November 12, 2020 Election Canvassing

Courthouse Lower Level Conference Room

November 12, 2020

Ronald Freeman, Bert Lowery, John Bertram, Dave White, Shelly Tuttle and Kristi Cooper attended the election canvas meeting.

Ron called the special meeting to order to canvas the November 3rd General Election results at 10:00 am with the County Election officer, Kristi Cooper and Deputy County Election officer, Shelly Tuttle. She presented the unofficial results in an abstract form and presented the information on handling provisional ballots. She informed them that she had a total of 40 provisional. ballots for the canvass and explained the reasons they were provisional on the spreadsheet presented. They were informed 26 out of the 40 would count and gave the reasons for each of them. Next, she opened the 26 provisional and read them aloud. After they verified their totals, Bert moved to approve the election abstract as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0 and to certify the results by the Kiowa County Board of Canvassers.

Meeting adjourned at 11:48

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Kiowa County Community Center

November 2, 2020

Ronald Freeman, John Bertram Bert Lowery, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Jay Schmidt, Kerri Ulrich, Jeff Blackburn, David White attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda and commissioner minutes of 10/30.

After the pledge of allegiance, Ron opened the meeting at 9:00. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for the Public Works departments which included; project on 45th and G St on hold due to weather received, grading, Brenham blacktop project has been started.

Kerri Ulrich came for the Board of Health(BOH). Ron adjourned the meeting and called the BOH meeting to order. She came to give updates for COVID-19 updates. Ron adjourned the BOH and called the regular meeting to order. No action taken.

Kristi Cooper presented payroll change for J Bruckner(merit) for approval. After review of the payroll change Bert moved to approve it as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Last she presented minutes for signatures.

During Commissioner discussion there was no topics discussed. Chay reported they will have a hearing on the tax sale November 18th.

Meeting adjourned at 9:21

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Kiowa County Community Center

October 30, 2020

Ronald Freeman, John Bertram Bert Lowery, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, David White attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll reports, Accounts Payable reports and commissioner minutes of 10/19.

After the pledge of allegiance, Ron opened the meeting at 9:00. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda, payroll reports and accounts payable reports and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Karen Butler came to present a payroll change for T Butler(merit) for approval. After review of the change Bert moved to approve them as presented and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, she presented quotes for a new desktop scanner for the office from Salina Blue in the amount of $21,200 and Drexel Technologies $13,60 and explained that their current scanner isn’t compatible anymore with their current software. After review of the quotes, John moved to approve the quote from Salina Blue and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Kristi Cooper presented payroll change for J Price(merit) for approval. After review of the payroll change Bert moved to approve it as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, they discussed the invoice from KS Legislative policy group for membership dues in the amount of $1834.96. At this time this will hold off on paying it till they can talk to other commissioners that belong to the organization. Last she gave some election updates and presented minutes and reports for signatures.

During Commissioner discussion there was no topics discussed.

Meeting adjourned at 9:25

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Kiowa County Community Center

October 19, 2020

Ronald Freeman, John Bertram Bert Lowery, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Jay Schmidt, Kerri Ulrich, David White, Matt Christenson and Jeff Blackburn attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll reports, Accounts Payable reports and commissioner minutes of 10/05 & 10/14.

After the pledge of allegiance, Ron opened the meeting at 9:00. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda, payroll reports and accounts payable reports and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Kerri Ulrich came to give updates for the board of health(BOH). Ron adjourned the regular meeting and called BOH meeting to order. Updates included; flu shot given totals, grant work continued, COVID-19 updates and trunk or treat guidelines. Ron adjourned the BOH and called the meeting back to order. Kerri suggested to have a public comment section on the agenda for those who come to the meeting that isn’t on the agenda. Bert said to leave the agenda as is and look at that if they have concerns at other meetings.

Jay Schmidt came to discuss public works departments which include; bridge and waterway work South of Mullinville, hauling caliche to the Haviland stock pile at the shop and to be used on 45th and G Street and build up a section on 47th, Ideatek Telcom fiber optic line project received payment, discussed replacement of a grader quote from Foley Equipment. Bert moved to purchase 140-15AWD in the amount of $302,485.52 and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Georgina Rodriguez came to discuss an event she has planned to come up in December.

Kristi Cooper presented payroll change for M Brown. After review of the changes, Bert moved to approve them as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, she presented a tax correction for approval. After review of the tax correction, Ron moved to approve the correction as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, she presented minutes and reports for signatures.

During Commissioner discussion they discussed the grader purchase with Dave and what they have done with purchasing equipment.

