COMMISSION MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 8, 2008

The Board of Washington County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, September 8, 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, Jason Brinegar, County Attorney and Lou Kern, County Clerk.

Chairman Helms called the meeting to order with prayer.

Next regular meeting will be Monday, September 15, 2008 at 8:30 A.M.

The board approved bills and payroll totaling $217,048.96.

The board visited with Don Richardson, custodian. The courthouse doors are to remain locked until 7:50 A.M. as the courthouse hours begin at 8:00 A.M.

At 9:00 A.M. Chairman Helms opened the floor for comments on the amended 2009 budget. No appearances were noted. Alison Mueller moved to adopt the 2009 budget as amended. Marcia Funke seconded and motion carried.

Deb Nutsch and Ryan Kern, 1^st National Bank employees in charge of the Fall Fest, were granted permission to use the courthouse lawn for children’s games and the courthouse restrooms on September 20.

Duane Bruna, Noxious Weed and Solid Waste Director, reported on routine maintenance matters. Duane and Larry Leck will attend a noxious weed meeting on Thursday in Russell.

The board visited with Jason Brinegar, County Attorney, regarding a fixed base operator agreement and a lease purchase agreement.

The commission met with Brad Weisenburger and Kraig LaRosh, Bucher, Willis and Ratlaff Corporation; Dennis White, Richard Hinkle, Dean Lovgren and Sharon Pierce, Airport Advisory board members; Christina L’Ecuyer, Business Coordinator and David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator, to review the draft airport improvement plan. Tom Parker, News reporter, was also present. Phase I from 2009-2014 projects would be (a)install AWOS III (b) Upgrade fuel system (c) acquire property for an object free area and apron expansion area (19 acres) (d) acquire property for a critical AWOS zone (12) acres (e) acquire property for runway protection zones (28 acres), and crack and joint sealing of the existing runway at a projected estimated cost of $434,000.00. Phase II from 2014 -2019 projects would be (a) Install PAPI-4L; (b) Build fixed base operator and maintenance hanger (c) build 4-unit T-Hangar; (d) crack and joint sealing of runway at a projected estimate cost of $864,000.00. Phase III from 2019-2029 projects would be (a) expand aircraft parking apron (b) extend the airport runway; (c) construction parallel taxiway for an estimated projected cost of $507,000.00. The county share would be $1,805,000.00 of the grand total of $3,646,000.00 over 20 years. The plan was discussed with no decisions being made.

The board adjourned at 12:15 P.M. for lunch and reconvened at 1:00 P.M.

David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator, gave weekly work report and reviewed monthly budget progress. The CAT excavator is still having problems. A Terex excavator was brought in last week to demonstrate and a Volvo excavator will also be coming in for demonstration. Permission was given for David to purchase used equipment at a Ritchie Brothers auction on Thursday if he decides to attend. Information for inclusion in a resolution encouraging the federal government to provide transportation funding was discussed. A call was placed to the Bank of Palmer regarding a lease purchase agreement on the CAT excavator. Don Heitman will check to see if the original paperwork can still be used.

Alison Mueller moved to adopt Resolution No. 15-08 proclaiming September 12 as Farm Bureau Day recognizing the efforts and works that champion the American Farmers. Marcia Funke seconded and motion carried.

Gloria Moore, Tourism Director, invited the commission to the Flint Hills Coalition meeting on Friday, September 19 at the Pony Express Visitors Center.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 P.M.