COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 9, 2021
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
9:00 – Cornelius Wiebe – Acres
9:30 – Tony Martin
10:00 – ARPA Discussion
10:30 – Susan Schulte – IT for county
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in regular session with all members present. Paul Kitzke, County Attorney and Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk were also present. Tron called the meeting to order. Pat moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Joe seconded. Motion carried. Pat moved to approve the county vouchers. Joe seconded. Motion carried. The Clerk was instructed to draw warrants on the Treasurer chargeable to the various funds of the county for the following amounts:
| General | $ 76,102.53 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 70,549.75 |
| Airport | $ 2,810.11 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 1,410.28 |
| EMS | $ 8,527.51 |
| Fire | $ 3,214.21 |
| Alcohol Treatment | $ 212.50 |
| Community Health | $ 11,540.40 |
| Comm Health Grants | $ 3,315.50 |
| Diversion | $ 1,606.90 |
| Sheriff | $ 35,128.12 |
| Emp P/R Misc W/H | $ 31.14 |
| R of D Tech | $ 61.48 |
| TOTAL: | $ 214,510.43 |
Bailey Eseray and Rodney Kelling were in attendance. Rodney said he will be listing the old ambulance for bid sometime within the next week. He informed the commissioners there is a company who has offered to purchase the fire department a new fire truck. That would be very beneficial. Rodney said Moscow will need a new pumper truck and brush truck. Pat asked why if no one in Moscow goes out and Rodney said he would send Hugoton’s to Moscow and use the new ones for Hugoton.
The ARPA funds were discussed with Rodney. He said he figured the COVID pay for EMT’s from June of 2020 thru August of 2021 would roughly cost around $56,000.00. He is currently working on estimates for the defibrillators and said the company he is purchasing from will pay $6,500.00 each for the old ones.
Rodney asked Paul Kitzke if he was able to look at the emails and communications pertaining to CodeRed. Paul said the contract is clear about needing a thirty (30) day notice to opt out. He is still assessing the e-mails and other info and asked if Rodney has paid yet. Rodney said he has not paid for the services. He said in the beginning the idea was for the city, school and other places use of the service to inform people when power is out, school is cancelled, water line breaks, etc. No one has used the service, so it is not worth the cost.
The commissioners discussed ARPA funding and tabled the decision whether a committee needs to be set or if they should handle the funds.
Carla Amador, Tacho Amador, Frankie Thomas and Tony Martin were in attendance. Carla presented the commissioners with a map of the lots North of town between Main Street and Washington just south of the Eagle RV Park. She said they would like an access road to be put in. The commissioners and Tony agreed an access road needs to be put in for when the lots are sold, and people start building. Tony said he would like to start the access road this winter. Commissioners like the plan for the access road and told Tony putting one in closer to winter would be reasonable.
Ted Heaton and Duane Topliss were in.
Tony Martin said someone purchased around forty (40) acres south of town to build a house. At this time, the person would like to move a 2000 model single wide mobile home in until they get a home built. Tony stated the regulations for Stevens County is nothing older than twenty (20) years. He told the commissioners he was unsure if the commissioners could change that ruling or if it would be through the planning and zoning commission. Paul said at this time if the county regulations are twenty (20) years then it is set. If someone wants to change the regulation, they should come before the commissioners and see about getting it changed.
Tony said the landfill had the first control burn since last year and everything went well. He also stated there will be random drug testing today as well. There have been no hires to replace landfill employees yet and he is still looking for some.
Tony stated he has an employee retiring in November of this year and a mechanic possibly retiring in May of 2022. He asked the commissioners if he should start advertising for a mechanic in the next several months to find someone with the appropriate skills.
Amy Jo informed the commissioners Cornelius Wiebe was unable to be reached to see if he was still coming in.
Tron said Cornelius wanted to discuss cutting five (5) acres in half (1/2) to sell them but needs to find out regulations on septic tanks/lines. Also, if there needs to be a discussion on the changes.
Sheriff Ted Heaton said there is an inmate currently in the jail and will probably be headed for open heart surgery. The inmate is currently on Medicare which will help with the costs.
Thea Schnittker came in and brought information about the ARPA funds and some of the requests that have been received. The commissioners discussed a separate board for the ARPA funds or if they should handle it.
Joe said he spoke with Marcus Howe and Don Beesley about being on the committee and they said they could if they are needed. Pat said he would be the commissioner on the committee. Until the committee can get together, he feels the commissioners could make some decisions today on the requests. Amy Jo said she will contact Don and Marcus, then inquired who else should be on the committee. The commissioners said Gabe Baeza if he would like to be interested.
Amy and Thea shared a letter from Carrie Baeza, the Hugoton City Clerk about ARPA funds asking if the county would consider helping fund the water tower project. The commissioners said they will help with the request but will hand out the funds with the second (2nd) half (1/2) of the ARPA funds which will be received around June of 2022.
Pat made a motion to approve the following ARPA requests:
- City of Moscow Water Well – $125,000.00
- Hospital/Pioneer Manor COVID Testing – $20,000.00
- Western KS Child Advocacy Center – $10,000.00
- Blood Pressure Monitors for Sheriff – $3,750.00
- EMS replacement Defib Machines – $87,000.00
- Wellness Center towel cleaning 1 yr contract – $2,454.80
- Wellness Center lost revenue due to closure of 2020 – $4,937.67
- Wellness Center lockers and cleaning stations – $1,918.10
Joe seconded, motion carried.
The other requests were discussed and the commissioners decided the ARPA Committee will have to approve them and all others after today.
Amy Jo told the commissioners AK Roofing repaired the leak on the Moscow Senior Center and helped immensely.
Susan Schulte came in and said she has been doing research on IT since Amy Jo asked her to back in June. There have been many issues with Gilmore Solutions and the requests the offices have, Gilmore can not comply with. Susan has received estimates from NexTech and said by going with them the county will be saving over $10,000.00 per year with IT.
Pat made a motion for the switch from Gilmore Solutions to NexTech for IT for the county. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Tron said Jan Leonard is discussing with some companies about wind energy and is hopeful there will be a good turnout. Paul told Tron to make sure Jan understands the contracts they will be offering farmers for their land on the costs and who will be in charge if the windmill needs to be taken off the land or what will happen if the company goes bankrupt. Paul also asked, if a company comes in, finishes a portion of the project then they quit for whatever reason, what issues will this cause.
There was discussion of the foundation board and how much money they need to spend and receive each year.
Ross Sullivan came in and showed the commissioners ideas for the sound system in the Memorial Hall. They decided getting two (2) Evo Sound Systems would be very beneficial.
Amy Jo shared a letter with the commissioners from KCAMP explaining an increase in insurance rates of up to fifteen percent (15%) for the 2022 year.
Pat Hall made a motion to accept Resolution 21-06, Appointing Angela Eichman as County Appraiser. Tron seconded. Motion carried.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk ________________________________ Tron Stegman, Chairman