COMMISSION MINUTES –
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2004
The
Commissioners met with all members. Present
were Richard Carlson, chairman; Tom Doperalski, vice chairman; and Barbara
Kolde, member.
Commission
reviewed annual reports from Center, Emmett, and St. Clere Townships.
Commissioner
Kolde stated that Eric Ward with Fire District No. 5 has requested chip and
seal be done on Scottie Lane. The
Commissioners directed Robert to have Leu, County Engineer, prepare a cost
estimate for this request.
Commission
signed the 2004 approved wages.
(Attachment #1)
Brenda
Krause, GIS director, met with the Commissioners to update them on her
department. Brenda stated that she had
been contacted by a company wanting to provide a copy of Pottawatomie County
map for free to the public and place them in the county office building. The accuracy of the map is unknown. Publication of the maps would be funded by
advertisement from various local county businesses. The Commission agreed to allow them to be placed in the county office
building with the stipulation that they do not endorse the map. Brenda gave the Commission a 2003 end of
year report on her department.
Commissioner
Kolde stated that she would like to revisit the Kansas Association of Counties
membership decision from the January 12, 2004 meeting. In that meeting the Commission passed a
motion to continue the association with KAC and pay the annual dues. Robert informed them that bill for the dues
had not been processed at the request of Commissioner Kolde last week by phone and
asked if they still wanted to pay the dues.
All three Commissioners agreed that they were not in favor of the KAC’s
legislative platform for 2004. The
Commissioners stated that the KAC’s support of the Streamline Sales Tax Bill,
which has created hardships across the state and in particularly in
Pottawatomie County, is the main reason for their decision to reconsider their
affiliation with them. Barbara Kolde
moved to rescind her motion from January 12 and made a motion not to join KAC or
pay the membership dues. Commissioner
Doperalski seconded the motion. Motion
carried 3 to 0.
Bob
Cole, economic development director, met with the Commissioners to discuss with
them purchase price for the county for 1.1 acres in Green Valley Business
Park. The land will be used to drill a
well for Timber Creek. Also present for
the discussion was Leu Lowrey, public works director. The Commission made an offer of $12,500 since it is not a
finished lot and there are no specials involved. Bob will visit with the ECDV board about the offer. Bob gave the Commissioners copies of a bill
to review that is to be presented to the Senate and House regarding
establishing the Bleeding Kansas National Heritage Area Act. The Commissioners will meet with the ECDV
board to discuss purchase of land east of Manhattan City in Blue Township. A work session with the ECDV Board and
Commissioners is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. on February 9th at the ECDV
office in Wamego.
John
Boyd, emergency management director and Don Rose, representing the City of
Louisville, met with the Commissioners to discuss the emergency siren in that
City. The siren does sound but does not
rotate and because of this it is scheduled to be replaced in 2005. The County’s Administrative office found a
grant that could help partially fund the cost of a new siren for eligible
communities. Robert stated that there
were 2 communities in the county; the Cities of Wheaton and Louisville, whose
average income for that community would come closest to meeting the criteria
for the grant. The Administrative
office approached both cities and asked if they would be interested in pursuing
this grant as the grant would need to be completed by the city. Both cities stated that they would be
interested but had no one to prepare the grant. The Administrative office then offered to write the grant for
both of them but they would have to sign it.
Robert also stated that he knew the City of Wheaton had been awarded
their grant but Louisville had not. Mr.
Rose stated that the grant was denied because some of the necessary paperwork
was not filed with the State. John
stated that the reason for denial of the grant was due to the LMI, Low to
Moderate Income, factor. The county has
nothing to do with those numbers. That
is figured by the State. Louisville
apparently did not fall in the category necessary to qualify for the
funding. Robert stated that their
records show the same documents for each city were submitted. The county had budgeted for one siren
replacement in 2004 but if both communities could pay at least 50% of the siren
the county could then replace two units.
