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Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting

Courthouse District Courtroom

March 31, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram (absent), Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Kerri Ulrich, Jay Schmidt, Chris Tedder and Grant Neuhold attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll reports, AP reports and Commissioner minutes of 03/16, 03/17(1), 03/17(2), 03/20 & 03/27.

After the pledge of allegiance. Ron opened the meeting at 9:00. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0.

Ron adjourned the regular meeting and called the Board of Health (BOH) meeting to order. Kerri Ulrich came to give updates for the Health department which included; COVID-19 information and Executive order NO. 20-16. Ron adjourned the BOH and called the regular meeting back to order.

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for the public works departments which included; road maintenance, agreement with KDOT on spraying at rights-of-way, landfill operation hours, bids on upcoming chip seals and overlays project for this year. Jay presented the agreement with KDOT on allowing them to spray for noxious weeds in the rights-of-way for approval. After review of the agreement Bert moved to accept the agreement and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0. Next, he asked to allow him to change the operation hours at the landfill to Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturdays temporarily to allow the trash services to continue for the cities and to allow the public access on Saturdays. He explained that he will only have one employee working on those days as well. After some discussion on the topic Bert moved to change the days the landfill is open to as discussed and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0. Last he asked for permission to still accept bids for upcoming projects for chip seals and overlays. It was by consensus to continue with accepting them but that it may just have be added to the bid that contracts could be postponed due to operations.

Kristi Cooper presented a proclamation from CASA asking Kiowa County to declare the month of April as Child abuse prevention month. Ron moved to sign the proclamation and Bert seconded, motion carried 2-0. Next, she presented Resolution 2020-10 authorizing participation in Rural Opportunity Zone Student loan repayment program for renewal. Bert moved to adopt Resolution 2020-10 and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0.

Grant Neuhold came to discuss continuing education for a couple of students that are using his classes as part of their credit hours through Pratt Community College. He explained what he could do take measures to protect the students by bringing one in at a time so they could do what they need to for their classes. They asked him to consult with Kerri, but it was by consensus that he could if she says its ok.

Break called till 10:00.

Chris Tedder came to request permission to pay his Deputies, Detention and Dispatchers a hazard pay at the rate of time and ½ straight pay for their regularly scheduled hours. He explained that he sent his 3 supervisor’s home on a modified administration leave and that they will be called in if needed to cover shifts if others aren’t able to work or they may come in a few hours to check on things. But they will for the most part stay out of the office. Bert asked if he had it in his budget and he said for the most part but that he would make it work. After some discussion Bert moved to approve his proposal to pay required employees working at a rate of time and ½ straight pay and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0. Ron added that they should put a end date on this and it was by consensus to revisit this at the end of 30 days just as they will do for all operations for the County.

Meeting adjourned at 10:05

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Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting

Community Center

March 27, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram (via phone), Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Kerri Ulrich, Kaylan Jones, DJ McMurry, Chris Tedder and Stacy Barnes attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda

Ron called the special meeting to order at 7:00 at the Community Center. Ron adjourned the meeting and called the Board of Health meeting to order. Kerri Ulrich came to give the Emergency Order of the Kiowa County Local Health Officer. She went over the order with the Commissioners and explained the contents of the document and what would be impacted here. The order will to into effect at 12:01 am on Monday, March 30, 2020 and shall remain in effect for 31 days, until April 30, 2020 unless sooner amended, superseded or rescinded.

Ron adjourned the BOH meeting a 7:32 and called the regular meeting to order.

Chay presented Resolution 2020-9 for determining the operations of Kiowa County in response to COVID-19 in Kiowa County. After review of the Resolution as presented, Ron moved to adopt the resolution and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Meeting adjourned at 7:42.

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Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting

Community Center

March 20, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram (via phone), Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Kerri Ulrich, Jay Schmidt, Rosa Spainhour, Andrea Taylor, Ray Stegman, Matt Christenson, DJ McMurry, Jeff Blackburn and Wade Reh attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda

Ron called the special meeting to order at 7:30 at the Community Center to discuss County aide to the Community and operations moving forward for the County.

