The City of Fort Scott recently wanted to clarify the ordinance on fireworks, with Independence Day celebrations just around the corner.
“The change came when we looked at the ordinance the city had which just stated a basic fire code,” said FS Deputy Fire Chief Mike Miles, who is also the fire marshall. “It did not give any directions or guidance. So we wanted to give the city and law enforcement as well as the citizens a better understanding.”
“The biggest change is now residents can shoot fireworks from the time (firework) retailers are able to sell,” he said. “It used to just be the 4th of July. Now they can shoot from June 27 to July 4th. Time frames are 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. And up to midnight on the 4th.”
There was a change to prohibit fireworks in city parks.
“There are also other locations we chose to enforce no shooting during the firework display the city puts on,” Miles said. “All city parks are also prohibited from shooting at.”
“The ordinance just gives the basic concepts of firework discharging,” he said. “This also gives a better understanding with the circumstances spelled out. Law enforcement with this ordinance has a better way to enforce the policies. The previous ordinance just stated a fire code, which was pretty vague.”
There may be a majority of City Commissioners present at the Fort Scott Forward on Thursday, June 24th, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at the River Room Event Center.
Discussion of the donation of Mercy Hospital building to the County Commission.
The contractual service between Mercy and the different providers for that facility.
The agreement between the Commission and a healthcare provider for a possible feasibility study.
10 minute executive session KSA 75-4319(b)(1) To discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy
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.
The City Public Works Department conducted a training exercise this week on Horton Street between 6th and 8th. Unfortunately, the equipment that was utilized for this training was not running efficiently. Necessary equipment components have since been ordered to remedy the issue. This section of Horton Street is now open to drivers. Please be advised, that additional repair work is expected in this area in the coming weeks.
Please contact City Hall with any questions, 620-223-0550.
Updated – The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to consider a fireworks ordinance. In addition, the Commission will consider the purchase of a S76 Bobcat Skid Steer Loader from KC Bobcat of Olathe, Kansas.
This meeting is open to the public and will be shown on the City’s you tube channel.
To find further resources on how to protect you and your family, visit coronavirus.gov or the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website here.
Vaccines in Kansas
Visit kansasvaccine.gov for information regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in Kansas, including availability and FAQs.
To find providers offering COVID-19 vaccinations, use KDHE’s Find My Vaccine map tool. Enter your zip code or address to find the providers nearest you.
Assistance
If you are a Kansas resident and you or your family needs assistance with matters related to COVID-19, please click here.
Kansas Informational Resources
Please visit the Kansas Department of Health and Environment here.
U.S. Small Business Administration Resources
For information regarding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), including second draw loans, please visit the U.S. Small Business Administration’s website by clicking here.
For information regarding Economic Injury Disaster loans, please click here.
Veteran Resources
For information on veteran and VA related topics, resources and contact information, please click here.
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Phone Calls to Kansans
Bill Self, KU Men’s Basketball Coach, Lawrence
Jim Barnes, Harlow Aerostructures, Wichita
Jeff Teague, Globe Engineering, Wichita
Chris Klieman, K-State Football Coach, Manhattan
Ed Ball, Metal Finishing Company, Wichita
Larry Johnson, Accurus Aerospace, Wichita
Hon. Fred Patton, Kansas State Representative, Topeka
Blake Flanders, Kansas Board of Regents, Topeka
Ed Ball, Metal Finishing Company, Wichita
Isaac Brown, Wichita State Men’s Basketball Coach, Wichita
Carl & Mary Ice, BNSF, Manhattan
Hon. Julie Robinson, Chief Judge, District of Kansas, Topeka
Doug Wareham, Kansas Bankers Association, Topeka
Gretchen Stone, Big Moon Sea Farm, Garden City
Pat Ottensmeyer, Kansas City Southern, Kansas City
Hon. Ken Rahjes, Kansas House of Representatives, Agra
Gordon Ramsey, Chief, Police Department, Wichita
Ronald Miller, U.S. Marshall, Kansas City
Eric Wilson, US Navy, Girard
Helen VanEtten of Topeka
Charlie & Kay Newell, Orizon Aerostructures, Mission Hills
Scott Schwab, Secretary of State, Olathe
Adam Weingartner, Chief of Police, Ottawa
Hello,
Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thanks for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.
