C20080104 January
4, 2008
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular
session at 9:00 a.m. with Chairman Marty Long, Commissioner Madison Traster,
and the County Clerk present. Commissioner Carl Higgs was absent due to
illness.
The monthly department head meeting was held
with the following in attendance: Lance Babcock, Sheriff; Randy McCauley, Road
Department Administrator; Rita Gee, Treasurer; Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director;
Todd Hampton, City/County Building Official; J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center
Building and Grounds Manager; Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator; and
David Graber, Transfer Station Manager.
Madison Traster made the motion to approve the
minutes of the December 17 and 18, 2007 meetings and the claims against the
various funds of the county. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed.
David Seibel, Grant County Recreation Commission
Member, informed the commissioners that Recreation needs a written agreement
from the county permitting the Recreation Commission to put their new building
on the county’s property. The commissioners asked Mr. Seibel to draft the
agreement and the commissioners will sign it. Mr. Seibel reminded the
commissioners that the county will own the building after the lease period is
over. Approval was given to execute a lease for Prairie Wind Park using a 20 year lease time frame.
Rita Gee, Treasurer, met with the Commissioners.
Madison Traster made the motion to recess into executive session for 10 minutes
to discuss financial matters concerning the county. Marty Long seconded the
motion and it passed. After 10 minutes the meeting continued in open session.
Lance Babcock, Sheriff, requested approval to
replace a 2002 Ford pickup with over 200,000 miles and a 2003 Crown Vic with
over 120,000 miles that needs to be replaced due to its condition. Madison
Traster made the motion to approve the bids from GSA Auto Choice for (2) 2007
Ford Expeditions at a cost of $22,267.47 for each vehicle. Marty Long seconded
the motion and it passed. Sheriff Babcock stated that with commissioner
approval, he plans to transfer the 2002 pickup to the road department and sell
the car by sealed bid. The commissioners gave their approval for this.
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds
Manager, presented an annual report for the commissioners review. Mr. Neufeld
asked if he can solicit bids on items he requested at budget time or if he
needs to obtain permission to solicit bids before obtaining them. The items
that need to be dealt with fairly quickly are a mower, a power washer and replacing
double doors on the west side of the main building. The commissioners gave
their approval to solicit bids for these items. Mr. Neufeld asked about the
possibility of putting an automatic door on the west side. The clerk stated
that when she did her assessment for voter accessibility a few years ago, she
recommended an automatic door be installed. She asked that the commissioners at
least look at quotes for an automatic door. The commissioners gave their
approval to get quotes for automatic doors as an option. Commissioner Traster
asked who is responsible for cleaning snow around the courthouse explaining that
snow at the back of the courthouse was not cleared adequately. Mr. Neufeld
explained that the road department cleans the courthouse sidewalks. He said
that if they need to, his department could help with snow removal at the
courthouse.
Gary Covey, local citizen, asked the
commissioners if there is anything that can be done about Prairie Dogs on
someone’s property if that landowner doesn’t treat them. Chairman Long said he
believes the county is authorized by statute to take action but would prefer
not to if it isn’t necessary. The county’s charges to treat the Dogs are
$10/hour per machine and $58/bucket for treating material. Randy McCauley and
Dan Bynum, Road Department, attended this portion of the meeting. Mr. McCauley said
he and Pete Clinesmith will talk to the property owner about the problem to see
what can be done.
The commissioners discussed snow removal at the
courthouse with Mr. McCauley and Mr. Bynum. Mr. McCauley explained their snow
policy and assured the commissioners they would work toward better snow removal
at the courthouse.
Penny Noyes, DOVES, asked if the commissioners
made a decision regarding constructing office space for her organization in the
old Duckwall’s building. Chairman Long explained that due to the fact that the
county doesn’t own the building the commissioners don’t want to put any more
money in it until the building is purchased. He also said the construction
cost came in higher than the commissioners thought it would.
The commissioners recessed to Park View Assisted
Living for lunch with the Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees. Those
attending were: Robert Ohlen, Administrator; and Board Members Mary Moyer,
Steve Alford, Mike Brewer and David Seibel. The hospital board members said
they are not committing anything toward the drainage project relating to the
hospital construction until the city determines a final cost of the project and
commit to doing the drainage project in 2008.
Scott Nichols, Tourism, reported the variance
issue for the advertising billboard is on the zoning agenda in Gray County
January 28. He said the transient tax was up 40%. Discussion was held on
liquor by the drink. Commissioner Long stated he would be willing to place
liquor by the drink on the ballot to let Grant County citizens make the
decision by voting on the question.
The commissioners adjourned to meet again in
regular session on January 15, 2008.
____________________________ ____________________________
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Marty
Long, Chairman