July 31, 2023 Monday, 5:30 p.m.
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.
Jason Silvers, Michael Hoyt, Mark McCoy, Tayton Majors, Clint Walker, and Rachel Walker were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute followed by a prayer led by Mark McCoy.
Nelson Blythe made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 7/24/23, approval of payroll totaling $130,054.08, and approval of accounts payable totaling $1,099,433.01. Clifton Beth seconded the motion and all approved.
There were no public comments.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, said there were several trees down with the last storm that went through, but the guys did a great job getting them out of the roads. The asphalting on Soldier Road is complete on the east side of the railroad tracks. Eric stated that after harvest is over, they will go back to Hammond and pave Soldier Road west of the railroad tracks to 215th Street. There has been a lot of traffic at the grain elevator and Eric didn’t want to disrupt their business by having the road closed at this time, and wanted to ensure that residents knew they would be back to finish the project. The asphalt crew is moving on to pave behind Ellis Park this week. The first lane of dust control was sprayed on Friday and they plan on finishing tomorrow after the roads dry out after the rain. Jim asked if a lot of people were participating this year, and Eric said there were around eight residents. The bridge at 160th Fern that we have the grant for will be let for construction on September 20th. There were three mowers out today and will have the fourth out as soon as it is fixed. Jim thanked Eric for mowing and said the roads in his district look good. Eric brought the aerial maps out to show Nelson a road he had inquired about. A resident had questioned Nelson if Wagon Road west of Highway 3 is a maintained road as he said it is the only road into his property. Jim asked Eric if he had a chance to visit with Lora about the road, and Eric said he did when this was brought up previously but will visit with her again. Jim said he drove several of the roads in his district on Sunday and they looked very good. Clifton said he had heard several comments about the pavement on Soldier Road.
Matt Quick, County Appraiser, said the Neighborhood Revitalization Program interlocal agreements are ready and need the Chairman’s signature. Clifton made a motion to allow Chairman Harris to sign the updated NRP agreements. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.
Mark McCoy with Bourbon County REDI said they are here working with and for Bourbon County. Tayton Majors presented a Business Retention and Expansion findings study and spoke about several of the highlights throughout the study. The major businesses that were questioned for the study employee thousands of the county’s residents. 100% of employers interviewed stressed the necessity of moderate-income housing. The loss of the hospital was a huge loss for the county and REDI has been working with many healthcare providers and have already relocated a few into the old Mercy building. REDI is focusing on creative solutions for childcare because adequate childcare was another need that employers stressed. REDI has brought in several industry leading individuals in workforce management to give insight to business and educators in community and to try to help facilitate the transition between school into the workforce. The businesses that were interviews said although the workforce pool is small, they rank their employees at 8 out of 10. Mr. Majors said this is a positive thing when trying to get other businesses to expand into our community. Looking forward REDI plans to expand their focus into Agribusiness, infrastructure, and many more things. Mr. Majors said with your continued financial support REDI will continue to persist in the pursuit of excellence, will further mold their processes, build on successes, and implement new initiatives ensuring that our communities’ needs are met in a way that is efficient and impactful. Jim thanked Tayton and said there was a lot of good information presented. Mark McCoy said they are willing to come back at any time.
Justin said two of the executive sessions requested were on the same topic and suggested combining them.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 15-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy. The executive session will include all three Commissioners and Justin Meeks and they will return at 6:08. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:08 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to strike his executive session from the agenda. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.
Justin Meeks asked for a 15-minute executive session to discuss proprietary information and three contracts.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 15-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship. The executive session will include all three Commissioners and Justin Meeks and they will return at 6:25. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Nelson made a motion to resume normal session at 6:25 with action. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.
Nelson made a motion to allow Clifton Beth to negotiate contracts for future development. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.
Nelson questioned why the budget discussion was removed from the agenda and Jim explained it was due to Susan being unable to attend the meeting.
Jim said he had residents complain about the railroad tracks being blocked at Jayhawk Road and said they had sent out an RFQ for a feasibility study for an overpass south of town that would help emergency personnel and residents access the east side of the county when there is a train sitting. Jim said this won’t happen tomorrow and that it may take years, but they have to start somewhere.
Nelson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:28. Clifton seconded the motion and all approved.
Approved 8-7-2023
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
___________________, Chairman
___________________, Commissioner
ATTEST: ___________________, Commissioner
Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk
, Approved Date