2005. The commissioners recessed for lunch with the City Council at Park View Assisted Living. The meeting with the treasurer resumed after lunch. The county attorney volunteered to be a mediator between the commissioners and the treasurer. The commissioners agreed to this.  Ms. Hathaway asked what criteria were looked at when making their determination for increases. Commissioner Long stated that the extra income received by the treasurer through the motor vehicle fund was considered. The treasurer received an additional $4,800.00 from the motor vehicle fund in 2006 for a total income from that fund of $10,034.15. It was the consensus of the commissioners that they would give the treasurer a one-time payment of $2500.00 to compensate her for the 2005 increase received by the other elected officials. The treasurer asked if this would be added to her annual salary and was told that it would not be added.  Commissioner Long said the commissioners would make it a part of policy to notify all elected officials when elected official’s wages are discussed. Commissioner Long said that everyone can do things better and that includes all of them. The decision was made to add the amount the treasurer received from the motor vehicle fund for 2006 ($10,034.15) to her regular salary and apply the 3% COLA increase to that amount as her salary adjustment for 2007. Commissioner Long asked if everyone was happy and asked if anybody had anything more to say. There were no further comments. The minutes from the December 28, meeting will be annotated to refer to January 11, 2007 for clarification of the wage increase and the treasurer’s $2500 extra compensation.

 

            City/County Luncheon - Those from the city attending the luncheon were: Ed Wiltse, Mayor; Bud Newberry, City Administrator; and Council Members Scott Malone, Ann Papay and Rod Kreie. Chairman Marty Long told the city that Sheriff Lance Babcock and notified them that a city policeman had transferred to the sheriff’s department and, by statute; the county will have to reimburse the city for expenses related to the officers training. The commissioners have no problem with this and the bill will be paid as soon as the county receives it from the city. Council Member Ann Papay asked about the status of the Law Enforcement Center addition. The commissioners said that the last they knew, Bob Forsen was taking the plans to an engineer in Hutchinson. Commissioner Long asked about the status of the vehicle/evidence storage building that has been discussed. Mayor Wiltse said this is still being worked on. He said their might be a building for sale that could accommodate their needs. Mr. Newberry said they should have something available by the next meeting. Commissioner Long said the project is something the county would consider helping with. Mayor Wiltse reported the city will be talking to the Recreation Commission about the ball fields at Frazier Park.

 

           

            Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator, requested 10 minutes of executive session to discuss personnel. Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 10 minutes the meeting continued in open session. Mr. Kramer requested approval to convert the spray truck that Pete Clinesmith is using right now to one that uses GPS. Due to the computer software, the decision was made to use Wylie as a sole source vendor for estimates for equipment to accomplish the conversion. Mr. Kramer will get estimates to extend the bed on the Noxious Weed pickup.

 

            Nathan Gift and Earl Heath, Ministerial Association, requested that fees at the commercial building for a Youth Outreach program with a Christian band be waived. Madison Traster made the motion that fees be waived for use of the civic center for this purpose and also that the requirement for security be waived for that function. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Some discussion was held on the size of the event and the commissioners recommended they use Walker Auditorium instead of the commercial building.

 

            J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Manager, informed the commissioners that the time clock they had ordered did not work for them and he contacted the company and was given full credit on the machine. Mr. Neufeld reported that a demonstration of a burnisher showed that it will not serve the needs of the civic center. He said he is content to table that issue for a while. Discussion was held on the South Room floor. Mr. Neufeld will continue looking for something that will work for that floor. Mr. Neufeld reported that he is a member of the Cimarron Basin Advisory

Board and asked the commissioners opinion about time spent at those meetings. It was the consensus of the commissioners that Mr. Neufeld should remain on the clock during the meeting time and turn in mileage or take a county vehicle to the meetings. In other business, Mr. Neufeld asked about the possibility of trading the S10 pickup for the Expedition that will be sold when Emergency Management receives their vehicle. Approval was given to do this. A decision on what to do with the S10 will be made later.

 

            Chairman Marty Long said Pioneer Electric is anticipating about 500 damaged poles will be taken to transfer station. He asked the county clerk to relay this information to the transfer station manager.

 

            Rita Gee, Treasurer, met with the commissioners. Chairman Long told Mrs. Gee that they have talked to George K. Baum and Co. about being financial adviser for the county regarding hospital bond money. Mrs. Gee said that whatever banks are designated as official depositories have to be given first consideration regarding investments. If the official depositories aren’t able to meet the requirements, the state pool can be used. Commissioner Long asked if Mrs. Gee was comfortable in investing the hospital bond money. Mrs. Gee said it is not a bad idea to look at all options. Chairman Long said the bond money could be considered different from regular idle funds. Mrs. Gee reported that treasurers she has talked to have been happy with the state’s pool. The commissioners were in agreement that where bond money is concerned, the state investment pool should be considered as an investment option. Mrs. Gee said the commissioners could go to the state’s website and view interest rates. The commissioners asked Mrs. Gee to determine if there would be an advantage to placing funds in the investment pool.

 

            Jerry Jo Deckert, Emergency Medical Service Director, reported that they have 4 cots, one in each ambulance including the fire department unit. She said there is a problem with one of the cots. It will not go up and down easily. She said they need to have a cot maintenance person come and go through cots.  Ms. Deckert received a quote of $860.00 for mileage and checking cots. She explained this does not include any parts that have to be replaced on the cots. Approval was given to have maintenance done on the cots.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the write-offs from Grant County EMS in the amount of $5,816.50. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. These write-offs will be sent to the County Attorney for possible collection.

 

            Sherry Thompson, Health Department Administrator, met with the commissioners. Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session at 9:00 a.m. on February 6, 2007.

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                          Marty Long, Chairman