Neosho County Commission - Regular Meeting

All right, we are live and I will call to order the board of county commissioners of Neoso County, Kansas. It is Tuesday, March the 10th, 2026. And this is a regular meeting. And we'll start with the pledge of allegiance and then the invocation by Ryan Van Pearson from Gailsburg Christians Church. 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.

Will you join me in a prayer? Heavenly Father, God, we come to you today and uh we uh oftentimes look at these meetings and and we wonder what's going to be decided and what's going to happen. But God, uh we come to you today and we know that you have a plan for us. You have a plan for not just us individually, but a plan for this city, this county, this nation. And God, I pray that uh as the discussions happen today, Lord, that uh we will understand more of your plan for us, that we can continue to live in step with your will every step of the way. And God, we look at your scripture and uh and we see how when we make the plans that you want, that you do bless us. And God, as we gather today and as we make these plans, Lord, we pray for that blessing. that blessing that says you are on the right path. And God, as we seek that blessing, Lord, let's continue to seek you in every single thing that we do and say in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. Thank you. Thank you.

All right. There any additions, deletions, or corrections to the agenda? I have none. Okay. Commission comments and reports anywhere in the last two weeks. No. [laughter]

Uh the only thing I did attend a ribbon cutting at the Memorial Regional Medical Center for their new ABIS equipment. So it was a nice turnout and it's the first of its kind of equipment in Southeast Kansas. I think we can be pretty proud of what our hospital has gotten. And then I also wanted to let you know that HR did have the beginning of the department heads um employee handbook update and I did attend that meeting and appreciated what HR has done and it's a beginning. [laughter] So a lot of work to be done. So I think all the department heads though are anxious to get this and it was a good meeting. So do we have any public comment? Seeing none, consent agenda. We would like to pull one invoice. There was an invoice in the sheriff's department for $5,939.14 to Marmac Fire and Safety. They had come to come in town, I guess, a couple of times to fix something out at the jail. And we're still questioning the total on that bill. So,

well, they just count.

Yep. If that's okay. So, I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. Accounts payable in the amount of $239,3213. Payroll clearing of 96,55101. Commission minute meetings from 12:02 05 sorry that's correction on the agenda there and 12:30 of 2025 and then 22 24 of 26 and there are three leave requests from non-elected department heads.

I'll second it. Any more discussion? All those in favor?

I I motion carried three to zero. Well, that didn't take long. Um Dave, do you just want to go ahead and get started? So, here's the consent agenda. I wanted to go over the wastewater application with you guys to see if I can make some changes to it that you guys would approve changes to it. Um I think in your packets you have a copy of the old one along with the revised one.

So is the top one the old one? I'm assuming. Okay. The top one here is the old one. There's a lot of information on that that whenever people are filling it out, they get very confused and I answer the same questions over and over and it just I'm trying to simplify it for the public and it it just takes out a lot of stuff that doesn't necessarily need to be on the application

and then it just it addresses it up a little bit too. And then I also want to make some changes to how these are brought in to me and Tanya and I have talked and been how a lot of the people go to her office first to get some of this stuff done. She

said that she would not mind assisting me and taking these in and filing them for me and getting them back to me. So, normally across the state, these are done by the health department and for some reason before I got here, it went to the folks office and just now they have to go to several different offices to just to do some of this stuff. So, we thought we'd move it from the folks to the appraisers's office and so there to get flood plane maps and whatever else you do when you go in here. [laughter] I don't know what all entails, but but Tanya said she would help out with that. And then I'm adding a frequently asked questions page on to this Tuesday. Most of the questions that I get asked whenever this I get these phone calls. So maybe people can kind of look at this and have an idea from there on. Um there the code needs updated and I've talked to you guys about this before. There's a lot of stuff in it that is wrong. It like I said it says it's supposed to be through the health department. We don't do that. Um it says that it's supposed to be uh license to do this. We don't have a license to give that I have found and I'm just trying to figure out if there's if we can revise some of this and maybe cut our codes back from 40 something pages to, you know, eight or 10 pages more aligned with what the state requires. But that's going to be a year-long process and I'm not quite ready to start that yet. I don't have time for that. But it's something I am going to be looking into some more. But uh just for now, I didn't know if you guys wanted to look at this application, look it over, see if it is acceptable to you, if there's any changes that you thought needed to be made to it.

So, is the fee the same the application fee? I would like to have the price application fee if we could. Oh, here it's a $100 at the top. Okay.

Because I mean, and maybe maybe I'm not thinking about this right, but you know, they're getting ready to build a home in our county and they're going to be spending a lot of money in taxes or the life of the home is the $100 sometimes is a nuisance to some people just because they're out of town or whatever and they can't get here. They don't want to mail a check or they want to pay over the phone or something. not this. I think the $100 could be waved and probably get more people applying for some of these because there's been several times I've come across things that construction being done and they're like, "Oh, well, you know, you catch them doing stuff." So, just because there's a fee, they decided not to do the application.

That's my guess. I'm not I don't I can't swear to that, but that's my guess on some of it. So, um, I haven't actually pulled any numbers to see how much we actually bring in, but I'm guessing it's less than 15,000 a year. I don't do that many of these inspections, so or 1,500, I'm sorry. [laughter] Like, well, maybe we need to. So, it's about 15 a year. Wow. But I mean, if that's something you're willing to either do away with or cut in half or something, it's something I'd like to consider doing. So, I didn't know what you guys thought on that. Well, Dave, for what it's worth, I think the revised form looks fine.

Y simpler. I think it's much more direct. I didn't see any problems at all with it. Thank you, Tom. Well, in line with our code that we're following right now. I mean the book. I know. I remember the book when we did it. It was like an 09 was the last time it was done. So yeah, it's 40ome pages long. Yeah, I know. The book. Yeah. Yeah. And a lot of it is more like the legal definitions and all that stuff and it'll probably be cut out.

And there some of the other counties I mean I I don't remember a name. I looked at it about a year ago, but some of the other counties are only four or five pages, but you have to go off of

Kansas Bulletin 4-2 as the bare minimum. And then you can make it as strict as you want, but you can't go, you know, less strict than what their main requirements are. But like our code doesn't list the the new infiltrator chambers. It's still talking about the old rock and pipe system. Um there's just a lot of new technology that's come out and and I'd also like to make it where I I tell people when they're doing these right now since we don't have a license to give out. If the homeowner chooses to dig it himself, I make sure I say, you know, this isn't a warranty that you are installing it correctly. This is a warranty that if it fails, it doesn't get us in any type of trouble with the flood plane stuff. you put it in the right spot. But if you build it wrong, that's on you. And that's what I try to convey to these folks. But if they if they're using a contractor, I try to I always meet with the contractor and say, "This is where we want to put it." And then once they're done with it, then I'll go back and I'll say, "Yes, this is what we spoke about." And sign off on it. So

you also run into the restraints of lending issues on properly built systems because you won't get a bank mortgage off or not. So,

right. So, and the the way I understand the only reason we even have a code and follow this is just for insurance purposes, I think, is because because we do this and we participate in the flood plane development program. This allows those sorts of people that build in those areas to get a slightly cheaper premium on their insurance. So, but I I tell people they can't put a system in in the blood plane. So, if they want to put build a blood plane, they got to do a holding tank. So, they can't do any type of level because that does specifically say that in the code. So, but like I said, I'm just trying to simplify it so I don't take so many different phone calls in a day just asking answering questions. You think we should keep the fee or

Yes. But one would if we do go to rewrite the code, there always be drastic changes. I'd like to do it on the 24th or whatever. Sure. If there's anything that comes up, I might You still have a copy of that old code book, don't you? Old code. Yeah. Yeah. I probably have it actually in the file somewhere, but it was redone in 2009. Yeah. So, it hasn't been revised since. So, yeah. I remember when it came to the commission then. So it's a it's a big deal. And to change it,

we had we had sent away and Charlie Morse at that time and we he went away to the conference and came back with the code and when we adopted it. So, and and one thing that bothered me about the code is they had a committee that put it together and there was only one person that knew anything about plumbing on it and Chris Harris, you know, and I think we if we're going to do any rewriting and have to do a committee, I would like to get some of the local plumbers on the committee to help do this, but that's a good idea.

I can give you guys a copy of this. This is a step-by-step procedure from the state of what it takes to fix to revise the code. And it's basically just we revise it and then we send it to them and they look over it and then we make any changes that they request and it just kind of goes back and forth and they said it could take 3 months to a year. So, but as long as we're following the bare minimums of the Kansas 4-2, which is what a lot of counties do, they don't even have a code. They just say this is this is our code, right? So, which makes some stuff simpler. So there's a lot of gray areas in this. I don't like it. So

do you want us to adopt this then? Can we? I don't know that you have to. According to uh KDHE, they just said it's entirely up to us if if we want to make this change, but not I think there might have to be something done on your guys' side of it just to to say we have a new one. I I don't know that for you. I make a motion to adopt the new form and then to make any changes to the application fee that you think are appropriate. Do we want to wave the application fee?

If we do as part of like the NRP, if they're filing for NRP, a construction thing, I think we can wave the fee, you know, put it in as far as they're filing because they're usually building property more often than not. And if they're filing for NRP at the same time, maybe to help defree some of the cost, too. So, if they're not filing for NRP or if they're updating their system, then what? Because I'm going to be handling Why would we charge taking that?

Well, I just think they're going to invest so much more money in tax. See what I'm saying? They're getting value into their property and we're assessing more taxes. I don't care what you're saying.

Huh? [laughter] Well, no. I'm just saying that they're putting value to their property that will raise their taxes. And it one thing I did think of if we want to if we want to try to force them to use or not necessarily force but encourage them to use a licensed installer or a licensed plumber. Do we want to say if you're having a contractor do it then you don't have to pay the fee and if you're doing it yourself you do or does that get stickies up everything you charge the fee for everybody situation or not okay or reduce the fee I mean just reduce it

is set at 50 huh so the NRP applications are set at 50 at 50. That's what I was saying. They're paying a fee for the NRP for their septic system under the same a different application, but they're paying the NRP fee, then they get this free. If they're just doing the NRP and not doing the septic, then that's I get what you're saying. You get part and parcel. Yeah. Whether you're doing one or both, it's still a $50 bill. Exactly. Okay. That's understandable. Yeah. So, however you want to write that up.

It's a flat I don't know if you heard that. So, flat fee for NRP and this water waste application. If you're just doing the water waste application, it's also $50. I'm good with that. Yeah, I think it's a fair Put that in the application and just make it an as andor. Yeah. So, do you want to bring that to us and we'll approve it? I can do that. But in the meantime, if we approve this, we could Yeah. let you use this. That's fine. We'll do it. Okay.

That'd be good. That works. Um, moving on from that for a minute. Um, I I had some questions about a bill that we're going to get from White's Plumbing for the Judicial Center in Shannon. I don't know what happened. I don't know if it was a sudden change in water temperature or what it was, but I had two toilets over a weekend just spontaneously spiderweb. Just What was it then? The toilets. Oh, really?

And they just cracked all over the place. And I don't know why I never talked to some plumbers and they said a drastic change in water temperature can cause that but I don't know how it wasn't there on Friday and Monday I got a phone call and saying it is a weird situation but they had to be replaced. Now back to the whole contract and statute stuff with judicial center. If we follow state, we shouldn't pay for that bill at all. If we follow the contract, I think that's considered a permanent fixture. And I think the city ought to cover that. But because it in that contract, it says the city is to cover the mechanical part of that stuff. But I'm there's a lot of muddy waters there too on with the windows and with the that mold remediation stuff needing to be finished out. And I just didn't know where we wanting to start. Are we wanting to start putting money in that building or that's where I'm at on that. So if they don't

I haven't got the bill yet. I'll they it just happened last week. So but I just didn't know where to put it, how to make it happen when we do get it. So

I think they should pay for it. So, it won't hurt to So, I'm just reading our contract with the city or agreement. So, I know it's been for a long time, we take care of the inside, they take care of the outside, but that's not anywhere in writing. It's I think it was just a a handshake deal at one point years ago. And if that's something we want to continue following, then I'll honor that. But I just that building's just getting worse and worse. And we got 20 some windows that we need to have finished out on the inside. And then we do have all that work back there. I mean, I'm I bet we're talking 15 $20,000 by the time it's all said and done to make and then we got toilets spontaneously given up. So, I don't know why. So, that's something we can discuss next meeting, too. Once I get the bill, we can see what it is. But, I'm guessing the cost of two toilets. And And I I don't install toilets. I know how, but I've broken every one I've ever installed. So,

