Minutes, September 14, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 14^th day of September 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

                                                            Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioner

                                                            Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

1.                  OPENING BUSINESS:

 

Chairman Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda as printed.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of September 8, 2009.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

No one was present for the open forum.

 

Chairman Rush entered the meeting at 9:10 a.m. after attending a city function.

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, received a letter of confirmation on receipt of the signed contract on the second stimulus project.  However, the second project will only be funded if there is money available after the first projects have been completed.  The construction contract on the first stimulus project with Kirkham, Michael & Associates was presented for signature which the Commissioners signed.  The state of Kansas has changed the criteria on their bridge inspections making them more expensive.  The contract with Kirkham Michael & Associates for bridge inspection in Ellsworth County will be $22,272 versus about $9,500 the last time.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agreement for Engineering Services FAS & Off-System Bridge Inventory and Appraisal subject to price discovery by the supervisor.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.   Upon the request of Mr. Nondorf, Commissioner Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:15 a.m.  No action was taken.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

The Commissioners reviewed the bid proposal for an auditing contract for 2009 and the list of accounting firms being solicited.  They approved the proposal and accounting firms and asked the County Clerk to proceed with the mailings.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

 

____________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

 

 

 

Minutes, September 8, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

SEPTEMBER 8, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 8^th day of September 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

                                                            Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioner

                                                            Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

1.                  OPENING BUSINESS:

 

Chairman Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda as printed.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Oller moved to approve the Minutes of August 31, 2009 with a correction.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

A department head meeting was held and those attending were, Rick Nondorf, Tracy Ploutz, Geneva Schneider, Teresa Shute, Jan Andrews, Carl Miller, Ronda Kasiska, Janice Sneath and Peggy Svaty.  The Commissioners went through the new handbook noting the corrections and changes.  Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, gave a presentation on the H1N1 flu and the Commissioners discussed measures to keep the workforce healthy and how to manage high absentee rate   Department heads were also encouraged to get letters of resignation whenever an employee quits and to acknowledge the resignation in writing.  Also discussed, were bi-monthly payroll and payroll checks deposited directly into the employee's bank account.  The Commissioners asked the Clerk to send out a survey on those two questions.

 

Upon the request of Michelle Maze, EMS Director, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:12 a.m. to 10:25 a.m.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:25 a.m.  No action was taken.  Mrs. Maze is working with the high school and Barton Community College to sponsor an EMT class through the high school.  The class would not start until the 2010 school year.  The Commissioners expressed their approval of the class and felt it would be a community service.

 

Carl Miller, Appraiser, updated the Commissioners on the Orion appraisal system and asked the Commissioners to approval the 2010 Appraisal Maintenance Plan.  The Commissioners approved and signed the plan.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the August accounts payables and prewritten warrants in the amount of $185,638.48.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to appoint Albert W. Oller as voting delegate and Kermit Rush as alternate to the KWORCC and KCAMP Annual Meeting, November 16, 2009.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m.

 

 

__________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, August 31, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

AUGUST 31, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 31^st day of August 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

                                                            Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

1.                  OPENING BUSINESS:

 

Chairman Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda as printed.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of August 24, 2009.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, asked the Commissioners to sign the contracts for the salt mine road which is the second stimulus project from the state.  The State had an error on the first contracts that were signed and this is a corrected copy.  Three new employees have been hired and with the retirement of an employee in November the department will still be short one person.  The tractor that was hit by the train will not be up for bids from the insurance company for awhile (30-40 days).  Plus, it will take time to fix it if we get the bid.  Therefore, Mr. Nondorf asked for approval to purchase a John Deere tractor and mower for a total cost of $75,250.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the purchase of a John Deere 6330 tractor and Tiger mower at a cost of $75,250.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

The County received a letter from our auditors, Bartlett, Settle & Edgerle, stating that their auditing contract expired December 31, 2009 and they would not seek to renew our audit agreement due to the fact they were shifting their strategic direction and practice emphasis.  The County Attorney and County Clerk will seek out firms that do municipal audits and make arrangements for bid proposals.

 

The County Clerk reported a tree specialist with K-State had looked at the Honey Locust trees out front and explained that the one on the south side closest to the Courthouse should come down and a replacement tree planted.  The others seem to be fine but he would suggest planting another tree at the same time on the north side as one of them is stressed.  The Commissioners asked the Clerk to make arrangements to have the tree removed and purchase two trees.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the August payroll in the amount of $172,125.37.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 11:25 a.m.

 

 

 

___________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, August 24, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

AUGUST 24, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 24^th day of August 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

                                                            Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioners

                                                            Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

1.                  OPENING BUSINESS:

 

Chairman Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda as printed.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of August 17, 2009.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Sylvia McNeal, representing the FCE which sponsors the Open Class portion of the 4-H Fair, thanked the Commissioners for their support and contribution.  They had over 500 exhibits this year.  The Commissioner recognized the many hours that the volunteer put in to make the fair a success.   

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, did not have much to report on at this time.  However, the plans for the strategic meeting are almost completed and they have a new part time Nurse Practitioner on staff.  Several members of the staff are being honored at national meeting and the diabetic program, being funded by a grant, is presenting at a national conference. The expenses of the hospital are close to what was budgeted and the accounts payable is in good shape.  The staff is tracking the spread of the H1N1 flu virus and is putting contingency plans in place to deal with the virus. Mr. Masse also discussed the direction the hospital will be taking in regards to future medical staffing.

 

Nick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, asked the Commissioner to sign documents from the state on the Salt Mine stimulus road project.  The first project will be bid in September and the second one in December, 2009.

 

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, passed out financial reports for the month of July showing that they have collected over $226,000.  Letters were sent to the schools informing them of the increase of fees for the ambulance standby at football games and they have scheduled standbys for the 2009 football season.  Upon the request of Mrs. Maze, Commissioner Rush moved to approve the write-off of uncollectable fees over two years old in the amount of $12,784.43.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  Ellsworth County received an education grant and she has nine students enrolled in an EMT class.  The state inspection of the ambulance and facility will be this week.

 

Sheriff Ploutz presented bids he received on replacement of the sidewalk on the north side of the building.  Commissioner Kueser moved to accept the low bid from Kyler & Sons of $3,084 for replacement of the sidewalk on the north side of the building to be taken from the County Building Fund.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  The Commissioner discussed the prosecution of illegal dumping versus making the individual clean it up.  Sheriff Ploutz felt that you would have to have an eye witness to the dumping in order to charge the individual.  If, however, identification can be found in the trash, they find them and make them clean it up.

 

Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, reported she had received a federal grant of $3,658 for expenses related to H1N1 flu and she plans to buy a refrigerator to store vaccines.  They will be receiving large qualities of both flu vaccines and she will need storage.  The H1N1 shots and everything related to them will be free of charge.  The shots will not begin until sometime in late October and two shots will have to be given with a three week interval between the shots.  The regular flu shots can be given starting in September.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatements 166,167 & 168 in the amount of $621.15.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

 

_________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk