These are the minutes for November 2006, as approved by the Bourbon County Commission.
November 03, 2006
November 06, 2006
November 10, 2006-Holiday
November 13, 2006
November 17, 2006
November 20, 2006-No meeting
November 24, 2006-Holiday
November 27, 2006
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November 3, 2006     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.
 
Curt Shankel has letters for the upcoming lake meeting.  Copies of the letters were made and mailed.
 
David Neville reported to commissioners that he spoke with Kone Elevator about locking out floor stops when transporting prisoners.  Our current elevator doesn’t handle that.  He also wants to lock off the basement to the general public by putting locking doors on all accesses to the basement.  According to Kone, locking the elevator to the basement is possible with a lock inside the elevator car.  The quote for that is $938.64.  Commissioners approved the lockout switch.  Commissioners feel that this is a step forward for the courthouse security.
 
Brett Dalton, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.
 
Joanne Long asked commissioners to appoint a voting delegate and alternate for the Kansas Association of Counties annual meeting this month.  Bill Brittain made a motion to appoint Terry Graham as delegate and Bill Brittain as alternate for the Kansas Association of Counties meeting.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and both voted in favor.
 
Bill Brittain made a motion to enter into a contract with R&S Digital Services, Inc., for GIS mapping.  Terry Graham seconded and both voted in favor. 
 
Greg Schick and Don Stewart spoke with commissioners about a new housing development in the area of Rocher Addition.  There was discussion of neighborhood revitalization, sales tax and the possible tax base increase.  Mr. Schick wants the County to participate in the development of a property near Rocher Addition for houses in the range of $120,000-125,000.  He would like road improvements on the new development.  He wants to have agreement with the County on repayment of the service price as lots sell rather than a special assessment.  Commissioners are interested but aren’t sure that’s allowed.  They will check into the legality of that.  He said he doesn’t like to do assessments.  Commissioners said that other times, a developer builds road up to county specifications and it is accepted as a County road and maintained by the County from then on.  There was discussion of whether the plan should be presented to the City for possible annexation of the land.  Bill Brittain volunteered to ask the City for him.  He said the area is parallel to Rocher Addition to the west—about 400’ to the east of the south end of Margrave.
 
Todd Wyss, Platinum Services, met with commissioners to discuss an optional insurance plan originally designed for farmers and ranchers but is now available to anyone.  It’s a voluntary benefit program.  They do all the administrative duties.  It covers catastrophic illnesses that would derail work abilities, such as cancer, heart attack and stroke.  It is available to anyone in the county, employee or not.  It pays the policy holder if they have any of the qualifying diseases with some of the following payouts:  Per day in hospital, travel expenses, surgery, radiation/chemotherapy per day of treatment, transplants, experimental treatments.  It also pays your money back after 15 years that you didn’t use.  The rates are always based on your age that you take out the policy.  It goes into effect 30 days after it is received by the company.  Mr. Wyss will speak with department heads and come back on Monday.
 
Jimmy Nichols met with commissioners to ask permission to attend a grant writing class for $1,500.  Commissioners informed Mr. Nichols that it is in talks with Don Russell for contract work to help the County with projects, and he is an experienced grant writer.  They recommend that Mr. Nichols contact Mr. Russell for help.
 
Commissioners asked Mr. Nichols if he has received a quote for new construction of a jail yet.  He said he was told it would cost about $5.5 million to build what is essentially the Allen County jail for square footage and bed numbers.
 
Terry Graham left the meeting at 10:45 am to meet people at Overbrook between 195 and 205th.  Meeting adjourned for lack of a quorum.
 
                                                         THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                         OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                         (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 
                                                         (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk
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November 6, 2006       Monday      9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners present.  Cecelia Kramer was also present.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.
 
Terri Johnson spoke with commissioners about the proposed Fort Scott Lake sewer.
 
Commissioners wrote another letter of support for Terri Johnson to be appointed District Judge.  This letter was sent to Governor Sebelius.
 
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:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk
 
November 10, 2006     Friday        Holiday—no meeting
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November 13, 2006     Monday      9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present.
 
