KENTON COUNTY FISCAL COURT

M I N U T E S

MARCH 11, 2008, 9:00 A.M.

The regular meeting of the Kenton County Fiscal Court was called to order at the Independence Courthouse.  Present at the meeting were Commissioners Dan Humpert, Kris Knochelmann and Sara Voelker; Deputy Judge Executive Scott Kimmich; County Attorney Garry Edmondson; County Treasurer Jerry Knochelmann; Human Resources Director Joe Shriver; Police Chief Ed Butler; County Engineer Charles Meyers; Special Projects Manager Ralph Bailey; Assistant County Attorney Stacy Hege; Special Assistant to the Judge Executive Ivan Frye; Director of Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force James Liles; Court Reporter Cathy Johnston; and Guests.

Commissioner Dan Humpert presided over the court in the absence of Judge Executive Ralph Drees.

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance

The invocation was given and pledge of allegiance led by Commissioner Kris Knochelmann. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Approval of Minutes

Commissioner Humpert asked the court for approval of the minutes dated February 26 2008.  Commissioner Knochelmann made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Voelker.  The motion was unanimously approved with the change on page two recommended by Commissioner Humpert and the motion unanimously passed with the vote of aye.

General Business

No general business items were brought to the court's attention.

Resolutions

Resolution No. 08-01-B

A resolution for budget adjustments between appropriation accounts to provide necessary funding for items on the schedule.

Mr. Knochelmann said he would be happy to answer any questions from the court.  Commissioner Knochelmann asked about the sudden closing of the Kids Place Preschool and Mr. Knochelmann said they apparently closed the preschool from January to June.  They had already made the promise they would be able to take care of the infants and this money needed to be moved over to take care of that.  There is no additional money since they are moving it from adults to the infants.  Commissioner Knochelmann asked if the transfer actually went through the Perceptions Center and Mr. Knochelmann said it was the same company since they handle both the infants and the adults.

Mr. Kimmich said that any time an agency comes to the court and ask for the money to be shifted from one item to another within their agency, this becomes an amendment to their contract.

There being no further discussion, Commissioner Humpert asked for a motion for approval.  The motion was made by Commissioner Voelker and seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann.  The motion was unanimously approved following a roll call vote.

Ordinances

There were not any ordinances brought before the court.

Consent Agenda

Handout No. 08-09

Ratification of contract for Melinda Wheeler, Scott Kimmich reporting:  The county has talked about having the need for an individual who is directly responsible for the implementation of alternative sentencing programs.  Kenton County felt this should be someone with experience of dealing with both the judiciary and prosecutorial individuals.  The county has retained the services of Melinda Wheeler, former Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, who began her career as a pretrial officer in Kenton County.  The county would appreciate your approval of this contract.

Commissioner Knochelmann moved for approval; seconded by Commissioner Voelker.  Commissioner Humpert requested a roll call vote whereupon all members of the court voted in the affirmative.

Handout No. 08-10

Approval of acceptance of renegotiation bids from Habitat for Humanity for Kenton County properties in Latonia Lakes, Garry Edmondson reporting:  Mr. Edmondson said the county could accept their bid and go after payment, allow them to withdraw the bid, reject their bid and if it is rejected, it can be put back out for rebid.  It cannot be negotiated and allow them to pay less than what they bid in the past.

Commissioner Voelker asked it the bid was for $18,475 and Mr. Edmondson said this is what they wanted to reduce it to and that $23,800 was the original bid for all lots involved.

Commissioner Humpert said the option is to give them the chance to withdraw their bid and go out and rebid it.

Commissioner Knochelmann said he would make the motion for them to have the chance to withdraw their bid and to rebid.  Commissioner Voelker seconded the motion and it unanimously passed upon a roll call vote.

Claims List-County Treasurer Jerry Knochelmann:  Commissioner Humpert asked if there were any questions on the claims list dated March 10, 2008.  Commissioner Voelker asked about the items listed under Callaway Golf and Commissioner Humpert said this was a company that makes golf equipment.  Mr. Kimmich said these items were purchased for the pro shop.

Commissioner Humpert said since there were no other questions, the claims list is accepted by the court and claims will be paid.

