October 18, 2021

Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting
October 18, 2021

John Bertram, David White, Bert Lowery, Kristi Cooper, Jay Schmidt, Kerri Ulrich, Theron McKinney, Jeff Blackburn and Matt Christenson attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll reports, Accounts Payable reports and Commissioner minutes of 10/04/2021 & 10/5/21.

After the prayer given by Jeff Blackburn, John Bertram opened the meeting at 9:00. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and David seconded, motion passed unanimously.

John moved to adjourn the regular meeting and call the Board of health(BOH) meeting to session. Kerri Ulrich came to give updates for Public Health which included; working on quarterly grant work that is due, nursing applications received, flu clinics continue, 292 flu shots given, covid-19 cases continue to climb, contract tracer position. John adjourned the BOH meeting and called the regular meeting to order at 928. Bert moved to approve the temporary and part-time position that will be funded through a ELC grant for $9000 until the funds are used up or until the position is no longer needed whichever comes first and John seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Jay Schmidt came and presented updates for the Public Works Department which included; purchased 2 freightliner trucks on purple wave in the amount of $164,000, purchased 2 sand spreaders and rock shoulder spreader in the amount of $1350 plus commission, short discussion on the new stop sign placed north or Haviland and look possibly into a new TEAP study if Kirkham and Michael requires it, F St. and City Service road asphalt overlay completed, working with Northern Natural with disposing asbestos through KDHE, chip sealing and patch work started last week, blading updates, pipeline repair north of Mullinville completed and discussion enforcing roads with no commercial trucks allowed signs.

Jim Daily with KNRC came back to continue the discussion of Kiowa County joining the organization as they were members previously. After some discussion John moved to join the KRNC in the amount of $5000 and Bert seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Theron McKinney came to discuss the salaries again for the officers and after some discussion Bert moved to approve the pay salaries to be for the Fire Chief in the amount of $4000, Deputy Chief for $2500 and Captains for $2000 and David seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Julie Lyon came to give Economic Development updates which included; dairy farm, housing and child care facilities. And gave brief summaries on how she is working with each city on those topics.

Kendal Lothman came to present a payroll change for V Gwin(probation period merit) for approval. Bert moved to approve the payroll change and David seconded, motion passed unanimously. They also discussed commercial vehicles using our blacktops with signs restricting them and Kendal explained it is just too hard to enforce due to multiple reasons.

Break called till 10:45.

Kristi Cooper presented a list of the 2022 County Holidays for approval. After review John moved to approve the 2022 holidays as presented and David seconded, motion passed unanimously.

During Commissioner discussion they spoke continued the dairy farms discussion briefly.

Meeting adjourned at 10:58