The Murray County Board of Commissioners met in a lengthy session on February 2nd. Commissioner Molly Malone served as Chair with all members of the Board present for the meeting.
Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter presented the ditch bills in the amount of $12,507.13. The payment made to B & W Control Specialists was for spraying of open drainage ditches in 2021.
Luke Schryvers, CEO of the Murray County Medical Center presented his monthly report of activities. He was happy to announce the hiring of a new Human Resources Director. The process is beginning to fill the position of Clinic Manager as Melanie Behrends transitions to the role of PA. After fifteen months of preparation and training the new EPIC computer records system will become operational on March 1. The CMS mandate for vaccination or exemption of staff from Covid vaccination will become effective February 28. 100% of staff meets that mandate. Emergency room patient numbers continue to be high with no definitive reasons that Schryvers could note. Financially 2021 was a positive year for MCMC with increased numbers in all service categories. Cash on hand equals $7.8M with gross income at $2.55M. Five years remain on the building debt with payments of $50,000 made each month.
The agenda item calling for approval of the bid for improvement of Murray County Ditch 22 was preceded by a lengthy discussion with Swede Campbell, Attorney John Kolb, Engineer Shaun Luker and County Attorney Travis Smith. Campbell has consistently opposed the improvement that calls for the replacement of an open ditch system with a 36” tile system. Campbell states that Jeff Meyer is the only landowner of the 22 on the system who wants the improvement. There has been a court decision to move the project forward. The low bid from Noomen Excavating, LLC of $377,521.52 was below the engineer’s estimate thus meeting the cost parameters. Attorney Kolb reviewed the legal history of the petition and found no legal basis to reject the bids without liability to the bidder. The Board was advised of the requirement of the law to award the bid. However, On motion of Commissioner Gunnink, seconded by Commissioner Thiner, supported by Commissioner Kluis, the bid was rejected.
Ditch Inspector Travis Radke discussed options on CD 87. The tile line was found to run diagonally across a lot on Lake Shetek, not in the easement along the lot line as indicated on the ditch map. Ditch attorney Curt Deter’s opinion is that it would be the owner’s responsibility to pay the estimated $50,000 to correct the tile line following a petition for repair. Radke will be doing further investigation to ascertain placement of the tile line.
The petition for clean out of CD 34 will be allowed to proceed despite concerns of one landowner in regards to the placement of the spoils on his easement. Efforts will be made to minimize the area involved.
Bids were opened for a used tractor for the highway department. Of the several bids received the most acceptable was for a 20196 Case 470 with 1100 hrs at a cost of $339,000 plus shipping of $2700 from Kansas City. Lonn Jackels and one additional man will make the trip to inspect the unit before the purchase is finalized. The tractor with tracks will be used for snow removal and to replace two old snow blowers.
The snowmobile grant for fiscal year 2022 was accepted in the amount of $3374.00 as presented by Chief Deputy Heath Landsman.
The discussion of a wage increase of $1.31 an hour for Deputy Landsman continued from previous meetings. As Sheriff Telkamp has not been actively working in the department Landsman has assumed many of his supervisory duties. With the hiring of a temporary Sergeant in a supervisory capacity, Landsman’s wages no longer reflect his seniority. Commissioner Gunnink objection to the increase without going through the point and grade system was the only negative vote to the increase. The action was made temporary until the second meeting in January following elections.
Action to rescind a November 16,2021 motion to purchase and install a new HVAC system for the Law Enforcement Center at a cost estimated at $1M was approved. A lower cost option using dehumidifying units at a cost of $6400ea met with board approval.
A search will be made for one or two persons to serve and clean up meals at Sunrise Terrace on weekends and holidays. The job description will be sent to set a point and grade number for the job.
