The Special Council Meeting on February 27, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 6:30PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was City Clerk Sally Johnson.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 5-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss job duties, benefits, and employee handbook of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 7:00PM

Clerk Johnson included in session, open meeting resumed at 7:00.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 4319(b)(1) in order to discuss job duties, benefits and employee handbook of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 7:35PM.

Johnson still included in session. Open meeting resumed at 7:35PM.

Motion by Pemberton, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to have Clerk Johnson post City Clerk position with appropriate publications and organizations

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to amend Section 2.9.0 with the statement that full-time employees hires on or after March 1, 2024 will not be eligible for this benefit and add Section 2.11.0 Health Insurance Benefit effective for all new full-time hires on or after March 1, 2024

Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 7:36PM

February 12, 2024                                                                            Monday, 5:30 p.m.

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Commissioners Jim Harris and Nelson Blythe and the County Clerk present.

Michael Hoyt, Jason Silvers, Anne Dare, Clint Walker, Charles Gentry, and Rachel Walker were present for some or all of the meeting.

Jim opened the meeting with the flag salute.

Nelson made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 2-5-24, approval of payroll totaling $297,154.89, and approval of accounts payable totaling $810,179.43. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.

Michael Hoyt reminded everybody to register to vote before February 20^th to be able to participate in the election in March. Michael said anybody who is going to turn 18 by election day can register to vote as well and the County Clerk confirmed this.

Trevor Jacobs, State Representative, called into the meeting to ask the Commissioners to support a resolution opposing the entry, transportation, employment, and settlement of illegal immigrants in Bourbon County. Nelson read the entire resolution and stated Wallace County, Kansas passed a similar resolution in the last few weeks. Trevor commended the Commissioners for entertaining the resolution. Nelson made a motion to pass resolution 04-24. Jim discussed the resolution stating he just received it and wanted to have the County Counselor review and wait until Clifton is back to vote on it. The motion died due to a lack of a second. Nelson said he sent the resolution to Justin about a week ago. Justin said it is not a contract and is not binding so it is up to the Commission if they would like to pass. Jim stated he would like to postpone until the next meeting so all three Commissioners have a chance to vote. Trevor asked to participate in the discussion at the next meeting.

Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, presented an application for utility construction for Chris Meech at 1997 195^th Street to have electric ran under the road. Nelson made a motion to approve the permit and sign it. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Eric stated the storm this morning was crazy with an approximate 7-mile radius around Fort Scott having snow and slush on the roads. Eric said a crew went out to push the snow off the road. Eric said when the courthouse was closed due to the ice storm those who work at the courthouse were paid for 8 hours and asked that his crew get paid 8 hours in addition to what they were paid for working that day. Eric said it was a tough storm. Jim said it was discussed how the employees would be paid in the event of a courthouse closure a few weeks ago but agreed they had a tough job and that we ask a lot out of the crew. Jim said he was in favor of chasing and paying them 8 hours. Jim made a motion to change the policy and pay public works, EMS, and the Sheriff’s department employees who worked during the ice storm an additional 8 hours. Nelson discussed changing the decision and asked if employees will come back in the future and want more. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Eric said they are clearing overburden at Blake Quarry for a blast. Jim asked how things were going at Shepard Quarry and Eric said they started out rough but are getting better. Eric said they are hauling rock as fast and best as they can. Nelson said he had a few people ask if they could grade Locust Road west of Redfield. Nelson said they were happy about the rock they received but it is wash boarded. Eric said the rock was put down when extremely muddy and that he would have a grader work on the road.

Sheriff Bill Martin presented the Equitable Sharing Agreement Certification for the Chairman to sign. Sheriff Martin stated the agreement shows we haven’t received any money. Nelson made a motion to allow the Chairman to sign the agreement. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Sheriff Martin stated several weeks ago a vehicle was totaled and we will receive $16,485 from KCAMP and he is here to ask for an additional $35,000 to purchase a replacement vehicle. The Sheriff said four bids were sent out and City State Bank responded with a bid for $37,119.00 but will actually end up being $35,619 due to the deductible being lower than he thought. Jim asked if the $35,000 is for one vehicle and asked if Susan found any money available so they didn’t have to finance. Sheriff Martin said he did not hear back from Susan. Nelson made a motion to allow the Sheriff to move forward with purchasing a vehicle either through a loan or by working with the CFO to see if we can purchase the vehicle outright. Jim added he would like the CFO to respond within 24 hours. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.

Justin Meeks, County Counselor, stated last week he proposed several options for a sales tax to help fund healthcare. Justin read the two options and stated words are important as we can allow for additional EMS funding if we are unable to secure and emergency room. Jim stated he liked the wording of the second option, but the shortness of the first option. Justin stated the second option is more specific and gives a timeline and tells what happens if REH gets approved. There was discussion over wording and timelines and it was decided to work on the options and that they can hold a special meeting if needed when Clifton is available to vote on the final ballot language. Charles Gentry said those who are forming a committee will want to know ballot language as soon as possible due to the amount of work needed to promote the issue.