Kristi Cooper explained that earlier in the week they met with some of the outside entity’s officials such as the Hospital, Schools, Cities and Ministerial Alliance to see what we all could do to help the Food Bank and the Community during this epidemic. She informed them that the County Attorney has graciously donated funds from the Diversion fund to purchase 2 upright freezers and refrigerators to help with this project. Also, she suggested that the use of the Community Building would be the best place as a temporary station to help with storage of commodities, access of picking up the items for the public with a drive through access effect. She requested them to consider to contributing funds to this project in the amount of $20,000. Kristi asked Jeff to speak to them on the operations and the effects they are dealing with.

Jeff Blackburn informed them of the current operations and how they are providing for residents now but explained concerns with moving forward to provide this service.

After some discussion Bert moved to approve to allocate $20,000 with a backup reserve of $10,000 for the project that will come out of County General and Ron seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Chay Howard informed them that at the last department meeting that the supervisors came up with a plan for operations for the COVID-19 and explained those changes. He would draw it up incase we need to put it in place.

Meeting adjourned at 8:09.

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Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting

Courthouse Lower Level Conference Room

March 18, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram (absent), Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Jay Schmidt and Cody Sherer attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda

Ron called the Special meeting to order at 4:30 to include Cody Sherer, Fire Chief and Jay Schmidt, Public Works Supervisor in the discussion of the properties at Belvidere. Chay explained what the prior discussion was and the concerns. Cody informed them that they don’t fill the fire tanker there at they fill up a Jared Koger’s farm which is a mile south of town and Jay added that the only water they use there was for a restroom. After some discussion on what they could do with either granting easements to the joining property owners or digging a well for their building. It was by consensus to move forward with the sell of the Belvidere School house as is.

Meeting adjourned at 4:58.

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Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting

Courthouse Lower Level Conference Room

March 18, 2020 (9:00 A.M.)

Bert Lowery, John Bertram (absent), Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Kerri Ulrich, Jay Schmidt, Chris Tedder, Andrea Taylor, Ray Stegman, Richard McVey, Karen Butler, Kristy Zenger, Brenda Osborne, Matt Christenson and DJ McMurry attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda

After the pledge of allegiance, Ron opened the special meeting at 9:00. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0.

Kerri Ulrich, Public Health Administrator and Ray Stegman, Emergency Preparedness Director came to discuss COVID-19 and the operations of the County. Kerri presented the executive order form Governor Laura Kelly and explained what they have discussed with moving forward with operations at the County level. She explained what precautions we are taking and asked them to take that under consideration and that they can re-evaluate the situation as needed. Ron opened the discussion to the audience of the supervisors. Multiple supervisors spoke up and gave their concerns on staying open and if they closed the Courthouse. After a long discussion, Ron moved to close the following buildings public access; Courthouse, Commons building, Community Center, Fair Barn, R&B and departments that would remain open would be the Sheriff Office, Health Department and County Landfill and that this would go into effect March 18th until March 31st and that they will re-evaluate the situation and Bert seconded, motion carried 2-0. Ray presented Resolution 2020-8 COVID-19 Public Health Emergency for approval. After review of the document presented, Bert moved to adopt the resolution 2020-8 and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0.

Meeting adjourned at 10:09.

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Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting

Courthouse Lower Level Conference Room

March 16, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram (absent), Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Kerri Ulrich, Jay Schmidt, Chris Tedder, Andrea Taylor, Ray Stegman, Richard McVey, Jeff Blackburn and Hank Halley attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll reports, AP reports and Commissioner minutes of 03/02/20.

