Commissioners - Regular Meeting

Anyway, when I was saying it that Saturday, I went out 10 o'clock and I was out there. Betsy here. Betsy, good morning. Mandy, when she got came home, she said something. She said, "Are you still outside?" I said, "Yes, I've been outside since when I talked to you and you done me earlier." Okay. Well, we'll go to bed. Well, you know, I I shouldn't say this because we're probably getting it, but the mosquitoes aren't that bad at my place. Yes, are bad.

I've heard that. I don't go out in the tall grass. Okay, we'll stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I see 75. Turn this down a bit. Are you guys warm?

I just Good morning everybody. Hopefully the there was no more flooding at your place, right Keith? No, nothing. Not yet. And hopefully these storms they're talking about don't come about.

Yeah. And uh by the way, um Gary's going to come by. They're having a webinar at 10:30 and he'll stop by, let us know because people were inquiring about the joint meeting. Yeah. So, he's going to come out and let us know. He said he'd be around 11. He'd come brief us so we can transition. Okay. Um, commission review and update. Um, Commissioner Asher, would you mind starting? Um, well, I didn't have any meetings per se. I attended some graduation parties this weekend. So, congratulations to all the graduates. Yes.

Not just city but um I did attend to run for the wall yesterday.

Yeah. And um so it was it was a very nice night. I had a nice conversation with Colonel Miato and he'll be leaving us in July. So anyway, um enjoyed that. Um Sam was there to take some pictures, but then they um towards the end they made presentations to sponsors and so Sam didn't I don't know where he was but at the time but anyway we got a plat for CBD. Oh nice.

And so anyway that's about it. I really didn't have um I I attended the um EDC board meeting on um on Thursday and um she updated us on the um that Epic of course is on June 23rd at the opera house. They have nine registered at this time. So um kind of encouraged commissioners to also attend that. um you know to in support of of that. I went last year. It was interesting to see their presentations and and and stuff. Um talk about um destination uh boot camp. Um I think there was 11 maybe going is the largest contingent of people going. So there was quite a few going for this week. Um this opportunity zone 2.0 I wasn't really uh real familiar with that. They were talking about working with the city on on Grant Avenue. So there improvements. um we were given the um our budget request from the uh from EDC already and and nothing changed, but she did present that um which I'm going to talk about that now with the um the city manager had talked about the um homeless task force. I guess we could go ahead and address that now. um they had the um the resolution to create the task force and through that and I wasn't sure counselor if you needed to look at this uh ahead of time but you know part of it was um uh there

was 11 members and one representative from Gary County um could be either a commissioner or appointed by the board and um I had one um citizen that as soon as this came up that the city manager had been talking about this um showed great interest. I think she would she would be good if I don't know if another commissioner is interested in in doing it, but Christy Epam had said she was interested in in doing that. I think she had talked to uh the city manager about it before. Um, again, Betsy, I don't since it's a city resolution, we we need we're simply appointing somebody to be on the board. Is it

I mean, we're not passing a resolution, right? Yeah. Yeah. So, how many times?

Um, 11. They had a a city commissioner designate as city representative from city of uh city administration appointed by the city manager. This is, you know, what the city, this is their task force. Uh, the Junction City PD, Fire Department, Commission, uh, 475, a behavior health, housing authority, homelessness services, and outreach provider, a community member, um, a community organization representative appointed by the mayor with consent from the commission. So, there's they I think they've got a great representation on the board. But um anyway, I was tasked with uh I you know again if if one of you um are interested in doing doing it then otherwise um if you have another recommendation or if you want to go with with um the one I suggested, but

I did have a phone call over the weekend uh asking me questions about it and I said I wasn't really up to speed with the resolution. So I really didn't know but um I said they were interested or knew somebody get back to me before today and I haven't heard from them. So

yeah it is a um it is a a three three-year term members may be reappointed vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original point for the remainder of the expired term. Do you want to ponder on it for another week or do you have any other recommendations? You you want you can I guess I'll I'll forward it to you so you can look at it and if you want to proceed with it next week we can.

Yeah, we can do that because should we offer like if people want to be on because usually I think we instead of us picking and choosing you know like give them opportunity to say yes I'm I'm interested in it. I think she might be the only one in the county interested in it, but well, I think she had heard about, you know, this has been he's been talking about doing this for a few months, but nonetheless, well, we'll wait and we'll put it back on the agenda to appoint somebody next week. Otherwise, I will forward you this and I apologize. I didn't pay attention.

Do you want to call I'm doing you know like um because I don't know how how did they pick people? Did how did the city pick people? Well, the We're in the process. I I saw a couple emails from the fire department and somebody else that said, well, uh, we are going to appoint so and so as the fire says there's a few that have already sent appointments to the city manager. But yeah, otherwise, yes. I think in the past we've had put it out there and it's probably too late to put it in paper for this week.

Yeah. I don't know how the city's maybe you can find out before.

Okay. Okay. Okay. Um otherwise um well the city manager did send us information and I wasn't sure and I think councelor was in in was in on those emails about the convention center cooperation and escro agreement and the um the cooperation and escrow agreements. Why why those are being questioned now or are we supposed to I wasn't sure. No, wasn't

I I don't think there's anything new or I think it was still I think it was just the agreement and the office space that was being offered. Oh yeah. Yeah. So was my impression that why wasn't the CVB in there and I asked I reached out to Rick Dra and asked him why we never went in there and he said he didn't know. I don't remember either talking about that. It might have been that pushed for somewhere else during that time of frame because I mean could have been

well that and then again I had the EDC board meeting then I stopped in at the Main Street Market on Saturday. It was uh nice. I didn't stay very long because I did have stuff to other stuff I was working on and I just um sat and watched the uh run for the wall that people come in on the I didn't stay for the the rest of it. But yeah, that was uh quite a few motor. It seemed like there's more just maybe where I was uh parked it just seemed like there was an awful lot of motorcycles. I think it was there's been more in the past. Oh, really?

