The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners present.  Jim Harris was also present.

Jim Harris told the Commission that he priced a striping machine using water-based paint at $6,000.  He said the City of Fort Scott has one that we can look at before making any decisions.  He suggests that someone from the county attend a Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) class on regulations for striping.  Mr. Houston suggests we look at the cost to hire it done.  Mr. Graham suggests looking at the striping machine.  No action.

There was discussion of the county's handbook.  It is now eleven years old and is in need of reviewing and renewal.  No action at this time.

Mr. Harris discussed the lease with Gary Cullor for the Transfer Station.  It will expire in May of this year.  He suggests meeting with Mr. Cullor to renew the contract.  No action.

Jim Harris would like the county to look at a compactor at Yates Center, Kansas.  There is grant money available for 35% of the loan.  This could reduce traffic approximately 50% to and from the Allen County Landfill.  The compactor would cost about $50,000 allowing for $17,500 in grant monies.  No action at this time.

Mr. Query reminded Mr. Harris of potholes needing filled.  It is on the schedule.

Lynn Smith, Computer Systems Operator, came before the Board to discuss the maintenance contract for the AS-400.  Our contract with IBM has expired.  IBM is offering one but Infinitec will sell us a maintenance agreement for less.  They will offer a one year maintenance agreement for $2,000 or three year agreement for $5,684.  No action.

Judy Richey, Multi-County Health Department, spoke to the commissioners about appointing someone to the board.  She said that Dr. Jay Allen would be happy to serve.  She asked that the commissioners appoint someone and send a letter to the Iola Health Office notifying them of the appointment.  No action at this time.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm.

                                                      THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                      OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

                                                     

                                                      (ss) Robert Query, Chairman

                                                      (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner

                                                      (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

The Bourbon County Commissioners met in open session with all commissioners present.  County Clerk, Joanne Long and County Coordinator, Jim Harris were also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

The commission signed a three-year maintenance agreement with Infinitec, Inc., for the county's AS-400 computer system.

The commissioners and Jim Harris discussed the city/county commission meeting scheduled for noon.  The topics of neighborhood revitalization and 911 are expected to be discussed.

Mr. Harris talked to the board about purchasing oil for chip and seal projects.  It was decided to purchase the oil at current prices.

The topic of the Transfer Station and the lease with Gary Cullor came up again.  The property is filling up quickly.  hauling in dirt will be very expensive so the commission discussed moving it or expanding it.  if the site is moved, there could be new regulations in place from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).  Mr. Harris will contact KDHE to ask for current regulations on a new site.

Terry Graham mentioned that the City of Bronson is asking for assistance in purchasing 911 road signs.  K.S.A. 12-5304 states that the "funds collected from tax imposed pursuant to K.S.A. 12-5302, and amendments thereto, shall be spent solely to pay for...the acquisition and installation of road signs designed to aid in the delivery of emergency service."  The commission believes this includes municipalities as well as counties.  They will discuss this with the city commission at the meeting at noon.

Douglas Thompson, Redfield, stopped in to tell the commission of some large potholes east of Uniontown.

Gary Houston mad a motion to appoint Jay Allen to the Multi-County Health Board.  Terry Graham seconded the motion.  All in favor.

At noon, the county commission and city commission met in open session at Grannie Vails Restaurant.  Those present were Robert Query, Gary Houston, Terry Graham, Jim Harris, Joanne Long, Dick Hedges and Richard Nienstedt.

The emergency 911 system was discussed.  The hardware is now five years old and in need of a major upgrade.  the recent area code change will also need a $7,500 program to fix.  The city's 911 fund has approximately $100,000 from the .75 collections on each phone line in the county per month.  Terry Graham mentioned Bronson's request for assistance in purchasing signs for 911.  Richard Nienstedt told Mr. Graham to find out precisely what Bronson is asking for and they will consult the city attorney on the matter.

All parties mentioned their desire to help everyone in Bourbon County with emergency services.

Dick Hedges asked who the Bourbon County Economic Development representative was for Bourbon County.  it is Gary Houston.  The city will send Mr. Houston the minutes of previous meetings.

It was asked if the first Monday of each month would be acceptable to have the joint city/county commission meetings.  Everyone was in agreement that it was.  The city and county commissioners will meet the first Monday of each month at noon at Grannie Vails Restaurant.  If it is not possible to meet, we will notify each other.

