November 17, 2003

 

BOARD OF FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 

The Board of Commissioners met in a regular session with Chairman John E. Taylor and Commissioners Fred E. Ferguson, Donald C. Hay, Donald R. Stottlemire and Donald E. Waymire present.  

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Taylor at 8:30.

 

Jason Parks discussed cell phone policy.  He said no matter what the decision it will not make everyone happy.  He said the policy should be in the best interest of the taxpayers of the County.  Board asked Jason and Shari to get together and get information for the Board so they can make good decisions.

 

Commissioner Waymire moved and Commissioner Ferguson seconded to choose Alltel and T-Mobile as the vendors for county cell phones.  All voted “yes.”

 

Mary Allison Haynie, Program Director of Ottawa Main Street discussed the sculpture project for the two trees on the Courthouse lawn.  Her committee chose John Tecumseh (“Tauy”) Jones and George P. Washburn to be the subjects of the sculptures.  Mary Allison has estimated that each sculpture would cost between $5,480 and $6,000.  They are planning fund raising for the costs.

 

Mary Allison Haynie discussed that the Ottawa Main Street Association has applied for a $22,000 grant to host a “Your Town” workshop.  Mary Allison asked for some participation from the County.  She will need meeting room space and would like some suggestions from the Board in terms of the format, locations and the issues and problems to be addressed.

 

Jason Parks asked the Board about paying for the wiring, panels and racks for the computer needs in the District Court Building.  Were the Commissioners were paying for it or if it needs to come out of the District Court budget.  Board agreed that it would need to be paid out of the District Court budget since they said they would pay for some of the remodeling.

 

Commissioner Waymire moved and Commissioner Ferguson seconded to go into an executive session for 10 minutes at 9:45 and open at 9:55 to discuss real estate acquisition with Board and Blaine Finch present.  All voted “yes.”  Chairman Taylor opened the meeting and reported no action taken, no decisions made.

 

Open bids at 10:00 for the purchase of a new ambulance.  One was received.

 

Osage Industries - $98,425 less $17,000 for trade in for a total cost of $81,425.

 

Board asked Ted McCurdy to review the bid and get back on recommendation.

 

Commissioner Stottlemire moved and Commissioner Hay seconded to approve Resolution No. 03-115 accepting the street and drainage improvements in Replat of Wheatland Farms 1st Plat and Wheatland Farms 2nd Plat.  All voted “yes.”

 

Commissioner Waymire moved and Commissioner Ferguson seconded to approve tax order 2003-25.  All voted “yes.”

 

Board had a drawing for a day off with pay for participation in the United Way.  Group A were employees that made a donation.  Joe Suther was drawn for the day off with pay in Group A.  Group B was employees that gave there fair share (one hour of pay per month) donation.  Doris King was drawn for the day off with pay in Group B.

 

Group A employees that participated in United Way Drive were: Joe Suther, Ray DeJulio, Dave Hixon, Ethel Blanchard and Janis Lee

Group B employees that participated (fair share) in United Way Drive were: Doris King and Barbara Coleman

Elected officials that participated in United Way Drive were: Debbie Hough and Shari Perry

 

Commissioner Hay moved and Commissioner Ferguson seconded to approve the minutes for November 12, 2003.  All voted “yes.”

 

Board received a phone call from Margaret Bischoff of 3194 Georgia Rd. about the road being wash boards and pot holes, she said she has called the Public Works Department 3 times about the condition of the road.

 

Open bids at 10:30 for concrete work at the Transfer Station.  Two were received.

 

Thompson concrete, Inc. $7,111 and the County to provide railroad trails.

 

Mages Concrete Construction $7,875 with all material included.

 

Commissioner Hay moved and Commissioner Waymire seconded to award the bid for concrete at the Transfer Station to Mages Concrete Construction in the amount of $7,875.  All voted “yes.”

 

Larry Walrod discussed a permanent grant of right of way from Mark E. & Kittie S. Weigand for a 35 feet tract located in Section 28, Township 17, Range 19.

 

Commissioner Hay moved and Commissioner Waymire seconded to approve a grant of permanent right of way between Mark E. & Kitti Sue Weigand and Franklin County for the South 35 feet of a tract located in Section 28, Township 17, Range 19.  All voted “yes.”

 

Ross Hauck discussed the Franklin County Master Fire Plan.  Ross said the there are money issues and levy differences by departments or townships.  Contracts for fire departments don’t address new improvements and tax dollars are not generated until one or two years later.  Ross feels that a Board needs to be established for the 911 funds.  Ross feels that hiring an Emergency Management/Rural Fire Coordinator would be the best thing for the county and the cost for salary would be between $42,000 and $45,000.  Ross said that some grant money should be available for Emergency Management.

 

Tom Weigand said that the County needs to hire a full time Emergency Management/Rural Fire Coordinator, because of the growth in the rural areas.

 

Commissioner Stottlemire said the full time position could handle the bioterrorism also.

 

Chairman Taylor said he felt that funding and equipment needed to be evened out in all of the fire departments.

 

Ross Hauck said he is not trying to do or suggest that the County do a County Wide levy for fire departments.

 

Alan Radcliffe discussed fire equipment and volunteer firefighters.  He said that communication is a serious problem.  Most volunteers only have portable units and communication is not very good in some areas of the county.  The 2 non repeated frequencies that the fire departments use are only good for up to a mile or two and when they respond to medical calls they have to use the main county fire frequency.  Alan reported that over the last 4 years there have been an estimated 488 new homes built in the rural areas of the county and usually with homes you have additional out buildings.  Alan said that he thinks we need a full time Emergency Management/Rural Fire Coordinator.  Board was invited to attend the fire meeting this Tuesday, November 18 in the basement of the City Fire Station at 7:00 p.m.

 

With no further discussion the meeting was adjourned at 12:10.

 

 

 

 

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                                           Clerk                                                                                             Chairman