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 Department Administrator;
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager; John Crosby, Fire
Chief; Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director; Rita Gee, Treasurer; Don Button,
Emergency Management Coordinator; Todd Hampton, City/County Building Official;
Lance Babcock, Sheriff; Robin L. Hathaway, Attorney; and Mary K. Sullivan,
Register of Deeds.
Madison Traster made the motion to approve the
minutes of the March 20 and March 22, 2007 meetings and the claims against the
various funds of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and following clarification
of two vouchers the motion passed unanimously.
Robin L. Hathaway, County Attorney, reported the
purchase of equipment for the court room with funding from the Law Library
Fund. She purchased a document image projector, a projector for power point
presentations, and a stand for equipment. The only item that has not been
purchased is a laptop computer that she requested approval to purchase through
her county attorney fund. Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the purchase of
a Dell laptop computer not to exceed $899.00 from the county attorney fund. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator,
presented road crossing permits which were reviewed and approved by the
commissioners. After researching the issue, Mr. Kramer recommended the purchase
of crushed rock from Eastern Colorado Aggregate. Madison Traster made the
motion to approve the purchase of crushed rock from Eastern Colorado Aggregate
at a cost of $15/ton. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Bids were opened for a truck dump body. Hays Mack bid $14,845.00. Truck Parts
and Equipment of Wichita bid $14,871.00. Mr. Kramer will check to see what the
delivery date would be before a decision is made. Mr. Kramer was authorized to
develop a permit regarding entrances to rural property, including culverts and
mailboxes. He will find out what the postal service requirements are for
mailboxes. Later in the day, Mr. Kramer reported that Hays Mack can have the
dump body ready in ten days. Madison Traster made the motion to approve the
purchase of the dump body from Hays Mack at a cost of $14,845.00. The
commissioners asked Mr. Kramer to move a storage building from west of the
Ulysses Family Physicians’ Clinic.
Madison Traster made the motion to approve the
purchase of three computers and two printers from Nex-Tech at a cost not to
exceed $6,500.98 for the Register of Deeds. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and
it passed unanimously. The equipment will be purchased from the Register of
Deeds Technology Fund.
Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into
executive 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.
LaVonne Michael, Senior Center Director, and
Board on Aging Members, Jimmie Limper, Jim Anderson and Pam Menzie, met with
the commissioners. Mrs. Michael asked about the possibility of the Senior
Citizens relocating to the Care Home when the new one is built. Commissioner
Higgs asked about the cost for heating, air conditioning, etc. Mrs. Michael
explained that codes for their center would be much different from the needs of
a care home. The commissioners said they would research the matter of
converting the care home and make a decision at a later date. Mrs. Michael gave
the commissioners a copy of the Senior Center Report for 2006.
Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director, met with the
commissioners. Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for
15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Madison Traster seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in
open session. Since there have been no applicants for the open paramedic position,
the commissioners gave their approval for Ms. Deckert to hire from a currently
employed EMT-I or higher staff member to fill the open position.
The commissioners met with the hospital board
for lunch at Park View Assisted Living. They talked about progression of
hospital plans. A groundbreaking date has not yet been set. New hospital board
members have been attending orientation meetings. There was discussion on bond
sale dates. The hospital requested removal of a storage building west of the
Ulysses Family Physicians’ Clinic.
John Crosby, Fire Chief, requested approval to
purchase jump suits for rescue. The jump suits will be purchased with donated
funds from BP Amoco, Pioneer Resources and Exxon Mobil. Carl Higgs made the
motion to approve the purchase of 7 jumpsuits for a total cost of approximately
$2,500.00 plus freight. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously. Mr. Crosby updated the commissioners on upgrading their training
tower. It is hoped Pioneer Electric will be able to help with the poles for
this. Mr. Crosby will return with a cost for materials to complete the project
at a later date.
Bob Forsen, Local Designer, Todd Hampton,
City/County Building Official, Bud Newberry, City Administrator, Lance Babcock,
Sheriff, and Alan Olson, Chief of Police, met with the commissioners. Mr.
Forsen reported that plans for the Law Enforcement Center expansion project are
ready to submit to Ashley Fiss, Architect. After the plans are approved by the
architect, Mr. Forsen will send them to Salina to be copied for bidding
purposes. Commissioner Long asked that since the city is contributing $100,000
to this project, if they are happy with it. Mr. Newberry said the city is good
with what is being done. Mr. Forsen said he thought the project could be
completed this year.
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds
Manager, and Kevin Gray, Gray’s Yard Service, met with the commissioners.
Following discussion, Carl Higgs made the motion to accept the bid from Gray’s
Yard Service, LLC to replace the courthouse sprinkler system at a cost of $16,000.00;
to install an irrigation system at the law enforcement center at a cost of
$3,250.00 and to put in a new courthouse yard at a cost of $12,800.00. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Rita Gee, Treasurer, discussed treasurer
compensation. She asked that her salary be increased by $103.00 per pay period
and be made retroactive to January 1, which would be a total increase of
$2678.00. Mrs. Gee feels this way because when she was first appointed as
treasurer, she was started at a lesser amount than the treasurer whose term she
filled. She calculated the amount that treasurer would be making now and that
is the amount of increase she wants. Chairman Long said he understood Mrs.
Gee’s reasoning. Commissioners Higgs and Traster did not approve her request.
Chairman Long said he and the
treasurer talked about whether or not the county should contract with George K.
Baum and Company to deal with the sale of bonds on the hospital project as well
as investment of the bond money. He said they are comfortable with the idea of
the county continuing with making investments the way they are. The sale of the
bonds will be handled by bond counsel. The decision was made not to contract
with George K. Baum and Co.
Lance Babcock, Sheriff, met with the
commissioners. Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for
25 minutes to discuss law enforcement security at the courthouse. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 25 minutes the meeting
continued in open session.
The commissioners called Aqua Shield Roofing
regarding the roof at the museum. After testing the roof, Michael Perry said he
believes the roof is leaking around the air conditioning unit. Mr. Perry said
he would figure the cost of reengineering the front of the museum roof to allow
for drainage. He will have the information for the next meeting.
The commissioners adjourned at 5:17 p.m. to meet
again in regular session on April 17, 2007.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Marty
Long, Chairman