Yeah. I had read that the numbers were down. Really? Well, now they got four routes. So, it used to be this was all around this one. So, now they've got other choices to go. Okay. And I think that is all I have. Mr.

um we had our child care um uh round table um which um included people in the city and the county um and then businesses around um just uh talking about our child care issue. But then we had a presentation um about it's called the triricare model that has been done in different um states around country and um and uh basically it's they offer a um this the employer and the state or municipality um offer assistance with employees um to where they pay shares towards child there. Um, you know, and and I mean, you can make it whatever, you know, it could be just between the employee and and the employer or um a charitable um organization that would offer money. So, so it would just relieve some of the because child care is very extremely expensive. And so we just had some really good discussion and and you know it's just time for people to start thinking outside the box, employers to start thinking outside the box on how to get you know being able to keep people in the workforce and get them into the workforce. Um especially with people not you know the hours is you know

Yeah.

So yeah that was that was a nice discussion. Um and then uh we had a child care coalition meeting the day after um it was child care or provider child care provider appreciation month this month and so um we gave them all all the providers in the county um gifts just thanking them for doing what they're doing and appreciate that you know all the hard work that they put in. Um, I had the MAC meeting, military affairs meeting. This is the first one since, um, we don't have a director. Um, I think there were a lot of, uh, it was a little em, you know, high emotions in there and people were upset about how, um, it was handled and, um, and where we're going to go from here. And uh I immediately I just said listen I said I think the city and the county need to talk because I don't want them putting out for to hire somebody when we don't even know what's going on yet. Um and so uh that them posting the job was put on hold until um the city and the county have discussion because I told them I've already had constituents reach out and say we're not going to pay for two military legs and I agree. I don't think this the citizens me as a taxpayer and me as a commissioner I don't feel the citizens should have to um you know pay for two. So that's something we need to look at in the near future. So that right there is on hold. um attended the um Flint Hills Regional Council uh meeting um before I get into what I'll there was some issues there, but um they have gotten a grant and this is for the police department. there's a petroleum tank that is in ground in the underground there in their basement or underground or whatever and it needed to be removed and so Flint Hills Regional Council actually got a grant for them

and so they were able to get that out of kicking it out today. Um so during the the Flint Hills Regional Council um um it was brought to our attention that EDA has a grant and the grant is for the technical and industry site study um and basically what that is it gives us a snapshot of um sites we already have that we've designated as industry but then potential sites of of what could be you know where industry could go. Um, and it it uh tells us what it's needed to get those ready um and uh you know the infrastructure needed and those kind of things. And then um also what industries are compatible with our location and and which I think is important because I have no idea when that is. And so, um, EDA has a grant that if, um, you are considered a disaster county, which us, Chase County, P County, Wuny County, um, that we're all considered disaster counties, designated as disaster counties according to EDA. Um, they pay 80% and so it would be a 20% match. Well, Riley County wants to be involved in this and so Manhattan, their Manhattan chamber through their economic development has offered to pay the 20%. So, there's no charge at all to any of the counties that will be in this study. Well, they were advised by our economic development director that Gary County was not going to be we didn't want to participate. Well, I don't think that that's her decision. And so, um I said we do want to participate. That is something that I feel is needed. Um information that we as a county commission as well as a city commission need to have that information to see where we're going to go forward on how

you know what is needed for us to develop and and the fact I was very upset that we were told that that we were not going to and I I instructed them too and then I also sent it in an email um to the chamber board telling them to instruct McGee to participate in this. Now, I don't know if it's something that maybe we need to write a letter to them or make a a formal um we have a meeting agenda meeting and I think on 28. Can you can you um Yeah. Okay. But yeah, there's no reason for us not to. I mean, I think it's great information that we need and it it's not going to cost us a dime, right? And and so what's EDA?

Um the Economic um Development Administration. Okay. And why are we designated a disaster?

You know, I don't know. There was somebody from the EDA that was um they I don't know if it was past um things that have happened. I don't know. Um I can find out and tell you because I don't know. I just know that we we are in Riley County wasn't. So, but Chase and Wuny and Pot County all were too. And then I um attended the armed services um the actual ceremony um which was really nice and then the band was there so that was good. I was glad to attend that. That's always a good time. And that was okay. HR Director Crystal is here. Should be fairly short and sweet this morning. Crystal Mount, HR Director. I have two department head out of office notifications. Uh they're both for this week. So that's your update on who's going to be gone this week because I didn't have anything else from anybody else. So it'll just be uh the finance director off Wednesday through Friday and the appraiser off Friday afternoon. Um and as far as I know, the rest of us will be here. Then uh we did have our department head or employee task force.

I went to that too. Our employee task force some wrench.

I did the employee task force meeting was last Wednesday. We had lots of good discussion. Um we did discuss the blessing box. That's what I brought before you guys before. Um and we did decide to move move ahead with it. However, the location that we chose is it going to work. So we have some more fine tuning to do before we can announce that we will have this available. Um, but as a a recap, it'll be a place where we can donate extra items, whether it's diapers, milk, uh, formula, etc. for other employees that may be in need. Um, so like it's not going to be a drop off or hey, I've got all this junk here. It's for things that people may need. So, we'll have some strict policies about that. Um, but I'm going to have to visit with some others and identify a better location for it. And it will be something that's available before work, after work, lunchtime, you know, when somebody's not on the clock. But we want to be able to let our employees know that we do have extra for them so that if they're in need, they've got something that they can go for. Um, and that's all I have. Work on budget. uh trying to help Tammy with um employee changes. What's going on with that? As well as um our recruitment program. U it's every two years and it's up for renewal and they're doing a significant increase. So I'm trying to see if there's anything we can do about that. Um because my budget can't handle a lot of changes without going up. So that's all I have. Are there any questions? Then I will be back later this morning.

