The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. with Chairman Madison Traster and Members Carl Higgs and Marty Long present. Sheila Brown, Chief Deputy Clerk, attended in the absence of Linda McHenry, County Clerk.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to accept the minutes of the March 1, 2005 meeting and the claims against the various funds of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Larry Kepley requested permission to spray his right of way this year.  Mr. Kepley also asked for the county to consider a spray program for mustard weed.  The commissioners agreed to look at various possibilities in the future.

 

            David Wagner, Transfer Station Manager and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator asked permission to replace the truck driver position at the Transfer Station.  The commissioners approved the request.  Mr. Wagner gave an update on the Transfer Station building and equipment repairs.

 

            Darl Henson, Extension Council Agent asked about the possibility of taking down the chain link fence in front of the new extension building.  The decision was made to get bids for a different kind of fence to replace the current one to discourage parking on Patterson Road.  Mr. Henson also reported they will be moving into the new building next week.

 

            Nancy Ramski, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator presented bids for spraying county grounds.  Carl Higgs moved to accept the only bid from Gray’s Yard Service, Inc. for $2,792.02.  Marty Long seconded the motion 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 the request.  The commissioners reviewed grounds maintenance of the courthouse lawn and shrubbery beds.

 

            Sean Gooding, EMT Director met with the commissioners.  Marty Long moved to recess into executive session for 30 minutes to discuss personnel.  Carl Higgs seconded and it passed unanimously.  After 30 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            John Crosby, Fire Chief requested approval to purchase bunker gear.  Carl Higgs made the motion to accept the quote from Conrad Fire Equipment Company to purchase 4 sets of bunker gear not to exceed $3,628.00.  Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Mr. Crosby reported he would be asking for quotes to purchase new tables and chairs for the fire station.  Discussion was held on training ground for the firefighters. 

 

            Tom Kramer, Road Foreman and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator presented 2005 sealing sand price bids.  Marty Long made the motion to accept the bid from Eastern Colorado Aggregates for CM-C at $8.50 per ton and the bid from Klotz Sand & Asphalt Paving Company for CM-B at $2.50 per ton.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Mr. Goldsby presented a road-crossing permit for OXY, USA, Inc. that was reviewed and approved.  Mr. Kramer presented bids for a roadside spraying truck.  Carl Higgs made the motion to purchase a CC5500 regular cab 2WD Chevrolet at a cost not to exceed $33,014.00 from Riley Chevrolet.  Marty Long seconded and it passed unanimously.  Frank Goldsby reviewed the Construction Engineering Proposal Committee recommendation for the Cemetery Road Project.  Marty Long made the motion to accept the proposal recommendation from the committee for Kirkham, Michael & Associates for a total cost of $68,967.79 with county being responsible for 20% or $13,793.56.  Carl Higgs seconded and it passed unanimously.

 

            Jay Tusten, Interim CEO for Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital, Mike Brewer, Eldon Dirks, Keric Sullivan, Hospital Board Members and Sean Gooding, EMS Director, Julie Fowler, Paramedic, Cris Cain, Terry Crosby, David Harbour, Jason Nelson, and Jerry Jo Deckert, EMT’s met in a joint effort to discuss the improvement and other various aspects of patient care.

 

            Kevin and Debra Barbo owners of Critical Care Transfer made a proposal to incorporate Grant County EMS and Critical Care Transfer into one unit and run under the name Critical Care Transfer.  Following discussion the commissioners declined to incorporate at this time.

 

            Lance Babcock, Sheriff asked to update and install additional security cameras.  Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the security cameras for the jail not to exceed $4,500.00.  Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Robin Hathaway, County Attorney asked permission to use the diversion fund to purchase cameras for law enforcement vehicles.  Robin will check with the City of Ulysses to see if they have a similar fund to assist with this purchase.  Permission was given to use the diversion fund to buy the cameras.  Miss Hathaway also reported on various legal issues the county is facing.

 

            Dr. Steve Medeiros and wife Julie met with commissioners.  Carl Higgs moved to recess into executive session for 30 minutes to discuss personnel.  Marty Long seconded and it passed unanimously.  After 30 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            The commissioners made the decision to appoint Jerry Jo Deckert as Interim Director of EMS effective April 5, 2005.

 

The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on April 5, 2005.

 

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                         Madison Traster, Chairman