C20080506 May
6, 2008
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: Lance Babcock, Sheriff; Randy McCauley, Road
Department Administrator; J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Manager; Todd Hampton,
City/County Building Official; Jerry Jo Deckert, Emergency Medical Service
Director; Rita Gee, Treasurer; Mary K. Sullivan, Register of Deeds; Tom
Fuhrmann, Appraiser; and John Crosby, Fire Chief.
Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the
minutes of the April 15, 2008 and the claims against the various funds of the
county. Marty Long seconded the motion and following clarification of three
vouchers, motion passed unanimously.
Lance Babcock, Sheriff, talked about the
sprinkler system at the Law Enforcement Center. The original bid from Gray’s
Yard Service was thought to be good for the south yard of the LEC but the Sheriff
will check on the status of repairing the west side.
Madison Traster made the motion to appoint Dee
Longoria to fill Galen Pelton’s unexpired term on the Library Board and to
appoint Tammy Oliver to replace Gary Boldt whose term has expired on the
Library Board. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the bid of
$650.00 from Steve Kinsey to wash the outside windows of the courthouse.
Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Tom Gray, local citizen, discussed the
possibility of a Jake Brake ordinance on West Highway 160. He asked if the
commissioners would talk to the city about annexing state highway right-of-way on
that portion of the highway so a city ordinance could be enacted regarding Jake
Brakes. The commissioners said they would talk to the City Council about it but
recommended that Mr. Gray talk to the motels along the highway to see if they
would be interested in joining in his effort.
Ric Dalke, Executive Director, Marshall Lewis,
Region Three Director, and Larry Rumburg, Board Member, Area Mental Health,
presented the annual report as well as their 2009 budget request. The request
is $114,206, which is an increase of $5,438 over their current budget. There
has been no increase in this budget request since 2003.
Faye Trent, Great Plains Development, presented
a CDBG Micro-loan request for the commissioners’ consideration. Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 10 minutes for the purpose of
discussing financial matters concerning the county. Madison Traster seconded
the motion and it passed unanimously. After 10 minutes the meeting continued in
open session. A decision on the request was tabled until the May 19th
meeting. Later in the day, Gene Pflughoft, Economic Development Director,
presented the commissioners with information regarding the CDBG micro-loan
request. Based on this information, Carl Higgs made the motion to approve a
micro-loan in the amount of $15,000 for Steven L. Melius, d/b/a U Town Cycles.
Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
Madison Traster made the motion to allow Southwest
Kansas Baseball League’s usage of the N/E Babe Ruth field and sports complex
for not less than 10 games. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed
unanimously.
The commissioners recessed for lunch with the Care
Home Board at Park View Assisted Living. General discussion was held and the
commissioners toured the new care home, which is under construction.
J. D. Neufeld, Civic Center Manager, presented
specifications for remodeling the auditorium bathrooms at the civic center. The
decision was made to change the air hand driers to paper dispensers. Mr.
Neufeld received approval to get quotes for directional signs for the civic
center complex. Approval was given to increase the clean-up rate for individuals
renting rooms to $50.00.
Tammy Reese, local citizen, and Robin Hathaway, County Attorney, met with the commissioners. Ms. Reese stated she does not believe the
correct amount of trees she will lose has been considered. The total number of
trees offered for compensation is 8. She believes there are 27 trees that will
be lost. She said she believes there will be 11 small trees and 16 large trees
destroyed. Chairman Long suggested that the county have Kirkham Michael and the
appraiser check the property in question to determine if the measurements are
correct and how many trees will be affected. Carl Higgs made the motion to
recess into executive session for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing land
acquisition and attorney/client privilege. Madison Traster seconded the motion
and it passed unanimously. After 15 minutes the meeting continued in open
session.
Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator,
informed the commissioners the company we ordered a new truck from wants to
know if we would release the truck we’re trading in before the new truck
arrives. The decision was made to keep the deal as it was with the county not
releasing the truck early. Mr. McCauley received permission to solicit bids for
a good used mowing tractor to replace the 1978 John Deere 4640. The
commissioners reviewed and approved a road-crossing permit for Pioneer
Communications. Mr. McCauley presented stop sign resolutions for Hampton Avenue at Stubbs Road and Patterson Avenue and Stubbs Road as well as a speed limit
resolution for Stubbs Road.
The commissioners approved the 2009 Community
Corrections Comprehensive Plan and authorized Chairman Marty Long to sign the
plan.
The commissioners adjourned to meet again in
regular session on May 20, 2008.
______________________________ _____________________________
Linda McHenry, County Clerk Marty
Long, Chairman