September 3, 2004      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. 

Jason Silvers, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present. 

Paul Pavey, Don Banwart, Josh Perry, Delwin Mumbower and Mike Hueston met with commissioners to discuss a proposed contract for services in Marmaton Township for the area of West Lake Fort Scott, the Fort Scott Municipal Airport and other surrounding areas.  Both Fire District 3 and Fire District 5 prepared a contract for the other to sign.  After much discussion, the commissioners asked the Clerk to write a compromise contract for review next Friday.   

Gerald Beerbower informed commissioners about seven roof leaks above the correctional center.  Mr. Beerbower estimates the repairs to cost between $2,100 and $2,200.  Commissioners approved the repairs. 

Maynard Taylor met with commissioners to discuss his land-locked property.  After reviewing the background, Terry Graham will meet Mr. Taylor Tuesday morning at 8:30 am to view the property. 

Robert Query reminded the commissioners that he would be indisposed nearly every Friday in September. 

Carl Francis asked commissioners for gravel on a road north of Xenia. 

Joanne Long asked commissioners to clarify what, if any, compensation Doylene Kennedy will receive for Flood Plain Management.  Terry Graham made a motion to pay her $60.00 per month, from courthouse general, for Flood Plain Management, effective September 1, 2004.  Gary Houston seconded and all voted in favor. 

Joanne Long also presented two forms to the commissioners for their review.  One is a Change to Payroll form that departments will fill out for any employee changes and the other is a letter to all departments outlining the time frame for bill payment.  Commissioners approved both documents for distribution. 

Clare George asked commissioners for gravel and repair of a culvert on Poplar Road between 85^th & 95^th Streets.  Commissioners will direct the Road Department next Tuesday. 

Terry Graham left the meeting at 11:08 am.  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:

(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

September 10, 2004    Friday        9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Robert Query and Gary Houston present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.  Terry Graham arrived at 9:15 after helping with an accident involving a county vehicle.   

Roger Lee spoke to commissioners about septic inspections. 

Jason Silvers, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present. 

Joanne Long presented the contract for fire services between Fire District 3 and Fire District 5.  Robert Query made the motion to sign our portion of the contract for fire services.  Gary Houston seconded and all voted in favor.  Robert Query signed as chairman. 

Joanne Long asked commissioners about a large expenditure from Emergency Preparedness for office furniture.  Commissioners said that it was going to be sent in on a grant.  Ms. Long informed commissioners that Emergency Preparedness doesn’t have the budget for the expense.  Commissioners spoke with Laura Hyer about the expense.  She confirmed that she would be reporting the expenses on her SLA grant that her salary is reimbursed on.   

Laura reported that the sheriff and she would be attending a KEMA meeting in Manhattan next week.  She has also set up a work group of local emergency personnel to work out the communications conflict.  She feels it is going well.  Also, Heartland REC is working with Motorola to get a radio grant for communications in southeast Kansas. 

Robert Query left the meeting at 9:55 am to attend the Kansas State Fair. 

Delwin Mumbower came to the meeting to sign the contract for fire services. 

David Neville informed commissioners that the carpet in the District Court office is bubbling up in several areas.  Commissioners directed Mr. Neville to get estimates. 

Also, Mr. Neville asked commissioners about the sidewalk on the east of the courthouse.  The walkway is in desperate need of repair.  After viewing the walk, commissioners authorized David to get estimates for it as well. 

Clyde Killion reported on the accident this morning.  The county truck is now at the barn.  Joanne Long gave Mr. Killion accident report forms for insurance to fill out. 

Joanne Long reminded commissioners that Saturday is Airport Day and no one has talked about closing Indian Road.  After confirming with city officials, Terry Graham made a motion to close portions of Indian Road Saturday, as needed, during Airport Day.  Gary Houston seconded and both voted in favor. 