Thank you. Oh, great. Oh, the RERC is next week. If you guys can come, it's on Tuesday evening and Wednesday all day. I have it down.

Um and then also the Main Street is going to put together um PowerPoint. So, okay. Put together PowerPoint for our community update. We had a question from this city manager as to who was supposed to be doing the presentation and um because he he wasn't sure. This is his first time I think some of this conversation and uh if it was us we need to get on to it. But nonetheless putting it together doing the presentation. Yeah. which they they should be. What time is it on the

4 to 7 on Tuesday and dinner will be what time what time was was that the um run for the wall presentation? What time was that? By the time they got there, it was probably started at a little after 6. They were supposed to arrive at 5:40. I got there before 6.

I have the RC work time was at 4:30. 4:30 and then 9 to 4:30 on Thursday.

Yeah, I'll tell you because that's the same night the one is the same night as the JC kickoff that I win. So that's kind of Is that on the 27th?

Oh, you said the 26th and the 27th evening and 26th. 27th and 28th. 27th. Yeah, it's I was say somebody said 26th cuz I heard that. Oh, the 27th because I thought you said last week the 27th and 8th. Yeah. uh 4:30 on Wednesday the 27th. 4:30 to 7:30 30.

And then on Thursday the 28th it is uh from 9 to 4:30. 26. Yeah, your chamber looks like you're bumped into because you got chamber board meeting on May the 28th.

Yeah. Yeah, we we only um have the three things on the the joint city county meeting. The bus um ATA bus is going to do the presentation. Is that right? I'm assuming so. I think they I thought that was under the city. Um, I guess Teresa, how did ATA bus get on the schedule? Did they cheers told me to put on I did tell me that like two weeks ago because I had wrote down

Well, I remember them saying, but I thought that they were I thought that city was I thought that Terry had talked to them or no, maybe Sam. I don't know. I can reach out to them. Yeah, maybe.

Well, good. I'm glad we're talking about this and that Jeremy would be and I just want to verify you know Jer him coming and I'm glad he's coming because I think it is a good communication for him he to be involved in some of those conversations and then I'll cover the office hours change that's not anything really significant but it just So you get a little

Yes, I made a note for him. Just put it on JC Post. Anything else to looking for candidates for the task force? I mean, you do want somebody that's passionate and gonna give their time and energy. You know, some people get on boards and then they never show up and so you want somebody and that that to me it's a lot of work otherwise you say you'd be on something then never show up.

I don't either. Oh, by the way, Trish, maybe I go to the CVB. So if you were down at the office, you do.

Yeah. Betsy, before we leave today, and I need to visit with you if you have a couple minutes. We should get out early since we're not going to have the We already did the homeless task force. So, we should get out. Should this be a minute? I just

Is your daughter done playing ball now? The week is done. They have they're kind of doing tournaments. Does your son play? No. I wanted to see you represent Oh, well, I didn't mean

Chase was um he he liked baseball, but um you know, he really had a a time last year, so we were trying to encourage him, but you know, he's not too much into doing that. He loves golfing. So, you know, he was more of a individual. Are they doing the junior golf out at Rolling Meadows? My kids did it, I think, two years ago. It was really nice. It really like two mornings a week, I think. Yeah.

Yeah. So I think his is at 10:30 on Monday and Wednesdays and I think Beth and Mandy were to do that because that's you know I'll take his time to go shopping. So he liked to talk talk uh over there. It was nice and he I like um my nephew always played baseball and I like loved going and watching the games and sometimes something to do and that's good with brigade. I enjoyed that too. We're going to Savannah Bananas on the 31st. That would be fun. Yeah, Mandy was one if you ever get those got those emails for like a lottery thing to get tickets because I tried it and I didn't of course get anything but Mandy got that lottery thing and so she was able to buy tickets and Jason said I probably hard to tell but even the experience just being there was they were playing on CW they had a couple games that they were playing and you know they're just pretty comical. were very athletic and very good, but that was very comfortable. So, they even included me on the trip so I can grandma gets to go too. So,

I guess there's a professional softball team now in Kansas City. Um, and the team that I think they're out of nowhere. Have you been one of them? No, but one of my girlfriend's um daughters used to play down in Texas for one. Really? How about looking at the radar future? It's going to hit about 3:30 or 4. Thank you for

Well, you know, um it seems like the last two weeks, you know, they keep commenting on on rain and we haven't had any, but you know, gosh, it just sounds like um every weather channel is covering it. It sounds like a pretty significant kind of one time um one time event.

Sounds very dangerous. said, "I I knew that once I got uh they've opened the pool on Tuesday and inevitably once it gets open, that signifies the first rainstorm." So, my my pool water is already 80. Ours is, too. I've put a solar cover. Yeah. 80. Ours been up for weeks. Yeah. Ours open a little. I put on Tuesday I put the cover on and stuff. I was surprised when I stuck my hand down there. It wasn't really frigid.

It was 65 though. Yeah. Do you guys have a pool here?

Yeah. Some people get them. I My pool's only 16 foot, so warm up pretty fast anyway. is Chapman Cav School. Tomorrow they have the talent show and got a full week this week. Talent show and then fifth grade recognition at 1:30 and lunch with the kids and then juvenile detention board in my 50th class for you.

Yeah. Hey, I'm just thankful I did not carton my uh my four-wheeler like I was a couple years ago. I think everybody thought, "Look at Kathy. She's got a whatever." I felt like I needed to announce why I was taking it with me.

So, where do you have there? Uh, at the Wakefield High School, we have um 287 people. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. How many people were in your class? Well, um 29. Yeah.

