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C20070904                                                                                                          September 4, 2007

 

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

 

            The monthly department head meeting was held with the following in attendance: Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator; Rita Gee, Treasurer; Jerry Jo Deckert, Emergency Medical Service Director; Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds; J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager; Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator; Todd Hampton, City/County Building Official; David Graber, Transfer Station Manager; and Lance Babcock, Sheriff.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the minutes of the August 21, 2007 meeting and the claims against the various funds of the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Public hearing was held on the proposed 2-mile extension of Road W. Those in attendance were: Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator; Loren Wright, County Surveyor; Arlin Alexander, local farmer and property owner; Gary Hathaway, Assistant County Attorney; and Viewers, Bruce Howard, Daryl Pucket, and Jerry Borthwick. Chairman Long explained the county would like to open the road to enhance commerce and make travel safer for citizens at a cost savings over time. Arlin Alexander expressed concern over issues such as a high line that would have to be relocated. He said the line is no longer used. Commissioner Long said Pioneer Electric would probably make a determination if the line is needed or not. The commissioners said they would be willing to put culverts in and make approaches into Mr. Alexander’s land. Commissioner Traster asked Mr. Alexander if he was protesting the road or not. Mr. Alexander stated he was looking at all sides of the issue, and since Kearny County has improved their portion of this road he believes it would be good for Grant County to complete their road. The commissioners assured Mr. Alexander the county would work with him regarding any problems with culverts, entrances and sprinkler relocation if necessary.

 

            Armando Minjarez invited the commissioners to a meeting at Bedrock Mobile Home Park on September 23, 2007 regarding storm shelters. He explained a group of Bedrock residents have explored options for dealing with the problem of no shelters and would like to present them to the commissioners. Mr. Minjarez will notify the commissioners of the time and place for the meeting.

 

            Linda McHenry, County Clerk, presented recommendations made by the Pay Plan/Department Head Committee. Based on the recommendation of the committee, Madison Traster made the motion to increase the pay of Director of Nurses $1.50/hour effective with this pay period. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager, and Rita Gee, Treasurer, attended this portion of the meeting.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the recommendation received from the Pay Plan Committee as follows:

           

1.         Approve starting part-time bookkeeper/secretary at $8.50/hour and apply annual COLA increase to this. Make this part of the pay plan for all departments to follow.

 

2.                  Leave it up to the department head to decide when a part time employee who works year round should receive holiday pay. (Some thought a part-time employee who worked all year but then didn’t work the month of December should be paid for the Christmas holiday. Some thought they should not. This is providing they plan to continue working in January. It will be the responsibility of each department head to put the holiday on an employees time record for that holiday pay period.)

 

3.                  Eliminate the separate position for Transfer Station Truck Driver/Operator and put it at the same level as Road Department Operator I. David Graber, Transfer Station manager told the committee he would not be able to adjust wages to reflect the change for a while since he did not budget for it, but he was in favor of the change.

 

4.                  Eliminate the road department truck driver position.

 

5.                  Eliminate the Building and Grounds Maintenance Foreman position and change the median rate of pay for Shop Foreman to $11.85/hour and change the median rate of pay for the Building Maintenance position to $11.50/hour. This would give that department a little better starting pay without skewing the entire pay plan.

 

6.                  Put in policy book that anyone who drives a county vehicle will have a driver’s license check done annually. Fee for this will be paid by department, not individual. Also put in the policy book that if there is any incident that affects an employee’s driving record, they shall report it to their department head. (For instance, a DUI or speeding ticket) Also put in the policy book that failure to provide notification is grounds for termination.

 

Madison Traster seconded the motion and following discussion it passed unanimously.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to recess into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 10 minutes the meeting continued in open session. Madison Traster made the motion to change the county policy to permit a department head to increase a new employee with many years experience to 95% of the median for that position following 3 months of successful employment instead of the current 6 months. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Lance Babcock, Sheriff, presented information on a change order for insulating the basement walls of the new addition. The cost will be about $1,400.00. He also asked if the commissioners think he should add sheet rock to hold insulation for the ceiling. He reported Pioneer Communications is putting together a quote for communications and networking. He also presented information on dispatch office furniture. A decision on these matters will be made later.

 

            Steve Shadden, Department of Corrections, informed the commissioners he has an extra $5,000 he would like to use in Grant County and wondered if the county would be willing to match those funds. He proposed placing an administrative assistant in the county. Some of the programs which might become available for the community due to this are: assist with the alternative school in Ulysses; assist with prevention projects for Grant County; help organize parenting classes; help with the documentation of juveniles; and graffiti removal. Madison Traster made the motion to contribute $5,000.00 as matching funds for the 26th Judicial JCAPS and the total amount of $10,000.00 will be expended in Grant County. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

           

            Carl Higgs made the motion to authorize Linda McHenry, County Clerk, to sign the Grant Agreement for Airport Project No. 3-20-0084-09-2007. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners reviewed and approved the Senate Bill 14 Risk Reduction Initiative Packet for FY 2008 for submission to the Department of Corrections by Cimarron Basin Community Corrections.

 

            Robert Ohlen, Hospital Administrator, requested approval to sell the metal storage building at the hospital instead of relocating it. Madison Traster made the motion to allow the hospital board to sell their metal building. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator, presented pick-up bids for the commissioners’ review. Riley Ford-Mercury bid $28,461.00 and Riley Chevrolet bid $31,100.00. Carl Higgs made the motion to accept the low bid from Riley Ford at an amount not to exceed $28,461.00 contingent on the vehicle meeting specifications. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Later in the day it was determined the Ford bid did not meet specifications and the bid from Riley Chevrolet in the amount of $31,100.00 was approved. Bids were opened for a snow plow. Midwest Truck Equipment, Inc. bid $8,669.00, and an optional tilt feature for truck portion of universal quick hitch at a cost of $225.00; Truck Parts and Equipment, Inc. bid $8,740.00. Berry Tractor & Equipment bid $11,242.00. Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the bid from Truck Parts & Equipment, Inc. at a cost not to exceed $8,740.00. Madison Traster seconded the motion and following discussion motion passed unanimously. Mr. McCauley reported that Venture would set their hot mix plant on county property while fulfilling their contract with the county. They have requested approval to lease the area from the county if they are successful bidders on other projects in the area. The commissioners decided the space is fine to use for the county’s project but not for any other projects. The commissioners approved installing a sprinkler system at the road department if the work is done by that department.

 

            Carl Higgs was designated as voting delegate for the annual KWORCC and KCAMP meeting in November. Marty Long will be the alternate delegate.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve Resolution 07-05 authorizing and providing for the public sale of general obligation bonds, Series 2007A (Hospital). Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on September 18, 2007 at 9:30 a.m. in the commissioners’ room at the courthouse.

 

 

 

____________________________                                        ____________________________

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Marty Long, Chairman