BUTLER
COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Tuesday,
September 11, 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 MEMBER COUNTY
COMMISSION DISCUSSION
The
Board received Dan Woydziak, Rose Hill Mayor, who spoke on behalf of the other
Butler County Mayors regarding the expansion of the County Commission from 3 to
5 members, as well as placing such option on the November 2002 general election
ballot. He presented a list of cities that have passed resolution requesting
that this item be placed on the 2002 general election ballot. Mr. Woydziak stressed that this does not
mean each city is in total support the idea of expanding the number of
Commission members; however, they feel it is important to allow the people to
make the decision. The cities also
drafted a preliminary district map, distributing representation as evenly as
possible in regards to population.
Commissioner Shriver commented that his research had shown that out of
the 105 Kansas counties, 5 had 5 Commissioners. Three were Johnson County (population 451,000), Sedgwick County
(452,000) & Wyandott County (157,000).
Comparing the ratios of Commissioners to people, those counties having
approximately 1:80,000 people, as opposed to Butler County’s 1:20,000, he
stated Butler had better representation.
Commissioner Shriver also noted that larger Boards are more cumbersome
& can become less efficient. In
addition, a potential increase in demands & requests, as well as special
projects, would mean more taxes.
Therefore, he does not feel this would benefit the taxpayers. Commissioner Carpenter acknowledged that he
was not opposed to putting this issue on the ballot but he is not confident
that this is a good idea either. He
went on to say that more Commissioners mean more offices & salaries. Commissioner Doll agreed that the County
residents should be allowed to decide whether or not to expand the number of
members. He asked Mr. Woydziak if he
intended to campaign or promote the idea.
Mr. Woydziak suggested first getting a Resolution to add this issue to
the ballot. After that he felt town
meetings should be held to discuss the pros and cons with the public; then
report back to the Commissioners in the spring. Also, Mr. Woydziak noted that Butler County’s landmass was
greater than these other counties.
Commissioner Shriver rebutted that Commissioners represented people, not
land. All present agreed that the
public should have the final decision.
Commissioner
Doll moved to direct the County Counselor to create a Resolution in draft
ballot form expanding the Butler County Commissioner from three members to
five, & subsequently to place it on the ballot of the November 2002
election, and bring the Resolution back to this Board for review.
Commissioner
Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion
carried 2-1. Commissioner Shriver voted
against this motion.
Commissioner
Shriver moved to sign a Proclamation making a recognition day for Delbert
Shaffer on October 7, 2001.
Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Towanda
Mayor, Leonard Albert; Towanda City Administrator, Jo Miller; & Project
Engineer, Mike Thompson; were present for discussion on the paving of Hunter
Road between the new Hwy 254 & Kechi Road (20th St.). The motive for paving this section was to
provide a safer route to the High School as well as access to new & future
housing developments. Funding has
already been received both from the State & the County. The City budgeted for purchasing
right-of-ways at $3,000 per acre.
However, Dustrol is requiring a total price of $42,000 plus replacing
their chain link fence, which greatly exceeds Towanda’s budget. Therefore, a request to approve deleting the
section owned by Dustrol was presented to the Board.
Commissioner
Shriver moved to verify past commitments regarding the Hunter Road project on
the east side of Towanda, minus the portion from the Old Highway 254/Kechi Road
to the south, leaving everything else as it is.
Commissioner
Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion
carried 3-0.
Darryl
Lutz, County Engineer, was available for the opening of sealed bids received
for construction of concrete box bridges (Culvert Letting #56). Mr. Lutz estimated the project at
$206,231. The following bids were
received, all with bonds attached:
Bridge
#1 $13,083.86 $14,030.00 $12,174.40 $11,625.00 $11,795.00
Bridge
#2 $30,277.45 $31,856.00 $27,431.20 $25,651.20 $26,804.10
Bridge
#3 $38,403.64 $40,088.00 $34,223.20 $32,314.75 $33,903.60
Bridge
#4 $11,669354 $12,492.00 $10,849.60 $10,033.00 $10,487.80
Bridge
#5 $35,441.65 $37,064.00 $31,845.60 $29,872.25 $31,186.60
Bridge
#6 $13,860.02 $14,774.00 $12,740.80 $11,872.00 $12,466.20
Bridge
#7 $28,257.55 $29,494.00 $25,238.40 $23,776.50 $24,891.40
Mr.
