Commissioner Minutes

Kiowa County Community Center

December 7, 2020

Ronald Freeman(absent), John Bertram Bert Lowery, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Jay Schmidt, Jeff Blackburn and Rosa Spainhour attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda and commissioner minutes of 11/30

After the prayer given by Jeff Blackburn, John opened the meeting at 9:00. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and John seconded, motion carried 2-0.

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for public works departments which included; new grader arrived last Monday, snow removal, new Dodge pickup arriving anytime, shoulder work on West side of Brenham blacktop completed and started on the East side and will finish that up soon.

Kristi Cooper presented a payroll change from the Sheriff office for J Swart(termination) for approval. After review of the payroll change Bert moved to approve the payroll change as presented and John seconded, motion carried 2-0.

Chay Howard presented a letter he had received from the attorney for hospital board of trustees regarding the ambulance service agreement. He explained the letter was a consent to assign the existing agreement for the ambulance service over to the Kiowa County Memorial Hospital. This was tabled due to the chairman being absent. Next, he presented a resolution in regard to two properties owned by Great Plains that will be conveyed to the county to be held for use by the hospital. This was tabled till the next meeting as well, but he wanted to inform them of these two changes that would need to be done by the end of the year.

Break was called for 5 minutes.

Rosa Spainhour came to discuss an estimated quote from Osage on purchasing a new ambulance in the amount of $110,000 with an estimated trade in of $8000. She is hoping to get an actual quote by the end of the year and report back.

During Commissioner discussion there was no topics discussed.

Meeting adjourned at 9:24

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Community Center

November 20, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram (via phone), Ronald Freeman, Shelly Tuttle, Chay Howard, Kerri Ulrich, Nicole Zadina, Aaron Webb, Matt Christenson, Richard McVey, Kristi Cooper, Karen Butler, Shawn Cannon, Dave White, Tony Factor and Stacy Barnes attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda

Ron called the special meeting to order at 3:30 at the Community Center. Kerri Ulrich and Nicole Zadina came to discuss Executive Order No. 20-68, Establishing a face coverings protocol. The order will go into effect at 12:01 am on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 and shall remain in effect until rescinded or until mid-January when they meet again to discuss other options.

Kerri presented Resolution 2020-19, providing for less stringent requirements for Kiowa County than the provisions of the Governor’s Executive Order 20-68. After review of the Resolution as presented, Bert moved to adopt the resolution and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-1(John opposed).

Meeting adjourned at 4:06.

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Kiowa County Community Center

November 16, 2020

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

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

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

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 update and department updates which included; Covid-19 case totals, hearing/vision checks completed for the 4 schools, 579 flu shots given, office schedules changed due to volume of case and contacts, isolation/quarantine letters being sent to every person they are notified of being tested or being a contact to a positive, new Kansas unified testing strategy regarding testing with one of the symptoms of Covid. Kerri requested an executive session for employee relations for 10 minutes. Bert moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes for employee relations at 9:21 and to include Dave White and the Clerk and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular of BOH session began at 9:31 and Bert moved to go back into executive session for 10 more minutes at 9:32 and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular session began at 9:42. Ron called adjourned the BOH meeting and called the regular meeting to order and Bert moved to approve to pay hazard-pay to the 4 employees in the health department till the end of the year at the rate of time and a half and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. This will go into effective today till December 31st.

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for the Public Works departments which included; payroll changes M Allsbury(merit), C Tuttle(department change), D Liggett(department change), Brenham blacktop project completed and shoulder work to start this week, hauling caliche and building the intersection and road up on G St. and 45th Ave, update on the Railroad crossing at 47th Ave. Ron moved to approve the payroll changes as presented and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Ann Dixson came to give updates on the MT Liggett Art project in Mullinville and informed them of what some of the upcoming events that will be held there. She asked for the Commissioners to show support to the project by submitting a support letter from the County that helps the 547 Art Center to apply for grants to assist with the project and asked if they would match the donation, they received to help fund the project. It was by consensus to have the County Clerk draw up a support letter but that they were not able to full fill her request for financial assistance and that they could make any decisions on giving funds until next during the budget workshop.

Kristi Cooper presented payroll change for K Charlton(merit) and R Tedder(position change) for approval. After review of the payroll changes Bert moved to approve it as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0

Jay Schmidt came back and presented an agreement with Kirkham & Michael for engineering services for Biennial bridge inspections for approval. The inspection fee is $97.50 for 73 bridges in the amount of $7117.50. After review of the inspection agreement, Bert moved to approve the agreement with Kirkham & Michael as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Matt Christenson came to go present a review of the engineer report from PEC on the Courthouse. He reported that they were no safety concerns but to keep monitoring the settling of the foundation. Matt suggested we look at the existing cistron on the south side of the courthouse and determine if that is something that we need to keep or not. Matt is looking into eliminating that feature since it isn’t being utilized for the purpose it was put in for. It was by consensus to stop using it and to move forward to a solution in a way to deter water from the foundation in that area either. He will report back when he gets quotes on that.

Break was called for 5 minutes.

Matt continued with the presentation of a summary of funds from the Cares Act for distribution amounts that was given to local businesses. He went through the 17 applications and explained in detail in the amount of funds that were initially applied for and to the amount that was approved by the advisory board. The total amount that was applied for was $274,776.23 and $189,550.00 was paid out to the applicants.

During Commissioner discussion there was no topics discussed.

Meeting adjourned at 11.07

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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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