September 2007 Minutes

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

September 3, 2007 Holiday	September 7, 2007
September 10, 2007	September 14, 2007
September 17, 2007	September 21, 2007
September 24, 2007	September 28, 2007


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September 7, 2007 Friday 9:00 am

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

Doylene Kennedy reported on the flood costs to date.

Estimated Costs: $177,189.32
Federal share: $132,891.99
State share: $ 17,718.93

Clyde Killion gave a road report.

Kenny Howard called the commissioners to ask for permission to close Indian Road near the airport periodically for Airport Day on Saturday. Commissioners approved the request.

Laura Hyer met with commissioners to remind them of the courthouse security meeting today at 11:00 am. She wanted to know who would get any bids once they were submitted. Commissioners said the committee should get them.

Laura also talked about obtaining grants for storm shelters for small communities in the county.

At 10:00 am, a public hearing was held for the Lake Fort Scott sewer proposal. Those present for the hearing were the commissioners, Shirley Goltra, Jim Gladbach, Jack Hembree, John Scott, Gerald Chester and Bob Hosack. A sewer system for the proposed project will cost an estimated $1,860,200. The grant request is for $240,000 of the proposed cost. The City of Fort Scott agreed to charge users the same rate as City users if the proposal passes. Mr. Hosack said the engineer will need to revise the figures now that the City has agreed to lower their rates. We need to pursue federal assistance application to get things moving forward. Bill Brittain said he would follow up on this. The timeline for approval if everything is done is January 10, 2008.

A group of citizens from Jayhawk Road met with commissioners to discuss road work. Those present were: Rich Aydelotte, Bill Boots, Mark McCoy, Bill Douglas and Leon Culbertson. They talked about the wash-boarding of the road and the size of the rock used on the road. There is large rock on the side of the road which needs to be leveled out. There’s also some rock on the private property of the owners. They also presented pieces of metal left on the side of the road. Commissioners will talk to Clyde about it.

Rhonda Fernandez met with commissioners to request an agent of record letter. She said that the County is mostly running really well this year on health claims but we’re over a little on prescription drug claims. She also said that Blue Cross will require health statements in order to quote a policy.

Jeff Norris met with commissioners about a piece of land he is trying to sell. It is located between US 54 Hwy and Locust Road, between 260^th and 265^th Street and has no access to Locust Road. He wanted to know if Locust Road had been transferred to the County from the State once the new highway was opened. Commissioners directed him to speak with the Public Works department.

Ann Ludlum presented the monthly progress reports for the Extension Office.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:05 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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September 10, 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 meetings were read and corrected.

Bill Brittain discussed vandalism at Elm Creek Lake over the weekend. Jason Yakel reported that someone drove a vehicle into the door of Shelter House 1. A sheriff’s report has been made.

Commissioners spent a good portion of the meeting discussing the trash pick-up situation at Elm Creek Lake. We haven’t been able to hire someone who will make a pick up on a weekly basis, so now we’re back to square one. Commissioners discussed having a larger dumpster there for bi-weekly pick-up for half the year and monthly pick-up for the other half of the year. Bill Brittain will discuss this option with the companies. In the meantime, there is a pickup at the lake in which trash can be transferred to the dump.

There was also discussion about the Yakel’s responsibilities, if any, at Cedar Creek Lake. The commissioners stated that there were no expectations about Cedar Creek made when the Yakel’s were hired. Nina Yakel met with commissioners and they discussed the trash situation and the Cedar Creek situation. After discussion, commissioners instructed the Yakel’s to power wash the facilities and maintain the fish feeders regularly at Cedar Creek. Mowing and trash pick-up at that lake will be maintained by Public Works staff. Mrs. Yakel also spoke with commissioners about getting motion sensitive cameras to watch the shelter houses. She’s getting prices.

Terry Graham said he was contacted by SBA, the company that is purchasing the Couch Street property. They discovered that there are three lots in the agreement but they only want two, but say they will pay the same price they agreed upon for three. Commissioners will have Terri Johnson research this.

Clyde Killion gave a road report.

It is time to appoint voting delegates and alternates for the Kansas Association of Counties (KAC) annual conference. Gary Houston made a motion to appoint Bill Brittain delegate, Terry Graham alternate and Gary Houston second alternate to the 2007 KAC annual conference. Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.

