Minutes 03/31/2009

The Morris County Commissioners met on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, at 9:00 a.m.; all members present.

Commissioner Revere moved to go into executive session at 9:10 a.m. for 30 minutes

for attorney/client privilege with Brenda Bell, Attorney, and the county clerk present.   Commissioner Hay seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  Regular session resumed at 9:40 a.m.   Action was taken (Hay, Revere) to retain Brenda Bell to represent Morris County in a matter involving a road request by Carol Jory.  Motion carried.  Ms. Bell will communicate with Mrs. Jory’s counsel, Charles Rayl and convey the county’s reasons for opposing the opening of several miles of road on DD Ave.  The reasons include the following:

            *access is already available from other locations

            *there are no residences to be served along the area

            *there would be an unreasonable expense to maintaining the road

            *an extreme hill grade would make it difficult for truck traffic

            *the road would be in use about 90 days a year for cattle truck traffic only

            *there is no benefit to the general public

The letter will also state that the county will offer (Hay, Revere) to open 1600 Rd located between Sections 26 & 27, Twp 17, Rg 7 as also requested by Mrs. Jory.  Motion carried.

Bids were opened and reviewed as follows to replace two existing light fixtures located in the courthouse parking lot.

            __R & R Electric -            $1,071.00       

__Jones Electric -           944.00

Action was taken (Revere, Hay) to accept the bid submitted by Jones electric.  Motion carried.

Hillary Barlow declined the county’s offer for the Emergency Management Coordinator position citing the need for full time employment.

Laura Marks, Morris County Extension Director, invited Commissioners to a program development meeting involving the business, 4-H and agriculture sectors.  She also reviewed several projects she is working on that will be beneficial to various groups of people.

The Commissioners received a letter from KDOT regarding the county’s application for a Transportation Revolving Loan.  The application submitted in October, 2008, requested funding to resurface G Ave west from White City to Hwy 77.  The loan request is pending final approval by the Bureau of Local Projects review panel.

Due to delay is receiving a response from KDOT regarding the application, a bid was accepted two weeks ago by Vance Brothers to chip/seal the road this summer.   A letter will be sent to KDOT (Revere, Hay) declining the loan due to the contract commitment with Vance Brothers.   Motion carried.

Bids received for a backhoe for the transfer station were opened and reviewed.  A decision concerning the bids was tabled pending further review.

A monthly department head meeting was held.  Concerns and issues involving various departments was discussed.   The Employee Handbook is being revised and updated. The lack of adequate courthouse parking was also discussed.

A 2009 contract was signed (Revere, Hay) with Kansas Legal Services for indigent defense services.   The annual contract amount is $25,500.

The March 24^th meeting minutes were approved (Hay, Revere) as presented

The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.