COMMISSION MINUTES – MONDAY,
JANUARY 5, 2004
The
Commissioners met with all members.
Present were Barbara Kolde, chairman; Richard Carlson, vice chairman;
and Tom Doperalski, member.
Gary
Conklin, county counselor and Leu Lowrey, public works director met with the
Commissioners to discuss Union Pacific Railroad Land Purchase by the County and
right of way along Military Trail Road east of Wamego. B & G Engineering has provided
descriptions for both areas. Richard
Carlson moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to sign the Easement Deed and
Agreement between Union Pacific Railroad and Pottawatomie County for surface
roadway purposes only of the railroad right of way on Military Trail Road east
of Wamego. Motion carried 3 to 0. (Attachment #1)
Richard
Carlson moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to adopt Resolution 2004-1
authorizing Pottawatomie County to enter contracts to provide, construct,
operate and maintain a cable television system for all or any part of the
county. Motion carried 2 to 1. Commissioner Kolde voted against the motion
stating her reason as needing to check records to see if SCI is doing emergency
broadcasting and if cable previously laying on the ground has been buried. Both of these issues have previously been
addressed. County Administrator stated
that he would set up a meeting between SCI and the County prior to the signing
of the franchise agreement. (Attachment
#2)
Commission
approved request for public works director and landfill employee to attend
training for new regulations for construction demolition landfills. Commission advised County Administrator that
he may resume the review and approval of any training and travel request, but
they would still like to be informed of the travel and costs.
Barbara
Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to approve request for light &
siren permit for John Best with Fire District No. 5 in Blue Township. Motion carried 3 to 0. (Attachment #3)
Tom
Doperalski moved and Richard Carlson seconded to go into executive session with
administrator to discuss contract negotiations. Session to be from 9:30 to 10:00. Motion carried 3 to 0.
Regular meeting resumed with no action as a result of the session.
Glenn
Brunkow, extension agent, met with the Commissioners to update them on that
department. January 21 at the Sunflower
Room will be an Agri-tourism meeting from 10:00 to 3:00. Mike Hayden will be the lunch speaker. Commissioner Kolde asked that Glenn mention to
Mr. Hayden the use of Jeffrey Energy Center pond areas for private hunting
grounds. Glenn also mentioned that on January
29 Extension will be hosting a Weed Identification meeting. This is to help individuals identify various
types of weeds and to instruct on how to set up and calibrate spraying
equipment. In the evening Rodney Biesenthal
and Glenn will conduct pesticide applicators tests for new and renewal of
certification. On February 25 Glenn
will participate in a risk/profit conference with WIBW 580 Radio. This will be held at St. Marys and will
start at 6:00 A.M. March 16 will be a
“Kids Day on the Farm” at Ron Suther’s farm.
Several local schools will participate.
As
the Chairman was temporarily away from the meeting, Vice Chairman opened a road
vacation hearing at 10:30. Present were
John Keller, county planner, Wanda Stallard, and Neva Handley. The request is to vacate a ½ mile portion of
Road #245 known as St. John’s Rd. There
was no opposition and Stallard and Handley are the only landowners involved in
the vacation request. Richard Carlson
moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to vacate a ½ mile portion of road number 245
(St. John’s Road) in Vienna Township, in Pottawatomie County, Kansas. John Keller will present Order to Vacate to
the Commission for their signatures.
Motion carried 3 to 0.
(Attachment #4)
Chairman
signed 2004 Cereal Malt Beverage License for The Little Grill in Blue Township.
Chairman
signed bond and oath form for clerks of St. Marys and Louisville Townships and
reviewed annual reports for Lincoln and Wamego Townships.
The
Commissioners visited with Bob Cole, ECDV director by telephone to discuss
revision of Chapter 6 of an EDA document that needs to be completed and sent to
the Economic Development Administration in Denver, CO. This document is necessary to be updated to
allow the local Economic Development Office to be eligible for future grants. Mr.
Cole will meet with the Commissioners next Monday, January 12 at 10:30 to
review the document.
Barry
Wilkerson, county attorney, met with the Commissioners to update them on his
department.
