COMMISSION MINUTES – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 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.
Tom Doperalski moved and Barbara Kolde seconded to adopt the agenda for today’s meeting. Motion carried 3 to 0.
The Commission tabled action on approval of minutes of January 30 meeting.
Gary Conklin, county counselor, met with the Commissioners with an update on status of the tax sale.
Barbara Kolde reported on the Bioterrorism meeting she attended last Monday in Wichita. The County has a plan in place. At the meeting, the State stated there will be plans done regionally. Pottawatomie is in the Northeast District.
Stan Hartwich reported on the Regional Library meeting he attended. The library is interested in automation.
The Commission reviewed annual township reports for Belvue, Clear Creek, Mill Creek, Pottawatomie, Rock Creek and Sherman Townships.
The Chairman signed the Bond and Oath form for Rock Creek Township Clerk.
Barbara Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to appoint the following to Fire District No. 6 Board: Don Cassel, Dale Force, Dustin Cassel, Don Dowell, & Mike Krause and to Fire District No. 8: James Mulligan, Lee Abitz, Gary Robbins, Bob Blair, & Marvin Clark. Motion carried 3 to 0.
Stan Hartwich moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to allocate $400 from the special alcohol fund for St. Marys High School’s After Prom event. Motion carried 2 to 1. Barbara Kolde voted against the motion stating there would be out of County students and she felt the amount should be lower.
Robert Reece, administrator, discussed the resolution providing for continuation of a county-wide economic development program and the financing thereof by an annual tax on all taxable tangible property of the county. Barbara Kolde moved to renew the resolution. Tom Doperalski stated if it is a continuation he would prefer to visit first with ECDV as to the amount levied. Motion died for lack of second.
Chairman signed financials for Fostoria Sewer.
Robert presented the Commission with a copy of Manhattan City’s Downtown Redevelopment News.
Gregg Webster, zoning director, met with the Commissioners to update them on activities in the month of January. John Keller. County planner, was also present. Gregg stated the streets are done in the new development area of Timber Creek. Gregg had a copy of the plat of Heritage Square for the Commission to review. This is the tract east of Manhattan being developed by Roger Schultz. Gregg and John stated they had been working on amendments to the Hwy 24 Corridor Plan since October and wanted Commission input on changing tracts available for development. Commissioner Kolde stated there are places already committed that need to be taken care of first. These are areas on Salzer and Vineyard Roads. Gregg stated there needs to a policy or plan in place as to how roads are to be developed and who is responsible. Commissioner Doperalski stated it is inevitable the area along the corridor will be developed. He asked what type of density was being considered. John Keller stated the target density is 2 to 3 houses per acre. This will depend on the sewer. He stated he is not sure of availability or capability of the St. George sewer system. Commissioner Doperalski stated the County does not have a study to show feasibility of hooking on to the St. George sewer system or whether lagoon systems would be practical. Robert stated according to previous conversation with the City of St. George, there is currently not enough capacity to hook on. Doperalski stated it make sense to do a study to determine location of pump stations. Gregg stated he is not sure which direction to take. He asked if the Commission is opposed to a lagoon. He added it is difficult to know what to tell individuals inquiring about purchasing property to build. He needs to know how to answer regarding development of roads, sewer systems, etc. Commissioner Kolde stated she will get a copy of the St. George sewer study. Commissioner Hartwich stated he feels the area should be opened up and Gregg and John should do what needs to be done with amendment to the plan. John Keller stated he would like to have a work session in the near future to discuss lot sizes.
Lisa Overkamp, Treasurer, met with the Commissioners to update them on activities in her department. At the request of the Chairman, Barbara Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel with the Treasurer. Administrator will also be present for the session scheduled from 10:07 up until 10:15. Motion carried 3 to 0. Regular meeting resumed with no action taken.
