June 2007 Minutes

These are the minutes for June 2007, as approved by the Bourbon County Commission.

June 1, 2007	June 4, 2007
June 8, 2007	June 11, 2007
June 15, 2007	June 18, 2007
June 22, 2007	June 25, 2007
June 29, 2007

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June 1, 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. Gary Houston arrived at 9:03 am. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Greg Schick was present. He discussed the hard surface road plan for the County for 2007. We intend to rent the Zipper for 30 days to do most of the work. Mr. Schick is also interested in the outcome of the sidewalk bids, but commissioners advised him they won’t be opened until 10:00 am. Mr. Schick didn’t wait around.

Marty Pearson gave an equipment report.

Joanne Long reminded commissioners they need to set a wage for Fern Wratchford, who is back to work part-time after her retirement from full time. Commissioners would like to hear from Judy Orton on the subject.

At 10:00 am, commissioners opened sidewalk bids. Three were received. They were:

Rogers & Sons	6’ x 296’ (1776ft²)	$8,888.00
Judy’s Iron & Plumbing	1692ft²	$8,290.82
Marbery Construction	6’ x 285’ (1710ft²)	$7,700.00


As all three have different measurements, commissioners tabled the item and will let David Neville do measurements Monday to see what’s correct.

David Yearout, Jake Underwood and Don Stewart met with commissioners to discuss county-wide zoning. Don Stewart has obtained copies of the neighboring counties’ zoning plans. Crawford County suggested we include David Yearout of Baughman Company, P.A., in Wichita, in our discussions. Mr. Yearout explained that zoning doesn’t affect agricultural land used for agricultural purposes. It’s there to regulate new business, new neighborhood development, etc. No action at this time.

Lee Davis presented chemical quotes for 300 gallons of Pasturegard. Three were received. They were:

UAP	$12,957.00
Vegetation Mgmt	$13,050.00
Van Diest	$12,867.00


Bill Brittain made a motion to purchase from Van Diest, as they were the low bid. Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor.

Judy Orton met with commissioners to discuss the wage for Fern Wratchford as a part-time employee. She retired as full time and will be working approximately 28 hours per week. She is the only person Bourbon County has who can answer questions on legal descriptions. That will eventually be covered through GIS. At full time, she received the equivalent of $11.30/hour plus benefits. Mrs. Orton feels she should make at least that plus the difference in what the County won’t be paying on benefits. Those benefits would be .60/hour making it a total of $11.90/hour. Terry Graham made a motion to amend the salary resolution to allow for the part-time clerical employee with at least 12 months employment with the County and who works a minimum of 1,000 hours per year to be paid between $9.00 and $11.90/hour with the final salary based on experience and set by the commissioners. Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Terry Graham made a motion to set Fern Wratchford’s wage at $11.90/hour. Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor.

Bill Brittain made motion to rent the Asphalt Zipper for $10,000 for 30 working days. Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor. The cost is to come from the Road & Bridge Sales Tax fund.

Commissioners viewed the south sidewalk in preparation for opening bids next week.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:45 am.

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner
(ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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June 4, 2007 Monday 9:00 am

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

Marty Pearson gave a road and equipment report.

Mel Antrim met with commissioners to discuss an advertisement in the Fort Scott Tribune on Friday, June 1^st, stating that Bourbon County supports the Sales Tax hike. He wants to know when we passed a resolution supporting it. Commissioners informed him that we did not. They explained that we gave money to the feasibility study over a year ago. They explained that the ad does not represent our action. He asked for a copy of the minutes to know when and by whom it was requested and how much was donated. Mr. Antrim said he feels a crime has been committed with this advertisement and he’s going to get to the bottom of it.

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 for a meeting of the Executive Board of the Community Pool. Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Those present for the session were the commissioners, Terri Johnson, Susan Quick, Joanne Long and Sharon Elder. The session began at 9:20 am and ended at 9:25 am. Once in open session, a vote was held to allow the employee access to the Community Pool and it passed 7 to 0. Joanne Long will notify employees that they may donate to the Community Pool.