Administrative Actions

Surplus of canine animal and appropriate disposition of same:  Commissioner Humpert said it was a sad day in Kenton County because Officer Tommy was retiring.  Mr. Kimmich said during Tommy's tenure he has assisted in 211 arrests; 27 apprehensions, 7 in which people lost flesh; he has been involved in 3 vehicle seizures; 58 school searches; 33 public demonstrations; and he has also been involved in the collection of 32.2 pounds of marijuana, 3.6 pounds of cocaine, 3.2 ounces of heroin, 3 ounces of methamphetamine, and several prescription pills.  He has definitely served the county well.  Because of the type of animal he is and the type of training that is necessary when a canine unit retires, you have literally no choice but to retire the dog into the hands of his handler.  Officer Brett Benton has done a great job in utilizing this asset for the county and Mr. Kimmich asked Officer Benton to bring in the dog so he can be officially retired.

Mr. Kimmich said even though it sounds coldhearted, the county needs to declare Tommy as surplus and transfer ownership from the county to Officer Benton.  Commissioner Humpert made the motion to transfer ownership; seconded by Commissioner Knochelmann and the motion was unanimously approved upon a roll call vote.

Officer Benton went to the car to get Tommy and bring him into the court.  With this action, Tommy was officially retired and wished a good, happy life on the farm.  Tommy is now nine years old and was given a Godspeed and rousing applause from the fiscal court.

Executive Orders

Executive Order No. 08-17A

Approval of employment of James Boyer for full-time employment at the pro-shop at the Kenton County Golf Course, effective March 17, 2008:  Commissioner Knochelmann made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Voelker and the motion unanimously passed with the voice vote of aye.

Citizens Address

Don Nienaber was signed up to speak and came forward to talk about the golf course rates.  He said he was opposed to the $150 increase on the pass and thought it was a losing situation.  Some people probably cannot afford this and when you have a pass, you go to Kenton County all of the time, and you also take your friends.  Eighty percent of the seniors who golf ride in carts and if you lose members, you also lose the cart fees.

He said he was also opposed to the Independence Senior Center because, and the commission has put money into this, now says that you have to pay to go.  You can go one time as a guest and after that you have to pay.  The days the center is open has also been cut to three instead of five.

Commissioner Humpert said the center is not funded by the county.  Commissioner Voelker asked if the $15.00 fee is paid each time a person goes and Mr. Nienaber said no that this is a yearly fee and was mandatory.  Commissioner Humpert said the center was run by a board that is approved by the Independence city council and one is appointed by the fiscal court.  Commissioner Voelker asked what days they are open and Mr. Nienaber said they are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Commissioner Humpert said the court was aware of the golf issue and it will be put on the agenda for the next meeting.  He said he had been in contact with the secretary and there will be one or two members of the delegation represented at the next meeting.

Commissioner Humpert asked Mr. Nienaber to document the other issue to the court and it will be sent to Independence for them to deal with it.

Administrative Reporting

DEPUTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE-Scott Kimmich:  In regard to Ms. Wheeler's contract, under the statute the fiscal court has the authority to approve what are called standing orders.  These are bills that are paid on a routine basis such as utilities, insurance, etc.  Even if the court does not meet, these bills still get paid so the county will not be charged any late fees.  Because Ms. Wheeler is a 1099 contractual employee, there are no benefits withheld and she is to be paid biweekly.  It is being asked that the fiscal court approve a standing order authorizing the treasurer to pay in consistent with her contract and it will be added to the next claims list.  Otherwise, if the treasurer issues a check out of sequence on the claims list, he is subject to an audit finding but if a standing order is approved for this bill, he is protected for the audit process.  Therefore, it is being asked that the fiscal court approve a standing order for the treasurer to pay the alternative sentencing coordinator based on the terms of her contract.

Commissioner Knochelmann moved for approval of the standing order; seconded by Commissioner Voelker and the motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote.

COUNTY TREASURER-Jerry Knochelmann:  Nothing to report.

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR-Joe Shriver:  Nothing further to report.

COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REPORT-Garry Edmondson:  Nothing new to report.

Commissioners' Reports

COMMISSIONER DAN HUMPERT-Nothing to report.

COMMISSIONER SARA VOELKER-Nothing to report.

COMMISSIONER KRIS KNOCHELMANN-Nothing to report.

Judge-Executive's Report

Judge Ralph Drees was absent.

Executive Session

No executive session was called.

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the court, Commissioner Humpert asked for a motion to adjourn.  Commissioner Knochelmann made the motion with a second from Commissioner Voelker and the court was adjourned with the unanimous vote of aye.