MINUTES MORTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FEBRUARY 14, Bob called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. with open doors.

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1 MINUTES MORTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FEBRUARY 14, 2011 Bob called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. with open doors. Present: Bob Boaldin, Chairman; Ron DeGarmo, Vice-Chairman; Teresa Harder, Commissioner; Eric Witcher, County Attorney; Mary Gilmore, County Clerk The Agenda was reviewed and approved with additions. Minutes of the January 24, 2011 meeting were read and approved as amended on a motion by Ron, seconded by Bob. Bills were reviewed and approved for payment. Five digital cameras were approved to be purchased for the law enforcement vehicles to be paid out of the Diversion Fund. Commissioner Harder was given approval to pursue acquisition of a gift or grant for an AED for the Courthouse. Bob said he could also contact the EMS Board and see if anything is available to help with this item. Motion was made by Ron, seconded by Bob, to approve the previously signed Road Petition from Teeter Irrigation. The Clerk mentioned that the free no-smoking signs that were received, although vinyl, have to be taped to the windows. Following a short discussion motion was made by Teresa, seconded by Bob, to order adhesive signs. Carrie Williams entered the meeting and requested consideration to make 300 colored copies of the 150 Years of Kansas brochure on a county color copier. Approval was given; consensus of the Commissioners was to use the copier at the Civic Center. Bob also mentioned that Epic Touch has a color copier that can be used if they need more copies. Carrie thanked the Commissioners for this donation. The 2010 Inventories of County Departments were reviewed per Kansas Statute. These are kept on file in the County Clerk s Office. Bob reviewed the PSAP information he had received regarding Senate Bill 50 and the difference in the amount each county would receive.

2 The Clerk presented information regarding the new Dollar General Charged Sales Program for its not-for-profit and governmental customers. Following a discussion consensus of the Commissioners was to approve participation in this program. Alejandra Juarez, BCBS Group Consultant, entered the meeting at the Commissioners request. Alejandra was asked to investigate Morton County s Retiree s Health Insurance Policy and attempt to determine how the County can save money on our insurance package. Numerous questions came from the discussion and Alejandra said she hopes to have some information for the Commissioners Friday. She has no preliminary figures at this time for the Commissioners regarding the insurance premiums for the policy that will be in place June 1 st. The Commissioners signed the Payroll and Accounts Payable Warrant Registers; the Added/Abated Orders; the amended Smoke-Free Policy for the new Handbook; the Payroll Form; and the paychecks. Bob presented the NG9-1-1 Pilot Budgetary Cost Estimates. An attempt is being made for all calls to be sent to networks or central routers instead of the local emergency dispatcher for the county. Bob continues to attend meetings, testify in an attempt to keep the local dispatchers as the County s primary contact; and monitor what is taking place. A discussion took place concerning upcoming legislative bills and their impact on the counties. The Commissioners reviewed some of the funding cuts to Community Mental Health Centers that the Governor is proposing. If these cuts were to be approved, those in need of crisis emergency services would probably show up at hospital emergency rooms, jails, or end up in inpatient care. The beneficiaries of these services are the uninsured and underinsured of Kansas. These eliminations will drive up expenditures of the State. At this time KLPG has been asked to communicate with the Senators to advocate for the importance of restoring funding for the State Aid and Family Centered System of Care. Bob and Ron mentioned they will be attending the KLPG Day at the Capitol to be held on February 16 th in Topeka. Eric is still working on getting the land concern at the Airport cleared up. The meeting recessed at noon for lunch and reconvened at 1:00 p.m.

