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County commissioners approve Neighborhood Revitalization plan
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LARNED — The Pawnee County Commission met at 9 a.m. Aug. 26 for a regular meeting at the Pawnee County Courthouse. The following are approved minutes submitted by Pawnee Commission clerk Ruth Searight.
Pawnee County commissioners Donna Pelton; Kathy Bowman, and John C. Haas, chair, were present.
• Lauren Long, Larned Chamber of Commerce, and Pawnee County Economic Development director, introduced herself to the board, and gave some updates since she has been here.
• Ruth Searight, Pawnee County clerk, gave commissioners the airport contract for the new apron, the BCBS Flex Plan documents for them to complete, minutes for approval from August 19, 2013, and SDSI, Inc., contracts for     their signatures.
Commissioners signed and approved contract with SDSI, Inc.
• Commissioners approved and signed checks for payroll, bills and expenses.
• Commissioners read, changed and approved minutes of Aug. 19, 2013.
• Searight gave the board the letter on the oil and gas lease proposal with update. Haas called John Settle, Pawnee County attorney, to discuss the oil and gas lease proposal.  Commissioners agreed to the updates on the lease proposal.  Haas called Hugh Proffitt to let him know to draft the lease and send it to Settle. He is also sending a check for $1,000 to the county treasurer, and will schedule appointment in two weeks to come in.
10 a.m. — Kurt Demel, Pawnee County highway administrator, gave updates.
Commissioners signed a road crossing permit. Concrete is being hauled away, and was offered $2,000 check for fuel. Work is progressing on North Burdett, working on base repair. Crews are working on sealing Macksville Road, North Burdett Road, Timken Road.
A dirt pile was transported at to Camp Pawnee, and placed around sidewalks and building. Camp Pawnee grass has been swathed.
Discussed Neighborhood Revitalization.
Approved and signed checks for additional payables.
11 a.m. — Denise Wood, Community Corrections/Juvenile Justice Authority director, discussed the charges the County is charging them for administrative costs.
Carl Miller, Pawnee County appraiser, gave information on Neighborhood Revitalization to them.
Jim Misunas, Great Bend Tribune, asked some questions regarding PVCH’s $800,000 cash surplus.
2 p.m. — Matt Heyn, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital administrator; Dale Montgomery,  HaysMed; and Brenda Langdon, PVCH. Representatives from Murray Construction attended.
Presented and discussed the Certificate of Substantial Completion Notice, which needed signatures from commissioners as owners.  The chief architect discussed what this document is, and the warranty period started with the date of this document. They discussed the CD/DVD that will list everything that is covered and how long.  
Haas asked Heyn if things are in order enough for the commissioners to sign this. Heyn discussed issues with flooring and cabinet related issues.  
Langdon discussed issues with the kitchen and electrical.  Montgomery recommended the document be signed, but not pay the $250,000 left to Murray until the flooring issue is fixed.
The commissioners signed the completion papers.
Heyn asked the architect for a timeline on the flooring issue, to have an answer or resolution within one month.  Murray agreed.
Due to independent auditor, they do not have a monthly operational update. Shae Veach and Heyn have been busy with that. They hope to have results within two weeks.
Fiscal year 2013 goals, Heyn wanted to present these to the Commissioners.
2:45 p.m. — An executive session began until 3:10 p.m. for confidential data (trade secrets) exception, confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporation, partnership, trust and individual proprietorships.
3:10 p.m. — Jim Johnson, Sunflower Diversified.  Commissioners discussed possibly contracting with Sunflower Diversified to pick up recycling instead of paying to haul to Great Bend.  
Commissioners told him they will discuss with Rod Wheaton, Pawnee County solid waste supervisor, and Johnson should check back Sept. 9.
3:35 p.m. — Commissioners approved family medical leave for an employee.
3:45 p.m. — Wheaton discussed recycling. He discussed the five-year plan update, and commissioners need to sign a resolution to adopt the five-year plan.
Commissioners signed Resolution No. 2013-08. Commissioners approved and signed payroll change for Larry Burris, Step 2 to Step 3, effective Sept. 5.
4:15 p.m. — The commissioners voted to recess until 7 p.m.
7 p.m. — Reconvene, courthouse lounge.  Meeting with Larned City, USD, Third Class Cities, C of C, and PCEDC, and other interested parties, regarding Neighborhood Revitalization Renewal for Jan. 1, 2014.
Present were:  Carl Miller, Pawnee County appraiser; Tina Keeler, Pawnee County appraiser office; Jon Flint, Fort Larned USD 495; George Elmore, city of Larned; Lane Massey, Larned city manager; Kim Barnes, city of Larned; Bob Pivonka, Larned mayor; Lauren Long, Larned Chamber, and PCEDC; Rita Kurtz, PCEDC; Nancy Wilson, Rozel mayor; and Mike Gilmore, Tiller & Toiler.
Commissioners discussed the Neighborhood Revitalization Disaster Plan.
Miller informed the group the new plans need to be in place by the end of November to be able to implement by the first of January, 2014.
City of Larned officials discussed their reasons to become more aggressive with the plan. There was other discussion.
Commissioners discussed city of Rozel preliminary new seven-year plan. City of Larned officials discussed a possible plan for seven years.
There was further discussion.  
County Commissioners agreed to a plan identical with the city of Larned: 90 percent, five years; 75 percent, sixth year; 50 percent, seventh year.
Commissioners discussed the need to have someone informing the applicant properly and with verification they have received it.
All entities will go back to their respective councils, boards  and commissions to further discuss the options.
Everyone seemed to agree increasing the application fee to $40.
8:15 p.m. —  The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting was scheduled at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at Rozel Community Center for a town hall meeting, and to take care of any other business as presented.  No meeting was scheduled for Monday, Sept. 2 because of Labor Day.