Minutes, March 14, 2011

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

March 14, 2011

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 14^th day of March 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 Oller moved to approve the Minutes of March 7, 2011.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Josh Beckman, Kirkham Michael & Associates, brought in the requested information on the cost of the landfill expansion.  To answer the question posed by the Commissioners, Mr. Beckman suggested that Larry Schieferecke, the engineer working on the project could come over and give them an update.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Carl Miller, Appraiser, reported he had gotten an extension on the valuation notices and they will be mailed on March 25^th.  The ag values are in and the dry crop land will be up, grass down and irrigated land up.  The values come from the surveys sent out by K-State to individual farmers and are on an eight year cycle.  He has received a request for a variance on a Neighborhood Revitalization property.  They are asking for a variance to exceed the $1.5 million cap on commercial property.  In their request they did not specify the amount of the variance and Chairman Kueser questioned how that would fit into the other programs the city has for development of the property.  Mr. Miller will request a meeting of those involved with the Commissioners for the last Monday in March.  Mr. Miller explained the tax abatements for Wilson Telephone Company.  They were considered to be double taxed as they were included in our appraisal and the state assessed.  The property was appraised by us as it was listed in an individual trust.

 

Joe Shepack, County Attorney, visited with the Commissioners about the proposed Post Rock Wind Farm pilot agreement.

 

Curt Bjurlin, Project Manager for the Wind Capital Group, met with the Commissioners to finalize the agreements for the Post Rock Wind Project.  The Commissioners had an issue with the payment on the Pilot Agreement as to the prorated payment on the first year they become operational.  They would like to have the full year payment for the first year rather than being prorated.  Our agreement was such with the other wind farm development.  Mr. Bjurlin agreed to the change and submitted a new document.  Commissioner Rush moved to approve the 10-Year Pilot Agreement, Escrow Agreement, Road Maintenance Agreement and Permit Agreement For Use Of Public Road Right-Of-Way with Post Rock Wind Power Project, LLC.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, reported the ambulance listed on Purple Wave sold for $5,800.  The process of listing with Purple Wave was not difficult.  Seven people have enrolled in the new EMT class.  Amy Eck has completed her 90-day probation period and Mrs. Maze requested that she be moved to 11,d on the salary schedule.  Commissioner Rush moved that upon the recommendation of Mrs. Maze, to move Amy Eck to 11,d on the salary schedule effective February 27^th.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  Mrs. Maze did purchase the electric cot and there was a bumper to bumper two-year warranty and an additional year on parts.

 

Larry Schieferecke, Kirkam Michael & Associates, reported that the additional documents the state was requiring for the expansion of the landfill would be submitted by the end of this week.  He has surveyed the next pit and the remaining yardage to be excavated is 35,000 yards at an approximate cost of $2 per yard.  Due to the fact our other pit is almost full, the Commissioners expressed their desire to have the project completed and approved as soon as possible.  In order to expedite the process, Kirkham Michael & Associates was asked to start the bid document process now.  Mr. Schieferecke will keep them informed of his progress.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to accept the resignation of Kenny Bernard as Emergency Management Director effective March 20, 2011.  Roy Folk, Chairman of the LEPC Committee contacted the Commissioners and reported the Lincoln County Emergency Management Director had contacted him and would be willing to step in if needed in the interim.  Mr. Folk is to set up an appointment with him to visit with the Commissioners next week if possible.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Oller moved to approve a Cereal Malt Beverage License to Tower Harbor Marina.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatements in the amount of $27,608.48.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Resolution 2011R05, State of Disaster Emergency Proclamation (Burn Ban).  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

The County Clerk wi11 check with the Road & Bridge Supervisor about the North Central Kansas Highway Officials Association meeting.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:05 p.m.

 

 

__________________________________________

Janet L. Andrew, Ellsworth County Clerk