BUTLER
COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Tuesday,
October 16, 2001
Commission
Chairman, Bill Shriver, called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to
order. Present were Commissioners Randy Doll & Will Carpenter; County
Administrator, Jay Newton; and Commission Secretary, Marcy Zwall.
3-5 COMMISSIONER QUESTION TO
BALLOT
Administrator
Newton re-submitted amended Resolution 01-41 to the Board for discussion. This re-drafted resolution that authorize
the submission of a special question to Butler County voters, determining
whether the number of County Commissioner Districts should be increased from
three to five, previously included “substantial number of taxpayers…” and
replaced it with “numerous municipalities”.
Commissioner Shriver announced that he has received numerous comments
regarding this issue, and all have been negative. Further, he indicated that, due to the lack of support, he felt a
petition should be obtained, and deny this resolution. Rose Hill mayor Dan Woydsiak commented that
he, along with other Butler County mayors, felt the expansion of the Commission
was a decision to be made by the voters.
In addition, he expressed that he and his colleagues were under the
impression that when drafting a resolution was approved on 9/11/01, the Board
was supporting the resolution, not the format of it. Both Commissioners Shriver & Carpenter felt they were
agreeing to review a resolution on 9/11, not approving one. Also, Commissioner Carpenter said that the
calls he has received say, by approving the drafting of the resolution, they
feel he is in favor of the expansion, which he firmly opposes. He added that he would not oppose the
resolution if the people do not perceive it as his “stamp of approval” for the
expansion. Mayor Woydsiak commented that,
since the next general election is in November 2002, the Commissioners have
over a year to explain their stand on the matter to the constituents. Due to confusion about the discussion held
on 9/11/01, Commissioner Doll publicly read the motion on this issue from that
date, adding his intention was to put it on the ballot & thinks that was
the mayors’ expectations. After
reviewing the minutes, Commissioner Carpenter agreed. Commissioner Shriver held firm to his perception of reviewing a
drafted resolution, not approving it.
Commissioner
Doll moved to adopt Resolution 01-41, authorizing the submission of a special
question to Butler County voters, determining whether the number of County
Commissioner Districts should be increased from three to five; and allow the
Vice-Chair to sign.
Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-1, with Commissioner Shriver having the only opposing vote.
ROSE HILL NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PROGRAM INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
Mark
Detter of Rose Hill presented Resolution 01-44, which would authorize the
execution of an interlocal agreement with the City of Rose Hill, USD 394, The
Butler County Community College, and Butler County Fire District #3, to
establish a neighborhood revitalization program.
Ron
Roberts, Bounty Clerk, announced that all entities have submitted their
financial share of the Revitalization Program Software.
Commissioner
Carpenter moved to approve the interlocal agreement with the City of Rose Hill,
adopting Resolution 01-44; and allow the Commissioners to sign.
Commissioner
Doll seconded the motion. Motion
carried 3-0.
Chris Davis, Emergency Communications Director, presented a Service Agreement with Sprint Communications. Sprint is expanding their local telephone service into Butler County; therefore, the required 911 Service Agreement, already signed by Sprint, must be signed by the Board. Mr. Davis explained that Sprint can not bring their service to Butler Count until this agreement is approved by signature of all parties. Commissioner Doll asked about a document to ensure payment of the 911 Tax, other than the resolution adopted in 1994. Mr. Davis replied that while there is no additional contract, the mandatory 911 Tax is reiterated in this agreement. The Board asked if the County’s Counselor, Norman Manley, has approved this form. Mr. Davis confirmed that Mr. Manley had in fact signed off. The Commissioners stressed for future reference, to have every document approved by Mr. Manley first, with an actual signature page, proving such to the Board.
Commissioner
Carpenter moved to approve the Service Agreement between Sprint Communications
and Butler County; and allow the Chair to sign.
Commissioner
Doll seconded the motion. Motion
carried 3-0.
Scott
Stoskopf, Telecommunications Committee Chair, requested the service provider be
changed from Birch Telecom to SWBell, allowing for savings of $700 plus, per
month, or 14%. Steve Holt, SWBell
Representative, explained how this savings figure was determined, indicating
that even more savings should be received after he and Mr. Stoskopf reviewed
other County facilities’ bills. After
comparing three companies who provide local service, Mr. Stoskopf recommends
SWBell. Further, he stated that there
would be no charge to change providers.
After the Telecommunications Committee had an opportunity to review the
actual contract, it was recommended that the term of this agreement be 5 years.
Commissioner
Doll moved to approve the recommendation from the Telecommunications Committee
to switch the local service provider to SWBell; and allow the Chair to sign the
Confirmation of Service Order Agreement; the approximate amount of savings per
month will be $700-$800, possibly higher depending on the number of lines in
use. Commissioner Carpenter seconded
the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Jim Schmidt, Emergency Management Director; Carol Borger, Health Department Director; Sheriff Stan Cox; and Detective Craig Murphy, approached the Board with an update on each of their positions regarding the current affairs (the Attack on America).
They confirmed that a meeting was held with these departments as well as other affected groups (i.e. both hospitals in the Butler County, etc.). However, it was stressed that this was not a public meeting, which covered security issues. Further, Mr. Schmidt explained that the meeting was not held as a result of a specific local event. It was a general discussion about the events affecting the whole nation and the County’s preparedness & capabilities. The Commissioner expressed their desire to keep the public assured that the Emergency Departments are doing what needs to be done. Mr. Schmidt said that he would provide the State Task Force as well as the Commissioners with a “white paper” notification giving the allowable information from the meeting held. This would then be public knowledge. Commissioner Shriver requested periodic announcements or articles in the newspapers updating, informing, and educating the public.
Administrator Newton presented an amended employment agreement for his position.
The only change in the original term would be extended from 11/10/01 to 4/12/02.
Commissioner Carpenter moved to approve the amended Employment Contract with Jay P. Newton, Jr. with the employment term being extended from November 10, 2001, to April 12, 2002. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
SW 70TH ST. PROJECT RIGHT-OF-WAY PURCHASE
Mr. Newton, on behalf of Darryl Lutz, County Engineer, presented a purchase agreement for an easement for right-of-way. He noted that if there were any cost, it would be paid by Martin Marietta, Inc.
Commissioner
Doll moved to accept the temporary easement dedication for the tract in the
NE/4 of S7-T27S-R4E; and allow the Chair to sign. Further, Commissioner Doll noted that this right-of-way will be
acquired at not cost to the County.
Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
There
will be a KAC meeting held on November 19th & 20th,
which will be attended by Mr. Newton the Commissioners. Therefore, the no Commission Meetings can be
held on those dates.
Commissioner
Shriver moved to cancel the Board of Commission meetings on Monday, November
19, 2001, and November 20, 2001.
Commissioner
Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion
carried 3-0.
Administrator
Newton, announced that he has scheduled a Department Head Meeting for Tuesday,
October 23, at noon in the Commission Meeting Room. He stated that the topics he wished to discuss are Health
Insurance, Parking during Judicial Building Construction, Copy fee policy, and
Emergency Plan status.
Commissioner
Shriver moved, having no further business before the board, to adjourn the
meeting. Commissioner Carpenter
seconded the motion. Motion carried
3-0.
Commissioner
Chair Shriver reconvened the Regular Session at 12:08p.m. in order to hold an
Executive Session.
Commissioner
Carpenter moved to recess into Executive Session until 12:20 p.m. to discuss
Confidential data relating to financial affairs, and, having no further
business before the board, to adjourn the meeting immediately following
reconvening the Regular Session.
Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.