2006 10 16

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS

OFFICIAL MINUTES

October 16, 2006

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 Lewark-Wood.

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 Mattix to approve the minutes of October 2, 2006 as presented by the County Clerk. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lewark-Wood.

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 Tucker to approve invoices in the amount of $207,619.55 as presented by the County Clerk’s office. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Lewark-Wood.

ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes

Commissioner Tucker - Yes

Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes

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REGISTER OF DEEDS – EXECUTIVE SESSION:

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Tucker to recess to Executive Session at 9:15 AM with Marilyn Calhoun, Register of Deeds, 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 at 9:15 AM with no action taken and no decisions made.

Discussion: Ms. Calhoun requested approval to contract with a surveyor pursuant to KSA 58-2005 to review plats. Approval was given and the Register of Deeds will return to the Board next week with a recommendation for a firm and costs.

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PUBLIC WORKS:

Barbara Curtis, Public Works Coordinator, presented the weekly written report. The following items were discussed: Permit Map for the month of September; Road striping and mowing; Resolution for new warning devices at the railroad crossings on Olive Street recommended by the State; Major Bridge Replacement Status; Restrictive Covenant required for old landfill with inspection date set; Agreement update with the Skeet Club for the use of the landfill (Paul Kritz is reviewing for his approval); Coffeyville Health Depart is experiencing problems with the doors, requesting approval on proposal for all work including materials); and request for shared leave for employee of 165.0 hours. As a result of this report, the following action was taken:

ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Mattix to approve the installation of stop signs at the railroad crossings on Olive St on the east edge of Cherryvale and on Olive St. 2.5 miles north of Cherryvale at the S K & O crossings. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lewark-Wood.

ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes

Commissioner Tucker - Yes

Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes

RES. NO. 06-172

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lewark-Wood to authorize the Chairman to sign on behalf of Montgomery County, the Restrictive Covenant required by KDHE under KAR 28-29-30 on the former County Landfill. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Mattix.

ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes

Commissioner Tucker - Yes

Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes

RES. NO. 06-173

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lewark-Wood to approve the Shared Leave Request for an employee of the Public Works Department for 165.0 hours. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Mattix.

ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes

Commissioner Tucker - Yes

Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes

RES. NO. 06-174

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NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION AMENDMENT – CITY OF COFFEYVILLE:

At the request of Coffeyville City Manager Jeff Morris, the following action was taken:

ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Mattix to approve the amended Neighborhood Revitalization Plan to include the Area #4 as outlined in Coffeyville Revitalization Plan #2 and presented by Coffeyville City. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lewark-Wood.

ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes

Commissioner Tucker - Yes

Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes

RES. NO. 06-175

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911 DISCUSSION – ALL 911 ENTITIES:

Commissioner Mattix opened with a statement on changes that have taken place and the future of Montgomery County.

The meeting addressed the following:

Chain of command in 911 services,
Jim Miller discussed the “fragmented system” and said our job is to provide emergency services in Montgomery County. He stated a chain of command is very necessary to provide the services needed. Weather service was the first indication of the need of this chain of command. He didn’t feel comfortable with no primary contact. A chain of command is needed in for Montgomery County to be compliant with the National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) guidelines and it will not work in a fragmented environment. The County Commission feels the county needs to make the county emergency system less fragmented.

There are many unknowns and Mr. Miller said we have no answers but need to be working toward defragmenting the system. He stated there are three factors needed to work effiently: Central Dispatch, GIS System and the 911 providers.

The mission is to open dialog and make no “earth shaking” decisions and to operate in a structured manner. The System must survive regardless of personalities of “Key Players”.

The meeting was opened up to statements by attending 911 workers.

Lee Bynum, Retired Independence Police Chief and 911 Director (North):

Logic and cooperation needed by all entities. Cities agreed in the early 90’s to surrender dispatch but Caney opted out.
The north and south areas were split by a county resolution as it is now.
Barely enough fees to fund with the north receiving about 65%. The fees collected are from land line fees. At the present time the lease purchase for the Sheriff’s console is being paid from these fees and the cost was over $90,000 with the income from the fees approximately $5,000 per month and the expenses, excluding the lease purchase, average a little over $1,000.
Cities can keep their own services but there is not enough funds to pay the obligation and would have to be subsidized from tax dollars. To have a central dispatch it would need to be proved to the cities the system is better and it is cost effective. At the present time tax dollars do not subsidize the 911system.

Ken Parker, Independence City Police Chief:

Chief Parker stated he feels the system would change from stable to unstable. Independence is in “good shape” and should not be changed. Any surplus funds is only for a wish list and has to be approved by the Board of County Commissioners with the County now being in charge of the expenditures through Jim Miller.

The expenses of personnel is an extra expense absorbed by the City of Independence with nothing asked for funding for the staff. If there would be a central system, the county must hire personnel and a manager. Mr. Parker stated he does not think it is viable.