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

Ron adjourned the regular meeting and called the Board of Health (BOH) meeting to order. Kerri Ulrich came to give updates for the Health department which included; COVID-19 information, State formula grant increase, VFC audit totals, healthy habit preventions for March, Emergency Preparedness State wide drill canceled, health fair still scheduled for March 28th, payroll change C Stokes (probation merit) and grant applications for approval. Ron adjourned the BOH and called the regular meeting to order. Kerri presented a payroll change C Stokes (probation merit) for approval. After review Bert moved to approve the payroll change and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0. Last she presented a grant signature page for approval. Bert moved to accept the grant applications and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0.

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for the public works departments which included; road maintenance on G St and 43rd, payroll change D Liggett (department change), chemical bids from Van Diest for $36,435.66 and Nutrien for $37,591.90, KDOT sign agreement for RR crossings, Kansas One Calls for several locations for culvers and ditch work. Ron moved to approve the payroll change for D Liggett to move him from R&B to Noxious Weed and Bert seconded, motion carried 2-0. Next, Bert moved to approve the chemical bid from Van Diest Supply Company in the amount of $36,435.66 and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0. Lastly, Ron moved to approve the agreement with KDOT for signal at RR crossing at 59th Ave and Bert seconded, motion carried 2-0.

Break called till 9:45.

Hank Halley came to request an easement for water and sewer lines on the property of the Belvidere School house before they sell the property. Chay explained how an easement works and after much discussion they tabled the discussion till after they could speak with Jay Schmidt and Cody Sherer on the R&B & Fire shop.

Matt Christenson came to present mowing bids for 2020-2021 season. He informed them that he received 3 bids this year. He presented the bids for Jason’s Lawn Service for $4,230, Dave Moyer for $11,500 and Nace Lawn Care for $16,220. Matt explained they submitted bid for per mowing and that he went off last year totals to get the figures he presented. After some discussion, Bert moved to approve Dave Moyer mowing bid and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0.

Chris Tedder came to present merit payroll changes for J Rugg and K Amaro for approval. After review of the changes Bert moved to approve them as presented and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0. Next, he gave updates which included; cleaning storage pods out for the upcoming consignment auction, vehicle updates, precautions they are taking for the Sheriff’s facility for the COVID-19.

Kristi Cooper, County Clerk presented tax corrections for approval. After review of the corrections, Bert moved to approve them as presented and Ron seconded, motion carried 2-0.

During Commissioner discussion they discussed the Belvidere school with no action taken.

Meeting adjourned at 11:52.

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Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting

Courthouse Lower Level Conference Room

March 2, 2020

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

Consent agenda included: Agenda and Commissioner minutes of 02/28/20.
Prayer was given by Jeff Blackburn. Ron opened the meeting at 9:00. John moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for the public works departments which included; road maintenance, received Federal Fund Exchange funds and payroll change for K Koehn (merit). After review of the payroll change, Ron moved to approve the change as presented and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Cody Sherer came to request to sell some equipment at a Brown Auction Consignment sale on April 4th such as; 250-gallon skid unit, Ford E450 Ambulance, 1989 AMC General 6X6 and some miscellaneous items like fire hoses, fittings and old generators that has been in their storage pods since the tornado. It was by consensus to allow him to list the items with Brown Consignments Auction. Next, he wanted to discuss the pay they receive for runs. He explained that they receive a flat $35 per run and a run could be from 1 hour up to 12 hours. He would like to change the definition of a run as a minimum of 4 hours or less and gave an example of if they are on a run for 6 hours, they would be paid 2 runs now instead of just 1. After some discussion Bert moved to define a fire run to be up to 4 hours for $35 and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Break called for 10 minutes till 9:47.

During Commissioner discussion, Ron moved to go into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss employee relations at 9:50 and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular session began at 10:00. Ron moved to go back into executive session for 5 more minutes at 10:01 and Bert seconded motion carried 3-0. Regular session 10:06 with no action taken. Ron requested to have Kerri come over to be part of the discussion regarding operational hours of the Health department. Kerri arrived at the meeting and Ron moved to go into a 10-minute executive session with Kerri at 10:13 for employee relations and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Regular session began at 10:23 with no action taken.

