BOARD OF McPHERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 

 

OCTOBER 5, 2004

REGULAR MEETING

10:00 A.M.

 

ALL PRESENT

 

Two items were added to the agenda: 1) Signature on Environmental Questionnaire and 2) Non-Elected Personnel – County Clerk’s Office.  Commissioner Patrick made a motion to approve the agenda as amended.  Commissioner Schroeder seconded.  All voted aye.

 

No one spoke during Public Input Session at 10:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Schroeder made a motion to approve the minutes of September 28, 2004 as corrected.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.

 

Commissioner Patrick made a motion to approve the abatement of October 1, 2004.  Commissioner Schroeder seconded.  All voted aye.

 

Dave Bohnenblust, Public Works Director joined the meeting at 10:08 a.m.  He updated the Commissioners on various projects in progress throughout the county, then he presented the following two agenda items:

B.   Presented a proclamation to designate October 10, 2004 as Put The Brakes On Fatalities Day.  Mr. Bohnenblust gave the Commissioners various statistics and causes of traffic fatalities, both nationwide and in McPherson County.  Commissioner Patrick made a motion to sign the proclamation to designate October 10, 2004 as Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day in McPherson County.  Commissioner Schroeder seconded.  All voted aye.

A.   Requested 15 minutes, from 10:43 to 10:58 a.m. in executive session to discuss non-elected personnel in the Public Works Department, and to include Mr. Witte.  Commissioner Schroeder made a motion to go into executive session as requested.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:58 a.m.  No action was taken during executive session.  Mr. Bohnenblust presented Personnel Change Notices (PCN’s) to hire Damon Kleinsorge as a Full Time Maintenance Worker I (9/A) and Eric Folck as a Temporary Maintenance Worker III (13/C), both will receive full benefits.  Commissioner Patrick made a motion to approve both PCN’s as presented.  Commissioner Schroeder seconded.  All voted aye. 

 

Susan Meng, County Clerk, joined the meeting at 11:00 a.m. and requested ten minutes, from 11:00 to 11:10 a.m. in executive session to discuss non-elected personnel in her department, and to include Mr. Witte.  Commissioner Schroeder made a motion to go into executive session as requested.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.  Commissioner Schroeder made a motion to rescind his original motion.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.  Ms. Meng requested to hire a former county employee, Vera Schra, to work four hours per day in the Clerk’s Office through the month of October.  Ms. Schra is somewhat familiar with the election work and will be able to help with the extra workload brought on by the upcoming presidential election.  Funds are available in the Election Budget.  Commissioner Schroeder made a motion to approve the Personnel Change Notice to hire Vera Schra as a Temporary Clerk through October 2004 in the Clerk’s Office.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.

 

Mr. Witte requested fifteen minutes, from 11:13 to 11:28 a.m. in executive session with the Commissioners to discuss a potential land acquisition.  Commissioner Schroeder made a motion to go into executive session as requested.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:23.  No action was taken during executive session.  At 11:28 a.m. Commissioner Terry stated that approximately 157 acres of land located directly west of the existing landfill property could be purchased by the County.  This land could possibly be used for a Subtitle D Landfill if needed by the County at a later date.  Currently most of the County’s trash is transferred to other sites, in Reno and Saline counties, at a cost to the McPherson Area Solid Waste Utility (MASWU) and, in turn, to county residents.  Having this land available would give MASWU and the County another option if transfer and disposal costs became too high at those sites.  The Commissioners discussed the possibility of purchasing a one-year option on the land for $12,000.  This would allow time for testing, monitoring and proper zoning to meet KDHE and local requirements.  Prior to October 31, 2005 the County would have the option to purchase the land.  Commissioner Schroeder made a motion to have the Chairman sign the option agreement for $12,000 for the purchase of the SW ¼ of Section 16, T18S, R3W in McPherson County from Charles & Marcia Williams.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.

 

Commissioner Patrick made a motion to approve the checks and claims and to have Mr. Witte release the check for the land purchase option after the Williams’ sign the option agreement. Commissioner Schroeder seconded.  All voted aye.

 

Mr. Witte presented an Environmental Questionnaire for land that was sold by the County at Sheriff’s auction.  The purchaser has applied for an SBA loan and SBA requires that the questionnaire be filled out by the last owner of record regarding previous use of the land and any possible environmental problems.  Commissioner Patrick made a motion to have the Chairman sign the Environmental Questionnaire as presented.  Commissioner Schroeder seconded.  All voted aye. 

 

At 12:35 p.m. Commissioner Schroeder made a motion to adjourn.  Commissioner Patrick seconded.  All voted aye.

 

Commission Minutes taken by Irene R. Goering.

 

Harris G. Terry, Chairman

Don L. Schroeder, Vice-Chairman

Duane J. Patrick, Commissioner

 

 

Attest:  County Clerk

Susan R. Meng