Meeting adjourned at 9:53

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Kiowa County Community Center

October 14, 2020

Ronald Freeman, John Bertram, Bert Lowery, Kristi Cooper, Kerri Ulrich, Brooke Starnes, Chad Pore, Ty Lothman, Mary Lothman and Dave White attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda

After the pledge of allegiance, Ron opened the meeting at 2:00. Ron moved to approve the consent agenda and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Brooke Starnes and Chad Pore came to discuss their concerns with how the quarantine orders are handled by the County Health officer Kerri. Each of them discussed their own personal situations.
Break was called for 10 minutes at 2:25

Kerri Ulrich came to discuss the concerns the patrons had with the Commissioners of how she as the County Health officer are handling each situation that arises with COVID-19 and went over a few of the KDHE guidelines with them.

Meeting adjourned at 3:03

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Kiowa County Community Center

October 5, 2020

Ronald Freeman, John Bertram, Bert Lowery, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Jay Schmidt, Matt Christenson, Eric Ivy and Dave White attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda and commissioner minutes of 09/30

After the pledge of allegiance, Ron opened the meeting at 9:00. John moved to approve the consent agenda and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for the public works departments which included; payroll changes C Beall(full time), B Williams(merit), chip sealing patching on blacktops completed, bridge cleanouts South of Mullinville, install RCB culvert at R St. and 19th Ave, rail road crossing on 47th Ave, discussion on application fees on the use of County right of ways for utilities. After review of the payroll changes, Ron moved to approve them as presented and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. There were no changes to the fees for the application for use of County right of ways for Utilities per Resolution 2012-13. Ron asked that the fees to enforced to anyone that requests an application for any county right away. Next, he informed them that he was checking into crossing arms for the railroad tracks on 47th Ave and that the railroad would split the cost with the county if interested or that maybe they could look at doing some dirt work at the intersection with the landowner’s permission. He will report back.

Eric Ivy with ITC came to give update on the transmission line that runs through the County and informed them that they would be doing most the updates with a helicopter but there would be some light equipment used to move supplies but nothing that would affect the roads. Ron asked Chay if there should be an agreement with the County and ITC and Chay informed them they could but after some discussion with Eric he informed them that a verbal agreement was suffice with him that if there are any damages to roads, culverts that is caused from the maintenance to the transmission line that ITC would make it right.

Chay Howard requested an executive session for 10 minutes for Attorney client privileges with the Commissioners. Bert moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes at 9:55 and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Regular session began at 10:05 with no action taken.

Matt Christenson came to present quotes for upgrading its remote working and teleconferencing capabilities that will be paid through the Cares Act funding. Quotes were obtained from SHI $8,817.34, Connection $9,601.55 and SCW $10,735.03. Bert moved to approve the quote from SHI in the amount of $8,817.34 and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. He also added that the amount budgeted for the direct aid plan was $2,342.66 less and that he will requesting that the state allow them to move the unspent amount to one of our grant programs if necessary, to keep that money in our community.

Break was called at 10:21

Only item discussed during Commissioner discussion was Ron questioned the fees the Sheriff office pays for membership dues at the Greensburg Rec department and Kristi explained that he does this for his employees and that they have had this for several years and Chay explained why the can set their own fees for taxing entities as long as everyone pays the same.

Meeting adjourned at 10:26

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Kiowa County Community Center

September 30, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram, Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Jay Schmidt and Shelly Tuttle attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda and commissioner minutes of 09/21

After the pledge of allegiance, Ron opened the meeting at 9:00. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda and accounts payable reports and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Kristi Cooper presented payroll changes for R Martin(merit) and M Tuttle(merit) for approval. After review of the changes John moved to accept the payroll changes as presented and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, she presented the 2021 County Holidays for approval. After review of the holidays John moved to approve the 2021 holidays and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Jay Schmidt came to discuss revising the application for the use of county right of ways for utilities and went over the current fees and after some discussion they tabled it till Chay could be present.

During Commissioner discussion no new topics were discussed.

Meeting adjourned at 9:33

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Kiowa County Memorial Hospital Conference Room

September 11, 2020

Ronald Freeman, John Bertram, Bert Lowery and Kristi Cooper attended the meeting.

Ron called the special meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.in the basement conference room of the hospital to discuss the ambulance contract with the hospital board since the contract with Great Plains will expire on December 31, 2020. They wanted it to be known to the board and the public that is by consensus that they are wanting to continue as is and that the new agency they hire to manage the hospital will oversee the County Ambulance service.