But it's a it's a you know, high school is everybody Yeah. was classmates, you know, around that time and everything. But uh that's kind of last year we were uh it 170 and so we started something new where u we have a hall of fame where and then we also have started inviting teachers but we have a hall of fame and we've got a group that every year they recognize three or four and then those people can invite family members. So that's what has kind of spurred the you know whatever. We're kind of scrambling for tables is what I understood. So anyway, we had 29 and then we had um four that are passed away and three I think that were not coming for sure. So we the rest of them are all coming. So and I haven't seen like three of them for 50 years for our name tag.

Make sure we have our name tag. That's fun. you know, I and Mandy, you know, sometimes I don't I see they're having a couple reunions for Junction City, but you know, um, you know, then in that case, you know, you just got your, you know, core group and then some that you just all everybody comes and hangs out. But, you know, for Wakefield Chapman's just about midsize where, you know, they have a lot of class. But, you know, for Wakefield there, 12 of us went to 12 years of school together and stuff. So Oh, we have our 40th this year, but we're doing it in the fall.

Yeah, that's good to do that. You know, then you guys go to game and have something. Yeah, that's what's bad about Wakefield that we had it in the '9s. We had one down through Mada and

just because it was hard to, you know, and we had a large attendance and stuff, something to do and plus there's hotel, you know, staying and stuff. We had, it was a just kind of like a social time there. They still had the alumni banquet for those. But uh we've got people, you know, Claire class of 49 I think is the oldest group. There's still a couple that are and one of the members he was there last year and and he you never know and he passed away during the year but I know there's a a large contingent of his family members. They're not attending banquet necessarily, but they're they're coming. He was kind of a C CEO of Mary Kay. That was interesting, too.

So, is Mike? Um, no, I didn't see his name on the list. He was just back because one of my friends Yeah. was his come back to see his father-in-law.

Yeah. But there was a funeral. So, um Jordy Yeah. Yes, that's right. So, I'm respect respect falls. But um trying to balance you know the the timing because you know some people you know we're trying to encourage uh the younger people to try to get involved because you know a lot of them from 80 upward you know we do the roll call and from 80 up there's one or two or zero

but not sure that they necessarily care about all the goings on in the 50s and they should but you I'm trying to balance the interest. So, I was texting a friend yesterday in Manhattan and they got back to me and said they had been at Manhattan's graduation yesterday and they had 445

in Manhattan. What was junction cities this year? 3:43.

Yeah, we had almost time. We had some low time there. So, it's good that you showed up early. So, do you want me to go now? Yes. Yes. Welcome. Fantastic. How are you doing? Good. Thanks.

Almost the end of the school year. If anybody's looking for a part-time job,

we're looking for people for our summer program. That's just kind of a status. Well, it's not kind of, it is our status report from 2025. It kind of just shows the numbers of people that we serve every month. Um, so you can kind of take a look at that. uh like our food program, we served 54,000 meals last year. Um and then we have all of our our classes, our programs, you sports, things like that. So, one popular.

Yeah, it is. Y and they meet there in the gym. Um, with the exception of when we have our basketball practices, they go into the raetball court, things like that. So, we kind of try to make all of our space available for whatever programs that we have. Um, but today, I guess I'm coming to you to request funding for our gym. Um, we do already have our new gym floor. Uh, but we did have to take Central National Bank donated a very healthy chunk of change for our gym floor. Um, and then the Y put the rest of the money in which took money from our back locker rooms. Um, where we're going to put our familyindividual locker rooms. Um, but I am still looking for funding for a scoreboard for our basketball court and seating um where we could host pickle ball tournaments because we got two pickle ball courts now. Um, basketball tournaments, volleyball tournaments. Uh, the scoreboard will help with that. Um,

seating for seating for participants and in the gym in the gym. in the gym. Um because we don't have any seating in there right now. Um so I'm looking at the the benches kind of that fold down off the wall around the the sides there. We do have seating that we can use um for the participants on the other side of the gym. We're not going to put those on the same side. Uh but that is what we are requesting for. and then to kind of put funds that we used for the gym back into the back locker room fund part. I know it's been a while since you came in and asked us for this. It has been. It has.

I know. And I knew you guys were moving forward to that, but um I know uh we you know just recently and that took a while too um adding um a new resolution for an additional 1% on our TGT tax and we had to wait till that approved and then went through a And so now um we have access to those monies now. And so um I I do think that um this is exactly what those monies were intended to to improve um our our existing facilities that will enable us to be able to to have tournaments. So and I I was thinking that we had already sent that

we talked about it during budget but then we moved it from but I thought we decided that it was a go but I just We just had to wait until Yeah. Well, we do still have I mean, even putting in the new floor, I did make them leave the volleyball where we can put up our volleyball net for tournaments and things like that. So, we could be at least a sight location for sure, you know, because volleyball tournaments you typically play.

There was kind of about seating at the gym, but I guess I was thinking um was there did anything change? And I I haven't been there. ashamedly enough. But um I was thinking that, you know, it's too bad that there wasn't room for more seating because it just always seems so congested when there are those tournaments, you know, with Well, yeah, there there they are. Um, I've been to multiple volleyball tournaments where I couple weeks ago we went to one in Sou Falls and in one location you had to bring in your camping chairs and the other location they did have some bleachers available but in the camping chair location that seems awful even bringing in your own. I mean

as packed as it was. But you certainly have done a a great job in that with the food program too. That's just awesome. But, you know, I just I enjoy going to the Y. You know, I used to go years ago, but I certainly Well, you came back for a while. Get back in there. I had an injury there. And then, you know, they always say if you don't continue something, then it's hard and that's hard to get back into schedule, but I need to That's when I'm sure. But, no, this is awesome. It's awesome. Awesome. Awesome. So, how much were we talking about? 15,000. 15. Yeah. This program intended.

