COMMISSION MINUTES – THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2002

 

The Commissioners met with two members.  Present were Tom Doperalski, chairman and Barbara Kolde, vice chairman.  Richard Carlson was out of state.

 

At 8:30 the Commissioners held a drawing by lot to determine the winner for the office of Grant Township Clerk.  At the November 5 election there was a 5-way tie for the position.  Mike Pinick’s name was drawn and the County Clerk will notify him.

 

Fire Chief of Fire District #10 in St. George, Gary Roberts met with the Commissioners to discuss with them information he had given them on a handout.  The discussion is regarding the fire department’s desire to purchase a new truck and construct a new building to house their trucks and equipment.   Commissioner Kolde asked about taking a poll to somehow find out if people were willing to pay more taxes.  It was suggested to Mr. Roberts that the Fire Board try to work with the City of St. George to obtain a block grant for the building within the city limits.  Fire District #10 had signed a memo not to go further in debt before the first truck was paid for. 

 

Fire #10, in essence wants help on the new building and will pay for another truck within budget constraints.  They want to raise their mill levy to fund the building.  The Commission directed Fire #10 to find out what it would cost for their new truck to be modified to meet standards.  The Commission wants Fire #10 to explore cheaper alternatives and present to them.  They are not willing to spend $140,000 on a new truck.

 

Attorney Bernard Irvine met with the Commissioners to discuss a resolution for creation of the Belvue Fire District.

 

Rodney Biesenthal, noxious weed director, met with the Commissioners to discuss using money from the cemetery fund to rent equipment to plat 2 or 3 cemeteries.  The equipment will help to located unmarked graves.  An Emporia Grad Student would do this next spring.

 

The Commissioners received a fax regarding the sewer operating requirements from IMA Insurance confirming two new bonds that are in effect.  The contract is to be extended on the basis of receiving proper proof of the bonds.

Commissioner Kolde left at 9:45 A.M. to attend a funeral.

 

This morning was the second annual Employee Appreciation Breakfast held at the Methodist Educational Building.  The Commissioners and department heads prepared and served a breakfast for county employees. Serving was from 7:00 A.M. until 8:30 A.M.   Approximately 95 employees were served.  Commissioner Doperalski drew names of employees who attended the breakfast for door prizes that were donated by the Commissioners and department heads.  Names drawn were:

LaReta Havenstein – Thermos & Travel Mug donated by                      

                                                                     Administrative/Finance Office

                Diana Erickson – Emergency Road Kit donated by Commissioner

                                        Doperalski

                Larry Brunkow – Gift Certificate for Wal Mart donated by Terry

                                         Rewerts, Appraiser

                Floyd Munson – Turkey donated by Leslie Campbell, Health Dir.

                Gary Threewit – Rolling travel bag donated by Administrative/

                                                  Finance Office     

                Alan Hill – Ham donated by Betty Abitz, Register of Deeds

                Patty Council – Gift Certificate for Manhattan Town Center donated

                                    by Robert Reece, Administrator

                Gail Fairchild – Canvas chair donated by Commissioner Kolde

                Donald Blenn – Ham donated by Lisa Overkamp, Treasurer

                Becky Sutton – Turkey donated by Leu Lowrey, Public Works Dir.

                Danielle Piper – Turkey donated by Lisa Overkamp, Treasurer

                John Burns – Ham donated by Susan Figge, County Clerk

                Andrea Karnes – Turkey donated by Susan Figge, County Clerk

                Mike Krohn – Turkey donated by Leu Lowrey, Public Works Dir.

                Bonnie Taylor – TV donated by Commissioner Carlson

 

Upon return of Commissioner Kolde to the meeting, the following topics were discussed with the Administrator:

  1. Applicants for the county counselor position.  Robert was directed to contact an individual with an offer.
  2. Funding for payment of election software for the County Clerk.  It was decided to pay from Unclassified the difference in the amount due and what was available in the Clerk’s election budget.
  3. Ambulance contract was discussed.
  4. Wage policy was discussed.
  5. Board directed Robert to proceed with obtaining bids for Workers Compensation coverage.
  6. George Hough and Brian Smith will look at the fire station in Wheaton to see what needs to be done in order for the ambulance employees to use it when they are stationed in that area for long periods of time.  The Commissioners will pay for paint or supplies to fix it up.
  7. The City of Wamego has expressed interest in a joint meeting with the Commissioners to discuss various topics.  Tentative date is December 12 at 6:00 P.M.

 

Approved amended minutes for November 4, 2002.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 P.M.

 

Commissioner Doperalski and Robert Reece went to Topeka to attend an informational meeting regarding State Health Insurance.

 

 

 

______________________                                           ______________________

County Clerk                                                                         Chairman

 

                                                                                                                ______________________

                                                                                                                Vice Chairman

 

                                                                                                                ______________________

                                                                                                                Member