ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE GEARY COUNTY COMMISSION MINUTES November 22, Commissioners Present: Ben Bennett, Larry Hicks and Florence Whitebread

Transcription

1 ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE GEARY COUNTY COMMISSION MINUTES November 22, 2010 Commissioners Present: Ben Bennett, Larry Hicks and Florence Whitebread Chairman Whitebread called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Rebecca Bossemeyer, County Clerk, presented the minutes from November 8. Commissioner Bennett moved to approve the minutes. Commissioner Hicks seconded and all voted aye. The commissioners held their review and update: Chairman Whitebread: Reported that Community Corrections will use unexpended funds for the purchase of three cars and Dick Edwards was awarded the low bid. Sheriff Jensen and Undersheriff Roman presented the weekly report: Reported there are 99 prisoners in our detention center, with 113 being the highest. Announced that the testing and interviews for the lieutenant position in the jail were held last week. He stated that all four sergeants applied and they were within 10 points of each other. He stated that Cathy Ballard will be promoted. Reported that a meeting was held regarding the federally required radio band width changes by He stated he expects our cost to be around $250,000. The biggest expense will be for three new repeaters and they are years old. The estimated cost is $13,000 each. He will also have to replace all portable radios and the radios in three patrol cars. He has begun the upgrade as new cars are purchased. He hopes to make some additional purchases this year. The bid for the 911 center will be received later this year. It is expected to cost around $250,000 and will come from the 911 funds, which should be sufficient. It is anticipated that it will come online sometime next year. Discussed this year s budget and stated he expects to have $600,000 to carryover. This is largely due to salary savings by leaving positions vacant longer. Chairman Whitebread inquired about the food service. Sheriff Jensen stated that Joan Rairdon will be promoted later this week. He reviewed items in the kitchen that have had to be replaced and/or repaired recently. He also reviewed the bulk food purchases they are now able to make. He discussed the items he provides to the Juvenile Detention Center and stated that he may have to ask them to start purchasing some of their own food items such as the snacks and juice. Invited the commission to the Promotion Ceremony on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. Reported he met with Brandon Hughes, Harbin Construction, about putting a roof over the area where the inmates/staff walk from the jail to the courthouse. Mr. Hughes will talk to an engineer due to some drainage issues. He reviewed the various non-tax funds that would be available to pay for the project. He discussed having the funds encumbered, as it may be next year before the work can be done. Sheriff Jensen and Undersheriff Roman left the meeting. Lisa Eickholt, Human Resources, presented the weekly report: Reviewed the open positions, including the IT person in the 8 TH Judicial District. Reported that the Sexual Harassment training began this morning. Stated that she will be working on a policy for reserve deputies. Announced that there will be a department head meeting tomorrow to discuss the evaluation tools and process. She reviewed the reasons that employees have been

2 Minutes Page 2 terminated over the past three years. They were all behavior aspects with the exception of two. There was a general discussion regarding surveys, discipline, and morale of employees. Mrs. Eickholt left the meeting. Lisa Davies, Sanitarian, presented the monthly report: Reviewed inspections: 2 real estate; 4 final septic (1 corrective action needed) and 3 interim; 12 water tests, and 2 well permits. Reviewed complaints: 1016 W 12 th and property in the City of Milford with the possum problem. She has an inspection scheduled with the property owner to be sure that all items are repaired before it is rented again. Announced that the grant payment for the Clean Water Neighbor Grant was received on November 17. She has begun work on the maps and will work on this project over the winter. Reported that Cloud and Marshall Counties codes are in the final stages of review with KDHE. Stated that the school environmental inspections have begun. Five were done last week and the rest will be done next week. Announced she is working on end of the year reports. Chairman Whitebread inquired about the piles of trash at the Super 8 Motel. Mrs. Davies will look into it. Mrs. Davies left the meeting. Steve Hall, citizen, arrived at the meeting. Connie Hall, Convention and Visitors Bureau, presented the monthly report: Reported the Visitor s Guide is at the printer. The Chamber of Commerce also participated in it, as they did last year. Reviewed the activities that are happening during the Outdoor Writers of Kansas Conference which is here this week. Reviewed the fund balance as of 12/31/2009 as prepared by Pottberg, et al and noted they balance with the Clerk s Office. Presented the convention/tours/shows calendar for 2010 and 2011 and noted the additions since the last meeting. Reviewed the following year to date totals: o Information packets sent 36,218 o Office visits 485 o Conventions 60 o Tours 25 o Shows 24 Presented the yearend report that was presented at their last board meeting and noted the following: o Reviewed the list of group tours that they conducted. o Reviewed the list of conventions, meetings and reunions they assisted with. o Reviewed the list of marketing grants they provided. Denise Ott, MAC, arrived at the meeting. Continued review of the yearend report: o Reviewed their community involvement activities.

