COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
MARCH 11, 2024
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
9:00 – Bids on Moscow Sr. Center Roof
9:15 – Bids on County Lots
9:30 – Tony Martin
10:00 – Robert Harrington – Rural Growth Strategies
10:30 –
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in a regular session. Amy Tharp, County Clerk, was also present. Tron called the meeting to order. Joe moved to approve the minutes from the previous commissioner meeting. Pat seconded. Motion carried. Pat moved to approve the county vouchers. Joe 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 | $ 106,470.27 |
| Judicial District | $ 992.19 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 76,184.60 |
| Airport | $ 3,634.17 |
| Airport Grants | $ – |
| County Building | $ – |
| Noxious Weed | $ 4,330.41 |
| EMS | $ 8,007.69 |
| Fire | $ 3,123.99 |
| Community Health | $ 19,939.07 |
| Community Health Grants | $ 460.00 |
| Sheriff | $ 45,008.47 |
| Employee’s P/R Misc W/H | $ – |
| Reg of Deeds Tech Fund | $ 82.60 |
| TOTAL: | $ 268,233.46 |
Rodney Kelling and Bud Jordan were in attendance.
The commissioners discussed the immigration resolution which is circulating among other Kansas counties. This resolution is stating Stevens County is not a hub for illegal immigrants, although Stevens County does support legal immigration and migrant worker programs.
Pat made a motion to accept Resolution 24-3, Proclamation of opposing the entry, transportation, employment and settlement of illegal immigrants in Stevens County. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Ross Sullivan was in and Pat asked Ross to contact H&M Roofing and see about doing a water check at the wellness center. Pat said he wants to make sure there are no leaks with the new roof.
Amy informed the commissioners that Benny Cabrera and Seth Gillespie had served nine (9) years on the hospital board and their terms had expired. She said there are two (2) open positions at this time. The commissioners stated they will begin reviewing letters from interested citizens and hopefully decide at the next commissioner meeting.
Amy said she contacted Sarah Steele as per Paul’s instruction and said the Board of Tax Appeals are the only ones who can waive penalties or fees on taxes. Tron said he will contact Paul and have him reach out to the prospective party on this matter.
The commissioners asked Rodney if the sirens for Stevens County were working correctly. Rodney said they tested all the sirens and the few that were not working have been repaired. Rodney said he would like to get three (3) more sirens installed in the City of Hugoton and one (1) more installed in the City of Moscow. Rodney said there needs to be a siren at both the east and west industrial parts of Hugoton and possibly by the Pioneer Manor, according to a company who came down, did a study, and suggested more sirens. Rodney said the cost per siren is possibly going to be $20,000.00. Rodney told the commissioners there have been three (3) structure fires already this year which were deemed a complete loss. Rodney said he will be saving for new SCBA’s as they are costly but needed, especially in fire season. Joe asked if Rodney sent any trucks to Texas and Rodney stated he did not as there is a stipulation about going to other states and was waiting for word on whether they needed help. Rodney said he sent a truck to Seward County to aid in a grass fire. Rodney asked the commissioners if they will be doing a walk-thru of the building and the commissioners said they will have Ross go and see what needs repaired.
The commissioners opened bids for the Moscow Senior Citizens roof:
- Sinco Construction $21,440 – Replacement $0.00 – Spraying
- Ebenezer Roofing/Const $18,000 – Replacement $0.00 – Spraying
- AK Roofing $19,995 – Replacement $9,200 – Spraying
The commissioners discussed if they felt the whole roof needed replacement or if they should just have it sprayed with a silicone type substance. Joe stated the storage room has been damaged now and the walls are not in good condition due to the roof leaks. The commissioners told Ross to contact Richard with AK Roofing and find out if they will scrape and clean patches before they spray. Ross said he will contact Richard and ask about adding a flashing to the conjoined roofs before spraying to assist in leak repairs. The decision has been tabled until Ross can get more information from Richard about the spraying.