Wishing You a Happy Father’s Day
My greatest joy has been being a father.
I was blessed with great parents, and my father molded and shaped me in important ways that have defined my life. Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers in Kansas and across the country!
Joining Fox News to Discuss Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework
On Sunday, I joined Fox News to discuss the bipartisan infrastructure framework.
It’s important that Kansans have a seat at the table while infrastructure is being debated. As a fiscal conservative, I’m working to make certain the proposal is based on actual infrastructure needs instead of recklessly spending trillions of dollars on things that have little to do with infrastructure.
Following my visit to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home to advocate for a full reopening, I learned the museum will be increasing the number of days it is open to the public. Effective today, the museum and Place of Meditation, Ike’s burial site, will be open Monday through Saturday. While the museum hours, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., remain the same, this expansion is a promising development following my recent visit and good news for the Abilene community. I am encouraged by the museum’s intent to increase the number of hours open in the near future. I will continue to advocate here in Washington for the entire Eisenhower complex to fully reopen.
Speaking on the Senate Floor
On Monday, I spoke on the Senate floor regarding student athletes’ control over the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL) to receive compensation and the need for a consistent federal standard.
The floodgates will fully open on July 1 when state laws begin to take effect allowing student athletes to profit off of their NIL. Nineteen states have passed NIL legislation, and of those 19, six will go into effect on July 1. As more and more states continue to pass their own legislation, we are quickly headed for a system of inconsistent state laws that will be cumbersome and in some cases, unworkable for athletes and schools alike to navigate. College sports and the opportunities it provides student athletes will be harmed if we fail to pass a federal standard.
In February, I introduced the Amateur Athletes Protection and Compensation Act that would create a single set of guidelines to enable amateur athletes to profit from their NIL by prohibiting conferences, schools and athletic associations, like the NCAA, from rendering an amateur intercollegiate athlete ineligible on the basis of receiving NIL compensation. This bill strikes an appropriate balance as we work to empower amateur athletes while maintaining the integrity of college sports that we all know and love.
Visiting with Kansas Athletic Coaches
I also spoke with Kansas athletic coaches, including, University of Kansas Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Self and Kansas State University Football Coach Chris Klieman and left a voicemail with Wichita State University Men’s Basketball Coach Isaac Brown to give them an update regarding my NIL proposal. I appreciate their dedication to making Kansas an incredible place for student athletes to compete and learn and thanked them for taking time to speak with me.
Discussing My NIL Proposal at a Commerce Hearing
This week, I participated in a Senate Commerce Committee hearing covering NCAA student athletes and NIL rights. I heard directly from student athletes about their experiences as NCAA athletes and what should be considered in a federal NIL bill. I also heard from the father of Jordan McNair, a Maryland football player who lost his life to heat stroke at conditioning practice, about the needs for strong health and safety standards for amateur athletics as they compete at a collegiate level.
Evaluating FY2022 Budget Requests
Veterans Affairs
This week, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough appeared before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee to articulate the need for the department’s record level funding request for FY2022. As I pointed out to the Secretary, our country, through Congress, has provided the VA with significant funding increases in recent years, despite other departments’ funding remaining flat or seeing their funding cut. Investing in veterans’ success has been a priority for me and my colleagues, and I am committed to getting the VA the resources it needs to meet its mission.
The VA plans to spend over $300 billion next year, when their entire budget in 2019 was only $200 billion. Since 2018, the VA’s outpatient visits have increased 5.9 percent, and the number of inpatients has actually gone down. Yet VA spending on medical care has increased by 63 percent since 2018. Although the VA expects, and is already seeing, a surge of care following the pandemic, it remains unclear how that expected temporary surge in demand for care is accounted for in VA’s Enrollee Health Care Projection Model for the next two years. I am committed to getting more information to make certain the significant increase in funding is being put to its best use. Watch the full hearing by clicking here.
NASA
On Tuesday, I questioned National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Bill Nelson, who was sworn in as the 14th Administrator last month. As the lead Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over NASA, our hearing reviewed NASA’s FY2022 budget request. During the hearing, I was able to emphasize vital components of the agency such as the Artemis mission and STEM education programs offered within the agency. Additionally, I was able to highlight the recently established Kansas Supersonic Transportation Corridor, an agreement finalized between the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration. As NASA continues progress on their X-59 supersonic aircraft, we would welcome them to use our test track as they continue to develop supersonic aircraft.
