February 4, 2005                Friday  9:00 am 

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

Clyde Killion gave a road update. 

Marty Messer requested ditch cleanup on 235^th St. 

David Neville and Karen Paddock spoke with commissioners about the policy for keeping the courthouse doors locked until 8:20 am.  As District Court employees arrive at 8:00 am, Ms. Paddock is concerned for their safety if the doors do not remain locked.  Commissioners suggested speaking with Laura Hyer about securing the entrance and asked Mr. Neville to price panic bars.  No action at this time. 

Gary Houston made a motion to appoint Terri Johnson to the 6^th Judicial District Advisory Board.  Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor. 

Ann Ludlum and Delta George brought the monthly progress reports for the Extension Office and explained what their activities are. 

Tammy VonRohr, All American Insurance, spoke with commissioners about a supplemental insurance she would like to offer employees.  Commissioners asked Ms. VonRohr to return in the future after speaking with the county clerk. 

Barbara Swearingen asked commissioners to place a road sign at the intersection of 230^th St. and Kansas Road.  Commissioners will look into it. 

Susan Quick and Sharon Elder spoke with commissioners about raises for elected officials.  Bill Brittain suggested speaking with Terry Sercer to look at the budget to see if it is possible. 

Doylene Kennedy requested to purchase two new computers for Public Works.  Commissioners asked her to get price quotes.  No action at this time. 

The Commissioners signed the Noxious Weeds Annual Report. 

The meeting adjourned at 11:50 am when all commissioners left the meeting to view the 230^th St. and Kansas Road intersection. 

                                                                      THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                      OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                      (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                      (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner 

                                                                 

ATTEST:

February 7, 2005      Monday         9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners present.  Cecelia Key was also present. 

Charlie Blevins spoke with commissioners about delinquent taxpayers.  Commissioners assured Mr. Blevins that the treasurer was planning a tax sale for later this year.   

David Neville spoke with commissioners about the possibility of a local storage facility.  Commissioners asked him to present quotes.  Commissioners also approved having the west courthouse door fixed so that it will lock when it closes. 

Gary Houston made a motion to rescind the Friday motion appointing Terri Johnson to the 6^th Judicial District Advisory Board.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor. 

Gary Houston then made a motion to appoint Valorie Leblanc to the 6^th Judicial District Advisory Board.  Bill Brittain seconded and all voted in favor. 

Laura Hyer informed commissioners of receipt of a $1,000 grant for two or three firefighters to attend Haz-Mat training in Wichita.  Gary Houston signed the grant documents as chairman. 

Ms. Hyer also spoke about radios for 911. 

Clyde Killion reported a break-in at the county barn over the weekend.  He presented a list of stolen items for insurance purposes. 

Commissioners discussed having the county’s crushed rock tested by the State.  Gary Houston contacted the state to set it up. 

Laura Hyer discussed courthouse security.   

Commissioners instructed Clyde Killion to put up a large “Turn” sign at Kansas Road and 230^th St. near the Swearingen residence. 

Susan Quick and Sharon Elder checked with commissioners to see if Terry Sercer had contacted commissioners regarding the salary request.  Gary Houston called Mr. Sercer and left a message for him to return the call.  Commissioners asked Ms. Elder to compile a workload comparison to other counties for her office. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon. 

                                                                          THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                          OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                          (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman         

                                                                          (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner  

ATTEST:

February 11, 2005     Friday  9:00 am 

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

Lee Davis notified the commissioners of a proposed contract for inspecting hay fields that sell to the State or other government agencies for 54 noxious weeds.  It would pay him an hourly rate and mileage.  Mr. Davis is aware of only one county in southeast Kansas that is probably going to sign the contract.  Commissioners did not think it was something we want to do.  No action. 

Bills and payroll for the period were reviewed and signed. 

Bill Brittain made a motion to appoint Don Russell to the SEK Regional Revolving Loan Committee for a period of two years.  Gary Houston seconded and both voted in favor. 

Charlie Blevins stopped in to speak to commissioners but decided to wait until Monday when all commissioners can be present. 

Clyde Killion presented the report from the local oil company that tested the oil from the county road grader because of metal shavings.  The report showed the levels to be normal. 

Mr. Killion also discussed security at the county barn.  The cost of the stolen items has been estimated at $4,300. 

Commissioners spoke to Clyde about the T-intersection at 230^th St. and Kansas Road.  Commissioners would like a Yield sign placed for the northbound traffic so that all directions must yield at the corner. 

Laura Hyer spoke to commissioners about emergency preparedness.  Commissioners asked her to coordinate with Clyde Killion about possible security options for the county barn, landfill and rock quarry. 

Ms. Hyer also asked commissioners if her department could use a copier that is being stored in the basement.  It belonged to the Treasurer before it was replaced.  Commissioners approved the request. 

