Minutes, November 21, 2011

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

                                                                                 

MINUTES

 

NOVEMBER 21, 2011

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 21^st day of November 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 Rush moved to approve the Minutes of November 7, 2011 with a correction.  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:

 

Roderic Rees, EMS Director, presented a proposal from High Plains Roofing, Inc. for $4,835 to repair the building roof.  Mr. Rees had called other contractors, but High Plains is the only one that responded.  The Commissioners asked that he inquire about a warranty and then get back to them.  A survey of the surrounding area's base rates shows that Ellsworth County's charges are on the lower end of those surveyed.  The meeting held last week on the radio templates was well attended and the rebanding is going well.  Their Medicare and Medicaid recertification has been updated.  Upon the request of Mr. Rees, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:50 a.m. until 9:58 a.m.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 9:58 a.m.  Based upon a successful completion of the 90-day probationary period, Commissioner Rush moved to advance Jeremiah Brown, EMT, to 12,b on the salary schedule effective this pay period.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Carl Miller, Appraiser, held a meeting concerning the updating of the County's Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.  Others in attendance were Rob Fillion, Smoky Hill Economic Development, Inc., Eric Reid, USD 327 Superintendent, Kenny Schepmann, Holyrood Mayor, David Criswell, Wilson Mayor, Jerry Florian, Wilson City NR Committee,  Tim Vandall, Ellsworth City Administrator, Michael Boyer, Lorraine City Clerk and Glenna Stallo, Lorraine City Councilmember.  Wilson Mayor, David Criswell, went over in detail the City's proposed NR plan which included an abatement of 100% on improvements over $5,000 for ten years.  He felt the more aggressive plan the city proposed would address their needs for commercial buildings and housing and asked that the county consider participation in their plan.  Mr. Reid, Mr. Fillion and Mr. Vandall expressed some reservation about the percentage and length of the plan while the Commissioners had received a letter of support from the cities of Kanopolis and Lorraine urging them to consider changing their plan to the one proposed by Wilson City.  Mr. Miller, the Appraiser, explained some difficulties he would have with administering too many plans plus pointed out some of the circumstances that could happen with valuation and mill levy if the Wilson plan was adopted.  He also spelled out the criteria as to how many plans each entity could be involved with.  He suggested two plans, one that might work for the smaller cities and then a countywide one that included the county, schools and City of Ellsworth.  In both plans, ten years was used but the percentages started at a lower rate and the threshold of improvement was higher. Since the plan is up for renewal this year and every entity had already responded that they wish to continue with the County's plan, Mr. Miller strongly suggest that another meeting be held and every entity have representation at that meeting.  It was decided to meet Tuesday, December 13^th at 6:30 p.m. in the basement meeting room at the Courthouse.

 

Ellsworth County Council on Aging, represented by Virginia Boots with Garnell Hanson, Eleanor Hunter, Mervyn Harms, Lou Boley, Juanita Boley, Glenna Stallo, Laura Newman and John Henley, asked the Commissioners to pay for one-half of their matching share on the new mini-van.  The mini-van has a cost of $38,049 and KDOT will pay for 80% or $30,439.20 with ECCA paying 20% or $7,609.80.  They are also asking the City of Ellsworth for some funding on their match.  Commissioner Oller moved to pay for one-half of the match ($3,804.90) for the new mini-van.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The old bus will be kept at the present time and the Commissioners were asked to help think of some ideas for use of the bus.  Also, ECCA asked if the bus could be put on the county's insurance.  This has been asked before and it was not possible due to the fact the drivers are not county employees.  However, the Clerk will check with the insurance company again.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the KCAMP Member Contribution Credit & Rate Stabilization Plan.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

The NACO dues were reviewed.  No action was taken.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:30 p.m.

 

 

 

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk