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:  Ronald Lofland, Transfer Station Manager; Tom Kramer, Road Foreman; Rita Gee, Treasurer; Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds; Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator; David Ediger, EMS Director; John Crosby, Fire Chief; Tom Martinez, Building and Grounds Manager; Todd Hampton, Building Official; Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator; and Loy Henderson, Undersheriff.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the minutes of the February 19, 2002 minutes.  Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Ronald Lofland, Transfer Station Manager, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, met with the commissioners.  Mr. Lofland requested approval to solicit bids for a new trailer.  The commissioners approved his request.

 

            Jerry Horton, Pioneer Communications, answered questions regarding installation of firewalls on the courthouse computer systems.  He will get information on a system, which allows fewer licenses and will cost less for the ambulance department.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the quote from Pioneer Communications for the Cisco PIX 5006 Firewalls, hub routers, switches and labor at a total cost not to exceed $5,330.50 for the courthouse system and the court system.  The cost for the court system will be paid through the clerk of the court’s budget. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Tom Schlesener, Greeley Gas Company, requested approval to bore roads and install pipe without casing.  He said they would be willing to do a deeper bore and they would be liable for any future problems.  Following discussion, the commissioners asked Mr. Schlesener to talk to Frank Goldsby to see what regulations need to be followed regarding this.  The commissioners stressed that they want to work with the gas company as much as possible.

 

            Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator, presented information on upcoming workshops; grant requests and updating mutual aid agreements.  Gene Schwein made the motion to approve Resolution 2002-03 establishing a policy to provide assistance to other counties, cities and townships during disasters, pursuant to K.S.A. 12-16,117.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Gary Howard, Ulysses Tractor Club, requested permission to use the building and lot north of the Museum for a three-day show in November.  The commissioners said they had no problem with this but the tractor club would need to contact the people who have vehicles and other items stored in the building to see if they can be moved.  He also needs to check with the library because the contractors may be using part of the lot for equipment storage.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to appoint Eddi Porter and Galen Pelton to the Library Board replacing Irene Velasquez and John Alig whose terms have expired.  Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve City Ordinances 1096, 1097, 1098 and 1099.  Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to proclaim the month of April as Fair Housing Month.  Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            David Ediger, EMS Director, presented a request for a new copier.  The commissioners said a new copier might be purchased for the courthouse.  If this is done, the old one could be transferred to the ambulance department.  Mr. Ediger was called out on an ambulance run.  Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the purchase of a Stryker Rugged EZ-PRO R3 ambulance cot at a cost not to exceed $3,584.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Following the ambulance call, Mr. Ediger returned to the meeting.  He asked how far he should continue with his building project.  The commissioners confirmed their prior authorization for continuing the project as long as there is money in the ambulance budget to cover the cost.  They emphasized that the county’s purchasing policy needs to be followed.

 

Tom Martinez, Building and Grounds Manager, presented two bids for fertilizing certain county grounds.  Gene Schwein made the motion to accept the low bid of $2,890 from K & K Lawn Care.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Discussion was held on replacing some of the chairs at the civic center.  Mr. Martinez will see what it would cost to replace the seats and backs of the chairs.  Due to continual damage to tables and chairs that are loaned out, the decision was made to cease the loan policy on a trial basis.

 

Road crossing permits for Rollin Hagerman Farm Partners and Greeley Gas Company were reviewed and approved by the commissioners.

 

Merle Summers, contractor, talked to the commissioners about the ambulance-building project.  The commissioners agreed that he should talk to Frank Goldsby, the county’s general contractor for small projects, to get quotes for flooring, etc. for the building.

 

Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the claims against the various funds of the county.  Gene Schwein seconded the motion.  After clarification of several vouchers, the motion passed unanimously.

 

The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on March 19, 2002.

 

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Madison Traster, Chairman