C20070619                                                                                                     June 19, 2007

 

            The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with all members and the County Clerk present.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2007 meeting and the claims against the various funds of the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion and following clarification of several vouchers it passed unanimously.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to enter into a contract with the low bidder, Dobson Brothers Construction Co., in the amount of $980,213.90 for the Base Bid and $98,497.95 for the Add Alternate for a total of $1,078,711.85 for Airport Improvement Project No. 3-20-0084-09. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. This project will be funded 95% by the Federal Aviation Administration and 5% by the county.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to accept ambulance collection write-offs in the amount of $5,549.34. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Following discussion on the County Treasurer’s request to open a money market account for upcoming projects, the commissioners authorized Mrs. Gee to open the account.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to reappoint LaVonne Michael to the Southwest Area Agency on Aging Sub-Region Council. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager, presented information from Darl Henson regarding the pine trees at the care home. He thinks the trees were originally planted too close together and this is causing them to die. He didn’t find any evidence of beetle damage or disease. The county clerk will send a letter to the care home board regarding this matter.

 

            Lorine Myers, Grant County Conservation District, presented their 2008 appropriation request which remains the same as the current amount of $31,000.00. The commissioners will consider their request.

 

            Darl Henson and Keri Liddeke, Extension Agents, and several extension council members presented their 2008 appropriation request of $188,700 which is an increase of $10,000. The commissioners will consider their request.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for 17 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 17 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            Bids were opened on the Law Enforcement Center Addition. Malone Enterprises bid $646,400.00; Tom Partida bid $695,000.00; and Dick Construction bid $798,000.00. Discussion was held regarding the bid amounts. Bob Forsen explained a sprinkler system will have to be installed in the basement of the new addition. This will be an additional amount. The commissioners will meet in special session Friday, June 22, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. to make a final decision on the acceptance of a bid.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for 25 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 25 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            The commissioners recessed for lunch with the city at Park View Assisted Living. Those attending from the city were: Bud Newberry, City Administrator; and Council Members, John Duran, John Battin and Mike Henderson. General discussion was held. The council explained which building they purchased for storage of confiscated vehicles.

 

            Judy Alig, and several Communities in Schools board members presented their 2008 budget request in the amount of $14,000 which is the same as this year’s appropriation. Their request will be considered.

 

            Doug Yoder, Consultant, presented an update on the care home project. Bid opening will be held July 10, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Final bid approval will be held at 1:15 p.m. on July 17. The final contract will be approved in August. Carl Higgs made the motion to authorize the Western Prairie Care Home to receive and open bids for the care home project. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Robin Hathaway, County Attorney, met with the commissioners. Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 30 minutes for the purpose of discussing acquisition of real estate. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 30 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator, and Randy McCauley, Road Foreman, met with the board. Marty Long announced that Tom Kramer has resigned as Road Department Administrator effective the week of July 2, 2007. Chairman Long said Randy McCauley, Road Foreman has agreed to serve as interim administrator until a new administrator is hired.

Discussion was held on Road H as regards the proposed ethanol plant. The commissioners decided to take no action on additional work on Road H at this time. Charles Oldaker, Kansas Department of Transportation Engineer, Ulysses Office, met with the commissioners to discuss the Kansas Collaborative which enables the county to use State contracts to purchase equipment, etc. Mr. Oldaker also presented a map of projects to be done next year. In other business Madison Traster made the motion to transfer $262,000 to the special highway fund and $400,000 to the special equipment fund as allowed by law from a carry over in the 2006 road department budget. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Scott Nichols, Chamber of Commerce Director, gave updates on the Circus and Race Across America. Mr. Nichols also reported they are working with J.D. Neufeld toward having wireless capabilities at the Civic Center as well as internet training capabilities.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to approve the purchase of three tazers for the sheriff’s department at a cost of $2,415.00. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Based on a carry over following the 2006 audit, Carl Higgs made the motion to transfer $14,000 to the noxious weed equipment fund with the remaining $40,000 to remain in the noxious weed fund to help offset tax requirements, to transfer $36,000 from the ambulance fund to the ambulance equipment fund, and to transfer $41,000 from the fire fund to the fire equipment fund. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners adjourned to meet again in special session on June 22, 2007 to make a final decision on the law enforcement addition project.  The next regular session will be held July 5, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Marty Long, Chairman