ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE GEARY COUNTY COMMISSION MINUTES January 7, Commissioners Present: Florence Whitebread, Larry Hicks and Ben Bennett

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1 ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE GEARY COUNTY COMMISSION MINUTES January 7, 2013 Commissioners Present: Florence Whitebread, Larry Hicks and Ben Bennett Chairman Whitebread called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Chairman Whitebread discussed the following: Stated that the commission needs to make appointments to the EDC Board. Commissioner Hicks moved to make the following appointments to the EDC Advisory Committee: Curtis Self for a 1-year term; Gery Schoenrock for a 2-year term and Rhonda Sharp for a 3-year term. Commissioner Bennett seconded and all voted aye. Stated that an appointment needs to be made to the PBC. There was a general discussion regarding possible appointments. Sheriff Jensen and Sheriff-Elect Tony Wolf presented the weekly report: Reported there are 97 prisoners in our detention center today and the high for last week was 100. Announced that extraditions for the month of December cost $8, and year to date $87, has been spent out of the $110,000 that was budgeted. This line item is $22, under budget. Reported that the final KA-COMM bill amounts to $74, and completes the narrow band frequency update that was required by the federal government. Sheriff Jensen reviewed the multi-year project and noted that he also paid to replace the radios in the Public Works Department. Sherriff Jensen and Sheriff-Elect Wolf left the meeting. Steve Opat, County Attorney/Counselor, arrived at the meeting. Lisa Eickholt, Human Resources, presented the weekly report: Requested an executive session. At 10:11; Commissioner Hicks moved for a 10 minute executive session, to end at 10:21, to discuss non-elected personnel with Mr. Opat and Mrs. Eickholt. Commissioner Bennett seconded and all voted aye. The meeting resumed at 10:21 with no action taken. Mr. Opat left the meeting. Reviewed a draft of the pay study from Austin Peters. Garry Berges, Rural Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director, arrived at the meeting. Mrs. Eickholt continued the discussion regarding the pay study. She noted that there are funds in the budget, but an additional $5,000-$6,000 may be needed. She noted that David Yearout, Planning and Zoning Administrator, is requesting an intern and that there are not enough funds in his budget for the regular salaries. She stated she believes this is due to overtime being used rather than comp time and that Mr. Yearout needs to review his budget more carefully in the future. Mrs. Eickholt left the meeting. Mr. Berges presented the monthly report: Presented the 2012 end of the year statistics for fire calls. He noted that calls were higher than He stated that grass and brush fires were significantly higher than 2011 which he attributed to the drought. Reviewed a breakdown of fire calls, by month, since 2000.

2 Minutes Page 2 Presented the listing of the rural fire board members, with the exception of Jackson Township which he expects to receive later this week. Commissioner Hicks moved to accept the Rural Fire Board members as presented. Commissioner Bennett seconded and all voted aye. Announced that four volunteers will attend firefighting training at K-State. Reviewed the status of the equipment for sale on Purple Wave Auction. Reported that several water leaks were discovered in their building as the snow has melted. He and Mr. Cox will determine the best solution and present options at a future meeting. Stated that USD 475 has asked that he serve on their Crisis Committee as a result of the shooting incident at the school in Connecticut. Reported that we received a grant from KCAMP which was used to purchase CPR equipment. The Department Head meeting began at 11:08 with the following present: Shirley Ehrlich, Appraiser; Connie Hall, Convention and Visitors Bureau; Rebecca Bossemeyer, County Clerk; Meredith Butler, Director of Community Corrections; Audie Magana, Court Trustee; Alice Adams, District Court Clerk; Garry Berges, Rural Fire Chief/Emergency Management; Chuck Otte, Extension; Pat Hunter, Health Department; Lisa Eickholt, Human Resources; Dennis Cox, Public Works Administrator; Diane Briestensky-Leonard, Register of Deeds; Jim Jensen, Sheriff; and Tony Wolf, Sheriff-Elect. Department Heads absent: Lisa Junghans, Animal Shelter Director; Steve Opat, County Attorney David Yearout, Planning and Zoning; and Kathy Tremont, Treasurer Chairman Whitebread discussed the following: Announced that sales tax for November was $38,000 below last year. She expressed concern about the possibility this is a trend and cautioned everyone to be careful with spending until we are able to better track the figures. She also expressed concern about businesses that have been closing and the impact of decisions being made at the federal level. Commissioner Hicks discussed the following: Stressed the importance of watching finances as directed by Chairman Whitebread. He also expressed concern regarding the impact of the Governor s proposals and changes that may come about due to actions by the State of Kansas. Commissioner Bennett discussed the following: Encouraged everyone to continue to work together to meet challenges as we have in the past. Stated that the commission is spending a lot of time on the MPO and that the consolidation of the Chamber remains a work in progress. Mrs. Briestensky Leonard discussed the following: Presented a report showing the comparison of document filings for the past several years. Reviewed the technology fees collected in Stated that the City of Junction City continues to bring hundreds of weed liens at one time which led to overtime in her office. She noted she will discuss the matter with the City Manager.

