Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
July 12, 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 July 5, 2005 meeting.

Sean McReynolds, 911 Executive Board, discussed the previous 911 Board meeting. Most of the needs were for radios. Discussion followed on alternate funding. Sean stated that radio reception is a problem in some parts of the county. The receiver is not currently at the top of the tower. Discussion followed on cost of moving the receiver to the top of the tower.

Sean discussed wrecker call tones and how it affects volunteers call tones. Discussion followed on who radios were provided for. Allen County will not be providing radios to wrecker services. Commissioner Thompson moved to authorize Chairman Regehr sign a letter to the City of Iola Dispatch Supervisor regarding the wrecker service call out for Allen County. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Sean stated that next year at the annual meeting he will be stepping down off the 911 Board. Commissioners thanked Sean for all his work currently and previously on the committee.

Commissioner Works moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Works, Chairman Regehr, Bill King, Public Works Director, and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is now 9:01 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 9:11 a.m. No action was taken.

Bill King, Public Works Director, discussed cooperation between the City of Iola and County of Allen on work at the Allen County Airport.

Bill discussed downed equipment.

Bill reported the Central Street Bridge (Georgia Street) would not be closed until later this month, due to a misunderstanding between contractor and sub-contractor.

Bill reported the Asphalt Zipper would be demonstrated next Tuesday on Oregon Road. Commissioners are planning to view the demo for a few minutes.

Commissioners discussed with Bill the future purchase of a roller for road work. The road crew uses a roller only a couple of days a week during the summer.

Thomas R. Williams, Allen County Sheriff, discussed a request for traffic signs. There will be some congestion along county roads during an event on July 23. The event will take place on private land located within the county. Discussion followed on how the request could be handled.

Sheriff Williams advised the shower in the work release area is fixed. Discussion followed on other items damaged by the water leak.

Sheriff Williams stated Allen County has provided mutual aid in the way of deputies for the storm that passed through Neosho County last week.

Sheriff Williams stated he is advertising for part time jailers and a part time cook.

Sheriff Williams discussed Thermal Components Company’s installation of cameras in the jail pods. He stated the cameras in Pods A & B are not working properly. Discussion followed on the contract with Thermal Components Company.

Sheriff Williams stated he was allowing Trustees to work in the courtyard. He would like to expand to Trustees picking up trash at the landfill. Discussion followed on liability issues.

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

Rodney Burns, Hutinett Schlotterbeck and Burns, discussed jail commissary funds.

Rodney presented the Audit Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2004. He reviewed ending balances on each fund. He stated there are three outstanding bills for Noxious Weed Department. Rodney discussed the Section 79 life insurance benefit for payroll. The effected employees would be anyone making over $12.82 per hour.

Commissioner Works moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Commissioner Thompson second, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Works, Chairman Regehr, Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, Rodney Burns, Hutinett Schlotterbeck and Burns Auditor, and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is now 10:10 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 10:21 a.m. No action was taken.

Rodney discussed EMT hours that could be worked. Discussion followed. No action was taken.

Commissioners approved the Santa House to be placed on the Southeast corner of the square for the Christmas Season.

Commissioners approved Deann Shinkle, ING representative, to visit with employees concerning their retirement fund. Employees must use their own time for the scheduled meeting.

Charles Allison, Allison’s Liquor Store, discussed the new amendments to K.S.A. 41-712 (changes in November) and new statute created by Section 9 of Senate Bill 298 (changes in July). He explained what he understood the bills to say. Charles discussed the problem now is when a holiday falls on a Monday, then they are closed Sunday and Monday, and people go to Missouri to purchase their liquor. Discussion followed on the need to be open Sundays and Holidays. The county outside the incorporated areas would be the only area affected. Cities would have to approve the liquor stores within each of the respective cities. Discussion followed. No matter what form the Commissions take, whether a petition for election or a resolution, both has a 60-day waiting period. Commissioners will take under consideration.

Commissioners discussed Sunday liquor sales with Sheriff Williams. He stated the traffic will change if it is the only place to get liquor on Sundays.

Sheriff Williams stated a Health Safety audit was done of the Law Enforcement Center last week.

Sheriff Williams requested to pay the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for the annual match for Southeast Kansas Drug Enforcement Task Grant in the total of $7,181.00. Commissioners approve the bill to be submitted as a voucher.

Commissioner Thompson moved to go into executive session for 8 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Commissioner Works 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 now 10:52 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 11:00 a.m. No action was taken.

Alfred Link, Wanda Lytle, Bob Lane, representatives of the Veteran’s Wall, discussed the extension of the Veteran’s Wall on the Southeast corner of the square. Mr. Link presented a picture fixed with the proposed expansion. Discussion followed on how many names the proposed walls would hold. It was suggested to stair step the walls down so that it doesn’t totally block the view of the courthouse. Mr. Link stated $15,000 is estimated for two new wings and lights. Discussion followed on the amount of sidewalk that would be needed. Mr. Link requested the Commission approve the sale of sidewalk for tile that is sold for $50.00 per tile (1 foot squares) or more if more detail is requested. Commissioners went out to the site to review the current wall and proposed area. Discussion followed on what the commission thought would be an acceptable loss of grass area. Commissioner Works stated he would rather see the county pay for a portion of the monies. Commissioners stated they would rather see the curve continue with two more windows and not cement any more grass area. Mrs. Lytle stated they are looking for a company that make comparable tile match. Two windows would allow 3,000 names. Commissioners requested the representatives ask for donations before selling tile area, they don’t want the area inside the arch all cemented with tiles. Commissioners approved to continue the arch two windowpane lengths toward the sidewalk on both sides, but reserve future authorization to be brought before the board befor expanding the future tile area inside the arch.

Elaine Dugan, Allen County EMS Director, presented a letter of intent from the City of Humboldt reflecting the City of Moran’s concerns that the County take over the hiring EMT’s as county employees. Discussion followed.

Elaine presented statistics on ambulance runs; Moran and Humboldt. She had gathered the information for the City of Humboldt’s board meeting, which she reviewed in detail with the commission. Discussion followed on future ideas.

Commissioner Works moved to go into executive session for 5 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. 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, and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is now 12:20 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 12:25 a.m. No action was taken.

Commissioners discussed the City of Humboldt keeping their ambulance up and running at this time.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a) Clerk’s Vouchers Totaling $118,586.01 for July 13,2005

b) Clerk’s Vouchers Totaling $156,239.29 for July 20, 2005

c) Journal Entries #62 and C0015

d) Pay Changes

e) Abatements – PP Value 2520, $390.08, Year 2004

 

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until July 19, 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.