Bill Brittain made a motion to appoint Terry Graham delegate and Gary Houston alternate to the KWORCC board meeting at the 2007 KAC annual conference. Terry Graham seconded and all voted in favor.

Jeff Norris met with commissioners to further discuss his property on Locust Road which has no access. He asked commissioners to provide him with a letter allowing him two access points to Locust Road from his property. Commissioners provided him with the letter, as requested.

Doylene Kennedy presented the monthly sales tax report for the Landfill to be signed by the Chairman.

Joanne Long informed commissioners of the United Way kick-off breakfast invitation. It is Thursday, September 20^th, at 7:30 am at the Fort Scott Community College Cafeteria.

Harold Coleman spoke with commissioners about the manner in which towing companies are used in emergencies. There is currently no agreement for a set price for towing. Commissioners think this is an issue between the City and the companies, as the City handles dispatch for the County.

Bob Steele met with commissioners to discuss dust control and a washed out culvert near his house.

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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September 14, 2007 9:00 am Monday

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

Bills and payroll for the period were reviewed and approved.

Clyde Killion gave a road report.

Curt Shankel met with commissioners to see where things are concerning the Fort Scott Lake sewer.

Jimmy Nichols asked to purchase a snow plow for the 4-wheeler. Commissioners advised Mr. Nichols to coordinate with David Neville to get estimates.

Commissioners spoke with Mr. Nichols about using inmates to collect excess rock on Jayhawk Road which is out of the reach of the road graders.

Charles Cress reported to commissioners that someone dumped shingles on the side of the road at his property.

Delwin Mumbower, Tom Applegate and Gary Judd met with commissioners. They announced that Fire District 3 has entered into Automatic Aid Agreements with Marmaton Township Fire District 4 and Scott Township Fire District 5. Hopefully, this will help citizens with a break on insurance rates.

Wilma Graham asked commissioners where they were on the chip and seal for Redfield. Commissioners said they should be able to start about the end of September.

Laura Hyer met with commissioners to discuss courthouse security. Terry Graham made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of five minutes, under the Security Exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act, to discuss Courthouse Security. Bill Brittain seconded and all voted in favor. Those present for the session were the commissioners, Laura Hyer and Shirley Goltra. The session began at 10:16 am and ended at 10:21 am with no action.

Commissioners hired Fort Scott Sanitation for trash pickup at Elm Creek Lake for a 6-yd container with once per month pickup from October through March for $55.00 per month and every other week pickup from April through September for $75.00 per month.

Terry Graham set up a meeting with McLiney & Associates on October 5^th at 10:00 am to discuss the jail project.

Hubert Thomas met with commissioners to discuss possible watershed construction.

Laura Hyer met with commissioners to discuss becoming the Emergency Preparedness director for both Bourbon and Linn Counties. Commissioners would like to know how much time and involvement that would require and get back to them. They want her to put a plan together on the sharing of costs of the vehicle, salary compensation, etc.

Marty Pearson met to ask about a piece of equipment. No action.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:05 pm.

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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September 17, 2007 Monday 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 9:23 am after viewing a fence for a constituent. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Clyde Killion gave a road report. Bill Brittain asked about starting the hard surface road program earlier in the year to get more done. Clyde said we intended to do so this year, but it was too wet.

Laura Hyer met with commissioners to report that the mitigation plan for FEMA needs to be reworked to conform to FEMA standards. She completed the report shortly after starting with us and sent it in, but apparently the state’s software tool didn’t conform to FEMA standards and all 105 counties have to re-send it. She said she wants to apply for a grant to hire a consulting group to finalize the mitigation plan. She also stated that a committee who would receive the mitigation monies based on our hazards needs to be formed. Terry Graham signed grant application.

Dale Bunn met with commissioners to discuss the Neighborhood Revitalization plan. Currently, the County is only involved in the downtown area since the fire of 2005. The commissioners asked about expanding the area to include areas outside the Fort Scott City limits. Mr. Bunn said that if it were to include rural areas or cities other than Fort Scott, the City of Fort Scott would not administer that part but he would help the other cities to do it. He and the commissioners agree that it would increase the tax base overall. His purpose today was to ask the County to join the full program. After discussion, Bill Brittain made a motion to participate fully in the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, beginning in 2007 for five years. Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Mr. Bunn will bring a copy to sign. He thanked the commissioners for their decision to join the program.