USDA
On Tuesday, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack testified before the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) FY2022 budget request. During the hearing, I expressed my concerns about the reopening of Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices as COVID-19 rescinds in Kansas and across the country. Opening these offices to visitors is vital for farmers and ranchers seeking assistance and advice from USDA programs and experts. I also asked Secretary Vilsack for an update on the implementation of provisions from my bills, the RAMP-UP Act and the Small Packer Overtime Fee Relief Act, that will help expand slaughter capacity for small meatpacking plants, which will result in more market opportunities for livestock producers. Given the current issues with cattle markets particularly, I believe moving forward with these actions ought to be a top priority for USDA. I once again invited Secretary Vilsack to come to Manhattan, Kansas, to see the progress of the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF), and I look forward to continuing to work with him in supporting Kansas farmers and ranchers.
Department of Education
At a Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations subcommittee hearing this week, I questioned Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on the Department of Education’s FY2022 budget request. During the hearing, I shared the importance of the Impact Aid program, particularly for Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth, which provides financial assistance to schools facing financial difficulties due to a federal land presence in their district. Supporting Impact Aid schools is not only the right thing to do, but also yields national security benefits by supporting our military and veteran communities, and I conveyed my support for strong funding for TRIO programs.
As a first generation college student, I have long been an advocate for TRIO programs, which help provide opportunities in higher education for low-income, first-generation students. I also conveyed my support for IDEA state grants, as this funding is vital to providing adequate resources to ensure that students with disabilities receive the best education possible. While the overall size of the department’s budget request is concerning, I look forward to seeing that these and other education programs important to Kansas continue to receive the necessary funding in an eventual FY2022 spending bill.
Establishing Juneteenth as a Federal Holiday
This week, the Senate and House passed legislation to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday, which President Biden signed into law on Thursday. On Saturday, as a result, we recognized the inaugural Juneteenth National Independence Day as America’s 12th federal holiday, and the first created since 1983.
This federal holiday recognizes the full implementation of the Emancipation Proclamation that transpired on June 19, 1865. On June 19, news of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation finally brought long-awaited freedom to enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, marking the end of slavery in the United States.
Kansas is known as the state “where slavery began to die,” and I’m proud our state recognizes this important part of our past. As we observe the end of slavery and honor African-American freedom, we must also encourage further dialogue on where we have come from and the work we still need to do to live up to our founding ideals as a nation. This involves listening and learning from Kansans and Americans who have experienced or are still experiencing injustices to understand the right path forward so we can form a more perfect union.
Applications for the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program Are Open!
On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released applications for the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program (AMJP), a program designed to protect our aviation manufacturing workforce. The program was created by legislation I introduced with Congressman Ron Estes and is structured as a temporary, emergency program as aviation manufacturers deal with the unprecedented crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The program works to ensure the experienced and invaluable aviation manufacturing workforce will be safeguarded and available to contribute as the industry recovers.
The application process is open for four weeks, closing at 5:00pm ET on Tuesday, July 13th. I urge any eligible business interested in applying to visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s webpage for more information here.
Additionally, anyone is free to submit questions, particularly about the application process, to [email protected]. An overview of the AMJP application process is available here.
Bolstering Transportation Needs
This week, the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee passed the Surface Transportation Investment Act out of committee. This important legislation includes several important provisions to Kansans that I led, including providing regulatory flexibility to our agricultural and livestock haulers to promoting women in the trucking industry to working to address blocked railroad crossings. I’m pleased this important legislation passed out of committee with bipartisan support, and I look forward to supporting it on the Senate floor as safe roads and robust interstate commerce benefit our Kansas producers, truckers and families.
Celebrating Hays Public Library’s Renovation
On Friday, I joined friends from the Hays community for a ribbon cutting at the newly renovated Hays Public Library. This $1.6 million renovation project brought updates to both the first and second floors which includes additional meeting rooms, a room for nursing mothers, upgrades to the early childhood area and more.