Justin Meeks requested a 7-minute executive session. Nelson made a motion to go into executive session under KSA (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 both Commissioners and Justin Meeks for 7-minutes to return at 6:28. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Nelson made a motion to resume normal session at 6:28 with no action. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Nelson made a motion to go back into executive session under KSA (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 both Commissioners and Justin Meeks for 10-minutes to return at 6:40. Jim seconded the motion and all approved. Nelson made a motion to resume normal session at 6:40 with no action. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.

Jim did not have any comments tonight. Nelson said a prayer during his Commission comment section.

Nelson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:41. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

___________________, Chairman

___________________, Commissioner

ATTEST:                                                                                   ___________________, Commissioner

Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk

2-26-2024                         Approved Date

The Regular Council Meeting on February 13, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, City Superintendent Bobby Rich and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

CITIZENS REQUEST

Clerk Johnson reported that Shane Kober requested speed bumps in front of his residence.  After discussion, Council does not wish to put speed bumps on Sherman Street.  Clerk was asked to advise him to follow up with the Sheriff’s department for information on how to proceed.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Bolinger presented the January 2023 Treasurer’s Report.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $235,479.20, Receipts $85,918.56, Transfers Out $3,026.00, Expenditures $24,988.18, Checking Account Closing Balance $293,383.58. Bank Statement Balance $293,816.11, including Checking Account Interest of $54.56, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $432.53, Reconciled Balance $293,383.58.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $37,083.20, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $21,153.58, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $38,862.06, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $390,482.42. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $54.56, and Utility CDs $0 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $54.56.  Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of January 2023, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0.  January Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00 for Total Transfers of $3,026.00.  Net Income for the month of January $57,904.38, Year-to-Date Net Income $57,904.38.  Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $8,044.20 (6.5%), Expenditures $6,943.58 (4.3%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $2,715.90 (7.3%), Expenditures $2,136.25 (5.1%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $17,162.10 (11.7%), Expenditures $10,531.03 (5.9%); General Fund YTD Revenue $52,382.78 (31.9%), Expenditures $8,403.32 (4.2%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $1,987.58 (27.4%), Expenditures $0 (0%).  The February 2024 payables to date in the amount of $36,872.84 were presented.

Clerk Johnson explained the new report for current payables and the difference between the two presented.  She asked the council which report they preferred – Claims Report by Department, by Fund was chosen.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Esslinger, Second by Ervin, Approved 4-0, to approve Consent Agenda as amended:

• Minutes of January 8, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
• Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

City Superintendent Rich had nothing to report.

Clerk Johnson reported several notifications of insurance renewal conditional provisions from EMC.

Website hosting price increase of $2.50/month.

Municipal Court Clerks conference is March 1, in Wichita.  She will not attend this year.

CCMFOA Conference is March 20-22, in Manhattan.  She will not attend this year.

CDL storm siren maintenance agreement should renew in March.  She will have a new agreement for action at next meeting.

gWorks was used for accounts payable this month and end of month procedures will be done on gWorks.  She has a training on Thursday for bank reconciliation, deposits, and reports.  She will then get all deposits for the month entered, process penalties, and mail delinquent notices.

Bourbon County Job Fair is February 22.  She asked if they wanted a booth to try to recruit a clerk and maintenance worker.  Not at this time.

She did order a 2024 labor law poster.

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – wished to recognize Clerk Johnson and thank her for all her work in the software conversion.

Councilwoman Esslinger – absent

Councilwoman Kelly – nothing

Councilwoman Pemberton – nothing

Councilman Stewart – nothing

Mayor Jurgensen – the school contacted the City to see if they could stage rock on the right of way for the walking trail project. The rock is being hauled by the county.  He told them yes.  Superintendent Rich stated that there is a gas main just south of the sidewalk by the medical clinic.  Mayor Jurgensen also asked Rich to get fescue and seed the ditches that were worked on Third St.

OLD BUSINESS

Rabies Clinic – tentatively scheduled for March 23, 1:30-3:00PM.

Mayor Jurgensen asked if the Council wanted to reskin the warehouse and put in the ramp and rollup doors to use as public works building.  We will need to determine specs and request bids for the metal siding/roof, the ramp and rollup doors, and the installation.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 4-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss job duties and benefits of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 8:47PM

Clerk Johnson called in at 8:22, open meeting resumed at 8:47.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Stewart, Approved 4-0 to call a special meeting on February 27, 2024, 6:30PM for the purpose of executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 4319(b)(1) to discuss job duties, benefits and employee handbook of non-elected personnel.

Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 4-0, to adjourn at 8:48PM

February 5, 2024                                                                   Monday, 5:30 p.m.

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners and the County Clerk present.

