COMMISSION MINUTES, MARCH 1, 2010

The Board of Washington County Commissioners met in the commission room of the Washington County Courthouse on Monday, March 1, 2010. Present were Alison Mueller, 1^st District Commissioner; Roger Otott, 2^nd District Commissioner; Gene Helms, Chairman, 3^rd District Commissioner; Elizabeth Hiltgen, County Attorney, and Lou Kern, County Clerk.

Chairman Helms opened the meeting with prayer.

The next regular meeting will be Monday, March 8, 2010 at 8:30 A.M.

Board members will attend the Legislative Coffee on March 6 at KSDS at 10:00 A.M.

The board examined and approved annual report of Kimeo Township.

Duane Bruna, Noxious Weed and Solid Waste Director, presented bids for chemicals. Four bids were received. A decision will be made next week. Duane and Larry Leck will attend the annual noxious weed conference in Great Bend this week.

The board approved and Chairman Helms signed payroll change notice for John Kosal and Joe Ochoa for completion of training period effective February 28, 2010.

Don Alldredge, custodian, reported on maintenance matters. Don will attend a One Call meeting on Wednesday night in Clay Center. Don was given permission to run an ethernet wire from the extension office to his office. Don will be allowed to use compensatory time to attend training in Manhattan on April 13.

Francine Regan, County Appraiser, met with the board to discuss filling a vacancy in her office due to Jeanne Walker’s retirement on April 1. The board decided that the position will not be filled at this time.

Janice Kearn, R.N., County Health Director, presented KDHE grant application that the board approved and Chairman Helms signed.

David Willbrant, Public Works Director, gave weekly work report. The board approved and signed the five year bridge plan. It was agreed that an airport advisory board meeting will held in the near future. Alison Mueller moved and Roger Otott seconded to sign a Hangar Lease with Dean Lovgren for 2010 for two hangers. Mowing bids at the airport were discussed. The board approved the haying bid with Travis Lehman. Alison Mueller moved to repeal that portion of the motion made on February 22 awarding the mowing bid. Roger Otott seconded and motion carried. The mowing needed at the airport will be done by the public works department.

Gene Helms left the meeting at noon to attend a meeting of other counties in Topeka with Lt. Gov. Finley regarding Transcanada/Keystone Pipeline.

The board recessed at noon and reconvened at 1:00 P.M.

The board discussed several matters with Elizabeth Hiltgen, County Attorney.

Gloria Moore, Tourism Director, gave monthly report. Gloria and Christy L’Ecuyer are collaborating on a brochure of the county to be used at the Kansas Sampler Festival.

Christy L’Ecuyer, Business Coordinator, gave weekly report. A 2010 Census Kick Off meeting is set for March 9 in the commission room. Christy is taking pictures of building for sale in the county and posting them on a free access site. InterAgency Coordinating Council will fund the Weather Watchers’ Appreciation dinner in March.

Ruth Ann Minge, K-State Research and Extension River Valley District #4 Administrative Professional, brought invitations to board and County Clerk to the River Valley District appreciation dinner on Monday, March 15, at the Republic County 4-H Building.