C20110201 February 1, 2011
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: Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator; Tom Fuhrmann, County Appraiser; Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator; Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director; John Crosby, Fire Chief; Rita Gee, Treasurer; and JD Neufeld, Civic Center Manager.
Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the minutes of the January 18, 2011 meeting, and the claims against the various funds of the county. Marty Long seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Marty Long made the motion to reappoint Loy Henderson to the Southwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center Advisory Board. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed.
Marty Long made the motion to appoint Shanda Swinehart to the Economic Development Board of Directors replacing Bill Rogers who is resigning as of February 8, 2011. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed.
Marty Long made the motion to enter into a contract with Steve Rice to manage the Grant County Airport. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Kevin Shapland, Fair Board Member & Mari Honstead, Civic Center Office Manager, explained the trouble they are having with participants not cashing fair premium checks. The fair board has purchased a new computer program for disbursing fair premiums. The new system will track premiums to participants and a list can be printed for the annual audit. Mari Honstead asked for the commissioners blessing to hand out cash for premiums this year at the fair. The commissioners were in agreement the fair board could give premiums in cash if the proper paper trail was in place.
Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for 5 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. After 5 minutes, the meeting continued in open session.
Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator and Dan Bynum, Road Foreman, reviewed the Road and Bridge Safety Policy Manual with the commissioners and it was approved. The commissioners discussed the gravel pit and the regulations relating to the Federal Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977. Mr. Bynum asked permission to send a letter to US Representatives concerning the Safety and Health Act of 1977, and encourage them to review the regulations. Mr. Bynum feels the Safety and Health Act was never meant to regulate county road departments. The commissioners encouraged Randy and Dan to visit with Tim Huelskamp, US Representative on Friday at City Hall. Mr. McCauley asked permission to solicit bids to crush concrete. Carl Higgs made the motion to get bids to crush concrete not to exceed the $60,000 budgeted. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Kelly Johnson, Pioneer Communications Data Communications Manager, informed the commissioners they are starting a technical center and heard Grant County may be in the market for such a service. Mr. Johnson requested information to quote Grant County for IT service. Pioneer Communications will return with a bid after all the county's department needs are looked at and they will also present a bid for the maintenance of the county web site.
The commissioners recessed for lunch at Park View Assisted Living with the Care Home Board. Those attending from the care home were: Alisha Beims, Director of Nursing; Marsha Flummerfelt, Director Assisted Living; George Bushnell, Greg Davis, Larry Rumburg, and Larry Gustafson, Care Home Board Members. General discussion was held.
Ginger Anthony, Museum Curator and the commissioners reviewed the museum roof bid and drawings sent from Steve Spade, A-Lert Roof Systems. The roof would be 24 gauge steel with a galvalume finish and 2" high major rib corrugation. Carl Higgs made the motion to accept the bid from A-Lert Roofing Systems for $87,430 to be paid from county building fund. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Steve Spade will be contacted to start on the roof as soon as the weather permits.
Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator and Vivian Button, Secretary, asked for permission to apply for a $7,525 Citizen Core Grant. Mr. Button informed the commissioners the North Central Regional Planning Commission awarded ownership of a Design jet printer and a Ricoh camera to Grant County Emergency Management. Ms. Button will be purchasing a storage building with grant funds and is looking for a place to put the building. The commissioners would like the building to reside on county property.
Debbie Long, Clerk of the District Court, submitted a proposal from Malone Enterprises to remove mounted cabinets on the west wall of the District Court Office, and then repair the wall and paint. Carl Higgs made the motion to accept the bid for $1,500 from Malone Enterprises to remove cabinets and repair the wall in the District Court Office. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. It was the consensuses of the commissioners to have SimplexGrinnell replace the fire release bar on the courtroom door to keep the warranty active on the courthouse fire system.
Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. After 20 minutes, the meeting continued in open session.
The commissioners reviewed the letter received by the County Treasurer, no action was taken.
It was the consensus of the commissioners to pursue the refinancing of the care home general obligation bonds, saving approximately $81,198 over the life of the bond issue by lowering the interest rate.
The commissioners adjourned the meeting at 2:20 pm, to meet again in regular session on February 15, 2011.
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Sheila Brown, County Clerk Linda McHenry, Chairman