Commission - Regular Meeting

He went to all our meetings. He's a great guy.

We have to wait till 9:00. We're rule followers. It's all about the TV.

Wanting us to get started.

All right, we'll start with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Good morning everyone and welcome to Shauny County Board of County Commissioners. It is April 16, 2026. Uh on my immediate left is Commissioner Aaron Mays who represents District 3. And on my right is Commissioner Kevin Cookie who represents District 2. I'm Bill Ripon. I represent District 1. On the far right is Rich Eard, our county counselor. And Lisa Smith is on our far left and she is our county clerk. And uh so good morning everyone. Morning Lisa. What's first on the agenda? Uh, first item on the agenda is item one, presentations. A, helping hands Humane Society check presentation.

Good morning, commissioners. Amanda Monolland. I'm with the commission office. Um, as you know, we had our third annual um, Helping Hands Humane Society bingo night last Wednesday, April 8th, at the Great Overland Station. Um, I am happy and pleased to announce that we had a goal of 4,000 to exceed what we did last year and we just got a little over that and so uh with $4,54 um we also had um roughly about 110 115 uh attendees. So, I want to thank all of those who did come from all of the employees from Shauny County and their families and then also the Helping Hands Humane Society volunteers that also uh joined us that night. Um, also, um, I do have, uh, Grace Clinton here to speak, but first I wanted to recognize some of our committee members. And if you are on the charitable fundraising committee, would you guys all please stand up? This group has worked very hard the last three years and every year it keeps getting better and better and I'm very happy to be working with the with this group of of individuals from Shauny County. So with that, I'm going to introduce Grace and her her pet. Yeah, she just adopted and her name is Holly. So Grace, you want to come on up?

Sure.

I'm gonna have to move that. I think I'm a little shorter. Okay, thank you. Thank you so much for that introduction and for this opportunity. As she mentioned, this is Holly. Um, I just want to briefly say thank you to the Shauny County Sheriff's Office because they are the ones who found this dog who's the Shauny County officer, not an animal control officer, who saw her running down Auburn Road about 5 months old. She has severe hip dysplasia. Um, so I adopted her and she's working on teaching children in schools how to safely greet dogs. So, she's going through training which is why she's with me. Um, so thank you for that and you know we really want to say thank you so much for the funds of this bingo night and for all of the time uh spent working on it. The animals of Shauna County we believe belong to everybody in Shaune County. Um they are all of our responsibility. And so when we have the support of groups such as this office, you know, who are able to put together fundraisers to ensure that the pets have what they need and that we can provide for them, it really really means a lot to us because it does take all of us. So, thank you for the time and for the generosity of this and we really look forward to doing again. And I want to say this doggy emoji, he got adopted yesterday. Yay. And I think this is cool. The family who saw him drove up from Texas yesterday because they'd seen him on social media and they wanted that dog. Um, which is really interesting because we posted lots of photos of him. So, he's actually on his way to a different community. So, that was an interesting story. Oh, Chevy, I believe, is still at the shelter. So, if you need a doggy, pretty perfect. Pretty perfect ones come from the shelter. That's all I got to say. But thank you again. We really, really appreciate it.

We should do a Yes. So, go. Can we go ahead and do a photo with you all and our group? Thank you. All right, we got everybody's faces. One, two, three. Perfect.

Thank you. after class.

Well, that was probably the highlight of our meeting today. Lisa, what's what's next? Next is item two, unfinished business. A deferred for March 19th meeting public hearing consider approval of resolution number R2026034 vacating a portion of Southeast Hersel Road. U there's been some new developments and I would like to defer that for another two weeks. So I'll do we need a motion for that? Uh possibly be helpful for the record. Okay. I'll move that we defer that for two weeks. Second.

Motion's been made by Commissioner Ripon, seconded by Commissioner Mays. All in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carries 30. So we'll look at that in a couple weeks. Next item B. Deferred from April 9th meeting public hearing. Consider approval of resolution number R2026039 to amend the district zoning classification from RR1 to I1 on property located at 4848 Southeast Adams in the Topeka Township. Good morning commissioners. Joanie Thodani, director of land use and development. And I think that there's other exciting things that happen like land use and development. Commissioner Ripon,

right? Yeah.

