Minutes, February 27, 2012

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

                                                                                 

MINUTES

 

FEBRUARY 27, 2012

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 27^th day of February 2012 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 Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Oller moved to approve the Agenda with an addition.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of February 21, 2012. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Fred Abercrombie and David Vance, Architects, presented a preliminary opinion of probable cost to replace the windows in the Courthouse.  The probable cost was $158,100 which did not include architect fees.  Also, if the Courthouse house is in a "historical district", there would be a savings of 30% in tax credits.  Mr. Abercrombie will check to see if we are in a historical district.  The Commissioners asked Mr. Abercrombie to proceed with the project.

 

At 10:00 a.m. Chairman Oller called to order the hearing on the Neighborhood Revitalization Program for Ellsworth County.  There was no one in attendance.

 

A Department Head Meeting was held at 10:15 a.m. with the following present:  Teresa Shute, Roderic Rees, Tracy Ploutz, Carl Miller, Rick Nondorf, Ronda Kasiska, Keith Haberer and Jan Andrews.  Annette McNaul and Becky Carlson, TMHC Services, Inc. gave a presentation on their Drug & Alcohol Testing Program.  Presently, the Road & Bridge Department uses them for their KDOT mandatory drug and alcohol testing.  Mrs. McNaul stressed that with any policy the main objective is to be consistent.  TMHC has many policy templates and can draw up one that will fit Ellsworth County.  Some department head felt that it was not needed for their departments, however, the policy could be created to address "safety sensitive employees" rather than every employee.  The cost of regular testing would be $3.75 per employee per month and an additional $1.50 per employee per month for the Employee Assistance Program which is optional.  The Commissioners thanked Mr. Carlson and Mrs. McNaul for their time and will communicate more with the department heads before making a decision.  A brief discussion was held on the county website and about whether or not it was meeting their needs.  Most felt that it was not and the Clerk was asked to seek some cost for someone to manage the County's website.  It was decided that a Department Head meeting would be held every quarter on the last Monday of that quarter at 9:00 a.m.

 

Keith Haberer, Emergency Management Director, reported that he gotten a CERT (Certified Emergency Rescue Team) grant for $4,520.  The grant can be used for training as well as equipment.  The LEPC Committee has been interested in this for several years and have several people trained, so this would help with getting the program up and running.    He will be teaching an ICS 400 class on March 13 & 14 and an ICS 300 class on May 22 &23.  On Thursday, he and Roy Folk will attend the North Central Regional meeting and he plans to request some radios from the 2009 money that has not be allocated.  Mr. Haberer asked about a Disaster Debris Management Plan and it was suggested that he contact the Landfill Director.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

The Commissioners reviewed the policy on selection of ECMC board members and asked the County Clerk to follow through with the policy as two positions expire on July 1, 2012.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the February payroll in the amount of $174,359.23.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 11:50 a.m.

 

 

_______________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk