August 2, 2002   Friday          9:00 am 

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

Tom Hill met with the commissioners to discuss the current fueling agreement with Bourbon County.  He is unhappy with the current situation of swapping months with Petromark.  He would like to revisit the agreement and swap at quarters rather than monthly.  Mr. Hill also stated that he would like to sell all diesel products and give gasoline and oil sales to Petromark.  The commissioners will discuss options with Larry Lyons and get back to him. 

The commissioners received the monthly progress report from the Extension Council. 

Dave Lewis and Chris Cotter of SEK Heat & Air, Pittsburg, met with the commissioners to introduce themselves and explain what services they provide.  They have had contracts recently with area schools and offer service contracts with discounts.  The commissioners will keep them in mind for future needs. 

Lee Davis called to request permission to purchase 100 gallons of Roundup.  He got prices as follows: 

The commissioners authorized the purchase of 100 gallons of Roundup from UAP/Timberland at $19.50/gallon. 

Susan Quick, Sharon Elder, Joanne Long and Lynn Smith spoke to the commissioners about Infinitec programs.  Many of the programs seem to be steps backwards instead of forward and also require up to three times more work to complete tasks.  We are also being charged for items that were supposed to be free.  The commissioners asked the group to contact Doug Rozean to meet with us and discuss the problems we are having.

The next 17 county meeting will be in Neosho County on October 17, 2002.  Two commissioners indicated they would attend.

The commissioners went to the Fort Scott Public Works to discuss dispatching problems.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned. 

                                                                                 THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                                 OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                                 (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman

                                                                                 (ss) Robert Query, Commissioner

                                                                                 (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

August 5, 2002        Monday     9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. 

Larry Lyons of Petromark met with the commissioners to discuss fuel purchases from Bourbon County.  Currently, Bourbon County buys all fuel from Hill’s Service and Petromark, switching each month.  Tom Hill has indicated his dissatisfaction with the current arrangement and the commissioners are hearing Mr. Lyons ideas on the matter.  He has no problems with the current system of month-to-month and topping off all the tanks on the last few days of the cycle. 

Clyde Killion reported that David Camp’s physician has said that he cannot drive any truck due to his back injury, so he has been sent home, as there is no light-duty work. 

The county clerk reported that she has received a complaint that Leonard Ramsey lives in Missouri.    Mr. Ramsey is employed on the road crew.  Clyde Killion will speak to Mr. Ramsey about it. 

It was reported that the tree-trimming crew was stopped in Garland as it attempted to cut hanging limbs reported by Gene Parker. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon. 

                                                                             THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                              OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                              (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                              (ss) Robert Query, Commissioner

                                                                              (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

August 9, 2002        Friday       9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Robert Query and Terry Graham present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Gary Houston arrived at 9:05 am.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. 

Gene Parker thanked the commissioners for the clay for the new fire department building.  He would also like some gravel.  The commissioners stated that the rock crusher is still only crushing rock for asphalting, but they will get him some gravel when they go back to crushing road rock.  Mr. Parker also expressed the need for a tube at the fire department. 

The commissioners calculated asphalt production costs for the month of July at $16.92 per ton.  This is slightly over the estimated amount, but oil and gas prices are higher than anticipated. 

Roger Lee mentioned to the commissioners that he has the dye for the holding tanks at Hidden Valley Lakes.  He is also receiving information about mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus. 

Clyde Killion updated the commissioners that David Camp is again on Worker’s Compensation.  His doctor recently notified Bourbon County that any bouncing in a truck is against doctor’s orders and there was no light-duty work for him to do. 

Joanne Long updated the commissioners on the status of Infinitec problems.  She stated that charges mentioned in an earlier meeting have since been credited to our account.  Also, Doug Rozean called yesterday and confirmed that Barb Ferguson will be in Bourbon County next Tuesday to meet with each office to go over the list of problem areas.  If, after talking with Barb, the areas are not corrected, Mr. Rozean will come to Bourbon County, himself, to talk with commissioners and department heads. 

Kenny Felt of the Fort Scott Tribune joined the meeting. 

Mike Osborn of KAW Valley Engineering met with the commissioners to offer services for bridge projects in Bourbon County.  