Betty
Abitz, register of deeds, met with the Commissioners regarding charges to
record the road vacation document approved earlier in today’s meeting. The Commission agreed that the county would
pay the recording fees.
Pam
Gordon, representing North Central Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, met with
the Commissioners to discuss a grant that organization is applying for through
the Robert Wood Johnson Community Partnership Program Initiative. Ruth Ensley, County Coordinator on Aging was
also present. In 2001 the Commission signed a letter of intent for a grant
application to the same foundation, pledging up to $2,000 towards the match
required. Ms. Gordon stated they were
not awarded money for the grant in 2001, but are going to reapply and they are
hopeful they will be successful this time.
She asked the Commission if they would once again support the
organization and pledge money towards the match requirement. She stated that in 2001, their Leadership
group had just been formed. They have
now been together for 2 years and will resubmit their proposal. The strategic plan is to help the long term
care system in the 18 county area.
There are currently 200 people on a waiting list for home health
services. This grant funding will
provide a better way to help meet those needs.
Commissioner Carlson stated that money is very tight for the
County. Commissioner Kolde stated that
she would prefer the $2,000 go to Pottawatomie County residents rather than the
18 counties. Commissioner Doperalski
stated that he believes senior citizen needs are going to grow and feels it
very important to have the services available for those who otherwise cannot
afford it. Commission Carlson asked how
much Medicare covered the cost of these services. Ms. Gordon stated that Medicare only pays for services if the
individual’s condition or situation will improve. The services provided by the Area on Aging are to provide a
better quality of life for the seniors and to help them live independently
rather than in a care home. Costs for a
nursing home are currently between $3,000 and $4,000 per month. Commissioner Carlson asked about support
from the other counties in the area.
Ms. Gordon stated that after they receive a few letters of intent, the
other counties offer more support. Commissioner Carlson then asked if the Agency would accept an
amount less than the $2,000 requested. Ms.
Gordon stated that they would be appreciative to any amount the County could
commit. She also pointed out the
importance of the work coordinated by Ruth Ensley that is beneficial to the
Senior Citizens of the County. Both
agreed that local involvement and volunteer help is critical. The Commission told Ms. Gordon they would
discuss the issue further and make a decision later today.
The
Commissioners adjourned at 12:10 for lunch with Senator Ed Pugh and
Representative Vern Osborne.
The
Commission reconvened at 1:00. Ed Pugh
and Vern Osborne met with several department heads for an open discussion of
issues of concern to them. Department
heads present were: John Boyd, Ruth
Ensley, Lois Schlegel, Lisa Overkamp, Scott Schwinn, Rodney Biesenthal, Gregg
Webster, Leslie Campbell, Susan Figge, and Robert Reece.
Commissioner
Kolde stated that due to demand transfer cuts, some emergency services had to
be cut. Whole programs would have to be
cut or raise taxes. Commissioner
Doperalski stated that he did not have a problem with cuts and money not being
spent, but did not want the State government to leave it up to the county to
subsidize the funding. Both Vern and Ed
commented that it seems to be trickling down from Federal to State to County
governments. Ed Pugh left at 1:30. Commissioner Doperalski left the meeting at
1:30.
John
Boyd, emergency management director, expressed concerns that the State 911
funds gave a contract to one vendor requiring every county to purchase from
them. John stated that he could
purchase items much cheaper from other vendors. He felt that they were getting only 60 cents on the dollar with
this company. Both John and Leslie
Campbell, health director stated that a lot of time has been spent on both
Agriterrorism and Bioterrorism plans.
Leslie stated that time spent just on Bioterrorism is equal to a ½ time
person. John stated that he felt they
should be able to purchase from other vendors that offered the same product for
less money. Leslie also expressed
concerns about legislation regarding immunization. She stated that the State should consider upfront money to buy
vaccine. The Health departments could
administer the vaccine and then reimburse the State. She is also concerned about how medications would be distributed
in the event of anthrax, smallpox, or another emergency. It seems the larger counties receive
supplies first. The consensus was that
even though there are counties with larger populations, smaller counties
shouldn’t have to wait to receive their medications. In the smaller counties, the pharmacists can get the drugs, but
it may take a day or two as they cannot afford to keep a supply on hand.
