Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
November 2, 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 October 26, 2004 meeting.

Commissioners approved the use of the bandstand on November 26, 2004 for the Christmas Lighting.

Commissioners approved the local Allen County Animal Rescue Foundation to put up a fund thermometer for six months.

Commissioners approved Chris Norton, jailer, to carry over 120 hours of vacation to be used within six months.

Commissioners reviewed a contract with Computer Information Concepts for IBM services for 2005. Commissioner Regehr moved to approve signing the contract. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Commissioners signed a contact with The Consortium to continue the service of drug testing for Allen County. Commissioner Works moved to approve the signing of the contract. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Bill King, Public Works Director, discussed some resident’s requests concerning dead animals, speed signs, Kids Playing signs and other items. No action was taken on the sign requests.

Bill discussed the request to replace a bike tire. The County’s insurance denied the request. The county will not pay for the tire.

Bill requested signatures on an agreement for project #1C-3776-01 (Coal Creek) for utility relocations from Southwestern Bell. Commissioners signed.

Commissioner Regehr moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Commissioner Works second, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Works, Commissioner Regehr, and Bill King, Public Works Director. The time is now 9:12 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 9:22 a.m. No action was taken.

Charles Nichols, Ash Grove Geologist, John Toland, Toland & Thompson, Marty Taylor, Zoning Administrator, Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, Paul Finney, Allen County resident, were present to discuss the Zoning Meeting held last Thursday, October 28, 2004. Marty explained the purpose of the zonings. John Toland requested on behalf of Ash Grove an exemption from Zoning Regulations 2-103, which states they start quarrying within six months. Discussion followed. Charles discussed the current approved lands and the current request of land. Ash Grove uses about 20 acres of land a year. The reclamation will be a lake since it fills naturally.

Marty discussed the second request at the zoning meeting, which was an amendment requested by Paul Finney. Commissioner Works stated he did not want billboards along the State hwy, but that the State should uphold the laws on billboards. Discussion followed.

Commissioner Works moved to accept the Zoning Board’s recommendations to approve the zonings. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Commissioner Works moved to exempt Ash Grove from the Zoning Regulations 2-103 for the four tracts stated in the zoning. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Don Hilbrant, Allen County resident, reported on a visit to Strawder’s in Kansas City for trees. They are $150.00 each, maybe 10 to 12 trees. Discussion followed. He reported it would take around two years to beautify the courtyard; it needs to be done in phases. Bill reported it is currently to wet too get on the courtyard to remove trees. Commissioners discussed involving the Tree Board. Commissioner Works moved to approve the purchase of trees not to exceed $1,500 for the front courtyard. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

John Masterson, Allen County Community College, presented an engineering report for a proposed road from the college to Kentucky Street. Discussion followed on information on the report. Mr. Masterson requested the county provide the AB3 rock (5360 tons) estimated at $84,000 for the proposed. This cost would include the hauling. An individual has offered to pay $50,000 towards the construction of this road. If the county provides the rock but not the hauling it would save the college some monies. The ACCC Board currently wants to retain the right of way and the road not to deed it to the City for maintenance. Commissioners stated their concern about the commercial businesses within Allen County that sell rock. Commissioner Works stated the county doesn’t want to raise taxes for the college that the college has the taxing authority to raise taxes to cover the costs on their own. Commissioners will take under consideration. No action was taken at this time.

Commissioners discussed other options available to help the college without direct competition with the commercial businesses in Allen County.

Ron Holman, Allen County House and Grounds Director, discussed the wall between the CASA office and the Attorney’s office. Discussion followed. Commissioners stated to swing the door inward towards the CASA office and close to the current south wall. The door will be oak door.

Sandra Drake, Allen County Appraiser, requested permission to get computer bids. The commissioners approved her to request bids.

Robbie Atkins, Allen County Sheriff, discussed the move of inmates on Saturday. A jailer suffered a heart attack that day.

Robbie stated he is short jailers and deputies. Discussion followed.

Robbie discussed problems with the control panels within the jail. Robbie reviewed several other items that are giving them problems.

Ken Shetlar, Shafer Kline & Warren, Inc., discussed the ACCC proposed road.

Alan discussed Westra Construction Company with Commissioners.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Employee Payroll Changes

b) Clerk’s Vouchers Totaling $163,670.44

c) Journal Entries 83-84

d) Employee Expense Vouchers

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until November 9, 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.