Terri Johnson then asked for an executive session to discuss items under attorney/client privilege. Bill Brittain made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of 10 minutes, under the Attorney/Client Privilege exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act. Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Those present for the session were the commissioners, Terri Johnson and Joanne Long. The session began at 9:28 am and ended at 9:38 am with no action.

In response to the advertisement in the Tribune, Terri Johnson suggested that commissioners issue a press release clarifying that Bourbon County neither supports nor opposes the Indoor/Outdoor Aquatics Facility.

Bill Wiggans met with commissioners to discuss his pay and position with Bourbon County. Commissioners advised him to talk to his supervisor, Clyde Killion.

Rhonda Fernandez met with commissioners about the commissioners’ decision to change dental plans mid-year. She has come with a Delta Dental option with current rates guaranteed until 2009. It also allows for an annual max to $1,500 and $50 deductibles. She was surprised the County decided to change mid-year after she talked with them last month. She doesn’t want to lose us as a group so she had an emergency meeting with Delta to put this together for us. It has a July 1, 2007 start date. She said that employees could add dependents or upgrade at this time just by informing the clerk’s office. The commissioners will discuss their options and decide by noon today. After discussion and contact with Don Doherty, commissioners cancelled the enrollment session for this Wednesday with Guardian, but made no decision overall. They will meet with Mr. Doherty first thing this Friday.

Laura Hyer met with commissioners to report on her time in Greensburg, Kansas. She was there 10 days and said there is no better training than working an actual disaster. She said it also highlighted the need to have chain of command if for nothing else than to keep track of expenses to be reimbursed.

Mark Brillhart met with commissioners to discuss obtaining land that the County owns adjacent to his property in Hiattville. Commissioners explained the procedures that we have to hold a public hearing for it like we have in the past. They advised Mr. Brillhart to get the legal description from Fern Wratchford in the Appraiser’s Office.

David Neville met with commissioners about the measurements of the sidewalk for the bids we accepted. The actual length, as he measures it, is 287’ x 6’ or 1,722ft². Based on those calculations, Gary Houston made a motion to accept the bid from Marbery’s. Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor.

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

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner
(ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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June 8, 2007 Friday 9:00 am

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

Don Doherty and Jeremy Bowman met with commissioners about the County’s dental plan. He brought new rates. Commissioners tabled any decision until Terry Graham is present.

Bill Metcalf and Gary “Bud” Clements met with commissioners about purchasing an ice machine for the County Barn. We currently buy ice by the bag. Bill Brittain will contact someone he knows who also sells them. No action at this time.

They also discussed the progress with the Asphalt Zipper.

The Board of County Canvassers met at 9:30 am to finalize the results of the Special Election, Tuesday, June 5, 2007. Joanne Long and Tony George presented unofficial totals and 63 Provisional Ballots for consideration. 56 were deemed valid and their totals were added to the Unofficial Totals from election night. Commissioners then signed the official Abstract of Votes Cast.

Laura Hyer met with commissioners to discuss emergency preparedness. She is having trouble getting people to participate in exercises as required by law. She asked the commissioners to write a letter advising these departments that they are required to attend these trainings. Commissioners would also like to have a letter from KDEM as back-up.

Joanne Long discussed the consolidated cellular phone bill for the County. We used over 5,700 of the allotted 6,000 anytime minutes. She asked commissioners to speak to those with cellular phones about their usage, especially the large users.

Harold Coleman met with commissioners at their request to set a wage for Gene Parker, now that he is part-time. After consulting with Mr. Parker, Sheriff Coleman said Mr. Parker’s wage is to be $8.50/hour.

A public hearing was held at 10:30 am for consideration of the road closing in Xenia, Kansas. Those present for the hearing were Bill Brittain, Gary Houston, Joanne Long and Carol Lydic. The public hearing closed at 9:35 am with no objections. Bill Brittain made a motion to adopt resolution 13-07, closing a section of road in Xenia, Kansas, as published. Gary Houston seconded the motion and both voted in favor.

Bill Brittain discussed a meeting he had yesterday with officials from Drywood Township and Laura Moore of PSU, in an effort to obtain a grant for construction of a storm shelter in Garland. Mr. Brittain said that Ms. Moore feels we have a good chance at a grant.

Commissioners spent part of the meeting discussing caretaking at Elm Creek Lake. No action at this time.

