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            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: Tom Kramer, Road Supervisor; Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator; Todd Hampton, City/County Building Official; John Crosby, Fire Chief; Lance Babcock, Sheriff; Rita Gee, Treasurer; Sherry Thompson, Health Department Administrator; Tom Fuhrmann, Appraiser; and Sean Gooding, Emergency Medical Service Director.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the minutes of the February 17, 2004 meeting and to approve the claims against the various funds of the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed.

 

            Douglas Campbell, County Attorney, met with the commissioners. The commissioners approved Mr. Campbell locating an office in the courthouse from April 2004 through January 2005. Discussion was held on router fees that were passed from the state to the Sheriff’s Departments across the state.

 

            John Wire, Great Plains Development, Inc. (GPDI) gave an update on services provided by that organization. He presented information on community development block grants and the process used to acquire one. He also stated that he will meet with all the banks in the county and the city clerk to keep them apprised of business activity in the county. Madison Traster made the motion to reappoint Carl Higgs and Gary Hathaway as general membership representatives to GPDI and pay the annual dues in the amount of $1,581.80. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Tom Kramer, Road Supervisor, and Frank Goldsby, Public Works Administrator, presented 2004 sealing sand price quotes. Gene Schwein made the motion to accept the bid from Popejoy Construction Co. for CM-B at $2.63; the bid from Smith Sand Co. for CM-A at $8.00; and the bid from Eastern Colorado Aggregates for cone produced CM-C at $8.00. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Mr. Goldsby presented road-crossing permits which were reviewed and approved by the commissioners. On behalf of Ron Lofland, Transfer Station Manager, Mr. Goldsby asked permission to solicit bids for groundwater sampling at the landfill. The commissioners approved the request. On behalf of Nancy Ramski, Civic Center Building and Grounds Manager, Mr. Goldsby requested approval to solicit bids for spraying county grounds. Approval was also given for this.

 

            Don Button, Emergency Management Coordinator, and Todd Hampton, City/County Building Official, presented operational costs for a geographical information system. These costs total $23,552.10. There will be additional costs for training, maintenance, etc. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the purchase of a geographical information system from Environment Systems Research Institute, Inc. and to give Mr. Button the authority to get items necessary to complete the project. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Sean Gooding, EMS Director, requested approval to increase the pay of part time EMT’s to $10.00/hour; to increase EMTI’s to $10.50/hour; and to increase Paramedic’s to $12.50/hour. He also recommended increasing on call pay to $1.00 per hour for all on call personnel. Madison Traster made the motion to approve the increase in pay for the part time EMS personnel. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. In other business, Mr. Gooding requested approval to purchase a piece of exercise equipment for use by his department. Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the purchase of a Nordic Trak from Sears not to exceed $799.99. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Approval was given to apply this charge to the EMS credit card for this purchase only. Mr. Gooding presented information on a remounted ambulance that would cost $94,000. He explained that the box on the truck was redone and placed on a new chassis. He priced a similar, totally new ambulance at $130,000. If allowed to purchase the ambulance, he would trade or sell one of the 1996 McCoy Miller ambulances. Gene Schwein made the motion to allow Sean Gooding to solicit bids for lease/purchase on this particular 2004 ambulance. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

 

            Darl Henson, Extension Council Agent, briefly talked to the commissioners about the water conference that will be held in Lawrence again this year. It will be available through video conference at Pioneer Communications if there are 20 participants. The meeting is March 11 and will cost $65 per attendee. One commissioner will attend the video-conference. Mr. Henson also invited the commissioners to attend a public forum on March 9. At that time, the Extension Council is soliciting public comments or suggestions from the public regarding the programs offered through the extension service.

 

            Scott Nichols, Chamber of Commerce Manager, talked to the commissioners regarding tourism expenditures.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to approve the purchase and installation of smoke detectors for the courthouse from SimplexGrinnel at a cost of $11,885.00. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed.

 

            Gene Schwein made the motion to approve the quote for material submitted by Donnie Phelps with Bit & Spur to replace fence at the rodeo/fairgrounds in the amount of $845 and $3200-$3400 for chain link fence. The county will need copies of all receipts in order to reimburse Bit & Spur for materials or materials can be paid directly by the county. Madison Traster seconded the motion and it passed.

 

            Madison Traster made the motion to approve State of Kansas 457 Deferred Compensation Loan Plan. Gene Schwein seconded the motion and it passed.

 

            The commissioners adjourned to meet again in regular session on March 16, 2004.

 

 

Linda McHenry, County Clerk                            Carl Higgs, Chairman