These are the minutes for June 2008, as approved by the Bourbon County Commission.
June 02, 2008
June 06, 2008
June 09, 2008
June 13, 2008
June 16, 2008
June 20, 2008
June 23, 2008
June 27, 2008
June 30, 2008
To return to the main Commission Minutes page, click here.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 2, 2008            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.  He also discussed damages to county roads from the heavy rains this weekend.  Commissioners suggested moving crews from the northern portions of the county, where there were fewer rains, to the southern portion, where the rain was heaviest and the damages are severe.
 
Bill Brittain informed Mr. Killion of the fact that Producer’s Grain Company will be calling him to test a section of Deer Road with the soybean by-product dust control.  He also spoke to Mr. Killion about the request by JayHawk Energy on gas lines though they will require proof of bonding from the company and want to be sure they never cut across hard-surface roads.
 
Joanne Long advised commissioners that the City of Fort Scott would like to hold a City/County luncheon this month.  The City Commission will meet tomorrow to finalize a date.
 
Terri Johnson met with commissioners.  She spoke with them about Christine Booth’s concerns over her son’s stay in the jail. 
 
Keith Jeffers reported to commissioners that there is a possibility of severe weather coming our way this morning.
 
Susan Quick informed commissioners of the latest Road & Bridge Sales Tax distribution.
 
Ralph Carlson spoke with commissioners about setting signs along the Old Military Road.  Commissioners encouraged Mr. Carlson to continue looking into it, but advised that the County cannot place signs along state highways.
 
Charlie Blevins spoke with commissioners about the condition of the overpass south of Fulton on 215th Street.  Commissioners assured Mr. Blevins that it is on the list to be repaired as soon as the weather cooperates.
 
Marty Pearson reported to commissioners that he looked at the finishing mower the caretakers at Elm Creek Lake want to buy.  He said we should not get it.  Besides, they will be getting the riding mower from the Courthouse once the new one arrives.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 11:45 am.
 
                                                                                        THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 
                                                                                        OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                                        (ss) Bill Brittain, Chairman 
                                                                                        (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner 
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk 
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June 6, 2008            Friday  9:00 am
 
The Bourbon County Commission met in open session with Gary Houston and Bill Brittain present.  Joanne Long was also present.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
 
Shane Walker asked commissioners for permission to purchase GPS software.  It is in his budget.  Commissioners approved the request.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.  He said there’s a lot of tree clean-up after last night’s storms.
 
Terri Johnson spoke briefly with commissioners about the closing of the sale of County property.
 
Jimmy Nichols, Brad Rich, Harold Coleman and Ron Gray met with commissioners to discuss the inmate work program.  Mr. Nichols said that it’s really taking off and there’s more work than one crew can handle.  He would like to set up two crews:  one for Fort Scott and the other for other towns in the County.  To that end, he would like to hire a part-time employee to watch the second crew.  The commissioners will speak with City officials to see if they can supplement it, as they will be getting sole use of the crew in town.  Bill Brittain will speak with the mayor this afternoon.  Everyone agrees it is an excellent program for the prisoners to give back to the community like this.
 
Harold Coleman asked commissioners for an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel.  Gary Houston made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of 10 minutes, under the non-elected personnel exception to the Kansas Open Meetings Act.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and both voted in favor.  Those present for the session were Gary Houston, Bill Brittain, Harold Coleman, Ron Gray and Joanne Long.  The session began at 10:11 am and ended at 10:21 am with no action.
 
Don Stewart asked commissioners if the deed is ready for the closing today.  Bill Brittain said that Terri Johnson will have it this afternoon.
 
Joanne Long presented commissioners with Resolution 12-08.  It is a declaration of a local disaster as a result of recent storms and flooding.  Keith Jeffers asked that I have the commissioners adopt it today so that we can get relief.  Bill Brittain made a motion to adopt Resolution 12-08.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and both voted in favor.  Joanne will fax the resolution to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management.
 
