BUTLER
COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Monday, March 18, 2002
Commission Chairman Randy Doll called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order at 9:00 a.m. Present were Commissioner Bill Shriver; Commissioner Will Carpenter; and Linda Peterson, County Clerks Secretary.
Commissioner Carpenter moved to approve the Butler County Commission meeting minutes of Monday March 11, 2002 and Tuesday, March 12, 2002, as amended. Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Commissioner Shriver moved to approve the vouchers in the amount of $233,453.89, this decreases the original amount by $23,597.00, voiding check number 92540 dated
March 18, 2002. Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Commissioner Shriver moved to approve the Abates in the amount of $2,635.68, with the approval #2097 dated March 18, 2002 Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Sheriff Stan Cox introduced the new Jail Administrator, Ben Crooks. Mr. Cox stated that an office would be setup at the Sheriff’s office for Mr. Crooks until a trailer can be set-up for him at the jail site.
NEW
COURTS BUILDING TECHNOLOGY NEEDS
Judge Mike Ward, and Neal Harrison presented to the Commissioners a technology system needs for the new Courts building. Judge Ward informed the Commissioners that there are two committees set up to look at technology needs and furniture needs. Judge Hart will be heading up the furniture committee and Judge Ward will be heading up the Technology committee. “What do we need and what will make the presentation of evidence easier” These are the questions that need to be answered.
They are looking at a new sound system, projections from the podium and to be able to make a first appearance from the jail while in custody rather then bringing the person over to the courtroom. Commissioner Doll stated he would like to have a recommendation on these items and a separate budget to reflect the technology and furniture needs by June or July. Dan Rowe joined this discussion after Judge Ward and Mr. Harrison left and informed the Commission that there were 3 different ways you could go about getting furniture bids, 1. Choose 3 companies and have them bid on the specifications, 2. The State of Kansas already has a bid process in place that allows any governmental agency to get their costs. And 3. Using a National network to bid on the items. The Commissioners asked Mr. Rowe if the conduit would already be included so when we are ready to put more technology in we will be able to do that. He said is would be.
Commissioner Doll also asked for a space analysis in the next 30 days for the current District Court Building. Mr. Rowe explained he is working on that and there are three options. 1. Move in and use it as is.
2. Gut and renovate the building.
3. Tear it down.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT INC.
Commissioner Doll handed out a letter he received from the Environmental Management Inc. about the mold cleanup at the Jail and how they could provide services if needed.
PAUL’S
VALLEY
Commissioner Doll asked Darryl Lutz, Public works Director how the Paul’s Valley Street construction was coming along. Mr. Lutz informed the Commissioners that a letter was sent to the Neighborhood about a meeting to be held next Tuesday, March 26. This meeting will inform the residents of what expect in the near future.
ROAD
IMPACT FEES
Mr. James Hargrove, attorney for several townships as well as individual landlords; William Mason and Aaron Molder, Richland Township officials, came before the Board with concerns about the Township Road Impact Fees.
Mr. Hargrove stated that the County is holding around $125,000 of the township’s money. He believes that the County and Township officials need to have a better working relationship and trust is a main concern. The townships he is representing would like to control their own money instead of having to apply for it, then wait for someone to come inspect their projects before they get their money.
Commissioner Shriver suggests that we give the townships their money or do away with the impact fee program. Commissioner Carpenter stated he thought the Impact fee was a good idea and did not want to get rid on the concept but maybe try doing it a different way.
Commissioner Shriver and Mr. Hargrove suggest that a letter be drawn up to the township boards asking if they would like to continue the impact fee program in it’s current form, or revise it to allow the townships to handle their own funds.
Commissioner Shriver moved to receive the information and get with the County’s Counselor, Norman Manley and have the County Clerks Office draw up a letter to the Townships requesting a response on how they feel. Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Commissioner Carpenter requested a copy of the letter before it goes out.
COMMUNICATIONS
CENTER
Mr. Chris Davis, Emergency Communications Director, came before the Board to talk about the need for more space in the Communications Department. Mr. Davis showed a power point presentation on the need for space within the Dispatch area. Mr. Davis commented on the workload increasing and staff increases, making space inadequate now and for future growth of this Department. The 911 calls have doubled since 1998, and took its biggest increase in June 2000 when the County took over El Dorado’s 911 calls.
Mr. Davis would like to see the following in the near future. A 40 x 30 foot area, which would make it 3.4 times larger than it is now. He would like to see an elevated Supervisor platform in the middle of the area for easy access, and also the facility be built underground for safety reasons.
Commissioner Doll suggested that Mr. Davis meet with Mr. Dan Rowe and look at options for office space.
RADIO
SYSTEM UPGRADE
Mr. Chris Davis, Emergency Management, presented to the Board a Request for proposal to seek Consultant Services for the County Radio System Upgrade.
Commissioner Doll moved to accept the request for proposal services for Radio System upgrade and allow Chris Davis to seek proposals. Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
HUTCHINSON
COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISPATCH ADVISORY BOARD
Mr. Chris Davis, Emergency Management, came before the Board to ask for permission to join the Hutchinson Community College Dispatch Advisory Board.
Commissioner Doll moved to allow Chris Davis to join the Hutchinson Community College Dispatch Advisory Board. Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Commissioner Shriver conditioning his yes vote on their being no more than two meeting per year.
OTHER
ITEMS:
OTHER
CALLS TO COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE
Ron Roberts, County Clerk came before the Board with concerns on the Dispatch calls coming into the Clerks office since the outside phone lines were changed two weeks ago. He showed the Commission a list of calls taken that were for EMS, Jail, Sheriff and for Dispatch. Different types of calls were burglar alarms, Fire alarms, Citizens reporting a crime, Sheriff Officer wanting dispatch, highway patrol wanting dispatch and one 911 emergency call. The Commissioner agreed that we need to keep track of these calls and Mr. Davis stated hopefully in the next two months things will get to the right number the first time.
SEATING
ARRANGEMENT
Ron Roberts, County Clerk suggested to the Board about looking at changing where the Administrator sits during the Commission meetings. He has had comments about why the Administrator sits with the Commission. The Board decided to take a look at this and make a decision before the new administrator starts.
BUTLER
COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING
Commissioner Carpenter moved to reappoint Chad Patton and appoint Betty Wohglemuth to the Butler County Council on Aging. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Commissioner Carpenter moved to go into Executive Session to discuss “Personnel matters of non-elected personnel” at 11:55 a.m. for 20 minutes and return at 12:15 p.m. with Sheriff Cox. Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
RECONVENE
Commissioner Shriver moved
to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.