Yes. I make a motion that we go ahead and um award $15,000 paid for by the actual%. Okay. So, it's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I. Thank you all. This is fantastic news. Sorry to No, that's okay. You know what? I don't care. I we have projects all the time so you know but this will absolutely help with seating. I actually was just looking at scoreboard and then we can put back into the back locker room and stuff for keep. Thank you everybody. You guys have a fantastic day.

They've got a new new one on Monday and Wednesdays too at 8:30. I've been to that one. Oh yeah. With Jimmy. Oh, no. Not with Jimmy. Which one? Did she start a new one? No. Silia. Yes, that's who I want. Yeah.

But, um, the one is getting so busy that, you know, they usually was on half court, but even more. There's so many people that you got to kind of wait because it's a circuit type. Oh, yeah. And everything's just bunched up. There's so many people there that uh Wow. I need to get back into that. She does an awful lot. That that's hard to believe with the kids that that food program. Yeah.

Yeah, I know. That food program. God, the numbers are Yeah, maybe I'll do that, too. Thank you. I'm going to switch over and ask you. Is that okay? Yeah, I talked to Terry. Sure. Yeah. I'm not

Well, treasure. Did you call your office? Yeah.

No, mine didn't eat it. You're welcome. Come on. Hi.

How are you? Good. How are you?

Good. So I guess at 2:30 supposed to hit like

I think I moved it up if they want to get everyone in school probably have to

Yeah. Are you trying? I would think so. doing the I like silver shoes.

I can't wear them. I don't know. Mandy loves them, but I just can't. Oh my. Hi there. Hi. Hi, Jason. How are you? Everybody shows up early

my sister her family.

Oh yeah. I just my parents live where I know that you can't get ahead when that shuts off then it's just like They're waiting on

and I asked Frank about it and he says, "Well, I know with me." I was going to say fire inspection or what? Fire inspection day.

Sure. Okay, we just got done with the webinar at the weather service. Storms are going to start firing up around 3:00 west of us, probably about Concordia to Salina, that area might be a little bit further this way. Looking like about us, probably about five to six. Anything from large hill up to three and a half inches in diameter could be seen out of this. Yeah, I know. Uh 70 mph winds and possibility of some some tornadoes and big flooding since we already had

flooding. I had over two inches at home last night. Rock Springs had over two inches. Jeremy says the roads are in pretty good condition right now. But, uh, so I would say anybody that can was having try to get home and be home by probably 4:30, 5:00 at the latest. School district already let their 1:45 there. All school districts letting out everybody

there. There's no school today for the grade school, so which is a plus. High school is letting out at 1 and then the middle school at 1:45. So, they're anticipating getting the kids home and off the buses before the storms hit, too. So, and they said something about they weren't going to be at the county meeting tonight because they got a school board meeting at seven or right after you guys or maybe I've misspoke, but they got No, I heard they were having they were they were having a they were going to have a meeting. I don't know if they still are now. And so, Carl Demon's going back to talk to them if they're going to have their meeting and stuff, too. So, so it'd be recommended that we postpone our

I'd say everybody needs to be off the road when the storm especially that large hail. So, Oh gosh. Yeah. I appreciate um that. I appreciate both city and county uh putting that information because I would share it on Facebook. But that's you guys have always done a good job about notifying people on social media. So, that's that's awesome that you do that. Yeah. As soon as the slides that they were using come out, we'll be posting those on and we'll be telling people to try to be home and get off the roads and stuff. So, and remind me, I think I've asked about this before, but uh storm shelters, we don't have any.

There are no public shelters in Gary County. If you live in Graby Plaza, you got the community building up there. uh Milford uh the church was opened at one time and that's up to them. Best thing is find a neighbor, somebody ahead of time. Don't wait till the sirens blow. Start talking today to somebody this morning. Hey, can I come over your place before the storm start coming?

Is that something you could also include in your message? Because um I see people asking, you know, where's the storm shelter and whatever? And if you include that in there, you know, there isn't that city fire department, police departments, city of Junction City, Gran View, they've all been good about copying what we share. So that makes it nice and I think public works will share it too. Yes. Okay. All right. Thank you guys. Okay. Thank you. So tell city that we're postponing the tonight's meeting. Okay. Yes. Yes. Okay. I I just love the school district now. So thank you. Yes. We're good. All right. Good. Thanks.

Thank you. Yeah, Jeremy, let me I hear you have to go to all the night meetings. Okay. and have um

you want to come back over and help me put my cover back on my pool? No, I'll come help you. I don't know. Just buy her something. Yeah, something I should Oh, me helping me. Helping you. I'll wait till the creek comes up. I'll call you. Creek or creek. Creek. I call it a creek. Creek. Creek. I want to see I want to see more around the creek. She wouldn't have boots.

Probably that one. I saw somebody on Facebook, a gal wrangling a little gap away from his mama yesterday and she was on top of it. I didn't hear why they did. Why did they do that? Why would they do that? I remember seeing little beetle pigs. Is that what baby pigs are called? Oh, I ding some guy and they we went in saw little pigs and they were squealing and stuff and I got kind of

he got mad at me. You guys can come on up.

Kathy's reminising about Oh no. I didn't know if they were. Are you guys ready? Trying. Mine's like stuck. So grab Tammy's real quick. It's just my name that doesn't want today. So Teresa, everybody's good with people that have been asking about the Tina know. I just let Tina know. And then I canceled at the opera house, too. Oh, yeah. Last time we canceled, they Nobody told them. Oh. So, they're waiting for the party to begin.

Who who does the reservation? I mean, I didn't I don't know. They they just know. They know when it's supposed to be. Okay. And Courtney's going to put it out on have Crystal put her on Facebook. Okay, good. So, I think we're covered. Are we going to call Do we Did you say Oh, no. I didn't. Yeah, I'll have her do that. Okay, please. Well, whenever

Should we consider letting employees go home a little early? I would say that I always appreciate it ahead of the time and I made the decision as a department head to let my staff go because you know inevitably storms come at 5:00 when everybody's going home but I like 4:30. He said he said it get here around 4:35. So 4:30 would be okay. Yes. Yeah. I would think so. Well, I'd rather everybody be able to get home and because Yeah, there's a one that's out. I guess it's up to the department heads, too, that they should let their longer.