Mr. Graham asked Mr. Nienstedt about the progress at Ellis Park which is jointly owned by the City of Fort Scott and Bourbon County.  Mr. Nienstedt said that the cold weather has stalled the cleaning effort.

Neighborhood Revitalization was discussed.  The county is currently not participating but the City of Fort Scott is.  Mr. Hedges said the city was going to poll the people to see if there was interest in renewing the plan.  Terry Graham asked if the schools and community college were participating.  They are not yet.  The county is concerned with the guidelines but Mr. Nienstedt said that the statute allows for county governments to set their own criteria for qualification.  He said the city is only in charge of how the city handles revitalization.  The county would like to include all the small cities in Bourbon County if it were to join the neighborhood revitalization.  Mr. Graham asked if the city receives many complaints from citizens about the borderlines, where one person is in the program and a neighbor across the street is not.  Mr. Nienstedt stated there probably were.  He also stated that it may be a way to help recoup investments if the economy declines.

The proposed 1% sales tax increase was discussed.  The measure was defeated on November 7, 2000, but there is talk of putting it in the April 3, 2001, ballot.  The county commissioners would like it to be presented in petition form.  When asked what the city would do if the measure is defeated a third time, Richard Nienstedt stated the city would appeal to the state legislature for its own 1% city sales tax.

The meeting adjourned at 12:55 pm after regular business.

                                                                               THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                               OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                               (ss) Robert Query, Chairman

                                                                               (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner

                                                                               (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session in the Commission Room of the courthouse with all commissioners present.  County Coordinator Jim Harris and County Clerk Joanne Long were also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and corrected.

The commissioners asked Jim Harris what he had heard from Gary Cullor about the possibility of leasing additional land for the Transfer Station.  Mr. Harris hadn't spoken to Mr. Cullor this week but would at the Commission's direction.  The county is also considering the possibility of moving the transfer station altogether.  Mr. Harris will speak to Mr. Cullor and see what he thinks about the lease and if he is interested in renewing it or expanding it at all.

Mr. Graham spoke to the board about filling a committee position on the Sixth Judicial District Advisory Board.  Tobin Wright called earlier in the week and asked who would be replacing Fred Judy on the Board.  Gary Houston will be Bourbon County's member to the Advisory Board.  Tobin Wright was notified by phone of the appointment.

County Clerk, Joanne Long, asked the commission about the status of the revision of the county handbook.  No decisions had been made because Gary Houston was looking it over.  Terry Graham made a motion to enter into agreement with the Austin Peters Group to update the county handbook.  Gary Houston seconded and all voted in favor.

Lee Davis, Noxious Weed Director, presented the commission with the Noxious Weed 2000 annual report.  the Commissioners reviewed and signed the report.

Robert Query received a map from USD 235 of bus routes for clearing county roads in inclement weather.  USD 234 already submitted its map at the request of the commission.

The commissioners received a copy of a letter from Dr. Herbert Grantham to the District Coroner.  Dr. Grantham, Dr. Steven Weilert and Dr. Todd Wullschleger are deputy coroners for Bourbon County.  According to the letter, all are resigning their duties effective April 1, 2001.  As of April 1, 2001, Bourbon County will have no coroner of its own.  The commissioners spoke with Sheriff Harold Coleman, who also received a copy of the letter, and asked him to find out what Crawford County does for coroner services.  Sheriff Coleman will also call Joplin, Missouri, for information on their coroner services.  A coroner is needed for all unattended deaths and for autopsies in Kansas.

Harold Coleman and Floyd Minor came before the commission to discuss the COPS grants currently in use in the county.  Deputy Cindy Gillispie and Deputy Ron Gray are COPS Deputies and under the terms of their grants, the family insurance is paid by the grant.  Capt. Minor came to ask the commission to allow his family insurance coverage to be paid by the grant monies also.  The commission felt that would be acceptable and notified the Clerk's office to make the change in the payroll files.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm.

                                                               THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                               OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                               (ss) Robert Query, Chairman

                                                               (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner

                                                               (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session in the commission room of the courthouse with all commissioners present.  Joanne Long, County Clerk and Jim Harris, County Coordinator, were also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and signed.

Robert Query asked Mr. Harris the progress on the grant for handicap accessibility at Elm Creek Lake.  Jim Harris said the county would be applying for that grant this spring.

