Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
May 31, 2000

The Allen County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. with Chairperson Dick Works, Commissioner Kent Thompson, and Sherrie L. Riebel, County Clerk. Commissioner Jean Barber was absent.

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the May 24, 2000 meeting.

Clerk Riebel reported Saturday morning's storm damaged the motor on the cooling tower. The Community Action building reported damage to their chain link fence. Several other items were reported to the insurance agency by Bill King, Public Works Director.

Clerk Riebel set June 19, 2000 to be the date for 2001 budgets to be in her office.

Bill King, Public Works Director, reported on an accident with a farm implement and a county vehicle. No one was hurt but there is down time waiting on an insurance adjuster and repairs.

Bill presented pictures of the new track hoe, delivered on May 25, 2000.

Bill discussed permanent positions open in Public Works. The landfill position is currently open, two current seasonal workers have applied. Special Bridge currently has one position open, three current seasonal workers applied. Commissioners approved the high scoring individuals to be hired full time. After moving the seasonal employees to full time positions this opens up positions for seasonal workers.

Bill reported the Mildred clean up project is completed. The state will review the site in a few days. No money has been received from the state, but Bill will discuss payment with the contact person in Topeka.

Bill reported the dust abatement applications should be completed by next week.

Bill discussed the Bobcat at the landfill. The current machine has a low volume hydraulic system, and a high pressure system would work better with the attachments needed.

Bill discussed tanks placed on the county right of way. Kendall Ashford will review the right of way for the county.

Bill explained some proposed road projects for this summer. Discussion followed on several different roads.

Commissioners discussed the progress of mowing around the county.

Sandra Drake, Allen County Appraiser, discussed budgeting in 2001 for a GIS mapping department. Commissioners discussed what all is entailed in creating the department and the benefits. The use of the GIS would benefit not only the appraisers office but Public Works, Clerk's office and Election mapping. Discussion followed on taking a person out of the appraisers office and what it would do in the coverage of the appraiser's office during lunch hours.

Bill discussed that the chip sealing process will be starting on county roads in the next few weeks. Discussion centered on which roads might need sealing. The roads proposed last winter will remain the same.

Jim Weseloh, Sewer District #2 maintenance operator, discussed the cleaning work needed on the lines in Sewer District #2. He explained the process and discussed the lines themselves. Certified letters explaining what will be done are being mailed to landowners and tenants. The letter explains what the landowner or tenant must do before the work is started on August 21, 2000.

Jim discussed Sewer District #1 lagoons east of Iola. The lagoon is currently rated at 9.4 and it should be at 7.0. Discussion centered on the possibility of dredging and conducting a sludge judge on the lagoons. The service to sludge judge will not cost the county any monies, it is a free service from the state. If the lagoons have to be drained, there is hope that a farmer will want it to be land applied which would not require a permit.

Marty Taylor, L.E.P.P. Coordinator/ Zoning Administrator, discussed the responsibilities of: L.E.P.P. Coordinator, 1. to continue to maintain and enforce the Allen & Woodson Counties Sanitary Code, 2. carry out the actions given by KDHE in assisting with the State Water Plan, 3. continue to assist the ASC office in providing NPS grants, 4. maintain a working balance between regulation and reason. The current 2001 budget is $18,519.00, salary is $16, 000.00, and office supplies, equipment, fees $2,519.00. The responsibility of a GIS Coordinator being, 1. Develop and implement a department plan for taking over all mapping duties, 2. maintain and advance the digital mapping for Allen County, 3. coordinate GIS and GPS needs throughout the Courthouse. The proposed budget is $12,500.00. This would include a salary of $7,488.00 (12 hrs/wk @ $12/hr) and start up equipment of $5,012.00. Discussion followed on the pros and cons of a new department. Schedules were discussed of one person doing both jobs, being juggled back and forth. Commissioners approved the creation of a GIS department, the budget for GIS will lower the appraisers budget for 2001.

Bryan Murphy, Allen County Undersheriff, presented the RFP for Architects for a new or remodeled jail. He requested the Commissioners narrow down the choice to three architects for the proposed jail. These three will be presented to the jail committee at their next meeting on June 22, 2000

Ron Moore, Allen County Sheriff, requested to carry over vacation for Phil McVey, Jailer, George Brown, Deputy and David Beck, E.P.C./Transport/Jailor. Commissioners approved the carryover providing the vacation is used within a six month period.

Darrel Baughn, Iola Rural Fire Department, and Mike Hedman discussed work comp insurance on volunteers being mandated by the state. Mr. Baughn explained the problems since they are not compensated for their service. Commissioner Thompson will contact the state, requesting a reason this insurance is needed by a strictly volunteer organization.

Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, discussed the request for liquor by the drink to be voted on within Allen County. The statues were reviewed and time frames discussed.

Commissioner Thompson moved to provide electric outlet pedestals on the south part of the courthouse square with the cost not to exceed $5,000.00. The City of Iola will provide the labor and the County will provide the materials. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 2-0-0.

Commissioners discussed the proposed letter to Sewer District #2, requesting Alan to review and approve the letter.

Commissioners discussed with Alan Weber the 10 day extension of the Womack lawsuit against Allen County.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Clerk's vouchers totaling $

b) Clerk's Journal Entries #

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until June 7, 2000, at 8:30 a.m. in the commission room of the courthouse.

Please remember, minutes are unofficial until approved by the commissioners' at their next meeting.