The Board
of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. with all members
and the County Clerk present.
Madison Traster made the motion to
approve the minutes of the May 6, 2003 meeting and the claims against the
various funds of the county. Gene Schwein seconded the motion. Following
clarification of two fuel bills, the motion passed unanimously.
Gene
Schwein made the motion to adopt Resolution 03-03 authorizing the offering for
sale of $200,000 General Obligation Library Bonds, Series 2003, of Grant
County, Kansas. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The bonds are part of the original cost projection for the library project and
will be used to pay back the money received from the rural electric cooperative
loan.
Ric Dalke,
Don McLendon, and Denise Wood, Area Mental Health Center, presented their 2004
budget request. Their request is for $108,768, which is the same amount as this
year’s appropriation. The commissioners will consider their request.
Tom Kramer,
Road Foreman, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, presented three
bids for sealing sand. Popejoy Construction Co. bid $2.50/ton for CM-B and
$9.50/ton for CM-A; Klotz Sand & Asphalt Paving Co. bid $2.50/ton for CM-B
and $8.50/ton for CM-A; and Smith Sand Co., Inc. bid $2.50/ton for CM-B and
$6.00/ton for CM-A. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the bid of
$6.00/ton for CM-A from Smith Sand Co., Inc. and the bid of $2.50/ton for CM-B
from Popejoy Construction Co. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously. Discussion was held on various ways to cut the road department’s
budget for next year.
Rita Gee,
Treasurer, met with the board. She explained that the state is offering a
driver’s license training session on June 4. She would like to close her office
that morning to enable her entire staff to attend the training. She said they
would try to reopen the office at 2:00 p.m. that day to take care of the
public. The commissioners approved her doing this as long as advertising is
done to inform the public that they will be closed part of the day. At Mrs.
Gee’s request, Madison Traster made the motion to recess into executive session
for 20 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Gene
Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 20 minutes the
meeting continued in open session.
Lorine
Myers, James Pena, Leonard Wilson, and Kevin Shapland, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, presented their 2004 budget request. Their request of
$27,000 is an increase of $7,000 over their current budget. The request will be
considered.
Bill Hall,
School Superintendent, presented information on three modular classrooms they
have for sale. The commissioners said they did not think the county has a need
for them. The possibility of sharing some services was discussed. The
commissioners asked if the school district would be interested in a joint
meeting with other entities within the county to see how we can all work
together to help cut expenses. Mr. Hall said they would be interested in such a
meeting.
Patrick
Rupp, local citizen, talked to the commissioners about starting a demolition
derby in the community. He would like to have one or two events a year. He said
it was his understanding that Bit & Spur is against having the derby held
at the rodeo grounds. He explained that the cars in the derby would be
inspected to insure that no small pieces of junk would fall into the arena. He
also stated that the arena would be left in its original condition following the
derby. He asked about the possibility of using the area where the trailer park
used to be at the airport. The commissioners explained that due to FAA
regulations regarding lights and clear zones, this would not be feasible. They
said they would visit with Bit & Spur concerning the use of the rodeo
grounds. They recommended that Mr. Rupp form a committee to help with the
project.
Sheriff
Lance Babcock presented information on digital cameras. Madison Traster made
the motion to purchase a Sony digital camera from Central Digital not to exceed
$650.90 with the money to come from the county attorney’s diversion fund. Gene
Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Gene Schwein made the
motion to approve the purchase of a new drug dog at a total cost not to exceed
$6,000 with funds to come from the diversion fund. Madison Traster seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously. Some discussion was held on possible ways to
cut the sheriff’s budget.
The
commissioners reviewed and approved Ordinances 1114 and 1115 amending the
official “zoning district map”.
Gene
Schwein made the motion to reappoint O.D. Young to the Board of Zoning Appeals
and to appoint Cecil Simpson to the Planning Commission replacing Mike Brewer
who declined to serve another term. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
The
commissioners authorized Carl Higgs to sign the rezoning ordinance for Courtney
and Darlene Eslick after it is approved by the city.
Harold
Hooton and Jim McCall, Hi Plains Environmental LLC, presented information on an
oil reclamation facility they are interested in. The commissioners will have
the county attorney review the information to insure that it meets the county’s
solid waste management plan. If it complies with the county’s plan, they will
give their approval for continuing with the project.
Nancy
Ramski, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager, and Frank Goldsby, Public
Works Administrator, met with the commissioners. Mrs. Ramski presented bids for
a 7 X 13 bridge style concrete walkway with a concrete valley drain by the
patio at the Civic Center. Simpson Construction bid $2,875.00 and H & H
Construction bid $2,658.00. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the low bid
from H & H Construction not to exceed $2,658.00. Madison Traster seconded
the motion and it passed unanimously. Mrs. Ramski reported that she has been in
contact with Kevin Shaw of Knockout Events from Denver, Colorado. They have
tentatively scheduled two events in June and October if all contract details
can be worked out. The commissioners approved proceeding with the events if
possible.
Sean
Gooding, Emergency Medical Services Director, gave an update on his department.
In order to provide better service to the community, Madison Traster made the
motion to move toward having a full time ambulance service. Gene Schwein
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Gene
Schwein made the motion to approve the purchase of a Dell PowerEdge 600SC
server at a cost not to exceed $5,328 for the county attorney to be paid with
diversion funds. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Gene
Schwein made the motion to appoint Katrina Benyshek to the Fair Board replacing
Gail Jorgensen who moved. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
At the
commissioners’ request, the County Clerk will call a department head meeting to
brainstorm possible ways to cut expenses. The meeting will be held in the next
two weeks.
Gene
Schwein made the motion to increase the EMS Director’s wages 6% pursuant to the
agreement made when he was hired six months ago. Madison Traster seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
The commissioners adjourned to meet
again in regular session on June 3, 2003.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Carl Higgs, Chairman