These are minutes for the month of February 2007, as approved by the Bourbon County Commission.

February 2, 2007 February 5, 2007
February 9, 2007 February 12, 2007
February 16, 2007 February 19, 2007--Holiday
February 23, 2007 February 26, 2007

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February 2, 2007         Friday        9:20 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 meeting were read and approved.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.
 
Duane Ledford met with commissioners.  Commissioners discussed the proposed idea of having someone at the lake overnight to deter vandalism.  Commissioners and Mr. Ledford went over the duties at lake, which include mowing, weed-eating, filling fish feeders, cleaning shelter houses and Cedar Creek maintenance.
 
Commissioners received the monthly progress report from the Extension Office.
 
Brent Crays met with commissioners to say that the City is contracting with James Kaup and Wendy Lee to update the comprehensive plan and land use regulations.  The current plans and regulations have been in effect since 1989.  The City will be developing a steering committee and they want someone from the County on it.  They want a Commissioner and the County Appraiser to be ex-officio members.  Mr. Crays said that Judy Orton is very excited about being on the committee and would be a great asset with her knowledge of the land.  The commissioners will discuss it with Bill Brittain on Monday.
 
Laura Hyer met with commissioners to update them on recent meetings she has attended in Topeka.
 
David Neville met with commissioners to report on the boilers. He says they seem to be working now and the water levels have stabilized.
 
He also asked if commissioners would approve insulation in the attic over the third floor to help stop heat from escaping through the tiny holes in the ceiling tiles and out the vents in the roof.  Commissioners would like him to get a contractor’s opinion and Gary Houston would also like to look at it before anything is done.
 
Brett Dalton, reporter with the Fort Scott Tribune, was present.
 
Terry Graham signed an application with the State Board of Tax Appeals for tax exemption for the landfill property we recently purchased.
 
Jimmy Nichols met with commissioners.  He brought a letter of intent as requested for housing out-of-county inmates.  The letter has already gone out and responses are coming back.
 
Mr. Nichols informed commissioners that the correctional center lost accreditation.  He said there are no drawbacks to this.
 
Mr. Nichols also discussed the new policy for mental health calls and over-the-counter medications.  Mental health only by court order and over-the-county medications will be distributed only twice a day.
 
Terry Graham made a motion to adopt Resolution 09-07, increasing the fees for review of surveys and subdivision plats for the County.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and both voted in favor.
 
Joe Savage discussed the time trains cover road crossings.  He wants to know if there is a law that limits the amount of time a train can cover a roadway and if we can issue citations.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon.
 
                                                                                   THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                                   OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                                   (ss) Terry Graham, Chairman 
                                                                                   (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner       
                                                                                   (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk 

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February 5, 2007                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.
 
Dean Mann came to discuss the proposed Bourbon County/Fort Scott Riverfront Authority.  Commissioners want the resolution to be worded so that eminent domain is not allowed in the acquiring of property for the park.  Mr. Mann sent a new copy of the resolution with the requested change.
 
Commissioners discussed the steering committee for the City of Fort Scott.  Bill Brittain agreed to be the member for the commissioners.
 
David Neville discussed insulating the attic above the 3rd floor.  Commissioners would like to know what it will cost for it to be hired done and what it would cost for us to do it ourselves.
 
Harold Coleman met with commissioners and they discussed the train issue that Joe Savage mentioned last week.  Mr. Coleman believes that trains aren’t supposed to be stopped over a roadway for more than 15 minutes.  However, if you arrest them, the train will sit there until someone can be sent here to move it.
 
Bill Brittain made a motion to adopt Resolution 10-07, requesting the Kansas State Legislature to enact a bill to establish the Fort Scott/Bourbon County Riverfront Authority, pending approval of the wording by the County Attorney.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Rhonda Fernandez and Jennifer Elliott, Preferred Health, gave an annual update of the County’s health insurance.  They said that Preferred Health paid out less in claims than the County paid in for premiums and that is good.  The amount of prescription drugs continues to be over what is standard, but that is more of a trend now.
 
Ms. Fernandez also said she checked on the Delta Dental plan.  We’re currently at 50/50 coverage.  She said that Delta doesn’t allow dual plans unless we have over 500 members.  She stated that next year we might look at raising that to the 100% on the wellness to see if that will be more economical.
 
