COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
MAY 15, 2020
Agenda: 4:30 PM PHASE 1.5 FOR STEVENS COUNTY
The Board of County Commissioners met in special session with Commissioners Tron Stegman. Also present were; Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk; Susan Schulte, GIS/PIO; Thea Schnittker, Register of Deeds Clerk; Elaine Rowden, Wellness Center employee and via zoom.com – Joe Thompson, County Commissioner; Pat Hall, County Commissioner; Paul Kitzke, County Attorney; Paula Rowden, Health Department Director and RoGlenda Coulter, Hugoton Hermes. Tron called the meeting to order.
This session was public by way of www.zoom.com conferencing to comply with state regulations. There were several people in attendance on-line: Kelsee Burnett, Lynne Webb, Lori Rome, Ginny Marquis and several other individuals.
The commissioners began the discussion by stating Kansas Governor Kelly’s COVID-19 Re-opening Phase 1.5. This phase now allows salons and fitness centers to open, but no group gatherings larger than ten (10) people. Social distancing is still required with these new openings as well as salons needing to be appointment only. No walk-ins at this time.
Paula Rowden said she would like to hear how the Stevens County Wellness Center is planning to operate under COVID-19 guidelines. Elaine Rowden said there would be disinfectant wipes around the fitness center for staff and customers to use to keep the equipment sanitized. She said not many people come in at once after 9:00 PM. Mike could extend his hours to work until 9:00 PM to keep control of the number of people in the gym at one time. To help maintain numbers, Tron suggested setting times for the elderly to come in and use the facility.
Discussion about the wellness center concluded with the decision to allow it to be open for twenty-four (24) hour service with employees working until 9:00 PM, having a time for the elderly to use the facility and to disinfect frequently. There will need to be signs posted to encourage people to disinfect equipment before and after use to help keep the COVID-19 spread down. The gym will need to be monitored regularly and if the public does not clean behind them, discussion will be brought up to be open during set times.
Paula Rowden said the museum is still not allowed to open at least until June 1 and Phase 2 has been discussed.
Amy Jo Tharp inquired about the courthouse. If it is open to the public, will there be any restrictions. Paula said at this time, the courthouse can be open to the public and masks are voluntary. The commissioners decided to open the courthouse to the public and each department has the decision to require masks or not.
Paul Kitzke said the District Court on the third (3rd) floor of the courthouse will be open by appointment only. He suggested people who have court dates could wait in Memorial Hall until called upstairs and must go through a screening process.
Kelsee Burnett informed the commissioners that Judge Ambrosier is adamant that people must be screened and wearing a mask or they will not be seen If the courthouse is open, he wants the District Courts floor blocked off to public access.
After discussing what would work best for the District Court to remain in compliance with Judge Ambrosier’s requests, Paula Rowden said on days there is court, she will have an employee from the health department stationed at the courthouse for screenings and access to the District Court. The south entrance of the courthouse will be the only door unlocked. Those needing elevator access will have to contact the office they are needing to conduct business. That office will give access to the door on the elevator side.
Thea Schnittker told Kelsee she would have the patrons coming into the Register of Deed’s office for land titles, call the District Court’s office if they need anything from them.
Tony Martin said the fair is at the end of July and he plans to be able to have it up and running. He asked Paula if she could attend a fair board meeting so they could get some insight on what the projections for the fair would be. Paula said she would get in touch with him to find out when the meetings are and would visit one to be informative.
Pat Hall asked about the Library, just out of curiosity not managing. Paula said Libraries can be open with social distancing and number of people. The entity/county can be more restrictive just not more lenient than Governor Kelly’s Phase 1.5.
Thea Schnittker reiterated the masks are up to each department to decide if they are mandatory or not for employees and customers. The commissioners agreed to that statement.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman