COMMISSION MINUTES – MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2003

 

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

 

The Commissioners reviewed the annual report for Emmett Township.

 

The Commission briefly discussed possible direction of action for the Timber Creek Water System.  They will wait until Leu Lowrey, County Engineer meets with them to give them formal direction on this project.

 

Commission approved travel request of Gail McConnaughey, zoning administrator.

 

Tom Doperalski moved and Richard Carlson seconded to sign the contract with Jim Parker for providing AS 400 support.  Motion carried 3 to 0.  (Attachment #1)

 

Ron Cheney and his attorney, Tim Ryan met with the Commissioners to discuss his proposal for the lot he currently owns in the Green Valley Business Park.  Also present was Bob Cole, Economic Development Director and Greg Webster from the Zoning office.

 

Mr. Cheney presented his proposed improvements for the lot to the Commission.  The presentation included a 3D mock up of the building to be placed on the site.  He stated that the estimated time of completion of this project was 8 months following the start date.

 

Commissioner Kolde stated that the reason for the Economic Development deciding to take the land back was because Cheney Construction has not lived up to their part of the contract.

 

Tim Ryan explained that one of the reasons that Mr. Cheney was not able to perform the improvements was because interest rates are so low and that caused an increased demand for construction.  Mr. Ryan also stated that as of late the war in Iraq has had an impact on Mr. Cheney’s business and that because of that Mr. Cheney has time to initiate the construction of the new building.

 

Commissioner Carlson expressed his concern to Mr. Cheney about his ability to meet the requirements of the contract and the construction time that he has just outlined.

 

Commissioners Kolde and Carlson stated that they supported whatever the final decision of the Board was.

 

Bob Cole explained the contingencies in the purchase agreement.

 

Commissioner Doperalski stated that if the Economic Development Board was interested in reconsidering their decision they might want to consider other incentives for compliance with the contract.  He also stated that he supported whatever the final decision of the Board was.

 

Bob Cole also mentioned that Wamego Telephone would be discussing their plans for expansion of services to the area on Wednesday April 2, 2003 at 11:30 at the South Forty Restaurant.

 

The Commission directed Robert to draft a resolution of support for the troops in Iraq.

 

Commissioners approved providing the Louisville Recreation Commission $500 for various upgrades to their park to be paid from the Special Parks and Recreation Fund.

 

Commissioner Kolde stated the next year she would like for the Commission to reduce the amount of money to the Blue Valley School District for their After Prom Party by at least $100 as they were a school that resided primarily in Riley County.

 

The Commission signed a letter to Jim Ryun concerning the Tuttle Creek Dam project.  (Attachment #2)

 

The Commission met with the public works director, Leu Lowrey to discuss the following issues:

 

(1)      The Commissioners discussed the functional classification of current roads in the County.  The functional classification of County roads allows the County to spend federal money received by the County on improvements to these roads.  Following each census, KDOT requests that each County reevaluates the roads they have classified as being eligible for federal funds.  Tom Doperalski moved and Richard Carlson seconded a motion to keep the County roads that are currently classified as being eligible for federal funds the same.  This means there are no changes to the functional classifications of County roads.  Motion carried 3 to 0.

(2)      The Commission discussed the 5-year plan for special projects in the County.  Special projects are funded through the County Special Highway Fund.  Monies are deposited in the Special Highway fund each year for carry over from the Road Department budget.  After review of the current list the Commission agreed to update the current plan by adding two bridges to the list.  Richard Carlson moved and Barbara Kolde seconded to add the bridge on L.K.&W. road and the bridge on School Creek road to the current KDOT/County 5-year plan.  Motion carried 3 to 0.

