C20111018 October 18, 2011
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 am with all members and the County Clerk present. Pastor Sam Bynum provided prayer and Linda McHenry led with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Following discussion of one claim, Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the minutes of the October 4, 2011 meeting along with the claims against the various funds of the county. Marty Long seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Kevin Shapland, Fair Board President, and Mari Honstead, Fair Board Secretary, updated the commissioners on the Ulysses News billing problem presented at the October 4th meeting. The Fair Board has contacted the Ulysses News and offered to pay $616.75 which is half of the original charge of $1,233.50 for the fair tab publication. Shayla Hernandez-Jaquez, Editor of the Ulysses News, agreed to the proposal. The commissioners considered the matter resolved.
The clerk presented 2 quotes for a new shredder and requested the purchase be taken from the special equipment fund. The clerk explained the 1988 courthouse shredder is worn out and the state would like each county to shred on a cross cut shredder for added security. Carl Higgs made the motion to purchase from the special equipment fund, the shredder from Southern Office Supply at a cost not to exceed $2,485. Marty Long seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Scott Nichols, Grant County Recreation Director, presented bids for the replacement of the air conditioning units after the new roof is installed on the indoor pool and recreation offices building. The Weber Refrigeration & Heating bid was $23,475 and the Tatro Plumbing bid was $26,950. Marty Long made the motion to accept the bid from Weber Refrigeration & Heating to re-set the RTU's after the new roof is installed on the pool and front offices building, at a cost not to exceed $23,475. Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Richard Banes, City/County Inspector, updated the commissioners on the change of zoning in the Meadow View Addition. The planning and zoning board approved to change lots 20 through 24 of the Meadow View Addition from (R1) single family residential to (R2) two family residential, to allow for the proposed construction of a duplex. Marty Long made the motion to approve the rezoning of lots 20 through 24 of the Meadow View Addition from R1 to R2. Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Marty Long made the motion to approve the 2012 Grant County observed holiday calendar and commissioner meeting dates as presented. Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator, presented a resolution changing the speed limit on a portion of county Road 4. Marty Long made the motion to approve the Speed Limit Order of Resolution, a resolution lowering the speed limit to 35 mph on county Road 4, beginning at K-25 Hwy and ending at a point 4000'east of K-25 Hwy. Carl Higgs seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. Mr. McCauley requested permission to seek bids on a road grader. It was the consensus of the commissioners to seek bids for a new road grader. Loren Wright, County Surveyor, attended this portion of the meeting and presented a drawing for additional parking in front of the courthouse, as per request of the commissioners. Discussion was held on the drawing with no decision being made. Mr. McCauley also proposed increasing wages by $1 per employee instead of hiring another truck driver to replace a vacancy at the Road & Bridge Department. Discussion was held on the benefit package of employees and other options to hiring such as adjusted hours. No decision was made on the increase.
The commissioners recessed for lunch with the City of Ulysses officials at Park View Assisted Living. Those attending from the city were: Mayor, Thadd Kistler; Council Members, John Battin, Janet Stewart, Tim McCauley; and Administrator, Daron Hall. General discussion was held.
Marty Long 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.
Commissioners discussed the funeral leave benefit in the Personnel Policies and Procedures manual. It was consensus of the commissioners to change the benefit from three (3) working days to twenty-six (26) hours with pay may be allowed for personal matters relating to death. Any additional time off may be arranged through the department head using vacation, sick or personal leave hours.
Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator, returned to meet with commissioners on a road project. Mr. McCauley informed commissioners the county had $69,000 in grant exchange money through the state for a road project. Randy proposed tearing out a portion of Road 21, which became dangerous after a bypass road was created. The commissioners authorized Mr. McCauley to proceed with the design of the road project.
The commissioners adjourned at 2:15 pm to meet again in regular session November 1, 2011.
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Sheila Brown, County Clerk Linda McHenry, Chairman