Ms. Long presented Resolution 13-08 for consideration.  It is the cancellation of three vehicle refund checks issued by the Treasurer which are over two years old.  Statute allows for them to be cancelled by resolution, like the ones we do at the beginning of the year for her office.  Bill Brittain made a motion to adopt Resolution 13-08.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and both voted in favor. 
 
Bill Brittain said that Lee Davis called to ask to have phone quotes for 250 gallons of PastureGard.  The prices were:
 
 
 
Van Diest
$41.73/gal
UAP
$41.75/gal
VMS
$45.50/gal
 
Bill Brittain made a motion to accept the price from Van Diest.  Gary Houston seconded and both voted in favor.
 
Bill Brittain stated that he needs to speak with Terri Johnson regarding the county owned land near the riverfront.  The Riverfront Authority would like to obtain it from us.  Since it is a public entity, it should be allowed to be transferred without taking bids.
 
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.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and both voted in favor.  Those present for the session were Gary Houston, Bill Brittain and Joanne Long.  The session began at 10:37 am and ended at 10:42 am with no action.
 
Commissioners signed paperwork of a proposal for Geotechnical Engineering Services from GeoSource for the Slick Rock Bridge over the Marmaton River.
 
Bill Brittain left the meeting at 11:25 am to speak with the City about the inmate worker program.
 
Meeting adjourned at 11:25 am due to lack of a quorum.
 
                                                                             THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                             OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                             (ss) Bill Brittain Chairman 
                                                                             (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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June 9, 2008            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.  There was discussion of the amount of rain we received over the weekend and what it did to our roads.
 
Tim Cunningham, director of Tri-Valley, and Bill Fiscus, Tri-Valley, presented the 2009 budget request.  It is for $61,000, up from $58,000 in 2008.  They said the increase is for the rising cost of food and fuel.
 
Keith Jeffers presented commissioners with updates on damage assessments for the May 2008 storms.  He also said he’s working to get a weather station on the roof of the jail.  He said he’s working with the National Weather Service.
 
Harold Coleman and Ron Gray presented commissioners with a grant application for a Secure Our Schools Grant.  It will be for equipment, door locks and cameras for USD 235 schools.  Bill Brittain and Harold Coleman signed the documents.
 
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 2nd the motion and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, Harold Coleman, Ron Gray and Joanne Long.  The session began at 10:55 am and ended at 11:00 am with no action.
 
Lynda Foster, Kathleen Gilliland, Ann Ludlum, Jim Womeldorff, Delta George and Rhonda Hoener met with commissioners to present the 2009 Extension Office budget in the amount of $119,848.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon.
 
                                                                      THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                      OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                      (ss) Bill Brittain, Chairman         
                                                                      (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 
                                                                      (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:       
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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June 13, 2008           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 9:15 am.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
 
Bills and payroll for the period were reviewed and approved.
 
David Neville spoke with commissioners about the new mower.  It works excellently.  He thanked commissioners for the purchase.
 
Mr. Neville also informed commissioners that the pit is up and running for the sewer.
 
Commissioners spent part of the morning discussing the mediator’s report on the meeting with Fire District 3 officials.
 
Carol Davis, president of the Clarksburg Cemetery, spoke with commissioners about a neighbor to the cemetery whose cattle get out.  The neighbor wants the cemetery to help repair the fence.  The commissioners spoke with Mrs. Davis about the fence viewing laws in Kansas.  Mrs. Davis said that the cemetery barely has enough money to keep the cemetery mowed, much less pay for part of a fence.  There was also discussion of headstones that are destroyed by the cattle.  The commissioners advised Mrs. Davis to speak with the County Attorney.
 
Mrs. Davis also asked permission from the County to erect a sign for the cemetery at the corner of 250th and Grand.  Clyde Killion mentioned that she should put it up on the bank so the mowers can still pass.
 