3 Minutes Page 3 Mr. Cox thanked everyone that has helped with snow and ice removal at the county facilities. He also distributed invitations for Denard Saunders retirement reception on January 18 from 3:00-4:30. Ms. Hunter discussed the reduction of funding from the state due to the fact the city has reduced their funding to the Health Department. She noted they were aware of this and believes they have prepared for the reduction. Mrs. Adams reported that last week they received the first electronic traffic tickets. She stated that credit card payments are going very well. She also stated they have a position to fill. Mrs. Butler discussed the following: Thanked the commission for the new carpet. Reviewed the positions that are open in her department. Announced their new car was received today and it replaces a 2003 model. Stated they are starting a wellness challenge which will last for 12 weeks. Sheriff Jensen stated it has been a tremendous honor to work with everyone and thanked everyone for their help over the years. He stated he will miss everyone. Chairman Whitebread reminded everyone to attend his retirement reception. Mrs. Hall discussed the following: Stated the move went well and invited everyone to visit their new offices. Announced a new catering manager has been hired at the Marriott. Reported they provided information at the Manhattan Bridal Fair. Reviewed the status of moving the sign from the old location to the new one. Reviewed the various shows that they will attend to promote Geary County. Ms. Ehrlich discussed the following: Inquired if any other departments are having problems with Verizon cell phone bills. No one else has had a problem. Reported they are working on inventories and employee evaluations. Noted that PVD ranked the Geary County Appraiser s Office #7 on sales ratio and that we are at 99%. Mrs. Eickholt discussed the following: Reminded everyone that employee evaluations need to be completed. Asked everyone to provide her with each employee s end of year leave balances as of December 24. Stated the commission budgeted for a 2% increase for each employee. She stated they are continuing to work on the pay study and so some positions will receive additional pay. She noted she expects the letters to go out to employees after the commission meeting next week. She stated she will talk with each department head this week regarding changes in their offices. Mr. Otte noted that last Friday was Deb Wood s last day. He stated they will fill the position and expect to interview in late February. He also noted that Walk Kansas will start in March and information will be forthcoming.

4 Minutes Page 4 Clerk Bossemeyer stated that her office has begun preparing for city/school elections. Sheriff-Elect Wolf asked that everyone give him latitude as he has a lot to learn and looks forward to working with everyone. The department head meeting ended at 11:42. The group left the meeting. The meeting recessed for lunch from 12:00-1:15 p.m. Dennis Cox, Public Works Administrator and Curtis Van Nahmen, Road and Bridge Supervisor, presented the weekly report: Opened bids for 2013 signage materials as follows: o National Sign Company $22, o Barco Municipal Products Inc. No bid received o Newman Traffic Signs $24, o The bids will be reviewed and a recommendation made next week. Presented various documents that needed to be signed regarding the Clark s Creek Bridge Project. He noted they began work on December 26 and they are pouring footings today. The commission signed the documents. He stated there will not be any disruption to the residents in the area. Presented a request and petition from Rural Water District #1 for a new home on Percy Road. Commissioner Bennett moved to grant the request and petition. Provided a copy of a letter from Governor Brownback regarding water conservation due to the drought. He noted we received this letter due to Water District #2 and #3. Mr. Cox noted that all of our plans are current and he does not believe we have any issues at this time. Noted that the carpet has been completed in the Pennell Building. He noted that we will now need to consider Phase 2. Debra Johnston, citizen, arrived at the meeting. Mr. Cox continued: Reported on an accident that one of our dump trucks was involved in last week. The accident was not the fault of our driver and the other driver was issued a citation. He stated that no one was injured. He stated the truck will be looked at this afternoon to determine the amount of the damage. Mr. Cox and Mr. Van Nahmen left the meeting. Ms. Johnston stated that she has been asked to confirm whether a credit card from the county is being misused for personal usage, what the protocol is and how many times a credit card can be misused before it is taken away from the person. Clerk Bossemeyer provided an open records request form. Ms. Johnston discussed the fact Burnham s Liquor Store is moving to Grandview Plaza because Dillon s is expanding into their current space. She also discussed the pending legislation to allow grocery and convenience stores to sell hard liquor. She expressed concern about Junction City losing more businesses. Ms. Johnston left the meeting. David Yearout, Planning and Zoning Administrator, cancelled his appointment due to illness.

5 Minutes Page 5 Commissioner Bennett moved to appoint Beth Mathis to the Public Building Commission for a three year term, which will expire December 31, Commissioner Hicks seconded and all voted aye. She succeeds Patty Maycroft who declined a second term. Cecil Aska, Court Administrator, discussed the following: Stated that district wide they have increased security through a badge entry system. Noted that the Judicial Administrator s Office is also bringing the courthouse security issue back up again and expects that they will ask for some improvements in the 2014 and 2015 budgets. Stated that Court Services and Community Corrections may try to re-allocate some funds for improved security measures. Stated that the Court Trustee s Office also has plans to provide funds for security. Reported that he will also be meeting with Sheriff-Elect Wolf to determine his plans for the future. Commissioner Hicks inquired if there were any specific issues he anticipated bringing forward. Mr. Aska stated he will be meeting with each sheriff in the four counties in the 8 th Judicial District to determine their ideas and what may be consistent, practicable and affordable in each county. Mr. Aska left the meeting Mr. Opat returned to the meeting and presented the most recent MPO documents. There was a general discussion about the agreement. Mr. Opat left the meeting. Rebecca Bossemeyer, County Clerk, discussed the following: Stated that the swearing in ceremony has typically been held at noon and the re-organization of the commission at 2:00 and inquired if that is the schedule the commission wanted to continue. They determined that it is and directed Clerk Bossemeyer to make the necessary changes to the agenda. Presented Commission Change Orders. Commissioner Bennett moved to approve Commission Change Orders through and The press conference was held. Clerk Bossemeyer presented additional Commission Change Orders. Commissioner Bennett moved to approve Commission Change Orders through There being no further business to come before the board of county commissioners, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.