October 1, 2019 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.
Tammy Helm with the Fort Scott Tribune was also present.
Michael Hoyt met with the Commissioners to discuss USD 234; there was recently an intruder at the High School who was later arrested for hurting a man in Fort Scott. He said the parents of the students were not contacted about the intruder and that when the 911 call was made regarding the individual the 911 call did not go to a 911 operator in Fort Scott. Mr. Hoyt said he tried to work with Mr. Hessong at the board office about their emergency response plan. Mr. Hoyt said the school district had not published their Emergency Response plan. Mr. Hoyt asked if Will Wallis could evaluate the boards system regarding unwanted visitors and active shooters and critique the current plan; Lynne said they could have a discussion with Will Wallis to see what his responsibility is in helping develop their plan.
Larry and Carol Goucher met with the Commissioners, Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman to discuss an area in the road near 2245 Unique Road; he said the County gravel trucks had caused the gravel to mound 10 ½” high in the road and his wife high centered their 2003 Monte Carlo on the gravel destroying the radiator. Kendell told them she would do a claims report with the insurance carrier. Mr. Goucher said the truck drivers should monitor the roads and report to their supervisor when a problem develops in the road. Mr. Goucher said they now have a new grader operator in the area and the road is better than it has been in years.
Jim Harris said that they have finished two miles on 245th and that the two approaches are finished there.
Jim said they are drilling at the Beth Quarry and will be doing a blast there next week. Jim said they are gaining ¼” chips. He said the salt building is full and they will have four trucks with plows for snow removal.
Jim said they are working on Range east of 235th and will be putting in culverts around Uniontown this week.
Jim said they have a 1998 tractor that is broke down, but they will fix it.
Jim Harris is going to a two day solid waste meeting; he said attending those meetings can help them learn so they can avoid violations at the Landfill. Jim said they have two dedicated employees at the Landfill.
Jeff said he is attending a webinar today regarding KDOT funds; he said some of the funds have been allocated for bridge repairs.
The Commissioners received a request from Larry Shead to install drainage culverts near 250th & Deere Road; Jim Harris said he would order a study of the area through Ag Engineering.
Jeff asked that they consider wedging on Indian road (near the Reprologic business) for approximately ¼ mile; he said the road is rutting and that the patches there are raveling. Jeff said if the problem area fills with water and freezes that portion of the road surface will fall off. Lynne suggested plaining the top off of the road, Nick said they needed to view the road before making a decision. Lynne made a motion to suspend the meeting to view Indian Road, Jeff seconded and all approved and all of the Commissioners went with Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman to view the road.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman). No action was taken.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman). No action was taken.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman). After the session, Jeff made a motion to give Nick permission to represent Bourbon County at the City Commission meeting on October 1, 2019, Lynne seconded and all approved.
Lynne asked Treasurer Patty Love to provide up-to-date figures for the Road & Bridge Sales Tax fund.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 15 minute executive session for Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.
Lynne made a motion to give Nick and Justin permission to talk with Susan Brown with the City of Fort Scott regarding EMS, Jeff seconded and all approved.
At 11:44, Lynne made a motion to break for lunch and reconvene at 1:30, Nick seconded and all approved.
Carla Nemecek met with the Commissioners to give a Southwind Extension District update; she discussed sheep and goat management, the Bressner range research project (native grass that is utilized as an experimental project to study the preservation and the use of native grasses), adult development and aging – the aging with attitude regional expo as well as livestock and meat judging.
Jeff made a motion to authorize Lynne to sign a letter to Gary Walker concerning the final completion of the jail project, Nick seconded and all approved. Lynne signed the letter and Kendell mailed the letters to Gary Walker, Stephen Smith, Larry Goldberg and Kevin Rost.
EMS director Robert Leisure met with the Commissioners; he said in September they had 236 calls for service. Justin Meeks discussed the contract with SAVVIK (a company that will bid out future EMS purchases for the County; Justin questioned if the County signed the contract would the County have to only use them exclusively, (Robert said he would verify this). Justin said he reviewed the Stryker contract which is a contract for the purchase of 3 LIFEPAK’s and supplies for $74,510.37 (3 year, no interest financing). Nick made a motion that Lynne sign the contract with Stryker, Jeff seconded and all approved and Lynne signed the contract.
Kendell presented the 2020 KCAMP listing to the Commissioners for review.
The Commissioners discussed the East front steps of the Courthouse with Shane Walker; Shane said they have two bids, but had not received the third bid yet. Shane said they had not published for bids, but asked for bids from the local businesses. The Commissioners asked that Shane provide Kendell the data to publish for bids.