Don George came to the meeting to inform commissioners that Bourbon County received the fish feeder grant.  He explained that the existing feeders would cost more to repair than new ones would on a new grant.  It is for feeders at Elm Creek Lake and Cedar Creek.  Gary signed the grant documents as vice-chairman.  Mr. George informed the commissioners that Elm Creek Lake likely will not be open in 2005 for fishing as they are not big enough.  He’s looking at opening Cedar Creek to fishing around July 4, 2005.  He feels that the county should advertise the great fishing opportunities that Bourbon County offers. 

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

                                                                                THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                                OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

                                                                                (ss) Robert Query, Chairman 

                                                                                (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner 

                                                                                (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

September 13, 2004  Monday         9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Robert Query present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Gary Houston arrived at 9:08 am.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. 

Bills and payroll for the period were approved. 

Harold Coleman, Judy Orton, Joanne Long, Sharon Elder, Susan Quick and Terri Johnson met with the commissioners to discuss a recently adopted resolution.  The resolution is to establish a legislative committee for the Kansas Association of Counties with a twelve member board consisting of 8 county commissioners and one each of county clerk, treasurer, sheriff and register of deeds.  The department heads are concerned with how weighted the board is of commissioners.  The commissioners association is proposing this board and the other associations are against it.  Terri Johnson stated that the department heads are here asking that it be rescinded because they were not apprised of the proposed resolution.  Terry Graham said that the commissioners association wants this committee to get back some of the control over the county that they once had and lost because of recent court decisions across the state.  He stated that Bourbon County doesn’t share those problems and he doesn’t want this decision to cause a rift between the commissioners and the other departments.  Mr. Graham said that he would think about it and let everyone know his decision Friday. 

Clyde Killion gave a road report. 

Jason Silvers, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present. 

Laura Hyer shared Emergency Preparedness information that she plans to distribute to area churches through the Ministerial Alliance for volunteers to assist emergency personnel in the event of a crisis. 

Paul Pavey signed the fire service contract. 

Robert Query left the meeting to assist the Appraiser’s Office with a land problem. 

Merle Messer requested a ditch be cleaned out. 

Doylene Kennedy presented a draft of a letter to send to individuals in the flood plain. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:55 am. 

                                                                THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

                                                                 (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner 

                                                                 (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 

ATTEST:

September 17, 2004    Friday        9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Gary Houston present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. 

David Neville spoke with commissioners about converting the three long steps on the east side of the courthouse into a ramp.  Commissioners asked Mr. Neville to get quotes. 

Judy Orton presented the Phase Delineation report for commissioners to sign.  Gary signed as Vice-Chair.   

Ms. Orton asked if 911 signs are being put up for Locust Road, formerly Hwy 54.  They’ll check on that.  Also, they discussed addressing for the Ranch House.  Judy recommends one address for the motel and to use the unit numbers.  Commissioners agreed.  Ms. Orton will confirm with the fire department that that is allowed. 

Sharon Elder asked if the commissioners decided to rescind the KAC resolution from last month.  Terry Graham said they would not rescind the resolution but informed Ms. Elder that Joanne Long is the voting delegate and is not bound to vote any certain way. 

Mike Gengler, project manager for US 69 Hwy north of Fort Scott, explained survey work and road work his group is doing. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:05 am. 

                                                                                THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                                 OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

                                                                                 (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner              

                                                                                 (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

September 20, 2004    Monday      9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present.   

Jason Silvers, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present. 

Robert Query reminded everyone that the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is this weekend. 

Terri Johnson met with commissioners to ask for an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.  Gary Houston made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of ten minutes, to discuss non-elected personnel.  Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, Terri Johnson and Joanne Long.  The session began at 9:30 am and concluded at 9:40 am.  After they were back in open session commissioners approved up to ten hours of overtime per week for the next four weeks for Whendi Embry. 

Clyde Killion gave a road report. 

Harold Coleman asked commissioners if someone was going to pass an envelope around for Pat Keating, as he will be recovering from his accident for several months.  An envelope was begun. 