Lutz noted that all of the bids came in lower than his estimate; therefore, he
wanted to review the specifics of each and return next week with a
recommendation.
Commissioner
Doll moved to accept the bids on the Culvert Letting #56, and allow the County
Engineer to review them and bring back a recommendation.
Commissioner
Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion
carried 3-0.
The
Commissioners recessed at 10:15a.m. for a short break.
The
Regular Session reconvened at 10:23a.m.
Darryl
Lutz, County Engineer, stated that although he had not made a definite decision
on a recommendation for the landfill compactor, he & most of his employees
prefer the “Cat
Machine”. That particular bid came in at $235,942, but
will be less $1,000 for an unnecessary option, as well as 2% discount on the
loader.
Commissioner
Carpenter moved to authorize the purchase of the Cat 816F landfill
compactor. Commissioner Doll seconded
the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
SW 70TH ST.
PROJECT REVIEW
Darryl
Lutz, County Engineer presented & reviewed on the status of the SW 70th
St. Project. He informed the Board that
they will be receiving a copy of an agreement that the County, in conjunction
with The County Counselor, Mr. Newton & Walker Stone Co. has drawn
regarding the SW 70th St. Project.
Mr. Lutz presented a right-of-way agreement with that Company for this
project, noting that there will be a separate right-of-way obtained for a
temporary easement for construction.
Also, he reminded the Board that while the right-of-way acquisitions
will be complete, there are still 2 properties in condemnation. Three
appraisers have been obtained, & October 9th is the date of the
condemnation hearing.
Commissioner
Doll moved to accept the right-of-way from Walker Stone Company, attached legal
description, for 3.58 acres, the cost to be exchanged for Engineering on the
project; and allow the Chair to sign.
Commissioner
Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion
carried 3-0.
Carol
Borer, Butler County Health Department, requested increasing the cost of the
flu vaccine from $12 to $15. She noted
that her cost had more than doubled since last year.
Commissioner
Doll moved to allow the Department of Health to increase the charge of the flue
shot from $12.00 to $15.00. Commissioner
Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion
carried 3-0.
Carol
Borger, Butler County Health Department, presented and reviewed a Clinical
Experience Agreement, between Southwestern College & the Butler County
Health Department, to the Board for approval.
Commissioner
Carpenter moved to approve the agreement between Southwestern College & the
Butler County Health Department; & allow the Chair to sign.
Commissioner
Doll seconded the motion. Motion
carried 3-0.
<<Commissioner Doll left the meeting at 10:45a.m. to attend another meeting, unrelated to County business.>>
Ron
Roberts, County Clerk; Susan Turner, Treasurer Department; &
Treasurer-Elect, Neal Parrish; presented & reviewed a Software package from
CIC that aids in the Neighborhood Revitalization Programs. Further, they requested permission to
purchase the software.
Commissioner
Carpenter moved to approve the purchase of the Neighborhood Revitalization
Software, the cost to be distributed as follows:
City
of El Dorado - $3,000; Butler County Economic Development - $3,000; County
Appraiser’s Office - $1,000; County Clerk’s Office - $1,000; County Treasurer’s
Office - $1054; the annual support fee to be paid by the Butler County Computer
Department, to be offset by 5% of El Dorado’s Economic Development Program next
year; and allow the Chair to sign.
Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.
Kathy
Guy, Emergency Management Assistant Director, presented & reviewed a Cooperative Agreement
between the State of Kansas & Butler County for participation in the FEMA
State & Local Assistance Program.
This annual submission is required to assure County compliance with
state statute.
Commissioner
Carpenter moved to authorize the Cooperative Agreement between the State of
Kansas & Butler County; and allow the Chair to sign.
Commissioner
Shriver seconded the motion. Motion
carried 2-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner
Carpenter moved, having no further business before the Board to adjourn.
Commissioner
Shriver seconded the motion. Motion
carried 2-0.