Nick made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Shane Walker). No action was taken.
The Commissioners discussed the utilities at the old health department; IT and Emergency Preparedness are using the building as office space now. The Commissioners, Shane Walker and Will Wallis agreed that the utility bills should be paid by IT and Emergency Preparedness.
Will Wallis met with the Commissioners; he said that the Garland Fire Department sold him a digital sign for $1,200, (Will will pay for the sign and installation with grant money). Nick made a motion to allow the sign to be installed on the exterior outside East wall of the Commission room, Jeff seconded and all approved.
Lynne discussed the incident of the intruder at the USD 234 with Will Wallis; Lynne asked Will what role he had in identifying or working through that issue, Will said he had no role in that issue. Will said USD 234 had contacted him and presented their active shooter plan to him to critique, which Will did.
Will said he is waiting on bids for the debris removal from the summertime flood.
Jeff made a motion that the Commissioners sign the letter of support for the CTD#10, Nick seconded and all approved and signed the letter.
At 3:09, Lynne made a motion to adjourn, Nick seconded and approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
Lynne Oharah, Chairman
Jeff Fischer,Commissioner
Nick Ruhl, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
10/08/2019, Approved Date
September 24, 2019 Tuesday 9:00 am
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all three Commissioners, the County Counselor and the County Clerk present.
Tammy Helm with the Fort Scott Tribune was also present. Kerry and Nancy Van Etten were present for a portion of the meeting.
Dale Bolinger met with the Commissioners, Jim Harris and Jerad Heckman regarding Indian Road and St. Martens Academy; Charles Gentry previously met with the Commissioners asking that a school zone be established and that the County install school zone signs on Indian Road. Jeff previously suggested that the County consider separating the vehicle and pedestrian traffic and possibly widen the road. Jeff plans to talk to the school owner to see what the needs are. Jeff met with the head master at the school and discussed the possibility of having a path for pedestrian traffic; the school is putting this path in on private property, which would eliminate the need to widen the road. Currently the speed limit there is 45 mph. Dale Bolinger said he felt the location of the school drive is a safety issue and said this was a poor location for a driveway entrance, he suggested keeping the students off of Indian Road for their safety. Dale said he was opposed to dropping the speed limit to 20 mph in the school area. Jim Harris said he and Justin Meeks would review the State laws regarding school zones.
Kevin Allen met with the Commissioners; he discussed an area on the north side of Indian Road that has depression areas in the road on a hill near the Veterinary office; Jeff suggested possibly wedging up the road there. Jim said they would need to look at the budget and staffing before considering doing the work. Jeff said that Indian Road was never on the plan to be overlaid beyond what has been done, but said this area might be an area that needs work. Jeff felt this problem area in the road was due to the large amount of rainfall Bourbon County has experienced and said Will Wallis might be able to find FEMA funds to be used to help stabilize the road. Jeff discussed Indian Road with Will Wallis.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 3 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.
Jim Harris presented the Five Year Solid Waste Plan to the Commissioners; Agricultural Engineering Associates prepared the plan and the Commissioners reviewed the plan. Nick made a motion to approve the Five Year Solid Waste Plan, Jeff seconded and all approved.
Lynne said he received a phone call offering to supply workforce to start doing the recycling program in Bourbon County again; Jim Harris suggested placing the recycling trailers at the Landfill for use on Saturday mornings.
Emergency Manager Will Wallis met with the Commissioners to discuss the disaster debris removal due to flooding the County experienced earlier this summer. Will presented a map of the County quarries and a list of the 22 debris sites. Will said if the County does the work it would be paid for by FEMA. He said the debris could be taken to the Landfill and/or the Quarry sites. Jim Harris said his crew does not have the time to do the work; he suggested contracting the work out. Will said if the County wasn’t going to do the work then he would wait for the Public Assistance to bid the work out; he said if it was bid out they would need to get 3 bids, Justin would have to create a contract and Will would have to be the debris monitor. Will said the County would have to pay the contractor initially before the County would be reimbursed from the State. All of the Commissioners agreed that the debris removed need to be placed in the Landfill, not in the quarries.
Jeff said he had started the process of getting pricing for the two fracture critical bridges in Bourbon County to help in applying for KDOT grant funds. He said he and Jody Hoener would work on the grant application process.
