Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
August 26, 2003

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

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the August 19, 2003meeting.

David Beck, Emergency Management, requested the Commissioners to extend the Burning Ban with Resolution #200312.

EXTENSION OF A PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF LOCAL DISASTER EMERGENCY

FOR THE COUNTY OF ALLEN, KANSAS

WHEREAS, on the 19 day of August, 2003, a Proclamation was issued proclaiming a State of Local Disaster Emergency within the County of Allen, Kansas; and

WHEREAS, the condition caused by the dry and windy conditions for which a State of Local Disaster Emergency was declared has not been abated.

NOW, THEREFORE, We, the Board of County Commissioners of Allen County, Kansas, by virtue of the authority vested in this office by K.S.A. 48-932, and with the consent of the Board of County Commissioners hereby extend for seven (7) days, beyond the Initial period, a State of Local Disaster Emergency unless terminated earlier or renewed by consent of the Board of County Commissioners.

I DO FURTHER PROCLAIM that the area within the County of Allen, Kansas covered by this extension is: All areas within the borders of Allen County, Kansas.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, We, the Board of County Commissioners of Allen County, Kansas have hereunto affixed by signature as such Chairman on this 26^th day of August 2003, at 8:55 o'clock A.M.

Commissioner Works moved to approve the resolution to extend the burning ban. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0

David requested to fill out an application to apply for passwords for a secure Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Funding website so that he could watch for grants. Discussion followed on grants and matching funds. Commissioners approved.

David reported Max Goff, Neosho County Emergency Management, requested him to supply mutual aid to the City of Chanute to help with their water problem. He hauled a load of water to them. He explained the process they had taken to control the problem.

David discussed the local software on silent dispatch for the 911 dispatch. He had received an update on the software.

David reported he has been nominated by Kansas Emergency Management Association (KEMA) to serve as Vice President. Discussion followed on the meetings and costs to the county.

Bill King, Public Works Director, and Scott Reeder, Noxious Weed Director, discussed a landowner requesting excessive chemicals. Scott reported the state doesn’t want to put a limit on the requests because it would defeat the Noxious Weed laws. Currently the request has been tabled to next year, but the concern is that one large request would deplete the Noxious Weed funds. Discussion followed on suggestions from the State of Kansas, all which would cost the county more monies.

Bill discussed the compost pile the City of Iola wants to annex as a request by Iola Industries so that the City of Iola can install an area for a compost pile. The area has already been denied by the Allen County Zoning Board to be use as compost pile; therefore the City of Iola will annex the area to be able to put compost pile there anyway. Discussion followed.

Bill requested to promote an employee to an open position within the Public Works Department. He reported the opening was due to another employee being promoted because of an employee quitting. The positions are posted within the county for promotions, creating a domino effect until all positions are filled.

Mike Russell, KIKS Radio, discussed the annexation of the City of Iola.

Jill Allen, Allen County Ambulance Clerk, discussed the charges of ambulance runs and the insurance payments. Discussion followed. She explained that insurance write off has to be wrote off because Allen County is a provider, these write off costs do not include the monies owed by the patient or secondary insurance and cannot be re-billed to the patient.

Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, was present for any discussion.

John McRae, City of Iola Mayor, Bill Shirley, City of Iola Commissioner, Lee Gumfory, City of Iola Commissioner, Doug Colvin, City of Iola Administrator, Judy Brigham, City of Iola Clerk, Chuck Apt II, City of Iola Attorney, Donald Leapheart, City of Iola Fire Chief/Allen County EMS, Loretta & Lee Roberts, Barbara Shoate, Allen County Moran Ambulance Attendants, Richard Luken, Iola Register Reporter, Red Garner, City o f Iola resident, were present for the Joint Meeting. Mayor McRae requested Allen County re-establish the original subsidy of $38,000.00. He explained the city is not getting the monies they felt should be coming back into the city in the way of insurance collections. Discussion followed on the costs of the fire fighters serving as both fire fighters and EMT’s. Chief Leapheart reported there are approximately 2 ambulance runs a day. He discussed state statutes changes, which directly affects the Ambulance Department. Six firemen are the most the City of Iola ever has on duty at one given time. Discussion followed between the City of Iola and Allen County whether or not the persons waiting at the Fire Department are paid as firemen or EMTs. It was determined that regardless of which they are the call coming into the department first is the one answered. Discussion followed on write off (contractual debt), bad debt, and accounts receivable. Chief Leapheart explained the write off cost over a period of four years on insurance, as the years pass the insurances are suppose to pay more with less write off’s. Mayor MaRae stated regardless of what the insurance is paying he felt the City of Iola is getting less than promised. He stated Allen County EMS is good for the county, but that he feels that one person should be the focus of the collections so that it runs smoother. Commissioners on both sides assured they are not in the ambulance service for profit, but to provide a service to the residents of Allen County and the City of Iola. Commissioner Thompson explained why the subsidy payments are determined the way they are, as an equalizer. Mayor McRae stated the City of Iola is running in the red. Commissioner Works stated the reason they are running in the red is an in house policy that requires extra persons on duty. Doug stated it is in the contract with Allen County that the City of Iola Ambulance provides back up for the rest of the county. Chief Leapheart discussed the coverage they do for the Moran and Humboldt units. Discussion followed. Commissioner Thompson asked about charging for using the Rescue Vehicle. Discussion followed on whether or not the insurance providers will pay for that use. The Rescue Vehicle is dispatched throughout the county, city or not. Mayor McRae requested the Allen County Commissioners reconsider the subsidy paid out to the City of Iola. Allen County Commissioners stated they would study and consider the request.

Commissioner Works requested the minutes reflect they are against the annexation of the City of Iola to zone for the compost pile. Mayor McRae stated they needed to look at the best interest of the City and that is what they are trying to do. Doug stated only a hand full of people protested the proposed compost site.

Mark Ledbetter, Westra Construction Manager, Terry Knupp, Westra Construction Project Superintendent, Mike Fickel, Shaughnessy Fickle & Scott Architect, Hugh Lester, Shaughnessy Fickle & Scott Architect, all were present to give an update on the jail project. Discussion followed on "control joints" between the panels not matching the existing joints of the courthouse. Mark presented some solutions but stated the contractor will be held responsible for fixing the "control joints". Mike explained about a special kind of fill that is used on "control joints" such as these. One option was to request the forms be redone. Mike explained how the forms are made and how the "control joints" would occur and why the change from the first panels.

Mike discussed painting the jail and courthouse at the same time. Mark explained the paint requested would stretch. Discussion followed on the color of paint to be used. Mike suggested the Commissioners have a 10’X10" area painted of the considered colors to view. He explained the first type of paint that was presented was not acceptable. The seconded paint presented will have a longer life, when using two coats.

Mike reported the rest of the project was going well. They had patched up some bug holes using gloves and fill, but it might wash out when power washed before painting. Mark suggested using a special adhesive to keep the holes filled.

Mark reported there should be a dry roof over the jail before mid-October.

Mike discussed a problem with some stairs but that Terry has already taken care of the situation.

Mark stated they would be transferring the electric sometime on a Saturday. The switch will take approximately 8 hours to complete. Terry reported it is currently scheduled for the second week in September. They want to be able to asphalt the parking lot before winter. SEKan will asphalt up until December. It will take one day to lay the asphalt.

Commissioners discussed the water pressure with Mike, Mark and Terry. No solution was found.

Mark reported all the reports have been turned in to the State Fire Marshall that was needed.

Mike reported on the completion of the kitchen design.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Clerk's vouchers totaling $44,526.64

b) Clerk's Journal Entries #74-75

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until September 2, 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.