BUTLER
COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Monday, January 12, 2004
Commission Vice-Chairman Bill Shriver called the Butler County Board of Commissioners to order at 9:00 a.m. Present were Commissioner Phil Anderson, Commissioner Randy Doll, Commissioner Mike Wheeler, Administrator Will Johnson Jr., and Clerk Brenda Brychta. Commissioner Will Carpenter was absent until 9:30 a.m.
Butler County Attorney, Norm Manley, came before the Board to discuss the subject of the City of Andover accepting payment for special assessments, from developers who are unable to sell the lots, rather than payment to the County Treasurer. The current software, used by the County, does not allow for abatement of special assessments with out abating the interest and penalty due on the special assessments. Additional steps must be taken to add the penalty and interest back on the tax roll.
ITEM #2 – RECEIVE
MONTHLY UPDATE FROM BUTLER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
Larry Powell, Director of Economic Development, came before the Board to present the December Economic Development Monthly Report, for their review.
Micro Loans:
Lamar’s Donuts – All equipment sales were closed and the County will be reimbursed
100%
Blake’s Tire – Sold building last week and Prairie State Bank will reimburse the
County 100%.
Circle H – Loan in arrears, but they are making interest payments.
All other micro loans are current.
There are two applications, for micro loans, that have not been received.
Commissioner Doll asked about the status of the railroad leases. Mr. Powell stated that he is waiting to hear from Carl Morrell, Attorney at Law, for forms to file with STB. Mr. Morrell thinks that the Board can form an alliance with each property holder, individually. Commissioner Doll asked for a bullet point summary of options showing what can be done with the property.
Mr. Powell stated that the sale of the railroad property, to Schneider Grain, is still pending. Mrs. Schneider requested an invoice and will pay the first half of this year’s lease and then she will decide on purchasing the land.
Mr. Powell stated that Mi-Te Electric has not responded to the offer to sell the leased land to him. Commissioner Doll stated that Mike Rawlings, owner of Mi-Te Electric, was questioning the value placed on the land. Mr. Powell will contact Mr. Rawlings to discuss his concerns.
Commissioner Carpenter called a 5-minute recess of the Board at 10:30 a.m.
Commissioner Carpenter reconvened the meeting of the Board at 10:35 a.m.
Todd Kennemer, Director of Planning & Zoning, came before the Board to schedule a joint meeting with the Planning Commission on February 24, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Kennemer will provide an agenda for this meeting. Commissioner Wheeler suggested that all vacancies, on the Planning Board, be filled before the joint meeting.
Planning Commission Meeting Update:
Mr. Kennemer stated that the Planning Commission voted 6-0 to approve a Conditional Use Permit (No. CUP 04-01) requesting approval of a kennel located at 18593 SW Diamond Road at the request of Ronda S. Donaldson.
Mr. Kennemer stated that the Planning Commission voted 6-0 to approve a variance (Case No. VA 04-01) for a wireless communication tower for internet service. This tower would serve Elbing, Whitewater and Brainerd and local school areas and located on the Entz property. Commissioner Doll asked that the Board be provided with the regulations for cell towers.
Mr. Kennemer stated that the Planning Commission voted 6-0 to rezone 10 acres near Rose Hill from AG-40 to RR. (Case No. RZ 04-1) Requested by Daniel & Susan Armstrong.
Mr. Kennemer stated that the Planning Commission voted 6-0 to rezone 20+ acres from Ag-40 to RR, (Case No. RZ 04-02) at the request of Mr. William S. Hale, property located near Rose Hill.
Mr. Kennemer stated that the Planning Commission recommended amendments to the right-of-way request for the final plat of Chances Acres in the City of Andover.
Administrator Johnson informed the Board that the next meeting of the Sales Tax Committee is scheduled for January 21, 2004 at 7 p.m. Commissioners Doll and Carpenter will attend this meeting to address any questions or concerns by the Sales Tax Committee.
Mr. Johnson presented the Board with Sales Tax Data sheets, for the Board’s review, showing the ratios to the cities and the county if a 1% sales tax is approved.
ITEM #5 – WORK SESSION – PERSONNEL PAY PLAN
Administrator Johnson came before the Board to inform the Board that the committee has obtained quotes from outside companies to evaluate the County Pay Plan. Austin Peters quoted $24,000, for full review, and The League of Municipalities quoted $13,800. Johnson stated that the cost could be lowered, by about half, if the committee performed the basic job descriptions themselves.
It was decided to have Austin Peters and The League of Municipalities come before the Board, on Tuesday, January 20, 2004, with their proposals.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the minutes of Monday, January 5, 2004 and Tuesday, January 6, 2004, as written. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS
Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the vouchers for Monday, January 12, 2004 in the amount of $425,349.08. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
APPROVAL OF ADDS & ABATES
Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the Adds & Abates #2169. The Adds are in the amount of $6,821.53 and the Abates are in the amount of $95,141.89 all pertaining to the City of Andover. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Administrator Johnson informed the Board that the jail has 210 total inmates with 140 billable.
Darryl Lutz, Director of Public Works, came before the Board for approval of two contracts. One: Main Sewer District Project No. SD19-1-03 with Middlecreek Mining, L.L.C., of Peabody, Ks. in the amount of $145,445.50 and the second: Lateral Sewer District Project No. SD19A-1-03 with Alan’s Excavating, Inc., of Augusta, Ks, in the amount of $175,057.28. This item was moved from the Tuesday, January 13, 2004 Agenda.
Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the bid from Alan’s Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $145,445.50 and allow the Chair to sign. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the bid from Middlecreek Mining, L.L.C. in the amount of $175,057.28 and allow the Chair to sign. Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Doll asked when Administrator Johnson and Ron Roberts, County Clerk, would be coming before the Board with the recommendation for reporting relationship of the Financial Officer. Johnson stated that he would have an update at next Tuesday, January 20, 2004’s, meeting.
Administrator Johnson informed the Board that there will be 29 additional parking spaces around the new theater. This is more than first planned.
Commissioner Wheeler motioned to adjourn the meeting of the Board at 12:55 p.m.
Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.