Public hearings with me. Um, okay. So, as you recall last week, we were here in regards to Flight Crew, Inc., which is a resoning from RR2 I1. Um, I wanted to point out a couple of things. Um, the subject property is currently improved with three buildings. Uh, buildings one and two are being used for the restoration and repair of vehicles and lawn equipment for eventual resale. And building three includes a bay that's leased for off-hour parking of a semi-truck. Um, and then the remaining space is used by the property owners as a personal workshop for private vehicle projects. Um, uh, it was brought up last week that race cars were involved, and I want to make sure and point out that that was the prior owner who used the property for race cars. That's not the use um of the current owners. Um, the applicant does hope to expand future use with storage of automobiles, commercial vehicles, boats, and campers with those three additional potential buildings, but that is not in place at this time. Um the current use, the way that those three buildings are currently being used actually could fall under C4 zoning for the repair, restoration of vehicles, machinery, and equipment. Um but the future use to to secure storage of those other vehicles would require I1. So the whole point of coming in and asking for the I1 at this time is so that they can potentially add those buildings in the future for the additional storage. Um, if we limited it to just the C4, then they would have to come back later to ask to reszone again or do something additional for the use that they hope for the future. Um, and this was the site plan. I kept that in so that you could see. And then the area vicinity map, which I'm going to actually skip over and go to the zoning map. Um, this I think this

better encapsulates what it is that is going on in this neighborhood. Um, the property squared in red is the property in question. And what you can see is everything to the west of this property is already zoned I1. Um, there are undeveloped neighborhoods, there are businesses, there are storage areas, there is the mteaa forbes. Um, to the south, you can also see that there are two squares that are orange just south of the property. Those were reszoned in 2011 and 2013 as PUDS to C4 use for the purpose of redoing race cars. So there are race car re repurposing down to the south. Those were done as PUDs because the two owners on those properties actually live there. And to have mixed use like residential and C4, you have to do it as a PUD. Um what you can also see is to the north within the city limits, we've got a lot of C2, we have more I1. So reszoning this property to I1 is not atypical. While it does have residential rural behind it that could eventually become homes, those homes would be building up in an area that is already well known for industrial and commercial use. Um as mentioned last week, we did send out 13 letters to neighbors and we we received a couple in opposition. Um, two of those had more to do with the issue of water than anything because this is an area that is not serviced by rural water or um the city. It it does have its own system and so we're not concerned with that. We've had evaluation by um environmental health and you know if water were to ever become available they could take advantage of that but at this time it is not. Um recommendations by me. I know it came up that

maybe we should set some business hours and and I I don't recommend that. I think that adding a a condition of business hours really limits this specific property more so than any other property surrounding it. I did check with some of the other reasoning cases that we did and none of them have business hours listed. So, I would I would respectfully request that we go ahead and just move forward with approval based on the conditions that were set forth in the the resolution and not adding any additional um hours. So, if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer those. How did the planning commission react to this?

They voted three to two. Um and and again, I believe based on the the conversation that was had at that meeting that the the votes had more to do with the availability of water in this area um than anything. I think the only reason we deferred was just to address the the noise or potential for noise in the neighborhood and making sure that it's consistent with the neighborhood. So given your recommendations, I would make a motion to approve as recommended. I'll second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Maize. All in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries. 30. Thank you, Commissioner. Next item. Oh, what? Oh, we didn't close the hearing.

We had to close the hearing. No, we did not. You did not close the hearing then. Second. Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Cook, second by Commissioner Ripon. All in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries 30. Hearing's over. Next item. Next item is item three, consent agenda. Um, I would move that we approve the consent agenda. Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Ripon, second by Commissioner Mays. All in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries. 30. Next item.

Next item is item four, new business. A, County Clerk. One, consider all voucher payments.