Sharon Middleton stopped in.  She is interested in the night watchman position.  She lives within a mile of the lake already.  She recommends making the caretaker’s house an enclosed shelter house.  Commissioners encouraged her to fill out the application and include her plans.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:50 am.
 
                                                                 THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                 OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                 (ss) Terry Graham, Chairman 
                                                                 (ss)  Bill Brittain, Commissioner
                                                                 (ss)  Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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February 9, 2007         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.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.  Marty Pearson wants to purchase a puller from State Surplus Property.  Commissioners approved him to purchase it or bid on it at auction up to $1,200.
 
Mr. Killion also discussed the cost of gate fees at the landfill.  We are apparently low as we are receiving loads from far locations.  Commissioners want to know what other counties are charging to compare.
 
Joanne Long spoke with commissioners about the upcoming election.  In anticipation of severe weather that has been predicted for the weekend prior to the election, she is heavily promoting advance voting to ensure that people can cast their ballot in these contested races.  She also said that it would be helpful in the event of heavy snow that a couple of road crewmen be assigned to help get her employees to work and clear the way to the polling places.  Commissioners approved the request.
 
Commissioners will attend an upcoming meeting in Pittsburg on February 22, 2007, for a proposed Bourbon/Crawford/Cherokee County Disposal Plan.
 
Jimmy Nichols and Gene Parker met with commissioners to discuss prices for an x-ray chair to help find contraband or weapons that prisoners are attempting to smuggle into the jail.  The best price he found was $8,499.34.  Commissioners approved the purchase.
 
Mr. Nichols also discussed how prisoners are billed through their commissary account for medical visits.  Other counties also attach any expenses incurred while a person was an inmate to their restitution so that the bills must be paid before probation ends.  Commissioners like that idea.
 
Mr. Parker spoke with commissioners about going to part-time as he is possibly going to be starting soon as the Chief of Police at Bronson.
 
Lee Davis presented the Noxious Weed annual report for approval.  He also requested to purchase a spot sprayer.  Commissioners asked him to contact local vendors too to see if they carry or can order one.
 
Mr. Davis also requested a raise for Lois Coyan for Noxious Weed Secretary beginning in July.  She currently receives $90.04 per month for those duties.  No action at this time.
 
Ann Ludlum met with commissioners to discuss the Walk Kansas program.  101 Kansas counties are participating in 2007.
 
Commissioners spent the balance of the morning discussing building permits, Fort Scott Lake issues and hiring Don Russell as a part-time employee for the County to help with several areas, including grants and codes.  No action at this time.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:50 am.
 
                                                                        THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                        OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                        (ss) Terry Graham, Chairman 
                                                                        (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner 
                                                                        (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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February 12, 2007     Monday         9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Bill Brittain present.  Gary Houston arrived at 9:25 am.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report. 
 
Bill Keith went over area gate fees with the commissioners.  Many places charge more for out-of-county than for in-county.  They also discussed lowering the minimum weight.  Terry Graham made a motion to raise the C&D fees at the transfer station to $15.00/ton plus tax and to set the minimum at $8.57 for up to 1,200 lbs, effective March 1, 2007.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor.  The minimum price did not change, however the minimum load was lowered from 1,600 lbs to 1,200 lbs.
 
Bills and payroll for the period were reviewed and approved.
 
Commissioners reviewed the applications for the Elm Creek Lake job.
 
Mike Hueston met with commissioners and discussed several topics including the fire department, dispatch and Mapleton business.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:45 am.
 
                                                          THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                          OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                          (ss) Terry Graham, Chairman 
                                                          (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner
ATTEST:
  •  
    (ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk
    		•

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    February 16, 2007     Friday  9:00 am
     
    The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Gary Houston and Bill Brittain present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Terry Graham arrived at 10:55 am.
     
    Clyde Killion gave a road report.  He also spoke with commissioners about ways to save money on solid waste transfers.  No action.
     