something Dave can't do. There's a broken one up there right now that I installed. And fortunately, I sealed the crack on, but I've never been able to do it without breaking one. So, I just I hired White Foreman to do it and destroyed and break another one. The agreement between the two is maintenance obligations of the city. Going down to C, it says the heating and air conditioning system and mechanical and plumbing systems of the building except for routine maintenance and repairs. I don't think replacing a toilet is routine. I don't believe it here. The function the mechanism inside is but it seems like

of course then the county it does say maintain and perform routine repairs to fixtures and plumbing within the building. I don't understand why I guess that we actually come to this agreement because it really does go against state statute. I think it's something that needs to be looked at. Um you know what takes precedence the state statute or our agreement with the city. So, um, it's something that only five counties have two courouses in the state and it really was to benefit the cities and the cities are supposed to pay the bills and the expenses for that extra building. Um, so I stand on that and um, I think it's we're going to have to look at that again. Not very many players are still in the game on either side. Um, so

and then that's going to be brought to attention a little bit later on in this meeting, I think. I think so. possibly moving some rooms around in that building up there. And I spoke with the county attorney this morning and they're talking about maybe asking if we can look for another building for them altogether and get them out of there because there's no room for them especially if the law library gets installed and then at that point that is an entirely a state building. I mean, we fund, you know, the district court clerk's stuff, I think, but I mean, is that still going to be our responsibility

or, you know, that's that's questions I've got, but Okay, it's almost time to open some bids. So, we will talk about that later. This agreement's from 92. So, it seems like it is time to update this. The statutes are from 52 or 55, something like that. So all right and also I think within that agreement um that that time it was historical society had played a part that was set up so a lot of those have dissolved in one way those requirements so because it's on the historical registry so

right right I'll be back all Right. Do you want these separated by company or do you want these separated by project? Project. Okay. So, we do have two projects that we're opening bids for. Okay. Asphalt 130 asphalt. 1:30 was cut off time. So, yeah. 1:30 on the 41. Yeah. Yeah. So, we still have time.

Oh, okay. I thought you might explain a project to us. Sometimes it takes that long. Maybe Lonnie wants to explain it to us. Gil was saying he might want to explain which Do you want to explain the project? What bids were opening? Okay. You can talk for five minutes, can't you? [laughter] This will be Lonnie can or Lonnie can do it. Lonnie, you want to Are you already up there? Come on over. It's uh Thanks for coming down.

I just wanted to overview of the two projects. Yeah. The first project is the overlay on 70th road. It's approximately 6.7 miles, 2in overlay on that. And then there's a countywide uh there's four four bridges that are having um a deck overlay put on throughout various parts of the county. [cough]

the overlay project. The leting on that one starts at 130 and then the bridge bridge deck overlays start at 145. That's pretty much it. Okay. So, the 2-in overlay is basically what locals would say is the west side of 70th, which we did the east side last year. last year was it? Okay. Um, so it's just finishing that project.

Did you say how many miles is it? Six. 6.7. Okay. Is there is there two different This is a deck overlay. That's the overlay. Sorry, you didn't put it. This is This is what we could look our bench sheets could look like.

Something like maybe look something like that. Yeah. You see three on the 70th row and five for the four bridges. One more. Five overlay. No. Three. Three.

Five. Three on the overlay. Five on. Okay. Are you opening? I guess I am. I'll open and you read. [laughter]

All right. So present we do have our CFS with which is our engineer that's helping us with these projects. So we appreciate them being here for the opening and the work they've done already on these projects. So we have three bids for the 70th road overlay and we still like our couple of minutes early.

Huh? One and a half. So I'm going to open this one. usually early.

What? Your clock is early. Oh, mine does say 132. Maybe our clock is a little bit behind. Okay, so the first one Oh, yeah. You were going to read it. Y Oh, actually that's that's the So we only have two estimate.

This is the engineer's estimate. Total project 1,811,315. Okay, so the first one is from Bettis. [clears throat] Total project cost of 1 million189,227.50. What do we want to paper clip those together? I guess there's a paper clip right there. Well, there's one already. Okay. And the second one is from Apac Kansas. APAC Kansas Inc. project cost of 1,676,410. Okay. So, what we usually do is have our road and bridge department head and CFS look those over. Is that what we want to do?

Yes. We'll review the numbers. Okay. And then we'll send a letter back to you for recommendation. Make sure that all mathematics is all checked correct and send you recommendations. Okay. We probably need to get copies of those.

