Minutes 05/04/2010

May 4, 2010

The Morris County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May 4, 2010, at 8:30 a.m., all members present.

Dean Miller was appointed (Jost, Hay) to the Morris County Hospital Board, effective immediately.  He will fill a vacancy created when Ralph Mock resigned a few weeks ago.

The term will expire on December 31, 2012.  Motion carried.

Based on the reponses of the recycling survey, Commissioners voted (Hay, Jost) to continue the program and increase the annual fee from $50 to $65.  The new rate will appear on the 2010 tax statements.  Motion carried.  Over 50% of the recycling survey cards were returned.  Forty-one percent (41%) voted to increase the fee to $65; twenty-one percent (21%) voted to raise the fee to $60; twenty-seven percent (27%) voted to discontinue the recycling program; seven percent (7%) felt the program should not be changed and four percent (4%) offered comments without choosing an option on the card.

Laura Marks, Extension Director, presented a letter from the Kansas Attorney General’s office stating that the creation of the Flint Hills Extension District #13, which includes Morris and Chase Counties, is in compliance with the law.  Marks also submitted a list of persons willing to serve on the new district’s board.  The commissioners from each county will initially appoint four people to serve on the board.  Beginning in April, 2011 extension district board members will be elected.  Commissioners tabled action on the appointments pending further review.

Resolution No. 2010-08 was passed (Jost, Hay) authorizing the publication of a proposed road vacation between Sections 3 and 10 in Township 14, Range 8.  A public hearing is set for June 1^st.  Motion carried.

The minutes of the April 27^th meeting were approved (Hay, Jost) as presented.  Motion carried.

Lisa Davies, sanitarian, discussed proposed changes to the county’s sanitation code.  She also presented proposed minor revisions to the Rural Lakes Region Advisory Board Bylaws.   No action was taken pending further review.

Commissioner Hay left at 11 a.m. to attend a meeting in Junction City.

Sheriff Coover reported that the county has received a grant in the amount of $91,000 to update aerial photography.  The grant was awarded by the Governor Grants Program, and is a Wireless Enhanced 911 Act Grant.

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

Jeff Blosser, road engineer, gave the weekly report of the road and bridge department.  He gave a status of the Rock Creek bridge project.  The White City shop has been completed and an open house will be held on Friday, May 7^th.

After meeting with FEMA officials, it was determined that Morris County will be eligible to recover disaster funds due to the winter storm damage if federal monies become available.

Commissioner Jost moved, and Commissioner Revere seconded, to go into executive session at 1:40 p.m. for 15 minutes to discuss a non-elected personnel matter with the county counselor, county clerk and road engineer in attendance.  Motion carried.   Regular session resumed at 1:55 p.m.  No action taken.

Michael Powers, District Court Judge, Cecil Aska, court administrator, Geneva Mason, district court clerk and Audie Magana, court trustee, presented proposed 2011 budget for offices in the 8^th Judicial District. 

The local district court office proposal is $35,918, down $2,234 from the 2010 budget.  Morris County’s share of the 8^th Judicial District Budget will be $6,375 next year.  The court trustee’s budget does not require county tax monies.

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.