These are minutes for the month of July 2005, as approved by the Bourbon County Commission.
| July 01, 2005 | July 04, 2005-Holiday |
| July 08, 2005 | July 11, 2005 |
| July 13, 2005 | July 15, 2005 |
| July 18, 2005 | July 22, 2005 |
| July 25, 2005 |
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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. Matt Beltz spoke with commissioners about a plugged whistle near 205th and Valley Roads. He tried to locate the end of it recently but couldn’t. It causes flooding of the road and needs cleaned out or replaced. He also asked that brush be cut at the intersection to improve visibility at the corner. Mr. Beltz also asked that the speed limit be lowered and a Children Playing sign be erected in his area. There are over 20 children in a one mile section of road and people drive too fast. Commissioners approved lowering the speed limit to 30 MPH and to place Slow: Children Playing signs at either end. Jason Silvers, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present. Charles Parsons met with commissioners to discuss the proposed roof contract. Commissioners want clarification of a few items and verified that Mr. Parsons has the proper insurance and bond information to give to the County. Mr. Parsons would like to start as soon as possible. While the roof is being replaced, the west parking lot of the Courthouse will be closed. Commissioners also discussed the manner of payment. Mr. Parsons would like 25% down with regular draws as needed for supplies. Commissioners informed Mr. Parsons of the County’s pay days and cut-off times. Joanne Long will re-type the contract as specified. Marty Pearson informed commissioners that he received two applications for the mechanic position. After discussion, commissioners approved the hiring of Bill Metcalf. Mr. Pearson also informed commissioners that the City of Fort Scott would like to purchase 5-36” tubes. Commissioners approved the request, as long as we have them. Carol Davis spoke with commissioners about troublesome weeds and illegal dumping of trash. Apparently, students from the community college dispose of whatever they don’t want at the end of the term in the area as litter. Commissioners advised Ms. Davis to speak with the college president about supplying dumpsters for end of term. Chad Miles came to speak with the commissioners about 126 Humboldt. Commissioners advised Mr. Miles that the City would be who he needs to speak to about that property, as it is within the City limits of Fort Scott. Richard Johnson, Martin Tractor, met with commissioners to see if any decisions have been made. Commissioners admitted that no other offers have been received from his competitors and they did not want to open a sole quote. Commissioners will give the other businesses until 10:00 am, July 15, 2005, and then will open whatever they have at that time. Ancel Johnson met with commissioners to request a fence viewing between him and Betty McCall. It is for the property lines between them in Section 35, Township 25, Range 23. He would like all three commissioners to view. Commissioners explained it costs $7.50 per commissioner. Commissioners set the viewing for 10:00 am, Friday, July 8th. Harold Coleman spoke to commissioners about the idea of doing away with the Work Release program. He only has a couple of employable prisoners but it’s getting harder and harder to find employment for them. He also explained how Work Release prisoners must be segregated from non-Work Release prisoners and doing away with the program would open up some more beds on which we can receive rent. Mr. Coleman said that it makes good business sense. Commissioners will think it over. Joe Savage spoke with commissioners about the County’s road practices. He thinks that the road grader operators should replace the earth to the road, rather than pushing out towards the landowner into piles. Susan Quick presented the 2006 budget request for the Treasurer’s Office. She also asked commissioners if they would like to hear from the Pitney Bowes representative about new postage machines. They would. Ms. Quick also stated that there is still no set date for the next tax sale. She asked commissioners to call Dan Meara. Bill Brittain made a motion to adopt Resolutions 15-05 and 16-05. Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor. They were signed and placed in the Resolution book. Bill Brittain left the meeting at 11:00 am to tend to a business of his in Parsons which suffered roof damage in the storms overnight. Judge Gerald Hart, Judge Rebecca Stephan and District Court Clerk Karen Paddock, met with commissioners to present the 2006 District Court budget request. They went over some of the items and also discussed courthouse security. Commissioners asked Judge Hart about the Work Release Program. Judge Hart said he did not mandate any programs, but he liked to work with whatever the County offers. He personally feels that it is a good program in Bourbon County to help reclaim court costs and to help those involved to keep up child support payments. Commissioners authorized the City of Fort Scott to utilize one Bourbon County employee who can use a chainsaw for four hours work for the theater project. After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:45 pm.
