Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
September 20, 2005

IOLA, KANSAS                      OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK                  September 20, 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, Allen County Clerk.

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

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the September 13, 2005 meeting.

Diane Bertone, SEK Multi County Health Executive Director, presented bids for painting the columns, railing and porch at the Health Department. She had requested bids from three individuals, two were returned; one from Bell Painting for $765.00 and the other from Higinbotham Painting for $ 850.00. Discussion followed. Commissioner Works moved to accept the bid from Bell Painting. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Diane discussed letters she had written to the representatives concerning the inspections of clandestine laboratories in residences by health officer. She presented responses to the commission for review.

Commissioner Thompson moved to go into executive session for 5 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 Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is now 8:40 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 8:45 a.m. No action was taken.

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, Bill King, Public Works Director and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is now 9:00 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 9:10 a.m. No action was taken.

Commissioner Works moved to hire Scott Reeder for Special Bridge Foreman. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Scott is currently the Noxious Weed Director.

Bill King, Public Works Director, reported he hasn’t had anyone look at the Humboldt River Bridge expansion at this time. The lights are up and working.

Bill reported Mitch Garner, Allen County Airport Manager, is in Colorado this week for training and mower guys are out mowing from fence to fence.

Sharon K. Utley, Allen County Treasurer, presented information on delinquent taxes.

Sharon stated she thinks it is time to start another tax foreclosure sale. Discussion followed. Commissioners approved to start the process for the tax foreclosure sale.

Commissioner Works moved to go into executive session for 5 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, Sharon K. Utley, Allen County Treasurer and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is now 9:20 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 9:25 a.m. No action was taken.

Joe Kerby, City of Iola, and Barbara Chalker Collins, Iola Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, discussed Economic Development. Joe presented information on economic development.

Barbara read the paper stating it is the goal of the supporting organizations to develop an Economic Development Committee that will focus on improving the quality of life in Iola and the surrounding communities by promoting a thriving business community that is continually growing, expanding and diversifying.

She read the role of the committee would be to foster economic development within the City of Iola and surrounding communities in order to improve the quality of life and standard of living. The specific objectives are:

retention and expansion of existing businesses

attraction of new commercial/retail businesses and working in conjunction with Iola Industries regarding Industrial Development

addition of new jobs within the community

develop programs which will stimulate additional investment within our community

cultivate a business atmosphere which will result in higher paying jobs

broaden the tax base

promoting a higher skilled work force

encourage and facilitate cooperation between local taxing authorities

Organization: The Economic Development Committee will consist of members representing the Iola Chamber of Commerce, Iola Industries, City of Iola, Allen County and the community in general. The Economic Development Committee will be an independent entity that will not directly report to any organization but will rather work with the supporting organizations to facilitate the accomplishment of its goals. A chairperson will be appointed by the Economic Development Committee members themselves. The initial committee will consist of the following members: Jerry Skidmore (Iola Industries), Barbara Chalker Collins (Chamber of Commerce), Greg Korte (Chamber of Commerce), Kent Thompson (Allen County), Jim Talkington, John McRae (City of Iola), Joe Kerby (City of Iola) and Ex officio Craig Van Wey (Kansas Department of Commerce).

The Economic Development Committee may then break down into possible subcommittees to target certain areas. Examples of these areas are; revising and developing community marketing materials; retention and expansion of existing businesses, facilitating and promoting commercial/retail development; drafting and recommending economic development incentives for local units of government.

Timeline:

September of 2005 - proposal to Allen County Commission, City of Iola Commission, Iola Chamber of Commerce Board and Iola Industries Board for input and approval.

October of 2005 – first official meeting of Economic Development Committee Convened.

Barbara discussed who is in charge of getting information out to draw new businesses. She is requesting all get involved. Discussion followed. She stated somebody in all Kansas Counties have someone involved in helping with economic development. Joe stated the City of Iola could not do it on their own, the County could not do it on their own, the Chamber could not do it on their own, it takes all to make it successful. Commissioners stated this would help cover a need that has been out there for a long time. Commissioners stated they are in favor of economic development and would support the committee.

Sandra Drake, Allen County Appraiser, presented bids for G.I.S. mapping. Bids were received from R & S Digital for $48,000 to create city maps, $400 month maintenance, plus website, 4 months to complete; Kimball Mapping for $40,000 to $45,000 to create city maps, $12,000 a year maintenance, no website, 6-8 months to complete; Valuation Assistance for $21, 140 to create city maps, $25 an hour to maintain splits and combines, 6 months to complete. Discussion followed on each company, which one would best suit Sandra’s needs. Commissioner Works moved to authorize Sandra to contract with R & S Digital. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Shannon Moore, Allen County Undersheriff, and Joni Tucker, Jail Manager, discussed seizures and stamp taxes of over $196,000. She stated there has been quite a bit of overtime due to the raids.

Joni stated Linn County has shut down their jail. They are contracting with Allen County to house inmates.

Commissioners discussed bids on vehicles for the Sheriff’s department. No action was taken.

Elaine Dugan, EMS Director, requested training funds. Three individuals are in need of Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification. Two will be scheduled to go October 4 & 5, 2005 at Allen County Hospital and one for September 28 & 29, 2005 in Sedan, Ks. The RN going to Sedan cannot go to ACH due to work conflicts. The total costs for ACH would be $250.00 and Sedan would be $201.80. Commissioners approved.

Elaine explained the City of Humboldt applied for a grant through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program 2005 to purchase a Welch Allyan MRL Defibrillator. Its cost is approximately $21,000. The City of Humboldt received notification the grant has been approved for award of $19,000. She is requesting the county to pay the remaining $2,000 for equipment purchase. Discussion followed on Humboldt would have had to sign off on the grant so why aren’t they paying for it. Elaine discussed looking at grants for other equipment and ambulances. Commissioners stated they would consider paying half of the cost over and above the grant.

Elaine stated the State EMS report has not been completed due to a survey mailed out by EMS. Discussion followed. Elaine is expecting the report by the end of October.

Elaine discussed a letter from the City of Moran Council. She stated the letter concerned pay increase for RN’s. She mentioned due to a lack of certified staff for Hospital-Hospital transfers, a Task Force was developed to study the issue. It was concluded that there were three main issues: pay, liability insurance, and on-call pay. With the advice from the Hospital Administrator, a pay increase for incentive was needed. For five to six hours of time for a transfer, it was discussed to pay $150.00 for a run during the week and an increase to $225.00 for weekends and holidays. Also, to pay $1.00/hr for on-call pay to ensure that someone will be available to go during a set amount of hours. The issue for liability insurance was mostly that the ambulance service is there to back up their personal liability insurance plan. The request will be as follows: $150.00 for Monday 7:00 a.m. thru Friday 3:00 p.m., and $225.00 Friday 3:00 p.m. thru Monday 7:00 a.m., holidays the same as weekend rates. At this point in time since there are two cities still operating, on call pay for the RN’s will be paid through Humboldt. The reason being is that there is only one RN on call that is going to both with Moran and Humboldt and it is easier to pay through one city for this. The RN that typically goes with Moran has at this point chosen not to be put on call, but wants to choose at the time of being called. The MICT’s that are on the call schedule are actually working shifts at Humboldt. The call schedule is developed at Humboldt during the scheduling process for Humboldt coverage, therefore it is easier to keep track and pay for on call hours for the two RNs currently on the schedule. Discussion followed.

Elaine stated the educational grant monies for training were approved.

Sherrie discussed items for Farm City Days.

Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, discussed the requests for a proposal for heating and air. Review followed on individual information: Chiller replacements, Boiler replacement (Condensing or Copper Fin Boiler), install electro-magnetic cooling tower water treatment, install new FCU, Energy Management System, and installation must comply with all existing Federal, State and Local codes and regulations. This is a turnkey project and bids must include all labor and equipment necessary to remove old equipment, to prepare the site for new equipment and to install and operate the new heating and cooling system throughout the Allen County Courthouse at maximum efficiency. All proposals must include a list of equipment, installation costs, warranties and any extended service agreements in the total price. Bidders must provide a complete description of the scope of work to be preformed by the bidder. Bidder must also submit all equipment specifications to include a general description with all relevant capacities along with the manufacturer and model number of each equipment pieces. The successful bidder will be responsible for providing a complete engineering-stamped design of the new heating and cooling system. The bidder shall submit a field set of record drawings (as built). The successful bidder must furnish a performance bond and a public works bond (payment bond) as required by K.S.A. 60-1111. Commissioners stated concerns and issues. Alan will revise the bids and bring back for final approval.

Alan discussed the Fire District #3 meeting held last week.

Alan discussed a FEMA meeting he had attended. He explained he would have to enroll and get a list of items the county would have to do to be rezoned. There is educational information available to Allen County. Discussion followed.

Alan discussed L.E.P.P. regulations. Discussion followed on certified persons to dig lagoons. Alan asked for clarification on the certification.

Alan discussed open record requests.

Hal Pannel, Allen County citizen, asked about road work at the end of Kentucky Street and the road south of town. He asked if the commission had considered the county employees to work the concrete at the airport for the expansion and just have someone else pour it. Commissioners stated Allen County does not have the equipment to pour a runway.

Hal asked about the compost site. Commissioners stated the compost site is a city issue not a county issue. Discussion followed.

Employee Payroll Changes

Clerk’s Vouchers Totaling $109,718.21

Journal Entries #82-83

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until September 27, 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.