Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
July 26, 2005

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Disclaimer: These unofficial minutes are not official until approved by the Commission. Please contact the Allen County Commission Office or the County Clerk’s Office regarding any questions or accuracy of the minutes prior to the Commission approval.

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, Allen County Clerk.

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

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the July 19, 2005.

Commissioners discussed a vacancy in the L.E.P.P. position.

Sherrie presented to the commission a petition for annexation hearing for Water District #8:

Commissioners ordered a hearing:

Sherrie presented postage machine information. Commissioners approved the lease from Pitney Bowes.

Sandra Drake, Allen County Appraiser, discussed the vacancy for Zoning, L.E.P.P., and G.I.S. Zoning would include building permits; L.E.P.P. includes sewer and septic systems; and G.I.S. for mapping and splits. Discussion followed on who would cover until the positions are filled. Commissioners requested Bill King, Public Works Director to cover L.E.P.P. until more information could be gathered.

Roy Owens, Monarch Cement, requested the closing of a portion of 1585 St. in Section 11, Township 26, Range 18. Commissioners will start the process of closing the road and set a hearing. Mr. Owens discussed a new road leading from 1600 Street across to 1585 Street. Discussion followed on who would pay for the road. Monarch will build the road at their cost and Allen County will oversee the project.

Roy requested to put Chloride Magnesium down as dust abatement on a haul road. Commissioners approved. The county will grade the road before the Chloride Magnesium is applied.

Commissioner Thompson moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Works, Chairman Regehr, and Bill King, Public Works Director. The time is now 9:19 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 9:29 a.m. No action was taken.

Commissioner Works moved to allow Bill to hire the two highest scoring individuals, one for the landfill and one for Special Bridge. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Bill and Commissioners discussed the Central Street Bridge.

Commissioners briefly discussed ambulance services.

Diane Bertone, Multi-County Health Department, presented bids for replacement of porch boards on the building. Bids were received from Beatty Construction for labor and materials at $2,150.00; Day Construction for labor and boards for $725.00 and Wayne Garrett for labor and materials at $700.00 Discussion followed. Commissioner Works moved to approve Day Construction. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Commissioners discussed office space for the needs assessment from KU for the Reach Foundation. Discussion followed. Diane currently has an empty office. Commissioners will have the Foundation contact Diane for more information.

Diane reported the newly painted doors at the health department are already peeling.

Gary Parker, Reach Foundation representative, discussed a call from KU in regards to the needs assessment for Allen County. They will pay a part time secretary, estimated salary of $15,000 for one year, for which they need office space. Discussion followed that $64,500 was awarded to Allen County for the assessment.

Glen Smith, Allen County resident, requested a whistle for some farmland. Commissioners requested he visit with Bill King.

Thomas R. Williams, Allen County Sheriff, discussed a contract proposal with Thermal Components. September 10, 2005 is when the contract would take over the maintenance warranty. Discussion followed on Thermal Components taking care of the problem cameras. The contract is a 65/35% equipment replacement. Thermal Components would pay the 65%; Allen County would be responsible for the 35%. Discussion followed on replacement costs of equipment, software upgrades, maintenance schedules and service. The total cost of the Thermal Components contract would be $13,836.00. Commissioner Thompson moved to authorize Thomas R. Williams, Allen County Sheriff to sign the contract to enter into a maintenance contract with Thermal Components. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Sheriff Williams stated the Wadestock Concert held this past weekend went well.

Sheriff Williams stated he is looking for 3-4 more employees, 1 full time or 2 part time cooks, 1 Correctional Officer and possibly another one.

Sheriff Williams discussed trustees helping on the courtyard and in the courthouse.

Commissioners discussed budget with Sheriff Williams. He mentioned Allen County Sheriff’s Department would be receiving some reimbursement monies and equipment from the "Click it or Ticket" by the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, reported Nannette Kemmerly-Weber gave her resignation as of July 31, 2005. Discussion followed.

Commissioner Thompson moved to go into executive session for 5 minutes to discuss Attorney-Client Privilege. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Works, Chairman Regehr, Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is now 10:44 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 10:49 a.m. No action was taken.

Commissioner Works moved to go into executive session for 11 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Works, Chairman Regehr, Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is now 10:49 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 11:00 a.m. No action was taken.

John McRae, City of Iola Mayor, Joe Kerby, City of Iola Administrator, Judy Brigham, City of Iola Clerk, Donald Leapheart, City of Iola Fire Chief, Elaine Dugan, Allen County EMS Director, were present to listen to the county commissioners. Mr. Kerby discussed ambulance issues concerning the City of Iola. He stated Elaine has been gathering information on budget and salaries from the city. He stated information that had been published in the Iola Register sparked the city’s concerns and requested the county intent. Discussion followed. Commissioners stated they currently didn’t have intents, but because of personnel changes and other items of change the county needs to look at the future and any ideas that might make the county services better. Mr. Kerby stated that if the county commissioners’ decisions would impact the City of Iola they would like to know as far in advance as possible. Elaine stated the State EMS would be starting their assessment study of Allen County Ambulance Services. Commissioner Thompson stated when the report is completed and presented to the Commission, they will contact all those involved. Mr. Kerby stated on behalf of the City Commission they want to continue to provide the great ambulance service to the City of Iola residents. Discussion followed. Commissioner Works stated his concerns are to provide great ambulance services to all the residents in Allen County. Discussion followed on transfers. Commissioners stated that once the report is completed that is when everyone needs to get together to discuss what is best for the whole county. Elaine stated her goal is to train personnel to provide the best service possible to Allen County. Discussion followed on a centralized dispatched ambulance, time response as opposed to full time to part time and roads. Judy stated she would like to keep the Rescue Vehicle in the discussion of ambulance services. The City of Iola Officials stated they are impressed with Elaine.

Elaine stated she would like to hire some employees; paramedics and EMTI’s. She requested permission to advertise for these positions, but need to see if there is interest out there for Allen County. Alan discussed insurance for these positions. Discussion followed. Commissioners approved Elaine to advertise.

Elaine discussed ambulance rotation. No action was taken at this time.

Elaine reported on an individual interested in taking EMTB, they are requesting the county pay for the classes. Discussion followed.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

Clerk’s Journal Entries #66-67

Clerk’s Vouchers Totaling $23,711.49

Abatements - PP Value 1719, $259.04, Year 2004

Abatements - 16-20M Trucks Value, 242, $26.40,

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until August 2, 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.