ATTEST: (ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk July 4, 2005 Monday-Holiday, no meeting |
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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. Doylene Kennedy presented several items for signature. They included a Marmaton River bridge project, commonly known as Hell’s Bend; CFAP quarterly report; LEPP grant documents and quarterly sales tax report. Commissioners signed the documents where necessary. Joanne Long clarified some payroll items with commissioners. Commissioners received budget requests from Fire District 3 and Bourbon County Fair Board. Clyde Killion gave a road report. Gene Parker, Sr. and Gene Parker, Jr. met with commissioners to discuss maintenance in Garland. Commissioners confirmed the County maintains the roads and trims the trees over the road in Garland. Mr. Parker, Sr. stated that they are in need of attention at this time. He also discussed brush that needs sprayed. Mr. Parker, Jr. inquired about a railroad crossing. Commissioners stated that it is to be upgraded to have cross bars but he would have to speak with Burlington Northern Railroad for a timeframe. Jason Silvers, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present. Bill Brittain spoke with commissioners about Westar Energy’s desire to build a power plant in Southeast Kansas. The commissioners support the effort to have the plant locate in Bourbon County. Lynn Smith presented the Computer Department’s 2006 budget request. She also spoke of the need to plan for a new AS400 mainframe in about 2007. Commissioners will consider the money for the Equipment Reserve Fund. Commissioners left the meeting at 9:40 am to attend the fence viewing. They returned at 11:15 am. Harold Coleman spoke with commissioners about the County’s Work Release Program. He stated that he would inform Commissioners before any changes are made. Commissioners received the monthly progress reports from the Extension Office. Terri Johnson came to speak with commissioners about an employee matter and asked for a short executive session in that regard. Bill Brittain made the motion to go into executive session, for a period of five minutes, to discuss non-elected personnel. Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor. Those present for the session were the commissioners, Joanne Long and Terri Johnson. The session began at 11:23 am and ended at 11:28 am with no action. Commissioners asked Ms. Johnson to review the revised roof contract for approval. She took a copy back to her office to read. Bill VanKirk met with commissioners to present the 6th Judicial District Community Corrections budget proposal. It includes Miami, Linn and Bourbon Counties. After review of the program and the budget, Gary Houston signed the budget request as Chairman. Joanne Long spoke with commissioners about county vehicles and their use by employees. Special care should be taken to ensure that no unauthorized use is happening with county vehicles. Laura Hyer presented the 2006 budget request for Emergency Preparedness. She asked commissioners to review it and speak to her next week if they have any questions. Commissioners asked Terri Johnson to meet with them regarding the fence viewing they conducted this morning. No action at this time. Terri Johnson stated that she reviewed the roof contract and offered some minor adjustments. Joanne Long made the adjustments and gave a copy to Bill Brittain to take to Charles Parsons to review. After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:25 pm.
ATTEST: (ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk |
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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. Sharon Elder presented her budget request for 2006, Register of Deeds. Commissioners asked Ms. Elder’s help in locating possible sites for the Westar project to locate in Bourbon County. Susan Quick reported on the tax sale and her discussions with attorney, Dan Meara. Milt Lowmaster and Kenny Blair of Cook, Flatt & Stroble met with commissioners to discuss engineering services. Representatives from all the County’s area 4-H clubs met with the commissioners to say thank you for the County’s support of 4-H clubs. They also presented a proclamation for consideration by the Board celebrating 100 years of 4-H in Kansas. Commissioners signed the proclamation. Terri Johnson met with commissioners to discuss the Johnson/McCall fence viewing. No action. Jeremy Scharenberg met with commissioners to discuss speeding and the condition of Deer Road. Bill Brittain made a motion to allot $200 from the General Fund to help with a visioning program for the community. Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Commissioners stated they needed a special meeting Wednesday, July 13th, to discuss the fence viewing, to purchase a pull-behind tractor mower and to approve bills and payroll for the period. After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:05 pm.
ATTEST: (ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk |
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The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present. Minutes of the previous meetings were read and corrected. Jason Silvers, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present. Terri Johnson turned in the 2006 Attorney’s Office budget request.
