COMMISSION MINUTES – THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2006
At 8:30 A.M., all members of the Pottawatomie County Commission met for a regular session in the County Commission Room. Present were Stan Hartwich, chairman; Tom Doperalski, vice chairman; and Barbara Kolde, member.
Barbara Jones, resident of Blue Township was present for today’s meeting.
Barbara Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to adopt the agenda as amended. The GIS department update was cancelled. Since an LEPC meeting is scheduled for 1:30 this afternoon, the work session with Mike Crubel to discuss the Burgess/Crubel tract was rescheduled for 11:30 on Monday, January 23. The sessions to discuss the ambulance facility and Balderson Blvd. improvements were also cancelled. Motion carried 3 to 0.
Tom Doperalski moved and Barbara Kolde seconded to approve the minutes for January 9, 2006. Motion carried 3 to 0.
Gary Conklin, county counselor, met with the Commissioners to update them on the status of the tax sale.
Barbara Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to reappoint John D’Aloia, Jr as a non-lawyer member to the Second District Judicial Nominating Commission. His current appointment will expire March 6, 2006. This term will be from March 6, 2006 to March 1, 2010. Motion carried 3 to 0.
Chairman signed 2006 Cereal Malt Beverage license for Wildcat Marina in Blue Township.
County Clerk gave the Commission requests from Wamego and Onaga High Schools for funding to assist in their After Prom/After Graduation Parties. The Commission will discuss monies available in the special alcohol fund with Robert before making any decision.
Barbara Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to appoint the following to the Board of Fire District No. 5: Frank Thompson, John Best, Robert Dickens, Marilyn Werring, & James Crawford. Motion carried 3 to 0.
The Commission reviewed annual reports from the following townships: Blue, Center, St. Clere, Vienna, and Wamego.
After discussion with Robert about monies available in the special alcohol fund, Tom Doperalski moved to allocate the same amount as last year, $400, to Wamego and Onaga Schools for their After Prom Parties. Stan Hartwich seconded the motion which carried 2 to 1. Commissioner Kolde voted against the motion stating she is not against allocating money, but felt it is unfair to the county taxpayers to pay for events for out of county students.
Robert Davis with Security Benefit, met with the Commissioners to get their signatures for the Section 125-pretax payroll benefit.
Administrator presented the Commission with a draft of a letter to the Governor expressing concerns of changing the current method of valuation and assessment for commercial/industrial personal property by the State of Kansas, machine and equipment valuation and taxation.
David Stauffer with Rural Water District No. 1 met with the Commissioners to discuss the Schultz development east of Manhattan. He requested to be notified if there was any possibility of Schultz obtaining water from Manhattan rather than the water district.
Administrator presented the Commission with a draft of the 2006 fee schedule for the various departments. After a review and discussion, the Commission recommended an increase in fees for dust control. Robert will have the change made and bring it back to the Commission for further consideration.
Administrator presented the Commission with a draft of the 2006 CIP Plan for their review and discussion. Beth Day, reporter for the Smoke Signal, asked the Commission about wording on the portion of the plan referring to the Wamego Ambulance Station. The Commission stated there had been no definite decision as a result of the recent work session with the City of Wamego as to the location of the facility. Options had been discussed and were to be checked into.
Corrections were made to the County Fee Schedule as directed by the Board and submitted to the Board for their consideration. Barbara Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to adopt Resolution 2006-5 establishing and adopting a uniform fee schedule for services provided by certain county offices. Motion carried 3 to 0. (Attachment #1)
Commissioners signed a letter to the Governor regarding taxation concerns. (Attachment #2)
Administrator presented the Commission with a draft of the 2006 Animal Control contract for their discussion. Commissioner Kolde stated she will have to abstain from the discussion of the animal control contract as she made over $5,000 from the Manhattan animal shelter. Commissioner Doperalski stated the contract looked okay to him as it included the changes previously discussed. Robert stated he would present a copy of the contract to the sheriff and health director for their review and input. Both of these offices deal directly with the contract provider.
Gregg Webster, zoning administrator, met with the Commissioners to present them with an agenda for this evening’s Planning Commission meeting. He also gave them information on three plats that will be reviewed and signed by the Planning Commission. Gregg will bring the plats in Monday for the County Commissioners to sign. He showed the Commission a preliminary plat for Timber Creek Phase VI.
Greg Riat, sheriff, met with the Commissioners to update them on activities in his department. Speed limit on county gravel roads was discussed. It was agreed that 55 mph is too fast for most of them. He will check with Leu Lowrey about the procedure and guidelines for posting speed limits on gravel roads. Greg informed the Commission he will meet with Wayne Rouse to discuss the 2006 Country Stampede. He stated Rouse had told him there will be no changes in procedures from last year’s event. The Commission requested he ask Rouse about access and control of the new campground off of Dyer Road. The county clerk asked Greg to request Rouse contact her office to discuss the CMB license they will purchase for this event. Greg asked the Commission about event fees. The Sheriff informed the Commission he is hiring 2 new deputies. He thanked the Commission for the wage increases for his department. Greg will have Dave Lamberson visit with the Commission about the 911 system enhancement to track cell phone calls.
The Commission received a letter of appreciation from the road/bridge department, as well as one from a road/bridge employee for wage increases for 2006.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:25.
The Commissioners attended an LEPC meeting in Wamego at 1:30.
Barbara Kolde also attended a Bioterrorism meeting.
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County Clerk Chairman
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Vice Chairman
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Member