Minutes 07/07/2009 & 07/14/2009

The Morris County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at 9:00 a.m., Commissioner Jost was absent.

Jennifer Kassebaum, Emergency Management Coordinator, reported that on July 10^th KDEM representatives will meet with Morris County entities who submitted estimates for damages caused by storms during the period of April 25 to May 4^th. 

The weather and emergency siren and notifications will be tested on the second Tuesday of each month beginning in July.  Previously the sirens were tested on the first Tuesday of the month.

After discussion of granting increases to an individual county employee, it was decided (Revere, Hay) that there will be no mid-year pay increases given except those of a contractual nature.  Motion carried.

The minutes of the June 23 and June 30 meetings were approved (Hay, Revere) as presented.  Motion carried.

John Lee gave the weekly solid waste and noxious weed reports.

Jeff Blosser, road engineer, gave the weekly road report.  A utility permit was granted (Revere, Hay) to Tri-County Telephone Assn for the installation of fiber optic cable in the eastern part of the county.  Motion carried.

Repairs on Bridge OS-34 located near K Ave & 2100 Rd are nearing completion and the bridge will reopen to the public.

Patching repairs on G Ave west from White City to US Hwy 77 will commence next week to prepare the road for chip/seal later this month.

A used 2003 Chevy utility truck was purchased (Hay, Revere) from Wilson Sales for $6,900 for the road department.  Motion carried.

The county treasurer presented financial reports for the month of June.

The meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.

The Morris County Commissioners met on Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at 9:00 a.m., all members present.

TinaRae Scott, director of Council Grove/Morris County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, gave a report of current and upcoming activities the agency will be participating in to promote the county.

John Lee gave a weekly report of the noxious weed and solid waste departments.   He addressed an issue concerning out of county residents taking tires to the transfer station.   Morris County residents are not charged for the disposal of regular sized vehicle tires; however, that service is not intended for non county individuals.  Action was taken (Hay, Revere) to impose a fee of $3.00 per tire of a size less than 20 inches and $9.00 per tire 20 inches and up for non county residents.   Motion carried.

Seventy blue containers for white paper will be purchased (Hay, Revere) for distribution to USD 417 and USD 481.  The cost will be approximately $415.  Motion carried.

It was noted that an article in the July 10^th issue of the Council Grove Republican indicated that the county received $476,191.83 for recyclable materials in 2008.  The correct amount is $47,191.83.  The solid waste director will asked the paper to make a correction.

Jennifer Kassebaum, emergency management coordinator, gave an update of storm damages that may qualify for FEMA reimbursement.   Damage assessments were made for three different time periods over that past three months and given to FEMA officials.

Kassebaum is in the process of gathering information for completion of the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. 

Siren testing was conducted on July 14^th.

The final monitoring of the county’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to help fund a Rural Water District No. 1 project was conducted on June 29^th.  All aspects of the grant requirements were found to be in compliance.  A final public hearing on the project will be held on July 28^th.

Lorna Newton donated a photo album of bridge projects worked on by her husband, Claude Newton, when he was employed by Morris County several years ago.  A letter of appreciation will be sent to her. 

Tom Bennett, BG Consultants presented paperwork to add a bridge near Kelso to the county’s five-year project plan. 

Marvin Barlow gave the weekly road & bridge report.  Crews will begin patching G Ave (Woodbine Rd), Dunlap Rd and Old Hwy 4 in preparation for chip/seal later this month. 

The minutes of the July 7^th meeting were approved (Hay, Revere) as presented.  Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.