Judy Orton met with commissioners to inform them that she is going forward with the appeal of Highland Apartments. They have appealed their taxes every year and have gotten their valuation reduced over time from $2.6 million all the way to $640,000. She said she is working with Terri Johnson on this and taking it further in the process on behalf of the County.

Mrs. Orton asked commissioners what they think of the yard and flowers and the commissioners said they look very good.

Mrs. Orton also reminded commissioners to plan to budget for GIS in 2008 as Shane Walker will be moving to that department.

Joanne Long asked commissioners if they wanted to hold a department head meeting to discuss the dental options. Commissioners scheduled it for 9:45 am Monday.

Commissioners left to view the progress of the Asphalt Zipper.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:10 am.

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner
(ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner

ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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June 11, 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.

Curt Shankel met with commissioners to give them an update on Lake Fort Scott. He said there will be a preliminary engineering drawing soon which will be provided to Rural Development and the State Engineer. They will carry the project from there. Commissioners appreciate all the hard work Mr. Shankel and his committee have put into the project.

Clyde Killion gave a road report. Commissioners advised Mr. Killion that Wal-Mart donated a cardboard baler to us and that we need to pick it up this week. Mr. Killion asked what, if anything, was decided about purchasing an ice machine. Mr. Brittain said his friend said what we were looking for is too small for what we need. He has a lead on a bigger one.

Department Heads met at 9:45 am to discuss the dental options. Susan Quick, Judy Orton, Clyde Killion, Joanne Long, Harold Coleman, Ron Gray and Sharon Elder met with commissioners. After discussion, each of the offices represented indicated their people would like to stay with Delta Dental. Commissioners agreed to stay with Delta Dental with an August 1, 2007, start date for the buy-up. They thanked the department heads for their input. Commissioners have not decided which agent to use yet.

Nina Yakel reported that things are moving along on the caretaker’s house at Elm Creek. Commissioners decided to take over the water bill, as we plan to run a line over toward the shelter houses for people who are camping to use and it wouldn’t be fair for Mrs. Yakel to pay for that. Joanne Long called rural water and had the bill put back in the County’s name.

Bill Brittain made a motion to set a public hearing for consideration of disposal of county property in Hiattville. Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor. The hearing will be at 10:00 am, Friday, July 13, 2007.

Bills and payroll for the period were reviewed and approved.

Terry Sercer met with commissioners. He reported he’s almost done with the audit. He had commissioners sign a letter in conjunction with the 2005 audit.

Delta George, Ann Ludlum, Lynda Foster, Rhonda Hoener, Kathleen Gilliland, Jim O’Brien, Jim Womeldorff, Carol Hill, and J.D. McNutt met with commissioners for the 2008 Extension Council budget request. They are asking for $117,900 from the County. The increase is due to fuel and postage increases, they said.

Delta George left the monthly progress report for the Extension Office.

Extension Council members invited commissioners to lunch. Terry Graham and Gary Houston indicated they will attend.

Terry Graham made a motion to purchase a used 300 lb. Scotsman ice maker for the county barn, for $2,000. Bill Brittain seconded. All voted in favor.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:41 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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June 15, 2007 Friday 9:00 am

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

Clyde Killion gave a road report. There was discussion of the summer plan for hard surface roads. Mr. Killion reported that he picked up the cardboard baler and were given a demonstration this week. Mr. Killion discussed the possibility of expanding our recycling efforts to a more active recycling program for the community. If we were to do this we would need a building. No action at this time.

Joanne Long reported that Judy Orton certified real estate and personal property values this week. We’re in better shape than some counties who lost value. We’re going to be up from 2006, despite the loss in commercial personal property and the decrease in agricultural valuation because of new construction, a major manufacturer coming onto the tax roll at the end of a tax abatement with relocated personal property and new oil wells.

Don Doherty stopped by to check on the dental situation. Commissioners informed him they decided to stick with Delta Dental. Mr. Doherty said he can offer the exact same option as Rhonda Fernandez has offered. He said he has lots of references and clients. Commissioners said they were meeting with Rhonda Fernandez today and indicated they would decide on an agent by noon today.

