Minutes, January 18, 2011 Corrected

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

January 18, 2011

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 18^th day of January 2011 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

                                                           

                                                                                                                       

OPENING BUSINESS:

 

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

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Agenda with an addition. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of January 10, 2011.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the public forum.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Kevin Wagner presented a bid to repair the plaster and paint the four rooms in the District Court in the amount of $3,760.  They would patch, plaster, prime and paint all the walls and the bid includes all materials and labor.  Mr. Wager worked on some spaces last week and feels he can successfully repair them.  Commissioner Rush moved to approve the bid of $3,760 to repair the walls in the District Court offices.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser joined the meeting at 9:30 a.m. and being the Chairman presided over the remainder of the meeting.

 

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, passed out the year-end financial report showing the collections were $283,565.  The runs this year were less with the total runs being 725.  A proposal for a new copier was presented which would act as a copier, fax and printer.  The present copier is 13 years old and the printer is not working.  She had a bid from OPI for $5,258 after trade-in.  The Commissioners asked that she contact a couple other vendors and come back at that time.

 

Dean Baumgardner, Executive Vice President, Curt Bjurlin, Project Manager and Kurt Beichel, Construction Manager for Wind Capital Group, met with the Commissioner to discuss the Post Rock Windfarm being developed in Ellsworth and Lincoln Counties.  Also present were George Place, Surveys Inc. and Rob Fillion, Director, Smoky Hill Economic Development, Inc.   Mr. Baumgardner explained that Wind Capital was the owner, developer and contractor for the Post Rock Windfarm and it would have approximately 134 towers with the greater percentage of them being located in Ellsworth County.  They presented a draft copy of a pilot agreement addressing the payment in lieu of taxes over a ten year period.  However, it was suggested that the payments could be given over a twenty year period with an adjustment in the amount for each turbine.  The Commissioners felt they would like to see such a plan.  Also, a road maintenance agreement and escrow agreement were discussed.  Wind Capital will prepare such draft agreements for review.  The transmission line would go south to Rice County and Commissioner Kueser felt that since they would like to use the county right-of-way for that line, that it had value and as such should be discussed.  Mr. Baumgardner work on that detail.  He also asked the Commissioner for a letter of support for the public hearing to be held on February 1 which the Commissioners agreed would be forthcoming.

 

Upon the request of Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, Commissioner Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:25 until 10:35.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:35 a.m. and no action was taken.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Resolution 11R01, A Resolution Setting Compensation for Election Officials and County Employees for 2011.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.  (Commissioner Kueser was not present at the time of the vote.)

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Resolution 11R02, A Resolution Amending By-Laws and Interlocal Cooperation Agreements with KWORCC.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.  (Commissioner Kueser was not present at the time of the vote.)

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve 2010 Abatements in the amount of $601.62 and Adds in the amount of $640.28.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0

 

The Nex-Tech Affinity Partner Program was tabled due to lack of information.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

 

 

___________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk