September 1, 2020 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commissioners met in open session with Commissioner Oharah and Commissioner Fischer present. The County Counselor and the County Clerk were also present.
Also present for the meeting were the following, (some were present for a portion of the meeting, some were present for the entire meeting) Jason Silvers with the Fort Scott Tribune, Mr. & Mrs. Clint Walker, Jim Harris, Jody Hoener, Anne Dare, Michael Hoyt and Kim Simons.
Jayhawk Wind representatives Juliana Pianelli, Alan Anderson, Chris Knapp and Chris Rutherford met with the Commissioners requesting boundary changes to the proposed wind farm site. Jeff said it appeared that the proposed changes were within 3 miles of Bourbon Allen Lake; Juliana said that the boundaries are closer than 3 miles, but the buildable turbine site would be more than 3 miles away from Bourbon Allen Lake and Elm Creek Lake. Juliana said they want to add approximately 1,600 acres to the already over 20,000 acres of landowners that have already signed up for the project. Alan Anderson asked that the road use agreement be amended to include the new area. Alan said the exact location of the wind turbines is determined by the engineer at a later date. Jeff Fischer said the Commissioners had previously been advised to seek professional help regarding the wind farm; he said if they were re-negotiating they should seek professional help. Jeff said he didn’t think it was the Commissioners place to decide who can participate in the project; Alan said by not approving the area it is deciding who can participate in the project. Lynne stated Bourbon County is a non-zoned county and said if landowners that want to participate loose the right to participate they could file suit against the County. Alan said the simple question for an un-zoned County is whether or not to expand the area to allow the approximately additional 1,600 acres which changes the area for the road use agreement. Jim Harris said the question is can they use the roads or do we want them to use the roads for vehicles over 80,000 pounds; Jim said he thought they needed more information and regulations put in place and suggested putting a decision on hold for 6 months until the new Commissioners start. Jim Harris said they could go across the County road for approximately 30’ without using one mile of County roads to get to the additional 1,600 acres. Lynne made a motion to allow Jayhawk Wind to use the roads in the expanded boundaries in the wind project, the motion died due to a lack of a second.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Jeff seconded and the motion passed, (the session included the Commissioners and Jim Harris). No action was taken.
Economic Development Director Jody Hoener met with the Commissioners regarding the $132,000 CDBG grant. She said they have received 17 applicants for the grant money and said 6 of those applicants have provided all of the needed documentation for the grant money. Lynne made a motion to approve the determination of level of review for the environmental review record for Findley Auto & Body at 2063 Maple Rd, Fort Scott, KS not to exceed $14,000 and that Lynne be able to sign the document, Jeff seconded, the motion passed and Lynne signed the document. Lynne made a motion to approve the determination of level of review for the environmental review record for Labbster, Inc 789 Maple Road, Uniontown, KS not to exceed $14,000 and that Lynne be able to sign the document, Jeff seconded, the motion passed and Lynne signed the document. Lynne made a motion to approve the determination of level of review for the environmental review record for B&N Guns and Ammo LLC, 131 E. 6th, Mapleton, KS not to exceed $14,000 and that Lynne be able to sign the document, Jeff seconded, the motion passed and Lynne signed the document. Lynne made a motion to approve the determination of level of review for the environmental review record for Perry’s Pork Rinds, 611 Orange St, Bronson, KS not to exceed $14,000 and that Lynne be able to sign the document, Jeff seconded, the motion passed and Lynne signed the document. Lynne made a motion to approve the determination of level of review for the environmental review record for Owenby’s Masonry, 1481 135th St, Redfield, KS not to exceed $14,000 and that Lynne be able to sign the document, Jeff seconded, the motion passed and Lynne signed the document. Lynne made a motion to approve the determination of level of review for the environmental review record for Owenby’s Corgi’s 1481 135th St. Redfield, KS not to exceed $14,000 and that Lynne be able to sign the document, Jeff seconded, the motion passed and Lynne signed the document. Lynne made a motion to approve Findley Auto & Body for up to $14,000 subject to eligible invoices and receipts for working capital, Jeff seconded and the motion passed. Lynne made a motion to approve Labbster, Inc for up to $14,000 subject to eligible invoices and receipts for working capital, Jeff seconded and the motion passed. Lynne made a motion to approve B&N Guns and Ammo LLC for up to $14,000 subject to eligible invoices and receipts for working capital, Jeff seconded and the motion passed. Lynne made a motion to approve Perry’s Pork Rinds for up to $14,000 subject to eligible invoices and receipts for working capital, Jeff seconded and the motion passed. Lynne made a motion to approve Owenby’s Masonry for up to $14,000 subject to eligible invoices and receipts for working capital, Jeff seconded and the motion passed. Lynne made a motion to approve Owenby’s Corgi’s for up to $14,000 subject to eligible invoices and receipts for working capital, Jeff seconded and the motion passed.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Lynne seconded and the motion passed, (the session included the Commissioners, David Neville and Kendell Mason). No action was taken.
June Bloomfield and Heather Ethridge met with the Commissioners regarding West Plains Cemetery; June said they have an ownership plot map of the cemetery with missing or misspelled names, they said there were missing stones and grave markers at the cemetery and said plots were sold in a walkway. Lynne said that the cemetery has its own board and the cemetery is controlled by the board, the Commissioners have no authority over the cemetery board. Justin Meeks suggested that they contact the Secretary of State’s office if they can’t get their questions answered at a local level. They requested gravel on the road that goes through the West Plains cemetery.
Lynne Oharah said he discussed refinancing County bonds with Greg Vahrenberg; he said a tax relief bill took away the ability for non taxed entities to refinance, but said there is language attached to a new bill that might allow non taxing entities to refinance bonds.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Lynne seconded and the motion passed, (the session included the Commissioners, Kendell Mason and a job applicant). No action was taken.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Lynne seconded and the motion passed, (the session included the Commissioners, Kendell Mason and a job applicant). No action was taken.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Lynne seconded and the motion passed, (the session included the Commissioners, Kendell Mason and a job applicant). No action was taken.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Lynne seconded and the motion passed, (the session included the Commissioners, Kendell Mason and a job applicant). No action was taken.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Lynne seconded and the motion passed, (the session included the Commissioners and Kendell Mason). No action was taken.
At 12:32, Jeff made a motion to adjourn, Lynne seconded, meeting adjourned.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner
___________________, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
September 15, 2020, Approved Date