Commission Chairman Will Carpenter called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order at 9:00 a.m. Present were Commissioner Randy Doll, Commissioner Bill Shriver, Commissioner Mike Wheeler, Administrator Will Johnson and Clerk Brenda Brychta. Commissioner Phil Anderson was absent.

John Bailey, Professional Engineering Corp., came before the Board to discuss a wholesale water district. Mr. Bailey stated that he would recommend an outside appraiser be hired to appraise the City of El Dorado and City of Augusta’s water treatment plant before a sale of the two plants to a wholesale water district. Mr. Bailey informed the Board that there is a great need for new water pipelines from El Dorado to Augusta.

Commissioner Shriver agreed to discuss the situation with the City Commission of Augusta and Commissioners Carpenter and Wheeler will discuss the situation with the City Commission of El Dorado. Administrator Johnson and Mr. Bailey will set up dates for the meetings and further discussion will be scheduled at a later date.

Larry Powell, Director of Economic Development, and Larry Alley, of the Douglass Economic Development Board, came before the Board for approval of the Douglass Neighborhood Revitalization Plan Interlocal Agreement.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the Interlocal Agreement with Douglass, which is exactly identical to the format approved a few weeks ago, so it is consistent with our current policy and allow the Chair to sign. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Larry Powell, Director of Economic Development, came before the Board for consideration of a proposed lease agreement with Osage Manor, in Augusta, for utilization of adjacent railroad property. The land will be used for additional parking. This lease would be for $250.00 per year for 3 years. The lease rate will be subject to review after 3 years with a right to purchase by Osage Manor.

Commissioner Carpenter motioned to table a decision on the lease with Osage Manor until a copy of a map of the area can be presented to the Board. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Powell returned to the meeting of the Board with copies of a map of the area that Osage Manor wants to lease. Commissioner Shriver asked that Mr. Powell return with a signed lease by Osage Manor.

It was the consensus of the Board to approve the lease after the Osage Manor Director signs it.

Commissioner Carpenter called a 5-minute recess of the Board at 10:10 a.m.

Commissioner Carpenter reconvened the meeting of the Board at 10:15 a.m.

ITEM #4 – RECEIVE CAROL BORGER, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, TO UPDATE COMMISSION ON STATUS OF WEST NILE VIRUS IN BUTLER COUNTY AND CHANGES BY THE STATE OF KANSAS TO REPORTING CRITERIA.

Carol Borger, Director of the Health Department, came before the Board to present a status report on West Nile Virus in Butler County and changes by the State of Kansas to reporting criteria. Ms. Borger reported that there are 80 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus in Kansas and 13 confirmed in Butler County. Ms. Borger reported that there is a vaccine for horses and some zoo animals, but not for humans, at least not at this time. Ms. Borger stressed the importance of using mosquito spray and wearing appropriate clothing when outside. Also, she stated that the health care providers are testing for West Nile Virus when people are donating blood.

Connie Rausch, Director of the Department of Aging, came before the Board to present a plan to change county transportation services from a "Demand-Response" system to a "Fixed-Route" (with deviation and par transit) system. Ms. Rausch stated that this plan would increase the number of people served, reduce the amount of calls for pick up and delivery of riders, save on gas and maintenance and reduce the number of persons turned down because of the unavailability of the service.

Correna McClure, Department of Aging, presented the Board with proposed bus routes. Most all of the regular riders live within 2 blocks of the route, however, if need be the bus can pick up a rider at their doorstep.

Commissioner Doll stated that he was in agreement with the need for the route and that the Department of Aging should furnish the information to all the riders, so they will be prepared for the change, in a couple months.

Commissioner Wheeler recommended the start date for January 1, 2004.

Commissioner Carpenter suggested the fee be set at $.50 per rider instead of the $.60 fee.

Commissioner Shriver stated that he was interested in providing service to outlying areas and what plans my be for such service.

Ms. McClure stated that utilizing the routes would create fewer calls for service, giving her more time to visit the outlying areas and plan service for them.

It was the consensus of the Board to approve the plan to change the county transportation services from a "Demand-Response" system to a "Fixed-Route" (with deviation and par transit) system and change the fee from $.60 to $.50, effective 1-01-04.

Darryl Lutz, Director of Public Works, came before the Board with sealed bids for two (2) front-end loaders and one (1) backhoe-loader for the Public Works Department Highway Division

Commissioner Doll opened a bid from Berry Tractor & Equipment in the amount of $190,000 for two front-end loaders and $43,608 for one backhoe loader.

Commissioner Carpenter opened a bid from Victor L. Phillips Company in the amount of $194,888 for two Case 721D front-end loaders and $155,746 for two 621D front-end loaders and $57,723 for one backhoe loader.

Commissioner Doll opened a bid from Van Keppel Company in the amount of $194,676 for two Volvo L90E front-end loaders, $156,322 for two Volvo L70E and $142,956 for two Volvo L60E and no bid for one backhoe loader.

Commissioner Carpenter opened a bid from Foley Caterpillar Company in the amount of $186,838 for two 938-G front-end loaders, $146,996 for two 928-G front-end loaders and $55,795 for one backhoe loader

Commissioner Wheeler opened a bid from Wichita Tractor Company in the amount of $192,300 for two New Holland LW170B front-end loaders, $142,114 for two New Holland LW130.B and $46,042 for one backhoe loader

Commissioner Shriver opened a bid from Sellers Tractor Company in the amount of $184593 for two JCB 436 HT, $159,003 for two JCB 426 HT and $164,991 for tow Daewoo Mega 250 front-end loaders and 49,997 for one backhoe loader.

Commissioner Carpenter opened a bid from Murphy Tractor Co. in the amount of $200,500 for two John Deere 624J, $157,500 for two John Deere 544J front-end loaders and $57,350 for one backhoe loader.

Commissioner Doll motioned to receive the bids and have Mr. Lutz review the bids and report back to the Board with his recommendation. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Darryl Lutz, Director of Public Works, came before the Board with sealed bids for construction of Area 1B at the Butler County Landfill.

Commissioner Shriver opened a bid from J.J. Weshoff Construction of Lincoln, NE. in the amount of $1,297,830 for construction of Area 1B at the Butler County Landfill.

No other bids were received.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to receive the bid and have Mr. Lutz review the bid and report back to the Board with his recommendation. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to adjourn to Executive Session, for 10 minutes, at 11:00 a.m. for the purpose of consultation with an attorney for the governing body, which would be deemed, privileged in the attorney-client relationship. Those in attendance were Commissioners Carpenter, Doll, Shriver and Wheeler, Administrator Johnson, County Appraiser, Kathy Briney and County Counsel, Norman Manley.

Commissioner Carpenter reconvened the meeting of the Board at 11:10 a.m.

Commissioner Carpenter motioned to approve the minutes of October 13, 2003 and October 14, 2003, as amended. Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve the vouchers for October 20, 2003 in the amount of $181,330.22. Commissioner Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Commissioner Doll stated that he spoke to the Andover Rotary Club and there seems to be misinformation regarding the Sales Tax Committee and their goals. Administrator Johnson stated that some of the Commissioners should accept the invitation to attend the meeting of the Sales Tax Committee and reinforce the concept of the tax. Commissioners Carpenter, Shriver, Wheeler and Doll stated that they would be available to attend the meeting on October 29, 2003 at 7 p.m.

Administrator Johnson reminded the Board of the Employee Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, October 24, 2003 at 6:30 a.m.

Administrator Johnson reported that there are 141 billable inmates at the County Jail with a total of 193 inmates.

Administrator Johnson asked for interest in a County Retreat. It was the consensus of the Board to plan the retreat for the spring of 2004.

Administrator Johnson reported that the Goedecke Building has all the stucco completed and all that’s left is removing the chimney and capping it off.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to adjourn the meeting of the Board at 12:06 a.m. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.