Laura Hyer met again with commissioners. She said that Bourbon County will receive approximately $350,000 on Flood reimbursement. The County government will receive about $260,000 of that total.

David Neville met with commissioners to discuss the water that is discharged from the north roof and sump pump. It collects in the parking area on the north side of the courthouse and leads to damage and is overall a soggy mess. He asked the City if there’s anything they can do, like re-asphalt it. The best idea may be to re-route the water to the west end on the north under the sidewalk onto the west parking area. Commissioners viewed the area. No action.

Commissioners signed the agent of record letter for Preferred Health to continue using Professional Insurance Consultants.

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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September 21, 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 meeting were read and approved. Gary Houston arrived at 9:35 am.

Doylene Kennedy informed commissioners that KDOT will be planting the trees around Hell’s Bend Bridge today. She said there will be paperwork afterwards that has to be signed by the commissioners.

Curt Shankel met with commissioners to get a letter on County letterhead verifying the way information was collected for the grant application for the Lake Fort Scott sewer project.

Jimmy Nichols reported that the inmate crew started on Jayhawk Road yesterday.

Commissioners informed the sheriff and Jimmy Nichols of the meeting October 5^th with McLiney & Associates and the committee the commissioners are appointing to discuss the need for a new jail. They would like to have information on out-of-county housing costs to have on hand.

David Neville met with commissioners to talk about courthouse security regarding the doors to the courthouse. He contacted the fire marshal and he suggested we speak with an architect. Commissioners want to wait to see what the whole plan from the committee will be and also think that Jeff Davis can help. No action at this time.

Jane Burns spoke with commissioners about the fish feeders at Cedar Creek Reservoir. She thinks there might need to be more fish feeders to cover the entire lake as some fish she caught this week were full of mud. The commissioners said the fish feeders are set up by the Wildlife & Parks people but said they’d contact the Fish Biologist, Don George, about her concerns.

Doylene Kennedy spoke with commissioners about Flood Plains Management. She’s not doing it anymore but is still getting paid for it. It is part of Tom McNeil’s duties. Commissioners signed the paperwork to remove it from her pay.

Lee Davis reported that they’re going to spray Elm Creek next week. He will inform the caretaker’s of the schedule.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:06 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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September 24, 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.

Marty Pearson gave a road/equipment update.

Bill VanKirk, Director, 6^th Judicial District, Community Services, met with commissioners to request that we join with the other counties of the 6^th Judicial District in applying for the SB14 Grant. This grant will allow the hiring of another individual to supervise offenders and do life/skills training. Terry Graham signed the grant application.

Bill Keith called from the Landfill. He’s received information from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) stating we have inconsistencies on billing for trash. He explained that sometimes there’s no charge, for instance, on Earth Day, when the students pick up litter, but other times, we charge. Commissioners said to charge always, unless specifically noted not to, as in Earth Day.

Commissioners discussed the need to send letters to those persons who will be on the committee to review the jail proposal. Joanne Long reminded commissioners that they still need to officially appoint them to the committee first. No action at this time as some of the people haven’t been contacted about it yet.

Laura Hyer met with commissioners. She said that the Kansas Division of Emergency Management will help fund community storm shelters but not community centers.

Ms. Hyer also stated that she needs to call together the group of agencies that can receive mitigation funding to see what costs will be and have the FEMA contact meet to tell her what will qualify for mitigation funds. She said the federal government has allotted $62 million because of the three disasters in Kansas since last winter (snow storm, Greensburg tornado and flooding).

Laura also stated that she wants to go to the congressional committee on the flooding to report for us. Commissioners approved the request.

