Allen County Commissioners' Meeting Minutes

IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
July 29, 2008

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, and David Colgin, Allen County citizen and candidate for Commissioner District #2, were present to observe the meeting.

Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the July 22, 2008 meeting.

Jerry Hathaway, Allen County Attorney, discussed his office copier. He reported his three-year copier maintenance agreement is up. He could get a new maintenance contract for $750.00 per year, $2,250 for three years, or for $3,420.00 he could get a new copier with a three-year maintenance contract. Commissioner Thompson moved to purchase the new one. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Bill King, Public Works Director, discussed an employee retiring. This will leave two positions empty in the department.

Bill discussed problems with an oil company, which provides oil for the chip and seal. Discussion followed on other issues this cost that county on roads. He stated the repair costs are what it used to cost to completely redo a road. Oil is a problem to get at this time, cost is also a problem.

Bill asked the commissioners if he could get started on the ambulance station project. Commissioners stated he could. Public Works will be doing the dirt work and demolishing the building.

Bill reported they would be starting the apron project at the Allen County Regional Airport on August 11, 2008. The estimated time to complete the project is two months, sooner if weather permits.

Thomas R. Williams, Allen County Sheriff, introduced Derek McVey as a new deputy.

Sheriff Williams requested the County Commission to appoint Pam Beasley as the Allen County Emergency Manager. He stated it has become a full time job since post 9/11, for requesting grants and keeping up on Homeland Security issues. Sheriff Williams stated all of Pam’s qualifications. Commissioner Regehr presented Pam with her Emergency Manager Certificate. She completed all her classes and qualified for her certificate. Pam thanked all for the opportunity and explained some issues.

Pam Beasley, Assistant Emergency Manager, reported on the county’s "Battle Book". It is a resource list from the area of county resources including cities, businesses, and individual resources. Discussion followed.

Pam Beasley, Assistant Emergency Manager, presented appreciation certificates for the weather spotters. Certificates were presented to Scott Stewart, Ralph Romig, Jay Thyer, and Red Robert. Ralph explained several benefits of amateur radio. Commissioners extended their thanks and appreciation.

Larry Tucker, Humboldt City Administrator, was present to thank commissioners for their support on the street repair projects at Humboldt.

Larry presented some ideas for helping small businesses grow called an Incubator program. He is trying to create an organization whose purpose is to assist new and small businesses. Discussion followed on examples and sample handouts. He explained he has visited with a lot of businesses, surrounding cities, counties that would be involved and also Reno County on what they are currently doing. Larry requested Allen County partner with Neosho County to create this function. He stated he felt the City of Humboldt would be ideal for the location because of its geographical location. Discussion followed on details of the job.

Larry is requesting financing from Allen County and Neosho County for help to pay the position of the Economic Development Director with the City of Humboldt being the location point of the project. Discussion followed as to what Neosho County thought. The job description for this position would promote new business development in Allen and Neosho Counties, counsel new and small business in areas of business planning, cash forecasting and accounting, provide resources for business development training through regional and local colleges, provide access to resources for business financing, report to local governing bodies periodically to update progress, and coordinate business development with area Chamber of Commerce and Job recruitment agencies. Larry has prepared an estimate for the first year cost of operation. That budget includes start up costs; part time clerical support and operating expenses which could include a business incubator site. Discussion followed. He also used the City of Greensburg in Kiowa County as an example and their development after the 2007 tornado that wiped out ¾ of the town. Commissioners stated they would consider the request for $35,000. Larry stated his concerns are "what are we going to leave this next generation?"

Elaine Dugan, EMS Director, was present. Commissioners reviewed Resolution 200807.

Commissioner Thompson moved to adopt Resolution 200807. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Commissioners reviewed Resolution 200808.

Commissioner Works moved to adopt Resolution 200808. Commissioner Thompson seconded, motion passed 3-0-0.

Commissioners reviewed Resolution 200809.

Commissioner Thompson moved to adopt Resolution 200809, which appoints Pam Beasley as the Allen County Emergency Manager. Commissioner Works seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. At the present time Emergency Management will remain under the direction of the Allen County Sheriff.

Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, reported the hearing for road vacation would be held at the City of Gas Hall this evening at 7:00 p.m.

Alan reported the City of Iola has still not signed the 911 contract with Allen County.

Alan reported the Thrive committee will be meeting this coming Thursday.

Alan discussed a platted area in the county that is considering attaching to the City of Humboldt’s sewer and was wondering about subdivision regulations for Allen County. Discussion followed. Alan is still researching and visiting with the engineers on street plans.

Rodney Burns, Schlotterbeck and Burns, Inc., presented 2009 county budget requests of $13,730,212. 2008 approved budget was $10,816,811. The increase is due to the raising costs of fuel and health costs and over all increase in commodities. Commissioners and Rodney reviewed the different departments and cut in appropriate areas. Sheriff Williams was present for discussion on his budgets: Sheriff, Jail Medical, Jail, Emergency Management and Coroner. Rodney refigured the request with proposed changes to various departments. He will meet again next week with the commission to finalize the publication.

Commissioners approved the following documents:

Clerk's Vouchers totaling $128,011.76

Payroll Changes

Journal Entries #89-90

Abatements – PP Value 225, $43.62, Year2007

With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until August 5, 2008 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.