No, it's it's either our decision or administration. Yeah, they they want to let somebody go earlier. It's up to the department administratively. If you made it four, it' be an even hour administratively. I mean, I'd hate to wait till the last minute the storms are

I appreciate that, um, Keith, because I I always being in that position, I'd rather somebody do stuff ahead of time instead of waiting until the last minutes that people know and are able to pick up kids or or make decisions as to what what they need to do. So, yeah, thank you for the reminder. Okay, so you're going to let that be known. So you did you make a motion to close at 4:00? I will. I'll make a motion that let employees county employees leave at 4:00. Second. Okay. It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say. All right. Again, thank you for that, Keith. And whenever you all are ready, you can.

We're just about Okay. Okay. Not hurry. should we reschedu? Somebody just texted me and asked if we were going to reschedu the joint meeting.

Um, yeah. Well, what um I mean cars aren't necessarily that pressing. I didn't know the ATA bus. I didn't I didn't know what the top was and the city of Junction City. I guess um I'll email Kim and ask him and then we'll send something out. I'll ask, you know, because they had a lot of stuff on there and where it too if you want to ask him or whoever. Okay, maybe Kaitlin, are you ready? I was ready. These laptops are not ready.

They're being a little stubborn. It's great if it doesn't work, right? Yeah.

Sorry, it's going to make me Jeremy, do you go and drive all the roads like this morning? Did you go out and just or check just travel spots like on what is it? Burley Hills some Yeah, primarily Thomas does that. The road and bridge supervisor. Um but he'll drive a lot of those areas and then we kind of split other people up as well. Um the people that are familiar with their sections, the blade operators and stuff. Yeah. Sometime I think I'd like to go out there and check out some of those roads. You know, a lot of times out that way. Honestly, I haven't been out there, but it probably would help me to when people are talking get a more of general idea of where they're at.

Kind of give you a reference of it. Speaking of that, did you get a call on in regards to River Road and trees? No, I did not. We did get a call on Walaw Wala yesterday that there was a tree down across it. So, we had to bring an employee in. Somebody called me and I said see where it goes. So you said river. Yeah.

I came in on river today. Across the road.

I saw back going by my house this morning. A couple trucks. I don't know where they were head. Yeah, they were headed up to Moyer Ranch. That low water crossing there has got a lot of creek gravel. So, we were kind of trying to stay ahead with these potentials and dip that out that way it can flow through that pretty easily. And then they had to clean up cattle crossing on Corell Road that was getting pretty full there. So, they were hitting those two things this morning. Just call it a Monday. Just a Monday.

We got good presentation here. We were just wanting to make Jason's got some really good stuff and it's like come on work with us. I guess those What's that?

Well, good morning, Commissioner. Jeremy Myers, public works administrator. Got Kayn Ross, administrative services manager with me. And Jason Brent, Noxious Weed, supervisor. Uh, first thing we have is request a petition for Cox Communication, uh, Cedar Estates up there. They're wanting to install some drops to some residents up there. You should have received a packet on that. Um, I see no issue with that. they will need to coordinate uh with water district up there to be sure that they know where their water lines are. And I'll add some comments to the map before we send it back. That way they have that information at hand. But with that, I would recommend approval of COPS's requested petition for Cedar Estates area. So move.

Second. It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I. Motion carried. Uh, next is another requested petition for Cox Communication. This would be to install a fiber on Old Highway 77. Again, don't see any real issues with that. We'll make sure they keep that pushed back towards the edge of the rideway, not down in the flow line of the ditch or anything where it can cause any potential problems. So with that, I'd recommend approval on that one as well. So are they do they have the boxes sticking out or

the pedestals? Yeah. Yeah. Or they're they're fiber line markers, so to speak. That I mean, you know, the hand we're putting up in big boxes. Yeah. Uh this one won't have a whole lot of those handh holds like this big fiber job coming through. This is this will be a little bit more simpler than that. So they do that out in the country too then. Oh yeah, there's there's some out there. Not not as numerous. Yeah.

Uh I make a motion to approve the request. Second. Okay. It's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I.

Uh, next one is another request of petition. This is on EasyJack Road. Uh, this is a little bit different of a situation here. Road and bridge supervisor Thomas Snodgrass was out checking roads and stuff and had noticed a new entrance was installed. So this property owner didn't know the request of petition processes that we go through and all that. So he was advised of that. Um the entrance that he did installed, he did do a good job. He did put concrete pipe in there. Everything was sized as such and how it should be. Uh so I did ask him to come down and fill out a request petition so we have a file on that entrance. But other than that, I don't see any real issues with how it was installed or anything like that. Just need the public to be aware. Please come do a request of petition for new entrances. That way we can look at them and size them properly and we we're aware of those. So just would like to get an official approval on that like said so we have record of it.

I moved second. Okay. been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I. It's no more. Okay.

Uh, next item is thermal comfort air TCA preventative maintenance contracts. Time has come to renew the PM contracts with TCA for the county owned building HVAC systems. uh PM contract prices are the same as they were in 2025 to 2026. The only change to any of that is the hourly uh rate for any work outside of the scope of the PM contract has went from $78 to $80. Uh through this contract, we do get a discounted rate. So their regular hourly rate is $100 an hour. Um, here's a little bit of a breakdown of the costs for the PM contracts. I think we've been been doing these since 2017. They work real well. They come in and service everything for us and make sure everything's functioning as should. I usually get a report when they first do that that has any red flag items for my review and to get taken care of. So if commission doesn't have any more questions on that, I would recommend approval for the 2026 2027 TCA preventive.