    Sandra McLeod, court reporter, spoke with the commissioners about an invoice that she submitted for payment that was not paid yesterday.  She turned it in to the Attorney’s Office on February 2nd but it didn’t get up to the Clerk’s Office for payment until February 12th, after the cutoff for this pay period.  She is asking for an early check for this.  Joanne Long asked commissioners to find out why it took 10 days to get an invoice signed in the Attorney’s Office.  She also said it takes just as much work to print one check as it does to print 150 and we have set a cutoff so we don’t have multiple requests for payment.  Commissioners approved the early check this one time but will see why the system failed and assured the clerk that it won’t become a common occurrence.
     
    Susan Quick spoke with commissioners about her wages.  She feels it is unfair that her salary is the lowest of the full time elected officials, considering what her job entails.  Commissioners said they based the salaries on recommendations from the wage study and agreed to stick to it.
     
    Nina Yakel met with commissioners for a job interview for the Elm Creek night watchman position.  Commissioners would like her to look at the house and come back next Friday at 9:30 am.
     
    John Cassett met with commissioners for a job interview for the Elm Creek night watchman position.
     
    Joanne Long informed commissioners that upon researching Susan Quick’s wage request, she realized she made an error on the County Treasurer’s pay based on the salary survey.  She undervalued the position and based on the correct figures, the Treasurer should place between the clerk and register of deeds in 2007.  Commissioners authorized the change and the payment of the difference to the first of the year.  This changes Resolution 03-07 for the County Treasurer from $1,104.13 semimonthly to $1,177.83 semimonthly.
     
    Terry Graham arrived at 10:55 am.  Gary Houston left at that time for a doctor’s appointment.
     
    After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 am.
     
                                                                                     THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                                     OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
     
                                                                                      (ss) Terry Graham, Chairman 
                                                                                      (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner
    ATTEST:
    (ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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    February 23, 2007     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 meetings were read and approved.
     
    Clyde Killion gave a road report.  He mentioned the County is being sued regarding a truck that went through a county bridge.  The County Attorney has been made aware.  He also discussed a truck with a transmission problem.
     
    Terry Graham discussed a meeting he attended this week in Pittsburg about household hazardous waste grants and that Bourbon County would be a satellite location for that program.  There still needs to be more research on it.  It would be for low-volume customers for households.
     
    Commissioners and Clyde Killion discussed compacting at the landfill to help reduce the number of trips we make each week, which would save the County money.  No action at this time.
     
    Laura Hyer met with commissioners.  She will start scheduling the ICS200 classes for commissioners.  She said Bourbon County is doing better than other counties in training their people.  Table-top and live exercises are to be scheduled in the next month or two on Foreign Animal Disease.
     
    Ms. Hyer also mentioned to commissioners that she is looking to replace the Emergency Preparedness vehicle.  No action.
     
    Nina Yakel met again with commissioners for the Elm Creek night watchman position.  She and her husband toured the caretaker’s house to get a feel of what would need to be fixed in order to live in it.  She is still interested in the position.  She has plans for improvements too and showed the commissioners some pictures and drawings about it.
     
    Joanne Long announced that the next 17-County meeting is in Elk County, March 22nd.  None of the commissioners think they can attend.
     
    At 10:00 am, a public hearing was held for the proposed disposition of County property in Hiattville.  Terry Graham, Bill Brittain, Joanne Long and Barbara Sanders were present.  The hearing was closed at 10:10 am with no opposition.  Action was tabled until Gary Houston arrived as any motions would require a unanimous vote.
     
    There was discussion with Joanne Long about concern that the USD 235 Primary is being held at the Uniontown High School.  Sherri Dawson, who contacted both Terry Graham and Joanne Long feels it is a conflict of interest to have the school election at the school, however, as both the clerk and Mr. Graham told her, school elections are often held at various schools, city elections are held at city halls, and even the Courthouse is available for Advance Voting when County offices are on the ballot.  Joanne Long explained that Primary Elections are the financial responsibility of the entities which require them, so in an effort to save money, she is having one polling place per election.  This will save approximately $2,900 for the school district.
     
    Bill Brittain made a motion to appoint Terry Graham, Don Russell, Clyde Stepps and Ginger Norris to the General Commission of the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission and Gary Houston as alternate.  Terry Graham seconded and both voted in favor.
     
    Marty Pearson spoke with commissioners about concerns in Public Works.
     
    David Neville met with commissioners.  The letter went out to heating and air repairmen in the area for those who are interested in working with the County and we’ve received one response so far.  Commissioners will allow responses through March 6, 2007, which is a month from the date the letter was sent.
     
    Mr. Neville and the commissioners also discussed the condition of the Courthouse lawn.  Commissioners asked Mr. Neville to consult the Extension Office again about seeding the lawn this spring.
     
    Mr. Neville also tuck-pointing of the main porch.  Commissioners asked the clerk to publish a request for bids.
     
    There was also discussion of paving the courthouse parking lots.  Commissioners will consider it with the road program for the summer.  David informed commissioners that the sewer line across the south lot to the street will need to be replaced before we pave that lot.  Commissioners asked him to get prices on replacing the sewer line, but that the County crew could dig the hole to save some money on it.
     
    John Cassett met with commissioners to discuss the night watchman position.  He’s anxious to have a decision.  Commissioners will decide on Monday when all commissioners are present.
     
    Commissioners received a letter complaining about 4-wheelers and dirt bikes on Jayhawk Road, asking if it is against the law for these vehicles to be driven on public roads.  The commissioners consulted the sheriff who said that they are forbidden on 1st Class City streets (Fort Scott) and on state or federal highways, but legislators are hesitant to rule on the issue for county roads because some farmers need to travel county roads to get to their fields.
     
    John Scott met with commissioners to discuss an entrance to a road on the west side of Lake Fort Scott.  Terry Graham and Clyde Killion will view the road to see if it is a County road.
     
    After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon.
     
                                                                                THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                                OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
     
                                                                                (ss) Terry Graham, Chairman 
                                                                                (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner 
    ATTEST:
    (ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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    February 26, 2007       Monday      9:00 am
     
    The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with all commissioners and the county clerk present. 
     
    Darrell Howard, 2023 Eagle Road, spoke with commissioners about the condition of his road.  He thought it was on the hard surface plan, but would at least like it to be graded regularly, if not.
     
    Clyde Killion gave a road report.  Commissioners mentioned some down signs in their areas.       
     
    Lee Davis met with commissioners to say he needed to order chemicals.  He also discussed whether to use PastureGard or Remedy.  He will know more after his meeting next week.
     
    Don Doherty and Jeremy Bowman met with commissioners to discuss a dental plan where employees could pay to ramp up to a better plan.  He also offered to look at our employee manual at no cost and he provides wellness plans too.  He will run spreadsheets on other dental policies for commissioners to review.
     
    Joanne Long asked commissioners for consideration of the resolution to dispose of County property in Hiattville.  Bill Brittain made a motion to adopt Resolution 11-07.  Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor.  The clerk will finalize the paperwork to transfer the property into Barbara Sanders’ name.
     
    Commissioners discussed the Elm Creek Lake position.  Gary Houston made a motion to hire Nina Yakel for the night watchman position at Elm Creek Lake.  Terry Graham seconded the motion.  Terry Graham and Gary Houston voted in favor, and Bill Brittain opposed.  Motion carried.  Commissioners will have the county attorney draw up a contract for the living arrangements.  No compensation will begin until the house is fixed and being lived in.
     
    Bill Schoenberger, NRCS, met with commissioners to ask if a particular road was open or closed.  After some research, the commissioners determined that, to their knowledge, the road had never been closed and asked the clerk to write a letter to that effect.
     
    Commissioners spent the bulk of the meeting in discussion of contracting with or hiring Don Russell for assistance with grant-writing, zoning and codes for the County.  Terry Graham made a motion to hire Don Russell, effective March 1, 2007, as a part-time consultant, not to exceed 83 hours per month at a rate of $18.07 per hour, for a period of 12 months with commission or Mr. Russell able to terminate employment at any time without cause.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
     
    Terry Graham made a motion to go into executive session, for a period 10 minutes, under the non-elected personnel exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act, to discuss Public Works personnel.  Gary Houston seconded and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners and the county clerk.  The session began at 11:38 am and ended at 11:48 am with no action.
     
    Bills and payroll for the period were approved.
     
    After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:50 am.
     
                                                                                THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                                 OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
     
                                                                                 (ss) Terry Graham, Chairman 
                                                                                 (ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner 
                                                                                 (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
    ATTEST:
    (ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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