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: Lance Babcock, Sheriff; Jerry Jo Deckert, Interim EMS Director; Rita Gee, Treasurer; Nancy Ramski, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager; Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds; John Crosby, Fire Chief; David Wagner, Transfer Station Manager; Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator; and Tom Kramer, Road Foreman.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the minutes of the June 21, 2005 meeting and the claims against the various funds of the county. Marty Long seconded the motion. Following clarification of several bills the motion passed unanimously.

 

            Robin Hathaway, County Attorney, reported that she has no problem with the memo, dated June 23, 2005, from Kansas Workers Risk Cooperative for Counties regarding reciprocal agreements to provide employee benefits and post-accident drug testing consent and release. In other business, Ms. Hathaway presented information on a new system for cameras for patrol cars. The cost for one unit is $5,000. She proposed purchasing two of the units with diversion money to ascertain if they will be better than current cameras. Carl Higgs made the motion to purchase 2 DVD cameras for the Sheriff’s Department at a cost of approximately $10,000 with the money to come out of the diversion fund. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Galen Smith, Pioneer Natural Resources, requested a survey be done to determine the need for reduced speed or a caution light at the intersection to their plant site. The commissioners said they would talk to the Public Works Administrator and the Traffic Control Officer to see what can be done. Later in the morning, the commissioners talked by telephone to Tom Kramer, Road Foreman, regarding this matter. Mr. Kramer explained that John Duran and Frank Goldsby have been discussing this matter and he would relay the information on to them.

 

            Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator, gave an update on his department. He presented Resolution No. 05-02, designating the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the incident management system to be used for planning, responding, recovery and mitigating from both natural and manmade disasters within Grant County. Marty Long made the motion to adopt Resolution No. 05-02. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mr. Button gave an update on upcoming training. He also reported he is getting a secure wireless access point that supports A, B & G; an 8-port switch; and installation, training and testing for quality assurance at a cost of $1,251.00 from Nex-Tech. Discussion was held on removing the windows in the emergency management office and emergency operation center. Mr. Button explained that if there is a disaster such as a tornado, the windows could be blown out allowing water and debris to enter the area, and making it unusable. The commissioners asked Mr. Button to check on pricing for shutters as an alternative to removing the windows.

 

            Ginger Anthony, Museum Director, reported that the cost for having the concrete stamped at the old hotel would be about $3,600.00. She also said the museum would be willing to use donation money to put up an event sign for the museum if the county would pay for the concrete stamping. Carl Higgs made the motion to add brick stamping to the concrete work at the old hotel at a cost of $3,600.00. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Discussion was held on weeds behind the museum area needing to be sprayed or mowed. The commissioners will talk to Mr. Goldsby regarding this.

 

            Discussion was held on washing the windows at the courthouse. The clerk will check with Mary Jo Dimitt and see if she has a recommendation.

 

            Billie Upshaw, Western Prairie Care Home Administrator, Marcy Stringham, Park View Assisted Living, and Pam Gindlesberger, Board of Trustee Member presented their 2006 budget request. The request for the care home is $1,012,483.00, which is an increase of $6,163.00, and the amount requested for assisted living is $44,809.00, which is a decrease of $27,482.00. Ms. Upshaw explained problems with the infrastructure at the care home since it is an aging facility. She said the estimated cost to replace heating/air conditioning is $650,000.00 and the estimated cost for window replacement is $135,000.00. She explained that electrical and plumbing lines are primarily original and may need to be updated. The decision was made to meet in special session with the Care Home Board within the next 2 weeks to discuss the problems with the care home.

 

            John Wire, Great Plains Development, presented their annual report and submitted a membership agreement for the commissioners’ consideration. He also provided information on a new loan program. Marty Long made the motion to continue membership with GPDI at a cost of $1,581.80. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Tom Fuhrmann, Appraiser, met with the commissioners. Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing pending litigation on the BP Amoco property tax appeal case. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            LaVonne Michael, Senior Citizens Director, and Board Members, Mollie Beard, Pam Menzie, and Dewey Middleton met with the commissioners. Ms. Michael reported that they are going to paint their metal building south of the Senior Center/Health Department. They presented their 2006 budget request of $434,555.00, which is an increase of $150,823.00 over this year’s budget. Mrs. Beard asked how plans were progressing for changing the location of the health department. Mrs. Michael reported that they have put off doing some upgrades to equipment and expansion of programs until the entire facility can be utilized. The commissioners explained that they are still working on the project and offered no time frame.

 

            Jerry Jo Deckert, Interim EMS Director, met with the commissioners to discuss increasing wages for EMS employees. The commissioners will review the wage request and make a decision at a later meeting. Ms. Deckert gave an update on her department.

 

Carl Higgs made the motion to hire Jerry Jo Deckert as EMS Director at a salary of $45,000.00 per year. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mrs. Deckert assured the commissioners that she would move back to Grant County as soon as possible.

 

            Marty Long made the motion to recess into executive session for 5 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 5 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to adjourn. Marty Long seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Madison Traster, Chairman