A group of individuals representing 7 Township Fire Department and the City of Westmoreland met with the Commissioners to discuss the status of the extension of Sixth Street to the location of the new fire station. Previously the County had agreed to help with the development of the street. Leah Smith, City Clerk, stated they will be awarded the grant money for construction of the facility and are ready for road work. Leu Lowrey, public works director, stated the street has been designed and the county is set up to do the work. Jim Smith, with the fire department, presented copies of a letter from the Governor for the Commissioners. The letter was announcing award of a KAN STEP Community Development Block Grant for $399,850 to the City of Westmoreland. The grant is to be used to build a 6,600 square foot 5-bay fire station. Mr. Smith stated this will be one of the largest fire stations in the county. It may be used a training center in the future. Emergency Management will be able to use a portion of the facility for storage. Smith invited the Commission to a Pre-Grant Awarding on the 24th at 3:30 in the Westmoreland Community Building. Smith added they will also be invited to a ground breaking ceremony. The construction for the project will be awarded to local individuals. Kevin Umscheid, volunteer with the fire department, stated to receive the grant, the labor must be supplied. The Commissioners commended the group for doing a great service to the community. Bobbi Prinz stated she was the street commissioner for the City and was there to find out if there was anything she needed to be aware of for the County’s help in construction of the street.
Tom Doperalski moved and Stan Hartwich seconded to approve the minutes for January 30, 2006. Motion carried 2 to 0. Commissioner Kolde abstained as she was not present for the meeting.
County Attorney, Sherri Schuck, met with the Commissioners to update them on activities in her department. There has been an increase in the number of cases filed compared to previous years. She will be doing interviews Friday for the diversion officer position. The Commission requested she check on the status of the illegal dump site issue.
Robert discussed concerns of bids for Temp Notes for improvements to Wildcat Woods and Elbo Creek Estates Subdivisions. Robert and staff approached many of the local banks that traditionally purchase the county’s temporary construction notes to assess their ability and willingness to bid on the up coming temp note issues totaling nearly $2,000,000. All but one of the local banks expressed their concerns to provide a competitive bid. Robert suggested the Commission may want to consider opening up the temporary note bid process to banks outside the County to help assure receiving the best possible rate possible for these issues. Tom Doperalski moved and Barbara Kolde seconded to authorize the notification of other banks who have previously participated in the bidding on County Bond issues. Motion carried 3 to 0. Barbara Kolde moved and Tom Doperalski seconded to adopt Resolution 2006-6 authorizing the offer for sale of approximately $1,200,000 principal amount general obligation temporary notes for water, sewer, and street improvements for Wildcat Woods Ph I Subdivision in Blue Township. Motion carried 3 to 0. (Attachment #1) Tom Doperalski moved and Barbara Kolde seconded to adopt Resolution 2006-7 authorizing the offer for sale of approximately $765,000 principal amount general obligation temporary notes for street, sewer, and water improvements for Elbo Creek Estates I Subdivision in Blue Township. Motion carried 2 to 1. Commissioner Kolde stated she voted against the motion because of something the developer had said to her. (Attachment #2)
The Commissioners adjourned at Noon for lunch. They will meet at 1:00 to discuss the upcoming Stampede with Wayne Rouse and the Sheriff.
At 1:00, Wayne Rouse with the Country Stampede; Greg Riat, sheriff; and John Boyd, emergency management director, met with the Commissioners to discuss concerns and procedures for the 10th Annual Country Stampede scheduled for June 22 through 25. Mr. Rouse stated the event will be at the same site as last year. In an attempt to avoid long lines as on last year’s Thursday night event, the gates will be opened an hour earlier. There will be no free tickets. Family Fun Day will be on Sunday this year. The State will allow the sale of vehicle permits with the camping permits. Ft. Riley will allow 75 soldiers and wives to help with parking, T-Shirt Security, and clean up. Sunday there will be a church service with the Country Parson. Cross Country, a Christian country band from Nashville will perform. The south River Pond camp ground will not be used this year. Fishers ATV World will be present throughout the entire event. Greg stated he is meeting with the Highway Patrol tomorrow. They will be providing assistance this year and he is hoping to have the Hwy Patrol helicopter again. John Boyd stated areas of concern have been addressed. Portable toilets seem to be an annual concern. Those issues are being addressed. Recycling cans was discussed. Mr. Rouse and the Sheriff will visit to discuss any further issues that may arise. Another meeting will be scheduled if it is deemed necessary.
Dave Lamberson, communications officer, met with the Commissioners to discuss the status of the E911 system upgrade. Next week the mapping hardware and software will be installed. In early June, Alltel will start testing. Alltel is doing the wireless E911. The upgrade to the dispatch program will automate what the dispatchers do. The program will interface with the CAD system. He has a draft and flip charts of the program. Lamberson stated prerequisites for dispatchers are a telecommunications course and EMD certification. Commissioner Kolde asked why the County does not use 800 MHz. Lamberson stated the reason is cost.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:30.
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County Clerk Chairman
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Vice Chairman
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Member