Mrs. Davis also asked about a notice in the paper about intermittent closing of Overbrook and 205th.  She asked when that will happen.  The commissioners explained that the Watershed needed to apply for the permit so they can receive federal funding to help build the dam, but that it won’t be until next year some time.  The law just states that we must publish the notice upon receipt of the application for the permit.
 
Mrs. Davis spoke with commissioners about the road grader operator in her area.  She said he is digging into the ground too much and that makes the water back up and doesn’t drain properly.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report. 
 
Terri Johnson spoke briefly about the new Drug & Alcohol testing policy.  She has some concerns over some of the language and is awaiting answers from the company.  She wants us to wait to sign it until they are resolved. 
 
Gary Houston made a motion to transfer $15,731.28, the sale proceeds from a land sale, from the General Fund to Landfill.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Commissioners discussed the 5-year federal aid project.  No action at this time.  Commissioners asked that it be placed on the agenda for Monday at 10:00 am.
 
Bill Brittain made a motion to join the National Association of Counties’ (NACo) Prescription Drug Card program.  Gary Houston seconded and all voted in favor.  Bill signed the agreement.  It provides low cost prescription medicines to those individuals who are not covered for prescription medicines.
 
Bill Brittain made a motion to adopt Resolution 14-08, the lease-purchase agreement through UMB for the screen machine.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor.  Bill Brittain signed the documents.
 
Harold Coleman asked Bill Brittain if he heard anything from the City of Fort Scott about assigning a crew of inmate workers to the City in the summer if we can use a vehicle.  Bill indicated he hadn’t heard anything but would check again today. 
 
Joanne Long informed commissioners that the County Appraiser certified real estate and personal property in the last week.
 
Marty Pearson called commissioners to request to purchase two loader tires.  They cost $8,000 each from Cross Midwest.  Commissioners approved the expense.
 
Bill Brittain went to City Hall to ask about the jail program at 10:50 am.
 
Joanne Long informed commissioners that she has been advised through our insurance attorney that we need to revise our FMLA policy in the County handbook.  We need to remove the words “Upon request” from the beginning of the policy in order to comply with the federal guidelines.  Terry Graham made a motion to amend the County FMLA policy to remove “Upon request” from the first paragraph of the policy to eliminate confusion and to comply with federal law.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and both voted in favor.
 
Bill Brittain returned at 11:00 am. After speaking with the City Manager, he said that the City has approved to provide a vehicle for the crew and to reimburse employee expense for the guard.
 
Bob Chase, Executive Director, Alan Hauser, CFO, and Sam Mason met with commissioners to present the 2009 budget request for SEK Mental Health.  They are requesting $77,500 in 2009.  Mr. Chase asked to continue receiving 888 monies to provide the alcohol services.  He said that without the 888 funds, he couldn’t continue.  Sam Mason advised the commissioners and Mr. Chase that he and Janet Braun will leave their board seats at the end of the year.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:05 pm.
 
                                                                                       THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                                       OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                                       (ss) Bill Brittain, Chairman 
                                                                                       (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 
                                                                                       (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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June 16, 2008           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 9:15 am.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
 
John Schwartz spoke with commissioners about a road needing maintenance at Fort Scott Lake.  There is a question as to whether it’s a county road or a private drive.  Commissioners will speak with the county counselor about it.  He also spoke about a bad pot hole on a blind corner.  Commissioners said it’s on the list but we can’t make asphalt while it’s raining and we’re really backed up because of the weather.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.  He asked commissioners about what to charge people for dust control this year.  Our actual cost for the product is $2.44/gallon and that doesn’t include the cost of the truck or employee to spray it out.  He said that $3.00/gallon should be close to our total cost, if not still a little low.
 
Commissioners spent part of the morning discussing the County’s 5-year federal aid program. 
 
Terry Graham left with Clyde Killion at 10:20 am to view a road near the Bourbon/Allen State Lake.
 
Tom McNeil discussed septic issues.
 