Does that include this building? Yes, it does. Public works. It's all under public works health department as well. Yeah.

So moved and seconded. All those in favor say on it. Thank you. Uh, next is a seaman's contract. We've been in this contract for three-year period. This is for the fire system at the sheriff's office. Um, commission originally approved of this contract on 87 of 2023 and it is coming time to autorenew on June 15, 2026 for a one-year period. Uh cost of that would be $17,490.85. Would recommend a commission approval for this one as well. Um to keep that system going. The Simeon system up there is propriatory I believe is the word. Two proprietary to see to Semians. They are the only ones that can work on that system. So, this contract is a is a pretty important one for that one as well.

Okay, I'll second. All those in favor say I.

I. And that'll pay be paid through facility fund. Uh, next is sewer number four lift station surge protector replacement. Uh, the surge protector for the lift station lo located at sewer number four Laurel Canyon has failed. Uh, we contacted Shelley Electric, who was the contractor that originally wired the lift station to troubleshoot the issue. And through talks with Shelley Electric, we learned that the surge protector that was originally speced and installed was not designed for a wild leg uh with higher voltage like is the wiring up there at the lift station. A new surge protector proposed is individual line protector instead of a single surge protector that was originally installed and accounts for that wild leg in the electrical grid up there. Uh cost for this would be $4,300 and that would cover with a 15-year warranty. Would recommend commission approval to install the new surge protector at sewer number four, Laurel Canyon Lift Station.

So move. Second. Okay, it's been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I.

Next is the East Street update. Uh we have received a check from Wildcat Construction in the amount of $10,000 for compensation of the road deterioration due to the construction traffic as part of the hall route agreement for the I70 construction. Uh the city of Junction City has selected shilling construction for street maintenance projects throughout the city to include their portion of East Street in 2026. And through that, I was able to get some costs on doing a leveling course and a 2-in overlay on the county owned 23,434 square ft of East Street for with a total cost of 44,020. Um, if approved by commission, um, it would be my intent to then work with Ray Iber and myself to work with city and county council to have an agreement drafted to exchange East Street maintenance for the gravel road that leads to the landfill. So, I know we've been in some talks with them about it and they're in favor of doing that swap with us, but they did ask that that our portion of East Street be brought back to a good condition before we did turn that over to them. So,

that's fair. Yeah. So, my intent here would be to apply that $10,000 to that $44,20 cost and then the remainder of that would come out of the asphalt line of public works. I definitely think that that does need to be done. Yes, I would agree. It's logistically um having a contractor do it is going to make it a lot easier. There's a lot of traffic that rolls through there, you know, and uh you get into that one portion of it. You close down Cracker Barrel and then access to that motel and then people get pretty upset. So, I would love to let shillings

Yes. We don't do the traffic control in that area. Whatever they need to do portion anyway. So I mean historically everybody do everything all at once. Yeah. Historically we've done our portion and the city's portion, but now that the city has theirs in a in a contract with shillings. I think you just kind of add on with them and let them go right on through there. I had a motion that we go forward with the East Street um repair system construction. Second move and seconded. All those in favor say I. All right. Any timeline on that?

Um I asked Ray about a timeline. He said that they had to do a precon and then they'd have some better times from that. So I I should expect that to happen here in the next couple weeks. But now that we have an approval, we're going to go forward with it. I'll definitely get with him and see where we can go from there. And next is the update. noxious weed uh declared in Kansas. I'll let Jason have his

Yeah. So, Kansas Department of Agriculture made some updates to the noxious weeds list and um the for the first time ever they actually removed one and that is pignut which it really didn't affect us because it's more in southwest Kansas. Uh but they did add five and the one go to the next page. Um so they added a spotted nap weed which is a category A and uh basically the KDA made three different categories. There's a cate category A which is weeds that are not widely established in the state and are targeted for eradication. So basically those if you get on top of them really quick and get them killed, you have a decent amount of control over them. Category B are weeds are present in certain areas and require control to further prevent. So um then category C is weeds are more widespread and manage to reduce their impact over time. So category C is um the field bineweed mus thistles and they're here and we're not going to ever get control over them. Like field bineweed seeds sit in the ground for 30 years and then they could sprout after that. So

Wow. And I think u muscle it's around 40 years. So we hardly ever get any control over that. We just try to do what we can. Uh yeah, the spotted napweed is a category A that was added to the list which that's found mostly in northeastern Kansas. Uh diffuse napweed that is found it's category A. It's found in eastern Kansas. So, as of right now, we don't have to really worry about them, but I will have to do some studying on them to so I can spot them if we ever do get them in our county. Um, then there's two types of teasels that were added, a common teasel and a cutleaf teasel. They're a category B and those are actually in our county mostly off of I7 by our landfill and it's slowly going to the east. The state mowers are mowing it and it gets on their mower deck and just rattles off and that's how it's spreading. But uh I've actually contacted them already and they're going to start treating the I believe in our county it's mostly cutle leaf teasel. I'll have to do a little more investigating. And then um the Omar honeysuckle is a category C and this is basically all over the state. Uh Omar honeysuckle it's pretty easy to spot. It's a kind of the first tree to leave in the spring and the last to lose its leaves in the fall and it does have a white flower early in the spring. Yeah. So, um

this does happen every once in a while where they do make updates. I think the last weed that was added to the list was in 2021, and that'd be the KZU, but that's in western Kansas. And um and as of right now, the three that we do have in our county are we do sell chemicals and that would kill those. So, we don't have to purchase any new chemical as of right now. Then, uh ways to get the word out. Uh we're going to do some things on our Facebook pages. Um probably put a public notice out on the JC post and at our office we have gobs of uh handouts and literature. Uh just flyers that have the pictures of the weeds and you can stop in and talk with us. We'll give you a lot of information. Then uh I know the Kansas Department of Bag has done press releases to local newses stations. I think I did see one on WIBW earlier or later on Friday. So now it's all I got.

