Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
July 13, 2004

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 July 6, 2004 and July 8, 2004 meetings.

Commissioners discussed the Allen County Law Enforcement Center’s end of construction punch list. These are items yet to be completed or fixed. Discussion followed.

Commissioner Works moved to go into executive session for five minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Works, Commissioner Regehr, Bill King, Public Works Director, and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is 8:45 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 8:50 a.m. No action was taken.

Jerry Sinclair and Kenny Nelson, Allen County Residents, and Brad Fagan, Schwab Eaton representative, discussed moving a bridge and cutting a new creek along 600 Street to allow water to get to the river in a more direct route. This would save putting in an expensive bridge where if this was done would allow just large pipes. Discussion followed on what KDOT would allow on moving bridges, what the Corp of Engineers about moving the creek and cost estimates. Each person gave his opinion on what would be feasible to fix the overflow. The current bridge is only around 60 foot long, whereas the ones to the north and south are around 200 foot long, which allows more water to move out. Commissioners will look into the options. Brad will visit with KDOT and Corp of Engineers and have surveyors survey the road depth itself.

Brad discussed the bridge south of Monarch concerning the weight limit of 12/20/35 tons that commissioners established on County Bridge No. RS 664 (built in 1953 over Coal Creek south of Humboldt on Old 169 Hwy). Schwab Eaton had rated the current structure as Functionally Obsolete and may qualify for STP funds since it is on a Major Collector route and Schwab-Eaton, PA had recommended posting the weight limit. Brad stated he thought this bridge would qualify for some rehab funding. Discussion followed. He stated it was still to be seen whether it was cost effective to patch or completely rebuild, it would also need to have the side rail replaced. Brad stated the cost is determined after the bridge deck is taken off and the jack hammering starts. If the bridge is not fit and needs a full bridge deck, it should be replaced. Brad will explore other options. Commissioners will consider putting it on the five-year plan.

Commissioners discussed the Humboldt Senior Center’s shared rock wall. There is a question as to whether the pressure from filling in the neighboring basement causes pressure on the Senior Center. Brad stated it depends on how it was constructed. Some are constructed to support dirt when built. Commissioner Regehr questioned whether to monitor wall movement for the next year. Discussion followed. It was explained that the fill would be capped and therefore water would not be accumulating.

Nina Larson, Savonburg City resident, Robbie Atkins, Allen County Sheriff and Roy Smith, Undersheriff, discussed Arizona Road close to Savonburg. Nina stated her concern about "NasCar Avenue" in the Savonburg area. She stated it has been a problem for about a month of controlling traffic on Arizona Road. Nina said there is a 45-mile an hour sign. She stated on the 16^th of May she was walking along the road when a green car and yellow pickup caused her to jump back out of the way. She stated it is a consistence raceway and would like to see something done about it. She stated it is not just the raceway but they don’t keep their animals behind fences. Discussion followed. She would like more enforcement and safety in their area. Robbie stated they respond when called; this is the first he has heard about the speeding problem. He will try to get to Savonburg area a little more, but because of manpower it’s hard. He stated he did not feel talking to the parents would help. Robbie stated they had been in the area patrolling.

Margaret Ranabarger, Allen County resident, discussed the Humboldt Senior Center computer classes. She reported there are 10 computers at the Senior Center from a grant three years ago, but the grant has run out to support the computer classes. She wants to apply for another grant to have computer classes at the center. She stated Wal-Mart is donating $700.00 towards the grant. She is also requesting Internet access for three hours a week on Tuesday and Thursday’s. Discussion followed. These monies would go for equipment and Internet service. Allen County would apply on behalf of the Humboldt Senior Center.

Jennifer Marteniez, Allen County resident, discussed residents that do and don’t live in Petrolia. They discussed the Nuisance Abatement Act. Commissioners will follow up on previous letters directed to the landowners. Jennifer is issuing a complaint against several of the landowners. She also requested "Slow –Children at Play" signs. Commissioners stated they would not do this because it gives a fault since of security to the children.

Robbie discussed the punch list. He reported he has put off putting in the furniture and bathroom fixtures until the facility is released to Allen County Public Building Commission.

Mark Henry, Iola Copy Products, was present for bids from the Sheriff’s department. Robbie presented three bids; one was received from Copy Products for a total of $3,643.00 for a Toshiba E-Studio 250 Digital Copier ($2395.00), Automatic Document Feeder (225.00), Automatic Duplex w/RADF Upgrade ($677.00) and Fax option (346.00); one from Modern Copier for $4,750.00; and one from Copy Tech for $2,200.00 for a refurbished Mita AL 2310 Digital Copier. Mark explained how it would benefit the Sheriff’s office. Commissioners stated concern if the copier is down then so is the fax and printer. Mark stated if a board needed replaced they would not leave the department down until the parts come in. Robbie stated it would be paid for out of the VIN account. Commissioner Works moved to accept low bid. Died for lack of second.

Rodney Burns, Hutinett Schlotterbeck and Burns, presented a draft of budget for 2005. Rodney discussed carryovers and cuts. Discussion followed on each fund. First draft came in at 70.253 mills. Commissioners are considering cuts

Hal Pannell, Allen County resident, discussed a bicycle trail in conjunction with roadwork. No action was taken.

Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, reviewed spending authority per department for each department.

Commissioners reviewed Resolution 2004.

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.

PASSED AND APPROVED, this 13th day of July 2004, for the calendar year 2005.

Commissioner Regehr moved to approve Resolution 200410. Commissioner Works, motion passed 3-0-0.

Commissioners approved by recommendation of the E911 Advisory Committee to purchase from the Emergency Telephone Fund two new radios. Sheriff Atkins will get bids and purchase the radios.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Employee Payroll Changes

b) Clerk’s Vouchers Totaling $64,721.25 for 7-15-2004

c) Clerk’s Vouchers Totaling $173,244.05 for 7-20-2004

d) Journal Entries 49-53

 

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until July 20, 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.