Meeting adjourned at 11:04

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Kiowa County Community Center

August 31, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram, Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Jay Schmidt, Matt Christenson and Jeff Blackburn attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, payroll reports, accounts payable reports and commissioner minutes of 08/17

After the prayer given by Jeff Blackburn, Ron opened the meeting at 9:00. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda, payroll reports and accounts payable reports and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Kristi Cooper called John Albert to discuss renting the Community Center to hold an event for Wallace and Rogers Circus for September 9th. There was no response from Mr. Albert so moved on to next agenda item.

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for the public works departments which included; payroll changes for L Thronesbery(merit) and T Odle(resignation), blacktop patching, purchase leftover asphalt millings from Venture from a project for $8.00 a ton, culvert replaced on L St. west of 15th Ave and H St. west of 45th Ave, hauling caliche for building up roads, patching, sandhill road blowouts and shoulder work. After review of the pay changes Bert moved to approve them as presented and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Kristi Cooper presented a payroll change for K Amaro(merit) for approval. After review, John moved to approve the pay change as presented and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, she presented tax corrections for approval. After review of the tax corrections John moved to approve them and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Kristi attempted to call Mr. Albert again, no response.

Matt Christenson came to discuss hiring a structural engineer to examine the courthouse for settling issues and explained some concerns that he has come across. He will work on getting quotes on an inspection and report back.

Ron opened the public hearing at 9:30 for public comments. There were no public comments. Bert moved to adopt the 2021 County budget and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

No topics discussed during Commissioner discussion.

Meeting adjourned at 9:35

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Kiowa County Community Center

August 17, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram, Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Jay Schmidt, DJ McMurry, Kerri Ulrich, David White, Matt Christenson and Jeff Blackburn attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll reports, Accounts Payable reports and commissioner minutes of 08/03.

After the prayer given by Jeff Blackburn, Ron opened the meeting at 9:00. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda, payroll reports and accounts payable reports and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Chay Howard came to present Resolution 2020-17 regarding the use of recording devices at public meetings. Bert moved to approve county employees to live stream the meetings and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. After review of the resolution, Bert moved to adopt resolution 2020-17 and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Kerri Ulrich came to give updates for the board of health(BOH). Ron adjourned the regular meeting and called BOH meeting to order. Updates included; school nursing contracts, back to school immunization clinics, attending school board and town hall meetings for schools, gearing up for flu season, KDHE ELC COVID-19 staffing support grant, new COVID-19 testing. Ron adjourned the BOH and called the regular meeting to order. She presented school nursing contracts for USD 474 and Valley View for approval. Bert moved to approve the contracts as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. John moved to approve give a 3% support grant bonus from KDHE ELC of their wages spent during the pandemic to each of her employees and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Jay Schmidt came to discuss public works departments which include; payroll changes for C Tuttle(merit), C Cagle(merit), R Lothman(probation) B Thompson(resignation), culverts being replaced and hauling caliche to some roads north of Haviland. After review of the payroll changes, Ron moved to approve the changes as presented and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Bert asked for clarification on the foley bill and Jay explained the bill and the charges. Next, he requested an executive session for employee relations for 10 minutes. Bert moved to go into executive for non-elected personnel to discuss employee relations with Jay and Chay and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular session began at 9:54. Jay then presented a payroll change for C Parkin(new hire) for approval. Ron moved to approve the payroll change as presented and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, John moved to allow the years of service, PTO and EIB to roll over for C Parkin and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

DJ McMurry came and request a minute executive session for non-elected personnel to include the Commissioners only for 15 minutes. Regular session began 10:13 with no action taken. Bert moved to go back into executive session for non-elected personnel with Chay, Kristi and DJ for 10 minutes. Regular session began at 10:23 with no action taken. There was a brief discussion on changes to the current pay plan. Bert called for an executive session for non-elected personnel for 15 minutes to include DJ and Matt and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular session began at 10:55. DJ presented a payroll change for K Zenger(merit). Bert moved to approve the pay change for K Zenger and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Kristi Cooper presented payroll changes for S McCann(separation), P Capansky(merit) and C Parkin(termination). After review of the changes, Bert moved to approve them as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

During Commissioner discussion DJ McMurry came back and requested that they waive the payout for K Zenger from her merit increase. Ron asked for classification on the payout for the pay plan and Matt explained that it was in the policy when drawn up. John moved to waive the payout from the pay plan till the next meeting till they can discuss the pay plan further and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Bert then requested to have the all the department supervisors at the meeting on the 7th to have a round top discussion on the pay plan.

Meeting adjourned at 11:09

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