Transfer station decisions dominate county meeting
Staff writer
Much of Monday's Marion County Commission meeting involved making decisions regarding the transfer station at Marion.
Between now and the end of the year, the county has many tasks ahead getting the operation underway including purchasing needed equipment, determining procedures and hiring employees.
The county will take over ownership of the local trash collection facility Dec. 19 from KC Development following the closing.
But between Dec. 19 and Jan. 1, the transfer station will be operated by KC Development. Monday, the commission approved an operating agreement between the county and KC Development concerning who does what during that interim period.
"This way everyone will understand their respective duties and operations," explained commission attorney Jim Kaup of Topeka. "Basically, the agreement is to maintain the status quo."
Ordinary and routine maintenance is the responsibility of KC Development; however, the county will be responsible for any major maintenance and repairs during that interim period, Kaup said.
Bond sale
After hearing the recommendation of Mary Carson, bond counsel with Logan, Riley, Carson & Kaup, the commission voted to accept the bond offer from Commerce Bank, N.A., Kansas City, Mo., at a net cost of $165,436.45, and an average annual net interest rate of 3.401709 percent.
The bonds will be used to finance the county's purchase of the transfer station from KC Development at a cost of $825,000. The county has already made a $75,000 down payment, so $750,000 is still owed.
Other bids came from Country Club Bank, N.A., Kansas City, Mo., with an annual interest rate of 3.420185 percent; UMB Bank, N.A., Kansas City, Mo., at 3.474169 percent; and from Gold Capital Management, Kansas City, Mo., with the Tampa State Bank, at a rate of 3.57818 percent.
Commission Chairman Bob Hein said he was pleased there were four bidders, and with the interest rate.
Carson said she would prepare a transcript for the attorney general's office, and set up a closing letter allowing the wire transfer of funds on Dec. 19.
In other transfer station matters:
The commission heard from David Brazil, transfer station manager, who showed commissioners a notice for bid proposals for contract hauling and driving to transport solid waste.
Among the bid specifications, commissioners asked contractors to bid per mile with an average seven trips per week; however, as many as 10 trips per week is possible. White goods must be transferred once a month.
The commission discussed job descriptions for new county employees at the transfer station.
Brazil also told commissioners he would need to purchase some basic tools for transfer station operation before the first of the year including a fuel truck and an owner's manual showing how to operate the crane.
The commission voted unanimously authorizing Brazil to spend up to $1,800 on tools needed for the transfer station.
Brazil also indicated the hours of operation discussed earlier would not be feasible because they included closing over the noon hour.
"All the city haulers drop off at noon," Brazil said. "We need to be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m."
Commissioners approved the schedule change from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Brazil will make decisions regarding how employees will cover the shifts and work within their allotted hours.
Commissioners scheduled a special meeting at 9 a.m. Dec. 19 to discuss bid proposals, and to interview potential new employees.
