July 6, 2021 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Commissioner Oharah and Commissioner Harris present, Commissioner Beth arrived at 9:20, the County Counselor and the County Clerk were also present.
Also present were the following: (some were present for a portion of the meeting and some were present for the entire meeting), Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune, Susan Bancroft, Michael Hoyt, Anne Dare, Mr. & Mrs. Clint Walker, Harley & Beverly Fuhrman, Lora Holdridge and Economic Development Director Rob Harrington.
Lynne made a motion to approve the previous meetings Commission minutes, Jim seconded and the motion passed.
The Commissioners received a request for a permanent road opening at 45th & Unique; Lora said this used to be an open road, but was closed, Jim said it was closed in 1849. Lora said one road in that area is not officially closed, but is being used as a private driveway. Jim said he was concerned that if they opened this road, they would receive more requests in the future to open roads. Lynne said they couldn’t deny access to an individual’s property. Lynne made a motion to support opening 1,293’ starting at 45th & Unique going East, Jim seconded and the motion passed. Lynne made a motion to sign the application for the permanent road opening of 1,293’ starting at 45th & Unique Road going East, Jim seconded the motion and the motion passed and they signed the application. Lynne made a motion to adopt Resolution 18-21 to open 1,293’ starting at 45th & Unique going East, Jim seconded and the motion passed and they signed the resolution.
Lynne asked Eric to review an area of Unique going West off 95th; Lynne said it had never been closed.
Eric Bailey said heavy rain had caused washouts around the County and they are hauling gravel. He said they had a sinkhole at 75th North of 54 Highway and a sinkhole on Xavier ¾ mile East of 215th, both sinkholes have been fixed.
Eric said they will be doing a blast at the Beth Quarry on July 13th. They will then be crushing at the Beth Quarry.
They are asphalting on the Jefferson Highway now. Eric said that asphalt oil had gone up $40/ton.
Eric said they will be putting berms around the soybeans this week.
Eric said the KDOT off system bridge report is due at the end of July; he said he is working with Schwab Eaton on this.
Jim said that at some time they need to clean up the metal bridge on 250th.
Windmill update; Eric said they are also dealing with the heavy rains.
Lynne asked Eric to check out 120th & Unity going South to make sure it is a closed road and said if not there is a metal bridge there that is dangerous.
County Counselor Comment: Justin Meeks said he had received a petition to revoke a 1 cent sales tax on the City-wide sales tax; he said he would meet with Kendell Thursday of this week and will get a response back to the individual that sent the petition.
Mercy Hospital facility: Justin said the County is now the owner of the Bourbon County healthcare facility (formerly Mercy Hospital), Clifton said 3 employees there will keep the building up to the Joint Commission Standards. The Commissioners will be over the 3 employees, but there is a supervisor amongst the 3 employees. Susan Bancroft said one of the employees had been working under contract, but is retiring, so they would need to replace this employee. Lynne said the contracts in place now have to be honored.
Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to have an executive session, Jim seconded and the motion passed.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy the session is related to job function, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 9:49, Jim seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Susan Bancroft, Shane Walker and Justin Meeks). Clifton made a motion to resume the normal session, with action, Jim seconded and all approved.
Clifton made a motion that the County take on two of the existing employees at the Bourbon County Health System as County employees, Jim seconded and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to make Shane Walker – the County I/T director the director of the Bourbon County Health System facility, and that all contacts go to him regarding maintenance and I/T there, Jim seconded and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to give Susan Bancroft the ability to post for a maintenance technician at the Bourbon County Health System facility, Jim seconded and all approved.
Susan Bancroft will work with Kendell to add the Bourbon County Health System facility employees to the County Salary Schedule.
Clifton made a motion to approve allowing Lynne Oharah to sign the feasibility study (for the healthcare facility), Jim seconded and all approved.
Justin Meeks said they would probably publish for the tax sale next week.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 20-minute executive session for KSA 75-4319(b) (6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property for that reason, the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 10:19, Jim seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Susan Bancroft, Rob Harrington, Shane Walker and Justin Meeks). Clifton made a motion to resume the regular session, Jim seconded and all approved.
Lynne made a motion to give Clifton permission to call someone at Pittsburg State regarding a contract with Bourbon County, Jim seconded and approved.
Lynne made a motion to allow Rob Harrington and Susan Bancroft to look into an issue with a MOU and come back to the Commission next Tuesday about this, Jim seconded the motion, Justin said the MOU deals with real property that is not owned by the County and will possibly have revisions to it, all approved the motion.
Susan Bancroft reminded the Commissioners of the budget work session next Tuesday, July 13th.
Public Comment: none
Commissioner Comment: Jim said he had received a phone call from Jeremy Frazier at the City of Fort Scott, requesting that he be part of the HR interview process; Justin Meeks said as a private citizen he didn’t need a motion to allow this. Justin said they are still looking into a shared service on this, but aren’t sure.
At 10:23, Clifton made a motion to adjourn, Jim seconded and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jim Harris, Commissioner
(ss) Clifton Beth, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
July 13, 2021, Approved Date