Minutes December 12, 2011

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

                                                                                 

MINUTES

 

DECEMBER 12, 2011

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 12^th day of December 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 Kueser moved to approve the Agenda as amended.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of December 5, 2011. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Billy Kryger, Pastor of the Smoky Hill Baptist Church in Ellsworth, was in attendance but did not wish to address the Commissioners.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Trevor Pfannenstiel, Kirkam Michael & Associates, presented a progress and payment request for Landfill Cell 12 Construction.  The project is now complete and is ready for the state's inspection.  The payment request is for $48,651.30 leaving a 10% retainage fee of $9,009.50 due.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Payment Request #2 for $48,651.30 to Griffith Construction.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Keith Haberer, Emergency Management Director, reported he had completed the NIMS cost report and would be doing a table top exercise with the Health Department being held in Salina.  He is the northwest Vice-President for KEMA and has been asked to attend a meeting in Washington, D. C.  All expenses will be paid by KEMA and Russell County has given their approval.  The Commissioners agreed it would be a good opportunity and gave their approval.  Chairman Kueser asked and Mr. Haberer agreed he could try to ascertain what NIMS training had been completed or needs to be completed by the employees operating under the incident command.  Mr. Haberer asked if the Commissioners would appoint an assistant for his position as most director's did have an assistant in case of him not being available.  The Commissioners ask that he talk with the individuals that might be qualified and willing to serve and come back to them with a recommendation.

 

Roderic Rees, EMS Director, reported that one of the leased cardiac monitors had broken down and it is not able to be fixed due to the parts not being available.  The Commissioners ask that he review the lease contract to see if that is covered and if need be, bring it to the County Attorney for his advice if necessary.  In the meantime, a refurbished monitor can be purchased for $14,000 with a new one running approximately $34,000.  The Commissioners suggested that he arrange a schedule of purchasing monitors like we do with the ambulances since replacement is so expensive.  Mr. Rees explained another company was coming in tomorrow to talk with him about the monitors and if they were interested they would be there at 3:00 p.m.  The heating and cooling system in the #110 ambulance needs to be replaced and it will cost between $1,500 and $2,000.  Although it is our newest ambulance, it is no longer under warranty.   The sign at the EMS building needs to be replaced and the Commissioners suggested he contact the Ellsworth Correction Facility as they do signs for just the cost of materials.  He checked on the warranty on the roofing repairs and they will give a one-year warranty on the portion that they repair.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the repair of the EMS roof by High Plains Roofing in the amount of $4,835.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Jo Funk, Sanitarian with the Salina-Saline County Health Department presented the LEPP contract for $12,800 for the year 2012.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the LEPP contract for $12,800 for the year 2012.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  Ms. Funk went over the Ellsworth County Sanitary Code and changes that were made several years ago and some more recent changes that needed to be inserted.  The Commissioners agreed upon all the changes and she will send it to KDHE for their final approval and then enactment.

 

The County Clerk reported she had researched the road in Thomas Township as requested by Mr. Behke and found that it was opened when the township was platted in 1887 and has not been closed.  She contacted Mr. Behke and the Mr. Kratzer, the Township Trustee,  and gave them information as how to close the road if they so desire.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Due to the increase cost of health insurance, the Commissioners discussed how much they subsidize the family premium paid by the employees.  Presently, employees on the family plan pay $325 for their portion of the premium and the county pays the rest.  With the increased cost to the employer, that would mean the county would have to pay approximately $77 for each family policy in addition to the $920.10, their portion of the family total premium.  Commissioner Rush moved to raise the employees family portion of the premium from $325 to $350 effective December, 2011.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve a cereal malt beverage license for the Service Oil Company.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve two cereal malt beverage licenses (on premise and off premise) for Smoky Hill Trading Post.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved, upon the recommendation of the Columbia township officers, to appoint Linda Vague as Columbia Township Treasurer.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0. 

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve 2011 Abatements 55 & 56 in the amount of $292.64.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:25 p.m.

 

 

_____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk