COMMISSION MINUTES, JANUARY 8, 2007        

 

The Board of Washington County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, January 8, 2007, in the commission room at the Washington County Courthouse.  Present: Alison Mueller, 1st District Commissioner; Marcia Funke, 2nd District Commissioner, Chairwoman; Gene Helms, 3rd District Commissioner, Jason Brinegar, County Attorney and Lou Kern, County Clerk.

 

Chairwoman Funke called the meeting to order.

 

County offices will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2007, in observance of Martin Luther King Day.  Next regular meeting will be Tuesday, January 16, 2007.

 

Sheila Ouellette, Communications Director, requested that the personnel policy be amended to include December 24 as a paid holiday for those that work that day.

 

Don Richardson, custodian, presented a price quote from PCI Mechanical Services for boiler repairs in the amount of $10,866.00.  No decision made.  Don reported that the snow blower is being repaired at Oregon Trail Equipment.

 

Marilyn Kolle, Register of Deeds, presented evaluation for Nola Dusin, Deputy, and Chairwoman Funke signed payroll change notice effective January 12, 2007.

 

Robbin Cole, Pawnee Mental Health Executive Director, spoke with the board about the need to attract and keep mental health professionals within the nonprofit system.  The two therapists that are assigned to Washington County have taken employment elsewhere.  Alison Mueller moved to contract with Pawnee Mental Health for 2007 in the amount of $28,600.00.  Gene Helms seconded and motion carried.  Gene Helms moved to appoint Alison Mueller to the unexpired regular term on the Pawnee Mental Health Board to expire December, 2008.  Marcia Funke seconded and motion carried.  The alternate position on the board remains vacant and the commission would welcome anyone interested in serving to contact them. 

 

Gene Helms moved to appoint Larry Wurtz to a three year term on the Twin Valley Developmental Services Inc. board.  Alison Mueller seconded and motion carried.

 

The board approved and Chairwoman Funke signed official bond for Daniel L. Meyer, Independence Township Clerk, Leslie Bruna, Little Blue Township Clerk, and Robbie Oelschlager, Sherman Township Clerk.

 

The board approved the cereal malt beverage license application of Cedar Hills Golf Course, Inc. and gave notice to the Washington Township Clerk.

 

The board approved and signed change order nos.  2006-40 through 2006-42.

 

Lyle and Norma Hennerberg, asked when the transfer would occur from the county to them.  The matter was discussed with Jason Brinegar, County Attorney.

 

Duane Bruna, Noxious Weed and Solid Waste Director, updated the board on planned for work projects for 2007 and equipment needs. 

 

The board approved and Chairwoman Funke signed payroll change notices for all county employees effective January 1, 2007.

 

Lou Kern, County Clerk, presented evaluation for Kathy Fritz and Chairwoman Funke signed payroll change notice effective January 10, 2007.  Lou reported that the township year end meetings are scheduled for February.

 

Gloria Moore, Tourism Director, updated the board on events and meetings for December.  Washington County will host the KMMA meeting on January 17.  Gloria will attend City Hall Day at the Capitol on January 25. 

 

Lawrence Minge, Hanover, reported that a great deal of erosion is occurring on his property in the SE/4 of Section 24 in Independence Township.  The matter was referred to David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator.

 

Earnest Applegarth requested in writing, along with a check for $22.50, that the Board of County Commissioners act as official fence views on property in the NW/4 of Section 7, Township 2 South, Range 3 East, Farmington Township.  Jason Bringer, County Attorney, will provide legal counsel and  the owners involved will be notified of the date and time of the viewing.

 

Lori Huber, reported that the county share for dues to the Kansas Association of Community Foundations is $112.00 that was approved by the board.  Lori spoke of efforts to get a community foundation established within the county.

 

Lou Kern, County Clerk, administered the oath of office to Alison Mueller, 1st District County Commissioner, at noon.

 

The board adjourned for lunch afterwards and reconvened at 12:50 P.M.

 

David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator, gave weekly work report.  David will look at a ripper and a scraper that is being offered for sale.  The County-Township meeting is set for February 15 at First National Bank, Washington.  After discussion the board requested that David get more information on replacement/repair of the used oil burning stove at the county shop.  Bridge grant right of way purchases were discussed as well as bridge project 4093.  The board examined evaluations for Jim Ouellette; Scott Jensen; David L’Ecuyer, and Gary Bunch and Chairwoman Funke signed payroll change notices effective September 9, 2006; October 1, 2006; October 16, 2006, respectively. 