The County Board of Canvassers met at 9:00 am to finalize the November 7, 2006, General Election.  142 provisional ballots were considered, as well as some challenged advance ballots and ballots which were returned after 7:00 pm on election night.  After going through the provisional ballots, the commissioners allowed 110 and 8 additional partial ballots to be added to the unofficial election totals.  24 provisional ballots were not allowed.  Commissioners also decided some Township Clerk races where there was a tie.  The following were elected on write-ins: 
 
Franklin Twp Clerk:  Deion Gregg
Freedom Twp Clerk: Donna Snyder
Millcreek Twp Clerk:  Jim Thurston
Osage Twp Clerk:  John Weikel
Walnut Twp Clerk: Warren Schooley
                    
Charles Blevins spoke with commissioners about the response time it took for a sheriff’s deputy to answer a call at his house when someone attempted to break into his house a few weeks ago.  He said it took over 20 minutes and he thinks that’s too long for as close to town as he lives.  He understands the need to keep taxes down but he’s willing to pay his share to add another deputy so there’s more than one on duty at night.
 
Curt Shankel asked commissioners for a copy of the engineering study at Lake Fort Scott.  Commissioners will get him a copy.
 
Dan Meara spoke with commissioners about the Bronson Special Assessment from the last tax sale.  He thinks that Bronson would have received their portion of the money from the sale of the property in a distribution. 
 
Darrell Spencer, Jimmy Nichols and Gene Parker, SEKRCC, and Edward McLiney, McLiney and Company, met with commissioners to discuss the jail project.  They reviewed proposed receipts and expenditures should the jail be expanded.  Mr. McLiney believes it is a viable project and is excited to be a part of it.
 
Joanne Long asked if the County will supplement the cost of flu shots for County and Courthouse employees.  The cost is $30 from the Health Department.  Commissioners approved paying for half the cost.  Ms. Long will set it up.
 
She also asked commissioners if the County will be having a Holiday Dinner for employees.  Commissioners authorized the dinner and asked the Clerk to make the arrangements.
 
Bills and payroll for the period were reviewed and approved.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:30 pm.
 
                                                                    THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                    OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                    (ss) Gary Houston, Chairman 
                                                                    (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner       
                                                                    (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner
 
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk
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November 17, 2006     Friday        9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present.  Minutes of the previous meetings were read and approved.
 
Greg Schick met with commissioners to discuss his proposed development south of town.  Bill Brittain said he spoke with the City of Fort Scott and it is interested in annexation.  Mr. Brittain also asked the Kansas Association of Counties about working with the developer on payment upon sale of lots instead of by special assessment and they say it is allowed as long as there is uniformity so it’s the same for everyone.  Therefore we would have to pass a resolution saying it is our policy for development projects.
 
Commissioners approved purchase of a new PC for Gene Parker in the Correctional Center for a new booking system as his is too old to sustain the program.
 
Gary Houston signed a cutting permit for Running Foxes.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.
 
Patty Pool spoke with commissioners about the lake project.  She is not able to attend the meeting tonight and wanted to know more about it.  After a brief description of the plans, Bill Brittain informed Mrs. Pool that a lagoon would be more expensive than the proposed sewer district and that’s why it’s being proposed.
 
Judy Orton spoke with commissioners to ask if an employee can apply for the Community Pool.  The employee has been hospitalized all week with the flu and has been instructed to stay out of the office for the next week.  Commissioners called a meeting of the Community Pool Executive Board at this time.  Those in attendance were the commissioners, Judy Orton, Susan Quick, Sharon Elder, Harold Coleman and Joanne Long.  Gary Houston 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.  Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, Judy Orton, Susan Quick, Sharon Elder, Harold Coleman and Joanne Long.  The session began at 9:50 am and ended at 9:55 am with no action.  Back in open session, the Executive Board unanimously approved the employee’s access to the Community Pool.
 
Susan Quick informed commissioners that she checked into the distribution of taxes from the tax sale and the City of Bronson got its share.
 
David Neville met with commissioners to discuss the elevator.  He has been informed by Kone Elevator that there is a code which states that the elevator must have 24/7 two-way access to a live person for emergencies.  With the correctional center staffed, it could be hooked up to the control room.   At the commissioners’ request, David will get prices for a phone for the elevator.
 
Commissioners signed the Abstract of Votes Cast for the November 7, 2006, General Election.  John Weikel refused his election as Osage Township Clerk as he is soon moving out of the district.  That means that Amelia Oberley is the newly elected Osage Township Clerk.
 