Rick Pell, Caney City Police Chief:

Chief Pell stated Homeland Security must be able to communicate, not consolidate. He feels communication is not a problem and it has improved “a lot in Montgomery County”. At every instance, the command center will be on the scene. Consolidation will not save money.

Don Whitman, Caney City Administrator:

Mr. Whitman stated services are provided to the City of Caney and services will continue regardless of personnel and Caney City also provides ambulance services. The elected city officials are happy with the services provided and would be “hard pressed” to give the services up because they do not see a need for centralized dispatching.

Trey Cocking, Cherryvale City Administrator:

Mr. Cocking said he knows in two large counties the centralized dispatching was a good system but needs funding. He feels a committee should be established to investigate and compare the current system with a centralized system.

Stan Veach, Montgomery County Sheriff:

Sheriff Veach stated he is not in favor of centralized dispatch and feels there is a loss of services to the public. He also stated the 911 funds have been used for cities and the county does not get their share of the funds. He said “the funds are not split fairly”.

Jeff Morris, Coffeyville City Manager:

Mr. Morris said the system has not paid its way in Coffeyville and has been assumed by the taxpayers.

Mike Brown, Coffeyville City EMS:

He feels it will decrease the level of services if using a centralized command. He also feels minor issues with the present systems can be addressed without “overhaul”.

Greg Allen, Coffeyville City Fire Chief:

Applauded the effort to get together and bring the units to discuss and give their input. He also said the references to NEMS does not have to do with dispatch.

David Cowan, Independence City EMS:

When there is an emergency in the county, everyone works together. He said there are excellent people working in the “emergency divisions” serving the people in Montgomery County.

Dale Rail, Independence City Fire Chief:

Deferred his comments.

Jeff Chubb, Independence City Attorney:

No Comments

Paul Sasse, Independence City Manager:

Mr. Sasse said “in essence it is a county wide system”. He said if the County desires a change in dispatching for Rural Fire they have no problem and would need a “relocation of lines outside the city”. He asked to be advised regarding new lines if established. He does feel there are issues to be resolved but did not state the issues.

Nelson Olinger, Montgomery County Rural Resident:

Mr. Olinger said crime is running rampant from the citizens standpoint personalities should be taken out of it.

Tony Fowler, County Commission Candidate:

Mr. Fowler stated he is listening as a candidate with no comments.

Wilbur Schwatken, Montgomery County Rural Fire Coordinator:

Mr. Schwatken stated in covering the whole county there are a few dispatch problems and they are working on it. He also stated all emergency units throughout the county are working together as a team when needed.

Roger Cotner, Montgomery County Resident:

Mr. Cotner said city responders are needed. The Sheriff’s office needs to be funded and more money should be “funneled into Sheriff’s office”.

Charles Hixon, Montgomery County Rural Fire – Independence Div.:

Mr. Hixon said we should look hard before any changes are made. Not broken, don’t try to fix it.

Joe Humble, Coffeyville City Police Chief:

Chief Humble said he would agree to have a study but doesn’t feel it will work. Questions on “record management in cities” would have to be addressed. He also feels the problems can be corrected.

Commissioner Billie Lewark-Wood:

Commissioner Lewark-Wood told the group she appreciated everyone attending and feels we should keep what we have. Everyone works together and needs to let by-gones be by-gones and keep working together.

Commissioner Gene Tucker:

Commissioner Tucker said with 44 years in fire services, we have come a long way with equipment. He explained some of the problems with dispatching and the splitting of calls into only for Montgomery County and distinguishing breaks by phone numbers to within and outside the county. He feels we should not disrupt the present services.

Following Mr. Tuckers discussing the breaks by phone numbers, Lee Bynum explained the difference between land lines and tandem lines.

Commissioner Mattix we should go to the next level and establish a committee. He thanked everyone for their participation in the meeting.

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OTHER COUNTY BUSINESS:

Emergency Generator Maintenance – Judicial Center:

ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Tucker to approve a maintenance agreement with Martin Tractor in the amount of $3,550.00 for service and maintenance on the emergency generator in the Judicial Center and ask Richard Wells to be present when service and inspections are made. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lewark-Wood.

ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes

Commissioner Tucker - Yes

Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes

RES. NO. 06-176

Acknowledged County Treasurer’s report.

Jail Committee minutes – Letter will be drafted by Commissioner Mattix on the specific direction for the Committee regarding enlarging the jail facilities.
The evening meeting will be in Dearing on October 19^th.
Acknowledged letter from Historical Society on the Landon House in Independence.
Discussed a proposal by Dennis Jacobs for the remodeling of office and facilities at the City Hall in Coffeyville. Commissioner Mattix attended the meeting on the project. A letter is on file from Mr. Jacobs outlining the repairs needed and the remodeling. The total project estimate is $63,900. There was discussion on if the county should pay for any of the project since the offices are owned by the City of Coffeyville and is rented to the County .

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ADJOURNMENT: 11:55AM

ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Mattix seconded by Commissioner Lewark-Wood.

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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