Oops. Do we have another one opening? Okay. Melanie, can you get yours done in [cough] 13 minutes? Oh, Dave. Okay. Okay. Yep. Got 12 minutes. Well, we'll say 10 minutes.

10 minutes. How [laughter] Tanya went and changes. Okay. It was a onetime $50 non-refundable fee for all NRP. That sounds good. Yep. I'm good with that. Do you want to make a motion? I'll make a motion of approve the updated wastewater application as presented. As presented.

I'll second it. Any more? You want to look at that? Any more discussion? All those in favor? I I motion carries. Thank you for that. And then we'll keep working on that. Sounds like

yeah, we did put on the website under the the U sanitarian LAP stuff that that frequently asked questions page that you have just so as people are looking at stuff they can just get some ideas. Um, the I hate to keep bringing this up that with the water lines and stuff out there. Um, since we last spoked, I've had at least two more leaks, if not three. I think two. The last one it was in one of the server rooms and it leaked down onto one of their switches. Fortunately, it it was able to shed the water without causing any problems, but they were down for a while dried out. Um I believe that was just inmate phones, I believe, but I don't know. But I had these aren't slowing down, so I just want to make sure we keep the conversation going about possibly getting hit and the roof taken care of. There's a few more leaks in the roof now too from the way I understand it. So, um Saturday the February 21st, I got a phone call about 8:30 at night said there was another leak and I got there Sunday morning. I didn't get that phone call until Sunday morning, but this time there was a pin hole in the fire suppression system. And I don't think this is going to become a frequent thing, but I mean that piece of pipe didn't look the greatest to begin with, but that's the bill that I'm contesting cuz I was I assisted them on making these repairs. I can't make repairs to that except for the sprinkle head. The fire marshall has to sign off on that kind of

stuff and it has to be done by a certain company. up, but they were they weren't there for as long as what they say on the bill. So, once I get that email back on the itemized version of that bill that we pulled, I'll let you know. But, but they showed up without a lift to begin with and we told them that it was 20 foot up in the air and so I was like, "All right, you can use our lift." They got up there and then they said, "Well, we can't fix it." So, they left and came back the next day with another lift and there were two and a half, three hours passed when they told me they were going to be there. And they showed up at 3:00 and then eventually got it fixed, but they was only there for a total between the two days of about 4 hours. And it says on that bill that, you know, I think there's a total of 18 hours of labor on there. So, I'm I'm disputing that. So, that's some explanation on that. Um, lastly, all I got, uh, believe it's in your packet or chassis just has it. Um, the server room here in the courthouse, it has a little mini split air conditioner in it. It keeps that room at right around 57, 58 degrees all the time. Um, I've started having some fits with it when power has been flashing quite a bit lately and it's not liking coming back on and I believe the record [clears throat] I found that was installed in 2009 which is about 5 years past his expected life, you know. Anyway, so um that nine enterprises, he's a he's a local guy. I believe he's the one that did the mini split system for Lori out at dispatch in her server room, but I like how it's just a simple small residential system, but

with the price, I don't know if you guys want me to go out for bid on it, but he's a local guy. We can easily have him here to work on it is the only reason I went ahead and got that quote just to Oh, so after installing he would be able to maintain it. That is true. And he's the day I started having fits with it, I called him. He was here that day. And I mean, yeah, we probably need to go out for bids. Okay. I'll make it happen. Shinoot's not too far away. If you know, some companies want to bid on it. I don't know. Besides Lamplighters, who else is in Shinoot that does heat and air? Um, Celely, don't they do heat and air? Uh, it depends. I don't know. I think you put it out there, I think.

Yeah. Yeah, I'll see what I can find. That's all I got. Got a few more minutes. We can keep talking about jail. [laughter] Maybe later. I'm still arguing about that pipe. As I said in that email, [laughter] I think we're past the why. We need to figure out the what now. I know

cuz it's such a range of sizes and height. I can't imagine it being the same lot number. I can't even imagine it all being built factory. So from/ inch up to 3 in. So that's the only reason I'm moving on because I really think it was like and the damage has been done and there's been complaints in town about the grit and sand and rocks in the water. I don't know if anybody's seen that, but um city water has not been getting good to talk over the last few weeks and having to take the strainers off of their faucets because they're plugging up with with gravel and sand and whatnot. That creates an abrasive inside that pipe. Not saying that's what's causing it, but it's it's something that's adding to it.

