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C20080603                                                                                                     June 3, 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: J.D. Neufeld, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager; David Graber, Transfer Station Manager; Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator; Anita Alvarado, Health Department Administrator; Rita Gee, Treasurer; and Lance Babcock, Sheriff.

 

            Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2008 meeting and the claims against the various funds of the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion and following clarification of three vouchers, the motion passed unanimously.

 

            Darl Henson and Mary Sullivan, Extension Agents, and Jason King, Daron Cowan, and Gloria Battin, Extension Council Members, presented their 2009 budget request. The request is for $194,500, which is $9,500 higher than their current budgeted amount.

 

            Mike Bridge, Episcopal Priest, requested that fees for Walker Auditorium at the Civic Center be waived for a Christian Rock Concert on August 8, 2008. Carl Higgs made the motion to waive the fees for using Walker Auditorium at the Civic Center on August 8. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Randy McCauley, Road Department Administrator, requested approval to solicit bids for a new loader. The John Deere that would be traded off could be reassigned to the Transfer Station if Mr. Graber decides he wants it. The commissioners approved his request. Mr. McCauley reported the noxious weed chemical storage building should be finished this month. Mr. McCauley presented a quote for an auger attachment for his bobcat. Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the purchase of an auger from White Star Machinery at a cost not to exceed $1800.00. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Since there have been no bids received for the bathroom project at the Civic Center and the estimated cost is less than $100,000 the commissioners made the unanimous decision to waive the bond requirements for this project. This is within the statutes as they apply to building projects and it is hoped this will allow small local contractors to bid on this project.

 

            Vivian Button, Emergency Management Assistant/Secretary, presented grant agreements for Hazardous Material Emergency Planning funding to send five additional people to training in Pueblo. The commissioners approved the agreements. Carl Higgs made the motion to purchase an additional siren, which will be placed on Michigan Avenue from Federal Signal Corporation at a cost not to exceed $17,740.40. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mrs. Button reported that it would cost about $1,300 each for upgrading the county’s other sirens for narrow banding in the next 3 years. The commissioners gave their unanimous support for the Citizens Core Council and the Community Emergency Response Team.

 

            Tom Fuhrmann, Appraiser, presented his 2009 budget request of $260,835, which is an increase of $2,415 over their current budget. Mr. Fuhrmann reported that the county’s valuation would be up about 2-½ %.

 

            One bid was received and opened for yard work at the courthouse and Law Enforcement Center. Carl Higgs made the motion to approve the bid from Gray’s Yard Service at a cost not to exceed $4,500.00. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Lance Babcock, Sheriff, gave an update on his department. He reported that a deputy is resigning effective the end of the month so he will advertise for the position. In other business, the sheriff requested approval to allow an employee to carry over his remaining vacation time from last year to this year since he was unable to use it due to time constraints at the end of the year. Madison Traster made the motion to approve the carry over of 38 hours of vacation time for Deputy Noah Holmes. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Discussion was held on random drug/alcohol testing for county employees who drive county vehicles. Carl Higgs made the motion to implement random drug testing for all county employees who drive county vehicles. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Mark Hinde, President/CEO, and Mary Gleason, County Representative, Southwest Developmental Services, Inc., presented their 2009 budget request of $41,000, which remains the same as this years budgeted amount. Lucy Crotts, Russell Child Developmental Services, presented their budget request of $25,600, which is $1,600 less than their current budgeted amount.

 

            Anita Alvarado, Health Department Administrator, presented information on programs she has enhanced since she was hired as administrator. Since she has worked in that position over a year and due to the improvements she has made in the department, Ms. Alvarado requested the commissioners consider increasing her rate of pay to $22/hour, which is a 14% increase. Commissioner Traster stated that if you have a good employee who is doing a good job, you need to recognize that and he would honor her request. Commissioner Long stated that he agrees with Commissioner Traster and he does not have a problem with going up to the median at this time but would not be in favor of the requested amount. Commissioner Higgs said he agrees with the other commissioners on the good job she is doing and would be willing to give the amount requested but would rather increase to the median. Madison Traster made the motion to increase Anita Alvarado’s pay to the median rate of pay for that position of $21.54/hour.  Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Robin Hathaway, County Attorney, met with the commissioners. Carl Higgs made the motion to recess into executive session for 10 minutes for the purpose of discussing land acquisition. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 10 minutes the meeting continued in open session. Marty Long made the motion that the Grant County Commissioners start proceedings of eminent domain on a tract of land in the SE ¼ Section 9, Township 28 South, Range 37 West of the Sixth Principal Meridian, Grant County, Kansas for the purpose of road right-of-way for constructing an intersection. This action will be filed against Tammy K. Lane-Reese. Carl Higgs seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on June 17, 2008.

 

 

 

______________________________                                    ___________________________

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Marty Long, Chairman