COMMISSION MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

The Board of Washington County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, September 2, 2008, in the commission room at the Washington County Courthouse. Present: Alison Mueller, 1^st District Commissioner; Marcia Funke, 2^nd District Commissioner; Gene Helms, 3^rd District Commissioner, Elizabeth Baskerville Hiltgen, Assistant County Attorney and Lou Kern, County Clerk.

Chairman Helms called the meeting to order with prayer.

Next regular meeting will be Monday, September 8, 2008 at 8:30 A.M.

Marilyn Kolle, Register of Deeds, was given permission to hire Jane Ross part time for several days.

Duane Bruna, Noxious Weed and Solid Waste Director, reported on routine matters.

Gloria Moore, Tourism Director, spoke of plans for the US Hwy 36 Treasure Hunt on September 19, 20 & 21. Gloria reported that 18 Washington County listing will appear in the 2009-2010 Kansas travel guides. Gloria will serve as a volunteer at a booth at the Kansas State Fair. Two buses will be here on September 11 from the York Fun Club. Gloria and B.J. Smart will serve as step-on guides. September 17 is the KMMA/Tour Kansas Trade Show is September 17 in Oklahoma City. The Flint Hills Tourism Coalition meeting is September 19 at the Pony Express Station.

Christy L’Ecuyer, Business Coordinator, reported that the feasibility study for the dairies is completed. Permission was given for her to attend the Kansas Commerce meeting in Hays on September 24 and 25. Items for the airport grant were discussed. The cost for an AWOS is $77,000.00 plus $3,000.00 per year maintenance. Building construction is not included. A cost benefit analysis previously done shows that the airport may not qualify for placement of an AWOS. Christy is to check with KDOT Aviation Division to see if the grant request would qualify. Christy asked to board to consider a lease purchase of a building for a fixed base operator (FBO) where the county would build the building and the FBO would lease it until paid. Christy has spoken with Bill Caton who is doing the housing project in Marysville to see if Washington County could be considered. A date is to be set for a public hearing to determine the interest level. The Smart Start grant for $100,000.00 will be applied for by Marshall County through Parents as Teachers. Christy talked about tax credits and the E-Community program available through Network Kansas.

The board adjourned at noon for lunch and reconvened at 1:00 P.M.

David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator, gave weekly work report. The excavator from Martin Tractor is not performing as promised. A Terex excavator will be demonstrated next week. Bridge construction was discussed. There can be no night landings at the county airport as a broken antenna will need to be replaced by Haug Communications. Gene Helms mentioned a problem on the south Barnes oil. Budget issues were discussed.

David Cooper, Attorney for EMC called the board. At 1:40 P.M. Alison Mueller moved to go into executive session with Libby Hiltgen, Assistant County Attorney and Lou Kern, County Clerk, for 30 minutes under the attorney/client privilege. At 2:10 P.M. the board returned to regular session. No action was taken.

Annette Hawk, Deputy County treasurer, received her official appointment as Washington County Treasurer from Governor Kathleen Sebelius effective immediately. Chairman Helms signed a payroll change notice as of September 2, 2008. Ann asked to pay out for the 500 hours of earned time that she has accrued. The board decided that the personnel policy states that only 240 hours will be paid. Permission was given for Ann to advertise for help.

Tom Parker, Washington County News reporter, spoke with the board about the jail facility and the rise in the 2009 mill levy.

Debbie Swoboda, Emergency Management Coordinator, was granted permission to buy supplies for Fire Prevention Week.

Melvin Wienck, Lincoln Township Trustee, inquired about repairs needed on the south Barnes oil. The board had spoken with David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator, and rock patching will be placed in the spot in order to build a base over the winter. A road maintenance issue in Lincoln Township was discussed.

The board spoke with Sheriff Bill Overbeck to see if any contracts are pending for housing prisoners. Sheriff Overbeck said that several criminal cases have required attention and that he would work on procuring contracts. The facility currently has 5 inmates from Sedgwick County as well as housing 8 to 10 local prisoners.

The meeting adjourned at 4:05 P.M.