The commissioners opened bids for the county lots which are up for lease:
TRACT 2 – N1/2 of SW 10-33-37 – 39 acres
- Jimmy Kraisinger $1,053.00/year
- Gary Baughman $1,072.50/year
TRACT 3 – E side of SW 21-33-37 – 82 acres
- Jimmy Kraisinger $2,993.00/year
- Gary Baughman $2,255.00/year
- Chuck Leininger $2,952.00/year
Joe made a motion to approve the bid for Tract 2 from Gary Baughman and Tract 3 for Jimmy Kraisinger. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Tanner Rindles was in from AK Roofing to discuss the Moscow Senior Center roof and told the commissioners they can do silicone seal on foam sealed patches. The commissioners asked AK to shave off the foam seal and see if anything needs to be repaired in those spots before sealing with silicone. Tanner said they can, and the silicone spray seal is guaranteed for three (3) years. The commissioners asked when the work can begin, and Tanner said in a couple of weeks.
Joe made a motion to accept the bid for silicone spray seal for the Moscow Senior Center roof from AK Roofing for $9,200.00. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Tony Martin was in and said there will be a planning and zoning meeting on March 19th, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the Stevens County Fair Office building. He stated this will be open to the public and is the first of two (2) meetings before the commissioners have their discussion on regulations.
Tony requested an executive session over legal issues for ten (10) minutes. Pat made a motion to go into executive session for ten (10) minutes for pending legal litigation, beginning at 9:30 AM. Joe seconded. The executive session began at 9:30 AM and ended at 9:36 AM. No action was taken.
Tony informed the commissioners he plans on attending a planning and zoning conference on April 23rd through the 25th.
Tony told the commissioners the concrete wall at the asphalt plant is caving in and is currently being supported by sand. He would like to get an estimate on repair and believes it will be around $16,000.00. Tony then asked if the costs would be out of the building fund, equipment fund or some fund from the road and bridge department. Amy said she will find out what budget needs to pay for the repairs. Tony told the commissioners the repairs will have to be done after asphalt season. Tony said the new water dock’s concrete is poured and everything is in place and hopes it will be open soon. Tony also told the commissioners he has not heard back from KDHE about the permit but plans to begin bidding for the digging of the new pit at the landfill.
Pat asked Tony about possibly having a question on the primary ballot to see how many Stevens County citizens are for or against wind farms. Tony said it would be very difficult to get an actual count as most of the landowners do not live in Steven County who do own land. The commissioners then agreed it would be difficult to know since most of the residents live in town and do not have land which would be impacted.
Matt Rome, Lisa LeNeve, Jan Leonard, and Jim Ghumm were in attendance.
Robert Harrington with Rural Growth Strategies, LLC., came in to present the commissioners with the housing study report. He stated this report gives Stevens County an idea of what the housing needs are. Robert also provided information and places for contractors and the commissioners to apply to receive aid for certain housing projects. Robert advised the commissioners to ask for a first right of refusal if there is any land the county wishes to acquire. Joe asked if there is someone the commissioners can refer a person to who is interested in these programs. Robert suggested the Department of Commerce. Robert then further stated the Chamber of Commerce, or the cities and county should get a list from the Department of Commerce of contacts in case someone has questions. Robert also suggested having a housing development committee under Eco Devo who will investigate which programs are available and this board will need to report to Eco Devo, the county commissioners, and the cities. There was further discussion of some of the programs and results of the study between Robert Harrington, Jan, the commissioners, and Jim Ghumm. (A copy of the results will be available at the Stevens County Clerk’s office).
Abatement Orders for 2015 taxes numbered 211, 2016 taxes numbered 166, 2017 taxes numbered 119, 2018 taxes numbered 168, 2019 taxes numbered 275, 2000 taxes numbered 89, 2021 taxes numbered 113, 2022 taxes numbered 232, and 2023 taxes numbered 48 through 49 were reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; total valuation removed 77,788 with a relief assessment of $13,700.65.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman