Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
June 28, 2005

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

Bruce Symes, Iola Register, was present to observe the meeting.

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the June 21, 2005 meeting.

Ron Holman, House and Grounds Director, discussed a request from Jeff Flathman, Custom Energy Services, on window information. Custom Energy Services are in the process of evaluating the courthouse for energy savings.

Ron discussed the changing of lights at the Allen County Law Enforcement Center in the pod areas. Commissioners discussed calling a contractor who is equipped with a lift. Discussion followed.

Commissioners discussed the request for building a larger memorial for the Veterans Wall. Commissioners didn’t want to sell off the courtyard or have more cement on the green grass.

Sherrie requested on behalf of Joyce from Sam’s Club in Joplin to be able to come and set up to visit with employees or send one day passes. Commissioners stated no, Joyce could apply for an open records request for the names of employees.

Loren Korte, PSI, suggested the County file the claim (discussed at the June 21st meeting) for Stanley Heffernon. Mr Heffenon was injured in an accident at the airport. . Commissioners approved.

Commissioner Works moved to vote for Steve Garten, Barber County Commissioner, to be the Official Representative to the Governing Board National Association of Counties. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Sherrie discussed the Iola Register bills in question to be paid. Discussion followed. Commissioners approved to turn over to our counselor to be settled.

Elaine Dugan, EMS Director, discussed county fuel costs as opposed to regular gas stations for ambulance use. Commissioners requested Elaine visit with Bill King, Public Works Director, for cost savings.

Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, discussed a draft contract with the City of Moran. Commissioners reviewed and discussed. The contract would start immediately once approved by Allen County Commission and the City of Moran.

Commissioner Works moved to go into executive session for 5 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, Elaine Dugan, Allen County EMS Director, Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is now 9:18 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 9:23 a.m. No action was taken.

Commissioners approved the proposed draft. Alan will make date corrections. He and Elaine will presented the contract to the City of Moran.

Maury Thompson, Tri-Valley Development Services, Inc. Executive Director, and Bill Fiscus, Tri-Valley Development Services, Inc. Associate Director, presented information from the past year on community services provided by Tri-Valley. Discussion followed on numbers designated specially for Allen County such as: mission statements, direct supervision, geographic service area, service/support type, general transportation, retired and senior volunteer programs and staff employed. Mr. Thompson requested $52,500 for 2006 budget year. This is an increase from the previous three years, but the same as requested and granted in 2002. Commissioners stated they would consider the request.

Bob Chase, SEK Mental Health Center Executive Director, Ed Miller, SEKMHC Board Member, thanked the commission for the continued County support. Mr. Chase discussed the decrease in funding for years 2004 and 2005, stating he understood times were difficult. SEKMHC is requesting $105,000 for 2006 budget year. Discussion followed on services provided by SEKMHC, and their 2006 proposed budget line items. Mr. Chase stated some of the needs are created from drug abuse in the area. Commissioners discussed SEKMHC coming into the jail instead of hauling the inmate to SEKMHC. Discussion followed on pros and cons for that idea.

Commissioner Thompson moved to approve Chairman Regehr sign agreement between the Union Pacific Railroad Company, Allen County, Kansas, and the Secretary of Transportation of the State of Kansas, relative to the construction and maintenance of Railroad Crossing Safety Devices. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Chairman Regehr signed the agreement.

Commissioners discussed annual contracts and maintenance on equipment in the Allen County Law Enforcement Center.

Hal Pannel, Allen County Citizen, asked if all the roadwork was completed after the heavy rains.

Mr. Pannel asked it there would be any Allen County Public Works employees working on the bridge project east of Humboldt. Commissioners stated no.

Mr. Pannel asked why the extended runway was not currently being used? Commissioners explained it still needed dirt work and concrete before it is open for use. Discussion followed.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Clerk’s Vouchers Totaling $146,144.65

b) Journal Entries # 57

c) Employee Expense Vouchers

d) Abatements- RE Value 2284, $334.10, Year 2004

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