Bob Hosack met with commissioners to sign paperwork for the loan application for the Fort Scott Lake sewer district. John Scott and Curt Shankel were also present. After correcting the administrative figures, Bill Brittain made a motion authorizing Terry Graham to sign the resolutions and other paperwork. Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Mr. Graham signed Resolutions 16-07 and 17-07, a CDBG Disclosure report and the application form. Terry Graham made a motion to adopt the Anti-displacement plan. Gary Houston seconded and all voted in favor. Mr. Graham signed that plan as well. Bob Hosack indicated he would do the environmental study at no charge for us.

Curt Shankel asked commissioners about a letter from the City of Fort Scott which went to some lake residents regarding an upcoming meeting on changing some land from agricultural to residential. Commissioners believe that is about Larry Davenport’s proposed development and that the law required the landowners within a certain range of the area be notified.

Tom McNeil spoke with commissioners about a possible feedlot coming in near Rock Creek Lake. Bill Brittain said that he spoke with Amanda Proffitt at the City and she said that KDHE is going to look into it, because of the proximity to our drinking water source.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:10 pm.

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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September 28, 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 were reviewed and approved.

Bill Brittain made a motion to appoint Don Stewart, Ron Brown, Lynne Oharah, Laura Hyer, Jake Underwood, Dan Laughlin, Dick Hedges, Mike Emerson and Kevin Howard to an Exploratory Committee for the correctional center. Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.

Marty Pearson gave a road/equipment report.

Jimmy Nichols met with commissioners to ask to attend a master instructor’s course for in-house training of correctional officers. He explained that it would help because employees wouldn’t have to travel to Salina for the course, they could do it here. The master instructor course will be held in December for two weeks and costs $1,400. Commissioners approved the request.

Mr. Nichols also stated that seven inmates were taken to Cherokee County overnight to ease over-crowding.

David Neville presented quotes for repairs to the north parking area. They were:

Ron Taylor Plumbing	Materials	$380.00
Ron Taylor Plumbing	Labor	$390.00
Malone Plumbing	Materials & Labor	$700.00
Judy’s Iron & Metal, Inc.	Materials	$278.46
Judy’s Iron & Plumbing	Materials	$301.77
Brock Electric	Labor to dig ditch and backfill	$440.00

Commissioners approved the labor by Ron Taylor, purchasing the supplies through Judy’s Iron & Metal and Brock Electric to dig the ditch.

Mr. Neville also discussed the damage to the basement walls in the Emergency Preparedness and Appraiser basement offices and the District Court storage. Some mold was found and samples were taken. He presented the two estimates which were turned into FEMA. They were:

Great Expectations Restoration, LLC	$1,712.23
Patrick J. Wood Construction & Design	$4,369.03

Commissioners approved the project through Great Expectations.

David also asked if any work on the porch is still on hold. Commissioners said yes, as we are waiting to hear from FEMA.

Todd McDermed, Post Office, spoke with commissioners about gravel around rural mailboxes again. He said most areas are great but he brought pictures from north of Fort Scott where the carrier is still having issues with large piles in front of the boxes.

Terry Graham left the meeting briefly to meet with FEMA in the basement about the flood.

Curt Shankel met with commissioners about a letter reporting water usage data at the lake. Commissioners discussed options for showing permanent versus non-permanent residences and settled on tax statement addresses. They deduced that regardless of the number of properties a person owns, the tax statements would go to the residence of the owner. Mr. Shankel will work with the Appraiser’s Office to obtain a list.

Laura Hyer met with commissioners to discuss the courthouse security action plan. Terry Graham made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of 5 minutes, under the Security Exception of the Kansas Open Meetings Act. Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor. Those present for the session were the commissioners, Laura Hyer and Joanne Long. The session began at 10:57 am and ended at 11:02 am with no action.

Laura Hyer asked commissioners if it’s okay to send Shane Walker to free PIO training. Commissioners approved it but said that she should ask Judy Orton because he is her employee.

Ms. Hyer also reminded commissioners of the upcoming mitigation and training drill and said she will be attending a court security meeting Sunday through Wednesday.

Joanne Long asked commissioners if the County would be supplementing flu shots through the Health Department this year. Terry Graham made a motion to pay $15 for flu shots for County and Courthouse employees. Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor.

Laura Hyer asked commissioners if she should send letters to homeowners based on the flood plain meeting last night. Commissioners asked her to wait, as the final flood plain area hasn’t been established yet.

After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:10 pm.

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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