Minutes, March 21, 2011

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

March 21, 2011

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 21^st 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 Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Oller moved to approve the Minutes of March 14, 2011 with a correction.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Billy Kryger, Pastor of the Smoky Hill Baptist Church in Ellsworth, was in attendance but did not ask to address the Commissioners.   Lester Tacha, Kanopolis Park Manager, addressed the burn ban and gave the Commissioners an example of the procedures for a burn plan that has to be in place before they are able to burn.  The Commissioners expressed their appreciation for the information and will work closely with them when a burn ban is in effect.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, reported the financial were better this month with a $175,919 profit for the month of February and a year-to-date loss of $501,104.  A Summary of Feedback from the Great Plains Health Alliance regarding structure of community of safe room if built on the land site of Ellsworth County Medical Center was distributed.  Great Plains Health Alliance is the financial consultant for ECMC.  They addressed some of the questions put to them by Mr. Masse about the ownership of the safe room if built.  Also, Mr. Masse felt that a decision needed to be made in regards to the expansion plans that have been in limbo for the past two years.  He expressed they were in a stabilization mode rather than an expansion mode at the present time and it there were needs, modification was certainly need from the original plans. It was agreed that perhaps a joint meeting with the ECMC should be held to discuss the safe room as well as other strategic plans for the hospital.

 

Roy Folk, LEPC Chairman, Rodney Jobs, Lincoln County Emergency Management Director, and Dennis Colsden, Kansas Emergency Management North Central Regional Coordinator, visited with the Commissioners about the position of Emergency Management Director.  Mr. Bernard resigned that position effective March 20, 2011.  Full-time versus part-time position was discussed with those in attendance leaning toward the full-time status.  Since Mr. Jobs, Lincoln County Emergency Management Director, offered to serve Ellsworth County until a new Emergency Management Director is hired, Commissioner Kueser moved to appoint Rodney Jobs as Interim Ellsworth County Emergency Management Director.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  Mr. Folk discussed the burn ban that was put on last week.  The Commissioners stated they planned on rescinding the burn ban as the fire chiefs let everyone burn anyway.  The subject will be discussed at the fire chiefs meeting on Wednesday evening.

 

County Treasurer, Geneva Schneider, announced that she has appointed Shelby Soukup as Deputy Treasurer and would like her salary moved to 9,i.  Commissioner Rush moved to accept the appointment of Shelby Soukup as Deputy Treasurer and moved her salary to 9,i on the salary scale.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz reported that the Dollar General would no longer let the county charge without a charge card.  A list of purchase items will still be given it will just be electronic.  The Commissioners approved of the use of the charge card.  The rat problem in the jail was discussed, however, no definitive answers have come from the exterminators.  It is somewhat a city problem as there appears to be a crack in the city sewer line. They are doing some "home remedies" to help combat the problem until the exterminators get back to them.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Commissioners Oller and Rush will attend the North Central Kansas Highway Officials Association meeting on April 6, 2011.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to rescind Resolution 2011R05, A Burn Ban.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve 2010 Abatement in the amount of $36.32.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

A report from Allied Environmental Consultants reported that after testing the wall plaster in several locations in the Courthouse, the wall plaster does not contain any asbestos.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m.

 

____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk