COMMISSION MINUTES – MONDAY,
DECEMBER 15, 2003
The
Commissioners met with all members.
Present were Barbara Kolde, chairman; Richard Carlson, vice chairman;
and Tom Doperalski, member.
Robert
Reece, county administrator, discussed the following with the Commission
(1)
Replacing
two computers in the appraisers’ office with budgeted money to meet the
requirements for the new CAMA system.
Commission approved encumbrance.
Also approved clerk’s office replacing two computers that are old and
need to be upgraded.
(2)
Commissioner
Kolde will be attending a hearing discussing wind farms at the planning and
zoning meeting Thursday evening, December 18 at the Sunflower Room.
(3)
The
Commissioners will meet as the Fire Board for Fire District #10 this Wednesday,
December 17 at 6:30 P.M. in the fire station in St. George.
(4)
Fire
District No. 2 in the Havensville area had applied for a $200,000 grant in June
through Robert’s office and was turned down.
John Niehues, one of the fire district’s board members, contacted Robert
last week to discuss the possibility of purchasing a new $140,000 truck early
next year. Robert informed him that he
needs to obtain at least 2 more quotes for this truck and then approach the
Commissioners about the purchase.
Robert suggested that they reapply using the down scale request.
Tom
Doperalski moved and Richard Carlson seconded to go into executive session from
8:50 to 9:05 to discuss possible litigation.
Present for the session will be administrator, counselor, and John Boyd,
emergency management director. Motion
carried 3 to 0. Regular meeting resumed
at 9:05 at which time Richard Carlson moved to go back into executive session
for 10 more minutes to continue the discussion. Tom Doperalski seconded the motion which carried 3 to 0. Regular meeting resumed with no action taken
at this time.
Barry
Wilkerson, county attorney, met with the Commissioners to update them on his
department.
Richard
Carlson moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to make a motion correcting last
week’s motion to state that only the volunteer position of fire chief of Fire
District No. 10 position was replaced.
Tom Doperalski seconded the motion which carried 3 to 0.
Barbara
Kolde made a motion clarifying that the official fire board for Fire District
No. 10 is the Pottawatomie County Board of Commissioners; the official fire
chief is John Boyd; and John has the authority to appoint other supervisory
positions for the fire district. Tom
Doperalski seconded the motion which carried 3 to 0.
Chairman
signed cancellation request/policy release form for McKowen-Jacobson Agency for
commercial professional liability policy for first responders. (Attachment #1)
Upon
recommendation of the Louisville Township Trustee and Treasurer, Tom Doperalski
moved and Richard Carlson seconded to appoint Kent Schierkolk to the position
of Louisville Township Clerk. This will
be to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Tim Sutton and will be
effective immediately. Motion carried 3
to 0.
Lisa
Overkamp, treasurer, met with the Commissioners to update them on her
department. Tom Doperalski moved and
Richard Carlson seconded to approve processing payments from the Register of
Deed’s Tech Fund through accounts payable rather than treasurer’s checks. This will provide better accountability,
oversight and consistency in practice.
This payment process will start January 1. Motion carried 3 to 0.
Richard
Carlson moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to appoint Helen Pauly to the
Economic Development Board for a three year term effective January 1, 2004. Motion
carried 3 to 0.
Tom
Doperalski moved and Richard Carlson seconded to adopt Resolution 2003-72
approving the 2004 fee schedule. Motion
carried 2 to 1 with Commissioner Kolde voting against the schedule. Kolde stated that she wanted out of county
fees at the landfill to increase $5 not $3.
(Attachment #2)
Jake
Jacobs, director of Pawnee Mental Health, met with the Commissioners to discuss
the 2004 contract. Richard Carlson
moved that subject to approval of county counselor, the 2004 Contract between
Pottawatomie County and Pawnee Mental Health be approved and signed. Motion carried 3 to 0. Commission also signed copies of the 2003
Contract that is in effect until the end of this year. (Attachments #3 & #4)
Chairman
signed 2004 Cereal Malt Beverage licenses for Hofman Farm Supply and Blaine
Store both in Clear Creek Township.
