BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS
OFFICIAL MINUTES
October 31, 2005
The Board of County Commissioners, three members and the County Clerk present, met in regular session at 9:00 AM.
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CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Mattix.
INVOCATION: Commissioner Mattix.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Lewark-Wood.
AGENDA APPROVAL:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Mattix to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tucker.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lewark-Wood to approve the minutes of October 20th and October 24th, 2005 as presented by the County Clerk. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tucker.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
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APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF INVOICES:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lewark-Wood to approve invoices in the amount of $289,113.60 as presented by the County Clerk’s office. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tucker.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
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RON MCPHERSON – MCPHERSON DRILLING:
Mr. Ron McPherson of McPherson Drilling appeared before the Board to in regard to the June 2nd, 2005 explosion resulting in the deaths of two employees. He stated the State Fire Marshall, Montgomery County Rural Fire Director, Montgomery County Sheriff, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Kansas Bureau of Investigation have been involved in the investigation. It has been determined it “has gone past an accident, it’s murder” according to Mr. McPherson. A reward of $10,000 has been offered for the arrests of those involved.
Mr. McPherson reported he has received several compliments regarding county employees from the state organizations. He said “many in the ATF have gone out of their way to tell me how good a job Wilbur Schwatken has done and how knowledgeable he is in his job”. He stated his company has been exonerated in the explosion. He thanked the county employees for their work.
Commissioner Mattix told Mr. McPherson the county still wants to support the efforts being made to solve this incident.
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS – PERSONNEL:
Bob Booth, Department of Corrections Administrator, stated one of the employees hired as EMT I for weekends was hired at $9.06 per hour. He is requesting more hours and to work regular duties in DOC. He requested his wage being set at $8.28 per hour with regular scheduled hours. The request was approved.
Mr. Booth said the steamer for the kitchen is here but has to be installed. The quote from Newton’s at Cherryvale is $1,400.00 for the electrical and plumbing. The Board questioned if it could be done “in house” with Shorty Aemiseger doing the electrical work. Bob will talk to Barbara Curtis about the installation.
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NEWKIRK, DENNIS AND BUCKLES – COUNTY INSURANCE RENEWAL:
Mr. Dave Dennis and Mr. Doug Buckles of Newkirk, Dennis and Buckles met with the Board to discuss the renewal of the county insurance policies on December 1, 2005. Mr. Dennis has requested an update on the measurements of buildings, also number of buildings and usage.
They discussed the increase in the Workmen’s Compensation and gave the county information on Nation Wide Risk Consulting that does evaluations on rates for businesses and will go back three (3) years. If they do not find the county has been overcharged, there is no charge to the county for their services. If they find savings for the county, the fee is 50%. Mr. Dennis was asked to proceed with the paperwork to engage the services of Nation Wide Risk Consulting.
No decisions were made on insurance renewal at this time. Mr. Dennis will return at a later date with renewal costs based on the county updates from Public Works.
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PUBLIC WORKS:
Barbara Curtis, Public Works Coordinator, presented the weekly written report. The following items were discussed: Asphalt work; road striping; Major Bridge Replacement Status (County Bridge No. 19); Exterior work on courthouse; and remodeling of the dispatch area in the Sheriff’s office. There was no action as a result of the report.
They discussed the color for the railings. It was decided wrought iron black for the railings coming up the steps to the courthouse.
Executive Session:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Tucker to recess to Executive Session at 9:46 AM to return at 10:00 AM with Barbara Curtis present to discuss non-elected personnel. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lewark-Wood.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
Returned to session at 10:00 AM with no action taken and no decisions made.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION – COUNTY CLERK:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Mattix to recess to Executive Session at 10:45 AM to return at 11:15 AM with the County Clerk present to discuss non-elected personnel. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lewark-Wood.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
Returned to session at 11:05 AM with no action taken and no decisions made.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Mattix to recess to Executive Session with the County Commissioner present to discuss non-elected personnel at 11:10 AM to return at 11:20 AM. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Tucker.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
Returned to session at 11:20 AM with no action taken and no decisions made.
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OTHER COUNTY BUSINESS:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lewark-Wood to approve the Indigent Legal Service Agreement between Montgomery County and Kansas Legal Services, Pittsburg, Kansas for legal services in the amount of $7,250.00 per month. The fee will be paid from Unified Court Budget. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Mattix.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
RES. NO. 05-220
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The date for the surplus vehicle auction was set for December 1st at 6:00 PM in the west parking lot of the Courthouse. Commissioner Tucker will auctioneer.
Jim Miller, Emergency Preparedness Director presented an update on FEMA Plans, Explained the misunderstanding on DOJ Grant funds being used for GIS, reported on meetings held on GIS and reported the shirts for the Emergency Preparedness Director with county emblem is on order.
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Recessed to Department luncheon at 11:30 AM.
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ADJOURNMENT: 12:30 PM
ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Tucker seconded by Commissioner Mattix.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS
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LEE MATTIX, Chairman
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GENE TUCKER, Member
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BILLIE LEWARK-WOOD, Member
ATTEST:
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County Clerk
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