Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
May 10, 2004

The Allen County Board of Commissioners met in special session at 7:00 p.m. with Chairperson Kent Thompson, Commissioner Walt Regehr Jr., Commissioner Dick Works, and Brenda Leapheart, County Clerk representative.

Commissioners met at the Moran City Hall to discuss ambulance service. No action was taken.

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. until May 11, 2004 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commission room of the courthouse.

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Kent Thompson, Chairperson Walt Regehr Jr., Commissioner

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Brenda Leapheart, County Clerk’s Office Dick Works, Commissioner

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

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the May 4, 2004 meeting.

Commissioners discussed a meeting they attended at the City of Moran last evening concerning the City of Moran’s Allen County Ambulance Service. Discussion followed that the employee’s discipline should be by the City as they are city employees.

Commissioners discussed the progress on the new jail. They were informed Westra had replaced the project manager. Commissioners reviewed the completion list provided by the contractor. Discussion followed on new management for the jail project, hoping the pace would pick up.

Bill King, Public Works Director, discussed the underground water inspection report. Kansas Department of Transportation sent a report on the Humboldt River Bridge they needed the Allen County Commission to sign. Commissioners reviewed and approved Chairman Thompson to sign.

Bill reported the contract for the land lease at the Allen County Airport has been signed.

Bill asked if hay ground south of the landfill should be cut. Discussion followed on safety issues. Commissioners approved an ad to be published for cutting of hay.

Commissioners discussed complaints from employees in the Sheriff’s office that their payroll envelopes had been opened and then taped shut again. This was turned over to the county counselor.

Gary Lower and Bill Hein, Fagan Emcor Company Maintenance personnel, and Ron Holman, Allen County House and Grounds, discussed problems with the chiller. Discussion followed on solutions to make it work again. Mr. Hein will check with the carrier to see if the part is available. First he would have to drain the freon out of the chiller. Commissioners went to view the chiller.

Commissioner Works moved to approve that the Chairman sign the CNA Surety Insurance information form. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0

Robbie Atkins, Allen County Sheriff, discussed consoles for the new jail. The floor in Judge Saxton’s office is to be done next week sometime. Discussion followed. Robbie stated furniture would be delivered in two to three weeks and arrangements will be made to store the furniture until time to install it into the new jail.

Robbie reported he would be going to Colorado for training and need cash advancement on May 16, 2004. Pam will be going to Oklahoma for Globe Management training on May 23 to 27, 2004 and the hotel will not accept direct bill. Robbie asked for Commission approval for out of state travel. Discussion followed. Commissioner Works moved to approve the request for cash advance for Robbie and Pam Beasley. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0

Robbie reported Cathy Clark would be going to Oklahoma for Missing and Exploited Children training next week. Commissioners visited with Loren Korte, PSI Insurance, concerning out of state travel, due to the Kansas Tort Law. Robbie requested pay out for Cathy’s trip to California. Discussion followed on the importance of prior approval for out of state travel. Commissioners approved the voucher this time, but stressed to Robbie the County’s tort liability is limitless when county vehicles are out of state.

Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, explained it is a liability issue that the Sheriff’s gets prior approval for out of state travel. There has to be accountability. Discussion followed on emergency trips and pre-planned trips for training. Commissioners discussed insuring two Sheriff vehicles for out of state travel. Alan will review the policy to allow emergency travel to transport or pick up inmates. Loren will check on the option the county has.

Alfred Link, Veteran’s representative, updated the commission on the Moving Veteran’s Wall that will be in Iola on the square from June 4 to June 7. He reported the helicopter would not be able to be there. Discussion followed on a few housekeeping items. Commissioners will check with Ron to open the courthouse for use of the restrooms.

Commissioner Works called McCarty’s to discuss the time frame for delivery of the Sheriff’s new office furniture and discovered that it hadn’t been ordered yet.

Commissioners discussed with Alan the Lincoln County Supreme Court decision. He informed the commission that the sheriff has the authority to spend his budget as he see fit as long as he follows county policy.

Commissioners discussed purchasing bingo cards from the Humboldt Trust Fund for the Humboldt Senior Center. Discussion followed on the investigation of items being trashed or destroyed at the Humboldt Senior Center. Commissioners approved the purchase of bingo cards

Commissioners discussed cleaning service for the Humboldt Senior Center. Commissioner Works will contact an individual that had applied for the position.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Clerk's vouchers totaling $62,568.92

b) Clerk's Journal Entries # 29-31

c) Abatement PP – Value 104, $18.82, Year 2003

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until May 18, 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.