March 23, 2023, Thursday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the Deputy County Clerk present.
Clint Walker, Tayton Majors, Anne Dare, Teri Hulsey, Deb McCoy, Lora Holdridge, and Susan Bancroft were present for some or all of the meeting.
Jim Harris opened the meeting with the flag salute, followed by a prayer by Mark McCoy.
Clifton Beth made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes minutes from 3/9/23 and 3/20/23, approval of accounts payable totaling $423,388.77 and payroll totaling $339,592.33. Nelson Blythe seconded, and all approved.
Justin Meeks asked for a 5-minute executive session for possible litigation.
Clifton Beth made a motion to go into executive session for 5 minutes 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 to include all three Commissioners, Justin Meeks, Jennifer Hawkins, and Shane Walker and will return at 9:07. Jim Harris seconded the motion, and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 9:07 with no action. Nelson Blythe seconded the motion, and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to allow Legacy Health and Bourbon County REDI to present a check to EMS. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.
Rob Harrington introduced Troy Schell, Chairman of Legacy Healthcare who presented a check for $17,557.50 to Bourbon County EMS to purchase a LUCAS device. Mr. Schell stated that Legacy is committed to the community and is honored to be able to provide the donation which could save lives in Bourbon County. Rob said that Clifton did an amazing job trying to obtain donations to purchase the lifesaving equipment that EMS needs. Mr. Harrington then introduced Mark McCoy, Chairman of the Board of Bourbon County REDI who presented a check to Bourbon County EMS for $17,000.00 to purchase a ventilator. Clifton thanked Legacy Health and Bourbon County REDI for their donations. Clifton spoke of the needs of AEDs and said his goal is to have AEDs scattered throughout the county and in every Sheriff’s vehicle which would be about 20-30 devices. Mercy donated several devices years ago; however, they are becoming outdated. Jim thanked Bourbon County REDI, Legacy Health, and Commissioner Beth for all their hard work and said, “God bless all of you.” Susan Bancroft said there are Opioid grants at the state level and that she spoke to Dave Bruner yesterday and was informed that AEDs and ventilators could be purchased with the funds. Clifton said the job of the Commissioner’s is roads and public health and safety and he would like to get back to doing that.
Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, introduced David Singmaster, Noxious Weed Director, who presented the 2023 Noxious Weed Management Plan to be signed by the Commission. Eric said that David recently passed all his state certifications. Clifton made a motion to sign the management plan, Nelson seconded, and all approved. Eric presented the Federal Funds Exchange Agreement through KDOT which would reimburse the county $89,236.81 in 2023. Eric said he would like to use $60,000.00 to put in the bridge repair fund for the bridge that needs repairs on 165th St. Clifton made a motion to accept the 2023 Federal Funds Exchange Agreement and to allow Chairman Harris to sign the agreement. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved. Eric said he will bring the final number for the sidewalk and parking project to the Commissioners next week.
Eric went through the 2023 Asphalt Road Plan that was discussed during the 3/20/2023 work session. In District 1 they plan to overlay ¾ of a mile of Maple Road east of 55th Street. Eric said that will tie everything in. On Yale Road from the west entrance of Hidden Valley Lake to Mapleton they plan to mill the road and bring in gravel to compact and prep the road so that they could try to overlay a mile section of the road next year. In District 2 Jayhawk Road from 69 Highway to Liberty Bell Road is listed as an overlay project. Eric said he visited with KDOT who is still trying to find out if the road has been turned over to Bourbon County. Other areas to overlay include Jewel Road, 232nd St, and 232nd Terr which are all in Marco Estates. Eagle Road from Garland to the Stateline, and 227th Street and Williams Street, which is the east side of Ellis Park, were also said to be in need and were discussed. Jim said the city approved to split the cost of the Williams Street project at their Tuesday meeting. Eric said the city would pay half of the material cost and the county would lay the asphalt. In District 3 there are several areas on Soldier Road that need to be spot milled to level up with the rest of the road. A one-inch overlay will be done on Soldier Road from 215th to 245th Street, 245th Street from Soldier Road to Valley Road, and Valley Road from 245th Street to 267th Street. Eric said he would like to do this early, within the next month or so, then come back in August or September and chip and seal. The extras listed were Eagle Road from 69 Highway to 230th Street to do a mile this year, and to chip and seal Jayhawk Road from Liberty Bell Road to 230th Street. Eric said that the additional two miles of Eagle Road and Yale Road were also listed as extras depending on funding. Eric said he knows that milling Yale Road is not a popular decision but that it needs to be done since the subbase has failed. Eric said he has to know what his carryover from last year is to be able to determine how much more asphalting can be done but that he has not received a budget report since end of the year has not been closed out. Jim asked Susan Bancroft to clarify the process of budget reports. The Treasurer closes out the end of the month which allows the Clerk to run budget reports to send out to the department heads. Jim asked Eric when he last received a report and Eric said he had not received a budget report this year. Clifton asked what we were waiting on? Clifton asked Patty Love, Treasurer, to come in and discuss the end of year and budget reports. Patty said as far as she knew end of year was done and that Susan is going to go over things to make sure all journal vouchers are done. Patty said they couldn’t go on with January until year end was done but they have run into some problems that happened in January that went back into last year. Jim asked moving forward if Patty will be able to get budget reports monthly now that end of year is complete. Patty said yes that the year-end backed them up, but that she wants to get caught up to get reports done monthly. Jim made a motion to adopt the 2023 hard surface road plan as Eric presented it with extras if possible. Clifton seconded the motion and Nelson and asked for discussion. Nelson said he has received several emails and phone calls from residents on Yale Road who do not want the road milled. Clifton asked if a meeting was needed to be held in Mapleton to discuss the road and explain that the road is a safety hazard and will never be fixed correctly without milling the road. Nelson said he is finding out when the next city council meeting in Mapleton is so he can go and explain the road situation again. Nelson asked about milling maybe a mile section then paving it