COMMISSION MINUTES – MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2004

 

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

 

Chairman signed 2005 cereal malt beverage license for Blaine Store in Clear Creek Township.

 

Board considered and acted on property statements.  (Attachment #1)

 

Rodney Biesenthal, noxious weed director, met with the Commissioners to discuss a request for shared leave for an employee in that department.  Barbara Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to approve a shared leave request for an employee in the noxious weed department.  Motion carried 3 to 0.

 

Barbara Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to sign an agreement with BG Consultants, Inc of Manhattan for engineering services for a bridge over Rock Creek on the Louisville Road east of Flush.  Cost of services to be $50,850.  This agreement voids an agreement signed on 04/26/04.  Motion carried 3 to 0.  (Attachment #2)

 

Brenda Krause, GIS director, met with the Commissioners with a year end summary of activities in her department.

 

Gregg Webster, zoning administrator, met with the Commissioners to present to plats for their consideration.  Barbara Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to sign a plat for Crown-C Unit 2 in Blue Township.  Motion carried 3 to 0.  Barbara Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to sign a replat of Wildridge Subdivision in St. George Township.  Motion carried 3 to 0.

 

Barbara Kolde stated she had received a telephone call from a citizen expressing concerns regarding a recent accident on Carnahan Road and the conditions of the road.

 

The Commissioners acknowledged receipt of, and signed, a Loss Prevention Analysis letter from KWORC representative.

 

Glenn Brunkow, extension agent, met with the Commissioners to update them on activities in that office.  The Commission congratulated him on Pottawatomie County Extension receiving an award as President of the Pottawatomie County Farm Bureau for #1 in the leadership program and being in the top 5 overall.  Glenn informed them of a new family & consumer science agent who will be starting on January 3.  Her name is Angela Abst.  There will be a reception for her on Monday, January 24 from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. in the extension office.  Glenn informed the Commission of upcoming sessions that will be held in various communities in the County.  Those sessions will be on beef cow nutrition, cool season grasses, invasive species, and irrigation.  On January 26 from 6:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M. Glenn and Rodney Biesenthal will conduct a pesticide applicator license renewal session.  This will be held in the Sunflower Room.  Glenn informed the Commission they will be trading their van for a different vehicle.  He will check with a few dealers for the best trade-in offer.  He wondered if any of the departments in the county would be interested in the van.  They will sell it for the trade-in value.  The County Clerk will contact all department heads to see if there is any interest.

 

Sherri Schuck, county attorney elect, met with the Commissioners to update them on that department.  Barry Wilkerson, current county attorney, will be gone for the next two weeks.  His last day will be January 6.  Sherri stated she has extended an offer to an individual for the assistant county attorney position she will vacate officially on January 10.  Sherri visited with the Commission about the increasing the grade and step for 2 legal secretaries and the diversion officer in that department.  Her request was done through the support and recommendation of The Austin Peters Group.  The Commissioners asked that she bring them copies of the Austin Peters recommendation to review when they consider employee salaries.

 

Robert Reece, administrator, left at 10:30 to attend a funeral.

 

Judge Steve Roth met with the Commissioners to discuss the Flint Hills Legal Services.  The organization’s services cover several counties in the northeast district.  Judge Roth refers individuals to them for their assistance.  He stated it is mostly domestic issues involving individuals without personal funding to pay for the representation they need.  The organization operates largely on state and grant funding.  They charge very minimal fees.  They are $3500 short of the funds necessary to keep their staff.  Judge Roth was asking if the Commissioners would consider any financial assistance to the organization.  Commissioner Kolde stated it might be possible to use monies from the special alcohol fund, but would need to visit with the administrator about what the money can be used for.  Commissioners Doperalski stated he was in favor of some type of assistance, but preferred to visit with Robert first.  Commissioner Carlson stated he wished to hear both sides of the issue before making a decision.  Judge Roth asked if there were specific questions he could present to Flint Hills Legal Services to help them in their decision.  The Commission requested he ask what other counties have participated and how much they contributed.  They want to know how many counties are in the district and who they are.  They asked if there was a way to help in-kind as opposed to money.  The Commission would like to know if the organization has ever participated in class action lawsuits.  They would also like to know if they are affiliated with the American Civil Liberties.  The Commission stated they are at this time considering an approximate amount of $1,000.

 

Leu Lowrey, public works director, met with the Commissioners to discuss concerns of water problems in Timber Creek over the weekend.  He presented a summation of the bids submitted on December 13 for bridge box projects.  Upon Leu’s recommendation, Barbara Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to accept the low bid of $165,002.50 submitted by Claycamp Construction, Inc of Soldier, KS for bridge project 2004-A. Motion carried 3 to 0.

 

The Commissioners adjourned at 12:10.  They will meet in work session at 1:00 with Leu Lowrey and John Keller to discuss sewer tap fees.

 

 

 

_______________________                                         _________________________

County Clerk                                                                         Chairman

 

                                                                                                                _________________________

                                                                                                                Vice Chairman

 

                                                                                                                _________________________

                                                                                                                Member