Commissioners, we have quite a few vouchers this morning uh totaling 6,583,66.31. Uh significance out of the payroll is payroll 1,511,522.35 allocations to social service agencies $787,98.90. There was a payment of $480,938.94 to Bettis asphalt for a progress payment on Northwest 46th Street construction project paid with infrastructure funds. A payment of 190,246.50 to Bettis asphalt. That's for progress payment on Bitton Road over the Lynn Creek project with paid with bridge project funds. $150,64183 to King Construction Company Incorporated for the final payment on the Southwest Jordan Road over the Waka Russo project uh paid with bridge project funds. We have also the uh payment of $170,925 to HTK that was Architects Incorporated for professional services at Gage Park carousel project that was paid for the Gage Park sales tax funds. We have a medical expenses of $27,83048. We have a payment of $613,311.34 to MCON. That's the final payment on the Sherwood pump station project paid with Sherwood Wastewater Funds. We have a $275,7590 to TLG operations. That was for a 2026 Peterbuilt front load truck to pay with solid waste funds. And finally, Jato of $813,415.33. Have no questions. We move for approval.

Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Cook, second by Commissioner Ripon. All in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries. 30. Next item. Two, consider correction orders. I would move that we approve the correction orders. Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Ripon, second by Commissioner Cook. All in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries. 30. Next item.

Three. Consider approval of the request for an exemption of a vacant account two position. Uh good morning, commissioners. Lisa Schmidt, county clerk. Um I am requesting your approval to keep this accountant two position open even though it has been vacant just over a year. Um, this position became vacant shortly after I began and I intentionally held it open to thoroughly evaluate the actual duties of the position and if it was necessary. After careful review, I am confident that this position does have some unique responsibilities um that we should um continue to um have a specific position that that does those duties and uh that will keep our office operating efficiently. I stand for any questions and thank you in advance for your consideration.

Questions? Will you be looking at filling this position? Yes, that is the next item. Okay. All right. All right. U then I would approve I would make a motion that we approve the request. I'll second. Motion's been made by Commissioner May, second by Commissioner Ripon. All in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries. 30. All right. Next item

four. consider the request for reclassification of accountant two position to an accountant one position. Um so Lisa Schmidt County Clerk's office I am requesting the approval of the commission to reclassify that accountant two position to an accountant one position. The reclassification better aligns with the actual duties which is the accounts payable, accounts receivable and our bonds and temporary notes but it does remove the supervisory responsibility. Um, this will also allow us to broaden our candidate pool. So, I'm asking for your support in approving the reclassification so I can move forward with filling this essential position. Questions? I would move for approval.

Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Ripon, seconded by Commissioner Maize. All in favor say I. Those opposed? Motion carries. 30. Thank you, commissioners. Next item, B. Public works one. Acknowledge contract C2026147 A2 covering change order number two to contract C198-2025 with King Construction Company Incorporated reflecting as bid versus as constructed quantities for a bridge replacement project on Southwest Jordan Road over a tributary to the Wakarusa River.

Good morning commissioners. Kurt E House, director of public works. Kevin just talked about uh making a final payment on that job and so I'm here before you um letting you know about the final project costs with the change order number one that should be change order number two final in the table pardon me. Um we ended up with a construction cost that was approximately $9,000 lower than uh the leting. And then uh with that final construction cost, we ended up with a project cost that was uh approximately $32,000 less than what we estimated. So uh the bridge looks uh beautiful. I mean, in my mind, it looks beautiful and uh it turned out well. The contractor, we have a great relationship with that bridge contractor. We hope they continue to to do work for Shaunie County. And so I think this project was a success all around. And I look forward to your questions.

No. Coming under budget. Only civil engineers talk about beautiful bridges. It's all right. Okay. For approval. I'll second. Uh motion is made by Commissioner Cook, second by Commissioner Ripon. All in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries 30. We love it when they come in under budget. Next item.

Two. Consider a request to exchange1,53,36429 in 2026 federal fiscal year funds for $948,2786 in state transportation funds under the federal aid fund exchange master agreement.

