The Board
of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. with all members
and the County Clerk present.
Marty Long
made the motion to approve the minutes of the December 6, 2005 minutes and the
claims against the various funds of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion
and it passed unanimously.
Brent
Walker, Recreation Director, and David Seibel, Recreation Board Member, met
with the commissioners regarding the cost for the filtering system for the
swimming pool. Mr. Walker explained that he called their accountant and he said
they would not have adequate funds to pay the cost in this fiscal year. Mr.
Walker presented a list of expenses totaling $48,136.04 that recreation has
paid on pool repairs and improvements since July 1, 2004. Later in the day the
commissioners had a lengthy discussion about the swimming pool filtering
system. Due to the incorrect design of the original system and the need to have
the filtering system and heater operational next summer, Carl Higgs made the
motion to approve the funds for a new filtration system for the pool at a cost
of $96,400.00 as presented by Paddock Enterprises. Marty Long seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Don Button,
Emergency Management Coordinator, presented a bid to have laminated bronze
glass installed over 7 windows in his office and the Emergency Operations
Center in the basement of the courthouse. Carl Higgs made the motion to accept
the bid from JR’s Glass at a cost not to exceed $1,250.00. Mr. Button requested
approval to purchase a new computer at a cost of $1,300.00 from the Computer
Alchemist. He stated that he priced a similar computer with Dell at a cost of
$1,800.00. Carl Higgs made the motion to purchase the computer from the
Computer Alchemist at a cost not to exceed $1,300.00. Marty Long seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Due to high
utilization of the county’s health insurance, Marty Long made the motion to
contract with reinsurance carrier HCC Life, through EPOCH, and to change from a
$30,000 specific deductible to a $20,000 specific deductible for 2006. Carl
Higgs seconded motion and it passed unanimously.
Tom Kramer,
Road Foreman, Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, Gene Pflughoft,
Economic Development Director, and Rod Kreie, Economic Development Board of
Directors, met with the commissioners. Mr. Kramer presented a letter regarding
the proposed FY2009 Economic Development Project Application. The Kansas
Department of Transportation needs to know if the commissioners are interested
in pursuing the project. Following discussion the commissioners agreed that
they are still interested in proceeding with the project. Mr. Kramer will relay
this to KDOT. Final approval of the Economic Development Projects will be done
in January. Mr. Kramer presented information on a dump truck that is being sold
by an individual. The commissioners are not interested in purchasing a truck at
this time. Mr. Kramer gave an update on the bathroom project at the road
department.
In other business, Rod Kreie and
Gene Pflughoft from Economic Development reported on the progress concerning
West Industries sweet corn plant. They stated that the goal of economic
development is to see that the sweet corn facility continues to operate, employ
local people, and makes a positive impact on the economy of Grant County. In
addition, Economic Development would like to see the debts of West Industries
repaid. The Sunflower Bank of Ellinwood, Kansas has placed the sweet corn plant
into foreclosure. Economic Development has recruited another firm that has
contracted to purchase this facility. The new company wants to continue in the
sweet corn business and in addition, build a large nursery business. It was
also reported that the Development Corporation is pursuing the personal guarantees
of the membership of West Industries in the foreclosure litigation.
Jerry Jo
Deckert, EMS Director, Bob Forsen, Planner, and contractors, Gary Cheek, Rod
Trebelcock, Craig Malone, and Jeff Rollins attended the bid opening for
renovation of the ambulance building. Trebelcock and Cheek bid $60,614.00;
Malone Enterprises bid $50,400.00; and AB Tech bid $46,512.00. Carl Higgs made
the motion to accept the low bid of $46,512.00. Madison Traster seconded the
motion and it passed.
Marty Long
made the motion to give all county employees a 3% cost of living increase for
2006 effective with the first pay period of the new year. Carl Higgs seconded
the motion and it passed unanimously. The unanimous decision was made to set
the salary for the Road and Bridge Administrator at $56,000.00 for 2006. A copy
of wage changes for 2006 is attached as a part of this record.
Marty Long
made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 1144 revising municipal zoning
ordinances for the City and its zoning jurisdiction. Carl Higgs seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Lance
Babcock, Sheriff, presented bids for 32 new cameras for the jail. Bids ranged
from $30,000 to $60,000. Sheriff Babcock obtained camera system information on
the Internet and can purchase the equipment for $15,000.00. He said he would
put the system in himself to save money. Marty Long made the motion to approve
the purchase of 32 indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras for the Law
Enforcement Center at a cost not to exceed $15,000, with the cost to be paid by
the county’s special equipment fund. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
Marty Long
made the motion to approve the 2006 Solid Waste Management Committee list. Carl
Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The commissioners
looked into the tax abatement requested by Darren Wilkey on behalf of Carlos
Moral at the last commissioner meeting. It was found that the project did not
meet the requirements of the county’s tax abatement policy.
Marty Long
made the motion to adjourn at 3:15 p.m. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it
passed unanimously.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Madison
Traster, Chairman