The County Board of Canvassers met at 10:00 am to finalize the 2002 Bourbon County Primary Election.  Joanne Long and Cecelia Key presented the Board with 87 Provisional ballots to determine their validity.  The Board determined that 64 of the 87 ballots were legal and they were opened and added to the results from Tuesday night.  All 87-voter registration cards were given to the County Clerk’s office for processing.  The Board signed the Abstract of Votes Cast, finalizing the Primary Election results for Bourbon County. 

Harold Coleman and Alec Beth spoke to the commissioners regarding overcrowding in the Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center.   The commissioners discussed housing prisoners at other jails for a fee, adding on to the existing facility and building a new facility.  The commissioners also spoke to Terri Johnson to see if any prisoners could be released on bond or on probation.  Ms. Johnson will look at the prisoner sheet and speak with the Judge this afternoon. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:25 pm. 

                                                                               THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                               OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                               (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                               (ss) Robert Query, Commissioner 

                                                                               (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST: 

August 12, 2002        Monday     9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and corrected. 

Roger Lee spoke to the commissioners about sanitation issues. 

The commissioners calculated that asphalting should be completed by the end of August.  Then the road crew can return to the benefit district on 240^th St. 

Clyde Killion presented a road update. 

Kay Blythe, reporter with the Linn County News, arrived for the rest of the meeting. 

The budget hearing opened at 10:00 am with all commissioners, the county clerk and Kay Blythe present.  The county clerk presented Resolution 18-02 to the commission.  State law requires the governing body pass a resolution, if it intends to levy more tax dollars than were levied for the 2002 budget.  Gary Houston made a motion to adopt Resolution 18-02.  Robert Query seconded and all voted in favor.  The resolution was signed and added to the budget document, as well as the original placed in the resolution book. 

As there was no opposition to the budget, Terry Graham made a motion to adopt the 2003 Bourbon County budget as published.  Gary Houston seconded and all voted in favor.  Several copies were signed by the Commission.   The public hearing closed at 10:20 am. 

Steve Buerge of the Bourbon County Economic Development Council (BEDCO) met with the commissioners to discuss a new program to help businesses.  Bourbon County Economic Development Loans will help businesses to expand.  The program is a 3 to 1 loan of up to $10,000 per applicant, with a total allocation of $50,000 for the program for the year.  Applicants must meet guidelines and must maintain the growth gained by the proceeds of the loan.  If the business is still operating, has no back taxes and has maintained the growth after five years, the loan will be forgiven.  The commissioners were encouraged by the loan.  Mr. Query asked if businesses in the flood plain north of town would be eligible for the funds, as they are often exempt from other financial aide.  Mr. Buerge did not know the answer, but would find out.  Gary Houston made a motion to support the BEDCO Loans Program.  Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor. 

The commissioners received a request for support of the See-Kan RC&D Rural Business Enterprise Grant Application for Rainbow Organic Farms.  A letter was drafted and signed by the commissioners in support. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon. 

                                                                            THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                             OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

 

                                                                             Robert Query, Commissioner 

                                                                             Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

August 16, 2002   Friday            9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Robert Query and Terry Graham present.  Gary Houston was not present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. 

A public hearing to discuss the proposed vacation of easement was held with Robert Query, Terry Graham, Joanne Long, Larry Nuss, Enid Large and Vivian Moore present.  After discussion and no opposition to the vacation, Terry Graham made a motion to close the proposed utility easement.  Robert Query seconded and both voted in favor.  The order was signed and presented to the Register of Deeds to be filed. 

Commissioners received a copy of the 2003 Community Corrections budget for approval.  Robert Query made a motion to approve the budget.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and both voted in favor.  Robert Query signed the approval page in the absence of Chairman Gary Houston. 

Melvin Harris met with the commissioners.  He lives at Fort Scott Lake and recently sold a portion of his property to another individual.  He now has no lake access and would like an easement.  The commissioners informed Mr. Harris that the City of Fort Scott owns the property at the lake and he would need to speak to them.  Mr. Harris thanked the commissioners. 

Clyde Killion reported on road projects. 

Doylene Kennedy presented a proposal for an agreement between the State of Kansas and Bourbon County for the future maintenance of what is currently US 54 Hwy east of Fort Scott.  When the new highway is built north of the current highway, the old road will become a county road, much like Old 69 is now a county road.  The commissioners reviewed the agreement and decided to refrain from signing it until the commissioners work out a few details with State officials.  That meeting is tentatively set for August 26, 2002. 

