Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
August 14, 2003

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

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the August 5, 2003 meeting.

Ron Holman, Maintenance Director, presented buffers bids for the Moran Senior/Community Center. No action was taken at this time.

Ron discussed the water problems the courthouse has been experiencing. Discussion followed. D&R Plumbing will be asked to check into some options to solve the problem of pressure.

Marty Taylor, L.E.P.P./G.I.S./Zoning Coordinator, discussed the property in Petrolia that the surrounding neighbors requested cleanup. Discussion followed. The properties have piles but are organized piles and keep the area mowed down. Marty will follow up on the progress of clean up.

Commissioners approved the county employees to use the Assembly Room to meet with the insurance agent.

Bill King, Public Works Director, and Scott Reeder, Noxious Weed Director, reported one request to purchase chemicals to spray 1300 acres of Sericea Lespedeza. This request would be putting the Noxious Weed Department over the budget for 2003. Discussion followed. Commissioners requested Scott to check with state on regulations concerning Sericea Lespedeza. No action was taken.

Commissioner Regehr moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 2-0-0. Those in the room will be Commissioner Works, Commissioner Regehr, Bill King, Public Works Director, and Sherrie L. Riebel, County Clerk. The time is now 9:07 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 9:17 a.m. No action was taken.

Bill discussed some accidents that occurred last Tuesday while the Public Works Department incurred. He reported a person ran into the broom while they were chip sealing, because the individual didn’t slow down and ran into the back of the broom. No one was hurt this time, but Commissioners approved Bill to completely close the roads they are chip sealing to keep employees and public from being hurt.

Bill requested signatures for bridge project #1C-3664-01 (Fairview Cemetery Road). Commissioners reviewed and signed.

Sandra Drake, Allen County Appraiser, Bill King, Public Works Director, Cara Barkdoll, Register of Deeds, Robbie Atkins, Allen County Sheriff, Sharon Utley, Allen County Treasurer, Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk, discussed the upcoming Southeast Kansas Regional Meeting that Allen County is to host in October.

Commissioner Works called to order the Public Hearing for the Allen County 2004 Budget. Those present are Commissioner Works, Commissioner Regehr, Bill King, Public Works Director, Robbie Atkins, Allen County Sheriff, Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk, Sharon Boan, Allen County Citizen, and Bob Johnson, Iola Register representative. Ms. Boan discussed the other taxing entities lowering their budgets. She requested the county consider holding off on projects to lower the budget. Commissioner Regehr stated that the raise in budget is equal to the loss from the state; otherwise the budget would be lower than last year. Discussion followed. Commissioner Works stated they had reviewed the budget and lower what they could but that they must be responsible to take care of the county. Commissioners reported the anticipated carryover into 2004 Budget year was to be $228,868, but looks at this point in time to be around $100,000. Discussion followed. Ms. Boan asked if there are any grants to help the county on their funding. Discussion followed on the "strings" to grants. Commissioner Regehr moved to approve the 2004 Allen County Budget as published. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 2-0-0.

Fred Lorenz, 31^st Judicial District Judge, Dan Creitz, 31^st Judicial Judge, Phil Young, DOC & JJA Administrator, and Mary Tucker, JJA Assistant Administrator, discussed the 36 cents mileage for the JJA & DOC. Commissioner Works stated as long as the Administrative Board has approved the 36 cents mileage that it would be fine to be reimbursed the costs because it is paid with state funds.

Commissioner Regehr went to tour the current jail project.

Alan Weber, Allen County Councilor, reported the Naff case has been settled.

Steve Robb, Pittsburg State University Director of Grants and Special Projects, explained he is representing SEK, Inc., trying to bring a business into Allen County. He discussed tax abatements or In Lieu Of taxes from Allen County. Mr. Robb asked the commissioner to consider these to help bring in businesses. Commissioners assured Mr. Robb that the commission would be interested in helping with taxes if they can.

Bids presented from Ron Holman for a buffer was $862.00 from Betco (Forestates) for 1.5 hp with clutch plate and pad; $810.64 from F & S Supply for 1 hp with clutch plate and pad; $917.32 from F & S Supply for 1.5 hp with clutch plate and pad, heavy duty; $895.00 from F & S Supply for 1.5 hp with clutch plate and pad; $935.00 from F & S Supply for 1.5 hp with clutch plate and pad, heavy duty. Commissioner Works moved to approve the purchase of a buffer for the Moran Senior/Community Center for $862.00 from Betco. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 2-0-0

Commissioner Regehr moved to approve the county mileage to reflect the state mileage of 36 cents per mile. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 2-0-0

Commissioner Regehr moved to adopt Resolution #200310

ALLEN COUNTY EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SERVICE

WHEREAS, K.S.A. 12-5301, et seq., authorizes the governing body to enact by resolution or ordinance provisions for the implementation of an emergency telephone service for reporting police, fire, medical or other emergency situations; and

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Allen County, Kansas approved a resolution on the 24^th day of June, 1988 to provide for emergency telephone services utilizing the three (3) digit number 911 for reporting police, fire, medical or other emergency situations; and

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Allen County, Kansas, originally imposed a tax in an amount not to exceed two percent (2%) of the tariff rate defined in K.S.A. 12-5301 to pay the costs of such emergency telephone services within Allen County;

AND WHEREAS, the governing body is now authorized and has been imposing a tax in an amount not to exceed $.75 per month per exchange access line in those portions of the governing body’s jurisdiction for which emergency telephone service has been contracted to pay the costs thereof.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Allen County, Kansas, that:

1. That the tax imposed for the purpose of providing 911 Service within Allen County shall continue to be in the amount of $.75 per month per exchange access line in accordance with K.S.A. 12-5302, et seq.

2. That the Board of County Commissioners of Allen County, Kansas shall be authorized to continue the contract and enter into any other contacts directly with providers of emergency telephone service or an other public agencies in accordance with K.S.A. 23-5304, if the same is deemed to be the most appropriate procedure.

That this resolution shall take effect from and after its publication in the Iola Register.

Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 2-0-0

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Clerk's vouchers totaling $779,059.11

b) Clerk's Journal Entries # 19, #72

c) Abatements –Value806, $120.00, Year 2002

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until August 19, 2003 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.