3 Minutes Page 3 Ailleen Cray, Executive Director United Way, arrived at the meeting. Continued review of the yearend report: o Presented the social media network statistics Facebook 354 Flickr 9,394 Twitter 81 YouTube 42 videos on line with 210,349 video viewers o Noted the achievement of wining Telly Awards. o Reviewed the media calendar of events. o Reviewed publications: Area Guide distributed 28,027 in person and an additional 8,676 were mailed or put in meeting packets. Post Cards a new series was created featuring Junction City, Fort Riley and Milford Lake attractions. Pocket Guides - were updated. Rack Card a new one was developed which features events and attractions. Nature Activity Guide new brochure was developed for hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing and exploring. It also features a detailed map with pathfinders for nine locations. o Announced that for the third year in a row, Junction City was named as one of the Top 200 Towns to Live in America for Anglers and Hunters by Outdoor Life Magazine. o Reported that visitation at Milford State Park was 92,090 even though some of the campgrounds were severely affected by high water. o Reviewed the fund raising effort they led to raise funds for the Opera House with the Alley Cats show. Read a statement on the proposed consolidation of the MAC, EDC, CVB, and Chamber (see attached). Linda Couch, United Way Board member, arrived at the meeting. Continued reading her statement. Presented and read statements on the proposed consolidation of the MAC, EDC, CVB, and Chamber from Rick Dykstra (see attached). Retired Sergeant Major George Terry arrived at the meeting. Presented and read a statement on the proposed consolidation of the MAC, EDC, CVB, and Chamber from Dottie Kell (see attached). Stated that she put her trust in the county commission and would like guidance since they are a county department. Commissioner Bennett stated he understood their concern and the committee was to put forward the plan and then review all issues. It will be up to the two commissions and chamber board to make a determination about proceeding. The formal presentation of the plan will be made at the joint city/county meeting today. He

4 Minutes Page 4 stated the document was made available to the public last Friday. It is not final and will be reviewed and discussed and the points that she has made will be considered. Chairman Whitebread stated she was concerned about the lack of any mention of the funding. Commissioner Bennett stated the committee is reviewing funding options and the commission will have the ability to vote on the matter. Reported that at the request of the CVB Board, Calvin Pottberg is reviewing the 2011 budget to see if funds can be re-couped for use in the television media buy. Chairman Whitebread stated that she is concerned about the funding once the convention center in Manhattan is opened and it will draw business away from Geary County. Announced they will attend the EDC meeting to provide information about the possibility of a casino. The following left the meeting: Mr. and Mrs. Hall, Sergeant Major Terry and Mrs. Ott. Ms. Cray stated that the United Way was interested in the office space at the Annex Building. She stated she was provided a tour of the space by Mr. Van Nahmen and Clerk Bossemeyer. She stated that cleaning, painting and some sheet rock repair will need to be done. She inquired if the county had done the necessary research to determine if they can indeed have the space. Chairman Whitebread stated they were waiting to hear from the United Way if they were in fact interested. Ms. Cray stated they needed to know about rent, etc. so they can budget appropriately. She noted that Central National Bank has notified them of their plans for their current space and will work with them to give them time to find a location. Chairman Whitebread stated the county needs to make contacts with the insurance company and Mr. Opat. Ms. Cray stated another criteria is they must have a locked door. Chairman Whitebread stated they will discuss the matter with Mr. Cox. Ms. Cray asked that she be made aware of what is found out and the time line. Chairman Whitebread inquired about the donations from the federal service campaign. Ms. Cray reviewed the way this issue is now handled. Ms. Cray and Ms. Couch left the meeting. The meeting recessed for lunch from 12:00 to 1:15. Dennis Cox, Public Works Administrator, presented the weekly report: Presented the preliminary report from Kaw Valley on the Goff Addition for creation of a lateral sewer district within Sewer District No. 4. He reviewed maps, options and noted the cost increase. The commission agreed that all parties need to get back together to review the options and the owners of the property can determine which way they would prefer to proceed. Announced that the annual landfill inspection went well. He is still waiting on the testing from the State of Kansas on the ground water. Presented request and petitions: o Sprint on Burly Hill Road for direct bore. Eldon Hoyle, citizen, arrived at the meeting. Mr. Cox continued: Continued request and petition: o Commissioner Hicks moved to approve the request and petition from Sprint as presented. Commissioner Bennett seconded and all voted aye. o Reported on one he approved while the commission was at KAC. It was for Carlyon and Sons for directional bore at the Todd Erichsen property.

