Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
January 27, 2004

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

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the January 20, 2004 meeting.

Commissioners discussed the jail project concerning the judge’s chambers. They adjourned to view the offices at 8:40 a.m. and reconvened at 9:00 a.m.

Bill King, Public Works Director, discussed the effects of the one-inch snow received yesterday. The road crew was out checking for drifts and the courthouse steps and sidewalks have been cleared.

Brad Fagan, Schwab-Eaton Consulting Engineer, discussed bridge project’s 1C-3664-01 (Fairview Cemetery-North and East of Mildred) and 1C-4012-01 (Elsmore Bridge-West and South of Elsmore). He discussed the requirements and reported they would cause a curve in the bridge unless moved. Discussion followed. He stated KDOT would be scheduling a field check in the next couple of months; he would like to have them review the bridge project #1C-3664-01. Discussion followed on options. Commissioners will wait for the KDOT inspection before any action will be taken.

Brad discussed the bridge project #1C-3776-01 (Central Street Bridge east of Humboldt). He presented a proposed fix to taking out the curve and fixing the bridge. Discussion followed on the KDOT requirements and other options.

Bill discussed setting a hearing date for the 5-year Construction Program Plan. He requested to set the hearing for March 2, 2004 at 9:00 a.m. Commissioners approved. Bill will publish the hearing date.

Bill discussed the cost of oil and changes for other departments.

Bill discussed the cost of crushing rock at the quarry and the cost to Neosho County on their rock. He discussed MSHA inspections at the quarry.

Bill discussed Steve Cole’s retirement. The Public Works Department will have a dinner in his honor.

Commissioner Regehr moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Commission Works second, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Commissioner Works, Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Regehr and Bill King, Public Works Director. The time is now 9:40 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 9:50 a.m. No action was taken.

Bill discussed engineers for the bridge projects.

Bill discussed ditch work on Horeville Road.

Sue Tirukonda, Blue Cross Blue Shield representative, reviewed the 2004 policy. She explained Allen County’s rate factor. She presented the utilization review and explained the adjusted premium, projected claims, retention (half to the company and half to Allen County reserve), projected loss radio, credibility, trends, billed charges, allowed charges and discount. Discussion followed. Sue explained the Blue Choice shared pay comprehensive program that Allen County is currently using. The renewal cost to Allen County will be $259.45 for employee only, $501.92 for employee and children, $556.95 for employee and spouse, and $799.44 for employee and dependents. Discussion followed on other options Allen County could look at to lower the cost of premiums, but would be more cost to the employee. Sue explained some changes Allen County will be undergoing on Blue Choice. Discussion followed. Sue will send a flyer of the changes to the employees through the county.

Commissioners requested that Sherrie make contact with PSI in the regards to the possibility to switch to their company for EMC Insurance.

Phil Young, DOC & JJA Administrator, and Mary Tucker, Assistant JJA Administrator, presented an application for FY05 Core Program Block Grants. Mary explained the Core Program consists of Case Management Services (CCMA), Juvenile Intensive Supervision (JISP), and Juvenile Intake and Assessment (JIAS). She discussed some of the changes required by state and the costs occurred. The application includes contact information, organizational chart for each of CCMA, JISP and JIAS, Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board Membership, program narratives for each and budget requests for each CCMA $108,512.00, JISP $102,142.00 and JIAS $61,215.00. Discussion followed. Commissioner Works moved to approve the Chairman sign the application. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Commissioners discussed some Public Works issues with Bill. No action was taken.

Commissioner Works moved to approve the cereal malt beverage license for Humboldt Speedway in Humboldt for 2004. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Commissioners reviewed Resolutions # 200402 County Confirmation of Economic Development Organization and #200403 County Support of Regional Strategic Plan and Regional Incentives.

Resolution #200402 County Confirmation of Economic Development Organization: A RESOLUTION confirming that a regional economic development organization has been established as required by the 74-50-116(c) (1), for the purpose of qualifying the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission, including the Counties of Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson and Woodson as designated non-metropolitan business region.