Judy Orton presented the annual Phase Delineation Chart for the commissioners’ approval.  The commissioners signed the chart. 

Terry Graham left the meeting to view a road near Bronson. 

After routine business the meeting adjourned at 10:20 am. 

                                                                           THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                           OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

 

                                                                           (ss) Robert Query, Commissioner 

                                                                           (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk 

August 23, 2002   Friday          9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. 

Larry and Eric Shoemaker met with the commissioners.  Larry Shoemaker asked the commissioners why they hired Heckart Construction to lay asphalt for Bourbon County and how much we’re paying them.  Bourbon County is paying Heckart Construction $6.00 per ton, which includes all labor and machinery by Heckart.  Bourbon County is preparing the base areas and providing all the rock for the projects.  The commissioners stated that several options, including purchasing a laydown machine, were considered, but that this was the best decision at the time.  Mr. Shoemaker stated his opposition to the decision and countered that Bourbon County should have purchased its own machinery and trained its employees or hired new ones to lay the asphalt.  The commissioners disagreed with that idea, as part-time professional help is hard to come by and the road crew would not have gotten any other projects done if they had to pull men off jobs to train them on asphalting.  Another highlight of the deal with Heckart Construction is that if there is equipment failure, Heckart has another machine it can bring from Pittsburg immediately.  The commissioners stated they are getting proposals on a laydown machine for next year, but still state that $6.00 per ton was a good price for this year. 

Eric Shoemaker spoke briefly to Gary Houston about rural fire concerns. 

Clyde Killion presented literature on laydown machines to the commissioners. 

Terri Johnson spoke to the commissioners about overcrowding in the Correctional Center.  She stated that Alec Beth is scouting other locations for work-release housing.  She stated that the old Boy’s Home is a favorable possibility.  Newman Young Clinic is not interested, as it has current tenants and Fort Scott Family Physicians will probably not be a possibility.   

Ms. Johnson also spoke about the Juvenile Justice Authority (JJA).  It is in shambles.  Ms. Johnson would like to be a member of the Board so she can be up to date on Juvenile situations.  Gary Houston is Bourbon County’s board member and he will see what can be done to make Terri Johnson a board member. 

There are currently 43 inmates in the SEKRCC. 

Gary Houston made a motion to enter into a housing agreement with Neosho County, to house Bourbon County prisoners for $40/day.  Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor. 

Lee Davis called and stated he needs 40 gallons of generic Round-up.  The commissioners approved the purchase, providing Mr. Davis has the money in his budget.  He does. 

Joanne Long informed Gary Houston and Terry Graham that she has registered them for the Kansas Association of Counties (KAC) fall conference in Wichita.  The conference is in November. 

Alec Beth spoke to the commissioners about housing prisoners.  He would like us to have several agreements to house prisoners.  Mr. Beth also discussed the possibility of renting the old Boy’s Home for work release housing.  That would require hiring at least four additional employees.  Mr. Beth will speak soon with other agencies to see what works.  He would like to do more research before making any final decisions.  The commissioners asked if work release prisoners could be fitted with ankle bracelets to track their whereabouts and sent home.  That is up to a judge to decide. 

Vernon West and Kelly Miller spoke to the commissioners about Fulton.  They claim there was a violation of the Open Meetings Act when Fulton City Council met July 12, 2002, without notification to the public and one of the council members.  Three Ordinances were passed at this meeting.  The commissioners advised them to file a formal complaint with the County Attorney’s office and also provided them with the phone number to the League of Kansas Municipalities. 

David Neville spoke to the commissioners about the sprinkler system in the Correctional Center.  An inspection is needed and David is getting prices.  No action. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:10 pm. 

                                                                                      THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                                      OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                                      (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                                      (ss) Robert Query, Commissioner 

                                                                                      (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

August 26, 2002          Monday        9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and corrected. 

Terri Johnson met with the commissioners.  She asked to speak to them in executive session.  Terry Graham made a motion to go into executive session at 9:03 am, for a period of five minutes, to discuss non-elected personnel.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, Terri Johnson and Joanne Long.  The regular meeting resumed at 9:08 am with no action. 

