Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
February 19, 2002

The Allen County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. with Commissioner Kent Thompson, Commissioner Dick Works, and Sherrie L. Riebel, County Clerk. Chairperson Walt Regehr was absent due to in-service at the college.

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the February 12, 2002 regular meeting and February 14, 2002 special meeting.

Robbie Atkins, Allen County Sheriff, discussed the special meeting with Shaughnessey Fickel & Scott Architects. Commissioners have not heard from the architects.

Sheriff Atkins discussed a few bids received for vehicles, but he is still collecting a few more bids.

Sheriff Atkins thanked Bill King, Public Works Director, for help on welding mesh on the jail cell windows.

Bill King, Public Works Director, and David Austin, Seller Tractor representative, presented bids for the Boom Mower tractor. Bids were received from Sellers Tractor for 2002 John Deere 6420 Tiger 50" for $68,333.00 one year warranty on mower, two on tractor, 45-60 day delivery and a 2001 John Deere 6410 Tiger 50" for $63,127.00 one year warranty on mower, two on tractor, immediate delivery date, demo machine with approximately 300 hours and Martin Tractor, 2002 John Deere 6420 Alamo 21" Machete for $79,410.00, two year warranty on mower, two year/2000 hours on tractor, 90-120 day delivery and a 2002 New Holland model TS110 Alamo 21" Machete for $75,741.00, two year warranty on mower, two year/2000 hours on tractor, 90-120 day delivery. Commissioner Thompson moved to purchase 2001 John Deere 6410 Tiger 50" for $63,127.00 one year warranty on mower, two on tractor, immediate delivery date, demo machine with approximately 300 hours. Commissioner Works second, motion passed 2-0-0.

Bill requested to hire a boom mower seasonal worker. Commissioners approved the hiring of this person for $8.00 per hour.

Bill discussed businesses wanting to contract to clean up side roads. Discussion followed. Bill reported the county crew was doing a good job of clean up; he didn’t feel like we needed the contractors.

Bill discussed tree shears for track hoe. Discussion followed. No action was taken.

Bill presented information manual on "Uniform Traffic Control Devices: Traffic Controls for School Areas".

Commissioner Thompson discussed the condition of 400 Rd north of Hwy #54. Bill will view the road.

Don Presson, Green Thumb, Inc. Experience Works Field Operations Coordinator explained the name change and the duties provided. He explained that Older Community Workers are the main service for the community. Allen County has ten workers at different agencies within the county. They help at historical society, library, banks, schools and etc. He discussed reimbursed training and classroom. He is requesting to the county to actually hire the person after the training is provided. He stated these individuals need to feel needed.

Bill King, Darrell Stokes, Public Works Foreman, and Jamie Jones, Mechanic Foreman, discussed equipment to aid in the clean up of the ice storm. They stated another bucket truck.

Bill and Darrell discussed 400 Road north of Hwy #54. The road needs to have a crown to shed water.

Bill and Darrell discussed contractors for clean up. Discussion followed. Commissioners requested Bill to check into FEMA requirements before he hires a contractor for clean up.

David Beck, Emergency Management Director, discussed storm shelter requirements for community shelters. He presented information on design and construction guidance for community shelters.

David discussed information for the upcoming meeting on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 from FEMA. He discussed information from FEMA for individual and entity loss; more will be discussed at the FEMA meeting. He explained what the county could recoup in costs are not determined for sure at this time.

Marty Meadows, and Charlotte Petty, representatives for the Christian School, proposed a reduced speed limit for along South State in front of the proposed school district. Discussion followed on the driveway being at the cress of the hill, circle drive, speed, limited turning requirement. Mrs. Petty explained that with all the businesses on South State Street, she felt the speed should be lowered. She reported there is approximately three heavy traffic times for the school as well as Gates Rubber Company and KIKS radio station traffic. Mrs. Meadows discussed signs for school zones and posting speed limits. Commissioners discussed zoning. They will apply for zoning change.

Commissioner Regehr joined the meeting.

Glenda Spear, an ex-inmate’s mother, Debbie Englebrit, the ex-inmate’s sister, made a complaint on her son/brother receiving mail at the jail. They explained the mail was being withheld from the inmates without being told they had mail. They weren’t told they could have the mail if they behaved. Discussion followed. They explained they just wanted to improve the delivery of mail to current inmates. They didn’t want inmates to think their families had deserted them. This could cause jailbreaks, suicide attempts, thinking their families desert them. Commissioners reported that Sheriff Atkins position is elected. Sheriff Atkins can set his own office policies as long as they are within the law.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Clerk's Journal Entries # 136

b) Abatement # 110 value, $59.44, for tax roll of 2001 Abatement #111, value 512, $77.78, for tax roll of 2000

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until February 26, 2002 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.