I’d like to thank Library Director Brandon Hines, his staff and Chair Katherine Wolfe for their efforts, as well as the Library Board of Directors for their leadership and dedication, all of which helped see this project through. Thank you also to Hays Mayor Sandy Jacobs and the Hays City Commission for their work.
Additionally, I’d like to recognize and thank the Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation, Heartland Community Foundation, Beach-Edwards Family Foundation, Friends of the Hays Public Library and the Hays Public Library Foundation who helped make this project possible through their contributions.
As a former president of the Hays Library Board of Directors, I appreciated the opportunity to speak at the celebration and ribbon cutting. Libraries are vital components of our communities, and I am proud of the efforts to renovate and improve our library to benefit the Hays community.
Hosting a Listening Tour Stop in Barton County
I enjoyed my time in Hoisington on Friday speaking with community members on a range of issues. We discussed the importance of mental health services, expanding broadband access, infrastructure spending, the estate tax, special needs funding in our education system and my work on the Senate VA Committee to improve the lives of veterans who have served our country.
Thank you to Micah Ehler for hosting us at the Ehler Chevrolet Showroom, as I grew up coming here when it was Manweiler Chevrolet Showroom. Thank you also to Chamber of Commerce Director Karen Baldyga for helping coordinate and to everyone who spent their Friday afternoon speaking with me.
Visiting Claflin
While I was in Claflin this week, I was able to stop by Miller’s of Claflin, a fifth generation furniture store that sells everything from living room furniture to flooring and fireplaces. As Claflin’s mainstay, Miller’s offers the largest selection of in-home furnishings between Kansas City and Denver, and has been family owned since 1903.
It was great to learn more about this family business and hear how the Miller family opened an independent furniture store, and then proceeded to grow it throughout several generations. Thank you to the Miller family, as well as to Kyle Hickel, Bobette Kirmer and Robin Mccarty for taking time out of your day to speak with me.
Information for Students
High School Juniors: Become a Senate Page
Senate Pages play an important role in day-to-day operations of the United States Senate. High school students who are selected for and participate in the Senate Page Program are afforded a unique opportunity to work in the Senate and learn about Congress and the legislative process while maintaining their regular coursework. The Senate Page Program is administered by the Sergeant-at-Arms, the Secretary of the Senate and the party secretaries.
After the program’s temporary halt due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, I am excited to announce that the Senate Page Program will restart this September. Summer Page eligibility is limited to students who have completed their sophomore year of high school and who will be 16 or 17 years old on or before the date of appointment. More information on the program, eligibility and application can be found here. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Fall 2021 Internship Applications Due This Week
An internship in my office provides a unique opportunity for students to work closely with my staff on behalf of Kansans, and applications for the Fall 2021 Intern Session are now available. Interns witness the workings of Congress from a unique perspective, and develop knowledge and professional skills that will serve them in their future career pursuits. My office is accepting applications for the Fall Session through this Thursday, June 24. Please visit my website to hear from past interns, find the application link and learn more about this opportunity by clicking here.
Honored to Serve You in Washington It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.
Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C. office.
Very truly yours,
Jerry
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Hays
1200 Main St.,
Suite 402
P.O. Box 249
Hays, KS 67601
Phone: (785) 628-6401
The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a work session to discuss the 2022 budget. This meeting is open to the public, but no action will be taken.
The work session will also be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
Updated – The LandBank meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 at 5:20 p.m. at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room. There will be a majority of the City Commissioners present, but no City Commission business will be conducted.
This meeting will be made available via the City’s you tube channel at City of Fort Scott.
The City Commission will meet for a special meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 at City Hall in the City Commission meeting room at 123 South Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas. The City Commission will meet to consider a fireworks ordinance.
This meeting is open to the public and will be shown on the City’s you tube channel.
Fort Scott Forward is being moved to a new day and time. After surveying residents, the monthly meeting will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 PM at the River Room Event Center, 3 W. Oak St. Dave Lipe, proprietor of Sharky’s Pub & Grub, Luther’s BBQ, and the River Room Event Center has donated the use of the space for this event. All are welcome to attend, and refreshments will be provided.
The next Fort Scott Forward event will be held on Thursday, June 24th at 5:30 PM. The topics to be covered at this meeting will be a street improvement update, a City budget update and an overview of Codes processes.
