IOLA, KANSAS OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTYCLERK September 15, 2009
The Allen County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. with Chairperson Dick Works, Commissioner Gary G. McIntosh, Commissioner Robert A. Francis and Sherrie L. Riebel, CountyClerk.
Bob Johnson, Iola Register representative, and Skip and Donald Becker, citizens, were present to observe the meeting.
Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the September 8, 2009 meeting.
Commissioners discussed the crosses along old us Hwy 169 north out of Iola where the county farm had a cemetery.
Commissioner McIntosh discussed a RC&D Committee meeting to be held in Iola on September 29, 2009.
Skip requested the commissioners respond to letter in the Iola Register’s forum. Discussion followed. Commissioners stated the land they bought on State Street is not in the flood plain.
Chuck Richey, citizen, joined the meeting.
Commissioner Works responded on the question of the City of Iola and AllenCounty not getting along. Commissioners stated AllenCounty works with the City of Iola just fine; the ambulance isn’t a new issue it has been going on for years. There are several other areas where the two entities work together without issue. Commissioners stated they are not able to make the City change their mind. Discussion followed.
David Toland, Thrive Executive Director, joined the meeting.
Skip asked commissioners to respond to the request on spending of $400,000 for ambulance. The commissioners explained that it was a preliminary step advised by the county counselor. And the building is being used for 911 dispatches, Emergency Management and Ambulance. Discussion followed.
They addressed the location of the station because of State Street being a busy street. The current station is on US Hwy 54, which is busier than State Street. Discussion followed on cost and locations, which have been researched for two years.
They addressed more questions from the Iola Register Forum: the owner is in Colorado and the realtor was Thompson Realty. The center of the county would be too close to the City of Moran’s station. The question on the PCBs isn’t even in question because the county purchased the office building not the storage building.
Skip asked if the county could do something about animal control. Discussion followed. Bob Johnson stated when the city did have an animal problem it would deal only with domestic animals and only with the wild animals if they acted sick.
Chuck Richey reported he has received parts to make the clock ring. It will be November before it is done and two service groups are paying for it.
David Toland, Thrive Executive, discussed a grant to install an Allen County Community Kiosk at a cost of $24,511 to replicate the original kiosk, which was located on the southeast corner of the square. David explained how the kiosk would be set up. He is requesting permission to put a permanent fixture of the kiosk, which would have messages rolling through periodically on two sides with the other two sides being bulletin boards. Discussion followed. David needs to have a letter from the commission showing approval of the request by the end of the week. Commissioners will take under advisement. David will check measurements. David would like the county to own the kiosk once it is up and running.
Bill King, Public Works Director, discussed Star Bright Aviation. Mitch Garner, Allen County Regional Airport Manager, Bruce and Marla Bright, Star Bright Aviation owners, and Rob Jordon, chief instructor at the airport, were present for discussion. Rob mentioned the business is slow mainly because of the economy. He explained they are almost at the peak to get over the main costs. He explained goals that have been accomplished and goals that are close. Discussion followed. Bruce explained he would like to sell the dorm and the office building to the county for $200,000 to help with the costs. He stated the county would be getting an above ground handicap storm cellar, which would be included in the costs. Rob explained how he would like AllenCommunity College to get a two-year certification to use Star Bright to give flight instructions to students. Star Bright Aviation has already trained 30 + students who have completed 50+ ratings. Currently they have 13 students working on 24 ratings. Marla discussed the certifications. Star Bright Aviation gives transfers to SalinaCommunity College. Rob explained how they plan to accomplish the remaining goals and this would set them up for Visa passes and VA bills. They cannot do charters programs yet, but they can do within 6 months once they get the permits. They can transport merchandise now. If the county purchased the buildings that would free them up for purchasing three more planes so that they could rent planes. Discussion followed on options for Star Bright Aviation. Marla stated the monies on the fuel would be taken care of within the month. Commissioners will take their request under advisement.
Bill requested to purchase a rock drill for the bobcat; it would cost about $4,000. He would like to get bids and advertise. Commissioners approved to him to get bids.
Thomas R. Williams, Allen County Sheriff, discussed 911 dispatch and set up.
Ralph Shafer, citizen, joined the meeting. He discussed the Carlyle area and explained there are people buried in the cemetery at the old CountyFarm, which is now the AllenCountyCommunity College’s farm. He said he had attended a funeral there.
Jason Nelson, Allen County EMS Director, reported he had been going every Tuesday to help with health screenings at the after school programs.
Jason stated they had an ambulance in the Elsmore Days Parade last week and plan to have one in the parade at Moran Days Parade this coming weekend.
Jason mentioned David Bass, Monarch Safety Supervisor, has requested AllenCountyEMS be part of a safety film they are doing at The Monarch Cement Company.
Jason reported two employees will be going to AMLS training in and two employees to Burn classes next week in Parsons, Classes will start in January 2010. Runs are up to 728 for the year. Jason is applying for a grant to allow CPR Classes for the community.
Jason purchased two recliners for the Humboldt Ambulance Station. Jason submitted three bids and commissioners agreed to go with Westco, the lowest bidder.
Commissioners asked about the individual concerned about the time he had to wait on the ambulance. It took the AllenCountyEMS ambulance 14 minutes to get to the hospital after being paged. Most of the time the individual spent waiting was while the hospital was doing an assessment and trying to get the patient into a specialized hospital. The ambulance came out of Humboldt Station for the transfer.
Jason presented pictures of area ambulance stations in the Southeast KS area.
Commissioner Francis moved to go into executive session for 5 minutes for attorney client discussion. Commissioner McIntosh seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Chairman Works, Commissioner McIntosh, Commissioner Francis, Jason Nelson, Allen County EMS Director, Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is now 10:07 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 10:12 a.m. No action was taken.
Commissioner McIntosh moved to go into executive session for 5 minutes for attorney client discussion. Commissioner Francis seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Chairman Works, Commissioner McIntosh, Commissioner Francis, Jason Nelson, Allen County EMS Director, Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is now 10:12 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 10:17 a.m. No action was taken.
Terry McDonald, TJ’s Towing, joined the meeting to discussed towing decisions. Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor, reported he has been reviewing other county’s towing policies and no action has been taken.
Commissioners discussed all the tax exemptions within the State of Kansas.
Commissioner Francis moved to go into executive session for 5 minutes for attorney client discussion. Commissioner McIntosh seconded, motion passed 3-0-0. Those in the room will be Chairman Works, Commissioner McIntosh, Commissioner Francis, Alan Weber, Allen County Counselor and Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk. The time is now 10:24 a.m. Commissioners reconvened at 10:29 a.m. No action was taken.
Donald Leapheart, City of Iola Fire Chief and Gary Kimball, Iola Fire Department, reported $720.00 was rebated to the county from the purchase of 16 Motorola Minitor V Pagers for the Iola Fire Department. They presented the rebate check to the commissioners. They expressed their appreciation for the purchase of these pagers.
Commissioners approved the following documents:
a)Payroll Changes
b)Journal Entries # 67-71
c)Clerk’s Vouchers Totaling $71,391.03
d)Abatements PP- Value 708, $109.16, Year 2008
e)Abatements RE- Value 327, $65.98, Year 2008
With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned until September 22, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. in the Commission room of the courthouse.
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Dick Works, Chairperson Gary G. McIntosh, Commissioner
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Sherrie L. Riebel, CountyClerk Robert A. Francis, Commissioner