Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting

Courthouse Lower Level Conference Room

May 20, 2019

Bert Lowery, John Bertram, Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Steve Heft, Aaron Heft, Ric Dalke, Carolyn Irvin, Rosa Spainhour, Megan Gwin, Jay Schmidt and Jeff Blackburn attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll/AP reports and Commissioner minutes of 05/20.

After the prayer was given by Jeff Blackburn, Bert opened the meeting. Ron moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Bert adjourned the regular meeting and called the BOH meeting to order. Kerri came to give updates which included; upcoming conferences, 4-H Day camp, health fair feedback, corrected invoice from AMS, reduction in grants from KDHE, updates on new building. Kerri presented a thank you poster to Jeff Blackburn for the “No One fights alone” organization for their contribution at the health fair. She also presented a sample of the items for the Foster Kid program. Bert adjourned the BOH meeting and called the regular meeting to order.

At 9:15 the Clerk presented the sealed bids for the Asphalt paving on 10^th Ave, Sand Seal on Mullinville blacktop and Chip seal on various locations. The Clerk presented bids from Heft and Sons and APAC-Kansas. APAC only presented a bid on the asphalt overlay on 10^th Ave and Heft and Sons presented bids on all three projects. Bert read the bids aloud for the 10^th Ave overlay bid was presented from APAC for $785,978.25 and Heft and Sons for $595,950.00. Bert moved to award the bid to Heft and Sons and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, they read the bid for a chip seal from Heft and Sons for $126,256.80.  John moved to approve the bid as presented for the chip seal and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Lastly, he read the bid from Heft and Sons for the sand seal on the Mullinville blacktop for $86,592. Ron moved to accept the bid as presented and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for the public works departments which included; payroll changes (seasonal) G Tuttle and (seasonal) J Meitl, D Liggett (department change), washouts, spraying weeds on the open roads in Keller’s subdivision and 12H Grader motor updates. He also reported he had received $48,022.40 for the storm damages from last year from the State and received another check for the Federal portion of the storm disaster aid last week in the amount of $36,016.80 and that they should receive another check in the amount of $12,005.60 from the State. Next payroll changes were presented for approval. After review of the payroll changes Bert moved to approve them and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Ric Dalke and Carolyn Irvin came to present their annual report and the ICHD 2020 budget request.

Rosa came forward to give updates on the TransCanada grant they had received and presented the 2020 EMS budget request.

Break called 10:25 till 10:30.

Kristi Cooper presented tax corrections for approval. After review of the corrections, Bert moved to approve them as presented and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0. The Library board appointment letter was read to appoint Katie-Lee Harrison to the board. John moved to approve the suggested appointment and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, she presented payroll change C hacker (separation) for approval. After review of the payroll change, Bert moved to approve the change and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Chay Howard wanted to discuss gratuities being charged on the County credit cards when employees go out of town for work. He explained this was discussed at the last department head meeting and wanted to run it by them. He did add that the policy 506 doesn’t specify this and that they the department heads would like clarification. Also, the Clerk reported that the County follows the travel expense reimbursement summary from the State of Kansas in their policy while setting the mileage reimbursement and holidays each year. After some discussion it was by consensus to follow all guidelines from the State in our Policy 506. Kristi will work on updating the policy and take it to the next department head meeting.

Commissioner discussion, Bert wanted to ask the Commissioners to approve to purchase to extension panels for the gates at the fairgrounds. John moved to approve to purchase 2 extension panels on the gates in the amount of approximately $200 and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:00

Mindy Heinson, Wade Reh, Nadine Lampe, Chris Tedder and Jay Schmidt attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda and Commissioner minutes of 04/30/19.
After the prayer was given by Jeff Blackburn, Bert opened the meeting. Ron moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for the public works departments which included; payroll changes (merit) J Ahrens and (merit) C Beall, summer temporary help, mowers and quote on engine rebuild on 12H Grader from Foley. After review of the payroll changes as presented Bert moved to approve them and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Break called at 9:21

Mindy Heinson and Wade Reh came to present updates for the Extension office, quarterly reports and 2020 budget request.

Nadine Lampe came to present the Arrowhead West 2020 budget request and to give updates on the program.

Bert wanted to discuss concerns regarding the absence of County Council at the Commissioner meetings with Chay Howard. Chay also discussed with them on possible changes to his office operations once he gets the new person hired after the budget workshop. Kristi added to the discussion about reviewing how her office processes the final steps of AP with the Commissioners and County Councilor. She discussed with them a few changes she would to make to the final process but added she would talk with Theresa first and report back.

Chay Howard requested a 5-minute executive for non-elected personal to discuss employee relations at 10:15. Bert moved to go into an executive session and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular session began at 10:20 with action taken.

Chris Tedder came in to talk with them and to see if they had any concerns or questions about his department. The Commissioners commented that they didn’t have any but told him that he is doing a great job.

Jay Schmidt came back to discuss cold mix quotes from Heft & Sons. He informed them that he could get the mix for $70 per ton and that he is looking to get 900 to 1000 tons for upcoming projects. After some discussion, Bert moved to approve to purchase 1000 tons for $70 per ton and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:15