BUTLER
COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Commission Chairman Mike Wheeler called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order at 9:00 a.m. Present were Commissioner Randy Doll, Commissioner Randy Waldorf, Commissioner Dan Woydziak, Administrator Will Johnson Jr., and Clerk Recorder Tammy Bridges. Commissioner Will Carpenter was absent to testify on Senate Bill 87 in Topeka.
ITEM #3 – CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A
DECOMMISSIONING AND SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH ELK RIVER WIND FARM, LLC
Will Johnson, Administrator, came before the Board for approval of a decommissioning and security agreement with Elk River Wind Farm, LLC. The County Commission has debated the final amount and the structure of the agreement over the last few months finally settling on a $3 million dollar amount over a twenty-year period consisting of a declining surety amount and escrow payments totaling $3 million dollars over twenty years with the escrow account escalating to $3 million at the end of year twenty.
Administrator Johnson asked that the agreement be tabled until Commissioner Carpenter was present to discuss.
Commissioner Waldorf motioned to table this agenda item until Tuesday, March 1, 2005. Commissioner Woydziak seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner Wheeler asked if there were any comments or questions regarding the decommissioning. Several people came to the podium and spoke.
Terry Malone, Attorney, came before the Board and stated that he represented a number of entities and a group of people who are concerned if the county has the authority to grant the right to use county road right of way for transmission lines. He also was concerned if the amount of money set aside for decommissioning would be sufficient.
Larry Patton came before the Board with information and costs from other states related to decommissioning wind farms.
Jackie Sundgren, Mike Skinner, Mark Reindel, Harold Cooper, Ed Hodges, Fran Trosper, Steve Sorenson, and Ron Klataske all came before the Board with questions and concerns regarding the wind farm. Some of the concerns expressed were that the ecosphere would be ruined and that the owls, small fish, and prairie chicken will become extinct in that area; that this would open the door to allow a string of wind farm towers throughout the Flinthills; that after decommissioning, the area would not look the same as it does today; that all requirements and stipulations would transfer with a change of ownership; and concern was expressed as to the power lines and if they would be running north or south.
ITEM #1 – REVIEW TABLED DISCUSSION
ON COUNTY WIDE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FOR GIS/MAPPING
Pam Dunham, GIS Director, came before the Board for discussion regarding this tabled agenda item from the meeting of February 14, 2005.
Commissioner Woydziak motioned for the GIS/Mapping Department to work with Sedgwick County in 2006 to develop costs. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
ITEM #2 – RECEIVE AND OPEN BIDS
FOR PURCHASE OF TIRES FOR THE COUNTY
Darryl Lutz, Director of Public Works, came before the Board to open bids for the purchase of tires for the County. Each year the Department of Public Works solicits bids for the purchase and delivery of tires needed for its fleet of equipment. Bids were received from:
Becker Tire, Norris 66 Station, and Augusta Tire & Auto Supply.
Commissioner Waldorf motioned to receive the tire bids submitted by Becker Tire, Norris 66 Station, and Augusta Tire & Auto Supply and direct the Public Works Director to tabulate the bids, to review for conformance, and to return at a later date with a recommendation for purchase. Commissioner Woydziak seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Chuck Boully, George K. Baum, came before the Board with information regarding refinancing the Public Building Commission (PBC) bonds.
Commissioner Doll motioned to allow George K. Baum, the Underwriter, to review the opportunity to refinance the PBC Debt and return at a later date with recommendations. Commissioner Woydziak seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner Wheeler recessed the Board for 5 minutes at 10:05 a.m.
Commissioner Wheeler reconvened the Board at 10:10 a.m.
ITEM #4 – PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR SEWER DISTRICT NO. 19, 19A, AND 19B
Commissioner Wheeler opened a public hearing on proposed special assessments for Sewer District No. 19, 19A, and 19B.
Chuck Boully, George K. Baum, addressed the Board and stated this was the opportunity for people to comment. He stated the Resolution would be published on Thursday, February 25, 2005 and the property owners would have 30 days to pay. If they were not paid in 30 days, specials would be assessed on the property.
There was no public comment.
Commissioner Wheeler closed the public hearing.
ITEM #5 – CONSIDER RESOLUTION NO.
05-07 LEVYING SPECIAL ASSESSMENT TAXES FOR SEWER DISTRICT NO. 19, 19A, AND 19B
Commissioner Woydziak motioned to adopt Resolution No. 05-07 levying special assessments and providing for the payment of special assessments for improvements for Sewer Districts No. 19, 19A and 19B and providing for giving notice of special assessments and authorize the Chair to sign. Commissioner Waldorf seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
ITEM #6 – CONSIDER APPROVING A
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS FOR CULVERT LETTING NO. 60
Darryl Lutz, Director of Public Works, came before the Board to consider approving a Notice to Contractors for Culvert Letting No. 60. Each year with the assistance and participation of the townships, Butler County replaces several concrete box drainage structures on Township and County roads. Townships request each year approximately 30 structures for replacement with most of the structures being eligible. Eleven structures have been selected based upon need and available budget.
Commissioner Waldorf motioned to approve the Notice to Contractors for Culvert Letting No. 60 for the construction of 11 reinforced concrete box structures throughout Butler County and authorize the Chair to sign. Commissioner Woydziak seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner Wheeler recessed the Board for 15 minutes at 10:20 a.m.
Commissioner Wheeler reconvened the Board at 10:35 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Waldorf motioned to approve the minutes of the Butler County Commission Meeting of Monday, February 14, 2005 as amended. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS
Commissioner Waldorf motioned to approve the vouchers for February 22, 2005 in the amount of $283,231.71. Commissioner Woydziak seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
APPROVAL OF ADS & ABATES
Commissioner Woydziak motioned to approve Adds & Abates #2210. Adds in the amount of $30.08 and Abates in the amount of $2,942.50. Commissioner Waldorf seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
ITEM #7 – RECEIVE VINCE HAINES,
PKHL ARCHITECTS TO UPDATE THE COUNTY COMMISSION ON PROGRESS TO THE EAST ANNEX
REMODEL PROCESS
Vince Haines, PKHL Architects, came before the Board to update the commissioners on the progress of the East Annex remodel project. Site plans were presented and Mr. Haines stated that the drawings are very close to being finished. It was also stated that the County has saved a significant amount of money by doing the demolition work on the inside of the building.
OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Commissioner Doll inquired about contributions from Elk River Wind Farm to the county.
Administrator Johnson stated that the Quad County Meeting would be Monday, March 21, 2005 in Reno County.
Administrator Johnson stated that there is some land adjacent to the Landfill for sale and this would be an item for discussion at a later date.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Woydziak motioned to adjourn the meeting of the Board at 11:45 a.m. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.