July 18, 2022 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with two Commissioners (Clifton
Beth and Jim Harris) and the County Clerk present.
Patty LaRoche, Jason Silvers, Anne Dare, Bob Reed, Kevin Davidson, Matt Quick, Clint Walker, Nelson Blythe, Donald Coffman, Rachel and Clint Walker were present forsome or all of the meeting.
Clifton made a motion to approve the minutes for last weeks’ meeting. Jimseconded. All approved.

Eric Bailey stated he had no permits to report on. Eric gave a reminder that the LRSPmeeting with KDOT is tomorrow from 1pm to 5pm in the Commission Room. Open to
the public if they wish to attend. Eric states regarding to asphalt, they lacked about 125 yards being done at Hiatville today. They blew a hydraulic fitting on cities’ laydown machine. We should be back up and going tomorrow and hopefully get
finished. We will be moving to 55th & Yale. I called on our paver and they haven’t got it in yet. Bellydump is still hauling rock. We are scheduled for a blast at Blake Quarry this Wednesday probably somewhere around 50 to 60 ton.

Having issues with acouple of dump trucks. Roadside mowing is going on now, we have four mowersgoing. Have the sidearm going as well. 165th & Tomahawk had a grader operator do
about 1 mile of ditching. Did a good job. Culvert crew is trying to get some crossroad tubes in as well. Waiting on 30 inch tubes for 115th. North of Hackberry we have three tubes needing replaced. They’ve rotted out on the bottom. Clifton asked if
Eric had heard anything from KDOT on the bridge on 215th. Eric stated no. He said he got a rough estimate from an engineer for bridge replacement and it was around 2 to 2 1/2 million. Eric stated they are looking at some grants.

Clifton requested an executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy including two commissioners, Susan Bancroft, Justin Meeks, Tiana McElroy and Shane Walker for 15
minutes returning here at 6:23pm. Jim seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session with no action. Jim seconded. All approved.

Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to remove Matt Quick regarding Hours of Operation from the printed agenda. Jim seconded. All approved.

Jim stated that a commissioner needed to be appointed to the Bourbon County REDI following Lynne’s resignation and I would like to recommend Commissioner Beth.
Clifton seconded. All approved.
Susan Bancroft discussed the Revenue Neutral Rate regarding the County. After discussion of keeping our levy flat which would exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate and this stands as a notice to the county clerk for this budget year. The Clerk has to send
letters to every tax payer so we have to certify by the 20th of September. The Revenue Neutral Rate hearing will be first and then we’ll talk about the budget hearing. We will present why we are exceeding the RNR and then we will vote on the
budget following. The commissioners stated that they would like the hearing andvote to be on separate dates. Clifton suggested a night meeting so more of the publiccould attend. Clifton made a motion for Ashley to publicize the intent to exceed
Revenue Neutral Rate and the hearing will be held August 30th @ 6pm at 210 S National, Fort Scott, KS in the Commission Room. Jim seconded. All approved.

Clifton asked Bobby Reed for an update on the jail. Bobby stated that since July 6th we’ve had two applicants. We called to schedule an interview with one them. No answer. I saw this individual out in the public and asked him about it. He said he decided to do something else. Bobby told him there had been an increase in wages to
$14.50/hr. The individual stated that wasn’t enough. The other applicant was not
contacted due to her background. We are having open interviews this Thursday from
4pm to 8pm out at the jail. We’re going to hit it again on Facebook. As of tomorrow,
I will be down to 6 correctional officers. Both lieutenants are working shift work and
the captain will be going to a shift as well. I will be utilizing off-duty deputies and
myself when applicable for transports. Linn County should be opening their new
facility soon and hoping to get our inmates closer which will cut down on drive time,
maintenance and fuel. Current inmate count as of this morning was 25. We do still have some inhouse because we can’t find homes for them at the moment.

