Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
June 27, 2006

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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.

IOLA, KANSAS                OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK                        June 27, 2006

The Allen County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. with Chairperson Dick Works, Commissioner Kent Thompson, Commissioner Walt Regehr Jr., and Sherrie L. Riebel, County Clerk.

Bruce Symes, Iola Register, and Jackie Chase, Search Committee member, were present to observe the meeting.

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the June 20, 2006 meeting.

Ron Holman, Allen County House & Grounds Director, reported the asbestos tiles in the appraiser’s office will taken up on Saturday, July 1, 2006.  He stated the tile layer would like to work on Tuesday, July 4, 2006.  Commissioners stated he could have a key checked out for the Appraiser’s Office.  Ron discussed a time frame for other offices.  Commissioners stated they would be open to suggestions from other offices. 

Jackie Chase briefly discussed the Allen County Hospital negotiation with HCA for lease of the Allen County Hospital.  She wanted to reiterate her support of HCA.  She will be back when Alan comes in at 11:30 a.m.

Sharon K. Utley, Allen County Treasurer, presented a work schedule for her suggestion of when to do the treasurer’s office floor.  Discussion followed.  January through March would be the best for her office. 

Sharon presented bids for laser printers.  She requested two laser printers for the tax side and one Mono Laser printer (MICR).  One bid received from Modern Copy for Kyocera Mita FS3900D for $1,122.90, and $1,237.65 for a Kyocera Mita FS4000DN; Copy Products for a Samsung ML3561NP for $1,125.00 and $1,095.00 for a Lexmark T640N; Advantage Computer for a Lexmark T640 for $1,230.00 and $$904.00 for a HP2430; and Image Quest for a Savin MLP35 for $1,474.00.  Commissioner Regehr moved to approve two printers from Modern Copy Systems for $1,122.90, and to research with the software program on the MICR printers.   Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Sandra Drake, Allen County Appraiser, presented bids for six chairs for the appraiser’s office.  Bids were received from Iola Office Supply for $900.00, Service Office & Supply for $825.00 and McCarty’s Office Machines, Inc., for $797.52.  Commissioner Thompson moved to authorize the purchase from McCarty’s Office Machines, Inc for $797.52.  Commissioner Regehr seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Darrel Catron, City of Gas Mayor, requested if the City of Gas could annex property not attached to the City of Gas?  Commissioners stated he needed to have an attorney check that for him. 

Darrel asked questions about HCA and the Allen County Hospital. 

Bill King, Public Works Director, Mary Stewart, Allen County citizen, discussed the road north of Iola on Marshmallow Lane in front of her land.  She stated they are getting a lot of traffic from Russell Stover’s and trucks from Colt Energy.  She stated she is taking care of a person who has been caused problem with the traffic.  She is requesting the commission approve to lengthen the chip seal road, which is Marshmallow Lane to 800 Street between Texas and S. Dakota Roads.  She is concerned traffic will lose control on the gravel and an end up in her yard.  Discussion followed.  Commissioners stated they would take her request under consideration.

Bill presented a progress report from Joe Weiner, Woodcom. Inc., addressing his work at the Allen County Airport.

Bill discussed issues for noxious weed clean up between landowners.  Discussion followed. 

Bill reported on the chip seal projects; completed roads and roads yet to be scheduled.  Discussion followed on oil types and application.

E.J. Siefker, Allen County citizen, discussed thistles north of Moran.  He stated the land was too rocky to mow.  Discussion followed on problems he was running into with neighbors.  Commissioners will go view the area in question. 

Commissioners stated the courthouse would remain open on July 3^rd. 

Judy Froehlich, 31^st Judicial District Court Clerk, Jennifer Barrow, 31^st Judicial District Court Clerk, Daniel Creitz, 31^st Judicial District Judge, Timothy Brazil, 31^st Judicial District Judge, were present to discuss 2007 budget.  Judge Brazil discussed SB 4218 to raise juror fees up to $50.00 if so desired.  Judge Brazil said if this is a consideration they need to consider it when budgeting for 2007.  He stated the overall request was up $2,000.  Discussion followed.  Commissioners stated they would take under consideration. 

Judge Brazil discussed security within Allen County Courthouse.  Discussion followed.

Commissioners accepted the resignation of Leon Murrow from Fire District #3 Board.  They appointed Mike Miller and Russ LeMonds.  The recommendations were made to the board by way of David Janssen, Fire District #3 Fire Chief.  

Sherrie discussed establishing a cemetery district within Allen County.  Commissioners took no action.

Maury Thompson, Tri-Valley Development Services, Inc. Executive Director, Jackie Witherspoon, Tri-Valley Development Services, Inc. Director of Public Relations and Grants and Bill Fiscus, Tri-Valley Development Services, Inc. Associate Director, and Scott Mann, Vice President of the Tri-Valley Development Service Board, were present for the 2007 budget request.  Maury presented information on licenses and items from the past year on grants received to help with community services provided by Tri-Valley.  Discussion followed on numbers designated specially for Allen County such as: mission statements, direct supervision, geographic service area, service/support type, general transportation, retired and senior volunteer programs and staff employed.  Mr. Thompson requested $52,500 for 2007 budget year for their operating fund.  This is an increase from the previous four years, but the same as requested and granted in 2002.  Funds outside of the operating budget are Capital Improvement Fund.  Commissioners stated they would consider the request. 

Maury discussed transportation for Allen County.  He stated a grant proposal has been made to the Kansas Health Board for grant monies for transportation.  He reported on other options of grants to enhance the transportation services. 

Maury discussed a fundraiser at Cedarbrook Golf coarse.  He explained about Tri-Valley homes and future homes.  Discussion followed.  He explained the homes are a single family home in case funding changes and home have to be sold, they would remain desirable to families. 

Scott thanked Maury and his staff for the great services they have been doing in providing an efficient agency at the acceptable costs. 

Elaine Dugan, Allen County EMS Director, reported Iola’s “second unit out” is in the shop needing a new engine.  Discussion followed on what repairs, whom is covering and solutions. 

Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, and Mike Ellis, Allen County Hospital Executive Director, discussed running ambulance services out of Allen County Hospital. Mike stated federal monies are not available for a hospital to run services if there is already one within 35 miles, which there is at Chanute.

Alan discussed the HCA contract and the search committee’s recommendation for Allen County Commission to accept the HCA contract. Alan is waiting on a couple of exhibits for HCA’s contract.  

Alan discussed that the 1.55 million dollars discussed in the newspaper were computed to be the value of Allen County Hospital when HCA took over from Health Midwest in 2002.  If HCA leaves Allen County Hospital they would have to make sure the hospital is that value when they leave, if Allen County kicks HCA out of the hospital then Allen County would have to pay what the hospital is worth minus the 1.55 to HCA.  Discussion followed. There is no discussion on having the hospital reappraised at this time. Alan anticipated the exhibits to be addressed soon and then the contract would be considered at that time. He stated a few issues remain to be addressed.  Mike stated he would check on the status of the exhibits and get them to Alan.  Commissioners will call a special meeting if the completed contract is received before July 11, 2006. 

Commissioners declined to contribute tax dollars to the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

a)      Clerk's Journal Entries # 40

b)      Clerk’s Vouchers $113,256.08

c)      Payroll Changes

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until July 11, 2006 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.