Minutes, February 14, 2011

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

February 14, 2011

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 14^th day of February 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:

 

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

 

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

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of February 7, 2011.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Billy Kryger, Pastor of the Smoky Hill Baptist Church in Ellsworth, introduced himself to the Commissioners and said he was very interested in community affairs and would be attending regularly and would hold them in his prayers.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Joe Shepack, County Attorney, discussed with the Commissioners a change in the handbook regarding the termination of a Sheriff's deputy.    Mr. Shepack discussed the Nielander vs. Lincoln County decision and the fact that it only impacted the Sheriff and not other elected officials.  Based upon legal advice from the County Attorney, Commissioner Rush moved to approve revisions to Article I-2 (d) Disciplinary Actions.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0. 

 

Curt Bjurlin, Senior Manager of Wind Capital Group, gave the Commissioner an update on the progress of the Post Rock Wind Farm and possible timelines for the different phases of the project.  The individual leases should be completed by the end of this week and then they will enter the design and construction phase.  They are still working with Rice County, Ellsworth County and the township and in some case individuals on the sighting of the power line.  Construction should begin in September with a target date of June 2012 for going on line.  Mr. Bjurlin would like to get the different agreement with the county executed as soon as possible.   Commissioner Kueser requested a map of the project right-of-way before that agreement is considered and also a pilot agreement spelling out the particulars of a 20 year payment plan.  Commissioner Kueser also asked that Ellsworth County be considered for the site where the office and maintenance building would be established.  Mr. Bjurlin with get those agreements to the County Clerk and a meeting on March 7 at 10:00 a.m. was arranged to finalize all the agreements.

 

Jo Funk, Sanitarian with the Salina-Saline County Health Department, presented some talking point drafted by their office stating why the state should reinstate the funding for the LEPP program.  Also, she presented a resolution for the Commissioners to sign supporting continuance of the LEPP program.    Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 2011R04, A Resolution Of Support For Continuance Of The Kansas Local Environmental Protection Program (LEPP) And Funding.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush left the meeting at 10:50 a.m.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve 2010 Abatements in the amount of $11,541.82.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to issue a letter of support for House Bill 2134 to our State Senator and Representative.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Proposals for sampling of wall plaster were tabled until further information is forthcoming.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 11:02 a.m.

 

 

_________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk