C20070821 August 21, 2007
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. with all members and the County Clerk present.
Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the minutes of the August 1, 2007 budget review meeting and the August 7, 2007 regular meeting as well as the claims against the various funds of the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion and following clarification of several vouchers it passed unanimously.
Anita Alvarado, Health Department Administrator, met to discuss appointment of a Director of Nurses for her department. At Ms. Alvarado’s recommendation, Madison Traster made the motion to appoint Lynette Metcalf as Director of Nurses for the Health Department. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Ms. Alvarado requested a $1.50/hour increase for Mrs. Metcalf due to her increased responsibilities. The commissioners referred her request to the pay plan committee for a recommendation regarding this.
Carl Higgs made the motion to accept the low fire suppression sprinkler bid of $24,920.00 from Pryor Sprinkler Systems for the Law Enforcement Center addition. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Rita Gee, Treasurer, presented a resolution for the commissioners’ consideration. Carl Higgs made the motion to adopt the resolution authorizing the county to invest money in the State Municipal Investment Pool primarily for hospital and care home bonds but also for other funds as the Treasurer deems necessary. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for 4 minutes to discuss financial matters concerning the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 4 minutes the meeting continued in open session.
The county’s annual budget hearing was held with no one except representatives from the 2 newspapers present. Kellie Euliss, Ulysses News, commented that the commissioners did a good job. Madison Traster made the motion to adopt the budget as presented. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Madison Traster made the motion to write-off non-collectable charges to Grant County EMS in the amount of $4,043.87. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator, presented two road-crossing permits, which were reviewed and approved by the commissioners. Discussion was held on snowplows. Mr. McCauley estimated the cost for a new plow between $20,000 and $25,000. He requested approval to solicit bids for a new pick up and a snowplow. The commissioners approved his request. Discussion was held on the building for noxious weed chemicals. Mr. McCauley said they are working on plans for this. Chairman Marty Long reported the 2 acres we agreed to sell High Plains Energy is in CRP and the county will have to repay about $350.00 to the government. He also stated that High Plains Energy has agreed to split this cost with the county.
Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 20 minutes for the purpose of discussing financial matters concerning the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 20 minutes the meeting continued in open session. Madison Traster made the motion to establish a pilot program utilizing the State’s contract with UMB Bank for a purchasing card program. The 3 departments included in the pilot program will be the road department, ambulance department and county clerk’s office.
Loyetta Skeen, Clerk of the District Court, requested the commissioners replace the air conditioning system in the courtroom. The county clerk will talk to Bob Forsen regarding specifications for bids on this.
The commissioners recessed for lunch with the City of Ulysses at Park View Assisted Living. Those attending from the city were: Mayor Thadd Kistler; Council Members Ann Papay, John Battin, and John Duran; and Administrator Bud Newberry. General Discussion was held. No decisions were made.
Gary Hathaway, Local Attorney, presented a draft of an ordinance regarding drilling of oil and gas wells within the city limits. He thought the county might want to consider something like it in the 3-mile area around the city.
George Bushnell and Larry Davis, Pioneer Electric, requested permission to use county right-of-way if necessary for construction of a transmission line that would replace the transmission lines currently under the airport. Pioneer Electric will purchase right-of-way from property owners whenever possible. The commissioners agreed the county would allow the use of county right-of-way for this purpose when necessary.
The commissioners approved a public road dedication on a parcel of land located in the SE ¼ of Section 25, Township 28, Range 37 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian.
Scott Nichols, Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, gave an update to the commissioners.
Natalie Anguiano, Assistant City/County Building Official, presented a re-plat of Blocks 3 & 4 of Webber West Addition. Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the re-plat of Blocks 3 & 4 of Webber West Addition. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Chairman Marty Long informed the other commissioners the care home board was able to cut some money from the original bid for a new facility, but they still fall short of funds to do the project. He mentioned that additional funding to assist the care home was incorporated in the county’s 2008 budget. Carl Higgs made the motion for Grant County to contribute $400,000 from the County’s Building Fund and $200,000 from the Equipment Fund towards the care home project if needed. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on September 4, 2007.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Marty Long, Chairman