June 16, 2004
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.
Commissioner Hay moved and Commissioner Stottlemire seconded to approve the minutes for June 14 regular meeting. All voted “yes.”
Commissioner Hay moved and Commissioner Ferguson seconded to approve the minutes for the June 14 public hearing. All voted “yes.”
Commissioner Stottlemire moved and Commissioner Hay seconded to approve a transfer of $132,800 to Road Improvement/Share Fund and $200,000 to the CHIP fund both transfers from the General Fund. All voted “yes.”
Shari Perry discussed a letter received from Cook, Flatt & Strobel for the placement of a plaque on the Blackstone Bridge providing information of the year completed, and design loading and provide credit to the various individuals involved in the construction. The cost to the county would be $135.
Commissioner Hay moved not to place a plaque on the Blackstone Bridge. Died for lack of second.
Commissioner Waymire moved and Commissioner Ferguson seconded to place a plaque on the Blackstone Bridge at a cost of $135 to the county. Chairman Taylor and Commissioners Ferguson, Stottlemire and Waymire voted “yes.” Commissioner Hay voted “no.”
Shari Perry discussed that the State reimbursement rate will increase from .36 cents to .37 for the use of a private vehicle effective July 1, 2004.
Commissioner Stottlemire moved and Commissioner Waymire seconded to follow the State of Kansas policy on private vehicle mileage reimbursement, effective July 1, 2004 and increase the reimbursement from .36 to .37. All voted “yes.”
Commissioner Waymire moved and Commissioner Ferguson seconded to publish a solicitation of bids for two small sport utility vehicles new or used with or without trade-ins for the Appraiser’s Office. All voted “yes.”
Jason Parks discussed the heat in the vault in his office. The heat is being produced by a transformer that is in the vault. Jason recommends taking the transformer out of the vault and spending approximately $3,000 for battery back-ups, which would keep the system up long enough for the generator to kick on. Jason said the cost would be paid out of the Phone Fund.
Commissioner Waymire moved and Commissioner Stottlemire seconded to allow up to $3,000 for the purchase of battery back-ups. All voted “yes.”
Jason Parks discussed a new line item in his budget for copier maintenance and creating a separate fund to manage and pay for internet costs. Jason is estimated the internet costs will be $15,500 and revenues should be around $19,400.
Jason Parks discussed creating a new line item in the General Fund for phone bills for most departments and they would not budget in their departments then for desk phones.
Jason Parks discussed the proposed 2005 budget for the Information Technologies Department. Jason is requesting $362,340 which is a 14.75 percent increase over 2004 budget, but it includes all software licensing, computer consumables, and computer equipment. This would be off set in other budgets.
Tom Weigand discussed an economic development review of Skyhook, Heartland China, Havens Steel, Stark Truss, Suntron (former EFTC), B & T Pallet, Walgreen’s and the old Stage Store. Tom requested at least $45,000, which is the same as last year. He would like the County to calculate what percentage of a mill $45,000 is and budget that increase, so they can develop better marketing programs, acquire some land, add signage, etc.
Larry Mages discussed the 2005 County Extension budget request. They are requesting $207,161. Darren Hibdon said he has provided an explanation for each line item within their budget. Rebecca Dillard, Kristen Kay and Merritta Combs discussed a program called Walking Kansas and said they had an increase in participation over last year. Jo Ellen Arnold said she is working on a 5 year plan for the 4-H program and will present it to the Board when it is completed. Rebecca Dillard discussed a nutrition program that she does. Larry Mages said that 4-H is a very good program for kids and it makes them good leaders. The Board asked Darren to check with Jason Parks about computer and copier needs and check with Ray DeJulio about purchasing fuel from the Public Works Department.
Larry Mages discussed the 2005 Bea Martin Peck Animal Shelter budget request. They are requesting $33,685.92 from the County in 2005. Larry said they are sending letters of request for tax funding to Anderson County, Lane City, Pomona City, Princeton City, Rantoul City, Richmond City, Wellsville City, Williamsburg City, Coffey County, Douglas County, Johnson County, Linn County, Miami County and Osage County. They all use the facility and should be paying their share. Larry said that Emily Mathis does a great job at the shelter. Larry said they are working on funding to build a new shelter. The current facility has numerous problems with wiring and plumbing. The shelter has had some large contributions, which will be used for a new facility. Bart Baldwin discussed the shelter’s financial statements.
Wayne Westerman with Cook, Flatt & Strobel gave a presentation of a proposed low water crossing replacement on Nevada Rd. South of Rock Creek Rd. He discussed the existing conditions and the vicinity and drainage area. Alternate #1 would be to realign the road and go straight through the trees, with an estimated cost would be $1.3 million. Alternate #2 would be to go through a field, with an estimated cost of $1,062,000.
Chairman Taylor moved the meeting at 12:00 to the basement of the Jail for the monthly luncheon with USD 290 and Ottawa City Officials. Attending the luncheon was Bill Allegre, Deb Henningsen, Charles Gillette, Weldon Padgett, Richard Jackson, Blaine Finch, Rocky Fleer, Wayne Westerman, Don Waymire, Ed Taylor, Fred Ferguson, Don Hay, Don Stottlemire, Shari Perry, Andy Gassaway, Dale Watts, Gene Ramsey, Scott Bird, Bob Bezek, Jeanette Lowry, Louis Reed and Marge Stevens.
Board back in chambers at 12:55.
Wayne Westerman with Cook, Flatt & Strobel gave a presentation of a proposed drainage improvement at Nevada Terr. and Marshall Rd. He discussed the existing conditions, drainage area, 24 hour rainfall depth and area runoff, hydraulic analysis results, proposed improvements and hydraulic analysis results.
Chairman Taylor signed a request for construction project with KDOT to add the bridge on Texas Rd. between Pawnee Rd. and Sand Creek Rd. to the 5 year plan.
Ed York, George Cook, Craig Davis and Earl Devore discussed the County leasing the basement of the First Bank Building. Earl said it could be remodeled for use by the Sheriff’s Department. Craig said he has space concerns with the jail and he needs more space for inmates and staff. Craig said he thinks that a regional jail facility would be the direction to go. The cost to lease the space at First Bank would be $8.00 square foot and the County would pay for cost of improvements or $11.00 a square foot and First Bank would allow $190,000 for improvements, plus the County would pay 1/3 of the taxes and 1/3 of the utilities, with a 5 year minimum lease. Board asked Blaine Finch to contact the surrounding counties and found out if any are interested in discussing a regional jail facility.
Commissioner Hay moved and Commissioner Ferguson seconded to approve Resolution No. 04-53 amending the Personnel Rules and Regulations to allow for the creation of a Sick Leave Bank. All voted “yes.”
Commissioner Ferguson moved and Commissioner Waymire seconded to approve payroll change 04-260 for Henry Butter with the Public Works Department. All voted “yes.”
Board discussed a memo that Blaine Finch gave to them about R.W. James request to place a home on property zoned C-2. After reviewing other documents, Board agreed there was no way to put a residence on property zoned C-2 or to change the zoning to allow a residence.
Commissioner Hay moved and Chairman Taylor seconded to give R.W. James 90 days to come into compliance with zoning codes. All voted “yes.”
Blaine Finch said that there has been an agreement with Heartland China and the State of Kansas on the repayment of a CDBG loan.
Commissioner Stottlemire moved and Commissioner Hay seconded to go into an executive session for 10 minutes at 2:15 for personnel of non-elected with Board, Blaine Finch and Shari Perry present. All voted “yes.” Chairman Taylor opened the meeting at 2:25 and reported no action taken, no decisions made.
With no further discussion the meeting was adjourned at 2:30.
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Clerk Chairman