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.
Also present were the following: (some were present for a portion of the meeting and some were present for the entire meeting), Susan Bancroft, Mr. & Mrs. Clint Walker, Mark McCoy, Angel Wilson, Anne Dare, Donnie Coffman, Ryan Coon, Robert Coon and John Coon.
Justin Meeks asked the Commissioners to amend the agenda for a 20 minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel to discuss a new hire. Clifton made a motion to amend the agenda to have a 20 minute executive session, Jim seconded and all approved. Clifton made a motion to have a 20 minute executive session to discuss KSA 75-4319(b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel to protect their privacy (job performance), the Commissioners will meet in another location and reconvene in the Commission room at 9:23 am, Jim seconded and all approved. At 9:23, Clifton made a motion to resume the meeting and said no action, Jim seconded and all approved.
Clifton made a motion to approve last week’s minutes, Jim seconded and all approved.
Eric Bailey presented a culvert application for 2485 Locust Road; Lynne made a motion to approve the culvert permit, Jim seconded and all approved.
Eric said he had a few individuals approach him requesting dust control, he said they filled out the permit that is posted on the County website (which states there is a fee), but said they said they hadn’t been charged for the dust control previously. The fee is $1.50/linear foot. Jim Harris said they would have been charged, but said they didn’t charge for dust control on roads approaching or near quarries. The Commissioners said people wanting dust control needed to fill out the permit and that Eric should proceed with charging for the dust control.
Eric said they needed to build the road salt inventory; the Commissioners were ok with this.
Eric said the new miner training had been completed (MSHAW training).
Eric said the pilot light had gone out on the oil burner for the asphalt; he said they have called an electrician to fix this and will then do work in Hiattville and then on 250th.
Eric said they would be going to Arkansas on Wednesday to pick up the truck they had recently purchased.
Windfarm update: Eric said Jayhawk Wind is still working on private access roads. He said he had received a text message recently regarding rock spilled on Highway 3, he said the truck driver had turned and lost about 3 five-gallon buckets of rock; he said within 10 minutes Jayhawk Wind had swept the rock from the road. Eric said that Jayhawk Wind didn’t know if they would have excess dirt until towards the end of the project.
Lynne said he would report to Eric of an individual that wants gravel and tree trimming done on a dead-end road.
Justin Meeks asked that a road closure from KDOT for Highway 7 & 180th street be placed on next Tuesday’s agenda.
Lynne made a motion to approve the 2021 firework permits in Fort Scott for the following locations: Jake’s Fireworks @ Wall and Goodlander, Jake’s Fireworks at 2221 S. Main St., Jubilee Fireworks, LLC @ 2420 S. Main and Hale Fireworks, LLC @ 2409 S. Main, Clifton seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the permits.
Emergency Manager William Wallis met with the Commissioners to present his 2022 budget requests; for the Emergency Management Performance grant he received $17,814 in 2021 and budgeted to receive $18,000 in 2022. For Emergency Preparedness he requested $59,739 in 2022, compared to the $57,739 he received in 2021; he said the requested increase is due to training exercises, traveling and supplies.