I know. That's 50 year pipe pipe, not 15 or years. And just the only thing between the I 150,000 plus gallons of water a month of continuous flow if if there was any electrolysis prior to us making the changes that we made. I mean, that's not going to take long to do quite a bit of damage, but but I can't get anybody confirm or deny any of it. So if there was a problem with the pipe, I would expect it to be in one specific size or one specific area of the building or something, but it it's every size in there.

I know we don't use the same amount of water in this building, but how old is the pipe? Some of the copper pipe in this building. So these are built in ' 63, I think, but we're using a quarter of the water probably. So, five more minutes.

Yeah. I'm out. I'll be getting by now. All right, Mike, you want to explain the second project?

He can't hear you, I don't think. Yeah, he can. He's looking at me, but he's like, "What am I supposed to say?" Do you want to explain the second project? Okay. No, I think you just covered the first one. Um, this is u concrete deck overlay on four of our bridges that have pre-stressed concrete beams on them that uh have some issues. Uh, they're still bridges that are in fairly good shape. They're worth saving. Um you have locations on all of them. Uh yes.

Yeah. First one is on Elk Road which is um south of 13th 130th. 140th. 140th. And then there's one the next one's on me road down one mile off county line. It's on South 20th. Yeah. South of 20th. And then there's one on u on the eastern edge of the county which is on 20th road right right on the county line.

And then yeah and then there's York Road North south road u basically straight east of Erie. They're all very very similar. And those will be what's bridge deck overlay. This 4 in. No, these are 6 in

reinforced deck. So those bridges really don't have a deck. They're just driving on the beans to save money. Like they put the beans out there and didn't pour a topping on them. Some of them are getting damaged and the actual beams will hold the bridge up. This will be good protection longer stress T beams.

So the engineers estimate on that is 424,605. up with that has tongue. Five. Yes. What? Four. Five.

Five. Oh, yeah. because we just got another one. We need two sheets of paper. I don't know.

Okay. Look at this. All right. This bit is from PCI Roads LLC. Where are they out of?

There's all bridge overlays in the amount of 838,267.87. bonding issues. Uh B&B Bridge Company Now of $369,4268. Eight cents. Check that out. PBX Corporation subsidiaries. in the amount of $541,86468.

That one is not stable together. So this one is from Reese Construction. R E C E

amount of $236,231.39 The last one from mission construction. section in the amount of $295,430. All right, we appreciate those bids. There's a lot of variety there.

Yes. [laughter] All right. So, um, you get those. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. I have another paper clip. Paper clip. Oh, sure. You need some for your stash. Can't reach it. Well, I can't find out. Get longer arms to get that that one. All right. Well, I appreciate having the different companies

being willing to Thanks for coming down. Yeah. Hey, bro. How you doing, man? Candy.

Oops. I didn't cut that one yet. All right. Now, Melanie Man, everyone went up and left. Oh, that was exciting. [laughter] Sorry. Um, I did send you a training request to go to the National Radiological Emergency Preparedness Conference, the original here. I'll start with that and then we'll Oh, let's see here. I'll give you a No, I'll give you a copy here. You get a copy and Thank you. copy and then you can put the original This is the original. Okay.

It's for April. Uh it's in Overland Park. It's a national radiological radiological ingestion pathway in the 50 mile from Wolf Creek. And so planning is part of the uh I think it'll be an interesting uh three days of Overland Park radiological fund. I don't know. [laughter] Radiological um planning is part of our emergency operations plan. So um we have to have a piece of that. So there's some interesting stuff. There's also a tour of Wolf Creek, too, which I've never been to Wolf Creek. So I think that might be interesting.

That'll be a drive. [cough] [clears throat] We appreciate you getting all this information. It's going to be interesting. I I I figured since it's not like, you know, Indianapolis or something, I think Overland Park is a little more doable. So, yeah, we're in 500 miles. We're in trouble anyway. But yeah, we're 50 miles, so I don't I don't think so. Just tell you that plant was should have already been ceased and assisted. We retoolled it and it lasts for another probably 30 40 years. So,

yes. Yes. Let's just hope that happens out of our lifetime. I I started I actually at Kate I was in the nuclear engineering program. So, yeah. Yeah. It's kind of nice. They showed a side of the news or starting up the trigger reactor up there and I got part of that when I was up there. So, it was fun. Well, and we have the vision thing going on in Parsons as well. That's going to be ground at some point. I understand. So, it's all good fun. So, I'll make a motion that we approve training for Melanie Kent Culp for the National Radio Logical Emergency Prep. Did I say that right? Conference. Yeah.