Good morning, commissioners. Curtney House, director of public works. A little background information here. Approximately 10 years ago, the state of Kansas started um a bridge inspection program for all uh state offsystem bridges and um that program recently completed. Now during that program uh funds uh that would have been a pro uh part of this federal fund exchange program were used to uh uh to pay for the consultants that did the load rating and posting recommendations. Again that 10-year program is over. So now going forward it looks like we will end up with a a bit more money than we had been last year. we ended up with approximately 600,000. This year we'll end up with approximately 950,000. So that's a substantial increase. Going forward, I expect that these funds uh will remain stable until some other program is uh started that siphons money out of this. But nevertheless, it's good news this year. uh we'll have $950,000 to spend on projects and I recommend approval of u this agreement. Uh and um I again look forward to your questions.

Questions? I'll move for approval. I'll second. Uh motion's been made by Commissioner May, second by Commissioner Ripon. All in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries. 30. Thank you. Thank you, Kurt. Next item. C. Weed department one. Consider request for approval and signatures for the 2025 annual noxious weed eradication progress report and the 2026 annual noxious weed management plan.

Good morning, commissioners. John Landon, director of the weed department. It's that time of year again where I stand in front of you with your our eradication report and and our management plan for 26. Uh so this year I just wanted to touch a little bit on on what 25 looked like for us. Uh our 26 management plan pretty much doesn't change. It's it's it lists our equipment, what we have to combat the weeds with and and what our plans are. Uh in 25 the front page of your report basically is the financials for the department. Uh shows our budget of $427,000. Uh the notables through that are chemical expenditures of $272,966. Um and on the very last page is basically the nuts and bolts of everything. All the pages in between are are just the actual weed itself with the acreage infested, the whole nine yards of that. And so the last page summarizes all that up for you. Uh we ended up with about oh about about 7,200 acres of noxious weeds in Shaune County. That number is probably low. Uh based on the report, it it compiles all the information on chemicals that we sell to the public. It takes that information. Uh I actually survey 6,400 acres every year. Then there's a spot in there that I could adjust high or low. Uh so I would always say that these numbers that we have infested are probably always on the low side. uh when you take a patch of weeds and you're trying to figure out, okay, if out of that all that 6,400 acres, if I was to push it all in a pile, how big would that be? And so, you know, it's kind of tough to do. Uh so, anyway, that's basically what the report says. We wrote 18 warning notices, worked with multiple people besides that. Uh that was just the ones that we end up issuing a a notice to. Uh it wasn't a legal notice. They weren't put on a deadline. They they actually had a

deadline, but nothing. We referred to the counselor's office. Um the middle of that shows you our herbicide uh dispers dispersement for the year. Uh basically 3500 gallons of 24D and and the rest of the chemicals are listed there. Uh so with that, that's a lot of information. Uh I know when the normal person looks at this, it it's meaningless to them and they don't understand it. And so that was kind of the the brief rundown of it. And with that, I would stand for any questions you might have on either report. Questions? I have a question. U every year it seems like the state adds another noxious weed to our list. What did they add this year and how's that going to affect us?

So, we just had a we just had a hearing on it uh two weeks ago at KDA and and so they're still working on that. They're they're they're fine-tuning this. Uh they run into a little snag. We we thought it was going to be in place by January 1st of this year. Uh now it's probably going to be the middle of the year, but they're adding five. Uh and those five are uh air honeysuckle. Uh and then uh let's see here. It was both naped spotted and diffused honeysuckle and then both teasels common and cutleaf teasel. So, how that looks for Shaunie County. Um, it doesn't look bad on the napweed side, the spotted and diffused naped, we don't have very much of it. It's very, it's very, uh, spotted uh, in small populations. We know where they're at. Uh, they're actively being controlled by the landowner property that they're on. When it comes to the teasel part of it, uh I want to say teasel teasel is more of a rightaway issue on Kot's side. Uh and it's it's that way because of KOT's mowing practices. You don't find much teasel on our roads. U it's just they mow at the wrong time and and they drag that seed all down the rideway. And so a lot of places you see teasel is going to be on Kad's roads and in areas where it's wet. Now when you get to the honeysuckle part, uh

wait, does does the state spray for teasel in their rideways? Do they do

So we do all the state spraying and we spray currently we're spraying for all that. We're we're spraying for the honeysuckle. We're spraying for teasel. Um any thistle that's out there, whether it's a whether it's a tall thistle, roadside thistle, must thistle, we spray all those at their request. uh they they believe any thistle is a bad thistle and and teasel even though it wasn't a noxious weed, they they wanted it gone cuz it is very it is very aggressive. Um it's very invasive but it's in those in those wet areas and so they wanted it gone. Usuckle when it comes to Shauny County is each of y'all we probably have it worse than any any county in Kansas. Uh, you know, it's the financial impact. I I commissioners, I anticipate that it would be astronomical for us when they when they actually make it a noxious weed. I I don't I don't know exactly how uh how much that's going to cost. I think it depends on how aggressive we get. Um, you know, I think we need to have serious conversations with parks trying to figure out, you know, how who's going to manage on county ground? Are are we going to take part in this? Are we going to work with parks to take part in this? You know, our staff is so small that if you said, John, all the honeysuckle on on park ground is going to be your responsibility, it's going to be tough uh for us. I mean with three staff and taking care of basically every road in the county and then taking care of all the parks would be would be a lot to take on. So um you know with with the amount of people Tim have I I don't know you know how many's committed to taking care of that Tom Hammer and his crew you know how how aggressive are they going to go after it. So

it'd be quite a burden for a lot of land owners. Even it it will be a burden for land owners. And so you know some of them are aggressively going after it now because you know it's taken over a lot of their areas and so will we see a huge impact? I I just don't know. I anticipate there'll be one but All right. Thank you. Um, oh, I I'll move that we approve.

Yes, I'll second that. Uh, motion's been made by Commissioner May, seconded by Commissioner Ripon. Uh, Commissioner Ripon. Uh, everyone in favor say I. Those opposed? Motion carries. 30. Thank you, Commissioner John. D, Sheriff's Office one. Acknowledge the sheriff's office request to hire a well-qualified applicant for the vacant office manager 2 position at a starting pay range of 15 step 12. Candidate brings a highle administrative and managerial experience. Wages are available within the sheriff's office personnel budget.

Good morning, Commissioner Shane Hubler, Shauny County Sheriff's Office. Um we had an opening for our office manager too and the records unit. Um uh we had several applicants apply. We did have one exceptional candidate from outside apply. She brings uh over a decade of experience in public safety um office work and uh we would like to bring her in at a a rate above the normal opening. Stand for any questions. Questions? No. I'll move for approval or acknowledgement.

Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Ripon, second by Commissioner Cook. All in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries 300. Uh, next item. Two, acknowledge the sheriff's office request to reclassify an office assistant three to a purchasing specialist, a property technician two to an office manager one, and a property technician to an office assistant three. The Shauny County Human Resources Department and Chamsters bargaining unit are in agreement with the reclassifications.

Good morning again, Commissioners. Shane Hubler, Shny County Sheriff's Office. It's a little bit more involved. Um, we had a vacancy uh with our inventory specialist. Um and in looking to fill that uh trying to align those duties with what is actually happening along with our accounting office and the purchasing that actually takes place. Um currently we have a sergeant the lieutenant and this person uh this vacant position. We're trying to make that a more specialized position for the purchasing specialist uh compensated at that rate with that. Um it was an OA3 position um to reclassify it would take it out of the teamsters. We consulted with the teamsters. There was some other reorganization in our property room evident evidentiary property room um that made sense uh because our property tech 2 uh down there does uh manages the entire evidential property room and has one employee position there. and also maintains over 140,000 pieces of property. We have um multiple requests etc. So if with this reorganization then the property tech one uh can then become uh a teamster position again we've worked with not only human resources but also the teamsters and everybody's in agreement and I'd be happy to answer any questions

questions. I would move that we acknowledge this request. Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Ripon, second by Commissioner Cook. All in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carries. 30. Thank you, Commissioners. Next item. E, register of deeds. One, consider approval of expenditures totaling $159,330 to be paid from the land records fund.

Good morning, commissioners. Becky Neosi, register of deeds. Uh this is our annual request uh for land record purchases. Um as you know land records funds are excess register of deeds technology funds um that are not needed in the register of deeds office. And uh the statute says the county commission may authorize the transfer and use of excess registered B technology monies by other county offices for equipment or technological services related to land or property records filed or maintained by the county. Uh the committee reviewed all the requests and uh felt that they met that statute. Um these are for 2027 mostly. So um that but uh that way the departments can plan their budgets for 2027. Um and we were able to um grant all the requests with the monies available. Um we uh that leaves a balance of 43,933. So uh we're okay for um 2027. Um we may have to make some difficult decisions next year uh just depending on um how much uh we have. um because this does exceed the amount that I was able to put in last year. So um but these um are uh requested by the appraiser, land use and development and public works. Um you have the list GIS mapping scanning all that. So um the um uh if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer those

questions. No, I would uh move for approval. Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Ripon, seconded by Commissioner Mace. All in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries 30. Thank you. Thank you. Next item, F. Department of Corrections. One, request approval to develop specifications and issue requests for proposals to repair a rooftop unit at the adult detention center at an estimated cost of $30,000 to be paid from the department budget maintenance fund.

Good morning, commissioners. Brian Cole, director with the Shauny County Department of Corrections. This is a request to be able to seek approval to submit and create an RFP for specifications to replace the existing coils we have in an HVAC unit that these units are about $300,000. There still is some life in them, but these units that we're trying to repair uh has one coil that has gone out and when one leaks, the other two are having to uh carry the burden of the work. And we are finding that we can replace these coils without having to replace the $300,000 uh unit. So, this would allow us to seek and gain uh uh approval to get the uh materials and the repair needed to replace these three coils. And we suggest uh we estimate this is to be about 30 or $30,000 and we have a building fund already set up with existing funds to take care of these necessary repairs. And I stand for any questions you may have.

Questions? I would move for approval. Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Rupon, seconded by Commissioner Cook. All in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries 30. Thank you, Brian. Thank you. G. Appraisers office one. Consider approval to reclassify the vacant commercial real property specialist position to a commercial real property appraiser.

Good morning, commissioners. Steve Bowman, county appraiser. This upper level commercial appraiser position has been vacant and posted for the last eight months. Despite our recruiting efforts, we were not able to find a candidate to fill the position. So, reclassifying this position to a lower level at a commercial appraiser instead of commercial appraiser specialist will hopefully give us the opportunity to widen the candidate pool and and find a applicant that we can train for the position. So did run this by HR and and finance and uh the position is budgeted at a lower amount. Questions? I would move for approval.

Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Ripon, seconded by Commissioner Mays. All in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carries. 30. Thank you, Steve. Next item. H. Parks and Recreation one. Consider approval to award bid and execute contract C2026152 with curb appeal power wash for pressure washing services related to parks and recreation facilities and park assets at a rate of $97 per hour.

Morning, commissioners. Tim Lorett, parks recreation director. Uh yeah, we are asking to enter into this agreement with curb appeal. We've got quite a bit of experience working with Jake and his staff and they do a fantastic job. Uh they actually were not the lowest bidder. There was one that was slightly lower. Uh we did reach out to them. We had trouble uh actually following up on their uh references. Uh information didn't quite match up. Uh and and I believe they're out of Witchah. This is a local company that we've got a lot of experience with. Be happy to answer any questions that you might have. Questions? No. I'll move for approval.