Meeting adjourned at 10:38

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Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting

Courthouse Lower Level Conference Room

February 28, 2020

Ronald Freeman, John Bertram, Bert Lowery, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, DJ McMurry, Jay Schmidt, Jeanie Thomas, Hank Halley and Tony Factor attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll reports, AP reports and Commissioner minutes of 02/18/20.

Prayer was given by Tony Factor. Ron opened the meeting at 9:00. John moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Ron opened the continued discussion for the Belvidere school house with Hank Halley and Jeanie Thomas present. Jeanie asked some questions regarding lead paint, septic tanks, water, electricity and property lines. Chay informed her that the selling of the property would be as is and that the new owner would be responsible. Chay explained that the sell would be set for May 7th which would allow plenty of time to give notifications that the County are required to do after the public hearing and After some further discussion, Chay presented Resolution 2020-6 for Determining certain County property to be surplus and ordering the same to be sold. After review of the resolution, Bert moved to adopt the resolution 2020-6 as presented to sell the Belvidere school house on May 7th at 10:00 a.m. at the Courthouse and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Kristi will publish the resolution for 3 consecutive weeks and then would place an ad monthly to remind interested parties of the sell.

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for the public works departments which included; road maintenance and meeting attendance. He asked that it be allowed that he attend 2 meetings a month and it was by consensus that he attends the 1st and 3rd meeting of the month with updates and if he needed to get on the agenda for the last meeting that he could when needed.

Kristi Cooper came to present bids for the electrical work to be done at the fairgrounds from Eck Services in the amount of $8,857.94, Adams Electric in the amount of $11,565.65 and Inter Green Services in the amount of $6,249.00. After review of the bids, Bert moved to approve the bid from Inter Green Services and pay for the services out of the building fund and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, she informed them that she is going to get bids to seal the brick and sealing the floors at the Community center and quotes on repairing the gables on the barn to keep the birds from coming in as well. She expressed her concerns on the birds coming in and the Commissioners agreed that they need to get fixed.

During Commissioner discussion Kristi presented the minutes per Ron’s request regarding the operational hours of the Health department. The minutes from February 18, 2014 stated they approved the operational hours to be changed on Friday to close at noon. She advised them that if they have any further questions or concerns they would need to talk to Kerri the next time she is here.

Meeting adjourned at 11:59

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Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting

Courthouse Lower Level Conference Room

February 18, 2020

Bert Lowery, John Bertram, Ronald Freeman, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Kerri Ulrich, Jay Schmidt, Chris Tedder, Rosa Spainhour, Jeff Blackburn and Rhonda Fernandez attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll reports, AP reports and Commissioner minutes of 02/03/20 & 02/07/20.

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

Ron adjourned the regular meeting and called the Board of Health (BOH) meeting to order. Kerri Ulrich came to give updates for the Health department which included;

Jay Schmidt came to give updates for the public works departments which included;

During Commissioner discussion they discussed the

Meeting adjourned at 11:59

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Kiowa County Commissioners Meeting

Courthouse Lower Level Conference Room

February 7, 2020

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

Consent agenda included: Agenda

After the pledge of allegiance, Ron opened the special meeting at 1:00 pm. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Ron opened the public hearing for 30 minutes for public comments. Matt Christenson was present for the hearing. Matt wanted to let them know that as the mayor of the City of Greensburg he feels this is a great program for the community to encourage growth for the County as well and is a great incentive for residents to build. Ron closed the public hearing at 1:30. Kristi then presented Resolution 2020-5 for Revitalization plan, designating Revitalization area and approving interlocal agreement to be adopted. After review of the resolution, John moved to adopt the resolution as presented and Bert seconded, motion carried 3-0. Commissioners signed the signature page for the Neighborhood revitalization plan interlocal agreement and Chay asked for the resolution to be published.

Meeting adjourned at 1:39

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