Terri Johnson asked commissioners for approval for her staff for between 8 and 10 hours of overtime.  It was granted.
 
Commissioners asked Mrs. Johnson to review the Fort Scott Lake road issue.
 
The commissioners met City officials at Mayberry’s at noon for the City/County luncheon.  Those present were:  City Manager, Joe Turner, City Clerk, Diane Clay Mayor Gary Bukowski, and city commissioners Barbara Wood, Jim Adams and Dick Hedges as well and County Clerk, Joanne Long and county commissioners Bill Brittain, Gary Houston and Terry Graham.
 
Several topics were discussed, including:
 
The inmate worker program—the City will supply a vehicle and reimburse the expense for the employee to supervise the 6-10 man crew, which will be assigned to the City for projects.
 
Minimum acre requirements in the 3-mile zone—there is a 3 acre minimum on city side but the County only requires 1 acre.  To avoid confusion, they should be identical, whatever they are.  The County said that a septic system can be placed on one good acre and that the Sanitarian is required to approve it prior to installation and inspect it post-installation.  This is a matter for the Planning Commission and possibly the comprehensive plan.  The City also asked about County-wide zoning. 
 
Tire disposal program--KDHE will pay to dispose of abandoned/found tires.  The City and County, and probably the inmate workers can help gather the tires dumped near the river so they can be transported for disposal.
 
GIS/Dispatch—The County suggested last year, though it was too late to do anything about it then, that the City and County trade-off services rather than swap funds for GIS mapping and Dispatch.  As the City can get a lot out of the mapping, it may be a good trade.  The commissions will consider it during budget preparation.
 
Economic Development—Need to push to get new businesses and some direction for BEDCO, especially since the 4-lane highway is coming.  There was discussion of areas to expand the industrial park and the possibility of expanding to the west side of US 69 if/when the sewer project at Lake Fort Scott comes to pass. There was discussion of seeking an increase in the sales tax of less than 1% to go completely to Economic Development to purchase and prepare land for development.  Everyone agreed that we need to focus on building the economy.  The possibility of having someone whose sole focus is bringing in businesses, with the incentive that his/her salary is based on the increase of a new business.  It’s something to think about during budget preparation.
 
New City Hall—there was discussion of a couple of the possible locations to move City Hall.  There will be discussion at tomorrow’s City Commission meeting regarding at least one of the possible sites.
 
2009 Budgeting—there was discussion of the property valuation and how that will translate during the budgeting process.  Joanne Long said that real estate is up slightly but that personal property values are down, mainly because of the exemption on new personal property in places like the new Wal-Mart and Walgreen’s.
 
Barbara Wood complimented the County on the courthouse lawn.  She said it’s the prettiest she’s ever seen it.  Jim Adams asked about a plaque that used to be on the northeast corner of the courthouse but isn’t there anymore.  The County will ask David Neville about it.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 1:15 pm.
 
                                                                           THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                           OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                           (ss) Bill Brittain, Chairman 
                                                                           (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 
                                                                           (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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June 20, 2008           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.
 
John Schwartz asked if the commissioners found out anything on the Fort Scott Lake road question.  The commissioners said we’re still waiting to hear back from the county counselor as to the ownership.
 
The commissioners reiterated that the County cannot sell gravel to private individuals because it’s a competition with private businesses. 
 
Lee Davis called commissioners with phone quotes for 250 gallons of PastureGard.  They were:
 
Van Diest
$41.67 per gallon
UAP
$41.61 per gallon
VMS
$45.50 per gallon
 
Bill Brittain made a motion to purchase from UAP, as it is the lowest price.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Terry Graham made a motion to re-appoint Steve Sewell to the Tri-Valley Developmental Services Board, for a period of three years.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Jimmy Nichols met with commissioners to ask where the County is with the new jail project.  He’s been getting inquiries from the committee members about starting town hall meetings.  Bill Brittain advised Mr. Nichols to get with Don Stewart about it.
 