 

At 2:00 P.M. Chairman Bill Overbeck called the meeting of the Washington County Public Building Commission to order.  Present were Janice Kearn, Jason Brinegar, Gene Helms, Marcia Funke, Secretary, and Alison Mueller, PBC board members; Dan Rowe, and Loren Anderson, Treanor Architects; Clint and Kelly Stamm; Charles Walter and Bill Walter, Walter Construction; Tom Hamel, Hamel Electric; Russ Behrends, B & W Electric, and a representative from AHRS General Contractors.  Bid for the Secure Housing Facility were opened and reviewed.  The bids will be reviewed by Dan Rowe, Architect and Clint Stamm, Project Manager.  The next meeting of the PBC will be at 2:00 P.M.  on Tuesday, January 16, 2007.  The meeting of the PBC adjourned at 3:20 P.M.

 

Janice Kearn, R.N., County Health Administrator, presented payroll change notices for her department.

 

The board decided that all evaluations for county employees be done no later than February 15, 2007 with merit increases to be effective to January 1, 2007.  No employee with less than six months employment shall be evaluated for merit increase.  Merit evaluations shall be done in January 2008.

 

At 4:00 P.M. the commission reorganized for 2007.  Marcia Funke moved to nominate Alison Mueller as Chair for 2007.  Gene Helms seconded and motion carried.  Alison Mueller moved to nominate Gene Helms as Vice-Chairman for 2007.  Marcia Funke seconded and motion carried.

 

Chairwoman Mueller took charge of the meeting. 

 

Gene Helms moved and Marcia Funke seconded to adopt the following rates and make the following appointments:

 

1st National Bank, depository for Register of Deeds,

County Treasurer to use all banks

 

Blue Cross & Blue Shield rates – as per contract

 

Mileage rate for 2007 - 40 cents

 

Meal per diem - $12.00 per meal will no longer be paid for one day trips-employees shall          be responsible for their own meal for one day seminars with compensation to be paid through employee payroll $25.00 a day for 3 consecutive meals including tips for trips that involve overnight travel

 

Wage increases – 3.3% COLA plus merit for hourly employees-adjustments made in salaried wages 

 

Cleaning rate for Sheriff, Undersheriff, Deputies - $10.00

 

Official County Paper - Linn Palmer Record - 2007

 

Holidays for 2007 –      As per personnel policy to include Martin Luther King Day in January- the floating holiday will be discontinued

 

Appointments –

            County Health Administrator – Janice Kearn, R.N.

            Consultant to the County Health Administrator – David K. Hodgson, M.D.

            Economic Development Director (Business Coordinator – Christina L’Ecuyer

            Noxious Weed & Solid Waste Director – Duane Bruna     

            Emergency Preparedness Coordinator – Debbie Swoboda

            Public Works Administrator – David Willbrant

            Communications Director – Sheila Ouellette

 

Airport Advisory Board – 2 members, 3 yr term

                                    One board member needed for term ended 12/06

                                    Dennis E. White reappointed       

                                   

Pawnee Mental Health – 1 member, 3 yr term

                                    Alison Mueller, Greenleaf, current Board Alternate, to fill the unexpired                                                                         regular  term ending December 2008

                                    Alternate Board Member term ended December, 2006 – A volunteer will be sought.

 

Washington County Hospital Board – 1 member, 4 yr term

                                    Ted Lillie, Term ended 12/10

                                    A volunteer is needed to fill the unexpired term ending January, 2008

                                                                                   

Washington County Communications Board – 1 member, 4 yr terms

                                    A Fire representative is needed for term ending December 2006

 

North Central Regional Planning Commission representative -  Marcia Funke

 

North Central Regional Juvenile Detention

            Delegate – Gene Helms

            Alternate – Alison Mueller

 

Heartland Works

            Representative – Lou Kern

 

Rural Lakes Region – Alison Mueller

 

Motion carried.

 

There being no further business the board adjourned at 4:15 P.M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    BOARD OF WASHINGTON COUNTY                                                                                                                      COMMISSIONERS

 

ATTEST:                                                                      ________________________________

                                                                                    Alison Mueller, Member

 

__________________________                                            ________________________________

Louella Kern                                                                 Marcia Funke, Chairwoman  

County Clerk                                                     

                                                                                    ________________________________

                                                                                    Gene Helms, Member