BUTLER
COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Monday, September 24, 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.
Commissioner Doll moved to approve the Butler County Commission Meeting minutes of Monday, September 17, 2001, and Tuesday, September 18, 2001, as amended. Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Commissioner Carpenter moved to approve vouchers totaling $389,088.22, dated September 24, 2001. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Administrator Newton read, for the record, the full Resolution 01-40, regarding the terrorist attack on America on September 11, 2001.
Commissioner Carpenter moved to adopt Resolution 01-40 as written; and allow the Commissioners to sign. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Jeff Bridges, City Clerk of Andover, sent a Schematic Design Study, from WDM Architects, regarding a new building combining the Andover Police Department, County Ambulance Services (EMS), and Butler County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), for review by the Board. Jim Schmidt, Emergency Management Director, & Grant Helfrich, EMS Director, were present for discussion.
Both directors informed the Board that currently, approximately 580 sq.ft. is being used by the County for EOC & 3290 sq.ft. by EMS, in the present facility. The building is being shared by Fire District #1 (FD#1), which leases 8530 sq.ft.; however, some of the EMS space is being shared as well, due to the fact that FD#1 continues to grow. Mr. Newton confirmed that FD#1 is charged rent based on the approximate percentage of square feet used. In turn, FD#1 charges back utility costs to EMS based on their square footage used. Mr. Schmidt noted that this facility was originally designed for EMS, not a Fire Department. Therefore, a partition has had to be installed in order to make a bunkroom for the firemen, reducing the women’s locker area. Commissioner Shriver commented that it seems the roles have been reversed in the current facility. It is a county building being leased to the FD#1, and they should not be encroaching. Mr. Newton agreed stating that this should be reviewed, and either FD#1 limited back to the original area agreed upon, or rent adjusted to cover all of area being used.
Commissioner Doll explained that he felt the County’s involvement in this plan would “put the cart before the horse”. If, the Fire Department goes to Andover, then they would need this full facility & the County would need to be looking for a new building. However, he reiterated that no decision has been made yet, nor the citizens approached about even wanting a Fire Department. Further, he noted that it might not be beneficial to join with the City Police Department. Mr. Helfrich reminded the Board that this was only an option, and the City of Andover had merely invited the County to participate. In addition, he told the Board that he would need at least 2 bays and maybe 1000 sq.ft. for offices, etc.
When asked, Mr. Schmidt said that although the EOC facilities needed to be underground, it did not need to be based out of Andover. Like 911, EOC could be housed anywhere in the County. Commissioner Carpenter asked if the basement of the new Judicial Building would work for Emergency Management’s needs. Mr. Schmidt acknowledged that location would work fine, if designed appropriately (i.e. generator, etc.). The Commissioners all agreed that this seemed to be an ideal place, but also suggested looking into other buildings. Mr. Newton stated that it would be worthwhile to have the Architects study the basement of the new judicial building for the purposes of EOC’s use. He added that the agreement with FD#1 also needed to be addressed.
Commissioner Carpenter moved to examine the square footage used by Fire District #1 in the Andover facility, as well as the County’s use, and adjust area used by FD#1 up or down as needed. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Commissioner Doll moved to deny participation in the Space Needs Study for the Andover Police Department Station, due to the fact that the County has other options to explore. Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Mr. Newton presented a current list of Buildings owned or leased by the County for County Departments or Agencies. In addition, he highlighted the buildings leased out to non-county agencies, adding that the insurance and maintenance on all of these was paid by the County. He asked that the Commissioners to review these for further discussion at a later date.
Commissioner Doll moved, having no further business before the board, to adjourn the meeting allowing the Board to tour the West Central Buildings & Grounds Facility. Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.