Bill also informed Mr. Nichols about a health insurance for inmates for catastrophic illnesses.  He gave him the contact information.
 
Jimmy said that he and the sheriff will be meeting with the attorney representing the County in a lawsuit over lunch.  He asked if they could charge the meal to the County as it’s for a meeting.  Commissioners approved the request.
 
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.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, Harold Coleman and Joanne Long.  The session began at 9:22 am and ended at 9:27 am with no action.
 
Al Hurt and Doug Durbin met with commissioners to discuss AFLAC cancer insurance.  There is a new cancer plan available that wasn’t available at open enrollment.  It is only available to the 17 employees who currently have an AFLAC cancer plan and there are “loyalty rates” available only until October.  Our Section 125 plan will allow the changes that weren’t available at open enrollment.  Commissioners approved the request to offer the new plan to those currently on the AFLAC cancer plan.  The agents need a letter from the County authorizing the offer of new insurance to the employees.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.
 
Marty Pearson discussed equipment issues.
 
John Green, Executive Director, SEK Area Agency on Aging, presented the 2009 budget request of $2,000.  This is the same as 2008.
 
Terri Johnson updated commissioners on issues they have had her look into, including the drug testing contract, Cintas and the Fort Scott Lake road ownership question.  She will speak with Fern Wratchford about the roads to see if they can determine ownership.
 
Gary Houston made a motion to go into executive session, for a period of 5 minutes, under the non-elected personnel 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, Clyde Killion, Marty Pearson, Keith Jeffers and Joanne Long.  The session began at 10:20 am and ended at 10:25 am with no action.
 
Bill Brittain made a motion to appoint Keith A. Jeffers, Bourbon County Emergency Manager, as the Bourbon County representative to the Southeast Kansas Regional Homeland Security Council.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Keith Jeffers met with commissioners to discuss emergency management issues.  Topics of discussion included:
 
♦ A report on the flood plain levee along US Hwy 54 at 100th Street
♦ A report of recent preliminary damage assessments from KDEM and FEMA on flooding and storm damage
♦ Application for Keith to the Incident Management Team to serve a two year commitment and receive training for multi-discipline/all hazard response.
♦ The sheriff’s department and correctional center have been using the Emergency Management vehicle on weekends and Jimmy Nichols wants to use it next week to travel to Salina for a class.  It should be okay, unless there are emergencies here.  Otherwise, the sheriff’s department will have to chauffeur him.
♦ A report on local gas lines.  There was a rupture this week and he found that some lines aren’t listed on the Dig Safe list.  He’s looking further into this as some of the firefighters who responded were exposed to the gas and other elements in the pipes.
♦ Bronson Mayor, Jimmy Nichols, has asked for a 3-phase emergency generator next week as there will be work which requires the power to be out for the day.  A generator would be used to power the Bronson Community Center to provide comfort to persons in need that day.  The County does not have a 3-phase generator
 
Cheryl Bennett, Dean Bailey, Ronnie Brown, Bob Miller and Wayne Thorpe met with commissioners to present the 2009 Bourbon County Soil Conservation budget request.  They’re asking for $43,000, an increase of $2,000 from 2008.
 
Susan Quick spoke with commissioners about the next tax sale.  She asked if we want to send out letters again or just go with the abstractor and attorney from last time.  Commissioners said to continue with the one’s who did it last time.  She also asked commissioners about selling mineral rights.  Further research is needed.  Susan said she will have a synopsis of the last tax sale for the commissioners soon.
 
Terri Johnson returned to further discuss the road issue at Lake Fort Scott.  It appears that when the properties were transferred from the 99 year lease owned by the City to the individual property owners, the description did not include the roads.  Therefore, the City appears to still own the roads.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned 11:55 am.
 
