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

 

Madison Traster made the motion to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2003 meeting and the claims against the various funds of the county. Gene Schwein seconded the motion. Following clarification of two fuel bills, the motion passed unanimously.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to adopt Resolution 03-03 authorizing the offering for sale of $200,000 General Obligation Library Bonds, Series 2003, of Grant County, Kansas. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. The bonds are part of the original cost projection for the library project and will be used to pay back the money received from the rural electric cooperative loan.

 

            Ric Dalke, Don McLendon, and Denise Wood, Area Mental Health Center, presented their 2004 budget request. Their request is for $108,768, which is the same amount as this year’s appropriation. The commissioners will consider their request.

 

            Tom Kramer, Road Foreman, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, presented three bids for sealing sand. Popejoy Construction Co. bid $2.50/ton for CM-B and $9.50/ton for CM-A; Klotz Sand & Asphalt Paving Co. bid $2.50/ton for CM-B and $8.50/ton for CM-A; and Smith Sand Co., Inc. bid $2.50/ton for CM-B and $6.00/ton for CM-A. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the bid of $6.00/ton for CM-A from Smith Sand Co., Inc. and the bid of $2.50/ton for CM-B from Popejoy Construction Co. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Discussion was held on various ways to cut the road department’s budget for next year.

 

            Rita Gee, Treasurer, met with the board. She explained that the state is offering a driver’s license training session on June 4. She would like to close her office that morning to enable her entire staff to attend the training. She said they would try to reopen the office at 2:00 p.m. that day to take care of the public. The commissioners approved her doing this as long as advertising is done to inform the public that they will be closed part of the day. At Mrs. Gee’s request, Madison Traster made the motion to recess into executive session for 20 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. After 20 minutes the meeting continued in open session.

 

            Lorine Myers, James Pena, Leonard Wilson, and Kevin Shapland, Natural Resources Conservation Service, presented their 2004 budget request. Their request of $27,000 is an increase of $7,000 over their current budget. The request will be considered.

 

            Bill Hall, School Superintendent, presented information on three modular classrooms they have for sale. The commissioners said they did not think the county has a need for them. The possibility of sharing some services was discussed. The commissioners asked if the school district would be interested in a joint meeting with other entities within the county to see how we can all work together to help cut expenses. Mr. Hall said they would be interested in such a meeting.

 

            Patrick Rupp, local citizen, talked to the commissioners about starting a demolition derby in the community. He would like to have one or two events a year. He said it was his understanding that Bit & Spur is against having the derby held at the rodeo grounds. He explained that the cars in the derby would be inspected to insure that no small pieces of junk would fall into the arena. He also stated that the arena would be left in its original condition following the derby. He asked about the possibility of using the area where the trailer park used to be at the airport. The commissioners explained that due to FAA regulations regarding lights and clear zones, this would not be feasible. They said they would visit with Bit & Spur concerning the use of the rodeo grounds. They recommended that Mr. Rupp form a committee to help with the project.

 

            Sheriff Lance Babcock presented information on digital cameras. Madison Traster made the motion to purchase a Sony digital camera from Central Digital not to exceed $650.90 with the money to come from the county attorney’s diversion fund. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the purchase of a new drug dog at a total cost not to exceed $6,000 with funds to come from the diversion fund. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Some discussion was held on possible ways to cut the sheriff’s budget.

 

            The commissioners reviewed and approved Ordinances 1114 and 1115 amending the official “zoning district map”.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to reappoint O.D. Young to the Board of Zoning Appeals and to appoint Cecil Simpson to the Planning Commission replacing Mike Brewer who declined to serve another term. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            The commissioners authorized Carl Higgs to sign the rezoning ordinance for Courtney and Darlene Eslick after it is approved by the city.

 

            Harold Hooton and Jim McCall, Hi Plains Environmental LLC, presented information on an oil reclamation facility they are interested in. The commissioners will have the county attorney review the information to insure that it meets the county’s solid waste management plan. If it complies with the county’s plan, they will give their approval for continuing with the project.

 

            Nancy Ramski, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, met with the commissioners. Mrs. Ramski presented bids for a 7 X 13 bridge style concrete walkway with a concrete valley drain by the patio at the Civic Center. Simpson Construction bid $2,875.00 and H & H Construction bid $2,658.00. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the low bid from H & H Construction not to exceed $2,658.00. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mrs. Ramski reported that she has been in contact with Kevin Shaw of Knockout Events from Denver, Colorado. They have tentatively scheduled two events in June and October if all contract details can be worked out. The commissioners approved proceeding with the events if possible.

 

            Sean Gooding, Emergency Medical Services Director, gave an update on his department. In order to provide better service to the community, Madison Traster made the motion to move toward having a full time ambulance service. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the purchase of a Dell PowerEdge 600SC server at a cost not to exceed $5,328 for the county attorney to be paid with diversion funds. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to appoint Katrina Benyshek to the Fair Board replacing Gail Jorgensen who moved. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            At the commissioners’ request, the County Clerk will call a department head meeting to brainstorm possible ways to cut expenses. The meeting will be held in the next two weeks.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to increase the EMS Director’s wages 6% pursuant to the agreement made when he was hired six months ago. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on June 3, 2003.

 

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                        Carl Higgs, Chairman