and keep going mile by mile until it is complete. Eric said that due to the extent of the subbase failure he does not feel that would work. Nelson said he has had complaints that the area that is milled is so wash boarded it is worse than the potholes. Eric said he had driven that section of road and it was bad. They have added some gravel to the road and that he recently drove the road and the gravel has helped. Jim said a meeting was held in Mapleton a few years ago to discuss and explain the condition of Yale Road. Jim said there comes a point when there is a safety problem. Justin Meeks said he had received an email from a resident who has been driving Yale Road and has experienced damage to their vehicle. Justin said it can’t be pinned down that the road is the exact cause of the damage, but when you have multiple people talking about how dangerous the road is you are on notice. Once you have been notified you have to do something to try to mitigate the danger or culpability. Jim said the long-term plan with Eagle Road didn’t pan out as quickly as it was originally thought but given the data and information Eric has provided it doesn’t appear that it will be five years to get Yale Road paved. Justin asked for clarification from Eric about what has to be done once a road is milled. Eric explained that the gravel is brought in to be compacted but really needs traffic to drive on it for a year to truly get compacted. Susan spoke about the local food sales tax that the legislatures are trying to end and explained how catastrophic this could be for our county; this would affect our roads and the bond payment for the jail. Susan said to voice your opinions to our local representatives at the state level to explain how devastating this could be to us. The first year the state would cover, but the second year the county would have to raise taxes to continue our programs. Susan explained that the county receives about $900,000 from the state each year from sales tax for our hard surface roads. Justin said the way the jail sales tax and the hard surface road tax were placed on the ballot and voted on by citizens that there could be possible litigation if the state were to take local sales tax. Clifton said he wouldn’t have a problem to add to Eagle and Yale Road next year and that you have his vote. Jim said he is committed to a one-mile section of Yale Road next year, and possibly more if sales tax is up and the money is there. Clifton said he sees possibly Eagle Road being completed next year and Yale Road in two years and Jim said he agrees. Clifton said it’s not his district, but we are on notice at the county and the road can’t be fixed unless we tear it up. Jim went back to his original motion to adopt the 2023 hard surface road plan; Clifton seconded the motion and Nelson abstained. Nelson said we could commit to paving a mile of Yale Road next year, but asked what priority it would be? Jim said Eagle should be first since it has been milled so long. Clifton said he would like to see the sections of two-mile section Eagle Road and one mile section of Yale Road both completed next year. Jim made a motion to commit to the first mile section of Yale Road and the remaining two miles of Eagle Road next year if we have the funding available. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved. Eric said oil is low and he is wanting to start as soon as possible.
Eric said the rock crusher is back and they made a few adjustments while it was in the shop, and we have had a major increase in chip production. The culvert crew is installing culverts, we were running a little bit behind, but they are getting caught up and he appreciates everybody’s patience while they do that. Eric and Dustin will be traveling to Wichita tomorrow to look at a compost turner that they found for sale on an auction site. A new compost turner is around $100,000, so they are looking at used to try to save money. Eric said we have to have a compost turner to turn the soybeans and sawdust at the landfill. Justin said he had spoken with Eric and asked the Commissioners if Eric could have permission to either try the compost soil in different areas or to give it away to citizens to see if it would help things grow. Clifton said he would not be in favor until the compost soil is tested by K-State or another lab. Justin clarified that once the tests come back ok that Eric is ok to give the compost away and the Commissioners agreed. Eric and Lora Holdridge, Register of Deeds, spoke to the Commissioners about a section of Victory Road that is listed on some maps but does not have the exact length of the road. Lora said that Eric and Matt drove the road to try to determine the length of the road. Lora said that the length of the road needs to be about 2000 feet so that the landowners can access their property. Clifton and Nelson said they do not want to vote on extending the length of the road until they speak to all landowners. Jim said he would pass the owner’s information along to Nelson since it is his district and have him speak with the owner.
Jim asked for a 10-minute break.
Susan Bancroft requested a 10-minute executive session to discuss personnel matters of nonelected personnel.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy to include the three Commissioners, Susan Bancroft, and Justin Meeks and will return at 10:09. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session at 10:09 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.
Shane Walker requested an executive session to discuss the acquisition of real estate.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 5-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property include the three Commissioners, Shane Walker, and Justin Meeks and will return at 10:15. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session at 10:15 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to add an executive session for Justin Meeks. Jim seconded the motion, and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to go into a 5-minute executive session under KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for the consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship for contracts to include the three Commissioners and Justin Meeks and will return at 10:22. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session at 10:22 with no action. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to put public comments back on the agenda. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved. Jim asked Selena Alvarado, Deputy County Clerk, to put public comments on future agendas.
Clifton thanked Legacy Health and Bourbon County REDI for contributing to the health of Bourbon County and providing equipment that will save lives and that he hopes other organizations and foundations will step up and also provide donations to help obtain the necessary equipment EMS needs. Jim asked Clifton to keep the Commissioners advised if funding and donations are not coming in so that the board can look at ways to help and Clifton agreed he would
Jim made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:24. Nelson seconded the motion, and all approved.
Approved 3-30-23