Clyde Killion presented more information on laydown machines. 

Mr. Killion also spoke to the commissioners about a problem at the transfer station.  He stated that an individual with a dog kennel brings hundreds of pounds of dog manure to the dump each month and that the bags break open when they enter the dump receptacle.  The resulting smell is awful and lingers.  It also contaminates the rest of the load as it is dumped at the Allen County Landfill.  Mr. Killion would like to ask the person to place the manure in unbreakable containers or in multiple bags to prevent breakage, rather than refusing the loads.  The commissioners will write a letter. 

Doylene Kennedy presented the commissioners with a Privacy Act for the Corps of Engineers.  Gary Houston signed it as chairman. 

Zack Reynolds stopped in to ask the commissioners to replace the sign at Max’s Way Station corner which reads “Westbound Traffic does not stop”.  There used to be a sign, but it has been knocked down recently.  He is afraid that someone unfamiliar with the area may not realize there is no stop sign there and have an accident.  The commissioners will notify Clyde Killion. 

Alec Beth spoke to the commissioners about housing prisoners.  He stated that overcrowding is a problem everywhere, according to a meeting over the weekend.  He has also been contacted by Charles Parsons about a location for housing prisoners.  He will meet with him soon. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon. 

                                                                                  THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                                  OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                                  (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                                  (ss) Robert Query, Commissioner 

                                                                                  (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

August 30, 2002        Friday       9:00 am 

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

Bob Medina and Ron Smith called for a teleconference with the commissioners.  Mr. Medina is with the Bureau of Waste Management.  In July of 2000, a law was enacted to allow for cleanup of illegal dump sites.  The first sites that are being targeted are old permitted dump sites.  5530 Humboldt St, south of the Sale Barn is one of those sites.  The program allows up to $10,000 per site with a 75/25% match locally.  One application per site must be filled out.  The commissioners will participate in the program. 

Susan Quick spoke to the commissioners about moving some old records from the basement to the Genealogical Society.  Virginia Brown contacted Ms. Quick about relocating the records.  The basement storage area of the courthouse is very crowded and very dusty and the records will be well maintained and readily available to the public at the Society.  The commissioners approved the request.  The Genealogical Society will come for the records. 

Joanne Long and Harold Coleman spoke to the commissioners about having a certification class for courthouse employees for CPR.  Delwin Mumbower is certified to train.  No action. 

The commissioners discussed yesterday’s automobile accident on 18^th Street with Clyde Killion, Harold Coleman and Jingles Endicott.   

The commissioners discussed road projects with Clyde Killion. 

Don Russell met with the commissioners about possible grants for a jail facility.  Patrick Wood and Frank Halsey of Mid-Continental Restoration also met with the commissioners.  Mr. Russell said that the Edward Byrne Foundation has funds for jail facilities but that a preliminary design plan must accompany the application.  Bourbon County is not to that stage at this time.  The men from Mid-Continental spoke to the commissioners about other jail facilities they have built and would like our business if/when we decide to build an addition to the current correctional facility.  They stated that jails cost about $175-$200 per square foot to build.  No action. 

Kent Roberts spoke to the commissioners about the 240^th St. benefit district.  The commissioners noted that asphalt season is nearly over and the road crews should begin working on the benefit district next week.  Mr. Roberts asked about fixing a low water bridge in the area.  No decision on the bridge at this time. 

Don Russell mentioned an unsafe structure at Rock Hill Rd & Franklin St.  Mr. Russell feels the building needs to be condemned, but since it is outside the Fort Scott City limits, it is a county issue.  He says that Home Rule allows the county to condemn property and suggests the commissioners contact the owner and order them to repair or remove the structure.  Mr. Russell also encouraged the commissioners to contact the Fire Marshall.   

Karen Paddock spoke to the commissioners about the 2003 District Court budget.  She also asked the commissioners about the funding for Special Alcohol & Drug Programs and Mental Health. 

The commissioners discussed a proposed dust control for Brian Bowen.  He lives on 140^th Street en route to the rock quarry and has an infant with respiratory problems.  The commissioners agreed to sell dust control for $1.00 per foot on the haul road of 140^th St.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:20 pm. 

                                                                     THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                     OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

 

                                                                     (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                     (ss) Robert Query, Commissioner

                                                                     (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 

ATTEST: