COMMISSION MINUTES, NOVEMBER 17, 2008

The Board of Washington County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, November 17, 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 Kathy Fritz, Deputy County Clerk.

Chairman Helms called the meeting to order with prayer.

Next regular meeting will be Monday, November 24, 2008 at 8:30 A.M.

The board spoke to the seniors attending County Government Day.

Bills and payroll were approved and paid in the amount of $365,735.28.

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

Jim Smart representing the Washington City Chamber met with the board to ask permission to put up eight trees on the courthouse lawn for Christmas. The board gave their approval.

The board met with Don Richardson, janitor.

Sharon Pierce, Public Works Secretary gave a weekly work report for David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator who was attending the Kansas Association of Counties meeting in Wichita. The rebid quotes for chain bids were reviewed. Marcia Funke moved that all things being in order to accept the low quote of Welborn for $4,424. Alison Mueller seconded and motion carried.

Janice Kearn, County Health Director asked to contract with Stephanie Sedlacek as an Occupational Therapist through Home Health Services and Charlotte Cardenas, Washington as an interpreter for her office. The board gave their approval.

At 11:00 A.M. the board met with the following for a department head meeting: Don Richardson, janitor; Duane Bruna, Noxious Weed and Solid Waste Director; Sheila Ouellette, Communications Director; Janice Kearn, County Health Director; Sharon Pierce, Public Works Secretary; Marilyn Kolle, Register of Deeds; Annette Hawk, County Treasurer; Beverly Finlayson, Deputy County Appraiser; Christy L’Ecuyer, Business Coordinator; Gloria Moore, Tourism Director; and Kathy Fritz, Deputy County Clerk. The Christmas Holiday was discussed and the board will make a final decision later. Possible raises for next year and decreased spending for 2008 was also discussed.

Sheila Ouellette, Communications Director spoke with the board about the tower lease in Palmer.

The board adjourned t 12:10 P.M. and reconvened at 1:10 P.M.

The board received a letter from KDOT stating that they will suspend all lettings except for the most critical preservation projects and the continuation of projects already underway due to extreme financial uncertainty. All of their local projects will now be let in December and January.

Derek Bruna, Hanover representing the Rotary Club; Sharon Pierce, Washington County Airport Advisory Board Member; and the following Washington County American Legion Council members: Charles Turk, Hanover; Homer Naumann, Clifton; Bill Rencin, Hanover; Lester Brychta, Greenleaf; and Wayne Canfield, Clifton met with the board. Alison Mueller moved to change the airport name to the Washington County Veterans Memorial Airport. Marcia Funke seconded and motion carried. Derek Bruna reported that the Rotary Club would like to place their centennial project of the Washington Monument as a memorial for all veterans at the airport. The Washington County American Legion Council gave their approval to put the monument at the airport. The group discussed a new brick sign/veterans mural for the Veterans Memorial airport to be made out of bricks from Endicott Clay.

Elizabeth Baskerville Hiltgen, Deputy County Attorney met with the board to discuss the tower in Palmer.

The board adjourned at 3:10 P.M.