Road department asks to replace equipment
Approval of bids and permission to seek bids for equipment were on Monday's agenda for Marion County Commission.
Cooperative Grain & Supply of Hillsboro was awarded the bid for transport fuel with the low bid of $17,310 for 7,000 gallons of diesel, and 1,000 gallons of unleaded fuel at an average of $2.073 and $2.179 per gallon, respectively.
Cardie Oil Company of Tampa presented a bid of $17,325 for the same quantities at an average of $2.071 and $2.189 per gallon, respectively.
In other road business:
— One bid of $25,000 was received for a 1974 Caterpillar motor grader by Weller Tractor and Salvage. A minimum of $25,000 was placed on the vehicle.
A bid of $6,275 for a Ford dump truck and bed was rejected. Bids again will be solicited with a minimum amount. Road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet will research the value of the truck to determine the minimum amount.
— Herzet requested the commission consider the purchase of a used 2001 chip spreader for $92,500. The equipment is used to chip and seal roads. The county's 1968 model, purchased in the late 1970s, is "wearing out," said Herzet, and it is difficult to find replacement parts.
A new spreader would cost $186,475, said Herzet, or could be leased. Typically the county uses a spreader for three months during the year which would cost $45,000 for a lease arrangement.
The commission instructed Herzet to inspect the used machine, and research the value of the old one for trade-in.
Forty-seven miles of county roads in the north part of the county are scheduled this summer for chip and seal improvements.
— Herzet requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel. Road supervisor Steve Hudson also was in attendance. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
In other business:
— Rollin Schmidt, county noxious weed director, presented four bids for Pathway chemicals.
Ag Service of Hillsboro had the low bid of $25.52 per gallon for 25 gallons in 2.5-gal. containers.
Other bids were from Markley Service of Marion for $25.84 per gallon, Cooperative Grain & Supply of Hillsboro and Agri-Producers Inc. of Tampa each for $29.38 per gallon.
— Hillsboro Body Shop of Hillsboro had the low bid of $1,110 for sanding and enamel repainting of a household hazardous waste trailer. Other bids were Marion Body Shop, Marion, for $1,440, and Kevin's Body Shop, Goessel, $2,400.
— Rates were reviewed by Schmidt and the commission regarding spraying private property for noxious weeds.
Schmidt checked with other counties and determined $6.50 per acre for spraying from the truck and $5 per acre for handgun spraying were appropriate amounts. A minimum treatment fee of $75 will be enforced.
— A new bed has been installed on a noxious weed department truck. The commission approved the sale of the old bed for $150 to the vendor.
— Schmidt requested and received a 10-minute executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— County sanitarian David Brazil answered questions from the commission regarding a letter from Kansas Department of Health & Environment regarding closing of the former landfill.
Ground water and gas monitoring will be required during the 30-year closing period of the facility. Brazil explained to the commission that he would be able to conduct gas monitoring but did not have the expertise or equipment to provide water monitoring.
After considerable discussion, Brazil will check with Harvey and McPherson counties, who are members with Marion County in a solid waste authority, regarding sharing of equipment and/or personnel to conduct the monitoring.
