COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 04, 2018
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with all members present. Also present were Paul Kitzke, County Attorney; Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk and RoGlenda Coulter with the Hugoton Hermes. Joe called the meeting to order. Tron moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Pat seconded. Motion carried. Pat moved to approve the county vouchers. Tron seconded. Motion carried. The County Clerk was instructed to draw warrants on the Treasurer chargeable to the various funds of the county for the following amounts:
| General | $ 12,740.10 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 8,522.13 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 2,922.05 |
| EMS | $ 405.56 |
| Fire | $ 2,837.51 |
| Community Health | $ 9,769.40 |
| Fire Bequest | $ 4,314.60 |
| 911 Wireless | $ 806.80 |
| Emp P/R Misc W/H | $ 40.74 |
| Sheriff | $ 10,031.35 |
| $ 52,390.24 |
After bills were discussed, Pat addressed the situation about the possibility of hiring someone to clean Memorial Hall. Tron feels that Robert Lucero has better managed his time and cleaning. There shouldn’t be any need for a part time Memorial Hall person to date.
The commissioners were asked to decide if they will allow a County employee to receive anymore donated time once they have surpassed their 160 hours per year. Discussion was tabled until later today.
The Commissioners decided to hold the General Election canvas on Thursday, November 15, 2018.
Amy Jo, County Clerk, asked the commissioners if she needs to put board openings in the paper for the airport board and southwest area on aging. It was decided the boards need to be responsible for advertising their board openings.
Pat asked if the airport board is just an advisory board, then why do they sell and purchase large items without informing the commissioners or getting prior approval. Joe said he’s not wanting to micro-manage the boards. Pat said that the airport is supposed to be ran like the other county controlled entities such as Road and Bridge, Noxious Weed, etc. Tron said he understands both sides but feels that the Airport board should still come in and notify the commissioners of their intentions. Pat said because the Airport board purchased the hangar, it is one more piece of property the county now owns and will not have any tax revenue. He also mentioned the fact that there is no longer a fuel truck at the airport to fuel jets if needed.
Vernon Anderson with Planning and Zoning came in to discuss the possibility that KDI may not need a county permit for what they are planning. KDI must to be approved and permitted through KDHE for constructing a 12” underground wastewater line from their plant, through property owned by Mary Smith, to the proposed KDI lagoon. Walter Beesley will then run a line from the lagoon to his property for irrigation purposes. Pat said he samples the KDI irrigation water every two (2) weeks and it is almost good enough to be used for drinking water. Joe inquired as to what will happen with the water testing once it is no longer part of the City of Hugoton. Vernon informed him that the KDHE will oversee the water quality testing once the construction is complete. KDI will be required to perform water sample testing and report the findings to KDHE.
Joe prefers Paul Kitzke look over the lagoon construction and KDI information before they make an agreement to allow Walt Beesley to use the lagoon water for irrigation. Tron commented that an owner from a neighboring property might have an issue with the lagoon water getting onto their property due to salt content and other possible contaminants. Vernon said if KDHE approves the lagoon, they will be the one to monitor any complaint and will make decisions based on all factors. Joe tabled the decision until a later date when Paul Kitzke will be present.
Josh Grubbs was present and said that he will send the KDI construction information to Pete Earls Engineering to have them look over the plans and see if there might be any issues that might be detrimental to the City of Hugoton.
RoGlenda Coulter with the Hugoton Hermes and Paul Kitzke the County Attorney came in.
Tony Martin with Road and Bridge came in and discussed the alley-way on Commercial around the Cemetery Road and East 6th and East 9th Street. Ralph Stoddard would like the road used as an alley, Tony said that the location is supposed to be slotted as an alley-way and is the County’s responsibility. Joe told Tony to blade it like an alley on occasion.
Tony said the stacker conveyor that was destroyed in a high wind storm a while back is worth $15,000 according to insurance. Tony said he will write specs and put out for bid on a new stacker.
Aquashield went to the Road and Bridge Department and inspected the fourteen (14) skylights on the building that need repaired. They can install and repair with new sheets of metal for $2,600. The Commissioners agreed to that cost.
Terry Lamberson was released to return to work on August 27th. He has reached 160 hours of allowed donation time. Tony came in to request additional donation time to be used if needed. The commissioners have agreed to allow the overage of hours to be donated to Terry.
Tony told the commissioners he will hopefully be starting on the road Robb Heger has requested within fifteen (15) days. He also informed the commissioners that the state statute for building roads puts the county responsible for the road as well as fences, sprinklers and other obstacles that need moved.
Discussion was brought up about rumble strips on several roads. Tony informed the commissioner that he had spoken to KCAMP about the risk avoidance grant money to see if Stevens County would be a candidate for several intersections. Tony expressed his frustrations that people are getting killed for no reason other than people don’t want to stop at stop signs. It is especially bad when there are rumble strips and flashing lights and people still do not stop.
Sheriff Ted Heaton and Deputy TJ Steers came in to discuss retirees insurance provided through the county. Pat assured Ted that the retiree insurance provided by the county would apply to him and any employee who was an employee prior to May 4th, 2009, have worked twenty (20) or more years and pay $250 for insurance after retirement. Amy Jo told Ted the only difference is the retired employee would no longer pay the county their $250 per month for insurance. Instead they pay the insurance company and get reimbursed anything over the $250 by the county.
Joe asked Ted if the sheriff’s department had a postage meter and Ted said they do rent a postage machine. Ted said it is to mail warrants, insurance information, and any civil processes.
The commissioners agreed to pay $1,141.00 out of county building fund for the other half of the Southwest Glass and Door bill for the Moscow Senior Center. Amy Jo was instructed to inform the Moscow Senior Center that if any building improvements or construction needs to be done that the commissioners need to be informed prior to the work and bids may be needed.
Amy Jo asked the commissioners, per KCAMP questionnaire, if Lake Russell is considered a park or a pond and was told that it is a water holding area not meant to be a pond nor a park.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Rich, Deputy County Clerk
________________________________
Joe Thompson, Chairman