Minutes, July 22, 2013

 

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

                                                                                 

MINUTES

 

July 22, 2013

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 22^nd day of July 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 Rush called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

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

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of July 15, 2013.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

 

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz, inquired if additional consideration had been given to the renovation of the exercise area of the jail.  Presently, he has been running at 20 inmates and due to conflicts between them, the extra space would be helpful.  The Commissioners explained that they had put it on the back burner for now and since he has a plan worked out between the surrounding counties for boarding prisoners, they had not budgeted that expense for 2014.  Also, the architect had recently told them if they do plan to do that area, new cost estimates would need to be made.  The generator in the basement has been giving them trouble and after having it checked, it was found that the accumulation of heat in the basement was causing it to run hot.  Therefore, he has put in a larger exhaust fan in the basement to get rid of the heat.

 

Shawn Esterl, Sanitarian with the Salina-Saline County Health Department, presented two quarterly performance reports.  He has visited with the Thomas Township resident who had a complaint about the standing water and his septic system needs to be redone as it does not meet the standards for year-round occupancy.   He updated the Commissioners on the situation with the County and City in regards to the continuation of the combined health departments.  If they cannot come to an agreement, the county will probably go on their own and in that case, some services will no longer be continued.  If Ellsworth and Lincoln counties services are discontinued, the Commissioners talked about the two counties going together to share services.  Mr. Esterl will keep the Commissioners informed.

 

Roger Masse, ECMC Administrator, gave some financial updates and reported that in an informal assessment of 35 hospitals and their cash flow, Ellsworth Medical Center faired very well with an 81 day cash flow.  No decision has been made on concealed carry.  A preliminary fire marshal survey resulted in four citations and corrective action has been taken.  Active recruitment has been put on hold as they are working with present students that are associated with the hospital.  The Health Care Foundation's request for a tax exemption was denied and the attorneys are meeting to discuss an appeal in the allotted time frame.  

 

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, reported that the 1995 Cat motor grader had to have some repairs.  He is sending in a bridge for replacement on the Off-System Bridge Program.  This is an 80/20 program with the county paying 20% of the cost plus engineering.  He estimates the cost of the bridge will be $263,000 of which we will pay 20% plus $89,000 in design and right-of-way expenses.  Presently, we have one bridge on the program and it will be let in December of this year and completed in 2014.  The request being sent in now will not be bid until 2015.  There is money in the special bridge account to cover the expense of both bridges.  The State has a salt truck that is being put up for sale and Mr. Houston has looked at and thinks it would be a good buy.  They are first on the list.  The Commissioners approved the purchase if he has money in his budget to cover the cost.

 

Keith Haberer, Emergency Management Director, reported he had a meeting with the State on Safe & Prepared Schools and is setting up an in-service date with the local schools.  There was an LEPC meeting last week and they are in the process of updating portions of their plan.  He has a meeting with the Fire Chiefs this week and will discuss the burn permits with them.  There is a drought workshop he will be attending and the North Central Regional meeting is tomorrow.  A radiological training will be held here in Ellsworth on August 3^rd & 10^th.  Randy Packard, ECMC, will be teaching this class.

 

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed & Landfill Supervisor, met with the Commissioners to discuss with them the recycling picked up from Wilson City.   Items that were not recyclable were thrown on the ground around the trailer and when all was gone through, they had four bags of items that were unacceptable and in some cases dangerous.  It was suggested that she make an appointment with the Wilson City Council and take some of the items that are being put in and around the trailer and see if they have any suggestions.

 

The Commissioner held a budget worksession where they fine-tuned budget requests.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

There were no new business items.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

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

 

 

__________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk