COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS
APRIL 12, 2021
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
9:00 – Richard Vertrees – AK Roofing
9:30 – Tony Martin
10:00 – Fire Truck Bids – Rodney Kelling
10:30 – Matt Green – Kansas Land and Feed
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in regular session with all members present. Paul Kitzke, County Attorney; Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk and RoGlenda Coulter with the Hugoton Hermes 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 | $ 89,368.46 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 61,236.02 |
| Airport | $ 7,239.10 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 1,924.42 |
| EMS | $ 8,622.84 |
| Fire | $ 11,407.02 |
| County Building | $ 976.52 |
| Community Health | $ 11,646.51 |
| Community Health Grants | $ 3,200.00 |
| Library | $ 58,627.25 |
| Diversion | $ (108.00) |
| Sheriff | $ 39,098.80 |
| Emp P/R Misc W/H | $ 1,007.70 |
| Alcohol Treatment | $ 212.50 |
| TOTAL: | $ 294,459.14 |
Commissioners received a letter by a Moscow resident concerning the Fire and EMS department.
Bill Patrick with Seaboard came in and gave an update to the commissioners and discussed their employees to make sure there were no issues with the community. The commissioners said they feel comfortable with the progress and have not heard of any issues within the community and the construction workers at the plant.
Richard Vertrees with AK Roofing came in and discussed the issue with the courthouse roof. He suggests the commissioners repair the two (2) corners of the roof which became unsecured due to the ISO board not being screwed down. With the strong winds it caused issues. He said to fix the corners, he would remove the damaged section of the roof, screw a base sheet with fiber board down and apply a layer of tar. The cost he presented for the work would be $3,275.00.
Richard said they could do a complete roofing job and it would be a substantial cost around $19,650.00.
Pat made a motion to accept AK Rooking’s roof repair for $3,275.00. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Amy Jo presented the commissioners with the Noxious Weed request to carry over funds from 2020 to 2021 in the amount of $55,410.58.
Joe made a motion to accept the carry over/encumbrance of $55,410.58 for Noxious Weed. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Amy Jo asked when the commissioners would like to have budgets in for review. The commissioners said June 1 is the deadline for budgets since auditors will be doing the budget workshop in July.
Amy Jo presented the commissioners with the Old Republic Aerospace, Inc letter about renewing insurance. She was instructed to pass the letter on to the airport board members.
Amy Jo presented the commissioners with information from the Moscow Senior Center. They stated they were able to gain funding from the Parsons trust to help with operations for the 2021 year as well as funding to help with feeding the needy.
Tony came in and brought annual Noxious Weed reports from 2019-2021 to be signed. He told the commissioners the new mowers will not be in until the first part of August. Tony said he is receiving applications but is being reserved on who he hires. He is considering a part-time person to help mow.
Tony said he is waiting on the accident report from the truck wreck from two (2) weeks ago.
Tony said they are getting the asphalt plant ready and will be working on overlaying Washington Street from the City Limits to the race track. He is hoping to get two (2) miles of overlay done near the NexGen plant which will leave one (1) mile left to do next year. By the end of summer, he said there will be three (3) miles of overlay and ten to fifteen (10-15) miles of chip/seal completed.
Tiffany with Cimarron Basin came in to get approval and signatures from the commissioners to continue having them do work in Stevens County. The commissioners approved and Tron signed the approval sheets.
Rodney Kelling and Bailey Eseray with the fire department was in attendance along with Mike Weis and Tim Lewis with Weis Fire Equipment and Terry McConnell with Hays Fire and Rescue.
- Weis Fire Equipment $222,164.00 1500 Gal Tank Freightliner
- Danko $229,864.00 1300 Gal Tank Freightliner
- Hays Fire & Rescue $224,070.00 1500 Gal Tank Freightliner
Commissioners discussed the purchase of a new tanker truck for the fire department and asked the vendors who were in attendance how long their bid was good for. The vendors stated thirty to sixty (30-60) days.
Pat said he would like to know how the valuation is going to look before committing to the purchase. Joe said the funding is available in the fire equipment fund for the new truck but understands the reservation.
The commissioners tabled the fire truck bid decision until they speak with the appraiser later today. They did say Weis would get the bid as it is the lowest and meets all the specs.
Tron made a motion to go into a fifteen (15) minute executive session over legal consultation with trade issues. Pat seconded. Executive session began at 10:33 AM and ended at 10:43 AM. No action taken.
Matt Green with KDI called in and informed the commissioners he had sent Amy Jo and Paul the most current documents for signatures and acceptance this morning. The commissioners asked several questions about this new phase with KDI and was told they will be producing cheese and butter with the idea of having forty (40) full-time employees as a permanent position and will have roughly 80-100 contractors on site probably the first part of June.
Pat made a motion to adopt Resolution 21-04, Authorizing the county to consent to the subordination of its leasehold interests. Joe Seconded, motion carried.
Angela Eichman, the county appraiser was on conference call and asked for the commissioners approval to allow Lynne and Lori to work overtime to get the Oil and Gas renditions in by May 1. The commissioners approve of the overtime.
Pat asked Angela if there was any idea on the valuation at this time. Angela said she is not sure at this time but expects it to be the same as last year or close to it.
Commissioners discussed the City of Hugoton’s issuance of $44,225,000.00 of Taxable Industiral Revenue Bonds – exemption from ad valorem taxation of property constructed or purchased with the proceeds of such bonds. Commissioners were not in the understanding that the city could override the county and take away the county and the school’s property taxes incoming from KDI. They really did not agree with this decision.
The commissioners made a decision to table the firetruck bid until April 26, 2021 at the next commissioner meeting.
The commissioners discussed Ross’s position as maintenance and said he has been with the county two (2) years and has only received a COLA and no merit raise. Amy Jo said Ross is unable to be in today but would like to discuss his position with the commissioners.
Pat made a motion to give Ross Sullivan a $1.00 merit raise. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Amy Jo gave the commissioners a letter from Susan Schulte, GIS Coordinator concerning her budget for the 2021 year. They reviewed her information and has taken it into consideration and do not see any issue with what she has put down.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman