Minutes 07/21/2009 & 07/28/2009

The Morris County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at 9:00 a.m.; all members present.

The Commissioners received a letter recently from Richard Jankovich, Chairman of the Manhattan  Regional Airport Board, concerning a project that will provide daily jet service from the airport to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.  To make the service successful area counties and cities were asked to pledge support over the next two years based on population and passenger demand.  Morris County’s share was determined to be $9,360.   Due to the current economic situation, loss in valuation and budget constraints, Commissioners sent a letter (Revere, Hay) to Mr. Jankovich declining the opportunity to participate in the project.   Motion carried.

Tax abatement order 2008-119 was approved.

Janelle Dockendorf, Dickinson County Budget Director & Economic Development Coordinator, Gina Bell, Dickinson County Zoning Administrator, and Cindy Roberts, Coordinator for the Herington Economic Development Corp., discussed a proposed project. 

The county counselor and county appraiser discussed a petition filed by Douglas A.  Wine with the Kansas Court of Tax Appeals asking the Court to order a reappraisal of the Council Grove City Lake properties.  The county will file a response to the petition.

Renewal rates for the county’s employee health coverage with Blue Cross/Blue Shield will be 2.7% lower for the benefit year beginning September 1^st.  Action was taken (Hay, Revere) to sign the renewal contract.  Motion carried.

Changes to the Transfer Station policy were approved (Hay, Revere) relating to fees charged to out of county residents for the disposal of tires.  Motion carried.

The Commissioners have viewed county roads over the past several months and have identified several that fit the criteria of a “minimum maintenance” road.  A news story will be published in the Council Grove Republican and the Prairie Post to inform the public of the county’s plans and procedures to designate and post minimum maintenance roads.  The public will have an opportunity to make comments before final action is taken to designate a particular road.

Jeff Blosser, road engineer, gave the weekly report of his department.  Vance Brothers will begin the chip/seal project on G Ave west of White City a week earlier than planned.

Action was taken (Hay, Revere) to lease a propane tank from S & S Oil for the highway department.  Motion carried. 

Four hand held radios costing $260 each were purchased (Hay, Revere) for the highway department.  Motion carried.

Action was taken (Revere, Hay) to add FAS Bridge #210 located just west of Kelso to the county’s 5-year project plan with a let date in 2011.  Motion carried.

The minutes of the July 14 meeting was approved (Hay, Revere) as corrected.   Motion carried.

Commissioners reviewed the Employee Policy Manual for revisions and updates.  Department supervisors will have an opportunity to provide input before the manual is finalized.

The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

The Morris County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at 9:00 a.m.; all members present.

Brenda Bell, Attorney, discussed an attorney/client matter with the commissioners.

A final public hearing was held at 10:00 a.m. on the county’s $268,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to fund a project for the Rural Water District No. 1.   Donna Crawford, grant administrator, and Steve Euler, Shirley Houck and Keith Morgan for the Water District attended the hearing.  There were no other appearances and action was taken (Revere, Hay) to execute the grant closeout documents for submittal to the Ks Department of Commerce.  Motion carried.

Jeff Blosser, road engineer, gave the weekly highway report.  The chip/seal projects for the year have been completed.   A utility permit was granted (Hay, Revere) to Tri-County Telephone Assn to lay fiber optic lines in the Dwight area and northwest of the Council Grove City Lake.  Work zones are outlined on the permit application.  Motion carried.

The county will solicit bids for two new vehicles for the highway department and take advantage of the “cash for clunkers” program by trading in two qualifying pickups.  Bid opening will be on August 4^th. 

A monthly department head meeting was held with various topics discussed.   Budget constraints due to loss of valuation, sales tax monies and investment interest will be a factor as the commissioners prepare the county’s 2010 budget.   Employees were cautioned about misuse of the internet and personal cell phone calls while on county time. 

Jennifer Kassebaum, emergency management coordinator, reported that the county did not quality for recovery funds for storm damages in June; however, the county is eligible for funds due to storm damages in May.  Morris County will also be added to the list of counties eligible for storm damage recovery for a period in April.   The county will receive 75% of the damage estimates reported to FEMA.  Reimbursable items include any county office, employee’s time or equipment used as a result of a storm or disaster.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) will no longer participate in cleaning up meth labs, and the cost and responsibility with fall to counties.  

Kassebaum attended a Northeast Kansas Emergency Management Assn meeting recently and one of the topics included the criteria for designating storm shelters.   The county’s current list of storm shelters will be evaluated to assure they meet requirements.

Commissioners reviewed a work draft of the county’s 2010 budget with Cindy Jensen of Aldrich and Co.

The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.