Second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Ribbon, second by Commissioner Mays. All in favor say I. Opposed. Motion carries. 30. Thank you. Thank you. Next item. I Commission one acknowledge Commissioner Ripon reappointing Hannah Olri to the Topeka Shauny County Public Library Board. Okay. Yeah, this will be her second term and I move for her to be approved for the next uh next term. I'll second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Ripon, seconded by Commissioner Mazize. All in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries. 30. Uh, next item. Item five, public comment.

I don't have anyone signed up at this time, but if there's someone who'd like to speak, this is your it's your moment. Is this on? Okay. Commissioners, I spoke to you a few weeks ago. Give your name and

My name is Michael. I spoke to you a few weeks ago and I've sent several emails to you. I'm glad that Director Cole is here because I sent him an email this morning, too, uh, letting him know that this whole situation is far from over. As the face of the jail facility, he's going to face accountability as well. Um, what I spoke about last time I was here was your jail nurse threatening to put me on suicide watch as a standard practice. She told me this is a normal thing that they do because I wouldn't answer questions. A direct violation of my fifth amendment right. The Miranda warning comes with a statement that says, "You have the right to speak to an attorney before you answer any questions. You have the right to rem refuse to answer any questions." I refused to answer questions and was threatened with suicide watch by your jail staff. I returned back to the jail to do an open record request and get my uh ID back that had been kept by jail staff. And I saw that nurse, Miss Hi Haye, still working there couple weeks after this. So I asked her name. All I had was all she told me when I was at the jail. So I asked her name. All I had was Hie. Few days later, I have a process server from the Douglas County Sheriff's Department on my door

giving me her email address, her last name, all kinds of extra information in a protection from stalking order. I was stalking this woman apparently by asking her name and being threatened with suicide watch under her care because I refused to surrender my right as an American citizen. I doubt she expected the motion to dismiss that she received because the day after that was filed, she was with an attorney. Suddenly she filed that protection order prosay. Suddenly she has an attorney and submitting a request on her own to dismiss the case. That's damage control. And to be quite bluntly, it's too late. I don't know if any of you guys even chose to step in or do anything about it or discuss this with anybody. I noticed Mr. Cook making a ton of eye contact with me. I can tell that I make you nervous and I know why. The reason is is because this town, this county and your jail and Brian Cole are going to face accountability for the actions of that jail nurse. and the actions of your jail staff. You can claim deniability and you can pretend it didn't happen. It's all documented on video and it's all been released to the public. I'm not the guy that's just out there bullshitting on YouTube. I have a legal team. You guys are going to meet him and you will, too.

My name is Dr. Justin piece and uh for the record that's the the same nurse that when I was uh in the custody of the jail on September 8th and 9th I had uh answered all identifying questions but didn't answer non-identifying questions and was forcibly stripped naked by jail staff and placed on suicide watch uh naked uh same nurse that all all night long I requested her pleaded her for medical attention uh and she ignored it to the point where she even made faces at me through the window going uh like that to me. And the thing about it, I'd said it's not like I'm just asking for a Zerek because I have allergies. No, your guards just me up in here. I think my wrists are fractured and my back is so up I can't even sit down. from that illegal use of force, that unnecessary use of force that somehow not answering questions meant that I was suicidal. And if you take a look at the jail's policy on suicide watch and what the purpose of it is for is it says for inmates that are eminently suicidal. Eminently suicidal. Anyway, so that that's the same nurse that did that. And then when I was finally able to sit down, cuz I was I was locked in that isolation cell for 16 hours. I should have bonded out within 3 hours of even being at the jail. I was finally able to sit down at about 4 in the morning after being in there since about 7:00 the night before. I was finally able to sit down and and I wasn't getting any clothes, so I'm naked. And uh she says to another she says to a female guard out there uh uh her name that officer's name is Ligy. But that same nurse that was just talked about there says he's

just sitting in there with his balls hanging out. He's just sitting in there with his balls hanging out. And so I had uh come here a couple weeks ago and I had asked you guys to demand that Director Brian Cole fire all of those staff and then when he's done firing them, he himself resign because that's not leadership that's needed inside of a jail where you got uh nurses threatening people by stripping them naked and putting them on suicide watch, saying their balls are hanging out. uh staff straight up telling me I'm this is happening because I'm not answering questions. So, he doesn't need to be employed there. But I did an open records request for Sergeant uh Christopher White starting in termination date and and he's still he's still employed there. So, no actions been taken. Uh I have filed a lawsuit against you all as you all are aware and those um those officers and that staff. There's a separate nurse in there that when I went on suicide watch, she steps out of her office just as mad as can be and says he can take his ass to suicide watch then. Clear clear punitive and coercive measures to try and compel me to speak which is a clear violation of my first amendment rights. Clear clear violation. And so he's still working here. He's still working there. And one other thing I I it's it's hard for me to comprehend, but he was just here, Brian Cole, wanting uh $30,000 for some repairs to a building there. But shortly after I filed the lawsuit for all that, I did an open records request. And the jail wanted to charge me $191,000 to retrieve some records that are open to the public. And so $30,000 to fix the building, $191,000 to get uh records. And so what that means is that the the jail just doesn't want to be transparent, which is in violation, direct violation of the

spirit intent of the Kansas Open records act. 191,000 is dollars is not allowed for for that, but they did it anyway. So that's Brian Cole. Might want to think about uh having him be there any longer. Your time's up. Anyone else wishing to speak? Next item. Next item is item six, administrative communications.

Morning, commissioners. Ashley Gilfin with Parks and Recreation. I wanted to let you know that we had a really good weekend last week at Old Prairie Town with our Tulips of Twilight. Uh we are still having that go on for the next few weeks. The other thing we'd like to discuss is uh if anybody knows anyone out there looking for a summer job, we are still vigorously trying to hire camp counselors this year. Uh some years we have uh lifeguards are the the challenge. Some years it's camp counselors. This year it is camp counselors. So if anyone knows of somebody that is 18 or older with a high school diploma and GED, we do on the job training. Uh and it's a great 10-week job. Uh perfect for college kids and high schoolers. Thank you. Thank you.

Good morning again, Under Sheriff uh Shane Hoopler of the Sheriff's Office. It is National Communications Appreciation Week for our dispatchers. Um and just want to acknowledge all the good work that they do and uh we are still hiring. So, if you know anybody that wants a full-time year- round job, um, very rewarding and, uh, want to acknowledge and appreciate all our dispatchers. Thank you. Anyone else? Yes.

Good morning. Uh, Brian Cole, Shani, County Department of Corrections. Just uh, wanted to update the commissioners that we start our next uh, academy next week. We have four weeks of academy of training and which includes CIT training and tours of their facility. But I just wanted to let you know that we start next week of our next we have approximately 20 staff going through that. So I just wanted to let you know. Thank you.

Uh Curtney House, director of public works. As uh bridge projects finish, new projects start. And that means on Monday, Valencia Road, just north of US 24 will be closed for our KOT project to replace two bridges on again on Valencia Road. And then a week later, Calhoun Bluff Road will close uh to replace a bridge actually to replace it with a a smaller covert. So, appreciate it. Thank you. Anyone else? Commissioner Mays. Nothing from me, Commissioner Cook. Nope. I don't have anything to add. Uh, so next item.

Next item is item seven, executive session. We do have a need to go into executive session. So I'm going to move that we recess into executive session for a period not to exceed how much? 30. 30 minutes u for consultation with an attorney for public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in attorney uh client relationship specifically to discuss contract negotiations regarding Mayor Conference Center. And uh I also move that we move or we would move into a rec uh recess to into executive session for a period not to exceed what for the AT what you know for the other one or was that both of them?

Both that's both. Okay. Uh for uh that would be part of that 30 minutes uh with consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in attorney client relationship specifically to discuss the A uh or the MTAA. So that was my motion. So 15 minutes each then or Yes.

Okay. I'll second. Motion's been made by Commissioner Ripon, second by Commissioner Maize. All in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries 30. Uh why don't we start in about u oh 10 minutes 10:00 we'll start that. All right.