The decision was typed up and signed and sent to the Register of Deeds office to be recorded. Terry Graham left the meeting at 9:40 am for a doctor’s appointment. Lora Holdridge spoke with commissioners over her concerns with 125th Street, approximately 2-3 miles north of Hwy 54. There is a sign warning of “Uneven Pavement” but it is more like a gravel pit. A portion of the road has been cut out to repair but the conditions are unsafe in her opinion. For people who know the road it is tricky, but for someone who is unfamiliar with it, it is dangerous. Commissioners will view the road after the agenda is complete. Jim Harris, Berry Tractor, and Richard Johnson, Martin Tractor, met with commissioners for grader quotes to be opened at 10:00 am. Both men presented quotes for road graders. Commissioners reviewed the information and asked Mr. Harris to present numbers for a 2-year lease for comparison. No action. Hazel Swarts sat in on part of the meeting. She is the chairperson of the E911 ad hoc committee. She is working with Laura Hyer on communications issues. Laura Hyer presented commissioners with a copy of a news release she sent to the media concerning the State of Kansas’s efforts to thwart terrorism since the attacks on London. Ms. Hyer asked for an executive session to discuss security issues. Gary Houston moved to go into executive session, for a period of ten minutes, under the Security Exception of the Kansas Open Meetings Act. Bill Brittain seconded and both voted in favor. Those present for the session were commissioners Houston and Brittain, Laura Hyer and Joanne Long. The session began at 10:35 am and ended at 10:45 am with no action. Commissioners suggested Laura work with Ms. Swarts for the information she needs. Frank Hereford spoke with commissioners about a ditch problem on 2nd Street just west of the Fort Scott city limits. He would like the county to clean it out, but it is on his private land. Commissioners will add it to the list of things to view today. Mr. & Mrs. Bob Steele spoke with commissioners about a dust problem on 155th Street caused by increased traffic from Cedar Creek Lake. Commissioners will view the area today after the agenda is completed. Robert Lamb spoke with commissioners about an intersection at 80th and Soldier Rd. It is a rounded corner and he thinks it should be a T-Intersection. Commissioners will view it also. After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:20 am for commissioners to view the items they spoke of earlier in the meeting.
ATTEST: (ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk |
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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. Andrew Malveaux met with commissioners to discuss ruined mower blades from blasted quarry rocks in his yard. Commissioners will meet Mr. Malveaux to view the damage this morning around 10:00 am. Commissioners signed an application for a Department of the Army Permit for the Marmaton River. Commissioners signed an oil and gas lease with Western Land Services for County property located in Section 32, Township 24, Range 24. Terry Graham and Gary Houston left the meeting at 9:50 am to view Mr. Malveaux’s mower problem. They returned at 10:55 am. After discussion, commissioners agreed to purchase a set of blades for Mr. Malveaux’s John Deere disc mower. Commissioners asked the clerk to compose a letter to all departments who have county cell phones and/or county vehicles and remind them that they are for County use only and any personal use is prohibited. Commissioners signed the letter after it was drafted. After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon.
ATTEST: (ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk |
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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. Doylene Kennedy spoke with commissioners about a request for dust control on a county road and the need to purchase signs for Elm Creek and Cedar Creek Lake. Commissioners authorized the purchase of four signs which read: “No Lifeguard on Duty—Swim at your own risk”. Commissioners authorized a down payment of $250 to be paid July 29th. Joanne Long asked commissioners for a brief executive session. Terry Graham made the motion to go into executive session, for a period of three minutes, under the non-elected personnel exemption of the Kansas Open Meetings Act, for discussion of the County’s Community Pool program. Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Those present for the session were the commissioners and the county clerk. The session began at 9:08 am and ended at 9:11 am. Commissioners asked the clerk to set a meeting of the Executive Board for Monday morning. Commissioners discussed a gas company which buried lines on a county right-of-way without a permit and very close to the road. Brett Baker met with commissioners to discuss a salary study he has done for the County, as a class assignment for his college. He will be presenting the report next Friday and wanted to set up to meet with commissioners sometime next week for a one-on-one explanation before the presentation next Friday. Commissioners asked Mr. Baker to call them when he has the report. Commissioners signed the 5-year bridge plan for Bourbon County. Gary Houston left the meeting at 9:45 am to attend a funeral. Marty Pearson gave an equipment report. Blake Hudson presented a petition to vacate part of a road at what would be known as 195th Street from the north bank of the Osage River to Yellowstone Road. There is only one landowner, the petitioner, so notification requirements can be waived and the vacation can proceed today. Bill Brittain made a motion to approve the vacation, as written in the Petition of Vacate County Road. Terry Graham seconded and both voted in favor. The order was signed and recorded in the Register of Deeds Office. Sharon Elder told commissioners that the noise problem with the new air conditioner in her office has not been resolved. She was also informed that the compressor is never expected to shut off because of the climate control in the Public Works office. Bill Brittain said he would talk to David Neville to see what the next step is. Terri Johnson met with commissioners to request an executive session. Bill Brittain made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of five minutes, under the attorney/client exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act. Terry Graham seconded and both voted in favor. Those present for the session were Terry Graham, Bill Brittain, Joanne Long and Terri Johnson. The session began at 10:43 am and ended at 10:48 am with no action. Beth Rowlands and David Gurss, KDHE, and Roger Lee met with commissioners for a periodic review of the recommendations on the County’s Local Environmental Protection Plan. Richard Nienstedt was present for this meeting. Mr. Gurss recommended that any agreements or disagreements the commissioners may have with this report should be presented in writing and the Kansas Association of Counties can help. The five topics that are discussed are:
In summary, the priorities are the updating of the sanitation codes, working on Lake Fort Scott with the City and the program’s organization. Terry Sercer presented commissioners with a first draft of the 2006 County budget. It included figures that were requested from departments only at this point. He asked the commissioners to review the information and he would meet with them Monday to discuss any changes. After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:05 pm.
ATTEST: (ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk |
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The Board of County Commissioners of Bourbon County, Kansas, met in open session with all commissioners and county clerk present. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. Karen Paddock spoke with commissioners about storage for district court. She has been speaking with Heartland about leasing the building at the tower site. It would provide ample space for the district court records which would allow Emergency Preparedness to have a large space in the basement. Commissioners are encouraged with the opportunity. Clyde Killion gave a road report. Members of the Executive Board present for consideration of a Community Pool request were Terry Graham, Bill Brittain, Gary Houston, Joanne Long, Judy Orton, Susan Quick, Sharon Elder and Clyde Killion. Bill Brittain made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of ten minutes, to discuss non-elected personnel. Gary Houston seconded and all voted in favor. Those present for the session were the commissioners, Joanne Long, Susan Quick, Sharon Elder, Judy Orton and Clyde Killion. The session began at 9:20 am and ended at 9:30 am where a vote was taken as to whether Kendell Mason should be permitted access as needed to Community Pool leave. It passed by a vote of 8 to 0. Jim Harris, Berry Tractor, met with commissioners to present semi-annual payment options for a five year lease of motor graders. He explained that a five year program works best for Berry Tractor. He also mentioned that any graders the county would lease are in stock. No action. Doug McGown, McGown Drilling of Mound City, met with commissioners over concerns with his company’s burying of lines on county right of ways. Mr. McGown stated that he must have misunderstood the commissioners’ statements the last time he was here and didn’t know he needed permits before digging. Commissioners also didn’t like the placement of the line so close to the roadway. Commissioners and Mr. McGown discussed responsibility for the road if the digging should compromise the structure of the surface and after several suggestions, Mr. McGown agreed to contact an engineering firm to look at the road and for it to offer an opinion of the stability of the road with the trench dug so close so that, in the future, if the road collapses, there will be something in writing from this incident. Commissioners also wanted Mr. McGown to be sure that no lines are ever dug on the road side of the ditch again and to have Mr. McGown purchase the required permits and post the appropriate bonds. Commissioners also asked Mr. McGown to prepare the lease agreement between his company and Bourbon County for the land he is accessing of the County’s. David Neville reported to commissioners about the noise in the Register of Deeds office from the new air conditioning unit. He said that the staff still doesn’t like the amount of noise but he doesn’t think it will ever be low enough for them as it sits in the office. It still vibrates somewhat and we’ve been told the blower will never shut off because the unit cools the Public Works office which has its own thermostat. Suggestions of building a façade around the unit were not feasible, according to David, because it would limit the room to maneuver in the office. He suggests moving the entire unit to the ante room of the Public Works Office where doors can be shut to limit the noise exposure. Bill Brittain would like the machine to be running at its peak performance before anything is moved or changed and would like the vibration problem solved first. Harold Coleman asked commissioners for an executive session to discuss one of his employees who was recently suspended without pay. Bill Brittain made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of five minutes, to discuss non-elected personnel. Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Those present for the session were the commissioners, the sheriff and the county clerk. The session began at 10:07 am and ended at 10:12 am. Commissioners told the sheriff to inform the suspended employee that his choices are to either be docked for the suspended time or that he may use vacation days to cover them and be paid. Part of the morning was spent reviewing the 2006 proposed county budget. Commissioners left the meeting from 10:15 am to 11:00 am to attend the ground breaking ceremony for the new movie theater. Laura Hyer spoke with commissioners about the lease agreement with Heartland Tower for communications. Terri Johnson is reviewing the agreement and she will have her opinion by Friday. The first payment of the lease would be from Homeland Security funds but would be the County’s liability in subsequent years. Phillip Hanson spoke with commissioners about excessive oil on his road. Terry Graham will view it after lunch. Terry Sercer met with commissioners to review the county budget. He also asked for an executive session to discuss audit matters about non-elected personnel. Terry Graham made the motion to go into executive session, for a period of ten minutes, to discuss non-elected personnel. Gary Houston seconded and all voted in favor. Those present for the session were the commissioners, the county clerk and Terry Sercer, auditor. The session began at 12:48 pm and ended at 12:58 pm with no action. Mr. Sercer said that he would formally present the audit on Friday. After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 1:00 pm.
ATTEST: (ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk |
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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. Aaron Cedeno, reporter with the Morning Sun, was present. Clyde Killion gave a road report. Jason Silvers, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present. Terry Sercer, CPA, from DBBJ&B, worked with commissioners on the 2006 County budget. Commissioners worked with Mr. Sercer making adjustments in order to have a budget with no levy increase over 2005. Mr. Sercer returned with the updated budget and commissioners approved it for publication. Brett Baker, MPA with Park University, presented the commissioners a wage compensation study that he completed as a thesis for his business program. He compared Bourbon County wages to those of 10 other similar counties in Kansas—five slightly larger and five slightly smaller. His result was that out of 28 positions, 13 were below average, 13 were at the bottom of the list and two were above average. Commissioners thanked Mr. Baker for the study. Bills and payroll for the period were read and approved. Commissioners received the monthly progress reports from the Extension Council. Laura Hyer spoke with commissioners about the National Incident Management System (NIMS). In order to continue receiving federal funding for emergency preparedness, the County must adopt a resolution supporting NIMS in Bourbon County before October 1, 2005. The County Attorney will review the proposed resolution before the commissioners are asked to sign it. Ms. Hyer also informed the commissioners of upcoming training in Hays that she would like a commissioner to attend. Lee Davis presented phone quotes for 60 gallons of Pasturegard. They were:
Gary Houston made a motion to purchase 60 gallons of Pasturegard from UAP/Timberland at $43.50 per gallon. Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor. Terry Sercer presented the 2004 Bourbon County audit report and management letter. He then stressed the importance of the commissioners to watch for possible violations in the monthly bills and payroll in areas that can be abused by personal use. He spoke specifically about cellular phones, use of county vehicles for personal use and travel reimbursements. He cited situations in other communities where audits found violations in these areas and resulted in fines against the county/city and personally against the person who pays the bills and stated that the burden of proof in those cases is on the county/city involved. He said that logs would help to account for mileage on vehicles, and recommends thorough examination of the bills each time because the commissioners are more likely to find a potential problem as often as they look at the bills rather than waiting for the annual audit. Terri Johnson reviewed the communications lease for the Heartland Tower with commissioners. She does not recommend signing it until a clause is added about the cash-basis law. Commissioners are also confused about the cost of the lease as they understood the tower to be leased to Bourbon County for $250 per month and this lease is higher. No action at this time. Terry Graham made a motion to raise a portion of 80th Street, between Hickory and Jayhawk Roads by 7 inches, in preparation of flooding a watershed dam, in which Bourbon County would supply the labor of the project. Bill Brittain seconded and all voted in favor. The Watershed District will pay for the materials. After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:25 pm.
ATTEST: (ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk |
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