The Sidney Jaycees came to the Cheyenne County Commissioners meeting to protest the withholding of 200 dollars damage. The deposit was part of the rental agreement when the civic group procured the fairgrounds property to host its annual Put-Put and Bar Crawl. The County Commissioners decided to refund half the deposit after reports of the facility's condition were reported back to them.
The conversation turned several times on charges that the facility was not properly cleaned after the event. According to information presented by Cheyenne County maintenance staff member Shiela Conley, streaks were left on the floor, carpets were not vacuumed and several toilets were dirty.
Jaycee member Jason Klipfel explained that the issue with the toilets by describing a military procedure that indicates the toilets were scrubbed by leaving a little pine oil in the bowl he added that this also acted as an air freshener. Sidney Jaycee President David Fritz also commented on the air freshening saying, "The stench of vomit was stringent in the bathrooms," and it made the action necessary to help overcome the odor of chili dogs that had been served to contestants.
Ken Steffen's Jaycee member and event chairman said of the allegations, "We left the place better than what it was, in our minds." He countered Conley's claims by saying that the building was not properly cleaned beforehand and that county staff had to go out and clean up after prior events before the Put-Put and Bar Crawl could take place.
Claims regarding the facility's shape prior and post were argued back in forth. Commissioner Harold Winkleman indicated that based on the statements of Conley and her husband Building Superintendent Roger, he felt the deposit should be cut in half.
The back and forth discussion turned somewhat heated when Mrs. Conley said that several of the mats had not been vacuumed. Jaycee member Jennifer Keppler said that she vacuumed them all and Fritz heatedly interjected. "This is the problem here," he said. "Bottom line is we got a problem with judgment here… basically what we got is a bunch of hearsay."
The discussion then turned on what the loss of the 200.00 meant to the group's efforts in the community. Steffens and Fritz both argued the loss of the deposit funds adversely affects the group's ability to perform the various community services. Fritz said the size of the facility made it essentially a monopoly that the county maintains for public events, which drew looks from several commissioners. Later statements from Ken Steffens showed that the group would find an alternate location for the next year's event.
Commissioner Ken McMillan said that if so much work had to be done to prepare and clean up the work, he asked if the value of the event warranted such effort.
Steffens said that while he thought the loss of the funds was a problem, he felt it necessary to defend both his and the group's honor. Steffens added that they took pictures of the building's condition after the cleanup, but a problem with the cellphone used by Jules Martin made it impossible to have them at the meeting.
Commissioner Bud Rankin said although he didn't want to take sides ,"… but if they said they cleaned it … like this Courthouse, it's spotless." The Jaycees arguments failed to win additional support with the board when Commissioner Rankin stated that he concurred with Winkleman that the report and extra work required by county staff dictated at least the partial capture of the deposit.
Ken Steffens that even though they intend to keep events such as WinterFest at the fairgrounds, the put-put event would be held elsewhere.
When asked about the procedure for validating the building before and after events, the commissioners said that the process required county staff to meet with the groups representatives and that based on the mutual agreement of both parties, issues would be identified and resolved.
In other news.
Two letters requesting support for Western Nebraska Narcotics Intelligence Group (WING) and the Community Action Partnership (CAP). Both groups were asking for the support as part of grant requests they were seeking for their organizations.
The letter of support for Wing read in part: "The Members of the Board of Commissioners realizes the serious crime rate including drug trafficking in the Panhandle is on the rise. We are in full support of WING and feel the group is vital to this area to ensure at the panhandle area remains a safe and healthy place to live."
CAP sought their support letter to help them secure a loan whose proceeds would be used to complete, "much needed repair work to the administration building." According to their request letter, CAP,"provides services to individuals in order to help them attain self sufficiency and an appropriate quality of life… results in a increase in the capacity of individuals , groups and communities to deal effectively with poverty as a social ill and not merely as an individual personal misfortune."
Both groups received their requested support of the commissioners.
County Assessor, Louella Pippett and County Treasurer Diane Scott presented a case for the county to adopt a new process whereby county data would be uploaded and automatically linked that would place information about land parcels and tax information online. The costs for the system would be 1000 per year and 2500 per year for the tax and assessment data respectively. The company, has offered to waive start up fees. Diane Scott would not have to pay until 2011 and the county would start this July. total costs for the system would be 2500 this year and 3500 per each year afterward. The proposal would greatly enhance the county's ability to assist banks, title companies and other citizens who had been taking their inquiries directly to County staff.
The Commissioners voted to use the service with Winkleman noting, "I think it is a great thing." Scott noted that with the public having access, the error rate caused by staff should drop as well.
A request to renew exemption for motor vehicles used by the Cheyenne County Hospital Association was renewed after Treasurer Diane Scott indicated that everything appeared to be in order. The association pays vehicle registration and plate fees, but is tax exempt on use taxes. The vehicles are used in providing services such as home health care, ambulance services and maintenance. The commissioners unanimously approved the request.
A request to take action on maintaining a right of way to property owned by Tim McMillan was put on hold based on a mutual agreement by McMillan, Rush Frankan and attorney Robert Goodwin on behalf of Mr. Herbolshiemer that Herbolshiemer was amenable to moving the fence according to a survey that had been accomplished by him in order be done with, "the hassle we are involved…" Herbolshiemer indicated in correspondence presented by Goodwin, that he would be able to work with the other parties when he returns from current travel, on or about May 1st. The commissioners agreed to allow the parties the attempt to resolve the issue to their satisfaction prior to further action.
Cheyenne County Clerk Candidate Sarah Deaver spoke during the public comment section and asked whether campaign signage material could be posted at the fairgrounds. Sheriff Darryl Johnson said the sign was taken down because the sign was not allowed by state law which prohibits campaign material from being posted on public property.
Deaver asked whether or not decals on vehicles was permitted. Johnson said that if the vehicle was legally able to be on the site, then it presented no problem. "You can walk around the grounds and talk to people about campaigning and campaign posters and ask them for their vote," he said. "There's nothing wrong with that. "
Deaver also said that she was experiencing some of her campaign signs being taken down. Johnson asked her to come and talk about the issue to open an investigation into possible theft.
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