Clifton asked Sheriff Martin regarding money for vehicles. The highway patrol vehicles that the city bought would they be an option for us. Bill responded that their cars are maintained but they drive their vehicles hard. The city only drives about 5 square miles. Some of the equipment that is in the vehicles cannot be transferred to
other vehicles. Bill said the price for a car fully equipped is $50 to $55,000.00. Bill stated they are going to order two cars this year. Our fleet is getting old and worn out. Jim stated that Bill budget request would result in a 5 mil increase and the tax
payers cannot bear that at this time.

Jim stated that Bill’s concerns regarding putting
a fuel tank on the property due to flood plain. Jim stated that is not true. The flood plain is not on the county property. Jim also stated that Bill could save 82 cents per gallon as of today if Judy’s Fuel brought that to you. Eighty-two cents per gallon
times 15 vehicles daily. That’s $100,000 per year. Bill said that he had concerns with the tank tipping over and running down the creek. Jim stated that there would have
to be a fence to suit the fire marshall. Bill said if that’s what you want to do then do it today. Jim further stated that Bill had asked for more deputies. In 2021 you had 2,253 traffic stops; 928 were within the city limits. If you stay out of the city limits
would you need two more deputies? Bill stated he was glad Jim brought that up because we are now going into criminal investigations. With that being said we will
have to go into executive session to explain those reasons. I’ve also brought Deputy Davidson who will need to be part of the executive session to explain why we do what we do in regards to that. Clifton made a motion for an executive session 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 including 2 commissioners, Justin Meeks, County Attorney Tiana McElroy, Bill Martin, Deputy

Davidson for 10 minutes returning at 6:53pm. Jim seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to return to normal session with no action. Jim seconded. All approved. Clifton stated that what Bill is asking for is a 5 mil increase. You have been in here with your guys stating they don’t get paid enough. But what you’ve
asked for isn’t shown in the budget. We don’t control the budget. You control what you do with your budget. You can ask for whatever you want and the law states we have to allow you reasonable amounts. It also states that we basically have to give
you what you ask for. What you are asking for doesn’t address the issue which is pay.

Bill stated the pay needs to have a base pay and then differential for what you do special. If you’re K9 you get x amount of dollar per month. Same thing with fire arms coach and same thing with field training officer. If you take classes and have 40
hours of drug interdiction courses and develop that time limit then you get x amount of dollars. It helps people strive to better themselves to help the community better.
Bill discussed scheduling issues. Jim asked why other sheriff departments have zero overtime and you have bookoo hours of overtime. Bill stated it is staffing. You can’t
eliminate overtime in law enforcement. Reports have to be done before they go home. Jim asked if Bill thought the crime rate has gone up that much since he has
been sheriff to keep growing the budget 127%. Bill stated that crime has gone up and in regards to the 127% increase since 2010. Bill stated he didn’t become sheriff until
2013. Susan stated the year it went up was 2013. Bill stated that shows proactivity.

Bill asked what kind of Sheriff’s department do you want? Do you want a proactive one or reactive? Jim asked Bill to look at the folks in the room and tell them do you want us to raise taxes by 5 mils to hire you two more deputies. Bill said that he would only be hiring 2 deputies to absorb my budget. Jim stated with a $500,000
increase on your budget request. If I’m going to provide professional safety, when someone picks up the phone and they need help and not wait for an hour or two to respond, yes I will. I worked in an environment not too long ago when a call would
come in and it would be an hour or so before I will have a deputy to respond. I’m not going down that road again. With the type of calls that law enforcement is faced with today I don’t expect a deputy to walk up to the door on a domestic call, not knowing what is going on in there, he knocks on the door and a gunshot comes
through that door. They need backup. Jim asked if these positions were created or replacing someone. These were created for that grant. Jim stated the grant is going to expire and we have to pick up their salaries. Bill stated we discussed this before
with Susan, that one of the positions that is not currently filled right now is making up
the October to December, if everything goes right there maybe a little extra that we
can spend but we can use that money to assist them with more time to do additional
work to solve more crime. I’m working with the state with that right now and
showing there could possibly be additional monies left over and that’s one thing you
don’t want to do is turn money back in. They want you to spend all of it. Jim stated
regarding the SRO position, I believe those positions are needed in our school system.
I’m going to echo what you told me six months ago that we have no money for SRO for
234 and 235 so I’m recommending the cities and the schools work together to provide that position. I believe the schools and the cities have the money. Bill stated that fuel and ammo is the biggest expense. Vehicle maintenance is also increased. Clifton
asked Bill who does their oil changes. Bill stated that the decision is left up to the deputy. We do business with local businesses and in turn they support us on certain
things. Jim stated as a commissioner I will not raise the mil levy if we have to go up a couple mils to provide you with a couple of deputies then we will cut other departments if we have to. Clifton stated that Bill’s department is doing a good job.

