Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
March 29, 2005

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

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the March 15, 2005 meeting.

Ron Holman, Allen County House and Grounds Director, Loren Korte, PSI Insurance, Ron Boren, Boren’s Roofing, discussed the roof over the court area. They discussed the damage from hail that is just now showing up. Mr. Boren stated with this type of roof it is not unusual to show up years later. Discussion followed on a solution. Commissioners had already gone out to bid and Boren’s Roofing had received the bid, they were double-checking that insurance had paid enough to cover the roof correctly. Boren’s Roofing is putting on a superior roof to that that was on it. Mr. Boren stated the rest of the roof is approx. 106 squares for just the deck, 14 squares for small area, 4 squares for front area, Court area is 21 squares and old jail is 38 squares, north area and canapé is 4 square, for a total of 203 squares. The cost at this time is $568.00 per square. Discussion followed. Commissioners discussed replacing the seams on the current roof. Mr. Boren discussed watching the seams because the roof will need to be replaced in the next few years. No action was taken at this time.

Ron Holman discussed emergency lighting for the courthouse. He had received a bid proposal from E-Kan. Commissioners requested Ron get a couple more bids.

Ron discussed storage space for the appraiser’s documents that have to be retained forever.

Bill King, Public Works Director, discussed a request to plant an Autumn Blaze tree on the courtyard. Commissioners approved the planting of this tree on the west side of the bandstand. Ron will call the individual donating the tree.

Bill discussed the airport expansion project. He needs permission for authorization and certification for ECHO-WEB user access. This is to authorize approved payment request submitted to the Federal Transit Administration on behalf of Allen County. Commissioner Works moved to approve Chairman Regehr to sign the authorization. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Chairman Regehr signed the authorization.

Bill discussed using a filter cleaning service. The shop is no longer using this service as per request by the commissioners.

Commissioners had previously discussed landfill rates for surrounding counties. Commissioners had requested Bill to check on other county’s charges. He reported the City of Parsons is paying Montgomery County $34 per ton to haul trash to them, and Woodson County is paying $23 per ton to haul trash to Coffey County. Discussion followed.

Brad Fagan, Schwab Eaton Engineer, discussed the construction of Bridge Deck Repairs on County Bridge No. 664 over Coal Creek located 1.4 miles South of Humboldt on RS 2096. He estimated $250,000 for bridge deck rehab, $500,000 for rehab and complete bridge deck replacement and $900,000 for bridge replacement. Discussion followed. This bridge has to go through KDOT RS standards no matter which option is chosen. It is estimated to take at least 60 working days. Discussion followed on funds available from KDOT. The thought would be to put on the five-year plan. Commissioner Works moved to sign the agreement with Schwab-Eaton for engineering services for the Federal aid Secondary project on Bridge No 664. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Emy Platt, ACE Hardware Associate, presented information for the animal shelter.

Thomas R. Williams, Allen County Sheriff, reported Westra had review the work release area. Discussion followed on Westra’s solution to the leaky area.

Sheriff Williams reported Miami County individuals would be touring the Law Enforcement Center on Wednesday by the architect.

Sheriff Williams requested to move the Emergency Management position to an exempt salary status. Discussion followed. Commissioners approved this request.

Eileen Robertson, Bleeding Kansas and the Enduring Struggle for Freedom National Heritage Area representative, discussed briefly the tie between Allen County and Montgomery County. She reported on the Bleeding Kansas organization. They are still educating persons about their heritage. She reported on an up coming event on April 16, 2005 where she would be touring war sites in Humboldt during the burning of Humboldt. Discussion followed.

Gary Lower, EMCOR Service Fagan Company maintenance mechanic introduced his company’s new sales representative John White, EMCOR Service Fagan Company Service Sales.

Gary requested to bid on servicing the new Law Enforcement Centers heat and air. Discussion followed. John stated they could tailor a program to fit our needs if they new what was needed or expected on the new area. Discussions followed on the generator, filters, exhaust fan belts, walk in cooler coils and other items. Gary will work with Ron on a proposal.

Ron reported a performance contractor would be here next week to make a proposal on heating and air for the courthouse.

Commissioners reviewed a contract with Franklin County to house inmates in the Allen County Law Enforcement Center. Commissioner Thompson moved to authorize the chairman’s signature on the contract. Commissioner Works seconded and the motion passed 3-0-0.

Don Stanley, discussed fire protection in Fire District #3. He will temporarily take over as Fire Chief until an active board is established. Discussion followed. Don requested the new board be Leon Murrow, Steve Kyser, Jim Lewis, John Fewins, and Don Stanley. Commissioners stated they would have Alan review the board regulations and then they will officially appoint the board.

Elaine Dugan, Allen County EMS Director, requested Ron Conway go to KEMTA in Great Bend for a cost of $205. Commissioners approved.

Commissioner Works moved to go into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss Attorney-Client Privilege Exception. Commissioner Thompson second, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Works, Commissioner Regehr, Alan Weber, Elaine Dugan and Sherrie L. Riebel. The time is now 11:00 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 11:15 a.m. No action was taken.

Commissioner Works moved to go into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss Attorney-Client Privilege Exception. Commissioner Thompson second, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Works, Commissioner Regehr, Alan Weber, and Elaine Dugan. The time is now 11:15 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 11:30 a.m. No action was taken.

Alan discussed transfers of sick and vacation policy. Discussion followed. Alan will work up a policy to be approved by the commission.

Alan discussed Westra and the subcontractors. Discussion followed.

Elaine proposed Moran Ambulance call in replacements while their regular ambulance attendants attend KEMTA. Commissioners approved

Hal Pannel discussed the compost pile. He asked if the commission was for or against it. Commissioner Regehr stated he would like to take his debris there as to haul it farther.

Hal asked if the county was accepting trash from the Fort Scott fire. They stated they did not know but if Allen County did take it Bourbon County would pay what Bourbon County’s rate.

Hal asked about bridge projects. He wanted to know if the commission picked the contractors? They stated "no" KDOT picks the contactor. These are on a five-year plan. Discussion followed.

Hal asked about the chip seal south of town. Commissioners stated the roads to be chip sealed this year are already on the list. Discussion followed.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Clerk's vouchers totaling $247,567.23

b) Abatements PP Value 94, $10.78,Year 2004

c) Ambulance Write off for Bankruptcy

d) Payroll Vouchers

e) Payroll Changes

f) Journal Entries

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until April 5, 2005 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.