BUTLER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Tuesday, June 15, 2004

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

ITEMS OF BUSINESS

ITEMS #1 –CONSIDER AMENDING SECTION 24-304.3 (EXEMPT SIGNS) OF THE ZONING REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO THE SIZE OF POLITICAL SIGNS

David L Yearout, Interim Planning & Development Director, came before the Board for approval of the first reading of {Resolution #04-27} to amend Section 24-304.3. Under the present Zoning Regulations, political signs are exempt from the required sign permit: however political signs are restricted to a maximum of 16 square feet in size and shall not be displayed not more than 45 days preceding the election. The Planning & Zoning Department recommend that the Board approve this request to change Section 24-304.3 of the Zoning Regulations to read as follows:

“Political signs for a candidate or an issue on a ballot displayed for no more than 45 days preceding the election, not to exceed 32 sq. ft. in area. Such signs shall be removed within five calendar days after the date political signs advocating the election of a candidate or an issue on an election ballot of a general election.”

Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the change of political signs from 16 square feet to 32 square feet and allow the Chair to sign. Commissioner Doll seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

OTHER

Bill Mason came before the Board in regards to the Freedom Memorial. Mr. Mason stated that an interest in the memorial preservation to be continued. He stated the need for a committee to meet once or twice a year, with the objective to maintain the memorial.

The Commissioners agreed with Mr. Mason. Consensus was to have something in place by the end of the year.

ITEM #2 –CONSIDER FILLING TWO OPEN DETENTION OFFICER POSISIONS

Ben Crooks, Butler County Detention Facility Director, came before the Board for approval to fill 2 vacant Detention officers. These are vacant due to two resignations and are allowed for in the current budget.

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve hiring two vacant Detention officers. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

ITEM #3 –CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE US MARSHALS SERVICE COST SHEET FOR DETENTION SERVICES

Ben Crooks, Butler County Detention Facility Director, came before the Board for approval of the US Marshals Service cost sheet for detention services. The USM-243 is an annual review of the operational cost for the Butler County Jail to determine the “man day” rate for housing the US Marshal inmates. In completing the USM-243 it was determined that the “man day” rate should be calculated at $60.08. This form will be submitted and reviewed by the Washington office of the Department of Justice and a new rate may be assessed. If a new rate is adopted, it will go into effect on January 1, 2005.

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve submission of the US Marshals cost sheet and Immigration Naturalization Service (INS) cost sheet, for Detention services for review, to the Department of Justice. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

JAIL COUNT

Ben Crooks informed the Board that the jail count was 192 total inmates with 140 billable.

ITEM #4-CONSIDER APPROVAL TO SEND OUT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR A MULTI-DEPARTMENTAL WEBSITE.

Pam Dunham, County GIS /Mapping Director, Ron Roberts, County Clerk, Marsha McCoy, County Register of Deeds, Neil Parrish, County Treasurer, Scott Stoskopf, County Computer Services and Kathy Briney-Wagner, County Appraiser, came before the Board for approval to send out a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a multi-departmental website. Each of the above departments would like their departmental information to be provided on a user-friendly website with public and registered user access. The cost will be determined after RFP are received. The Register of Deeds Technology Fund will assist on any portion pertaining to real estate. Norm Manley, County Counsel, is reviewing the legal considerations.

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve to send out a Request for Proposal for a multi-departmental website. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

RECESS

Commissioner Carpenter recessed the Board for 5 minutes, at 10:05 a.m.

RECONVENE

Commissioner Carpenter reconvened the Board at 10:10 a.m.

ITEM #5-CONSIDER A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE K-254 CORRIDOR STUDY COALITION AND CONTINGENT TRANSFER OF FUNDS

Will Johnson, County Administrator came before the Board for approval to adopt a resolution authorizing participation in the K-254 corridor study coalition and contingent transfer of funds. Sedgwick and Reno Counties established a corridor study group to look at the impact of development along the K-96 corridor to Hutchison. Sedgwick County has approached Butler County to work on a similar format for the K-254 highway corridor from Wichita to El Dorado. The cities included in the project include Wichita, Bel Aire, Kechi, Benton, Towanda and El Dorado. Corridor projects across the country have been successful in identifying strengths and weaknesses with future commercial and industrial development that will occur in the corridor and to take advantage of the economic potential and utility value of the existing highway. The total cost would not exceed $60,000, with Butler County’s share not to exceed $22,500. Funds will be obtained from the capital improvement fund, of the general budget, and placed into a separate fund established solely for this project. Norm Manley, County Counsel, has approved the agreement. The Commissioners discussed the feasibility of this project and agreed to proceed.

Commissioner Doll motioned to approve {Resolution No. 04-28}, authorizing participation in K-254 corridor study coalition and continent transfer of funds and allow the Chair to sign. Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion 4-0.

APPROVAL OF ADDS & ABATES

There were no Adds & Abates for June 15, 2004.

OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS

Administrator Johnson invited the Commissioners to attend a Regional Economic Development Summit at Butler County Community College on June 30, 2004.

Darryl Lutz, P.E., Director of Public Works, came before the Board to state that the US Hwy 77 will not have a formal opening ceremony.

Darryl Lutz also came before the Board for approval to contract to bid 50,000 ton of millings from KDOT at approximately $4 per ton.

Commissioner Shriver motioned to approve the purchase of 50,000 tons of millings from KDOT at approximately $4 per ton. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

ADJOURN

Commissioner Anderson motioned to adjourn the Board at 11:00 a.m. Commissioner Shriver seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.