COMMISSION MINUTES, MARCH 22, 2010          

 

The Board of Washington County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, March 22, 2010 in the commission room at the Washington County Courthouse.  Present:  Alison Mueller, 1st District Commissioner, Roger Otott, 2nd District Commissioner; Gene Helms, 3rd District Commissioner, Chairman, Elizabeth Hiltgen, County Attorney, and Lou Kern, County Clerk.

 

Chairman Helms called the meeting to order with prayer.

 

The next regular meeting will be Monday, March 29, 2010 at 8:30 AM.

 

The board approved and paid bills and payroll totaling $313,061.06.

 

Weather Watchers’ appreciation supper is March 25 at the EMS building.

 

At 9:00 A.M. the commission met with the Airport Advisory Board.  Present were: Dean Lovgren; Neil Bekemeyer; Richard Hinkle; Sharon Pierce and David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator.  The tentative time frame for dedication of veterans’ memorial at the airport is July 4 weekend. The names need to be placed in the directory and the memorial bricks need to be engraved as well as a marble base on the memorial and landscaping.  The event will be coordinated with the Rotary Club and the American Legion Council.  Inquiries have been made as to additional hangars.  The courtesy car is available on a regular basis.  Sharon presented brochures for the airport as prepared by Kansas Department of Transportation, Aviation Division.  Also discussed was expanding the aprons, extra concrete in front of the hangars and addition of a bathroom.

 

The commission signed official minutes from January 11, 2010 to March 15, 2010.

 

Roger Otott moved and Alison Mueller seconded to give Hanover After Prom Committee $100.00 from alcohol and drug fund.  Motion carried.

 

The board approved and signed change order nos.  2009-75 through 2009-89.

 

The commission received a letter from Judge Kim W. Cudney stating that the Kansas Supreme Court has ordered court offices to be closed on April 9, 16, 23 and May 7, 2010.  All employees, except judges, will be on involuntary unpaid leave.  Judges will perform critical functions to ensure public safety and constitutional guarantees.  An answering machine will be installed in the District Court office to receive messages during the days of closure.

 

Duane Bruna, Noxious Weed and Solid Waste Director, presented two samples and quotes for insulating the new building.  A reduced rate demolition was signed for a house in Hanover City.  Alison Mueller moved to accept the application for the Stohs house.  Roger Otott seconded and motion carried.  Alison Mueller moved to discontinue reduced cost for construction and demolition material application program effective today.  Roger Otott seconded and motion carried.  Airport mowing, landscaping and drainage will be coordinated with Public Works.  Purchase of new lawnmowers was discussed.  Tile is to be laid at the office next week.  Used oil is desperately needed.  Duane and staff will be attending household hazardous waste training this week.

 

David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator, introduced Lee Waldo, salesman for Road Runner that was demonstrated last week at Public Works.  The cost is $26,500.00 without blades.  The board decided not to purchase.  David gave weekly work report and monthly budget report.  David recommended Vance Brothers for the purchase of CRS-1, CMS1 and CRS-1HM and Flint Hills Resources for the purchase of MC800.  Alison Mueller moved and Roger Otott seconded to approve the purchase.  Motion carried.  David asked about purchasing used tractors and trailers.  No decision made.  Utility right of way permit from Blue Valley Telephone was reviewed.  Fees for utility permits were discussed as well as double fees for beginning work without a permit.  David is to check with neighboring counties as to charges and permit verbiage.  The commission received a written request for road repair on Yankee Road.  David told the board that he is aware of the problem.

 

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

 

Elizabeth Hiltgen, County Attorney, and David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator, spoke with the board regarding Keystone Pipeline documents.  At 1:30 P.M. Alison Mueller moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes with Elizabeth Hiltgen, County Attorney, under the attorney/client privilege.  Roger Otott seconded and motion carried.  At 1:40 P.M. the board returned to regular session.  No action was taken.

 

Billy Shaffer joined David Willbrant and the board to discuss liability insurance needs due to Billy working as a pipeline inspector.  An addendum to the contract for services dated December 21, 2009 was reviewed.  Alison Mueller moved to sign the Addendum to Contract for Services to clarify insurance requirements with Billy Shaffer.  Roger Otott seconded and motion carried.

 

Christy L’Ecuyer, Business Coordinator, reported that she has worked on places for census training; the business directory and the county website.  Christy will speak at the Weather Watchers’ meeting on March 25 as to what the ICC, Interagency Coordinating Council offers to the county.  Gloria Moore, Tourism Director, and Christy are developing a brochure to promote Washington County at a cost of $1824.00 to Ag Press for 20,000 brochures. Christy also visited several county businesses.

 

Debbie Swoboda, Emergency Management  Coordinator, told the commission that a CERT, Community Emergency Response Team, meeting is set for March 24, at 7:00 P.M. in the basement meeting room of the Law Enforcement Center.  Any person willing to serve on CERT is encouraged to attend.  The weather watchers’ appreciation meal is being paid for by the ICC.  The Christmas snow storm did not set a snowfall record for Washington County, however, some funds may be available to pay for damages.  An applicant briefing meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 26 at 9:30 A.M. at the Washington EMS building, 900 D St., Washington.

 

                                                                                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                      BOARD OF WASHINGTON COUNTY                                                                                                                                          COMMISSIONERS

 

ATTEST:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ________________________________

                                                                                                                                      Gene Helms, Chairman

 

__________________________                                                                         ________________________________

Louella Kern                                                                                                              Roger Otott, Member  

County Clerk                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                      ________________________________

                                                                                                                                      Alison Mueller, Member