BUTLER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Monday, September 12, 2005

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

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, Assistant Administrator/Finance Director Mark Detter and Clerk Recorder Tammy Bridges.  Commissioner Will Carpenter and Administrator Will Johnson, Jr. were absent.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve the minutes of the Butler County Commission Meeting of Tuesday, September 6, 2005 as amended.  Commissioner Waldorf seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0. 

 

ITEM #1 – RECEIVE DAVID KEHLER, BUTLER COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE TO PRESENT OVERVIEW OF BUTLER COUNTY EXTENSION ACTIVITIES AND BUTLER COUNTY AG FACTS

David Kehler, Butler County Extension Office, came before the Board to present an overview of Butler County Extension activities and Butler County Ag facts.  Mr. Kehler stated that he put together an update on Ag trends using Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service for the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce Ag Tour.  Mr. Kehler said that he has heard for years that development has been wiping out Ag land in Butler County.  He said not including grazing land, when you look at the change from 1996 to 2003, we lost 9,400 acres in wheat, corn, soybeans, and milo.  But, acres in hay have increased by 33,000 acres, which makes Butler County 2nd in the state for hay production.  He said from 1996 to 2003, the harvested acres in agriculture have increased by 24,000 acres. 

 

Mr. Kehler stated that in 1996 Butler County was 2nd in the state in number of beef cows.  Now we have dropped to 8th in the state since Flinthills grass has become too expensive.  Mr. Kehler said because of the nutritional value of the grass, it’s worth a lot more to put gain on yearlings than it is to maintain cattle.  In terms of number of farms, Mr. Kehler stated that Butler County is 4th in the state.  Kansas Ag Statistics say that a farm is identified as any acreage that has an Ag production of at least $1,000. 

 

Commissioner Doll asked Mr. Kehler about the number of acres per horse that should be allowed.  Mr. Kehler said with native grass and leaving a horse on the land 24/7 you should allow 12 acres per head.  He stated that horse grazing does more damage to the ground because of hoof action and horses are notorious for grazing in the same spot.  Mr. Kehler said that he has developed a managed grazing system, which some people are utilizing.

 

Mr. Kehler stated that he would like to share information about the electronic animal ID at a later date.

 

ITEM #2 – RECEIVE AND OPEN BIDS ON THE SALE OF A 1996 AMBULANCE

Grant Helferich, Director of EMS, came before the Board to receive and open bids for a used ambulance.  Ads were placed in the Shopper’s Guide and the Augusta Daily Gazette for the sale of a used 1996 ambulance that will need a new engine.  The EMS Department received one response to the newspaper ad.  Lyle Lance from Sedgwick, Kansas submitted a bid in the amount of $1,500.00.

 

Commissioner Woydziak motioned to receive and accept the bid from Lyle Lance in the amount of $1,500.00 for a 1996 ambulance.  Commissioner Waldorf seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

ITEM #3 – WORK SESSION – RAILROAD UPDATE

Commissioner Doll stated that he has been asked about the railroad from Leon to Beaumont.   He stated that we have filed a Notice of Intended Use (NITU) certificate to take title and ownership for trail use from Leon east to the county line and are waiting for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to make a ruling.  Kathy Ballew, Economic Development, stated that pulling our certificate would indicate that we don’t want it, and it would revert back to Kansas Eastern Railroad.  If the railroad abandons it, it will automatically go back to the adjacent landowners.  Kathy Ballew stated that we lose control if we don’t get our certificate.  Ms. Ballew said that she contacted Karl Morell, Attorney, who recommended leasing it to the property owners instead of deeding it over to them.  Commissioner Doll stated that our objective from Augusta west to the county line was to maintain the easement and keep it.  He said that from Leon east to the county line, the objective was to not allow trail groups to use it as a trail.  Mr. Morrell is checking the status of the ruling with STB.  Commissioner Doll stated that once the NITU is accepted, there is a waiting period, and then it is filed with the Register of Deeds in the County’s name.

 

RECESS

Commissioner Wheeler recessed the Board for 5 minutes at 9:50 a.m.

 

RECONVENE

Commissioner Wheeler reconvened the Board at 9:55 a.m.