Bill gave statistics on drug detectives since June. Bill stated in June alone 8.5 pounds of meth was seized in Bourbon County; 1.7 ounces of marijuana; 13 drug dosage use
of pills; 31 paraphernalia; over $169 dollars in cash. We have seized 6 vehicles and about 14 arrests that were drug related. Jim asked Bill if he was given 2 more deputies what do you see change next year that you might need more positions. Billsaid nothing. These positions will focus on drugs but if there is a shift change,
someone calls in sick, vacation, they will step into those positions. Jim asked if they are doing that now. Bill said no that the grant basically focus on that. Once the grant expires you probably will see a significant decrease in overtime. The grant will
expire June 2023. Clifton and Jim stated they do not support funding SRO. It should be covered by city and school. Clifton asked if there is a bond schedule in Bourbon County. Bill stated no; bond is set by the judge.

Justin Meeks requested an executive session. Clifton made a motion for executive session 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 for
possible litigation including 2 commissioners, Susan Bancroft, Justin Meeks for 10 minutes returning at 8:21pm. Jim seconded. All approved. Clifton made a motion to
return to normal session at 8:21 with no action. Jim seconded. All approved.

Clifton spoke about the CHC land exchange. The land that CHC owns which is 7.2 acres which includes the helipad and the west parking lot. CHC has approximately
$125,000 in the property and they would like it back in a certain way. They have proposed that we forgo their rent until December and they will transfer the land back
to the county. It will not increase the budget and it isn’t tax payer dollars. Jim seconded. All approved. Just Meeks asked if he needed to draw up the papers.
Clifton asked him to reach out to CHC’s attorney and see what their process is.
Susan stated monthly financials (June) we are in balance. We need the chairman to sign the 2nd quarter financial report for publication. This is a group effort as Ashley looks it over, Patty looks it over and then the chairman. Everyone of those groups is
required to do a report to the Tribune. We’ve consolidated it into one to save on publication costs. Clifton made a motion to allow Chairman Harris to sign the Bourbon County Quarterly Report. Jim seconded. All approved. Susan continued
that statutorily Patty is required to ensure that we have enough securities pledged for the county with all of our banking institutions. She and I have been working together
on that and we have put together a spreadsheet which shows the cash balance at the end of the month in each institution. When I was checking on the banks there were four accounts at the sheriffs’ department that we were unaware of so we’ve added
those to this list and if you will look at City State Bank, I’ve actually reached out to John Hill, there is definitely some violations going on there. It would be not only our violation but a banking violation. I asked John if FDIC was covering those accounts at the sheriffs’ office separately under a different FDIC. I don’t think you can do that.

Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: August 9, 2022
1st District–Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District–Jim Harris Corrected: _______________________
3rd District–Clifton Beth Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk–Ashley Shelton
MEETING HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM
Call to Order
• Flag Salute
• Approval of Minutes from previous meeting
• Eric Bailey – Road & Bridge Report
• Bill Martin – Drug Detectives
• Bob Reed – Jail Update
• Teri Hulsey – EMS Update
• Justin Meeks – County Counselor Comment
• Susan Bancroft – Chief Financial Officer Comment
• Shane Walker – Chief Information Officer Comment
• Public Comment
• Commission Comment
Justifications for Executive Session:
KSA 75–4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
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
KSA 75–4319(b)(3) To discuss matters relating to employer–employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
KSA 75–4319(b)(4) To discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust, and individual proprietorships
KSA 75–4319(b)(6) For the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property
KSA 75–4319(b)(12) To discuss matters relating to security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.