Laura Hyer and Harold reported on topics from their training session in Manhattan last week.  Topics included E911 for wireless service, disaster plans for families and 800 MHz radio communications. 

Terri Johnson returned and asked commissioners for a second executive session regarding non-elected personnel.  Terry Graham moved to go into executive session, for a period of five minutes, to discuss non-elected personnel.  Gary Houston seconded and all voted in favor.  Those present for this session were the commissioners, Terri Johnson and Joanne Long.  The session began at 9:53 am and ended at 9:58 am.  In open session Terry Graham made a motion to amend the salary resolution for Assistant County Attorney to $40,000 annually, effective October 1, 2004, with a note that if/when a new Assistant County Attorney is hired, the salary will be lowered.  Gary Houston seconded.  Terry Graham and Gary Houston voted in favor.  Robert Query voted against.  Motion carried. 

Robert Query left the meeting at 10:55 am. 

Joanne Long received a request from Larry Nuss for a vacation of a lot at Lake Fort Scott to have a public hearing set.  Terry Graham moved to schedule a public hearing on the matter for 10:00 am, Monday, October 15^th.  Gary Houston seconded and both voted in favor. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon. 

                                                                                THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                                OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

                                                                                (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner       

                                                                                (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

September 24, 2004    Friday        10:30 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Gary Houston present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meetings were read and approved. 

Jason Silvers, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present. 

Sharon Elder, Susan Quick and Joanne Long spoke to commissioners about pay raises.  Citing the recent pay raises for several courthouse employees, including the sheriff and assistant county attorney, the Clerk, Treasurer and Register of Deeds are feeling left out.  Joanne Long presented commissioners with a chart of salaries of those positions for Allen, Cherokee, Linn and Miami Counties, comparing them to Bourbon County.  County Commissioner was added upon request.   

The officers do not begrudge anyone a raise, but feel they are entitled as well.  Sharon Elder reported that these elected positions have received a total of $75.00 per month increase since 1998.  Cities, schools and other counties give at least a cost of living increase if not a merit increase and they are paid with tax dollars too.  Also, though they are asking for themselves today, reminded commissioners that all courthouse employees should get a raise.  Terry Graham stated that he agreed that over the years the county employees got the short end of the stick at budget time.  It’s gotten to the point that bringing salaries up to comparables is nearly impossible in one step.  Commissioners will consider the request but stated that it would probably be the first of the year before any changes could be made.  In the meantime, commissioners asked the officers to review their budgets to see if they can handle a fairly significant increase.   

Commissioners and the officers also discussed plans for the upcoming 17-County Officials meeting in October. 

Laura Hyer updated commissioners on communications and education issues. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:15 pm. 

                                                                                THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                                OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

                                                                                (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner 

                                                                                (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST:

September 27, 2004    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. 

David Neville discussed the need for a smoke detector in the kitchen area of the correctional center. 

Laura Hyer asked commissioners to sign a letter appointing her as Bourbon County Emergency Preparedness Coordinator.  Commissioners signed the letter. 

Clyde Killion gave a road report. 

Charlie and Arlone Blevins met with commissioners to request a fence viewing on their property line with Rick and Lisa Nation.  Though the fence viewing laws only require two commissioners, the Blevins’ paid an additional viewing fee to have all three commissioners present for the fence viewing.  They also request the presence of Roger Lee to view a drainage issue at the same time.  Commissioners set the time for the fence viewing for 10:00 am, Monday, October 11, 2004.  All parties will be notified of the fence viewing by certified mail. 

Lisa Nation and Judy Duffy met with commissioners regarding the dispute with the Blevins’ over the fence.  Commissioners informed Mrs. Nation of the fence viewing time.  Mrs. Nation was glad to hear that Roger Lee would be there as well. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon. 

                                                                               THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                               OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

                                                                               (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner                       

                                                                               (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner

ATTEST: