Commissioner Minutes

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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Kiowa County Community Center

August 10, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram, Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Kerri Ulrich, Shelly Tuttle and Matt Christenson attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda

Ron opened the special meeting at 8:30. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Matt Christenson came to present an updated plan for the SPARK program through the funds of the Cares Act with a few changes. Matt went over new expenses and changes with them. Bert moved to approve the plan as presented and give authorization for Matt and Kristi to sign documents to be sent to the state and John seconded, motion carried 2-0 (Ron sustained from motion)

Meeting adjourned at 8:58

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Kiowa County Community Center

August 3, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram, Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Kerri Ulrich, Stacy Derstein, Mark Clodfelter, Stacey Barnes, Chris Tedder, Richard McVey, DJ McMurry, Matt Christenson, David White and Jeff Blackburn attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll reports, Accounts Payable reports and commissioner minutes of 07/17.

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

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for the public works departments which included; chip seal on Belvidere blacktop completed, replaced a culvert o J St. between 13th and 15th Ave, waiting on quotes on a ½ ton 4×4 pickup, disposing the alma hydraulic driven pull behind mower on purple wave, due to weather the roads needs attention. John informed him of a complaint he had received

Matt Christenson came to present the overview plan for the Spark Committee for the Cares Act funds in the amount of $493,894 and gave the breakdown of expenses for the County, Schools, Cities and outside entities. He informed them that he would like to request to have a special meeting on August 10th at 8:30 am to approve the plan so it can be submitted to the State for approval before the funds are disbursed since the deadline for the submission to the state is August 15th.

DJ McMurry came to present a payroll change for M Moore(merit) for approval. After review of the change, Bert moved to approve the payroll change as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Chay Howard presented resolution 2020-16 for public health order of the board of county commissioners of Kiowa county providing for less stringent requirements regarding covid-19 mitigation procedures for schools than the provision for the governor’s executive order 20-59. After some discussion, John moved to adopt the resolution 2020-16 and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Break called till 10:00

Ron opened the public hearing for the 2021 County Budget at 10 am for 15 minutes. He will open it up for discussion with those that are present. No public comment was made. Bert moved to adopt the 2021 budget as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Chris Tedder came to request to use funds out of the Special Equipment fund to purchase $10,700 upfitting 3 vehicles. Bert moved to take it out of Special Equipment and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

During Commissioner discussion Ron wanted to discuss resolution 2012-5 which is in regarding to recording meetings and wanted clarification on the policy and who is supposed to enforce resolutions or if they are in violation. Chay informed him the Board of County Commissioners are responsible for enforcing them and that they can change the resolution as needed or not. After some discussion on the topic, Ron moved to only record the meetings when they are in session but to turn them off on breaks and executive sessions and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.  Chay will revise Resolution 2012-5 and present it at the next meeting with the changes that county employees will operate the equipment during commissioner meetings.

Meeting adjourned at 10:42

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Kiowa County Community Center

July 31, 2020

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

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll reports, Accounts Payable reports and commissioner minutes of 07/17.

After the prayer given by Jeff Blackburn, Ron opened the meeting at 9:00. Ron asked about an invoice on a laptop and questioned the purchase procurement policy. Matt explained the purchase of the iPad Kristi and Matt explained the purchase policy. Next Ron asked about a purchase of an iPad that labeled for streaming meetings from the media center. Matt explained the purchase and use of the iPad, but Ron had concerns on that tax dollars were used to purchase the item. Matt explained that the purchase is will be reimbursed through the Spark funds. After some further discussion Bert moved to approve the consent agenda and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Matt Christenson came to discuss the roof at the library located in Mullinville. He presented a quote from Bryan Gumpenberger $5325.39 and AH Contracting $9250 and after review of the bids, Ron moved to accept Bryan Gumpenberger bid and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Kristi Cooper presented an annual agreement with Computer Information Concepts (CIC) in the amount of $23,870 for our computer software. After review of the contract, Bert moved to renew the agreement with CIC and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Chay reported the tax sale is still moving forward and the NRP program is official. Next, he gave updates with the new executive order 20-59 regarding school’s guidance of opening back up particularly regarding masks being worn. He explained that the Commissioners will need adopt a resolution for the schools to opt out of wearing masks so they can move forward with their individual plans. By consensus they agreed to opt out of the executive order and Chay will draw the resolution and present it at the next meeting.

During Commissioner discussion Kristi read Resolution 2007-15 for purchase procurement policy. She read the section regarding purchase limits and requirements and explained that anything over $4000 would require approval from the board of commissioners. She explained she followed the policy on the purchase of the laptop. Ron wanted it on the record that tax dollars will be spent on equipment for live streaming the meetings. Next, Bert mentioned that he wanted it on the record that he supports the Kiowa County Memorial Hospital board on the changes the board is looking at and the other both agreed to support the board.

Meeting adjourned at 9:40

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Kiowa County Community Center

July 17, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram, Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Kerri Ulrich, David White, Matt Christenson, Patrick Klecker and Grant Neuhold attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll reports, AP reports and commissioner minutes of 07/06.

After the pledge of allegiance, Ron opened the special meeting at 3:30. There was no questions or concerns on the payroll and accounts payable reports. Bert moved to approve the payroll reports, accounts payable reports and the consent agenda as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Kerri Ulrich came to give updates for Board of Health (BOH). Ron adjourned the regular meeting and called the BOH meeting to order. Kerri’s updates included; foot clinic’s restarted, back to school immunizations, school contracts for 2020-2121, school delayed opening, travel quarantine states, 2 positive cases in Kiowa County, Pratt Co now requiring masks now due to increase of cases in Pratt Co and to discuss options for Kiowa County regarding masks. Bert stated “He recommends that residents wear their masks but not mandatory and that people need to be responsible when they are out.” Ron adjourned the BOH and called the regular meeting to order. Kerri presented the school contracts for approval for Kiowa County School and Bucklin School. After review of the contract, Bert moved to approve the school nursing contracts as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Pat Klecker with Santa Fe Trails came to present year end reports and an inner local agreement with Kiowa County. After review of the agreement, John moved to accept the interlocal agreement and adult outcomes with Santa Fe Trails and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Kristi Cooper gave updates for Jay Schmidt in his absence for the public works department which included; payroll change C Pyatt(merit) and R Young(merit), Belvidere blacktop started by Heft and Sons, finished patching on blacktops will chip seal the patches at a later date and removed a cottonwood that had fallen down and was blocking the road. After review of the payroll changes John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, she presented payroll changes for C Erikson (status change), R Tedder (status change), B Parkin(merit) and J Swart (new hire) for approval. After review of the payroll changes, Bert moved to approve the changes as presented and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0. Last she read a board appointment letter from the South West Kansas Area Agency on Aging. She informed them that Kari Kyle would like to be reappointed to the board and asked them to approve the appointment. Bert moved to appoint Kari Kyle to the SW KS Area Agency on Aging board for another 3-year term and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Meeting adjourned at 4:18

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Kiowa County Community Center

July 6, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram, Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Jay Schmidt, Kerri Ulrich, David White, Rosa Spainhour, Chris Tedder and Grant Neuhold attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda and commissioner minutes of 06/30.

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 department which included; inspection on a small bridge on P St between 21st and 23rd Ave and patching on blacktops this week.

Kerri Ulrich came to give updates for Board of Health (BOH). Ron adjourned the regular meeting and called the BOH meeting to order. Kerri presented information regarding the current cases statewide. Next, she explained her recommendation to leave the order as it is and not enforce wearing masks for County residents or businesses but to encourage them to wear them. Chay Howard was available by phone and called in to give his legal advice for legalities from civil liabilities. He explained if they would like to opt out of forcing masks being worn and they need to adopt a resolution to protect the County from lability. Also, they discussed if County employees should be required and after some discussion it was by consensus that they would not require masks to be worn while employees work or for the public to wear them in County buildings. Ron adjourned the BOH meeting and called the regular meeting to order.

Rosa Spainhour came to discuss increasing the ambulance rates for services since they haven’t increased since 2014 and presented a new rate sheet for their review.

Break called for 10 minutes till 10:00.

Kristi Cooper presented Resolution 2020-15 providing for less stringent requirements for Kiowa County, Kansas than the provisions of Governors Executive order 20-52. After review John moved to adopt Resolution 2020-15 and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Chris Tedder came to discuss Senate Bill 22 requirements and explained that they will have to enforce the public to wear masks while in court hearings. Since they are going to have to enforce this, he would like to make his 2 part-time jail employees to full-time so he can use them to help in the court and that he would look at changing them back after the first of the year. He explained to them that they currently work on 999 hours a year and by August they would be out of hours. So, he could hire a temporarily full-time position or move their status. After some discussion John moved to allow him to change them from part-time to full-time temporarily and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Kristi Cooper presented signature cards for the new account that was set up for Spark grant for signatures.

Meeting adjourned at 10:15

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Kiowa County Community Center

June 30, 2020

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

Consent agenda included: Agenda, PR reports, AP reports and commissioner minutes of 06/15 & 6/29 Special Meeting.

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.

Kim Gamble came to discuss the event they will be having at the Community Center in September. She explained with the recommendations to allow for 6-food distancing they will need to open the south overhead door and put up a tent to allow space for the guests. She explained that the tent would not need to be staked down so there wouldn’t be any concerns of hitting any telephone or water lines. After some discussion John moved to approve them to do set up a tent to connect the venue for the event and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Chay Howard presented Resolution 2020-14 for Kiowa County Coronavirus Relief Fund. Chay explained the Spark grant and what we are doing to apply for this grant such as creating an advisory board to get involvement from the municipalities such as the cities and schools. The advisory board would meet and come up with a plan of disbursements and then would come back with the plan before August 15th. Kristi presented Resolution 2020-13 for COVID 19 Public Health Emergency for approval. After some discussion Bert moved to adopt resolution 2020-13 and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next Bert moved to adopt resolution 2020-14 and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for the Public Works departments which included; job description for a part-time equipment operator, payroll change C Beal(job reclassification), patch work on blacktops being done, purchase one truck to replace a 2001 model and City of Mullinville request regarding speed bumps. After review of the payroll change for C Beall, Bert moved to approve the pay change and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next John moved to approve the changes to the light equipment operator to Equipment operator and the part-time Equipment Operator and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Other items discussed by the Commissioners were culverts, south Mullinville blacktop and Noxious spraying weeds.

Kristi Cooper asked to remove the island in the driveway at the fairgrounds to make more parking in front of the Community Center. Jay Schmidt informed them that they would provide the material and they would spray for the area. Next she presented bids for a replacement of a water heater for the Community center. Oscar Handy Services for $986 and Inter Green Services for $950. After review of the bids Bert moved to accept Oscars Handy Services and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Additionally, she presented a payroll change for J Finch(merit) and (severed mineral clerk) and S Butler (resignation) for approval. After review of the changes Ron moved to approve the pay changes as presented and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Last she asked about opening all the doors at the Courthouse and after some discussion John moved to open the all the doors at the courthouse and allow parking in the East parking lot and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0. Also updated them on schedule changes to one meeting in July due to the fair being at the fairgrounds on July 20th and would let them know once the change is confirmed on location and dates.

Break called till 10:01

Kerri Ulrich came to inform the Commissioners of the new Executive Governors order that will be in effect on July 3rd at 12:01 a.m. She explained there is an increase of 900 cases through the state and that the new governors order offers no guidance that leaves the public health to utilize their best judgement. The new order is meant to help slow the spread of the virus while keeping businesses open and gave her recommendations regarding wearing masks.

Meeting adjourned at 10:08

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Courthouse Lower Level Conference Room

June 29, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram, Ron Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Matt Christenson, Theresa Dasenbrock, Tiffany O’Rouke, Dave White, Brenda Osborne, Karen Butler, Kerri Ulrich, Chay Howard and Grant Neuhold attended the meeting.

Ron called the special meeting to order at 9:00 to go over the 2021 County budget with our auditors, Theresa Dasenbrock and Tiffany O’Rouke from Lewis, Hooper & Dick and LLC.

Theresa reviewed the landfill agreed upon procedures and the audit report. Tiffany then went into the audit process and explained some observations and recommendations. Next, Theresa shared comparison graphs for population, totals milled levied last year, assessed tangible valuations, total levies that was compared to surrounding counties and cities.

Ron called for a 10-minute break at 9:47.

Ron called the meeting back to order at 9:57 and they moved into the budget process and went through each request and adjusted budget requests. They invited Kerri to come discuss her request for the Health department and reduce some of the cash balance so they can continue to maintain the maintenance of effort to allow them to receive state grants. Theresa informed them that with the budget adjustments that were made they would be looking at an increase of 0.015 mills making it a total of 75.456 mills to fund the 2021 budget requests. Bert moved to set the 2021 mill levy as 75.456 mills for publication and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. The budget hearing will be held on August 3rd at 10:00 am during the regular Commissioner’s meeting.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:41

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