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

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the minutes of the September 2, 2003 meeting and to approve the claims against the various funds of the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion. Following clarification of several vouchers, the motion passed unanimously.

 

            Nancy Ramski, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager, presented a proposal to have an indoor circus at the civic center. Mrs. Ramski investigated the business and found that it is a reputable company with good references. The business uses covering material to protect the floors. Ms. Ramski recommends charging a fee of $500 and a deposit of $1,500 for the use of the civic center. Approval was given to proceed with plans for the circus.

 

Ron Lofland, Transfer Station Manager, discussed increasing the fees at the transfer station effective the first of the year. Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, attended this portion of the meeting. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the increases as recommended to become effective January 1, 2004. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

The new fees are as follows:

            Transfer trash                                       $44.00 per ton/$7.50 minimum

            C-d                                                      $10.00 per ton/$7.50 minimum

            Metal                                                   $10.00 per ton/$7.50 minimum

            Trees/Grass                                          Free

Compost                                              $10.00 per ton/$7.50 minimum

Concrete                                              Free

Tires                                                    

Car                                          $1.50 with rim/$5.00

Truck                                       $4.00 with rim/$10.00

Tractor                                     $12.00 bar tread

Loader/scraper                         $40.00

 

            Tom Kramer, Road Foreman, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, presented bids for crushing concrete. Gene Schwein made the motion to accept the low bid of $7.25 per ton from Lee Construction with a start date of October 13, 2003. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, reported that Kings Construction of Hesston got the bid for building the Moscow Road Bridge. The county’s share will be $191,618.72. Several concerned citizens attended this portion of the meeting to see if it would be possible to build a shoofly for local traffic so a long detour would not be necessary. Mr. Goldsby reported that the county could build one that would not have to meet state specifications. He said the county would have to haul dirt in and cap the road, but all the materials would be recoverable. Martin Daharsh said the feed yard would be willing to furnish some dirt and water for the project. The commissioners directed Mr. Goldsby to have an estimate of cost for the shoofly at the next meeting. Mr. Kramer proposed certifying a person from the road department to assist the Noxious Weed department during peak spraying time. That person would spray roadside right-of-ways. The cost to equip a one-ton truck for this purpose would be between four and five thousand dollars. He explained that coordination between mowing and spraying would be better if this is done. The commissioners approved pursuing Mr. Kramer’s plan.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to contribute $4,299.36 to Cimarron Basin Community Corrections. The state cut funding to CBCC and one full time parole officer will lose his job if the counties in the district don’t help with funding. Gene Schwein asked that the motion be amended to say that Grant County will contribute only if all other counties in the district participate. No one seconded Commissioner Schwein’s amendment. Carl Higgs seconded Commissioner Traster’s original motion. Commissioner Traster explained that he is in favor of the motion due to public health and safety concerns. Parole Officers in this part of the state have to travel to clients and cutting the staff of three by one person would jeopardize the efficiency of monitoring parolees. Commissioners Traster and Higgs voted in favor of the motion. Commissioner Schwein voted against the motion because he feels it is another unfunded mandate from the state and he is concerned that the county will have to pay the additional cost in the future too.

 

            The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on October 7, 2003.

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                                      Carl Higgs, Chairman