COMMISSION MINUTES – MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2002

 

The Commissioners met with all members.  Present were Tom Doperalski, chairman; Barbara Kolde, vice chairman; and Richard Carlson, member.

 

Minutes of March 4, 2002 were amended. To be approved at the next meeting.

 

Barbara Kolde moved, and Richard Carlson 2nd to convene as the Blue Township Sewer Board.  At this point, Richard Carlson moved, and Barbara Kolde 2nd to adopt Pottawatomie County Resolution 2002-11 to authorize the fee structure for Blue Township Sewer.  Barbara Kolde moved and Richard Carlson 2nd to adjourn as the Blue Township Sewer Board.  The county commission approved the recommendation of the Blue Township Sewer Board and adopted Resolution 2002-11.  (Attachment #1)

 

Barry Wilkerson, county attorney, and Andrea Karnes, office manager gave the commission an update on office activities.  A request was made to use the check fee fund to purchase tapes to be used for daily back up.  The request was approved.  Barry requested permission to advertise for a position vacated by Sarah Hensen.  Her resignation will be effective March 29, 2002.  Commission approved request.

 

Rodney Biesenthal, noxious weed director, met with commissioners in regard to an issue with the Sales Cemetery.  In searching for cemetery plot records, none are available.  Rodney stated after walking the cemetery, he has staked off an area believed to be available.  The commission would like him to check into a firm coming in to verify vacant areas.  Rodney will check into which cemeteries might need verified and the cost to do so.

Rodney also received a response from John D’Aloia in regard to cost associated with recycles.   There may be federal dollars available for noxious weed control.  If it comes through, Rodney would use the grant for additional control of sericea.  He also requested to advertise for a mowing position left vacant since last fall.  When not mowing, they would fill in on a spraying crew.  The commission approved request.

 

George Hough, emergency management director, reminded commission of storm spotters meeting scheduled for March 11th at 7:00 at the Black Jack Legion.  Coming up is the LEPC meeting.  He is looking for a speaker to come.  The commission had some questions concerning storm sirens regarding subdivisions and responsibility. George explained the sirens are not intended for people that are mostly indoors.  The range of the sirens is a radius of 1-1/4 mile depending on weather, wind direction and terrain.  A strong wind could diminish the siren down to 1/3 of a mile.  Commissioner Doperalski questioned if the county should have some kind of radios warning available for people outside the range of the nearest storm siren.

 

Greg Riat, sheriff, gave an update on his department.  Things are pretty quiet, but they are getting training on the new computer network system.  They are working on a web page for better public access.  Stampede planning meetings have started.  The department is still struggling with communications problems, as there is too much radio traffic on one frequency.  They will be working on getting a tower up in Randolph to help the coverage in that area.

 

Richard Carlson moved and Barbara Kolde 2nd to pass the Nuisance Animal Control Resolution 2002-12. Motion carried 3 to 0.  (Attachment #2)

 

Julene Sylvestor, family and consumer science agent, passed out muffins high in Omega 3.  She also had a handout outlining the Omega 3 presentations she had been giving.  She had been busy with the Senior University held at Rock Creek.  As well as, nutrition programs in Onaga and Wamego.  Pottawatomie County 4H days was held in conjunction with Wabaunsee County on March 2nd in Alma.  Coming up, she will be taking a group of 4Hers to Kansas City.  Glenn Brunkow, extension agent, has been busy with workshops on wastewater, burning, and risk management.  They will be doing test plots soon.

 

Richard Carlson moved and Barbara Kolde 2nd to pay ½ the regular after prom allocation to Blue Valley Boosters due to out-of-county status, but with a portion of Pottawatomie County students attending.  Pay $400 to St Marys for after prom activities.  Motion carried 3 to 0.

 

Leu Lowrey, public works director, handed out a copy of the 2002 asphalt/road maintenance projects.  It includes Timber Creek Subdivision Phase I and 10.8 miles of Onaga Rd.  Barbara Kolde moved, and Richard Carlson 2nd to adopt the project.  Motion carried 3 to 0.  (Attachment #3) The bid opening will be April 8, 2002 at 10:00.  Leu also presented a list of roads that are due for asphalt seals.  The commission approved.  This will be done by county crews and have been budgeted for.  There are 35.9 miles at an approximate cost of $240,576.00.  The landfill 3-year contract with Waste Management will expire on March 31, 2002.  A new 3-year contract with Waste Management has been re-negotiated that includes up to a 3-1/2% yearly increase.  Leu feels the county will be able to continue with current tipping fees charged.  He recommends the new contract.  Richard Carlson moved and Barbara Kolde 2nd to adopt the new Waste Management Contract.  Motion carried 3 to 0.  (Attachment #4)  Another issue is the 1989 Grasshopper lawn mower.  It will require approximately $1700 to get it ready for this season, and another $900 after that.  Leu asked the commission if they want to spend money on this mower or get proposals for replacement mowers.  According to Rodney, noxious weed director, he had figures for new, comparable mowers at approximately $5500.  The commissioners requested to move towards trading in the old mower and getting bids for a new mower with and without the trade in. 

 

Barbara Kolde moved and Richard Carlson 2nd to reappoint Mary Lou Gibbs to the regional library board.  The term will be from May 1, 2002 to April 30, 2006.  Motion carried 3 to 0.

 

Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board requested an appointment for Nancy Olson to the board and to reappoint Melinda Handley.  The commission requested a meeting to be set up with Barby Kroening to discuss the function of the board before the appointments were made.

 

Richard Carlson moved and Barbara Kolde 2nd to approve continued tax abatements for K G Moats of St Marys and Liberty Inc of Manhattan.  Motion carried 3 to 0.

 

A request had been made to hold Weight Watchers meetings in a county conference room. 

 

Robert Reece, administrator, discussed several topics with the commission.    The commission needs to indicate how to pay out $93,000 of funds promised to the Wamego Industrial Park.  Robert presented 3 options:

1.  Temp Notes   2.  Special Project fund leftovers    3.  Capital Improvement Fund.  The commission would prefer to pay the county share out of CIP.

 

There was a discussion on the ambulance meeting to be scheduled.

 

Meeting adjourned 12:45

 

 

 

______________________                                           ______________________

County Clerk                                                                         Chairman

 

                                                                                                                ______________________

                                                                                                                Vice Chairman

 

                                                                                                                ______________________

                                                                                                                Member