MINUTES MORTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OCTOBER 25, 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 October 10, 2011 meeting were read and approved as amended on a motion by Bob, seconded by Teresa. Bills were reviewed and approved for payment. Vienna Lee met with the Commissioners and presented a letter of interest and a resume from Daina Iman, DVM Candidate 2015. Ms. Iman is currently attending the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University and is interested in what the County needs and wants in a Veterinarian. The County has also shown interest in pursuing Carrie Davidson; Carrie is also attending Kansas State University and is in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Consensus of the Commissioners was to have Vienna pursue both candidates in the hopes of getting one or both candidates. The Commissioners appointed Commissioner DeGarmo to be the voting delegate at the annual KCAMP meeting. The Commissioners designated the Friday following Thanksgiving, and the Mondays following Christmas and New Years as County holidays. The Commissioners appointed Laurie Simmons to the Housing Authority Board on a motion from Teresa, seconded by Ron. Laurie will fill the position vacated by Bruce Vandervort. Justin Holliday and Shelby Ralstin entered the meeting. Justin stated that they are staying busy in the Law Enforcement Center. Shelby is making preparations for the annual chili/stew dinner put on by LEC for all volunteers on Halloween night. Justin reported that he assisted Elkhart High School in kicking off the Red Ribbon Week activities. He also discussed a recent prisoner picked up from Seward County.
Jennifer Sensley and Vienna Lee met with the Commissioners. Jennifer is on the Public Square Committee and reported the Committee will be hosting a fundraiser on November 5 th. The group has to raise $4500 in this phase of the Public Square program. Jennifer mentioned some of the events taking place during the day and evening; something for everyone. Jennifer also requested approval for the Committee to utilize the Civic Center at no cost or a reduced cost. Motion was made by Teresa, seconded by Ron, to allow the Committee to use the Civic Center at no cost. Kevin Shook entered the meeting and reported the cost of a vinyl gazebo from the Lumber Yard is more expensive than a wood one. Kevin mentioned that the Golf Board would like to have a new scoreboard to be used during tournaments and asked if the insurance reimbursement for the gazebo can be used for the scoreboard. The plaque from the destroyed gazebo would then be placed in the Clubhouse. Following a short discussion consensus of the Commissioners was to have Kevin visit with the Hospital before making a decision since the wooden gazebo was erected in honor of Dr. Belino Iway. Kevin gave a brief report on his educational golf trip to Alabama. He also requested approval to attend the Turf Grass Conference to be held in Topeka December 6-8. Approval was given on a motion by Bob, seconded by Teresa. Kevin presented the Commissioners a copy of the July Golf Advisory Board Minutes. At this time Barry Meyer and Will Frownfelter met the Commissioners and reported that the Fair Board would like to purchase a new limestone sign at a cost of $2000; they already have the funds. A photo of the proposed sign was discussed. The two asked the approval of the Commissioners to place the sign on the Museum grounds where the old sign is located. They will also get approval from the Museum. Following a short discussion motion was made by Bob, seconded by Ron, to approve placing the sign on the Museum grounds. Charley McKinley entered the meeting and presented a copy of his September Road Report. Also presented was a copy of the spec sheet for the Motor Grader. Bids for the grader will be opened on November 21 st at 10:15 a.m. Charley mentioned the Road Department is getting the millings from the Airport project. They still have two piles on the south end of the Airport to pick up.
A discussion took place concerning the need to drill hay or wheat at the Airport to keep the dirt from blowing. Charley requested approval to replace the Road Department s water truck trailer. Approval was given. Gwen Rodriguez met with the Commissioners. Gwen asked Charley if he is having any issues with the uniforms currently being rented from AmeriPride. Gwen stated the contract is up on November 13 th and she is not happy with the service. Charley will check with his staff to see if they are happy with the company. A short discussion took place concerning the possibility of giving those who require uniforms a stipend instead of the department renting the uniforms. No action taken at this time. Gwen distributed information regarding the statutes regulating prairie dogs. Gwen requested approval to attend a meeting regarding this issue. Gwen will attend the meeting on November 7 th either in Dodge City (a.m.) or Garden City (p.m.) Approval was given for her attendance. Gwen reported she visited with Boaldin Electric regarding a new overhead heater for the Chemical Room. No action taken at this time. Gwen also reported she has been looking at metal buildings to replace the current building for the Landfill Site Manger. No action taken at this time. Lisa Thomason met with the Commissioners regarding the Christmas Party. Lisa reported that a majority of the employees want a party. The date of December 1 st was set for the event. A catered prime rib dinner will be served. The Commissioners will also present the service awards to those eligible and candy sacks will be distributed. Lisa said she will need a really good head count for the dinner. The Clerk will send an invitation to the retirees and print the programs. The Supervisors met with the Commissioners for their regular monthly meeting. Present were: Shelby, Larry, Charley, Gwen, Tony, Susie, Kevin, Rhianna, Vicki, Sally. Susie: Doing a lot of editing. Need to do re-inspections on new construction. Gwen: Wind is playing havoc with the trash. They are getting ready to treat wildlife.