                                                                             THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                              OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                             (ss) Bill Brittain, Chairman 
                                                                             (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner 
                                                                             (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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June 23, 2008     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 corrected.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.  He also presented quotes for a portable stacker to move fines at the quarry.  Three quotes were received.  They were:
 
Company
Size
When available
Cost
Van Keppel
60 foot
45 days
$22,614.00
Kirby-Smith
30 foot
8-12 weeks
$23,784.00
Berry Tractor
30 foot
1 week
$17,725.00
 
Terry Graham made a motion to accept the quote from Berry Tractor for $17,725.00.  Bill Brittain seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Joanne Long presented fireworks stand permits for approval from the following:
 
TNT Fireworks
Wal-Mart Parking lot
Ka-Boomers
Old Bowling Alley Parking lot
Hale’s Fireworks
South of Peerless on US 69 Hwy
John & Michelle Groff
Bronson Gas N’ Stuff
Jake’s Fireworks
Wood’s Parking lot
Jake’s Fireworks
Wall & Goodlander
 
Two blank permits were also prepared for two that were here last year and may still apply.  Bill Brittain and Joanne Long signed the permits.
 
Nina Yakel presented commissioners with a list of repairs needed at Elm Creek Lake.  Commissioners asked her to get estimates on the repairs.  Mrs. Yakel also asked about persons who repeatedly rent and always leave a mess.  She says the deposit is forfeited, but it isn’t enough sometimes.  Commissioners authorized doubling the deposit on the renters who have left a mess before.  Perhaps that will be an incentive to clean up after themselves, or it will be a costlier loss when they don’t get their deposit returned.   Mrs. Yakel also mentioned that she hasn’t been compensated for those deposits yet.  All the funds are deposited with the County but she hasn’t presented invoice for the forfeited deposits yet.
Charlie Blevins spoke with commissioners about the intersection of Jayhawk Road and 225th Street.  He said it is very narrow, and if someone is at the stop sign to turn on Jayhawk, a person cannot turn onto 225th.  He thinks it is a serious hazard.  The commissioners will look into it.
 
Doylene Kennedy had Terry Graham sign grant papers for LEPP.
 
Commissioners left at 11:15 am to view the intersection of Jayhawk Road and 225th St.
 
                                                                            THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                            OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                            (ss) Bill Brittain, Chairman 
                                                                            (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 
                                                                            (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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June 27, 2008     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.
 
Clyde Killion gave a road report.  He asked commissioners if they are still interested in working the road crew 4-10 hour days.  The commissioners agreed to try it, beginning July 11th for two months.
 
Mr. Killion also asked, on behalf of landfill employees, if the landfill can close July 5th.  The commissioners don’t want to do that because it will throw a lot of schedules out of order.
 
Harold Coleman and Jimmy Nichols met with commissioners to request an executive session to discuss a non-elected employee.  Gary Houston made the 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 the motion and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, Clyde Killion, Harold Coleman, Jimmy Nichols and Joanne Long.  The session began at 9:15 am and ended at 9:20 am with no action. 
 
Pat Bishop stopped in to ask the County for its annual donation to the Elks Fireworks Display.  Terry Graham made a motion to appropriate $500 from the Special Parks & Recreation Fund to the Fort Scott Elks Lodge for the annual fireworks display. Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Marty Pearson spoke with commissioners about the ice machine at the barn.
 
Ed Culver met with commissioners to discuss an abandoned railroad right-of-way in Garland.  Fern Wratchford in the Appraiser’s Office can tell us more about ownership.
 
Susan Quick asked commissioners to abate the 1999 taxes on bill number 11072 for Alvin Wolf.  It is one that we had a mobile home listed as real estate and it is no longer there.  Most of these were wiped out several years ago, but this one was missed.  Bill Brittain made a motion to remove from the 1999 tax roll bill number 11072.  Gary Houston seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Jim Harris, Berry Tractor, met with commissioners to discuss replacement of County motor graders.  He’d like to talk more about it next week.
 
Tom McNeil discussed sanitary inspections at Hidden Valley Lake.
 
Bill Brittain made a motion to transfer $36,222.75, proceeds from the sale of property adjacent to the Landfill, from the General Fund to the Landfill fund and to pay that money to UMB at the next possible opportunity to pay down our debt.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Terri Johnson discussed the uniform contract.  Joanne Long mentioned that another company stopped by yesterday and asked to be considered.  They said they have a 30 day clause for us to cancel.  The commissioners would like to see a contract to that effect.
 
Mrs. Johnson asked commissioners for an executive session to discuss attorney-client privilege items.  Bill Brittain 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.  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 11:56 am and ended at 12:01 pm with no action.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at 12:02 pm.
 
                                                                       THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                       OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                       (ss) Bill Brittain, Chairman 
                                                                       (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner 
                                                                       (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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June 30, 2008     Monday      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.
 
Clyde Killion gave a storm damage report.  Even the courthouse lost a tree.  Bill Brittain asked if maybe the prisoners could help clean up the debris around the county.
 
Fern Wratchford presented maps to commissioners to show that Dusty Road in Garland has never been closed.
 
Doylene Kennedy reported that FEMA was in and requested that we have pictures of any damages reported.
 
The commissioners, Clyde Killion and Doylene Kennedy discussed the road crew and rock quarry employees moving to 4-10 hour days beginning July 14th.  Some will work Monday-Thursday and a few will work Tuesday-Friday so that the work will be covered.
 
Keith Jeffers met with commissioners to discuss the storm damage over the weekend.  He asked that a disaster declaration be declared.  Bill Brittain made a motion to adopt Resolution 15-08, a local disaster declaration.  Terry Graham seconded the motion and all voted in favor.
 
Mr. Jeffers said that FEMA will be meeting with public agencies on July 14th at the community college.  One of the commissioners should be present.  He will let the commissioners know more information when he has it.
 
David Neville met with commissioners to request an executive session.    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 the motion and all voted in favor.  Those present for the session were the commissioners, David Neville and Joanne Long.  The session began at 10:26 am and ended at 10:31 am with no action.
 
Whendi Martin, Bourbon County Red Cross Administrator, met with commissioners to request continued funding to Red Cross in the County budget.  She reviewed the number of families helped and the amount spent from this weekend’s storms alone.  She thanked the commissioners for the assistance in the past and asked to be considered again during the budget preparation.
 
Mrs. Martin also commended Keith Jeffers and his work so far as Emergency Manager.
 
Wilma Leach, Mother to Mother Ministries, met with commissioners.  She reviewed what Mother to Mother does for Bourbon County and asked for assistance from the County.
 
Lloyd Olson gave commissioners a name of a person who may pick up the County’s recyclables. 
 
There was discussion of making Bill Keith Supervisor of the Landfill.  There are too many responsibilities for Clyde to keep up with at the Landfill.  The commissioners will discuss it further next Monday.
 
Judy Orton asked commissioners for guidance with a request for quotes on a truck for the Appraiser’s Office.  She sent a spec sheet asking for a 4-wheel drive but only one responded with a 4-wheel drive.  The others quoted 2-wheel drives.  The commissioners asked her to send the spec sheet to Shepherd’s and ask for the information by today.  Since her best deal is from Pittsburg, the commissioners authorized her to spend up to her budget allotment on the best deal, but reminded her that if Shepherd’s is within 10% of the best price, she should go local.
 
Doylene Kennedy asked commissioners if we can set a mailbox at the landfill.  Commissioners informed her to set it up with the post office.
 
After routine business, the meeting adjourned at noon.
 
                                                                              THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
                                                                               OF BOURBON COUNTY, KANSAS
 
                                                                               (ss) Bill Brittain, Chairman 
                                                                               (ss) Terry Graham, Commissioner       
                                                                               (ss) Gary Houston, Commissioner
ATTEST:
(ss) Joanne Long, County Clerk

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