Dale Arnold met with the Commissioner to discuss the jail needing another $60,000 worth of work; the Commissioners said that there is work that needs to be done, but the County still owes money to the contractor for the jail construction.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 10 minute executive session for confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners, Justin Meeks and Jody Hoener). No action was taken.
Nick made a motion to allow Jody Hoener to attend a Kansas Economic Development Conference in Topeka, Jeff seconded and all approved.
Lynne made a motion to give Jeff permission to attend a wind generated energy conference in October, Nick seconded and all approved, (the conference expense will be paid for out of the Commissioners budget).
Jody Hoener discussed a workforce development luncheon at FSCC today, she asked if one of the Commissioners would like to give a closing remark; Lynne offered to speak.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 7 minute executive session for consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.
Nick made a motion to approve a real property relief application (due to a house fire) for Angela Lisa Mumbower for 1818 159th, Fort Scott, Jeff seconded and all approved.
Nick made a motion that Lynne be the voting delegate for KWORCC, Jeff seconded and all approved. Nick made a motion that Jeff be the alternate voting delegate for KWORCC, Lynne seconded and all approved.
Nick made a motion to nominate Rob Roberts from the Southeast Kansas district to serve on the KWORCC board of trustees, Lynne seconded and all approved.
Jeff made a motion to approve Resolution 23-19, (a resolution stating that effective October 1, 2019, if an employee leaves employment with Bourbon County on the 1st day of the month, their insurance will terminate on that day. If an employee leaves employment anytime with Bourbon County from the 2nd – the last day of the month, their Health, Dental and Vision Insurance benefits will terminate on the last day of that same month), Nick seconded and all approved.
There will be a holiday lunch for County employees on December 6, 2019; the Commissioners agreed not to close the Courthouse during the luncheon.
Lynne made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, Jeff seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Justin Meeks). No action was taken.
At 11:15, Lynne made a motion to suspend the meeting until 1:30, Jeff seconded and all approved.
Robert Leisure and Dave Bruner with EMS met with the Commissioners, they previously met with the Commissioners asking to purchase 3 new Life Pack 15’s for a total of $67,629.60 and 2 McGrath Video Laryngoscopes for a total of $5,548 (with trade ins); the Commissioners asked that they get bids for the products. Robert said that Savvik Group is a not for profit group that will do the bidding for equipment for them; they will not charge the County a fee. They presented a contract for Justin Meeks to review.
Bill Martin, Bobby Reed, Alvin Metcalf and Leslie Herrin met with the Commissioners; Bobby discussed the plumbing at the jail. There was a discussion over who would be responsible for the cost of flushing the plumbing system; Lynne said this will be the responsibility of the County and will have to be paid for out of the jail funds. Bill said he would bid this work out.
Bobby discussed finances at the jail; he said there is an inmate that will be delivering a baby. Bobby said that the jail population at the jail is increasing daily and they have reached out to other counties regarding housing inmates out for $40/day.
Bill Martin discussed the District Court bailiff being absent due to a medical issue; Bill said there will be even more overtime to cover the bailiff being absent as well as covering employees on vacation and covering when employees are in training. Bill said his wage/ salaries budget is currently 5% over. Bill said he didn’t feel he would have enough money in 2020 to cover the expenses either.
Jeff made a motion to go into a 5 minute executive session for personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel, Nick seconded and all approved, (the session included the Commissioners and Kendell Mason). No action was taken.
The Commissioners signed and discussed the payroll register that will be paid on September 27, 2019; Lynne said they have been tracking the overtime for the past year and said it is consistently high for some departments. He said this payroll had 200 hours of overtime for the Sheriff’s department (15 total employees), 68.25 hours of overtime for the Correctional Center (19 total employees), 133.75 hours of overtime for Road & Bridge (38 total employees), 43.75 hours of overtime for the Attorney’s office (6 total employees) and 20.00 hours of overtime for the EMS department (4 total employees). The Sheriff previously stated his concern over meeting his budget due to the overtime. Jeff Fischer discussed the amount of overtime for the Sheriff & the Correctional Center, he said the increased overtime hours started about the time they moved to the new jail and the Commissioners had anticipated that it would fall back to the previous level, but said that hasn’t happened. Jeff said an article in the Iola newspaper said Allen County jail operates on 17 employees and they cook their inmates’ food as well as prepare food for Meals on Wheels.
At 2:50, Jeff made a motion to adjourn, Nick seconded and all approved.
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
(ss) Lynne Oharah, Chairman
(ss) Jeff Fischer, Commissioner
(ss) Nick Ruhl, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk
10/01/2019, Approved Date