Vienna: Every weekend in October had events. Staying busy. The Public Square Committee will be holding a fundraiser on November 5 th at the Civic Center; something for everyone. Vienna reported a DVM candidate has expressed an interest in coming to Morton County. Also reported was that the quilters were at the Civic Center last weekend. This year was probably their best attended. Kevin: Reported on his educational trip to Alabama November 9-12. He got to visit with both chemical and equipment representatives and even got to play a little golf. Larry: October 31 st will be Karen Hutton s last day before she retires. A snack day is planned in the Courthouse Meeting Room. Shelby: Getting ready for the chili and stew feed to be held on Halloween night for all of the volunteers; this is an annual event and Shelby does the cooking. Rhianna: Recently had a lot of great teamwork opportunities with the Hospital. The Health Department has received a lot of positive comments regarding the pink footballs thrown at the Elkhart and Rolla football games. Rhianna reported they have given approximately 650 flu shots so far this year. Also, Larry got the new letters put up on the outside of the building. Vicki: The Clerk got the levies set last week and the Treasurer s Office is in the process of preparing the tax statements now. Tony: EMS has responded to 309 emergency calls so far this year. This number is up just a little bit from their average. On the Emergency Management side of EMS, the State bought some new equipment to be used in preparing identification badges to be used in the event of a disaster. This identification will definitely give accountability to those working the disaster. Tony also discussed the simulated injury implemented to help kick off red ribbon week. Sally: Hired Stephanie Sinclair in Register of Deeds Office. They have been busy. Charley: Road is helping clean up the Airport and trying to blade some of the roads. Have had to keep blow sand off some of the blacktopped roads. Looks like they may have to mow the ditches one more time. Eric: Law Enforcement is keeping him busy.
Mary: The levies have been set and am now working on the Levy Sheet and the November Abstract for PVD. Teresa: Christmas Party will be held December 1 st at the Civic Center. Lisa is chairing that committee and would appreciate everyone s assistance. There is a new wind sock up at the Airport. Had a good group attend the Southwest Kansas Association of Counties (Little KAC.) Ron: Reported on the KLPG meeting he attended and said the Commissioners had a good break-out session at the Little KAC meeting in Liberal. Bob: Informed everyone that Mary Gilmore will be retiring effective January 1, 2012. Rhianna presented the Commissioners a copy of the October Health Department Report. The Commissioners signed the Payroll Form and the Payroll and Accounts Payable Warrant Registers. The Clerk read an email from Jeff Deitering, FAA, regarding proposed projects for 2012. Mary stated that because we could not count on any funding from the FAA at the time we were preparing the 2012 County budget, those projects were put on hold. Jeff asked if the County would want to postpone the design of a new parallel taxiway and taking out the old NDB until 2013. Consensus of the Commissioners was to plan for these projects in 2013, if the FAA provides grant funds. Mary will let Jeff know as well as Chris Flageolle with H. W. Lochner. At this time the Commissioners appointed Tony Hoyt to represent Morton County on the Southwest Kansas Regional Emergency Planning Council for the January 2012 through December 2013 term. A call was placed to Jennifer Sensley, FSA, to see if the ADA work has been completed. All deficiencies are now in compliance. The meeting recessed at noon for lunch. Following lunch the Commissioners and Clerk drove to the Airport. Michelle Munroe, Inspector, gave the Commissioners a brief update on the progress of the project.
Upon returning to the Courthouse the business meeting reconvened at 1:20 p.m. Terry Lawhon, Tom Fuhrmann, Ann Papay, and Susie Lewis met with the Commissioners. This was Tom s first visit with the Commissioners since his accident. Tom described what took place prior to and following his accident and the progress being made every day. He will return to work part-time on Monday, October 31 st. The Commissioners expressed their appreciation to Terry, Tom and Ann for making the trip to Elkhart. It was good visiting with Tom. Larry Simmons entered the meeting and asked what will be expected of him after Karen Hutton leaves. The Commissioners stated they thought Larry would take over those duties. Larry said that he doesn t mind doing the extra work but feels he should receive additional pay. A short discussion took place. Consensus of the Commissioners was to put this item on the next Agenda. No action taken at this time. The Commissioners indicated they and their spouses would attend the Kirkham Michael dinner to be held in conjunction with the Annual KAC meeting in November. The Clerk will notify Kirkham Michael of the number attending. The Clerk reported that Susie Lewis has indicated she has a treadmill and a stair stepper she would donate to the County to be used by employees. A short discussion took place concerning where the equipment could be located. No action taken at this time. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m. on a motion from Bob, seconded by Ron. `