Leu
Lowrey, public works director, met with the Commissioners to discuss the Blue
Township Sewer. The Commission and Leu
agreed that the county needs to take over the operation and not contract the
service out. Commissioner Doperalski
stated that however it is handled should not be at the expense of the
taxpayers. Commissioner Kolde stated
that for the sake of the residents in the district, the operation should be
handled properly. Barbara Kolde moved
and Richard Carlson seconded to have the public works director look into the
cost of the county taking over management of the Blue Township Sewer
System. Motion carried 3 to 0. Leu stated that he too would like to see
things done differently and better.
Commissioner Doperalski stated that he was not against taking over the
operation. He was concerned that the
dollar amount actually needed will be higher than the projected operating
cost. He felt that the rates should be
set where they can cover the cost. If
necessary, the rates could be lowered again.
Commissioner Carlson stated that he would like to have full cost
recommendation from Leu. Commissioner
Doperalski stated that when given an estimated cost, 20% to 30% should be added
to the amount and then could be lowered if necessary. Leu will get the necessary information and report back to the
Commissioners. Commissioner Doperalski
stated that Leu also needs to figure out who would need schooling for maintaining
the system. Leu said he should be able
to have a report ready for them in approximately 3 weeks. Commissioner Kolde asked about rewriting the
job description to help defray expenses.
Leu stated that the sooner the Commission makes a decision, the sooner
he can proceed with the county taking over the operation. He added that they should wait before
changing any job descriptions. The
Commission agreed that all checks to Blue Water Services be sent by registered
mail.
Leu
also discussed with the Commission concerns of hills on Hopkins Creek Road and
its intersection with Mt. Zion Road.
Rodney
Biesenthal, noxious weed director, met with the Commissioners to open and
review chemical bids. Chairman opened
and read the following bids: Van Diest Supply
Company of Lindsborg, KS for 2,4 D at $8.86/gal and $11.04/gal; UAP/Timberland
LLC of Cheney, KS for $8.82/gal and $11.10/gal; and Vegetation Management
Supply, Inc of Wichita, KS for $8.79/gal and $10.83/gal. Richard Carlson moved to accept the low bid
subject to Rodney’s review of the bids submitted. Tom Doperalski seconded the motion which carried 3 to 0.
Rodney
informed the Commissioners that with pledges, the recycling program will be
able to continue in all locations.
The
Commissioners approved amended minutes for December 8, 2003.
Commissioner
Doperalski left the meeting at 11:45 to attend a chamber meeting in Wamego.
The
Commissioners adjourned for lunch at 11:56.
Commissioner
Kolde left at 12:45 to attend a court hearing in Riley County.
The
Commissioners reconvened at 1:15 with John Boyd, emergency management director
to discuss Pottawatomie County (draft) Emergency Operations Plan.
Brian
Smith, director of Pottawatomie County EMS, met with the Commissioners to
discuss ambulance service options for 2004.
Brian will meet with the Commission next Monday to discuss the 2004
contract further.
Greg
Riat, sheriff, met with the Commissioners to discuss his concerns of the status
of the jail operations budget. Expenses
for out of county housing and medical expenses for prisoners have been very
high this year. Greg also discussed
with them the possibility of purchasing a new vehicle for his department. Greg added that if necessary he could
transfer money in the vehicle portion to the jail portion of his budget. He expressed concerns about needing to keep
the fleet of vehicles in his department upgraded.
The
Commission discussed next year pay increases with Robert.
The
Commissioners discussed a personnel issue with the county counselor.
Board
considered and acted on property statements.
(Hudson
Backhoe Service, Matthew Syrokosz & Stephen Syrokosz, Jaimie L Hupe and
Fritzson Motors)
Meeting
adjourned.
______________________ ________________________
County
Clerk Chairman
________________________
Vice Chairman
________________________
Member