SB210 was brought up.  Rand Allen of the Kansas Association of Counties would like someone from Bourbon County to go to Topeka this Wednesday to testify to the committee.  Jim Harris will go, possibly with Zack Reynolds.

Dave Klepac presented the commissioners with a cake from the Hidden Valley Lakes Association in appreciation of the 911 signs the county got for them.

At 9:30 am several citizens met with the commissioners to discuss the proposed 1% sales tax initiative.  Those present included Matt Noll, Lyle Hixon, James Fewins, Raymond George, Chuck Shelton, Fred Savage, Dan Laughlin, Carrol Deer, Walt Johnston, Herbert Headley, Kenneth M. Eastwood, Carol George, Wilma Graham, Anna Johnston, Jake Underwood, Ed Graham, David Edwards, Jerry Nafzger and Dennis Meech.  Ed Graham spoke for the group in favor of the sales tax.

He told the commissioners they were here to ask the board to put the 1% countywide sales tax resolution on the April 3, 2001, ballot.  They said that after speaking to the County Clerk, they realized they did not have enough time to circulate a legal petition and have it presented and checked in time to be placed on the April ballot.  He would like the tax to be for ten years instead of the five years that failed in November of 2000.  The committee does not want to add the expense of a special election and they fear that if the county does not try again to pass a countywide tax, the City of Fort Scott is ready to explore the option of a city only sales tax, which would cost the county millions in revenue over the proposed ten years.  The monies collected would generate approximately $500,000 for the small, incorporated cities throughout the county to help keep levies down.  In addition to increasing the length of the tax proposal from five to ten years, the committee does not have a schedule of specific roads in the county earmarked for improvement.  They want it to fund only maintenance and creation of hard surface roads at the commission's discretion.

There was much discussion on both sides of the proposal about the cost of maintaining and building hard surface roads, and whether the money would generate enough funds to build enough roads to satisfy the citizens of the county.  Gary Houston asked about using the sales tax to supplement the maintenance of all county roads instead of only hard surface and if using some of the tax to reduce property taxes would be an option the committee was open to discussing.  Mr. Houston said he was not opposed to having the question on the ballot but would like it to go to more than just hard surface roads.  Terry Graham stated that a proposal worded with the property tax relief was defeated in 1999.  The November 2000 question without the property tax relief part did not seem to fail as bad.  Fred Savage stated that if the tax is placed on the ballot and passes, the funds should be divided equally between the three commissioner districts.  Jake Underwood asked if having a county rock quarry has helped with the amount of rock the county is using on gravel roads.  He also stated that the monies generated would help the third class cities a great deal and that while no one likes tax increases, the money is needed and you have to start somewhere.  Gary Houston agreed that a sales tax was the most fair in that everyone, even those traveling through the county, pay it.  Robert Query asked if the City of Fort Scott has stated whether it has committed to using the money the same as stated on the November ballot.  Ed Graham said they were.

After the discussion, Terry Graham made a motion to place the Countywide Sales Tax question on the April 3, 2001, ballot to read as follows:

Robert Query seconded the motion.  Gary Houston voted against the motion as written.  Resolution 01-08 was drafted for the sales tax proposal.

A Public Hearing was held at 10:15 am for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for Tri-Valley Developmental Services.  Those attending were Bill Ott, Bill Fiscus, Sandy Erbe, Robin Hixson of the Fort Scott Tribune, Mary Davis, Alene Jolly and Pat Bishop.

Sandy Erbe of Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission needs a formal letter from the commissioners supporting the efforts of Tri-Valley which states the county is applying for the grant on Tri-Valley's behalf.  This grant is for a 18,750 sq. ft. building in the Fort Scott Industrial Park.  The total estimated cost of the structure is $951,479.00 and the grant request is for $242,000.00

Terry Graham made a motion to authorize Chairman, Robert Query, to sign a letter of support and application for the Community Development Block Grant on behalf of Tri-Valley through SEK Regional Planning once on is drafted.  Gary Houston seconded the motion.  All voted in favor.  Ms. Erbe will put together the information for the proposal and send it to the county for Mr. Query's signature.