Larry Bryant, Kenny Hoop and Ken Parker met with commissioners representing Meritage about right-of-ways for drilling natural gas.  They have obtained about 90% of the private right-of-ways that they will need.  They have three landowners from whom they haven’t been able to obtain a lease.  Commissioners will discuss this on Monday when Mr. Graham is present. 

Commissioners set an appointment to meet the person from the State about checking the county’s road rock.  They will meet him this afternoon at 1:00 pm at the rock quarry. 

JR Parker asked commissioners to fix a road west of his house at 2457 Grand Road.  It gets deep ruts when water runs across it.  Commissioners will view the road to see what can be done to fix the problem. 

Jeff Kramer, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas presented commissioners with four possible health insurance options for the County.  They are based on the health profiles that were received; however there are about 8 that are missing.  If we can get those turned in, we can get a more accurate quote.  Joanne Long went over the list of those that were turned in to find the names of those who had yet to turn their profile in.  She will contact them and ask them to turn it in by Monday. 

Commissioners met for the joint City/County luncheon at noon at Shawnee Trails restaurant.  Those present were:  Gary Houston, Bill Brittain, Richard Nienstedt, Barbara Wood, Kevin Allen, John Keating, Dick Hedges, Joanne Long and Robin Hixson of the Fort Scott Tribune. 

On the topic of 911, commissioners discussed the renewal of the inter-local agreement for dispatch, the replacement of equipment and radios, the location of and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and funding and staffing. 

Commissioners discussed researching the cost of jointly using the County’s asphalt plant to supply both the city and county in an effort to save money.  They also discussed the differences between road rock and asphalt rock and the need to build up supplies of road rock so that when changing over to asphalt rock, the county’s gravel roads can be kept up.  The county commissioners remarked that they are meeting with a State representative at 1:00 pm today to have the County’s road rock quality tested. 

Joanne Long informed the group that the City Primary election will be held in the Courthouse lobby.  The candidate forum, which is hosted by the Chamber, is set for February 22^nd at Fort Scott Middle School.  There was discussion of the possibility of televising the forum.  The Chamber will handle all the details. 

Other items of discussion included the 2005 property valuation estimates, the cost of murder trials; telecommunications franchise fees and possible relocation of government offices. 

The meeting adjourned at 1:00 pm when Gary Houston and Bill Brittain left for the rock quarry to meet the representative from the State to check the County’s road rock. 

                                                                    THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                    OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                    (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                    (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner  

ATTEST:

February 14, 2005       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. 

Clyde Killion gave a road update. 

Commissioners discussed the meeting with the man from the State last Friday who took samples of rock to be tested.  We should know something in about three weeks. 

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

Dale and Betty Russell spoke to commissioners about the condition of their road on 95^th Street south of Redfield.  They are dissatisfied with the road grader.  The commissioners confirmed Mr. Russell’s wishes for the road grader not to lift his blade when he passes his property and relayed that message to the road crew.

Beth Rowlands and David Gurss, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, met with commissioners for a review of the Bourbon County Local Environmental Protection Plan (LEPP), of which Bourbon County has been involved since 1996.  They asked the commissioners a series of questions regarding water resources, sanitation codes and the landfill.  They will compile the commissioners’ answers and present a report in a few weeks as well as discuss codes revision and an LEPP program review. 

Charlie Blevins met with commissioners to discuss his dissatisfaction with how he is portrayed in the newspaper.  He discussed the wages interview and a mention in a recent paper about property tax sales.  He told the Tribune reporter that he wants the article corrected or he will take legal action.  Mr. Blevins also implied that Mr. Silvers had something to do with his not receiving a newspaper two nights in a row.  Mr. Silvers assured Mr. Blevins that he is in no way connected with circulation. 

Terry Sercer met with commissioners, at their request, to review the budget to see if there is any money for increases for elected officials.  Mr. Sercer explained about various budgeted reimbursements that help the General Fund and carryovers.  He will look over the year-end figures to see if the carryover is more or less than budgeted.  He will meet back with commissioners either Friday or Monday with his report.  Commissioners asked Mr. Sercer to also look at the Special Bridge Fund. 

Sharon Elder presented commissioners with a medical release from an employee with lifting restrictions.  Commissioners asked the clerk to see if there is a release the county can have the doctor sign to protect the County in case of injury. 

Ms. Elder also presented commissioners with a breakdown of fees collected from her office and surrounding Deeds offices. 

Jerry Witt met with commissioners to inform them of storage available above his business.  He currently has one and a half stories available (approximately 7,500 sq. ft.) with a freight elevator.  Commissioners thanked Mr. Witt and said they would look at the space. 