Okay. Conference April 20th through the 23rd in Overland Park. I'll second the motion. All those in favor? I I motion carried. I know there's going to be expansion into nuclear plants. Yeah. Yes. And I believe there's going to be like my understanding is two more like something vision like what they're doing in Parson's

in Emporia area and then Hutch I believe. So it's all going to be good fun. Um I did send you about the burn ban question. I don't not requesting a burn ban by the way. So don't think I'm like oh it's dry and we're going to burn away. So, every time, let me preface this by saying every time we have a red flag and dry wind warning, I get a call from a fire chief of some kind that wants to do a burning. And obviously the process, you know how the process is, you do the resolution and the meeting and all of that good stuff. So, I decided to nip that in the butt. So, I know that I have an answer when I say this is a waver process or if we want to do it a different way because generally it's that that or there's been some comments on Facebook about not putting in a burn van as a commission. And so, I would like to just kind of have a discussion as to if you're wanting to if you want to change it or if you would like to stay the same. I don't have an opinion either way because I'm not a fireman. So, I will probably part of it is we only meet every other week,

right? which is makes it difficult unlike other counties that meet every week, right? Um and like I said, I sent you some examples of some of the others that do. I was very interested to see that Chaka County was very a lot more rigid as far as that goes. But um if you are want if you're open to wanting to change the way that we do it, I'm fully capable of of coming up with something and I'll get with Brett and we can whatever. I've talked to the um sheriff about this. Um, so it is really kind of what you guys kind of what your wishes are. If you want to change it, great. If you don't,

so you're going from changing where it's the commission approves a resolution to if the environment is right, you and the fire want a fire chief. My suggestion would be to pick like to do like half the fire chiefs or a consensus or whatever.

I don't want to make that decision myself. That's not that's not my area of expertise. I'm not a fire person. I know you put the wet stuff on the red stuff and then so I don't know enough about it. But I would I would be more than willing to do that if that's what you guys want to do. If you don't want to change it, I'm okay with that, too. I am not a big proponent of putting bands on things. Not really. Not my cup of tea. It's usually not very popular either. Um, so maybe I know I talked to Wyatt West off at um St. Paul. He said something about doing more information educational which we do that on Facebook and like hey don't burn your neighbor's yard down and that sort of thing because I mean but I wanted to kind of gauge what your guys's ideas if you had any ideas or you didn't and you wanted to stay the same. I'm cool with that. I can understand when you get up to western Kansas, western Oklahoma, western Texas a little bit more where it's more air. We're in the ocean river valley gets pretty substantial amount of rain most of the time.

We only had that last couple years that was drought really drought ridden. So, well, I've only been in this position eight years and I've only done a burn band twice. So, it isn't something usually it's the other way around and we're flooding. So, um I don't know. So, I guess when there's a question of whether you should burn or not, I don't understand why people burn, if it's questionable. I mean, I would agree. So, wouldn't it be better if we just put a bird ban on if there were conditions like you get from maybe the National Weather Service or whatever, they're [clears throat] recommending it,

right? So, I know a lot of like the red flag warning days where, hey, don't burn and people tend to behave themselves. I mean, my assumption is that if you're going to burn, whether it's a red flag or not, you're going to burn. I mean, it's kind of like whether we put it on a resolution or not, they're going to burn. I mean, during a ban, your your insurance is no good,

right? And that was the what Greg had Greg and I discussed this numerous times since this has come up over and over again. I just thought, well, we'll just have a discussion so that you guys can kind of give me your ideas of what they are. If you want to change it, I'm cool with that. I don't have a dog in the fight either which way, but I would like to lessen if we have that issue so we don't have to wait because unfortunately with your two weeks in between if it starts getting dry and low in humidity between the two weeks. We've only put in two that I remember. Yeah. Yeah. And a lot of people don't realize it bans on. Yeah.

