These minutes were approved on Dec. 28, 2021 and posted on the county’s website on Feb. 7, 2022
December 21, 2021 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Deputy Clerk present.
Ann Dare, Clint Walker and Rob Harrington were also present.
Clifton made a motion to approve the previous meetings minutes, Jim seconded, all approved.
Justin Meeks presented an agreement between KDOT and Bourbon County to fix a bridge. The funding mechanism on this agreement is good for the county. There are some expectations that KDOT has for the county, but I think they are easy to get to. The bridge is located at 160th & Fern, south of Fern about ¼ of a mile. Jim made a motion that we enter agreement with KDOT also the Secretary of Transportation on project # 6C-5152-01 STP-C515(201) for bridge replacement at 160th & Fern. Clifton seconded. All approved.
Dustin Hall reported they have been cleaning up trees from the wind storm last week. We closed the road on Jayhawk from 8am – 2pm yesterday afternoon working with BNSF. They are to help us with the project on 230th. A railroad crossing there needs a tube extended. We opened the bridge up on Wagon Road just west of 205th last Thursday. We also opened up the bridge on Eagle Rd east of 120th. We are blasting today between 11am – 1pm at Thomas Quarry. Also we are going to open the landfill up till noon on December 31st. Jeff Spanger with the windmill company, is opening an office in the O&M building within the next couple of weeks. The buildings at the corner of 3 Highway will be taken out but he will still be available. Lynne stated that on 35th between 35th & 65 Hwy there is a tree that needs to be cut up. Also the corner of 95th & Unity there is a hole in a culvert. Dustin stated they would get that taken care of. Jim asked Dustin to tell whoever did the patch on 230th that they did a good job. Clifton stated that at Soldier & 215th there is a bale of hay plugging a culvert.
Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda removing the executive session for discussion of the acquisition of real property. Jim seconded. All approved.
Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to add an executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy. Jim seconded. All approved.
Clifton made a motion to go into executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy to discuss two nonelected personnel, their job functions, job duties including 3 commissioners, Justin Meeks and Shane Walker for 10 minutes returning at 9:20am. Jim seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session at 9:20am with action. Jim seconded. All approved. Jim made a motion to enter an agreement with the City of Fort Scott for IT services and need approval. Clifton seconded. All approved. Lynne Oharah signed the agreement.
Clifton made a motion for executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy dealing with a retirement and action concerning a budget issue based on job performance including 3 commissioners, Justin Meeks and Rob Harrington for 15 minutes returning at 9:37am. Jim seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session at 9:37am. No action. Jim seconded. All approved. Justin commented that Joyce Sinn, who helped us during the Covid crisis, has officially announced her retirement from the county. All stated that she will be missed.
Justin stated that he has a resolution, that will need a resolution number, regarding the opioid litigation that was started many moons ago. There is a settlement participation form. Also, a release with the AG’s office and resolution authorization form that I need approved today. We are getting close to a settlement. Derek Schmidt’s office is taking over the litigation. Clifton made a motion to allow Lynne Oharah to sign the settlement participation form. Jim seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to allow Lynne Oharah to sign the KS Opioids Memorandum of Understanding between The Attorney General, the League of KS Municipalities and Kansas Association of Counties. This form outlines the distribution, if any. Jim seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to allow Lynne Oharah to sign the agreement to Release and Assign Claims between Bourbon County and Derek Schmidt. Jim seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to accept the resolution of Bourbon County to join the statewide litigation regarding the opioid epidemic be adopted this 21st day of December 2021. Jim seconded. All approved.
Justin updated on the tax sale and contract with Noble. He hopes to have a draft of the contract for the commissioners to review after the first of the year. As of this date, the special assessments haven’t been waived. Some of the opening bids may be shocking but can’t go lower than that. If land doesn’t go in the sale they will revert to the landbank. Lynne stated that Matt Quick was on the radio this morning and did reiterate that there is an NRP program.
Anne asked for an update on the SRO situation. Jim stated that they are still in early discussions.
At 10:00am, Jim made a motion to adjourn. Clifton seconded. All approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner
(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Ashley Shelton, Bourbon County Deputy Clerk
December 28, 2021, Approved Date