MINUTES FOR AUGUST 23, 2010

COLUMBUS, KANSAS, CHEROKEE COUNTY

OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK

CRYSTAL L. GATEWOOD

The Cherokee Commissioners met August 23, 2010.  Commissioners Garner, Hilderbrand, and Collins were present.  Commissioner Collins made a motion to approve the August 16, 2010 as presented by Clerk Gatewood, his motion was seconded by Commissioner Collins, and Commissioners Hilderbrand and Collins voted in favor, Commissioner Garner abstained because he was at another meeting on the 16^th of August.  Those signing the document were Commissioners Hilderbrand and Collins, and Clerk Gatewood.  Commissioner  Collins made a motion to approve and pay August 2010 Payroll as presented, his motion was seconded by Commissioner Garner, all three commissioners voted in favor, and Commissioner Hilderbrand signed off on the documents.  Commissioner Hilderbrand said that all meals for all county employees must be counted as wages if not overnight.  Commissioner Hilderbrand questioned the 1099 IRS Forms.  Gene Mense, the county auditor, reported that any meals not with an overnight stay must be applied on a W2 Form at the end of the year.  In the past, the county had been paying the meals out of Accounts Payables, but they still came out of the Office Holder’s or Supervisor’s budget.  Commissioner Collins questioned Election Officer Gatewood on overtime pay for election workers and she said she had already spoken with the Federal Wage and Hour requirements (The United States Dept. of Labor - (The Fair Labor Standard Act) according to Section 553.30-553.50) (this section is attached to the PDFed minutes) and had addressed the overtime.  County Clerk Gatewood uses salaries for election workers as payment for the work they do.  It is not considered overtime by the Wage and Hour division because a salaried or an hourly employee in the case of Election Day is not a regular occurrence.  Commissioner Garner made a motion to approve and pay August Accounts Payables for the county, his motion was seconded by Commissioner Collins, and all three commissioners voted in favor, and signing off on the documents were Commissioners Hilderbrand, Collins, Garner, County Clerk Gatewood, and County Counselor Kevin Cure.

MOTIONS MADE BY COMMISSION

It is noted that Betha Elliott needed a correction to the Commissioner Minutes for August 9, 2010.  Commissioner Hilderbrand signed a new contract for the Public Health Preparedness Grant for an extension to have 2010 funds continue to August 9, 2011 instead of August 8, 2010.  The signs were discussed concerning signage at Our Point of Dispensing Clinic and the signs will be purchased by H1N1 Grant Funds.  The original contract extension was signed by Commissioner Hilderbrand a few weeks ago and it will carry over funds through December 30, 2010.  Influenza Vaccine has been ordered and it will contain H1N1 as well as some other strains, there will not be two different vaccines this year as of now.  Commissioner Hilderbrand made a motion to amend the August 9, 2010 Commission Minutes and to clarify Cherokee County Health Department Director Betha Elliott as reported in the August 9, 2010 minutes, his motion was seconded by Commissioner Collins, and all three commissioners voted in favor.

Commissioner Collins made a motion to recess for lunch, his motion was seconded by Commissioner Garner, and all three commissioners voted in favor.

County Counselor Kevin Cure gave an update regarding several issues he was working on for the commission. 

OTHER BUSINESS

Road and Bridge Supervisor Leonard Vanatta and County Engineer Gene Langerot came before the commission to discuss general road and county maintenance.  The commissioners thanked them for coming in.  The commission asked the representative from CAT to work up a proposal for the buyback on the road graders that have 5,000 hours on them, he said he would work one up and get back with them later.

Christy Grant came before the commission to discuss a health flex plan for the county.  She had brought in a copy of Butler County’s plan as an example.  The commission referred her over to Brent Hillier of Meritain for his input.  The commission thanked her for coming in. 

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

Commissioner Collins made a motion to go into Executive Session for thirty minutes for Attorney/Client Privilege with himself, Commissioners Garner and Hilderbrand, and County Counselor Kevin Cure, his motion was seconded by Commissioner Garner, and all three voted in favor.  They went in at 11:15 A.M. and returned at 11:45 A.M.

Commissioner Garner made a motion to go into Executive Session for fifteen minutes for Attorney/Client Privilege with himself, Commissioners Hilderbrand and Collins, and County Counselor Kevin Cure, his motion was seconded by Commissioner Collins, and all three voted in favor.  They went in at 11:49 A.M. and returned at 12:05 P.M.

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Garner made a motion to adjourn at 1:50 P.M., his motion was seconded by Commissioner Collins, and all three commissioners voted in favor.  The next Cherokee County Commission meeting will be held August 30, 2010 at 9:00 A.M. in the Cherokee County Courthouse in Columbus, Kansas.

Resolved and ordered this day, August 30, 2010.

______________________________                                    _________________________

 Cherokee County Clerk                                                       Commissioner

                                                                                                _________________________

                                                                                                 Commissioner 

                                                                                                _________________________

                                                                                                 Commissioner

PDF File

Approve Minutes:
  9:00        Pledge, approve Minutes from August 23, 2010 Meeting
                 & Other County Business From County Clerk


Appointments:

  9:15        LEONARD VANATTA            COUNTY ENGINEER
                 GENE LANGEROT                LOT SUPERVISOR

10:15        GENE MENSE                        BUDGET DISCUSSION

12:00        LUNCH

1:00          RAY RYAN                             INSURANCE UPDATE
                                                               ON WORK COMP

Next Meeting:
     Monday, September 13, 2010

PDF Link 

MINUTES FOR AUGUST 16, 2010

COLUMBUS, KANSAS, CHEROKEE COUNTY

OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK

CRYSTAL L. GATEWOOD

The Cherokee County Commissioners met August 16, 2010.  Commissioners Hilderbrand and Commissioner Collins were present.  Commissioner Garner had an outside appointment.  The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all.  County Clerk Crystal Gatewood submitted the minutes for August 9, 2010, Commissioner Hilderbrand made a motion to accept the amended minutes, his motion was seconded by Commissioner Collins, and both Commissioners Hilderbrand and Collins voted in favor.  Commissioners Hilderbrand and Collins signed off on the transfers of sick hours for an employee.