Joanne Long asked what commissioners want to do in preparation for 2008 budgets for county departments on wages. We set up to do 1/3 of the difference on the recommended wage plus 3%. Commissioners asked her to prepare the budgets that way but that it doesn’t mean that’s what they’ll end up being.

David Neville talked to commissioners about the fire system. The enunciator went out, either from a lightning strike or through a power surge. He said it must be sent in to be fixed. He also indicated that when it is being fixed, they may be able to determine the cause. Commissioners indicated that if it was a lightning strike, it would be covered under our liability insurance. David also indicated that a light and a timer outside the correctional center quit working around the same time. If it was the same occurrence, it will be one claim. Commissioners advised Mr. Neville to see if anything else is recently not working that may have blown at the same time.

The commissioners commended Mr. Neville on the appearance of the courthouse lawn. They did indicate it might be time to get sprinklers ready. They reminded Mr. Neville that the Sheriff said the inmates can do help with watering the lawn.

David said the fire marshal indicated previously we need an emergency shut-off for boilers. We have that now. Mr. Neville think s we should get one for the generator too as it’s natural gas. It could be in the control room of the jail since it’s manned 24/7. Commissioners will put it on the list of upcoming projects but will not do it immediately.

Mr. Neville said he was notified that Ford Motor Company put the wrong dipstick in our generator and subsequently we’ve been running it low on oil. Commissioners said it’s the company’s fault and they should replace it because it’s going to damage the life expectancy. They asked Mr. Neville to get something documented about in writing and in photographs in case there’s a problem about it in the future.

Marty Pearson called about our 1 inch impact wrench. Called two local businesses and they were $708 and around $600. Commissioners said that as long as he’s called everyone local and documented their prices, to go with the lowest.

Rhonda Fernandez met with commissioners about the dental situation. She and the commissioners agreed that it would have been nice if Delta would have done something when we first asked about a buy-up option. Mrs. Fernandez also indicated that she thought it was a dead issue at the time and was working for something to address it in 2008. Mrs. Fernandez discussed the other insurance she offers and reminded commissioners how she tries to keep us in the loop by meeting with us quarterly and by staying on top of things. She indicated her intention to look at rates early again for renewal on the health insurance. She said the utilization is good so far. She also wants to look at a few more companies to make sure we have the best package available to us. She wanted to know if there is anything she’s not doing. The commissioners said they were very happy with her and if they changed agents it would be because the other is local. She said she likes to keep a group once she gets it and has long-term relationships with her clients. The commissioners said they decided to stay with Delta, now they have to pick an agent. She said generally the person who did the work gets the commission. Commissioners will make a decision later today but reminded Mrs. Fernandez that they still have a good relationship with her on the health insurance.

Dwayne Neil met with commissioners. He reminded commissioners that he obtained the Elm Creek Hay bid this year. However, with health issues and heavy rains this spring, he hasn’t been able to mow. The commissioners gave him an extension to have it mowed by June 30^th and removed by July 4^th. The commissioners will advise the Noxious Weed Director of the extension. Mr. Neil thanked the commissioners for the extension.

A considerable part of the meeting was spent discussing the dental options and ended with Terry Graham asking for the weekend to think it over.

Doylene Kennedy and Tom McNeil met with commissioners to discuss Sanitation Codes. The year-end report we got said that KDHE had our revised codes. However, KDHE said they sent them back to Frank Shelton and no one knows where they are supposed to be. The commissioners verified that they don’t have a copy and asked Ms. Kennedy and Mr. McNeil to contact Frank Shelton at City Hall to see if he knows where they are.

Bill Brittain discussed having Tom McNeil work on safety regulations for the road department to supplement his workload. Commissioners agreed that our workman’s compensation insurance would like that a lot.

Lee Davis asked commissioners if he could get phone quotes for 300 gallons of Pasturegard. Commissioners asked for the quotes to be faxed instead so we have documentations. Mr. Davis said that this would negate the bids scheduled for June 29^th.

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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June 18, 2007 Monday 9:00 am

The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Terry Graham and Bill Brittain present. Joanne Long was also present. Gary Houston arrived at 9:30 am.

Clyde Killion gave a road report.

Lee Davis presented faxed quotes for 300 gallons of Pasturegard. They were:

Van Diest Supply $12,867.00
Vegetation Mgmt. $13,125.00
UAP $12,870.00

Terry Graham made motion to accept the quote from Van Diest. Bill Brittain seconded the motion and both voted in favor.

Sharon Elder and Lisa Ward met with commissioners. Her neighbor is trying to sell property next to her and there has recently been a survey by someone to determine property lines. There’s a question as to who owns a stretch of property on which she has a dock and the neighbor has a garage. According to Frank Shelton, City Codes Officer, the City does not own the property. Commissioners advised her to speak with Richard Nienstedt who can confer with the City Attorney. They also suggested she ask the County Appraiser’s office about it.

Glenn Sewell met with commissioners to discuss his building at 8^th and Holbrook. The commissioners are interested in expanding the recycling program and will need more space. He’s willing to work with us on some sort of rent-to-own set-up. No action at this time.

Commissioners discussed the tractor at Elm Creek Lake. It had been housed in the garage and we need to keep it out of the weather. However, the new caretaker needs to use the garage. Commissioners asked Clyde Killion to look into putting a metal carport out there to protect it.

Jackie Whitherspoon and Bill Fiscus met with commissioners to present the 2008 Tri-Valley budget request. They are requesting $58,000 in 2008. This is approximately a 7.5% increase over 2007 funding. An increased need, fuel increases and the new greenhouse will increase utilities, they said.

Greg Schick met with commissioners. He was recently made aware of the County’s website and that commission minutes are on it. He asked about his mention in the minutes from one of his recent attendances. He didn’t like that the only thing that was put in was about his accusation of bid manipulation. He said he discussed many things in the nearly 45 minutes he was in the commission room. Commissioners stated that everything that is said is never in the minutes. Joanne Long clarified that the only requirements are that those present be listed and official actions documented. Commissioners said they like to have a little more information than that so that they have an idea of what happened if they need to look back and it also allows for information to be in there on early discussions of purchases, contracts, etc. Mr. Schick said he doesn’t think he’s being treated fairly in the purchasing process. He said he hasn’t seen anyone but Clyde in his store in the last month and he depends on the sales to the County to help his business survive. He wants the commissioners to investigate this. He’d like a piece of the incidentals, not just bids for large items. He said that everyone knows where he’s located and wants the business spread around. Terry Graham thought we had done this but said also that the only way to really know is to alternate where we go every day, week or month. Mr. Schick said that it’s one of two things--employees are either doing what their told or not doing what their told and he said it’s on the commissioners to do something about it.

Wayne Thorpe, Cheryl Bennett, Ronnie Brown, Dean Bailey, Bob Larkin and Bill Schoenberger met to present the 2008 Bourbon County Soil Conservation budget. They are requesting $36,000. This is the same amount as 2007.

Commissioners left the meeting at 10:55 am to view the 8^th & Holbrook property of Mr. Sewell’s. They returned at 11:20 am and discussed the pros and cons of the building. Clyde Killion said he spoke to Tim Bloomfield at Citizens about the old Petromark property. They don’t want to rent or lease, but they’ll sell it, including fuel tanks, all for $200,000. He thinks it would be something the City and County could do together and would save the taxpayers a lot of money on fuel. No action.

Lora Holdridge spoke with commissioners about a survey from 1992 someone had but never filed with the Register of Deed’s Office. She needs to know if it’s legal to put in on file because now all surveys have to be inspected before they are filed. The commissioners think that sounds like a question for Terri Johnson and agreed to do whatever she advises.

Joanne Long relayed a message from Charlie Blevins, who came to see them while they were at the 8^th & Holbrook property. He doesn’t like that his neighbor’s security light shines into his bedroom window. He says it’s so bright he has to close his curtains to sleep but that eliminates a breeze and he has to turn on the air conditioning. He wants something done about it. Commissioners don’t know what they can do about that.

Terry Graham made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of 5 minutes, under the attorney-client privilege exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act, to discuss a phone call from Terri Johnson. Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Those present for the session were the commissioners, Clyde Killion and Joanne Long. The session began at 11:35 am and ended at 11:40 am. Terry Graham then made a motion to accept the offer on the bridge damage claim to Bridge 14-O-A7. Bill Brittain seconded and all voted in favor.