 

ITEM #4 – WORK SESSION – COMMERCIAL TRUCK TRAFFIC REGULATION ON COUNTY ROADS

Mr. Emerson Stewart came before the Board with concerns about commercial truck traffic on Haverhill Road.  He said a neighbor was rammed by a truck while turning into their driveway, the trucks use their jake brakes, and they drive faster than 55 mph.   Mr. Stewart stated that the truck traffic is dangerous, uses tax dollars, and is an annoyance.  Commissioner Waldorf stated that he has conveyed Mr. Stewart’s thoughts to the Board.  The Board has directed county staff to make sure that Sheriff patrol is more visible on Haverhill Road.  Mr. Stewart stated that he asked a truck driver why he uses Haverhill Road and the truck driver said it keeps him from driving through El Dorado and there are no signs prohibiting it.

 

Darryl Lutz, P.E., Director of Public Works, came before the Board to discuss the regulations, control, or prohibition of commercial truck traffic on county roads.  He said road damage and deterioration is more evident on roads known to carry high volumes of commercial truck traffic.  Mr. Lutz pulled information from traffic studies and presented a map to the Commissioners showing the truck traffic in the County.

 

Commissioner Wheeler asked if we could have a sign on Haverhill Road prohibiting truck traffic.  Mr. Lutz stated that according to Statute No. 8-1912, the governing body has the ability to regulate truck traffic on county roads.  Mr. Lutz stated that it is easier for the truckers to travel on Haverhill Road going from Hwy 254 to Hwy 400.  Mr. Lutz stated that from a safety and maintenance perspective, he had issues with trucks using county roads when there is another good alternative.  Mr. Lutz has contacted County Counsel Norm Manley who stated that he could draft a resolution restricting certain types of truck traffic, if the Board wants to go ahead with prohibition of truck traffic. 

 

Commissioner Woydziak stated that the Board would like Mr. Manley to draft a resolution and return it within two weeks.

 

ITEM #5 – WORK SESSSION – SUBDIVISION PLATTING REQUIREMENTS

Rod Compton, Director of Planning and Development, came before the Board to present information regarding subdivision platting requirements.  There was discussion related to Section 1-401 concerning areas of platting jurisdiction for cities in Butler County.

 

RECESS

Commissioner Wheeler recessed the Board for 5 minutes at 10:55 a.m.

 

RECONVENE

Commissioner Wheeler reconvened the Board at 11:00 a.m.

 

APPROVAL OF ADDS & ABATES

Commissioner Waldorf motioned to approve Adds & Abates #2234 dated September 12, 2005.  Abates in the amount of $1,762.92 and Adds in the amount of $0.00.  Commissioner Doll seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

Commissioner Woydziak motioned to approve the vouchers for September 6, 2005 in the amount of $147,830.14.  Commissioner Waldorf seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

The Board continued discussion regarding Agenda Item #5 with Section 1-701 dealing with exemptions and division of land and Section 1-801(2) concerning vesting of development rights.

 

The Commissioners decided to dedicate a meeting to subdivision platting requirements with the full board present in two weeks.

 

OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Waldorf stated that the job description for the Economic Development Director would be presented before the Board next week.

 

Commissioner Woydziak stated that Lt. Raines with the Sheriff Department was in a motorcycle accident and lost his wife.  He said Mrs. Raines’ funeral is tomorrow, September 13, 2005.  Commissioner Woydziak stated that Jim Taylor also died in the accident.  Our thoughts and prayers are with both of the families.

 

Darryl Lutz stated that the EPA inspected our facilities for Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) related to above ground fuel storage tanks.  Mr. Lutz apprised the Board that we were inspected unannounced.

 

Assistant Administrator/Finance Director Mark Detter presented an agreement for medical services at the Health Department.  He stated that County Counsel Norm Manley is reviewing the agreement. 

 

Assistant Administrator/Finance Director Mark Detter stated that the Quad County meeting is Monday, September 19, 2005 in Hesston.  Commissioners Wheeler and Woydziak will be attending the meeting.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner­ Doll motioned to adjourn the meeting of the Board at 11:30 a.m.  Commissioner Waldorf seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.