(3)      Commission reviewed the special project listing for bridge and box replacement in the County.  Leu explained the current list of 15 boxes to be paid for from special projects will be constructed off site and installed using County personnel.  Leu recommended that the Commission approve the replacement of these boxes and allow him to proceed with the project and also recommends that the Commission authorize BG Consulting to obtain the waterway permits for the same projects.  After a review and brief discussion of the box and bridge project, Richard Carlson moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to authorize Leu to proceed with the 15 special projects as presented and to also allow BG Consulting to obtain the needed waterway permits.  Motion carried 3 to 0. (Attachment #3)

(4)       Leu also asked that the Commissioners approve the specs for bridge deck replacement on Carnahan Road Bridge and that they authorize the acceptance of bids to be opened during the regularly scheduled meeting May 5, 2003 at 10:00 A.M.  Richard Carlson moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to approve the specs and authorize going out for bids to be opened May 5th.  Motion carried 3 to 0.

(5)      Commissioner discussed the overlay project for Dyer Road on the east side of Tuttle Creek Reservoir.  Previously the Commissioners approved a 1&1/2 inch overlay on that road.  They discussed the possibility of postponing the overlay as the Corps of Engineers have plans to stabilize the dam, which could cause excessive traffic on Dyer Road throughout the construction process.  Leu stated that he would contact the Corps to get a better time frame on the proposed project.

(6)      The Commission asked that Leu look into what it would take to repair Quail Circle and Grouse Circle Streets in Blue Township.  Leu said that the concrete streets have cracked prematurely and that there may be some hidden problems.  He recommends that they allow him to take some core samples of the area streets to help determine what might be the cause of the failure and come back with a recommendation.

(7)      Richard Carlson moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to pass Resolution 2003-20 authorizing placement of stop signs at the intersection of Coachman Road and Tumbleweed Terrace Road and at the intersection of Tumbleweed Terrace Road and Timber Creek Parkway.  Motion carried 3 to 0. (Attachment #4)

(8)      Richard Carlson moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to pass Resolution 2003-21 creating and establishing a maximum speed limit of 25 mph on Coachman Road and Timber Creek Parkway and a portion of Tumbleweed Terrace Road.  Motion carried 3 to 0.  (Attachment #5)

(9)      Commissioner Carlson requested that Leu place traffic counter on Doyle Creek road east of Highway 63.

 

Leslie Campbell, health director, asked that the Commissioners sign the agreement for Bio-terrorism Preparedness Response Regional Plan for Geary, Pottawatomie and Riley County.  At the last meeting the Commission approved the signing of the document making it contingent upon expiration date being placed on the agreement.  Commissioner Kolde signed the agreement.  (Attachment #6)

 

Rodney Biesenthal, noxious weed director, had a bid opening at 11:00 for Tordon.  Three bids were received.  Commissioner Kolde declared the bidding closed and read the bids as follows:

 

Nemaha Valley Aerial     Quantity                Total Quantity                Bid

                                                                4X1 gal.                192 gal                    79.70

                                                                2X2.5 gal           180 gal                    77.45

 

Van Diest Supply                 4X1 gal                192 gal                    79.36

                                                                2X2.5 gal           180 gal                    77.12

 

V.A.P. Timberland                            Quantity                Total Quantity                Bid

                                                                4X1 gal                192 gal                    78.87

                                                                2X2.5 gal           180 gal                    76.81

 

Rodney recommended the Commissioners accept the apparent low bid from V.A.P. Timberland.  Richard Carlson moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to accept the low bid from V.A.P. Timberland of 4X1 gal – 78.87 and 2X2.5 gal – 76.81.  Motion carried 3 to 0.

 

Rodney also updated the Commission on the plating of the cemeteries.

 

Approved request for travel from Leu Lowrey.

 

The Commissioners would like to recognize Lois Schlegel for her achievement for her RMA designation (Registered mass Appraisal designation).

 

The Commissioners directed Robert to draft an RFP for a drainage study.

 

Robert asked the Commissioners if they would consider adopting a proclamation establishing April as Fair Housing Month in Pottawatomie County.  The Commission asked that Robert present to them an alternative to this proclamation that will meet the requirements for the County’s CDBG Grant requirements.

 

Approved minutes for March 24, 2003.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 11:45.

 

 

_____________________                                             _____________________

County Clerk                                                                         Chairman

 

                                                                                                                _____________________

                                                                                                                Vice Chairman

 

                                                                                                                _____________________

                                                                                                                Member