Robert stated that the grants were a way to move up the replacement
schedule for the two communities. John
added that he still has 50% of the cost to replace the siren in his
budget. Commissioner Doperalski stated
that the county could pay the $9,000 towards the siren if the City is willing
to pay the other $9,000; or they can reapply for the grant. Mr. Rose stated that the City could pay the
money but that would cut their budget short.
He added that he would go back and visit with the City Council and find
out what they want to do. John stated
that if the City did not have funds to replace it now, their siren will be #1
on the list next year to be replaced.
Commissioner
Kolde asked John Boyd about appointments to the Fire District No. 10
Board. She has names of individuals
that she is comfortable in appointing.
She will draft a letter for the Clerk to mail to those individuals. Barbara Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski
seconded to appoint the following to the Fire District No. 10 Board: Brian Smith, Don Francis, Ken Reavis, S W Gunter,
and Linda Walters. Motion carried 3 to
0.
Robert
Davis, representative of OFG Financial Services, Inc, met with the
Commissioners to have them complete their forms for Security Flex 125 Cafeteria
Plan.
Board
considered and acted on property statements.
(Attachment #2)
Leu
Lowrey, public works director, met with the Commissioners to discuss the
following
(1)
Plans
and specifications for Eagles Landing Phase III. Commissioner Kolde stated that she would like to review the plans
before taking action to adopt them and schedule a bid date.
(2)
Board
approved replacement of 2 pickups as they are budgeted for. Cost for the pickups is $14,950 each. The older pickups being replaced will be
sold at the next county auction.
(3)
Tom
Doperalski moved and Barbara Kolde seconded to sign utility agreement with Bluestem
Electric Coop for a bridge project on Buffalo Run Rd. Motion carried 3 to 0.
(Attachment #3)
(4)
Discussed
concern with sewage in basement in house on Coachman Rd and sewage backup in
Eagles Landing.
(5)
Barbara
Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to go into executive session from 11:20
until 11:30 to discuss personnel issue with Leu and Robert. Motion carried 3 to 0. Regular meeting resumed. Tom Doperalski moved and Barbara Kolde
seconded to approve a request for family medical leave and to deny a request
for shared leave for road/bridge employee.
Motion carried 3 to 0.
Commissioner
Doperalski left the meeting at 11:40.
Barbara
Kolde moved and Richard Carlson seconded to reappoint Gary Hellebust to another
three-year term on the Big Lakes Developmental Center’s Board of
Directors. Motion carried 3 to 0.
Robert
Reece, county administrator, discussed the following with the Commissioners
(1)
Contract
for janitorial services at the Health Department. Commission directed Robert to amend the current contract before
they approve it.
(2)
Robert
informed them of the recommended changes that were made to the ambulance
agreement. One states that the hospital
is not liable for repairs to the Westmoreland Station that is capital in
nature. The deductible amount was set
at $500 for vehicle insurance. The
other change is in reference to hospital billing and fees.
(3)
Tuesday,
January 27 at 2:00 will be a Tri County meeting at Geary County. Commissioner Carlson will attend.
(4)
Commission directed Robert to contact John
Boyd to reschedule a field trip.
(5)
Bruce
Brazzle has given his 10 day notice to step down from his position to work on
updating and drafting the Health Department’s Bioterrorism plan. The project is 75% completed. John Boyd had informed Robert that he could
complete the process if he was released from his responsibilities with RFD #10.
(6)
Barbara
Kolde moved and Richard Carlson seconded to approve the 2004 Organization
Chart. Motion carried 2 to 0 due to
absence of Commissioner Doperalski.
(Copy on file in County Clerk’s Office)
(7)
Barbara
Kolde moved and Richard Carlson seconded to approve the county inventory for
2003. Motion carried 2 to 0 due to
absence of Commissioner Doperalski.
(Attachment #4) Complete copy is
on file in County Clerk’s Office.
(8)
Discussed placing countywide sales tax
question on ballot.
Approved
amended minutes for January 12, 2004.
Meeting
was adjourned.
________________________ _______________________
County
Clerk Chairman
_______________________
Vice Chairman
_______________________
Member