Laura Hyer spoke with commissioners about communications. 

Don George, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Fish Biologist, presented commissioners with new contracts for the Community Fisheries Assistance Program (CFAP).  He stated they are exactly the same as the one the commissioners signed in December except that there is one contract for Elm Creek Lake and one for Cedar Creek Lake.  Commissioners signed the contracts. 

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

                                                                   THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                   OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

 

                                                                   (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                   (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 

                                                                   (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner

ATTEST:

February 18, 2005     Friday  9:00 am 

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Bill Brittain present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.  Gary Houston arrived at 9:30 am. 

Bob Hartley, Phoenix Coal Company, stopped by to introduce himself to Bill Brittain.  Phoenix Coal Company is doing business in the southeast region of Bourbon County, which is in Mr. Brittain’s district. 

Doylene Kennedy spoke with commissioners.  She confirmed replacing Jim Harris’s name on the SEK Solid Waste Operations Board with Clyde Killion.  

Ms. Kennedy also spoke about a Kansas Recycling Association survey.  Commissioners would like more information about the association before they answer it. 

Joanne Long asked commissioners to update appointments to the SEK Regional Planning Commission.  Gary Houston made a motion to appoint Bill Brittain to the Community Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) board.  Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor. 

Terry Graham made a motion to appoint Gary Houston to the CEDS board.  Bill Brittain seconded and all voted in favor. 

Gary Houston made a motion to appoint Bill Brittain to the Bourbon County Economic Development Board.  Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor. 

Bill Brittain made a motion to appoint Gary Houston as an alternate to the Bourbon County Economic Development Board.  Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor. 

Clyde Killion gave a road report. 

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

Harold Coleman spoke with commissioners about medical expenses for prisoners and using them for work release/community service.   

David Neville spoke with commissioners about the roof.  He has been in contact with Gerald Beerbower, at the commissioners’ request.  Mr. Beerbower suggests a contour roof for the jail.  The companies that Mr. Neville has spoken with would like to take core samples to check for moisture damage.  Commissioners would like to have estimates for removing the entire roof and starting from scratch or with taking core samples. 

Verdon Dauben met with commissioners regarding the paving of Maple Road near his house.  Commissioners assured Mr. Dauben that it is on the list for 2005. 

Doylene Kennedy asked commissioners for an executive session to speak about non-elected personnel.  Terry Graham made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of five minutes, under the non-elected personnel exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act.  Bill Brittain seconded and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, Ms. Kennedy, Clyde Killion and Joanne Long.  The session began at 9:44 am and ended at 9:49 am with no action. 

Charlie Blevins met with commissioners to ask if any Bourbon County tax dollars were used to build the Fort Scott Community College John Deere or Harley Davidson buildings in Crawford County.  Commissioners advised Mr. Blevins to ask the community college board of trustees, as they control their own spending from a separate mill levy. 

Jeff Kramer met with commissioners to discuss the Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance quote.  Commissioners asked Mr. Kramer to do his best to get the lowest premiums possible as a comparison to Coventry. 

Kenny Hoop, Meritage, met with commissioners about the three right-of-ways they have not been able to secure through private individuals.  Commissioners suggested a trade for the county right-of-way access.  Would Meritage purchase the road rock for the mile of road in question?  Mr. Hoop agreed to ask his superiors about the possibility.  After consulting with his peers, Mr. Hoop said that Meritage would reimburse the county, at $5.50 per ton, for the rock for approximately one mile of road.  The county will either use its own rock supply or purchase it from an outside source and will haul and spread the rock.  This will be after Meritage has placed the lines in the right-of-way and covered them up.  Mr. Hoop also verified that the lines would be 3 feet underground and should not cause problems for road personnel.  The company also has an inspector on site when they replace fence/dirt/seed to make sure it is quality work.  They also only dig on the high side of the ditch, as far away from the road as possible.  Commissioners also confirmed that if the County were ever to hit a pipe, we would not be responsible. 

Laura Hyer spoke with commissioners about Emergency Preparedness.  Bill Brittain provided Ms. Hyer with a report from the City of Fort Scott of 911 expenditures.  Ms. Hyer went over the Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) plan with commissioners.  She explained the importance of the entire community’s involvement should a case show up in Bourbon County. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon. 

                                                                      THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                      OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

                                                                      (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                      (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 

                                                                      (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner

ATTEST:

February 25, 2005     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. 

Bills and payroll for the period were approved. 

Larry Davenport, Dave Rexroat and Dana Lamb met with commissioners to discuss the county’s health insurance.  They compared the Coventry insurance with the proposal from Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  They would like to keep our business. 

Norval Schnichels, KDOT, spoke with commissioners about a KDOT proposal to change the Y intersection at KS Hwy 7 and KS Hwy 31 to a T intersection.  They would like the commissioners to see what the area residents think of that proposal.  He will check back in about a month. 

