November 16, 2005

BOARD OF FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Chairman Donald R. Stottlemire called the meeting to order at 6:30 and asked all in attendance to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:  Chairman Donald R. Stottlemire present, Commissioner John E. Taylor present, Commissioner Donald C. Hay present, Commissioner Roy C. Dunn present and Commissioner Donald E. Waymire present.

Commissioner Hay moved and Commissioner Taylor seconded to approve the minutes for November 14, 2005.  All voted “yes.”

Chairman Stottlemire read a letter from Kansas Association of Counties about creating a health insurance pool.

Commissioner Taylor moved and Commissioner Waymire seconded to approve tax change orders 2005-19 through 2005-22 and 2005-24.  All voted “yes.”

Chairman Stottlemire introduced Jay Newton as the interim County Administrator and said the voters voted 2 to 1 to have a County Administrator and they are working through the process to hire an Administrator.

Public Comment

Wendell Barker 2473 Highway US 59 discussed that perhaps the Board move the meeting to a more appropriate place to accommodate the crowd in the hallway and adjoining office.

Several individuals who contacted the county administrator’s office on Monday and asked to be placed on the agenda questioned the process, which currently states 24 hours notice to be listed.  Interim County Administrator Jay Newton said the process didn’t need to be complicated and recommended to commissioners that the five individuals be placed on the agenda beginning at 9.1

George Sells asked if the meeting could be moved upstairs because there were a lot of people in the hall who would like to be part of the meeting.  Chairman Stottlemire said he was upstairs today and you cannot hear three rows back.

Chairman Stottlemire said he was not going to allow this to be a three ring circle and if people want him to end the meeting just keep it up.

Richard Oglesby of 527 S. Cherry said as a Franklin County citizen he can take no more.  He asked that the County Clerk report the minutes of the meeting as prescribed by the Board and that the tape recorded minutes be transcribed and placed on the county’s web site.   He asked that the contract for services of the County Counselor, Blaine Finch be terminated.

Butch Riddle 2387 Old 50 Highway said he attended the budget hearing and asked three questions, which he was told to put in writing so they could get him the answers.

Bret Tucker 919 S. Ash thanked Commissioners for the donation of $500 for the Veterans Day Committee.  Mr. Tucker said the commissioners answer to the voters and asked that commissioners prove what they are doing is right by explaining why they are doing what they do.

Commissioner Taylor moved and Commissioner Waymire seconded to approve the agenda with the addition of item 9.1 Brian Moore, item 9.2 Wendell Barker, item 9.3 Freone Hollinger, item 9.4 Jerry Wallis and item 9.5 Russell Bulmer.  All voted “yes.”

Commissioner Hay moved and Commissioner Dunn seconded to add items 10.1 Credit Cards, 10.2 Tape Recorder and 10.3 Change of Time of Meeting.  Chairman Stottlemire and Commissioners Dunn and Hay voted “yes.”  Commissioners Taylor and Waymire voted “no.”

Item 9.1 Brian Moore 1035 N. Hickory, said he is concerned about a video that plays nightly at a local drinking establishment.

Item 9.2 Wendell Barker 2573 Highway 59 discussed the disturbing pattern in which the commission is doing its business.

Item 9.3 Freone Hollinger, 3090 Neosho Rd., asked the Board to use in-house staff to research the original documents initiating the Franklin County sales tax including its intent and current status, collection/distribution of all monies and records.  She suggested hospital representatives review, study, revise and report findings.  Commissioner Taylor, who serves as the Board liaison to RMH, said if RMH did not receive the sales tax money, it would also lose about $800,000 in Medicare payments.

Item 9.4 Jerry Wallis, 2947 Eisenhower Rd., asked why complaints about Commissioner Hay went directly to the County Counselor rather than through the commissioners.  He said it is obvious that the meetings need to be held elsewhere, especially the night meetings.

Item 9.5 Russell Bulmer, 4009 Highway 59, said on  October 26 he hauled a trailer load of stuff from a roofing project to the Transfer Station.  It was after 4:00 that he got locked into the Transfer Station.  Chairman Stottlemire apologized to him.  Commissioner Taylor said he would like to apologize and said Mr. Sawin would be looking into this.

Item 10.1 and 10.2 Commissioner Hay asked Mr. Newton if he had the tape recorder in his possession that former County Administrator Ron Henrickson purchased.  Newton answered yes.  Commissioner Hay said the tape recorder should be given to the County Clerk since she is the only one that has a real need for a tape recorder.  Commissioner Hay said this tape recorder was purchased with the use of a county credit card and this is a misuse of the credit card.  It is time to call all credit cards in and place them with the County Clerk, who is.

Item 10.3 Commissioner Hay said he has been told that we will never fill the chambers; well there are people in the hallway and foyer, it is time to move the commission meeting to the Annex and change the Wednesday meeting to in the evening so the working people can attend.

Commissioner Hay moved to hold the Wednesday meetings in the evening at the Annex.  Died for lack of  second.  Commissioner Taylor said the commissioner meeting days are set at the first of the year.  Jay Newton said this is a topic that should be discussed in a work session.  Chairman Stottlemire said he has not problem with holding the evening meetings at the Annex.

Commissioner Hay said there was a gentleman in nearly 30 days ago and said he wanted a response to an IT audit and Commissioner Hay said he had seen nothing about this issue.  Commissioner Hay asked if this has just been sweep under the blanket.  Chairman Stottlemire said that Jay Newton probably does not even know about this.  Chairman Stottlemire said it needs to be placed on the agenda.

With no further discussion the meeting was adjourned at 7:40.

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                                Clerk                                                                                                       Chairman