Robert Query presented the board with a petition for a Benefit District for a portion of 240th Street at Jayhawk Road north approximately 3/4 mile.  He stated it was signed by all of the landowners save three.  It does meet the 51% participation required to impose a benefit district.  If imposed, it will be for a three year special assessment on property taxes, however, the landowners will have the option to pay the full amount up front.  Mr. Query suggests giving the petition to Jim Harris to take to Zack Reynolds to verify the legality of the wording.  Terry Graham agreed that was a good idea.  Mr. Query will also check the map to ensure4 that everyone on the petition is legally required to pay if the benefit district is created.

Terry Graham made a motion at 11:33 am to go into executive session for a period of 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel.  Robert Query seconded the motion, all in favor.  Those to be present during the session were Terry Graham, Robert Query and Gary Houston.  At 11:43 am the regular meeting resumed.  Gary Houston stated that the county commissioners would be involved in all Road & Bridge hirings.  Robert Query agreed.

Joanne Long, Susan Quick and Denny Kohl asked the commissioners about the progress of getting the 911 address information for the other county offices.  The commissioners stated that they believed County Appraiser, Judy Orton, had gotten them on a disk and asked Mr. Kohl to check on it.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm.

                                                                    THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                    OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                    (ss) Robert Query, Chairman

                                                                    (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner

                                                                    (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Gary Houston present.  Robert Query was absent.  Joanne Long and Jim Harris were also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Jim Harris requested the commission set a date for a public hearing for the County Solid Waste Plan.  Gary Houston made a motion to hold a public hearing at 10:00 am, Monday, February 26, 2001, in the Commission Room of the courthouse, for the purpose of discussion of the Bourbon County Solid Waste Management Plan.  Terry Graham seconded the motion.  Both voted in favor.  The public notice was signed by the board and will be published in the official county newspaper.

Mr. Harris also requested the commission set a date for a public hearing for the proposed benefit district for paving of 240th Street North from Jayhawk Road to approximately 600' north of Kansas Road.  Terry Graham made a motion to hold a public hearing at 9:30 am, Friday, March 23, 2001, in the Commission Room of the courthouse, for the purposed of consideration of a proposed benefit district for paving of 240th St. from Jayhawk Road, North to 600' North of Kansas Road.  Gary Houston seconded the motion.  Both voted in favor.  The public notice was signed by the board and will be published in the official county newspaper as provided by law.

At 9:25 am, Terry Graham made a motion to go into executive session for a period of 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel.  Gary Houston seconded the motion.  Those present during the session were Terry Graham, Gary Houston and Jim Harris.  At 9:35 am, the regular session resumed with no action.

The commissioners received a phone call from John Deters of the Juvenile Justice Authority (JJA).  The JJA is beginning using electronic bracelets on Juvenile offenders rather than sending them to the SEK Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Girard.  The cost of housing a prisoner for one day in the detention center is $145.00 and the bracelet costs under $5.00.  The JJA has had great success with the bracelets in Miami and Linn Counties and wants to begin using this method in Bourbon County and asked the commission to allow it.  Terry Graham agreed to a trial period of three months for the bracelets to see how it worked in Bourbon County.  Gary Houston agreed.

At 10:15 am, Gary Houston made a motion to go into executive session for a period of 15 minutes to discuss land acquisition.  Terry Graham seconded the motion.  Those present during the discussion were Gary Houston, Terry Graham and Jim Harris.  The regular meeting resumed at 10:30 am with no action.

Brad Feagins of Schwab-Eaton came to discuss the project for a bridge one mile east of Fulton on Xavier Road.  This is Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Project No. 6C3674-01.  There was a project slated for this bridge in 1985 but was dropped when an archaeological site was located in the northeast quadrant of the area.  Mr. Feagins discussed several options for construction of the bridge.  The commissioners decided to hold a public meeting at the Fulton Community Building at 7:00 pm on March 20, 2001, to explain the options for this bridge project to area citizens.

Gary Houston made a motion to adopt County Resolution 01-09, changing the county reimbursement rate for mileage from .31 per mile to .325 per mile, effective March 1, 2001.  This is the rate paid by the State of Kansas.  Terry Graham seconded the motion.  All in favor.  the resolution was signed and placed in Resolution Book 3.

After routine business the meeting adjourned at 2:25 pm.