5 Minutes Page 5 Discussed a request from the Head Start program to bring two classes to his department to see the large trucks. He stated we provided this service last year. The commission agreed to the request. Reviewed the status of the roads due to the recent rains. They have had to haul all of the rock in the stockpile and are working aggressively to repair the roads. Chairman Whitebread inquired what happened to the rock from the pipeline company. Mr. Cox stated he has contacted Ms. Schulte and is waiting for an answer. It is possible the City of Junction City may use it. Mr. Hoyle stated it was something he would also look into. Commissioner Hicks informed him of the visit from the United Way about the possibility of the county providing office space for them. Chairman Whitebread stated the commission needs to discuss the matter with Mr. Opat and to also contact KCAMP. Mr. Cox will look at the building and determine a timeline. Clerk Bossemeyer was directed to contact KCAMP. Mr. Cox left the meeting. Mr. Hoyle discussed the following: Thanked the commission for appointing him to the EDC Board. Stated he is very concerned about the proposed consolidation plan of the EDC, CVB, MAC and Chamber. He stated that even though he is on the EDC board, he knew nothing of the plan until last Friday. He expressed concern about the additional costs of the salaries, constructing a building to house all the agencies, and co-mingling of public/private funds. He stated the missions of the organizations are different. He reviewed the work the EDC has done and that things are going well. He stated he doesn t see how money will be saved and is very concerned about turning over the three government organizations to the chamber which has not been stable over time. There was a general discussion about a rumor the City of Junction will declare bankruptcy. There was a general discussion about no fund warrants. Mr. Hoyle left the meeting. Rebecca Bossemeyer, County Clerk, discussed the following: Announced that the ballots from November 2008 and April 2009 were destroyed last week and weighed 300 pounds. The destruction was witnessed by Twila Kauffman, Democrat and Curtis Van Nahmen, Republican. Recommended the following changes to commission meeting dates in 2011 due to KAC activities: o Adjourn early on January 18 to attend KAC Legislative Day. o Approval of vouchers on November 7 due to KAC Annual Meeting November The commission agreed to the changes. Presented updated financial information and noted the following: o Columns were added for the 2010 and 2011 carryover. o Noted the higher than budgeted delinquency rate has come down slightly to 1.92% additional required reduction. o Noted that Treasurer Tremont distributed full funding to several agencies, which will mean they will not have the required carryover and that the commission will need to improve communication for next year. o Reviewed general fund receipts comparing budget to actual amount received. She noted that while sales tax is higher than budgeted; interest on idle funds is

6 Minutes Page 6 considerably less than budgeted. She stated that if sales tax remains at current levels, it appears it will offset this shortage. o Reviewed the Road and Bridge fund receipts of city/county highway funds and noted they are over budget. o Recommended that the commission again communicate with the departments that expenditures must be limited so that we will not go over budget or cash and that there be the required carryover for The commission directed Clerk Bossemeyer to draft a letter for their signatures to the Department Heads. Presented Commission Change Orders. Steve Opat, County Attorney/Counselor, discussed the following: Reported that subpoenas went out on the tax issue and the hearing will be in mid- December. Announced that the Grandview Plaza Attorney had contacted him about the book-in fee Sheriff Jensen is charging. He told the attorney to contact the Sheriff directly. Chairman Whitebread stated the Sheriff informed them of the issue and a letter is being prepared. Stated he has discussed the food/lodging inspections with Pat Hunter, Health Department. Reviewed the status of unemployment claims. Announced that Lloyd Graham, Assistant County Counselor and Kathy Tremont, Treasurer, have discussed plans for the next tax sale. Chairman Whitebread inquired if he had reviewed the busing contract. Mr. Opat stated he had and is waiting to discuss the issue with Riley County. Chairman Whitebread informed him of United Way s interest in some office space in the Annex Building and inquired if there are any legal issues. She informed him that Clerk Bossemeyer has been directed to contact KCAMP. Mr. Opat left the meeting. Commissioner Bennett moved to approve the following change orders through ; through ; through ; through ; through ; through ; through ; ; through ; through ; ; ; through Commissioner Hicks seconded and all voted aye. The press conference was held. There being no further business to come before the board of county commissioners, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.