Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
April 1, 2003

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

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the March 11, 2003 meeting.

Marty Taylor, Zoning Administrator/L.E.P.P./G.I.S, presented the proposal from the Zoning Board for the Weide zoning hearing held March 27, 2003. Commissioner Regehr moved to approve the zoning for commercial zoning and conditional use granted for the construction of storage and RV Park as submitted for approval by the Zoning Board. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 2-0-0

Commissioners approved the use of the Humboldt Senior Center to be used to pack supplies to go over seas to our military units, providing it is not use as storage.

Robbie Atkins, Allen County Sheriff, reported the City of LaHarpe requested another radio for LaHarpe’s new unit. He requested it be purchased out of 911 funds. Commissioners approved the purchase and to use the bid that is less than 6 months old.

Sheriff Atkins stated he was writing a "Byrne grant" to establish a record management system for the new jail and sheriff’s departments. He stated the costs would be $25,000 with training and Globe software and the second portion is the electronic finger printing system for $38,000, there is a software called Print tract $52,000 for cross match. It will cost $10,000 for server to store the jail and sheriff information. The grant match is 25 county / 75 state. Discussion followed. He will compile costs for the "Byrne Grant" he is requesting. Discussion followed on the costs and budget for 2004.

Sheriff Atkins requested an additional jailer. He gave several reasons. Discussion followed. Commissioners approved to advertise for a jailer.

Bill King, Public Works Director, discussed the request from Mike Jewel, SEK Cruisers, for a Burn Out at the airport. They had actual burn holes in the asphalt. Don Copley, Allen County Airport Advisory Chairman, explained the damages caused by the vehicles. Discussion followed. Mr. Copley stated the advisory board requests not to approve the use for a "Burn Out". Don Smith, Allen County Airport Manager, stated the people were coming out when there is not a burn out to use the old runway, messing around the fuel pumps and cutting donuts in the grass. Bill discussed other options that might be feasible. Discussion followed on why is was okay last year and now this year they are tearing it up. Commissioners will review the taxiway damage. No action was taken at this time.

Commissioner Thompson moved to go into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Those present will be Commissioner Works, Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Regehr, Don Copley, Allen County Airport Advisory Board Chairman, Don Smith, Allen County Airport Manager, Bill King, Public Works Director, and Clerk Riebel. The time is now 9:13 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 9:28 a.m. No action was taken.

Bill discussed the position open for airport manager. Commissioner Thompson moved to approve the highest scoring individual. Commissioner Regehr seconded, no discussion followed. Motion passed unanimously 3-0-0.

Bill stated the new Noxious Weed Director needs to be officially appointed. Commissioner Thompson moved to appoint Anthony Scott Reeder as Noxious Weed Director. Commissioner

Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0

Bill discussed bridge project #1C-3663-01. Commissioners signed the contract for the bridge construction.

Bill discussed the right of way for bridge project #1C-3664-01 (Fairview Cemetery).

Bill discussed needing a person to replace Mike Cooper on the Allen County Airport Advisory Board. Commissioner will consider some options for replacement.

Bill discussed some concerns stated by Allen County resident on trucks leaving the Allen County Landfill. Some of the trucks are ours and some are other county’s trucks. Discussion followed.

Maury Thompson, Tri-Valley Developmental Services Executive Director and Jackie Witherspoon, Tri-Valley Developmental Services Director of Development, discussed Senate Bill 242 concerning Secretary of Social and Rehabilitation Services would designate the Community Developmental Disability Organization for Allen County – not the County Commission, 2^nd the current twenty-eight CDDO’s would be reduced to no more than thirteen, and 3^rd CDDO’s, such as Tri-Valley, would be prohibited from providing treatment and care services for persons with developmental disabilities. Mr. Thompson stated they are against the SB 242 and asked for the commissioner’s support.

Mark Murrill, Murrill Insurance Agency, presented 2003 – 2004 premium quote. It was quoted as $145,213.00, includes coverage per his attached summary and the following deductibles: 1st Property - $500.00, 2nd Automobile - $500 Deductible-Comprehensive / $1000, and 3^rd Workers Compensation - $300 Deductible. Optional Quotes are 1^st Property - $1,000 Deductible - $894.00 Credit, 2^nd Automobile - $1,000 Deductible- Comprehensive /$2,000 Deductible- Collision-$1,716.00 Credit and 3^rd Workers Comprehensive -$500 Deductible- $906.00 Credit (estimated). Discussion followed on the $30,000.00 increase in premium. Mark stated that his commission negotiation could save the county $5,000. Discussion followed. No action was taken at this time.

Mark discussed the Boiler coverage, it is fully integrated into the counties coverage, and so the current policy will be discontinued. Discussion followed.

Mark discussed the three flood policies. He reported he couldn’t find why the flood insurance was needed. Mark will check on the content coverage with this coverage.

Donald Leapheart, City of Iola Fire Chief/Allen County EMS Director, discussed some companies that would be able to bid on a remanufactured chassis for the Moran ambulance. Discussion followed. Commissioners encouraged Chief Leapheart to proceed with bids for remanufactured.

Chief Leapheart discussed nurses on board and insurance coverage.

Chief Leapheart requested Allen County pay half on an ACLS class for Charlie Stine, Ryan Sell and Michelle Zartman, which would be $75.00 each. He stated Ron Conway was taking this class but the hospital is paying his.

Gary McIntosh, discussed the life insurance. He reviewed Jefferson Pilot Financial Insurance Company with the Commissioners. Currently Allen County pays for $10,000 worth of life insurance for the employees. Mr. McIntosh presented costs compared to the $10,000 and $15,000. Discussion followed. If the commission should choose to change the county would need to go out for bid. No action was taken at this time.

Bill McLendon, City of Iola Police Chief, Steve Womack, Lieutenant, and Sheriff Atkins, presented information for Mobile Data Terminals for all the law enforcement vehicles in Allen County, which would be 21 units along with all five ambulances, fax machines in all the fire/ambulance departments. The fax machines are to send run sheets to the departments before they leave the station. There are three different grants available: Byrne Grant 75/25, FEMA 90/10 and Homeland Security. Lieutenant Womack explained in detail the information of options A, B & C. He stated they are trying to include Police, Sheriff, Ambulance & Fire, which is what Homeland Security requests cooperation among all the departments. Discussion followed on towers located and the need of towers with in the county.

Mark Ledbetter, Westra Construction, Inc. Project Manager, and Terry Knupp, Westra Construction, Inc. Site Manager, discussed progress on the jail. Mark explained some of the upcoming projects for the jail.

Sandra Drake, Allen County Appraiser, discussed a call from a citizen upset on their real estate taxes. She stated some taxes went up on businesses.

Commissioners requested Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, write a letter of support from Allen County.

Florence Utley, Iola Senior Center representative, sent request for a gas ranges. She obtained three bids: Western Auto for $370, McGinnis Appliance for $399 less $100 on sale of old stove, and Westco for $309. The Dance Committee is donating $100 towards the stove. Commissioners approved Mrs. Utley to choose the gas range of their choice since the price is close.

Commissioners received a report of termites in the Iola Senior Center. A bid is expected to care for the center.

Commissioners reviewed the City of Mildred’s annual report.

There will be no commissioner meeting April 8, 2003 due to a conflicting meeting of the Association of County Commissioners and Highway Officials of Southeast Kansas Annual Meeting being held in Chanute at the KDOT Office Complex South Building.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Clerk's Journal Entries #

b) Clerk's vouchers totaling $ 63,889.39

c) Payroll Changes

 

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until April 4, 2003 at 8:00 a.m. in the Conference room of the courthouse for the purposes of canvassing.

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