                                                                      THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                      OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                      (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner

                                                                      (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

February 19, 2001          Monday

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners present.  County Clerk, Joanne Long, was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Dave Klepac, Franklin Township Treasurer, recommended Tom Ridge, RR 1 Box 111, Bronson, as Franklin Township Clerk.  Terry Graham made a motion to appoint Tom Ridge as Franklin Township Clerk.  Gary Houston seconded and Robert Query voted in favor.

Evergreen Cemetery passed along a request for cost of materials to chip and seal the roads in the cemetery.

Gary Houston informed the board that there is a $30.00 rental fee for the Fulton Community Building.  There will be a public meeting there March 20, 2001, to discuss options for a bridge project.  The $30.00 rental fee will be paid from the Bourbon County Road and Bridge Fund.

John Daugherty and Arnold Schofield of the Fort Scott National Historic Site came to ask the commissioners for financial support for the Armed Forces Day Celebration, May 19, 2001.  The commissioners agreed to donate $600.00 from the Special Parks & Recreation Fund.

Robert Query made a motion to set aside $500.00 of his share of Special Parks & Recreation money to the Pawnee Station Community Building.  Terry Graham seconded.  Gary Houston in favor.

Terry Graham made a motion to allocate $400.00 of his share of Special Parks & Recreation money to the Redfield ball park and $400.00 to the Uniontown ball park, also from his share of Special Parks & Recreation money.  Robert Query seconded.  Gary Houston in favor.

Alec Beth, SEKRCC Administrator, brought a contract to house prisoners for the City of Bronson to be signed.  Robert Query signed it as chairman.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon.

                                                                         THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                         OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                         (ss) Robert Query, Chairman

                                                                         (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner

                                                                         (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session at 9:00 am in the Commission Room of the Courthouse.  Commissioners Terry Graham and Gary Houston were present.  Robert Query arrived at 10:30 am.  Jim Harris and Joanne Long were also present.

Jim Harris mentioned that HB2369 passed in the Kansas House of Representatives.  It's a bill that prohibits the sale of paving materials by a government entity to anyone (public or private) if materials are readily available elsewhere.  It will head to the Senate next.

A request by phone was made to please clean the ditch on the northwest corner of Valley Road and 235th Street this summer.

Larry Shead called and asked if he could get some rock east and west of his house.  The request was passed along to the road department.

At 10:00 am a public hearing was held for the Bourbon County Solid Waste Plan.  Those in attendance were Terry Graham, Gary Houston, Jim Harris and Joanne Long.  At 10:05 am, the hearing was closed and Terry Graham made a motion to adopt Resolution 01-10, Bourbon County's Solid Waste Management Plan.  Gary Houston seconded.  All in favor.  It was signed and placed in Resolution Book 3.

There was discussion of county trucks losing rock on the highways.  The rock is sometimes piled higher in the center and shifts during transport.  It is important that this does not continue.  The loaders will be informed to make sure trucks are not overloaded and that the load are even.

Mary Davis of Tri-Valley Developmental Center called to invite the commissioners to the Fort Scott Industrial Park at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, February 28, 2001, for pictures at the new Tri-Valley site.

There was much discussion about the hiring procedures of the Road & Bridge personnel and the qualifications needed for truck drivers upon hire.  It had been stated earlier this month that the commissioners would be involved in the hiring of all Road & Bridge employee, but the in-house transfer of employees had not been discussed.  Commissioners Houston and Query would like all job openings in all the Road & Bridge area departments to be brought to the attention of the commissioners.  Mr. Harris said it is procedure to offer/post any opening in-house before it is published in the newspaper.  The commissioners liked that policy but would also like to be notified in advance of such openings.  It was finally decided that all Road & Bridge, Special Bridge, Bridge & Culvert, Landfill and Rock Quarry positions, full or part-time, shall be offered and posted in-house before being published in the newspaper.  The commission is to be notified in advance of all openings in these departments and will have final decision on hiring.  Gary Houston and Robert Query agreed on this policy.  Terry Graham was absent at the time.

The requirements for county truck drivers were set in place December 8, 2000.  It was stated that all persons hired as truck drivers for Bourbon County were required to have a Class "A" CDL upon hire.  Those persons currently employed would have until June 8, 2001, to acquire the Class "A" CDL.  That policy was reiterated with all commissioners in agreement.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 3:00 pm.

                                                                             THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                             OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                             (ss) Robert Query, Chairman

                                                                             (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner

ATTEST: