Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
October 18, 2005

IOLA, KANSAS                       OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK                  October 18, 2005

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, County Clerk.

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

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the October 11, 2005 meeting.

Ron Holman, Allen County House and Grounds, reported a ground light around the courthouse was broke off. Discussion followed. Commissioners ask Ron to get the light operational and send the bill to our insurance. They will sort through who will pay for the light.

Elaine Dugan, EMS Director, presented bids for $1,000. Norman Printing bid $780.00 and Iola Register Printing bid $947.85. Commissioner Works moved to accept the bid from Norman Printing. Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Jean Barber, Allen County Multi County Health Department Board representative, discussed shortfalls for the Multi County Health Department. Discussion followed on reasons for the low income. She stated some of it was due to immunizations now being done by the doctor’s offices, some due to unfounded mandates. The board had to approve an $80,000 CD to be cashed. When board members meet at the end of October the discussion will center on how to meet some of the other shortfalls.

Donald Leapheart, City of Iola Fire Chief, reported on the RD#2 Tanker truck. The axle was off. Discussion followed on the servicing of the tanker.

Commissioners reviewed Resolution #200512.

A RESOLUTION APPOINTING AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

BE IT RESOLVED and ORDERED by the Board County Commissioners of Allen County, Kansas: That the following be appointed as the Allen County Emergency Management Director effective October 18, 2005:

Sheriff Thomas R. Williams
PO Box 433
Iola, KS 66749
620-365-1400

Adopted this 18^th day of October 2005 by the Board of Allen County Commissioners.

Commissioner Works moved to adopt Resolution #200512. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Bill King, Public Works Director, discussed on going chip and seal. The chip and seal process will be finished within the next week.

Bill discussed the Allen County Airport expansion project. Commissioners asked Bill to resubmit it to the engineer.

Bill King, Public Works Director, Sandra Drake, Allen County Appraiser, Sharon Utley, Allen County Treasurer, Cara Barkdoll, Register of Deeds, Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk, and Thomas R. Williams, Allen County Sheriff, were present to observe the annual Boss’s Day.

Sheriff Williams reported one of the department’s new trucks hit a deer.

Walt Kuykendall, City of Iola Police Chief, Dennis Kelly, Iola Police Department, Rhonda Fulton, Iola Dispatch officer and Sheriff Williams discussed problems with a manufacturer concerning 911-call equipment. Dennis explained the problems and solutions. He explained $118,546 for the estimated project cost. Discussion followed on matching funds. Sheriff Williams stated the dispatchers are the heart and soul of emergency services. They are the one that communicate with everyone. Dennis stated the request earlier for cable and antenna were stopped when the problems began. Commissioners stated they are in support of upgrading 911 equipment.

Sheriff Williams stated there is a problem with jail door hinges. Discussion followed.

Commissioner Thompson moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel and legal issues. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Works, Chairman Regehr, Thomas R. Williams, Allen County Sheriff, Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is now 9:57 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 10:07 a.m. No action was taken.

Commissioners discussed the City of Gas proposed annexation.

Joe Moreland, Kansas Bureau of Emergency Medical Service director, Elaine Dugan, Allen County EMS Director, Thomas R. William, Allen County Sheriff, John McRae, City of Iola Mayor, Joe Kerby, City of Iola Administrator, Donald Leapheart, City of Iola Fire Chief, Angela Slocum, Randy Slocum, Corey Isabel, Eric B’Hymer, City of Iola Fire/EMS department, Bret Heim, City of Moran Attorney, was present for Mr. Moreland’s presentation. He reported on his gathering of information for the evaluation, the history of the EMS services, educational requirements, volunteer status, human resources, the three cities involved, monies, staffing, policies related to protocols, finances for the EMS, services reimbursements by insurances, billing practices (collections), EMS charges (Allen County’s run within average), subsidies, retentions, education systems, transportation, condition of ambulances (mileage per unit needs monitored), scheduled and non scheduled calls, runs per city, transfer calls, first responders, facilities (Allen County Hospital, Neosho County Hospital and others), Communication devices, medical directors involvement, information systems (pre-hospital data, fire runs), public information and relations, information services, preventions tactics, neighboring six county’s comparisons and other county’s same size as Allen County. Discussion followed on all these issues. Mr. Moreland explains some spreadsheets he had presented on different counties and their services offered by these counties, hospitals and their ambulance service offered to the public and their comparison with Allen County. He discussed the different practices for working hours. Mr. Moreland stated his recommendations for Allen County. Commissioners thanked Mr. Moreland for his study and recommendations. Eric B’Hynmer asked if the commission would be open for more suggestions. He stated all EMS should be housed and ran with the fire departments. Discussion followed. Mr. Moreland stated there are 20 that are currently run that way, 100 that are not. Discussion followed on hospitals and ambulance services. There was discussion on RN’s on board of the ambulance, the City of Iola making transfers and several more issues. Chief Leapheart stated the City of Iola could help cover long distance transfers. Discussion followed on clarifications of requests.

Alan stated he had visited with the Woodson County Commission concerning the L.E.P.P. position. He stated they would like their Appraiser to take over in Woodson County. There are still some items to be worked out.

Commissioner Works moved to approve the contract with IBM through CIC and authorize Chairman Regehr to sign. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Hal Pannel, citizen, asked about the airport grant.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

Clerk's Journal Entries # 90-91

Clerk’s Vouchers totaling $132,099.39

Clerk's Vouchers totaling $ 101,015.63 to be signed October 19th

Payroll Vouchers

Payroll Changes

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until October 25, 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.