Joanne Long asked the commissioners’ approval to purchase a laptop computer for her office for clerk and election.  The county’s only laptop is very outdated and does not have the capacity to handle new programs.  Commissioners asked Ms. Long to check locally first and to get at least two prices, but approved the request. 

Doylene Kennedy presented three quotes for two computers and a printer for Public Works.  They were: 

Terry Graham made a motion to purchase two computers and a printer from RTS Microsystems for $1,935.86.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor.

Joanne Long asked commissioners if they would be taking bids this year for hay at Elm Creek Lake.  They indicated they would.  Ms. Long will publish the announcement. 

Ms. Long also asked the commissioners if they would allow a presentation for supplemental insurance for All American Marketing March 9^th and 10^th.  They approved the request. 

Maurice Nelson met with commissioners to inform them that a part of the fence between his property and the County Barn has fallen down.  He wanted to inform the commissioners so it could be fixed before the asphalt season begins. 

Hubert Thomas returned a signed copy of the agreement between the Watershed, Rural Water and Bourbon County for maintenance and upkeep of Cedar Creek. 

Laura Hyer, Lester Waring, Ruth Waring, Delwin Mumbower, Mike Feagins, John Taylor, Robert Jackson and Ken Justice met with commissioners to discuss radios.  Much of the discussion focused on the differences between analog (what we have now) and digital (what the trends are heading towards).  By May 3^rd we will know how the Kansas legislature is leaning and can move forward from there.  The City of Fort Scott is planning to replace the 911 system and has been leaning towards staying with the 450 MHz (analog) and if the County and rural fire switch to 800 MHz (digital) there would need to be an adaptor which costs anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000.  Mr. Justice feels it would be better all around if everyone went with 800 MHz radios as the analog radios will be obsolete in less than 10 years.  The FCC governs the specifications of radios. 

Ms. Hyer informed commissioners that expenditures must begin March 1, 2005, on the hardening of buildings. 

Terry Sercer met with commissioners over general fund carryovers.  He prefaced by saying he is leery of giving advice without the audit complete, but that it appears that there is a substantial carryover in the general fund at the end of 2004.  He wants to look at the general ledger to see if he can pinpoint why and will present his findings Monday at 11:00 am. 

Susan Quick spoke briefly about Delinquent Personal Property notices.  When tax statements were re-printed in USD 235, Personal Property and 16/20M truck statements were not sent again, and many taxpayers only paid statements that were sent in the second mailing.  As this is not the taxpayer’s fault, she is trying to smooth the water and not charge penalties in such cases but wanted the commissioners to be aware of the situation. 

Karen Paddock met with commissioners about storage.  She looked into the space available above Cheney-Witt and it is a good space.  Her document people at the state indicate it is best to keep records at a steady temperature rather than be subject to fluctuations.  There is also a question of security of the records off-site.  Ms. Paddock reminded commissioners of the salt mines.  That is about $1,200 for the first year, after they pick up and deliver the records to the mines to store and about $600 each year after that.  The storage personnel will retrieve any record we need for a fee we would charge to the party requesting it and the records would remain secure and climate-controlled.  Commissioners like this option and asked Ms. Paddock to see if there is a difference in prices between Hutchinson and Kansas City. 

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

                                                                            THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                                            OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

 

                                                                            (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 

                                                                            (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 

                                                                            (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner

ATTEST:

February 28, 2005     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. 

Clyde Killion gave a road report.  He also informed commissioners that he is meeting with Don George today to discuss signs for Cedar Creek. 

Kenny Cochran, Maple Grove Cemetery, informed commissioners that he is moving out of the county this year.  He has been trying to locate someone to take over the cemetery duties but has had no luck.  Gary Houston said that he would try to find someone for him.  The commissioners thanked Mr. Cochran for the notice. 

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

Robert Davis and his daughter, Connie Wollenhaupt, met with commissioners about their properties southeast of Fort Scott.  Another wrinkle has been uncovered as they found they cannot insure the mortgage because the vacation of road from the 1970s was never finalized (according to Othick’s); because there is no proof that the adjoining property owners were notified of the public hearing.  Commissioners would like the county attorney to research the matter to see if the notice of publication is enough to satisfy the notification requirements. 

Terry Sercer, DBBJB, presented a worksheet to commissioners to show the unaudited revenues and expenditures in the general fund for 2004.  It shows a total in excess of $300,000 additional carryover, more than was estimated in the 2005 budget.  He said that no one thing attributed to the increase, but that lots of little things added up.  No action. 

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon. 

                                                 THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

                                                 OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS 

 

                                                 (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner             

                                                 (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner

ATTEST: