Minutes, April 30, 2012

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

                                                                                 

MINUTES

 

April 30, 2012

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 30^th day of April 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 Rush moved to approve the Agenda as presented.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of April 23, 2012. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the public forum.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor and Jon Halbgewachs and Wayne Scritchfield from Kirkham Michael & Associates met with the Commissioners to discuss landfill issues.  First, Mr. Halbgewachs presented an invoice for the final payment on the contract for the landfill expansion.  He also presented a bill for work not yet authorized for a continuous cell landfill.  In order to have a continuous cell landfill, the plans would have to be updated so all the area could be used.  The Commissioners thought that had been included in the previous work and were not sure they wanted to do the continuous cell.  We have at least six cells approved and that should last at least 40-50 years.  Also, during that time, KDHE could change their specifications for operating a landfill.  Mrs. Shute will contact KDHE to see if the whole area is permitted and the additional bill from Kirkham Michael will be considered after that time.  Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the final payment of $1,743.68 on the landfill expansion contract.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners asked Mrs. Shute to get together with Keith Haberer, Emergency Management Director, to establish a debris site in case of a storm or disaster.

 

Keith Haberer, Emergency Management Director, presented the EMPG grant application for signature.   He was informed of their request for Mrs. Shute to contact him about setting up a debris site at the landfill for disasters.  Mr. Haberer had a booth at the Health Fair and he will be teaching an ICS300 class May 23 & 24 if enough people sign up for the course. He has talked with the Road & Bridge Supervisor, Rick Nondorf, and Mr. Nondorf was present at the last LEPC meeting.  As requested, he will see if any grants are available for purchase of barricades for emergency use.  Sheriff Ploutz, Ellsworth City Administrator, Tim Vandall and Beth Vallier from ECMC were present for the discussion about an "all clear signal" after the threat of a tornado.  Due to the liability, Sheriff Ploutz said he would not sound an "all clear signal".  Sometimes a new threat comes directly after an "all clear" is sounded and it is just too confusing.  After a lengthy discussion, it was decided an "all clear" signal would not be given.  Other issues discussed were educating the public of shelters and the purchase of a weather radios. Also, during the storm season, planned events could have information relating to shelters and traffic instructions to hand out.

 

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz, Architects Fred Abercrombie and David Vance, discussed their proposal and fee schedule to investigate the space needs at the Law Enforcement Center.  Sheriff Ploutz, when questioned by Commissioner Kueser, about whether or not this was something he was asking for, answered that he felt the proposed changes were necessary.  Upon that recommendation, Commissioner Kueser moved to authorize a contract with Openhandesign in the amount of $4,214 for a design development for the Law Enforcement Center.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Greg Vahrenberg, Piper Jaffray & Co., via telephone, reported they had a successful bond sale on Friday and the final savings to the county on the refinancing of the hospital bonds was $326,701.35 over the 10 year life of the bonds. The new interest rate is 1.78%.  Upon the request of Mr. Vahrenberg, Commissioner Kueser moved to adopt Resolution 2012R07, A Resolution Approving the Issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2012.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the April payroll in the amount of $178,479.67.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m.

 

 

__________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk