Commissioner Spicer, Commissioner Mayo and Commissioner Thurlow were all present for a regular meeting beginning at 8:25 a.m. The minutes were approved as printed. Payroll in the amount of $147,349.37 was reviewed and approved.

Arnie Knoettgen, County Maintenance, met with the Board to discuss a cedar tree on the west side of the Courthouse that is dying. Permission was granted to remove the tree.

Arnie Knoettgen met with the Board to request funding for the Morganville Party in the Ville that will be on September 12, 2009. Commissioner Mayo made the motion to donate $500 to be paid out of the alcohol fund. Commissioner Thurlow seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Becky Topliff, Court Administrator, met with the Board to discuss problems with the sound system in the Courtroom and to report that the Court reporting system is not working correctly. A solution for both of problems will be reviewed and will report back at a later date. Also discussed was the possible cost of a Sexual Predator Case. As of now there are two possible cases in Clay County.

An Administrative Order was received from Chief Judge Paul Miller that as of July 23, 2009 no person shall carry a concealed firearm in the Clay County Courthouse nor in any courtroom of that Courthouse. This order is pursuant to K.S.A. 75-7c10(b).

Dana Rickley, County Health Administrator, met with the Board to discuss budget for the remainder of 2009. Mrs. Rickley informed the Board that she has been chosen by the National Association of County & City Health Officials Advance Practice Centers Program. This training will be held August 11-12, 2009 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Expenses are all covered by NACCHO and there will be no cost to Clay County. Only 50 public health professionals can attend each APC Roadshow. The Board granted Mrs. Rickley permission to attend.

Randy Gassman, Auditor, met with the Board to work on the 2010 proposed budget. The Board estimated income and expenses for the remaining 2009 budget and also for the proposed 2010 budget.
Mr. Gassman will return next week for another budget workshop.

Wayne Fowler, Clay County Park Manager and Jeff Goeckler, Park Board Chairman, met with the Board to discuss replacing the Grasshopper mower at the park. Commissioner Thurlow made the motion to purchase a 2009-930D Grasshopper mower from Bruna Implement Company along with a trade in of 2007 928D Grasshopper for the difference of $8,595. Commissioner Mayo seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Thurlow made the motion to go into Executive Session under the Non-Elected Personnel Exception for 30 minutes beginning at 10:24 a.m. with the Commissioners, Wayne Fowler, Jeff Goeckler, and Kayla Wang present. Commissioner Thurlow seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The regular meeting resumed at 10:54 a.m. with no action taken during the Executive Session. The Camper appreciation meal is going to be held August 22nd.
Chuck Dunn, Sheriff, met with the Board to give his weekly report. Sheriff Dunn reported that the Fair week went well with no major events.

Jami Williams, Economic Development Director, met with the Board. Commissioner Mayo made the motion to go into Executive Session under the Confidential Data Exception for 5 minutes beginning at 11:38 a.m. with the Commissioners and Jami Williams and Kayla Wang present. Commissioner Thurlow seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The regular meeting resumed at 11:43 a.m. with no action taken during the Executive Session.

Steve Liby, Highway Administrator, informed the Board that 12 out of 212 bridges are up for inspection this year by December. In the year 2010 all 212 bridges will be required to have an inspection done. The Board granted permission to move forward in getting bids for these bridge inspections. Two loads of asphalt have been delivered to the Clay County Park. The Board agreed that the product should be billed for and the trucking will be donated by the Highway Department. Mr. Liby reminded the Board that the next meeting with Keystone Pipeline will be Wednesday 29th in Abilene.

Don Wright, Talal Hamadah, and Serria Fletcher, Black Eagle Board Members, met with the Board to discuss several issues with the cost and the requirements for the booths at Piotique. The Board will visit with the Chamber of Commerce about these issues.

Doug McKinney, North Central Regional Planning, discussed several different programs and the possibility of changes in services and the areas that are covered with the Board.

The Board adjourned at 12:50 a.m.


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Michael W. Spicer, Chairman Kayla Wang, County Clerk