Michael Braim met with the Commissioners regarding Bourbon County Attorney, Jacqie Spradling; he said that Jacqie is liability to our County and said when prosecutors create misconduct and lets criminals walk free it is a liability for our safety and our town. He said there is no insurance policy to cover when these lawsuits happen, but said it comes out of taxpayer’s dollars. He said he had consulted lawyers; one of which directed him to the Beatrice 5, in Beatrice, Nebraska. He said there was prosecutor misconduct which caused 5 people to get off and they sued which cost Beatrice $23 million. He said that every case that comes through here now while she is prosecuting is suspect. He said she is an elected official and there isn’t a lot the Commissioners can do. He asked the Commissioners to have a vote of no confidence. He said they can ask for a resignation. He questioned why we are paying her a lot of money to possibly screw this up, he said they could possibly reduce her pay to encourage this to move along. He said there is a lot of public out-cry for this woman to be gone. He said she was first appointed to this position and then ran unopposed the next time. He asked why she is hiring special prosecutors. He said she resigned in Allen County. He questioned her picking James Braun, (Justin said they couldn’t discuss non-elected personnel. Mr. Braim said we can’t afford this and hoped the Commissioners did the right thing. Justin said he was instructed yesterday to follow up on this; he said there are 54 jury trials pending in Bourbon County, he said there should be some comfort that they haven’t happened yet. Justin suggested that the Commissioners pend any action for a week. The Commissioners asked that this be scheduled again on the June 15th agenda. Justin warned the Commissioners to not string meeting (talking to more than one Commissioner in private about the same issue). Justin said that if Jacqie were to no longer be the County Attorney the Republican party would select her replacement to fill the unexpired term. Justin said an elected official can run their department as they see fit. Anne Dare questioned her position being salaried and only being in Bourbon County a few times a month; Justin said the Bourbon County Attorney makes $51,000 yearly and the average salary for an attorney is $65-$70/hour, he said the Bourbon County Attorney is paid well under the average. Anne Dare said when you look at the court docket the Assistant County Attorney is listed more often than the County Attorney for coming to court. Justin said there is a high probability that we will have a new County Attorney in the future. Mr. Walker said that Kansas Statute doesn’t require the County Attorney to be resident of the County they are elected in. Mr. Braim questioned the cost to have a recall election, but others felt it would be better to just ride this out. Justin said that Jacqie still has a license to practice law in Kansas. Robert Coon said the panel has given the opinion of misconduct. Clifton said the Commissioners hands are tied. The Commissioners were reluctant to do anything and said by doing anything this could add more liability.
Lynne made a motion to sign the sewer bond documents, (tax certificate & Exhibit B -receipt for purchase price), Jim Seconded and all approved. Jim made a motion to allow Lynne to sign the documents, Clifton seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the documents.
County Counselor Comment: Justin said they have stopped filing any new tax sale cases, he said there would be 100 cases for the first tax sale. Justin said social media can be a problem when it comes to getting the truth of a matter, he said that opinions are great, but suggested maybe having someone as a fact checker on Facebook to say what has happened; the Commissioners asked that this be placed on the agenda next week for discussion.
Jim Harris asked Justin if they were making progress with the tower, Justin said they were going to use trucks to get the dishes off the tower to use the tower for internet.
Justin said he was meeting with Mr. Farmer this week regarding KDOT road issues south of town, he said they would also be talking about the sewer district.
Justin said he is dealing with the Secretary of State’s office regarding petition signatures required on a petition.
Justin said he has a cemetery issue he is working on and is dealing with old law, he said there are questions on how the boards are set up and how the budgets are done. He said Susan Bancroft had volunteered to help with this cemetery issue.
Clifton made a motion to allow Jim to help Eric with soybean issues at the Landfill, Lynne seconded and all approved.
Justin said since they had an executive session, he will be talking with the chairman to make sure he has everything he needs.
Public Comment: Denise Duncan met with the Commissioners. She presented a farm winery permit for the Kansas Department of Revenue Alcoholic Beverage Control for Vinedo del Alamo at 2304 Poplar Road. She asked that the Commissioners approve Kendell Mason to sign the permit. They have had a permit, but have expanded the winery plan to the next barn. She said they first planted the vines in 2011 and opened in 2015. She discussed the traffic in the area and said that Poplar Road is the only feeder road that isn’t a paved road, and said she thought it would be a good road to pave. Lynne made a motion to allow Kendell to sign the permit, Clifton seconded and all approved.
Susan Bancroft met with the Commissioners: she said Clifton had asked for a wage schedule, so she provided this.
Lynne said that Eric Bailey was losing some key employees and said they had discussions over having progressive wages, Lynne said Eric was willing to give up a position to do this. Justin gave the Commissioners salary comparisons from other Counties (from 2017) and gave them data on the declining population. He said the valuation is going up.
Justin complimented KDOT on their road project (Highway 69).
There was a brief discussion regarding the County budget timeline and the new RNR enacted.
Commissioner Comment: Regarding the budget and mill levy- Clifton said they had talked about having townhall meetings to find out what people want and what they want to fund and said they need to start this process. Susan volunteered to be a facilitator for these meetings and will get the meetings set up.
At 10:44, Clifton made a motion to adjourn, Jim seconded and all approved.