WHEREAS, A regional economic development organization, known as the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission, has been established; and

WHEREAS, the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission was organized under the Kansas Statute 12-716 in 1974, and

WHEREAS, On December 1, 1977, the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission was designated as an Economic Development District by the United States Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration under Title IV of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1963 for the purpose of fostering and promoting economic growth and development, and

WHEREAS, the Counties of Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson and Woodson form the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission by interlocal agreement, and

WHEREAS, The Board of County Commissioners of the Counties of Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson and Woodson are represented on the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission

WHEREAS, The Board of County Commissioners of the County of Allen is supporting and active member of the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Allen: That the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission meets the requirements of KSA 74-50,116 (c) (1); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Kansas Secretary of Commerce is hereby requested to acknowledge the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission as a qualifying regional economic development organization for the purpose of approving the Counties of Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Cherokee, Coffey, Crawford, Labette, Linn, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson and Woodson as designated non-metropolitan business region; and

Resolution #200403 County Support of Regional Strategic Plan and Regional Incentives: A RESOLUTION reconfirming support for the qualifying regional strategic plan and requesting that the Secretary of Commerce re-approve the County of Allen as a Kansas Enterprise Zone designated non-metropolitan business region.

WHEREAS, A regional strategic plan, required by KSA 74-50, 116 (c) (2), has been reviewed, updated and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Allen on January 27, 2004 and

WHEREAS, Regional business incentives of free business finance counseling and availability of revolving loan business financing provided the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission will be offered to all qualified businesses in the County; and

WHEREAS, Additional county-wide business incentive(s) of countywide property tax abatement, will be offered to qualified businesses in the County. Additionally, waiver of building permit fees and landfill fees for the first 12 months of operation will be offered to all qualified businesses in the County; and

WHEREAS, All qualified businesses in the County will be notified of the availability of the business incentive(s) indicated above by publication in the official newspaper; and

WHEREAS, The Board of County Commissioners of the County of Allen chooses to participate with and be included in the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission designated non-metropolitan business region, as provided for by KSA 74-50, 116; and

WHEREAS, The Board of County Commissioners of the County of Allen pledges to promote the continued review and update of its qualifying regional strategic plan:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Allen: That the Secretary of Commerce is hereby requested to re-approve the County of Allen as a Kansas Enterprise Zone designated non-metropolitan business region pursuant to the Kansas Enterprise Zone Act; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Secretary of Commerce is hereby requested to approve the inclusion of Allen County in the aforementioned multi-county regional designated non-metropolitan business region upon its approval.

Commissioner Works moved to adopted Resolution #200402 and Resolution #200403 on this 27^th day of January 2004. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, discussed zoning issues.

Commissioners reviewed Cottage Grove Township and LaHarpe/Elm Cemetery Annual reports.

Commissioners discussed pay increases for the Public Works Director, Appraiser and Elected Officials.

Commissioner Works moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Commission Regehr second, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Commissioner Works, Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Regehr and Sandra Drake, Allen County Appraiser. The time is now 1:00 p.m. Commissioners reconvened at 1:10 p.m. No action was taken.

Commissioner Works moved to give the elected officials, Appraiser and the Public Works Director, $1,600.00 raise in annual salary effective January 1, 2004. Commissioner Regehr second, motion passed 3-0-0. This motion excludes the County Commissioners.

Commissioner Works moved to increase the Register of Deed’s salary $1,000.00 to put her in line with comparable positions across the State of Kansas. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Clerk's Journal Entries # 2-3 & C001

b) Clerk’s Vouchers totaling $7542.28

c) Abatement RE-Value 1898, $265.58, Year 2003

d) Abatement PP- Value 1225, $188.20, Year 2003

e) Abatement Trucks- Value 2009, $199.20, Year 2003

f) Payroll Changes

 

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until February 3, 2004 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.