Rodney
Biesenthal asked if there was a projected date as to knowing what the funding
levels or projected income from the State would be. Vern stated that he felt it was going to be positive but wasn’t
sure of the percent. He added they
should know before April.
Lois
Schlegel, appraiser, expressed concerns about exemption that was given to
individuals with heavy equipment such as bulldozers used to build ponds. Even though, those individuals do a certain
amount of this type of conservation work, the majority of them also do other
construction work, such as digging basements.
She doesn’t feel they should be exempted. Lois stated that her husband is a commercial hauler and is taxed
on his truck. Rodney stated that he has
the same type of truck, but is exempt since he hauls only for his own personal
work. Lois stated that for personal use
is one thing, but felt the heavy equipment that does commercial work other than
conservation work should not be 100% exempt.
Vern asked if she felt a percentage of exemption would be
agreeable. Lois said she felt it would
be better than what is in place now.
Vern stated that originally the request was for a 20% to 30% exemption,
but the courts granted a 100% exemption.
A concern of appraisal on lots with and without specials was
discussed. Lois stated that market
value is how lots are to be appraised.
Gregg Webster, zoning administrator, stated that the sale of lots would
determine the value. Vern stated that
PVD had allowed appraisal of a lot with specials in Saline County as a
plus. Lois stated that the bottom line
is the market value and they shouldn’t be appraising as a plus. Scott Schwinn, sanitarian, expressed
concerns of valuations continuing to go up even without intention of ever
selling property.
Concerns
of the 2 surveyor rule were discussed.
Gregg stated that he didn’t feel the county should have to spend time
checking surveyors’ work. Commissioner
Kolde stated that she felt any error that was found should be charged back to
the original surveyor.
Vern
stated that Ed Pugh has information of a possible petition to require judges to
be elected.
Commissioner
Doperalski returned to the meeting at 1:50.
Questions
were presented as to the status of the internet sales tax issue. Vern stated that the House is ready to
repeal but the Senate is not. The
problem lies with the Conference Committee of the existing legislation. It consists of three Senate and three House
members, all in favor of the current bill.
Both committees would vote down repeal.
Commissioner Doperalski asked why they could not introduce a new bill to
repeal. Vern stated that the Conference
Committee has leverage that would stop it.
Vern
discussed the recycling program with Rodney, as this was one of the programs
the county had to cut funding for. He
asked if there was any way to make the program create revenues and pay
off. Rodney stated that working with
other counties is helping to make it affordable and keep it available in
Pottawatomie County.
Commissioners
signed 2004 wage scale. (Attachment #5)
Richard
Carlson moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to pledge $1,000 to North Central
Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging required match for the grant application to
the Robert Wood Johnson Community Partnership Program Initiative. This will be allotted for in the 2005
budget. Motion carried 3 to 0.
The
Commissioners tabled a decision on a request from SCI Cable for a resolution
allowing maintenance and cable service.
County counselor will draft a franchise agreement for the Commissioners
to review.
Amended
minutes for meeting of December 29, 2003.
Tom
Doperalski moved and Richard Carlson seconded to change the travel
reimbursement policy. Reimbursement
amounts for meals for single day training will be run through payroll to comply
with IRS Codes. Motion carried 3 to 0.
Richard
Carlson moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to give exempt employees a 5% wage
increase beginning with the first paycheck in January with the exception of
those whose contracts are renewed in June and July. They will receive the increase at that time. Motion carried 3 to 0.
The
Commissioners will meet as the Board of Directors for Fire District No. 10 on
Thursday, January 8 at 6:30 P.M. in the St. George fire station. January 21st at 9:30 A.M. there
will be a Bioterrorism meeting in the Commission Room. Commissioner Kolde will be attending a Waste
Disposal meeting in Concordia. January
15 at 4:30 will be a City/County meeting with the City of Wamego. This will be held in Wamego.
At
3:07 P.M., Tom Doperalski moved and Richard Carlson seconded to adjourn. Motion carried 3 to 0.
______________________ _________________________
County
Clerk Chairman
_________________________
Vice Chairman
_________________________
Member