Joanne Long asked commissioners if the County would continue the glasses reimbursement plan for County employees in 2007.  It allows for up to $100 reimbursement for a County employee’s prescription eyewear, with a receipt.  Commissioners said they would. 
 
Laura Hyer, Delwin Mumbower and David Edwards met with commissioners to discuss the problem with communications in the rural area.  It was fixed and is not working again.  This has been going on for two weeks now.  Commissioners will contact the company to have someone come back out to fix it.  In the meantime, there are portable radios that cost $400 each which would be able to tone for assistance as a back door when the communications system is down in the rural area.  Commissioners approved her to purchase one of the radios.
 
Alice Maffett and Delores Pruitt joined the others to discuss Pandemic Flu planning.  They requested funding for masks and other equipment.  Laura Hyer said that Bourbon County won’t be able to get regional, state or national help if an outbreak occurs because it will be widespread.  Therefore, we’re on our own and must make plans ahead of time to deal with it.  Commissioners asked Ms. Hyer to put some numbers together for supply costs and report back.
 
Bill Brittain said he was contacted by Fort Scott High School Band Director, James Fox, who is doing a fund raiser to raise money for a field trip by collecting scrap metal and they have asked us to donate.  We don’t have any extra to spare.
 
Terri Johnson presented letters to attorneys and abstractors for tax sale to be signed by the Chairman. 
 
Gary Houston also asked Mrs. Johnson if the Bill of Sale for the purchase of the health department building needs to be filed with the Register of Deeds.  She confirmed that it does.
 
Bonnie Bailey spoke with commissioners about her taxes.  She lives near where Phoenix Coal Company is drilling.  She feels she’s paying too much for her property considering the location to the blasting.  Her property is not sellable and Phoenix has offered to buy but not for what she needs to pay it off.  Bill Brittain said there may be recourse for her to get the money out of it if it was damaged by the company’s blasting.  Commissioners also gave Mrs. Bailey the number to the owner of Phoenix Coal Company, Bob Hartley, who has always been easy to talk to.
 
Joanne Long asked commissioners about travel time for employees who go to meetings.  We haven’t paid it in the past and now there’s evidence from the Fair Labor Standards Act that says we should in some cases.  Commissioners said we should pay it, according to law, effective now, and to send a letter informing the non-exempt employees of the policy.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 am.
 
Commissioners returned at 2:00 pm for a work session in preparation of the lake meeting tonight at Fort Scott Community College.
 
                                                                            THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                            OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                            (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 
                                                                            (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk
 
 
November 20, 2006     Monday-No meeting—Commissioners at KAC annual conference 
November 24, 2006     Friday-No meeting--Holiday

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November 27, 2006   Monday         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.
 
Ed French and Lee Ferdinand, Fort Scott Community College, met with commissioners.  Mr. French introduced Mr. Ferdinand to the commissioners, as he is the new Director of Environmental Technology at the college.
 
Doylene Kennedy met with commissioners to discuss a personnel matter.  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 to discuss a workman’s compensation case.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and both voted in favor.  Those present for the session were Terry Graham, Bill Brittain, Doylene Kennedy and Joanne Long.  The session began at 9:14 am and ended at 9:19 am with no action.
 
Doylene Kennedy also spoke with commissioners about the Road and Bridge budget.  She said we will need to transfer from Road & Bridge Sales Tax for the end of the year. 
 
Brett Dalton, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present.
 
Barbara Sanders met with commissioners to discuss a piece of land in Hiattville she is interested in purchasing from the County.  It’ is from a vacated railroad and is adjacent to her existing property.  Commissioners informed Ms. Sanders she will have to get the legal description of the property for a public hearing to be held, as we did before for a different piece of land.
 
Susan Quick updated commissioners on the progress of the tax sale.  She said that Othick Abstractors can’t be ready by the date we requested due to upcoming personnel changes.  She also indicated their price would be increasing for researching the properties.  Commissioners asked Mrs. Quick to find out from the attorneys how long they would need for their part so we can schedule a sale.  She indicated that everyone was excited about having a sale every year on a specific date.  That way, people can expect it and plan towards it.   She added that Linn County Abstractors is coming to Bourbon County today and will look at our parcels so they can give a hard quote for pricing too.
Marty Pearson reported that we’re finishing up asphalting today.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:50 am.
         
                                                                            THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                            OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                            (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 
                                                                            (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner
 
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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