MOTIONS MADE BY COMMISSION

Commissioner Collins made a motion to amend the agenda and move Jim Dahmen from 10:15A.M. to 10:00 A.M., his motion was seconded by Commissioner Hilderbrand, and both Commissioners Collins and Hilderbrand voted in favor.

Commissioner Collins made a motion to recess for lunch, his motion was seconded by Commissioner Hilderbrand, and both Commissioners Hilderbrand and Collins voted in favor.

Commissioner Collins made a motion to pass and approve Resolution #12 which places a stop sign at Kelly Street and NE Coal Valley Rd., his motion was seconded by Commissioner Hilderbrand and both voted in favor.  Commissioners Collins, Hilderbrand, and Cherokee County Clerk Gatewood signed off on the document.

Commissioner Hilderbrand made a motion to award Claythorne Lodge $300.00 for a Tourism Grant during Columbus Days for a sporting clay event, his motion was seconded by Commissioner Collins, and both Commissioners Collins and Hilderbrand voted in favor.

Commissioner Collins made a motion to sign the HUD Sustainable Communities Agreement Grant through the Joplin Regional Partnership, his motion was seconded by Commissioner Hilderbrand, and both Commissioners Collins and Hilderbrand voted in favor.

Commissioner Hilderbrand made a motion to agree for services from Class LTD at the current level of $109,273.00 for the year 201l, his motion was seconded by Commissioner Collins, and both Commissioners Collins and Hilderbrand vote in favor and signed off on the documents.

OTHER BUSINESS

Road and Bridge Supervisor Leonard Vanatta and Gene Langerot of the County Lot discussed general road maintenance in the county with the commissioners.  The commission also discussed signage for no dumping at the location between 25^th and 40^th streets on Union Chapel Rd., and Mr. Vanatta is looking into it.  The county is continuing asphalting in the county.  The commissioners thanked them for the update.

Jim Dahmen came before the commissioners to discuss the HUD Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program.  The grant is for $100,000,000.00 through HUD with the participation of the Department of Transportation and the EPA, the grant funds will be split nationwide and the tri-state area wants to participate.  A grant amount of $2,000,000.00 is being worked up by the Joplin Regional Partnership and the target areas are the counties of Barton, Jasper, and Newton in Missouri, the counties of Crawford and Cherokee in Kansas, as well as Ottawa County in Oklahoma.  Mr. Dahmen explained the six principles of the grant:  1) to provide more transportation choices, 2) promote equitable, affordable housing, 3) to enhance economic competitiveness, 4) to support existing communities, 5) to coordinate policies and leverage investment, and 6) to value communities and neighborhoods.  He explained that communities in the region will be contacted and requested to submit their ready projects with a 20% match for a specific amount.  Overall, the representatives of the Joplin Regional Partnership will determine the number of projects to be included in the grant.  The commission must put together their request and submit it by August 23, 2010.  The commission discussed a water project in the county.  Commissioner Hilderbrand signed off on the Tri States Coopitition Consortium Agreement HUD Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program.  The commission is to adopt a resolution of participation for the Grant and it was referred over to County Counselor Kevin Cure.  They thanked Mr. Dahmen for coming in.

Cameron Lawrence of Joplin Freightliner came before the commission to discuss the financing of three Dump Trucks which are scheduled to be delivered the first week in September.  He pointed out that the first bid spec at the first of the year has changed and Daimler Financial Services has lowered the interest rate to 2.715 %.  The amount to be financed is $386,910.00 for five years with annual payments of $83,797.29.  The commission said they would review it and get back with him.

Gene Mense, the County Auditor, came before the commission and had done a review of General Fund monies and he reported it was in good shape at this time.

Jason Allison of Emergency Preparedness came before the commission to have Commissioner Hilderbrand sign off on the NSP Houses that could contain lead base paint, Commissioner Hilderbrand signed off on the documents.  Mr. Allison also asked for additional administrative staff for the Reverse 911 System using a current county employee.

ADJOURMENT

Commissioner Collins made a motion to adjourn at 1:35 P.M., his motion was seconded by Commissioner Hilderbrand and both Commissioners Collins and Hilderbrand voted in favor.  The next Cherokee County Commission meeting will be held August 23, 2010 at 9:00 A.M. in the Cherokee County Courthouse in Columbus, Kansas.

Resolved and ordered this day August 23, 2010.

_____________________________                          _________________________

 Cherokee County Clerk                                        Commissioner 

                                                                             _________________________

                                                                              Commissioner 

                                                                             _________________________

                                                                              Commissioner

PDF File

Approve Minutes:
  9:00            Pledge, approve Minutes from August 16, 2010 Meeting
                     & Other County Business From County Clerk

Appointments:

  9:15            LEONARD VANATTA                COUNTY ENGINEER
                     GENE LANGEROT                    LOT SUPERVISOR

10:30            APPROVE PAYROLL / ACCOUNTS PAYABLE FOR AUGUST

12:00            LUNCH

Next Meeting:
     Monday, August 30, 2010


PDF File