CALL TO ORDER AT ________ by _____________________________

ROLL CALL: 

___ Jess Ervin ___ Danea Esslinger ___ Josh Hartman ___ Amber Kelly ___ Bradley Stewart

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

Open bids for Street Mill & Asphalt Project –

Open RFPs for Trash Service –

2022 Audit presentation, Amanda Lancaster, Diehl, Banwart, Bolton –

Ruritan Bathroom Project, Skeet George –

CITIZENS REQUESTS

FINANCIAL REPORT

Charlene Bolinger – Financial reports

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA

1. Minutes of July 12, 2022 Regular Council Meeting
2. Treasurers Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Superintendent:  Bobby Rich

Vacation time –

KCC Pipeline Safety Seminar – October 26-27, Manhattan

Codes Enforcement:  Doug Coyan

Smith Estate

Clerk Report:  Sally Johnson  

HBCAT Placemaking Project – need budget numbers

KMEA/KMGA Annual Conference – September 29-30, Wichita

Fall Citywide Cleanup –

BBCO Health Dept Flu Shot Clinic – would like to hold a clinic at Community Center on October 13

November Regular Council Meeting Date – on election day

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilman Ervin – KMGA Regional Meeting report

Councilwoman Esslinger –

Councilman Hartman –

Councilwoman Kelly –

Councilman Stewart–

Mayor Jurgensen –

OLD BUSINESS

American Rescue Plan Act update–

2023 Budget – Gas Surcharge/Loan

NEW BUSINESS

Motion by __________, Second by ___________, Approved _______ to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ­­­­___________.

ADJOURN Time ____________ Moved by ______________, 2^nd ___________________, Approved ___________

Attachments:

2022 Financials – July

08-22 Informational items(1)

Minutes are unapproved.

The Regular Council Meeting on July 12, 2022 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman, Amber Kelly, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Raymond George, Uniontown Ruritan, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

Open Bids for School Pond Improvement Project – no bids received.  Clerk Johnson will reach out to Don George, KDWPT, to determine next step.

2022 Financial Audit presentation – auditor is still waiting on an answer from the state for clarification on the budgeting of the gas utility loan repayments.  She will present next month.

Ruritan Bathroom Project, Raymond “Skeet” George – Mr George showed the council samples for the stall partitions (his choice navy graphite) and asked about color for the epoxy for the floor (his choice maroon).  His choice will be okay for bother, recommended a dark color for the floor.  The sidewalk to the facility was poured today and they will put up the rafters tomorrow.  Clerk Johnson asked for clarification on the concrete invoices for the sidewalks.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to pay Uniontown Ruritan for half of the concrete invoices, $859.29, for sidewalks

CITIZENS REQUEST

None

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Bolinger presented the June 2022 Treasurer’s Report.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $343,297.29, Receipts $68,014.78, Transfers Out $5,026.00, Expenditures $34,520.81, Checking Account Closing Balance $371,765.26. Bank Statement Balance $375,547.36, including Checking Account Interest of $30.03, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $3,782.10, Reconciled Balance $371,765.26.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $30,100.97, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $18,593.23, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $28,381.43, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $448,840.89. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $176.59, and Utility CDs $168.40 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $344.99.  Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of June 2022, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0.  June Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00 and to Lease Purchase Fund-Maint Vehicle $500.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00 and to Lease Purchase Fund-Maint Vehicle $500.00; from Gas Utility Fund to Lease Purchase Fund-Maint Vehicle $500.00; from General Fund to Lease Purchase Fund-Maint Vehicle $500.00, Total Transfers of $5,026.00.  Net Income for the month of June $28,467.97, Year-to-Date Net Income $48,021.76.  Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $54,478.97 (51.7%), Expenditures $52,887.27 (40.5%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $17,479.06 (49.0%), Expenditures $21,248.5 (51.8%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $84,275.58 (60.4%), Expenditures $77,231.68 (31.5%); General Fund YTD Revenue $94,259.14 (73.4%), Expenditures $78,216.43 (47.3%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $3,578.39 (52.2%), Expenditures $1,041.18 (9.8%).  The July 2022 estimated payables in the amount of $25,923.51 were presented.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda:

• Minutes of June 14, 2022 Regular Council Meeting and June 29, 2022 Budget Worksession
• Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Superintendent Rich reported KDOT was here for a Safety Inspection.  He has corrected all items discussed during the inspection.

