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