The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. with all members and the County Clerk present.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the minutes of the March 2, 2004 meeting and the claims against the various funds of the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Representatives from Seaboard presented a request to open a road at one of the sites in south Grant County. Tom Kramer, Road Foreman, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator attended this portion of the meeting. The road will be along a section line and it was reported that adjoining landowners have no problem with the proposed road. The commissioners approved having the road department build the road.

 

            Lance Babcock, Sheriff, reported that he will be receiving the pick up that BP Amoco donated to the Sheriff’s Department, and will outfit it with a camera and a radar with funds from the county attorney’s diversion fund. Sheriff Babcock said the county attorney has approved the expenditures.

 

            Loyetta Skeen, Clerk of the District Court, requested approval to purchase a new digital court recording system for the court. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the quote from Voice Products, Inc. of Wichita, Kansas at a cost of $5,386.00 plus $362.00 for microphones, cable and stands if necessary. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Nancy Ramski, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, met with the commissioners. Mrs. Ramski presented three bids for spraying county grounds. Pro-Tech Spraying Service of Cimarron bid $2647.20 for a 5-step lawn program and $4557.38 for Buffalo grass needs. Gray’s Yard Service bid $2,849.00 to apply chemicals in the areas specified on the bid sheet. K & K Lawn Service bid $3,045.00 for spraying warm and cool season grasses as per the spec sheet. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the bid from Gray’s Yard Service not to exceed $2,849.00. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mrs. Ramski requested approval to advertise for a seasonal worker to help with yard work from May through October. The commissioners approved her request.

 

            Tom Kramer, Road Foreman, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, requested approval to take bids for a truck. The commissioners approved the request. Mr. Kramer reported that the old welder is broken and they haven’t been able to get it repaired. They will get prices on a new one. Mr. Kramer presented a request for the county to gravel a field road for a landowner. The commissioners made the decision to continue with the practice of allowing a landowner to get gravel at the county yard and apply it themselves.

 

            Ginger Anthony, Museum Curator, reported that the ground west of the old noxious weed building needs to be sterilized so the weeds won’t grow. She said there is other areas on that block that need to be treated or mowed on a regular basis. The commissioners will talk to Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator regarding this.

 

            Carl Eyman, KWORCC Representative, presented claim analysis information for the commissioners’ review. Tom Kramer, Safety Committee Member, and Don Button, Safety Coordinator, attended this portion of the meeting. Discussion was held on the safety committee by-laws. Mr. Eyman explained that the sample by-laws that were furnished to the county could be changed to fit the county’s needs. Mr. Eyman commended the Safety Committee for the job they are doing.

 

            Sean Gooding, Emergency Medical Service Director, presented quotes for lease-purchasing an ambulance. Discussion was held on purchasing the ambulance outright instead of making payments that include interest. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the purchase of the remounted ambulance with a new chassis at a cost not to exceed $97,000 with trade in of the old ambulance. The cost will be paid out of the special equipment fund. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to sponsor two boys to American Legion Boys’ State at a cost of $500. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners approved a request from Cary Binney to hold the National Day of Prayer observance on the courthouse steps.

 

            The commissioners also approved a request from Karla Wood, Grant County Ambassadors, to use the courthouse lawn for the annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 10 at 1:30 p.m.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to proclaim April as Fair Housing month. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners made the decision to pay router fees through the 911 Fund.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to approve the spending policy, which was revised in March 2004. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. A copy of the policy will be given to all departments.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve participating in the Grant County Pride Edition of the Ulysses News at a cost of $630.00. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on April 6, 2004.

 

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                          Carl Higgs, Chairman