Clint Walker, Rachel Walker, Jason Silvers, Anne Dare, Michael Hoyt, Teri Hulsey, Jon Lowery,  and Charles Gentry were present for some or all of the meeting.

Jim opened the meeting with the flag salute.

Nelson made a motion to approve the consent agenda which includes approval of minutes from 2-5-24, approval of accounts payable totaling $8,671.45, and approval of December financials. Jim seconded the motion and all approved.

There were no public comments.

Eric Bailey, Public Works Director, presented the culvert approval report for January and the January fuel report. Eric said they are obtaining a DWR permit to replace four culverts near 130^th Street and Kansas Road. The culvert gave way last month and is currently down to a one lane road. Eric said they are working with an engineer to determine culvert size and quantity for the location near 225^th Street and Tomahawk Road that was discussed at last week’s meeting. Once the engineers have determined the information Eric will then have to obtain a DWR permit for the location. Eric said the Blackberry Transmission line project will begin clearing brush later this month. The majority of the clearing will be on private property, however; there will be some done in the county right-of-way. They worked on getting gravel on the roads last week and will be back out tomorrow after the rain. Eric said they will be having an MSHA refresher course at the Public Works building on Thursday. Nelson said Vance Eden with USD 235 contacted him and had 50 loads of gravel donated for their walking trail project and asked if the county would be able to haul it. Nelson said the school couldn’t pay us but could let us fuel up at their tanks. Justin Meeks said the county would need to obtain a waiver of liability and Eric is going to work on that.

Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk, asked if the Commissioners were planning on having a meeting on February 19 since the courthouse would be closed for Presidents Day. The Commissioners decided there would not be a meeting held on the 19^th.

Justin Meeks discussed the healthcare sales tax information that would be placed on a ballot to allow the public to vote on. Justin said Susan has been helping with this and the matter can be on the ballot in April. The wording was discussed with Justin reading examples from Allen County and Vernon County. After discussion of the different wording choices Jim said he would like to move forward and have it cover the worst-case scenario. Clifton said 1.5 million is a long way from starting a hospital but would help to entice an entity. Clifton stated that due to the mile restriction there are only two entities right now who could operate an emergency room in Bourbon County and that is Nevada Regional Medical Center and Via Christi. Jim said they’ve talked for months about subsidizing healthcare and he said somebody has to do it but he isn’t in support of raising real estate taxes. There was lengthy discussion on the wording options for the ballot and Justin asked to work with Charles Gentry on a few ballot options and bring back to the Commissioners. Anne Dare asked if we might be getting the cart before the horse by putting this to a vote and collecting the money and we might never be able to get a license. Clifton said that could potentially be the case but you have to have the carrot to offer as an enticement. Michael Hoyt asked if you could pass a sales tax that has a trigger such as we won’t collect sales tax until we have an emergency room. Clifton said we could use the money for other things in healthcare such as purchasing another ambulance and hiring additional EMT’s. Justin stated we had an ER when many businesses came in and due to their insurance, they need an ER close by.

Justin Meeks passed out a letter of support for Bourbon County REDI for the Commissioners to review. Nelson said his opinion is he doesn’t have a problem with either people or organizations and he wasn’t here when it was worked on so he doesn’t know who to support. Clifton said there was some confusion and the state was contacting the wrong organization. Jim said he respects Nelson’s vote but his vote is for Bourbon County REDI to represent Bourbon County at the state. Jim made a motion to accent the letter as written to support Bourbon County REDI and send to different organizations including Department of Commerce, KWORKS, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Patterson Foundation, Pittsburg State Work Force Development and to allow Justin to add additional organizations if needed. Clifton seconded the motion and Nelson abstained. The motion passed 2-1.

Justin asked for a 10-minute executive session for attorney client privilege dealing with contracts and possible litigation.

Clifton made a motion to go into a 10-minute executive session 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. The session will include all three Commissioners, Justin Meeks, and Rob Harrington and will return at 6:55. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to resume normal session at 6:56 with action. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Clifton made a motion to allow Justin to have a conversation with another party and write a letter if needed for breach of contract that could cost the county millions. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved. Jim said he would like to see a quick turn around on this.

Jim thanked REDI and Legacy Health for hosting the announcement earlier and welcomed KRI for coming to Fort Scott and Bourbon County. Clifton said some people are scared of mental health and said they will not be dropping people with severe mental issues on the streets and encouraged people to get the facts before they speak. Nelson said since he has been here, he has been impressed with Eric and Dustin and they always have issues that are brought to their attention fixed quickly. Nelson also held a prayer during his Commission comment time.

Clifton made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:02. Nelson seconded the motion and all approved.

THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

___________________, Chairman

___________________, Commissioner

ATTEST:                                                                                   ___________________, Commissioner

Jennifer Hawkins, Bourbon County Clerk

2-12-2024                         Approved Date