Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
July 5, 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 28, 2005 meeting.

Commissioners discussed Ron Boren placing a dumpster at the Allen County Airport for the Power Parachute Fly-In July 7th through 10th. Commissioners approved the dumpster to be emptied at the Allen County Landfill at no charge since this is a service to Allen County.

Commissioners approved the use of the Allen County Courtyard on October 15, 2005, for Farm City Days.

Jeff Flathman, Custom Energy Services, discussed the audit preformed last week and will continue into this week. He wanted to make sure everything is being covered for efficiency that the commissioners want covered, such as lighting fixtures, chiller, cooling tower, boiler, and warranties on these items. He explained what the replacements could be for each item. Discussion followed on window replacements, urinal replacement, low flow toilets, and other options. Commissioners requested he check into all of these.

Jeff discussed energy use by just the courthouse without the Law Enforcement Center. Discussion followed. Jeff will meet with the commission as soon as the audit is completed.

Bill King, Public Works Director, reported the Central Street Bridge (Georgia Street) need to be closed to continue the work. Commissioners requested they wait to close the bridge until July 11, 2005, so that proper notification can be made in the paper and on the radio.

Bill reported the dust abatement is completed at this time.

Bill discussed the chip seal process on roads. He talked about oil types.

Bill discussed a road-closing request by Monarch Cement. He stated Roy Owens would be in at some time to make a formal request.

Bill discussed a request by the City of Iola for the County to participate in the compost pile. Discussion followed.

Bill discussed the City of Iola annexing a portion of Carpenter Street. The City of Iola is meeting later today.

Bill discussed the City of Iola participating in the lighting at the Allen County Airport. Discussion followed.

Bill reported two seasonal persons have quit, two more leaving next month to return to school, two of the tractors are in the shop. Discussion followed.

Diane Bertone, Southeast Kansas Multi County Health Executive Director, discussed the wood on the porch of the health department. The boards are rotten and need to be replaced. She reported the SEK Multi County Board request she replace all the board on the porch. Discussion followed. Mrs. Bertone stated there is not a gutter on the porch. Commissioners offered some suggestions for replacement. Commissioners requested Mrs. Bertone to get three bids for replacement for options.

Sherrie discussed a new lease for a postage machine. Commissioners requested three bids.

Rodney Burns, Hutinett, Schlotterbeck and Burns, discussed the audit of the 2004 budget year. Discussion followed. Chairman Regehr signed a paper that all information was provided to the auditing firm that was requested.

Jennifer Jackman, Allen County Hospital Executive Director, Larry Peterson, Allen County Hospital Financial Officer, John McRae, City of Iola Mayor, Joe Kerby, City of Iola Administrator, Bryan Rogers, Senior Vice President Midwest Division-ACH, LLC, Rob Dire, HCA Midwest Division, Donna Talkington, Allen County Hospital Advisory Board Member, Merle McRae, resident, Susan Lynn, Iola Register Executive Editor, Bruce Symes, Iola Register reporter, and Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, were present for an announcement from Allen County Hospital. Jennifer Jackman introduced Brian Rodgers, HCA. He is giving 180 days notice of intent to terminate lease agreement with Allen County as pursuant to Section 9.3 of the Lease Agreement. He would like to help Allen County with the transition on finding a hospital manager that would be for a rural hospital. He contributed it to loss of monies. He recommended a task group be gathered to look for a manager group. Senior management team is made up of great people, he would recommend keeping that group. Discussion followed on personnel dedicated by HCA to help with the transition. Brian assured his staff would continue to help find a replacement for HCA. He stated if the transition was not completed in 180 days that they would be here for a year or longer if needed. Donna stated the message Allen County residents need to know is we have a good hospital and it is not going anywhere. Susan asked if there are hospitals out there that would want to take on Allen County? Brian stated there are least four he knew of that are interested in Allen County. Jennifer stated they plan on keeping their employees; there is nothing for them to worry about. Commissioners asked how some of their other hospitals were adjusting to the transition? Brian stated very well, but as with any transition there is an adjustment period.

Commissioner Works moved to approve Chairman Regehr’s signature on an agreement between the City of Iola, Kansas and Allen County, Kansas for the housing of inmates in the Allen County Adult Detention Center. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed, 3-0-0. Commissioner Regehr signed the agreement.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Clerk’s Vouchers Totaling $199,693.34

b) Journal Entries # 58-61

c) Employee Expense Vouchers

d) Abatements – PP Value 144, $22.30, Year 2004

 

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until July 12, 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.