COMMISSION MINUTES, MAY 10, 2010

The Board of Washington County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, May 10, 2010 in the commission room at the Washington County Courthouse. Present: Roger Otott, 2^nd District Commissioner; Gene Helms, 3^rd District Commissioner, Chairman, Elizabeth Hiltgen, County Attorney, and Lou Kern, County Clerk. Absent: Alison Mueller, 1^st District Commissioner, due to illness.

Chairman Helms called the meeting to order with prayer.

The next regular meeting will be Monday, May 17, 2010 at 8:30 AM.

Homer Naumann, American Legion representative, reported that most Legion members preferred to wait until June 14 next year to dedicate the veterans’ memorial at the airport. Homer also spoke with the board concerning the condition of the road to the Pleasant View Cemetery.

The board approved and signed change order nos. 2009-99 through 2009-101.

The board approved and Chairman Helms signed payroll change notice for Ernest J. (Joe) Ochoa from Corrections Officer I to Corrections Officer II effective May 9, 2010.

Mike Keating, Marshall County Commissioner, called the board to ask what the wage for attorney coverage would be when Elizabeth Hiltgen was on maternity leave. The board called the Marshall County Commission in the afternoon while Elizabeth Hiltgen, County Attorney, was present to tell them that the attorney will be paid $80.00 per hour should the need for services arise.

The board also discussed other issues with Ms. Hiltgen.

Don Alldredge, custodian, reported on routine matters. Don accompanied Debbie Swoboda last Friday to document storm damage in the county.

The commission spoke with the Clay County Commission via telephone regarding the TransCanada/Keystone Pipeline.

Duane Bruna, Noxious Weed and Solid Waste Director, submitted transfers of earned time from Kathie Otney and Duane Bruna to Larry Leck. Duane will attend a meeting in Beatrice on June 30 regarding leafy spurge, sericea lespedeza and phragmites.

Rodney Ohlde, Linn, told the commission that the protest before the Court of Tax Appeals has been dismissed at the request of himself, Brad Ohlde, Keesecker Agri-Business, Inc. and J-Six Farms. L.P. Beverly Finlayson, Deputy County Appraiser, was also present at that time.

Debbie Swoboda, Emergency Management Coordinator, presented a disaster proclamation due to the damage from the May 6 storm. Roger Otott moved to adopt Resolution No. 04-10 declaring a state of disaster emergency for Washington County. Gene Helms seconded and motion carried. Rolling Hills Electric had reported to Debbie a loss of $150,000.00 from the storm. Debbie has received $7,000.00 grant money for training for CERT members.

Joe Badger, representing Jerry Moran will be in the commission room at the Courthouse on Thursday, May 13, from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. to speak with constituents.

Christy L’Ecuyer, Business Coordinator, gave weekly work report. She has been attending meetings with the dairies. She asked if the board would be interested in issuing industrial revenue bonds to finance a reverse osmosis plant for the dairies. The board decided that would not be an option at this time. She has checked on the progress toward a new hospital and reported that a new feasibility study needs to be submitted to USDA. She reported on several other business contacts that she had made and reported that a second round of CDBG grant funding could be used for the purchase of new ambulances. The board deferred the matter to the cities.

David Willbrant, Public Works Administrator, gave weekly work report. Roger Otott moved to accept the low bid of Leiszler Oil at $2.5953 gallon for #2LS diesel. Gene Helms seconded and motion carried. David will be attending KCHA meeting Tuesday and Wednesday in Hutchinson. Federal aid projects and bridge projects were discussed. David toured the county with FEMA officials last week.

Sheriff Bill Dickson brought in payroll change notice for Justin J. Cordry as temporary Acting UnderSheriff effective May 10, 2010.

The board remained in session through the noon hour.

The commission met with Janice Kearn, R.N., County Health Director, and Quentin Ellis; Mark Eakes; Rick Freeman, and David Brown from HMN Architects, Inc. to discuss plans for construction of a new county health facility. Another meeting is scheduled for June 14 at 1:00 P.M.

At 3:00 P.M. the annual meeting of the Solid Waste Advisory meeting began. Present were the commission, Lou Kern, County Clerk, Duane Bruna, NW/SW Director, Harry Jones and Jim Jones. It was decided that the transfer station fees will remain the same for 2011; that free days will continue for next year and that more education is needed. Duane will contact KDHE for education materials. Disposal of computer monitors and televisions was discussed.

The commission adjourned at 4:00 P.M.