It is time for lead and copper testing of the water system.

The water and sewer lines for the Ruritan bathroom project was discussed.

Lightning struck the telemetry at Redfield pump station at 2:37AM, 7/12/2022.

Councilmembers thank him for park looking so nice for the Independence Day Bash.  Councilwoman Kelly inquired if Rich was keeping up without help this summer.  He has not fogged for mosquitos yet this year and there have been no complaints.

Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan reported that demolition has started at 404 Washington.  We still have not received a list of planned rehabilitation and timeline.  Clerk Johnson will reach out to partners.

He has not received anything from the attorney regarding the Smith Estate.  Clerk Johnson will follow-up.

Clerk Johnson informed the council that KMU will be hosting a water training at Uniontown Community Center on November 1.  It is on lead and copper revised rule and surface water treatment.  It is free and attendees will receive 5 CEUs.

Motion by Esslinger, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to approve Bobby Rich attending if he so chooses

A letter was received from League of Kansas Municipalities asking the governing body to thank our legislators for supporting local government.

The response to KCC notice of probable noncompliance identified during the KCC inspection in May was reviewed and our response and proposed plan of action was accepted with no recommendation for civil penalty.

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – BBCO REDI is planning a visioning session and asked for which of the three suggested dates (August 23, August 30, or September 13) will work for our governing body.  August 23 or 30 will work.  Once plans are finalized council members will let Clerk Johnson know if they are attending in order to notify the public of a possible quorum.  He also asked Clerk Johnson to send him the KMGA Regional Meeting particulars again.  403 Sherman has a complaint about water readings and usage.  Clerk Johnson will send information on the readings and consumption to him to go over with citizen.

Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing

Councilman Hartman – nothing

Councilwoman Kelly – pothole on Fifth St is getting bigger.  Superintendent Rich is adding gravel often until he can get some saturock ordered.

Councilman Stewart – nothing

Mayor Jurgensen – a thank you note for Union State Bank was passed around for signatures.  Clerk Johnson will take to bank tomorrow.

OLD BUSINESS

American Rescue Plan Act update – We have received $40,288.82 and will be used for upgrade to the warehouse and/or bathrooms at City Hall.  All funds must be encumbered by December 31, 2024 and expended by December 31, 2026.  Coyan developed a drawing and specs for the bathroom upgrade and is soliciting contractors to bid.  He is also soliciting contractors to bid on the re-skinning of the warehouse, replacement of east rollup door and addition of rollup door on south.

Street Repair – Mayor Jurgensen had a map of suggested areas to resurface – S Washington St from First St south to Chaffin St, Sherman St from Second St south to Union St, Third St from Sherman St east to Fulton St, Seventh St from Washington St east to Sherman St, a few feet of Sherman St south of Seventh St, Third St from Fulton St east to Clay St.  It was suggested to mill and compact gravel certain sections then overlay next year to repair sinking areas.  An invitation for bids will be published.  Clerk Johnson will contact SEK Regional Planning Commission to see if there are grant funds available for city streets.

NEW BUSINESS

2023 Budget – mil rate last year was 36.899, council intends to exceed revenue neutral rate but lower the mil from last year.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to notify County Clerk that the City of Uniontown intends to exceed the Revenue Neutral Rate and will hold a Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing on September 12, 2022 at 6:45PM at the Uniontown Community Center and the proposed mil rate is 35.312

Clerk Johnson will send notice to the county clerk.

Motion by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:10PM.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance on non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 9:20PM

Open meeting resumed at 9:20PM.  There was discussion on the social media posting regarding the impound kennel and the subsequent vandalism at the kennel.  Council will gather more information and leave the kennel where it is for now and revisit the issue next month.

Moved by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 9:56PM