Is the burr ragweed the ragweed because allergies that Yep. And would it be possible to have be in residential? Yes, it would because it seems like I've been seeing that as much as I could tell. Do you have a copy of that? Yeah, I think that's awesome. Yeah. And this is one of the flyers that we have in our office. That kind of was like Yeah. Get you some chemicals. We'll send Jason out to you.

No, I appreciate the information. That's interesting. That's one of the the things as a commissioner you don't think you know with kind of like with fence viewing you don't realize the responsibility but that kind of interesting and you don't again realize that y you know somebody's out there watching the for the you know to take care of those first weed that was made the list was field binew weed back in 1937. Wow. Now they're I think they're up to 16 weeds on the list. Wow. hard to control. Yep.

Noxious weed department's been really busy with chemical sales. A lot of Yeah, a lot of people coming and getting it and taking care of things. It looks like Thank you for the information. It's very beneficial. Thank you. And Kaylin, thanks for putting all that stuff on Facebook again. I think that that's is you know that's good. It's really nice that you guys started that for information purposes. You do a good job. Yeah, we'll certainly try to get something pushed out today with low water crossings or flooded roadways, you know, maybe try to help spread that word a little bit. Yeah. Lisa Marie made the cool little video. So, shout out to her. I'm going to step up my game because I did not do that. She took that one. I was impressed.

Yeah. No, that's all her teach. Huh? Who did? Lisa Marie, the nons assistant. Yeah. Yep. So, yeah, we all give ideas in the office and then tell her good job. She makes them and makes them look really fancy for us. So, yeah, I might be reaching out to you for some um pictures of things around the county because um Main Street is putting together for this RC um next week. Okay. They're putting together some stuff. Do we have a nice picture of our um wood bridge? The bridge that Yeah, I definitely wanted one of those. I got lots of pictures. You know, cover photo.

Yeah, they're called, you know, I said that I don't know if um someone's working on that or not, but you know, to have a a presentation available. So you make sure Gardon or anybody goes to speak it um an organization or something. It'd be wonderful if somebody creative can put something together so that we can promote maybe Sam or somebody. But anyway, then that would be nice to be available so whenever you go someplace or I or whoever that the presentation's available to to promote Gary County more. So yeah.

Yeah. We'll do whatever whatever we might need. I'm so sorry. So yeah, no, thank you very much. Very informative. Thank you. I would just like to seek some clarification, I guess, on this uh early release today. Our hours are a little bit different down at public works with our admin staff. They do work till 4:30. I don't know, you know, in order for them to get that hour of admin, if you want. Well, if they leave at 4, then they'll just get 30 minutes. 30 minutes. Okay. Y that'll work because we do have some that do have to go west where the storms will be starting a little bit now. So I appreciate commission doing that for

every well and definely we always said that just always seems like the time everybody's leaving when the storms went in. I know we had a gal in Dickson County that was headed that way and really got her cart pounded if she would have left a little bit earlier. Yeah, I sure hope we miss all the hail. I just I I don't that hail's good for nothing. Yeah, that's my opinion. It's good for nothing. Well, up north and Bory all along there up north there clear along the whole state there been getting all kinds of weather and they had all those outages and everything. So, yeah, it's kind

So, we'll be getting started here this afternoon getting equipment tucked away and things prepared for if we have to respond with that. That's all the items we have today. Does commission have anything for us? Just refresh my memory. When are they going to start working on the video for this room? Um, we had to pay a payment. They were about six weeks out. Yeah. Order the materials. I think I believe they said kind of like maybe June 18th, somewhere around that timeline, I think it was. So, thanks for that question, too, because they mentioned that. So, yeah. Yeah. Well, I was thinking, you know, for budget time, people want to watch

Yeah. the process. Y that has been taking a lot of our time here lately. Budget. Yeah, we got a few of them to work on. We're getting pretty close. We have a meeting with finance tomorrow to finalize some things and I think things are looking pretty good for this next year. So, Oh, I didn't got that. Scary. You said that on that webinar. I did. Yep. Are they How much rain they talking? Uh they've got us in some flood watches. So they didn't give an actual amount, but there's they're predicting significant rainfall with it. So yeah. Wow. Tree mods are going to have to happen.

Yeah. I think it was somewhere up around 40% on the flood of it being a flood flood. pretty high probability at this point. Well, stay safe. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Jason, get on them. Make sure you stop us. You get the wind to die down.

Yeah. My head today. The school district has nothing. He was just going to send an update on everything that he had on this. We do not need

we can just wait. They everybody said you just wait till the next the next one which would be the next. I'm not sure. I appreciate you over there. Sometimes I to do something. I'm always I forget. since I have to pay attention. So, but would still be in still be our meeting. Yeah, I would think so.

Yeah. You know, until you start taking care, you know, 10 years ago, I would have never thought I would have found myself out in the yard spending time. until you take care of your dog yard like that. You don't appre appreciate that. I mean, I see a dog head in my yard. It's like, don't do it, dog.

Yeah, I am on it. Okay. So, um executive session's available. I don't I didn't ask for that. She said she'd feed back later or Yeah, you she did. Oh, okay. Did you want Crystal in here? Yes, I Okay. Usually she's watching and I can see her. You know, I I just think everybody has really stepped up their game and putting stuff on social media.

Oh, yeah. a lot of good and also um you know we talked about that with the the budget sessions but you know we're not going to um you know I've asked if just reminded them just to come in you know those that have a tendency to um you know part of the process to being Facebook about our closing well hey that's important too much we go into executive session for non-elect your personnel um with HR legal for how long? 15. Yeah.

Been moved and seconded. All those in favor say I. I.