After a brief discussion, Terry Graham made a motion to appoint Don Doherty as our agent of record for Dental Insurance. Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:55 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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June 22, 2007 Friday 9:00 am

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

Clyde Killion gave a road report. He said he’s waiting on few prices for the carport at Elm Creek Lake.

Commissioners signed paperwork for Schwab Eaton, forming an inter-agency committee to apply for CDBG funds for the Fort Scott Lake sewer project.

Commissioners received a letter from Dianne Hood about the poor handicap accessibility at Elm Creek Lake. They directed Clyde to put it at the top of the list. They also asked the clerk to send reply letter to Mrs. Hood, informing her of their action.

Joanne Long relayed a problem some employees are having with the health insurance. Mercy Hospital is in network, but they use Overland Park Radiologists, which is not in network, to read tests. This results in large bills that become the insured’s responsibility to pay. Bill Brittain said he would talk to Mercy Hospital about it.

John Green, SEK Area Agency on Aging, met with commissioners to present the 2008 budget request. It is $2,000. This is a 2% increase over the $1,960 from 2007. Mr. Green told commissioners he was very grateful for the increase in 2007.

Mrs. Brillhart and Darrell Howard relayed problems they are having with roads to commissioners.

Commissioners received the monthly progress reports from the Extension Office.

Commissioners authorized the Fort Scott Elks Club annual fireworks donation from Parks & Recreation in the amount of $500.00.

Jimmy Nichols met with commissioners to report on the fire marshal inspection. There were several violations cited. The most severe was the communication system in the correctional center. He presented two quotes for replacing the system. To satisfy the fire marshal, the $32,000 quote would suffice. The second system is more advanced and costs $55,000. Commissioners said the plans for a new correctional center need to step up and don’t want to spend too much on a system for a jail we plan to completely replace. They directed Mr. Nichols to repair the current intercom system to what will satisfy the Fire Marshal. Mr. Nichols also reported that he heard from Susan Galemore that we no longer qualify for the HUD grant. She said there are new provisions that would require us to get LMI surveys from an additional 8 townships in the county. Commissioners think we should be grandfathered in because we did qualify before they changed the criteria. Commissioners want Mr. Nichols to contact HUD to find out for sure.

Mr. Nichols also asked commissioners about pay for one of the correctional employees. The commissioners stated that it is set as the sheriff told us. Mr. Nichols will speak with the sheriff about it.

Lou Howard discussed the land that the Hiattville Fire Station is to maintain. She said she believes Earl Brown thinks he owns that land. He recently had it bush-hogged and mowed. She will see if the rest of the fire station wants to work toward deeding it to the fire department. She got copies of the minutes and will send a copy to Earl Brown to remind him.

Harold Coleman met with commissioners to say that he will be increasing the employee in the correctional center’s pay/position to Business Administrator, effective July 1, 2007.

David Neville met with commissioners to continue the report on the fire marshal’s visit. He mentioned our enunciator, which we are in the process of fixing, and also that we should document our run times and tests of the generator and fire extinguishers.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:40 am.

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS

(ss) Terry Graham, Chairman
(ss) Bill Brittain, Commissioner
(ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
Joanne Long, County Clerk

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June 25, 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.

Joanne Long presented the Agent of Record (AoR) letter for Delta Dental. It doesn’t matter to Delta who the AoR is, but because of HIPPA requirements, we need to have the AoR in place on July 1, 2007, so the agent can access the information needed for enrollment. Terry Graham signed the AoR, appointing Hilb Rogal & Hobbs, Don Doherty, as our Delta Dental agent, July 1, 2007.

Joanne Long presented fireworks permits for consideration. Terry Graham signed the permits. There are five confirmed and three possible additional stands to be set up.

Ron Chaney, Phoenix Coal Company, met with commissioners to request a road variance. Commissioners asked Mr. Chaney to speak with the landowners in the area first.

Curt Shankel spoke with commissioners about Lake Fort Scott. Commissioners informed him that we signed the necessary paperwork with Schwab Eaton and sent it back. Mr. Shankel said there’s going to be a meeting in August.

Terri Johnson asked commissioners for authority to purchase a copier. The one in her office is dying fast. Commissioners authorized the purchase.

Mrs. Johnson also reported on her progress in discussions with AT&T about the right-of-way situation.

Dustin Moreland, Van Keppel, met with commissioners to introduce himself as he is the new dealer for our area. Van Keppel sells the Volvo line of heavy equipment. Commissioners gave him the specifications of the equipment we currently use and he will see what Van Keppel offers that is comparable to that.

Terry Graham signed the grant for LEPP for the term 7/1/07 – 6/30/08.

Terry Graham left the meeting at 10:20 am to attend an emergency management meeting in the basement.

Gary Houston and Bill Brittain left at 10:25 am to view the production at the rock quarry.

Meeting adjourned.

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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June 29, 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.

Bills and payroll for the period were reviewed and approved.

Lora Holdridge informed the Commission that the county attorney’s opinion was that the day a survey is presented to be recorded is the day that matters. Therefore, the survey in question needs to be inspected.

Adam Feagins met with commissioners to find out whether a stretch of Juniper Road, west of 240^th Street is open or closed. He needs access to a section there and it has not been maintained. After consulting maps and the Appraisers office, it was determined that the portion of road in question is open, but hasn’t been maintained. Most of the problem is overgrown trees. Clyde Killion will look into it and the commissioners asked Mr. Feagins to check back in a week.

David Neville met with commissioners for several topics of discussion. Firstly, he said we’re having trouble with the roof over the correctional center where sewer vents were not reconnected correctly. There are about a dozen of them. Some are not leaking but some are. Also, some of them are in areas where we can’t check to see if they are connected because the clearance isn’t big enough to access. One of the vents has been covered over on the roof completely, which allows sewer gas to be trapped in the jail. Commissioners asked Mr. Neville to contact Charles Parsons about it as it is warrantied.

Mr. Neville also spoke with commissioners about the south steps from the courthouse. One of the employees slipped on the wet surface this week and got bruised up. The steps were coated to prevent slipping but the coating is coming up in places. He has tried to contact Craig McKenney, who put the coating down, about it but hasn’t heard back from him on repeated calls.

David also advised commissioners of a tree on the southeast corner of the courthouse block that may need attention. It’s an Elm which is rotting and is intertwined in the wires. Commissioners asked him to contact a tree trimmer to see if it can be cleaned up and saved.

Mr. Neville asked commissioners if they have made any progress on the east courthouse porch. We have given Rick Zingre’ the information about the porch but nothing further. Mr. Zingre said he can draw up some specifications for the repair at an hourly rate not to exceed $800.

Lastly, David’s phone won’t ring. It is stuck on vibrate and is not shock resistant. He’s had it two years and other than this, it’s a really good phone with excellent range. The phone man was in to look at it and we can send it to the manufacturer to see if it can be repaired, but in case it can’t the latest model of this phone is available. It costs almost $600 and is more shock resistant. This way, if his phone can be fixed, we can give it to Emmett and the new one to David. The phones have been a problem because of trying to reach the janitors when they’re outside on the grounds and through the concrete walls of the courthouse. Just a simple cordless phone won’t suffice. Commissioners authorized the purchase of the new phone and sending off the old one to see if it can be repaired.

Clyde Killion gave a road report.

Raymond Taylor met with commissioners to discuss plumbing work at the Elm Creek Caretaker’s House. He’ll need help from the road department. Commissioners advised him to coordinate with Clyde when he’s ready.

Terry Graham made a motion to allow the US Geological Survey permission to put a stream gauge on the Juniper Road Bridge of the Marmaton River. Gary Houston seconded and all voted in favor.

Dwayne Neil met with commissioners. Considering the rains this week, the commissioners gave him another week’s extension to have the hay removed at Elm Creek.

Upon written advice from Don Stewart, commissioners agreed to lower the cost of the ground we have for sale to $1,500 per acre.

Lee Davis met with commissioners to give phone quotes on Pasturegard. They were:

UAP 160 Gal $6,830.40
Van Diest 160 Gal $6,862.40
VMS 160 Gal $7,000.00

Commissioners approved purchase from UAP.

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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