Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
August 2, 2005

IOLA, KANSAS OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK August 2, 2005

The Allen County Board of Commissioners met in a 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 26, 2005 meeting.

Thomas R. Williams, Allen County Sheriff, reported the fair is going well.

Sherrie visited with the Commission about a request to open the courthouse on September 17, 2005 for "Allen County Night Out" from 3-8 p.m. It is an event promoting Law Enforcement in Allen County. Commissioners requested Officer Ford contact Sheriff Williams for details.

Bill King, Public Works Director, Jerry Wallis, Allen County Landfill Foreman, Chris Hotop, Burns & McDonnell, and Olivia Mills, Burns & McDonnell, were present for a presentation to the Commission on the proposed Allen County Landfill Expansion. Olivia reviewed the Design Criteria: 50-acre Subtitle-D horizontal expansion; 40 foot vertical expansion of existing; 8 cells providing approximately 40-years additional life @ 250 tons per day; Cells 1A and 1B to be constructed in 2006 (Approximately 10-acre footprint, 6-8 years life with overlapping elevating to 1120, estimated $1-2 million total construction costs, includes new leachate treatment system, storm water ponds, flare); Leachate options (to be determined): Re-circulation, Evaporation Ponds, Flare evaporation, On-site mechanical treatment, Deep well injection, Minimal to no off-site disposal; Maintain existing storm water management system with new channels as needed; Abandon some groundwater monitoring wells with new wells to replace, final landfill cover to be 3 (horizontal):1 (vertical) slope, 100 foot property line buffer (reduced from KDHE requires 150).

Chris reviewed the Commissioner directives, being landfill height (1120 feet) and footprint, preferred leachate treatment options, and approval of request for buffer reduction required to petition KDHE director. He suggested the Commission request an 1120’ permit, the Commission agreed to submit the high request. They can always lower it if they feel there is a need. Commissioners stated they would rather use evaporation ponds, and re-circulation rather than deep well injection.

Chris did a quick review of the time schedule: Hydrogeologic Report – completed – KDHE approval by September 30, Location Restriction Demonstration – pending agency responses, Engineer Construction Estimates – August 23, Draft Permit Complete for Allen County review – September 13, Final Permit Submittal to KDHE – September 30, Initial Public Information Meeting – November, 2005, Final Public Information Meeting – January, 2006, KDHE approval – February, 2006, Construction Drawings/Specifications Complete – March, 2006, Construction Bids received – April, 2006, Construction begins – May 2006, Construction ends – August – September, 2006. Discussion followed as each topic was addressed. Chris went into some details on the current and proposed gas wells. He stated some of the gases are coal bed gases not just landfill gases. Discussion followed on questions asked by the Commission. Commissioners agreed to proceed with the first step, which is getting the requested permit.

Bill discussed the roadwork being done in the county.

Jeff Flathman, Custom Energy Business Development Manager, and Ron Holman, Allen County House and Grounds Director, presented a summary of the company’s investment grade audit. Jeff discussed utilities, before and after the new Law Enforcement Center was built. Discussion followed. Jeff reviewed an energy conservation measurement savings and cost summary. He discussed the bids actually presented for the proposed work of replacing the chiller and boiler, window replacement and adding an energy management system that can be remotely monitored. Jeff explained the replacement plans for a Condensing Boiler and chiller, water conservation, vending machine control, window replacement, lighting retrofit, and the energy management system. Jeff presented bids from Waldinger for $184,957 on Chiller Replacement, Boiler Replacement, and Water Efficiency; Central Air Conditioning for $125,885 on Chiller Replacement, Boiler Replacement, Water Efficiency; Fagan for $153,201 on Chiller Replacement, Boiler Replacement, Water Efficiency; McQueeny Group for $26,385 on Chiller Replacement and Boiler Replacement; Abestos for $15,000 on Boiler Replacement; Carrier for $30,762 on Chiller Replacement; Trane for $99,275 on Chiller Replacement and Energy Management System; Sadifer Engineer for $47,210 on Energy Management System; BCS for $34,875 on Energy Management System; and Boone Houston for $12,000 on lighting and vending machine control. He reviewed what each company’s bid and their brand names. Jeff presented window information. Discussion followed on several of the items. If a decision is made soon, a boiler could be installed before winter. Jeff will continue to get window bids and roof costs.

Mary Tucker, JJA Assistant Administrator, requested signatures for the end of year transfers. Commissioner Works moved to authorize the chairman’s signature on the budget adjustment for JJA. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0

Bob Jones, discussed fireworks within the City of Iola. Commissioners stated he would have to have the City of Iola request the question to be submitted for election. He also requested to use the courtyard for Farm City Days. Commissioners approved.

Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, reported on a Flood Plain meeting he had attended earlier today.

David Sweat, Emergystat, Inc. representative, Elaine Dugan, Allen County EMS Director, and Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, discussed EMS services. David offered assistance to reorganize the Allen County EMS service. He stated they do have a service that could do this for Allen County if needed. They are a large business, which contracts with counties to provide ambulance services. Discussion followed. He stated they are a large company but they believe in local control. He stated it can be fashioned any way the Commission requests. He gave as an example: Linn County’s cost is approx $380,000, he stated the lower the call volume, the higher the cost. Discussion followed on costs and guarantees. Contracts are usually based on three years. Discussion followed on location of ambulance. His company provides vehicles, personnel, and training. Commissioners thanked David for his input and concerns.

Alan reported he had received information on insurance rates for EMTI and EMT’s; the cost would be approximately $5,000 annually. Discussion followed.

Elaine stated the proposed ambulance service is not an overnight transition, but a work in progress.

Alan discussed "on call" standards for ambulance personnel.

Sheriff Williams reported on ambulance runs for inmates. Discussion followed. Commissioners discussed budget with Sheriff Williams. No action was taken at this time.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

Clerk’s Vouchers totaling $ 74,694.70

Payroll Changes

Journal Entries #68-70

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until August 9, 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.