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: Rita Gee, Treasurer; Tom Fuhrmann, Appraiser; Jerry Jo Deckert, Emergency Medical Service Director; Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator; Lance Babcock, Sheriff; J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager; Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator; David Graber, Transfer Station Manager; John Crosby, Fire Chief; Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds; and Robin Hathaway, County Attorney.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to approve the minutes of the January 16, January 23 and January 25, 2007 meetings and the claims against the various funds of the county. Carl Higgs seconded the motion. Following clarification of several vouchers the motion passed unanimously.

 

            Rita Gee, Treasurer, submitted Resolution 07-01 which was reviewed and signed by the commissioners resolving that the citizens of Kansas should be allowed the convenience and courtesy of renewal of driver’s licenses in their home county and petition the Congress of the United States to insure that this basic service to citizens can continue to be provided at the county level.

 

            Robin Hathaway, County Attorney, reported that funds in the diversion fund have grown and law enforcement is requesting another camera for a county vehicle and one for a city vehicle. Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the purchase of the cameras for a county and a city vehicle at a cost of $10,040.00. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Ms. Hathaway said there was a meeting of the Grant County Bar Association and the decision was made to use Law Library money to put a new audio system in the court room. In other business, Ms. Hathaway reported Greg Heckel is interested in working out some kind of agreement with the county to pay back money he owes on the micro-loan the county gave him for the Fuel Barn. The commissioners authorized the county attorney to work out a payment agreement with Mr. Heckel after a judgment is rendered from the court. Ms. Hathaway presented attorney general opinions regarding the designation of an official newspaper for a county. Ms. Hathaway reported that Ivan Koop would be coming in to request the commissioners forgive the interest and penalty and other fees on common ground around the property he and other individuals own. Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            Harold DuPree, Mike Moyer, and Tom Keaton, Airport Board Members, Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator, and Loren Wright, Surveyor, met with the commissioners. Mr. DuPree explained that Aerial Timber Applicators is interested in basing four of its firefighting aircraft in Grant County. They are looking at erecting a 100’ x 140’ facility and would like to lease space on airport property. Mr. Kramer and Mr. Wright discussed the dirt work that would be required to elevate the area before a building can be built. It was the consensus of all that they would work toward successful completion of this project.

 

            Chance Rudzik, Pioneer Communications, requested approval of an easement for cable service to the airport. Mr. Rudzik will take the easement to the county attorney for her review and approval before the commissioners approve it. Later in the morning, following approval by the county attorney, the commissioners signed the easement.

            Anita Alvarado, Health Department, met with the commissioners. Ms. Alvarado will be Interim Health Department Administrator, until a new administrator is hired. The decision was made to approve an increase for the administrative assistant to $13.37/hour. Madison Traster made the motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes, the meeting continued in open session. The commissioners made the decision to increase Ms. Alvarado’s wages by $3.00/hour while she is interim administrator. If another administrator is hired, the wages will revert back to her regular rate of pay.

 

            The commissioners recessed for lunch at Park View with Western Prairie Care Home Board of Trustees. The following were in attendance: Kent Carmichael, Julia Traster, Larry Rumburg, and Pam Gindlesberger, Trustees, and Billie Upshaw, Care Home Administrator. General discussion was held and plans for the new care home were viewed.

 

            Ivan Koop, representative for a homeowner’s association on the west side of town, explained that the association members believe they owe the past due taxes on the common ground that has been included in the tax foreclosure sale. He said the owners are willing to pay the back taxes but they would like to have penalty, interest and fees waived by the commissioners since they had not been aware that they were delinquent. The total delinquent taxes on the property are $3,968.92 as well as $614.18 for the first half of the current year taxes.  Madison Traster made the motion to waive the interest, penalty and fees in an approximate amount of $1450.00. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The treasurer’s office will determine the final total of interest to be paid.

 

            J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Manger, reported that Brent Walker, Grant County Recreation Director, said the recreation department would be willing to do herbicide/pesticide application to county property this year. The commissioners said they would rather put the spraying out for bids. In other business, Mr. Neufeld said the stove in the 4-H Building is no longer leaking gas but the oven can’t be used. Approval was given to purchase an electric range/oven for the 4-H Building. The old stove will be stored until it can be placed in an auction.

 

            David Graber, Transfer Station Manager, and Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator, met with the commissioners. The commissioners authorized Mr. Graber to get prices on a new truck for the transfer station. Discussion was held on using an old truck from the road department as trade in for the new truck and then transferring the truck being replaced at the transfer station to the road department.

 

            Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator, requested approval to get quotes on sealing sand. The commissioners approved this request. Mr. Kramer said he would like to purchase some screens for the screening plant to make road material. The commissioners approved this. Mr. Kramer presented a cost estimate for noxious weed spray equipment of $24,800.00. He is going to see why there has been such a price increase for the equipment before a decision is made. The quote of $1500 from M & N Welding to stretch the frame of the noxious weed pickup was approved by the commissioners. At Mr. Kramer’s request, Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open session. Mr. Kramer said he has been requested to make an all weather road on Road 21 from Road L to Road P between Kan Tex Feeders and Cactus Feed Yard. The commissioners approved this project. The commissioners approved the appointment of Randy McCauley as Road Foreman and increasing his rate of pay to 82% of the median for that position.

 

            Due to a request from LaVonne Michael, Senior Citizens’ Director, the commissioners made the unanimous decision to waive rental fees at the civic center for a concert on April 30, 2007, which will be a fund raiser for the senior citizens.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to adopt Resolution 07-02 Approving an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement between the commissioners of Grant County, Stanton County, Morton County and Stevens County to Jointly Establish and Conduct a Comprehensive Program to Promote Growth and Development at any location or locations within the Four-County Area. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on February 20, 2007.

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Marty Long, Chairman