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C20080415                                                                                                                 April 15, 2008

 

            The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. with all members and the County Clerk present.

 

            There was no one present for the public forum portion of the meeting.

 

            Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator, presented two road-crossing permits, which were reviewed and approved by the commissioners.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the minutes of the April 1, 2008 meeting and the claims against the various funds of the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion. Following clarification of three vouchers the motion passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners reviewed a list of potential Library Board candidates. The Library Board will make a final recommendation for the commissioner’s consideration at their next meeting.

 

            Robin Hathaway, county Attorney, and Tammy Reese, local citizen, met with the commissioners.  Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing land acquisition. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            The commissioners asked Ms. Hathaway to draft a resolution for putting the question of “Liquor by the Drink” on the November ballot. The wording in the resolution is to include the following: “Shall the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink in Grant County be allowed in public places without a requirement that any portion of their gross receipts be from sales of food?”

 

            Robert Ohlen, Carla Nichols, and James Tusten, Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital, met with the commissioners. Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the tax credit endorsement for purchase of equipment by Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Jerry Jo Deckert, EMS Director, and John Crosby, Fire Chief, presented information on a storm plan for emergency vehicle relocation when severe storms are threatening the community. Ms. Deckert said the plan is to move one fire truck to the EMS station and one ambulance to the Fire Station. The third location they can utilize is a metal building owned by Larry Dowell. The vehicles would only be moved to the alternative locations whenever there is a severe threat. Our insurance company has approved using the private facility for this. The commissioners gave their approval to implement the plan for relocation of emergency vehicles. In other business, Mr. Crosby reported the material used to build new vehicles is making it difficult to cut patients out of these vehicles when there is an accident. He estimates the cost for cutters capable of cutting the new material to be $20,000. He would like to purchase one set through his equipment fund this year and budget for another set to be purchased in 2009. He will do more research on this and return at a later date with firm price quotes. Ms. Deckert presented a quote for a medical drill that inserts an IV into bone. The cost for two units plus needles and training materials is $1,564.50. Madison Traster made the motion to approve the purchase of two drills to aid inserting fluids/medicines into bone for a total cost of $1,564.50. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

 

            J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Manager, and Bob Forsen, Consultant, discussed timing the bids for the new bathrooms at the Civic Center. Due to the number of scheduled events, the decision was made to put the bidding off so the construction can be started in late September. When specifications for the project are complete, Mr. Forsen will bring them to a commissioner meeting for review and approval.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to adopt Resolution No. 08-07 in support of a new comprehensive transportation program for Kansas. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners recessed for lunch with the City of Ulysses at Parkview Assisted Living. Those attending from the city were: Mary Smith, Interim City Manager, and Council Members, Ann Papay, Scott Malone, John Duran and John Battin. General discussion was held as well as discussion on the proposed new comprehensive transportation program.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to approve Kelly Wilson’s application for a cereal malt beverage license for the consumption of cereal malt beverage at 2258 West Road 10 in Grant County, Kansas. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The fee for the license will be $225.00 with $25.00 of this going to the State. The license will expire March 31, 2009.

 

            Tom Kent and Bill Libit, counselor, Nexsun Ethanol, had a conference call with the commissioners. Tom Fuhrmann, Appraiser, Scott Malone, City Council Member, and Bill Anderson, local citizen, attended this portion of the meeting. Mr. Libit explained that if there is a favorable hearing on April 17, he expects to close on the IRB’s in July. It was mentioned that construction could start in September if all financing for the project is in place. Tom Fuhrmann said the general rule is that 80% of a plant would be real estate and 20% would be equipment. Nexsun had requested a 100% tax abatement for 10 years, but the commissioners indicated they would probably follow their existing policy regarding abatements. The commissioners also said they would not recommend an abatement until construction on the facility begins.

 

            Carol Burnum and Cory Davidson, Crisis Pregnancy Center, requested that Civic Center fees be waived for a banquet they are having. Carl Higgs made the motion to waive fees at the Civic Center for the Precious Beginnings Crisis Pregnancy Center banquet. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Lance Babcock, Sheriff, met with the commissioners. Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss financial matters relating to the jail. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open session. Sheriff Babcock explained his inmate work release program.

 

            Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator, requested approval to proceed with the Continuity of Operations Plan for the county, which was approved at budget time last year. The commissioners approved contracting with EFM Consulting at a cost of $9,390.00 to develop the plan. Mr. Button asked if the county is interested in applying for grant money to develop a list of all the county’s resources of manpower and equipment available for use in case of an emergency. Mr. Button plans to request $7500 in grant money with the county matching this amount in kind. He explained this would help with the county’s NIMS compliance. The commissioners approved him soliciting the grant.

 

            Stan Rice, Pioneer Communications, reported on a tower they no longer need. The tower is located about a quarter mile west of the radio station. Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator, attended this portion of the meeting. He informed everyone that his department and the fire department have repeaters on that tower. Mr. Rice will get the legal description for the tower, its height and any other pertinent information to the county clerk.

 

            Cindy Galloway and Cindy Heaton, local citizens, presented pictures and information on a vicious dog attack on another dog at Bedrock. They stated the attacking dogs were pit bulls. They said they reported the incident to Steve Dieker, owner of Bedrock, and he had the dogs’ owner remove the dogs from the mobile home park. The commissioners explained that if a vicious dog resolution is enacted it would have to be for the whole county. The ladies understood this and said they were not in favor of this.

 

            The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on May 6, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________                                    _____________________________

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Marty Long, Chairman