3 Charley McKinley met with the Commissioners and presented his January 2011 Road Report. Charley reported the Purple Wave auction went very well. Items sold for a lot more than he ever thought they would. Since Morton County is a government entity, Purple Wave did not charge the County a percentage of what the items sold for; the buyer was charged, but no one complained. The Commissioners asked Charley if he thought he could have his crew tear down an old building at the Fair Grounds; a cinder block building. Charley said they could tear down the building and possibly crush the blocks and use the product somewhere. A discussion took place concerning putting some crushed rock around the area at the Health Department where Larry tore out the overgrown shrubbery. No action. Charley stated he would be attending the Southwest Kansas Highway Officials Association s annual meeting in Garden City on February 17 th. Teresa said she would plan to attend the meeting since Bob and Ron will be in Topeka. Gwen Rodriguez entered the meeting. Gwen presented her monthly Landfill/Weed Department Report for the Commissioners review. She also presented a copy of the agenda for the upcoming Annual Kansas Weed Conference to be held February 28 th through March 3 rd in Topeka. Gwen reported that the Landfill had an inspection recently and everything was good. The Commissioners then signed the Annual Noxious Weed Eradication Progress Report Gwen mentioned that she would be contacting Texas County Noxious Weed Department because a landowner across the Oklahoma state line has some Muskthistle that is coming across in Kansas. The landowner told Gwen that in Oklahoma they don t have to treat the weed, but Gwen said she did some checking and they DO have to treat it. At this time members of the Fair Board entered the meeting. Present were Cassie Coen, Laura Bookstore, Barry Myers and Patrick Overpeck. The group reported the Fair Board is considering tearing down an old cinder block building at the Fairgrounds and asked if the County might consider tearing it down for them. Currently there is water, and electricity in the

4 building; there is a gas line outside the building but nothing inside the building has gas. The Commissioners said they had already visited with Charley McKinley and Charley said that as soon as the building is ready to be torn down to let him know. The Commissioners suggested the Fair Board go ahead and get the water and electricity taken care of in the event Charley gets a couple of days when he can work the job in. Kevin Shook met with the Commissioners and asked if he should order the fencing to go around the Airport property near the t-hangars. The Commissioners gave the go ahead to purchase the materials. Kevin said he will re-measure the area. He will have his part-time employees available to help build the fence over their spring break. Kevin reported that USD 218 has asked if the May 16 th High School Regional Golf Tournament could be held at the Point Rock Golf Course. The Commissioners are always excited when events like this are held in Morton County and gave their approval for the tournament. Kevin reported there has been more vandalism at the golf course. It appears there were two vehicles that drove over the driving range tee box and did spin outs. He has visited with the Sheriff and they will patrol the area more often. Justin Holliday and Shelby Ralstin met with the Commissioners. Justin reported he was very pleased with the amount received for the two vehicles sold on Purple Wave. Justin also reported he has accepted the immediate resignation of David Cole, County Deputy, so he is short staffed right now. He has started advertising the position. Justin said the new phone card phone system in the jail is doing better than he thought it would. Justin mentioned they have to change out a lot of light bulbs in LEC because they are burning out quickly. The Commissioners approved Justin to contact Kent Boaldin to check out the electrical system in the department. Vienna Lee entered the meeting and presented Resolution No (A Resolution of Support of the County Strategic Plan and Requesting That the Secretary of Commerce & Housing Designate the County of Morton as a Non-Metropolitan Region.) The County Attorney reviewed the Resolution and gave his approval. The Resolution was then signed on a motion by Bob, seconded by Ron.

5 Vienna reported the Strategic Planning meeting (30 people) went very well. Another meeting is planned for Thursday, February 17 th to prioritize items. Also, Terry Woodbury will meet with the Town Square Committee on March 3 rd. Vienna encouraged the Commissioners to attend this meeting. Vienna presented the Commissioners a copy of the February 2011 calendar of events at the Civic Center. February is really starting to fill up. Vienna stated that things are running very smoothly at the Civic Center and the staff works well together. The Commissioners reviewed an from Susie Lewis regarding the underground gas storage. The Court of Tax Appeals has ruled in favor of taxation. The companies are asking for re-hearings; appeals are settled at COTA only. Property Valuation says it will most likely be fall of 2012 before anything is settled. The cases could go as far as the Supreme Court or Federal Court for a decision. At this time the Commissioners asked Larry Simmons to come to the meeting to discuss his job description. Karen Hutton has indicated she may be retiring the end of this year and they do not plan to replace her. A lengthy discussion took place. The Commissioners asked Larry to write down everything he does each day and also what Karen does. This information will be evaluated at a later date. There being no further business the meeting adjourned on a motion by Ron, seconded by Bob.