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: Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator;
J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager; Todd Hampton,
City/County Building Official; Jerry Jo Deckert, Emergency Medical Service
Director; Anita Alvarado, Interim Health Department Administrator; Rita Gee,
Treasurer; and Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds.
Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the
minutes of the February 20, February 22, and March 2, 2007 meetings and the
claims against the various funds of the county. Madison Traster seconded the
motion. Following clarification of several vouchers, the motion passed
unanimously.
Carl Higgs made the motion to sponsor 2 girls to
Girls’ State through the American Legion Auxiliary at a cost of $250 each. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The commissioners approved an agreement between Sedgwick County and Grant County for housing inmates from Sedgwick County in the Grant County
Adult Detention Facility.
Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator, and
Randy McCauley, Road Foreman, presented pictures and cost information on road
damage due to flooding. It is anticipated the county will receive about $87,000
from FEMA for damage due to the ice storm. Flood damage will not be covered by
FEMA. Mr. Kramer said he is looking for a site to get dirt for road work.
Discussion was held on the truck route. Mr. Kramer said the earliest we will be
able to let bids for the intersections and overlay on that project will be
January 2008. He presented a preliminary field check cost estimate from Kirkham
Michael & Associates for the project. Mr. Kramer reminded the commissioners
there are no STP funds from the state available to us until 2011 so any extra
roadwork for potential business sites will have to be paid by the county. In
other business discussion was held on a spray unit for the noxious weed truck. Carl Higgs made the motion to purchase the spray equipment including GPS software from Wylie
Sprayers at a cost not to exceed $25,623.46. Madison Traster seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Lance Babcock, Sheriff, Todd Hampton, City/County
Building Official, and Bob Forsen, met to talk about the Law Enforcement Center expansion project. Mr. Forsen explained that there have been delays due to
soil testing and the need to change footing specifications. There have been
some other minor changes but he hopes to have the plans finalized before too
much longer. The commissioners explained the project was budgeted for this year
and they would like to have it completed as soon as possible.
Tammy Vaden, local citizen, commended the county
on their roadwork during and after the storms. Ms. Vaden asked if the rumble
strips on Road I at Patterson Road could be replaced or if a red flashing light
could be installed. The commissioners said they were not opposed to this and
they would talk to the road department administrator to see what it would
entail. Mrs. Vaden asked who is supposed to take care of the alleys in their
area. She said they have not had trash service since December 20 because there
has been no access since the winter storms. The alleys are not wide enough to
maintain. The commissioners said they would talk to Mr. Kramer about this
problem. Later in the day the commissioners talked to the road department
regarding Mrs. Vaden’s concerns. Mr. Kramer said they will do some work on the
alleys when they can. Placing rumble strips on Road I at Patterson Avenue was
discussed. It was decided that the strips would be done but not until the road
department has time.
Marty Long made the motion to
reappoint Loy Henderson to the advisory board of the Southwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Tom Kramer, Road Department Administrator, Randy
McCauley, Road Foreman, Luie Diaz, Shop Foreman, David Graber, Transfer Station
Manger, and Gene Schwarz, Foley Caterpillar, met with the commissioners. Madison Traster made the motion to purchase the uninsulated overhead door from Malone
Enterprises at a cost not to exceed $4317.91. Carl Higgs seconded the motion
and it passed unanimously. Discussion was held on repairs on the backhoe at the
transfer station. Mr. Diaz reported that Foley replaced the arms on the
backhoe. The total cost for the repairs was over $4,000 but the county will
only be charged $600. Carl Higgs made the motion to purchase a 2007 Caterpillar
Backhoe 420E from Foley Equipment Company at a cost of $77,797 with the
trade-in of the 1979 310A. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously. The 2003 backhoe will be transferred to the road department. Mr.
Kramer will try to find rims and tires for the 2003 to replace the foam filled
tires that are currently on the unit. Truck quotes for the transfer station
were reviewed. Madison Traster made the motion to approve the best bid from
2007 Peterbuilt from Garden City Peterbuilt at a cost not to exceed $84,950. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The 10-year-old truck that is being
replaced at the transfer station will be transferred to the road department.
The commissioners authorized Mr. Kramer to get quotes on a dump body.
Madison Traster made the motion to appoint
Robert Thompson to the Library Board replacing Archie DeBruce whose term has
expired. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Carl Higgs made the motion to adjourn at 2:25
p.m. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The
commissioners will be again in regular session at 9:30 a.m. March 20, 2007.
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Marty
Long, Chairman