Well, and see that's kind of like Shaka County. They have where if you don't call and report that you're burning. Um, but again, you're I mean, I think the city of Shinoot has that. They do. They have burn permits, too. I don't I don't want to be responsible if you're burn, right? Huh? You have to get a permit if you get burn in the city of Shin. You do. Yeah. Yeah. The permit. And it can only be between so many hours during the day. Right. [clears throat] So, if you want to change it, I'm cool. There's Greg, by the way. If you want to change it, I'm good with that. We can kind of look at some options. If you really have no interest, Greg can give you his two cents as well. Do you have two cents, sir? Yeah. From the

Yeah. From an enforcement issue for the last 20ome years, which one of them that we gave a ticket over the years was a commissioner. And I don't think it's ever been necessarily fair the county attorney's office would just give a diversion or if it was a friend of theirs wouldn't file it. Um I did from a farmer perspective. I hate to be told when I can do something or when I can't. I personally have liability insurance on my farm. I did some checking after Mel told me about this. Checked with a couple insurance agencies. If you put us just in a burn band on a whim and someone didn't know that it was in a burn band,

they're breaking the law. So now their liability insurance isn't going to cover any damages on the neighbor's property where it may have before. So you actually create more of a liability issue for your surrounding neighbors than we were in before. So I personally leave it alone, but that's up to you guys. So, we'll just stick with what we are doing. You're

good with that? Okay. Um, also Tasha and I are doing um demos, lucky us, for mass notification because our contract comes up with code red this year. Um, so we've done um I don't know 200 it seems like, but maybe five, I don't know, some of that. But we'll have some recommendations when we come down to what we're going to decide because we have until July when our contract runs out. And I look for us to change to somebody else. I see other counties have been changing.

They have been and that's one of them like um Crawford does where their genesis they sent out of that they're under a red flag or whatever. But um I think it will have a lot more options than what we currently have because um code red had a cyber security thing in October.

So I have not been able to send out any iPod iPing since then. They were not very open about discussing that. I do have so we would be covered if I had to use it, but um so Tash and I are doing our due diligence by watching other demos to come up with some other options because I don't don't imagine we're going to stay. So otherwise, if you're good with the you're good with the way we have the Okay, anything for me? Great. Keep up the good work. Keep us all safe. [laughter] that

Tanya.

We have an hour until we have our next scheduled depending. I have three minutes. What? You got three here? That takes more than a minute each. Well, sort of. Yeah, I have three, but two of them are one person. So, um, Brian Thommo has I don't know if I'm pronouncing that right,

um, has two NRP applications because it's on two different parcels. One parcel is going to have a barn on it and the other parcel is going to have a new house with a shop building on it. Um, total for that, uh, estimated at 550,000 for those three different structures. Okay.

And then this is the next one. So, are there pictures or they're so do we need to approve them separately? I just wrote the motion to approve both of them with the different addresses.

I see that now. So, I'll make a motion to approve the neighborhood revitalization applications for Brian Thumpl for a new house, shop building, and barn to be located at 12030 Elk Road and a partial to be split from 12 to 40 Elk Road Shen with an estimated combined construction cost of $550,000. I'll second. Any more discussion? All those in favor? I I motion passes three to zero.

And then, pardon [clears throat] me, we have one more with uh Preston and Trisha Page. They're going to build a new house at 13681 100th Road. Um this is also going to be a split off property, but that will be their address. So, I was able to get that on here. Uh they are putting in a new house uh somewhere around 630,000. I think that's uh Oh, the motion is here. Here's the motion. If you want to second one, it's in your area. [clears throat] Okay, I'll make a motion to approve the NRA for uh Preston and Trisha Page for a new house to be located at 13681 100th Road, Erie with an estimated construction cost of $630,000.

Okay, I'll second it. All those in favor? I motion carried. And I did not get Cindy um the paperwork in time and also because I don't know what two days I need, but I'm going to need two days in a row either Thursday and Friday or Monday and Tuesday of next week. Okay. Um or dog doctor approve her time off leave request and I'll get it to her whichever one. Thank you. I'll second that. All those in favor?

I motion carried. Good afternoon. Um, I'll give you guys um some job descriptions that are completed. I've got the clerk's office, the appraisers's office, and then my office um are ready for you guys.

Fun reading. It's always fun. So, that leaves um I have it on my note right here. Uh health department, maintenance, road and bridge, treasurer. Oh,

and the attorney. Um the attorney might be a while. Um, but I do have in my possession the health recommendations, maintenance, protein bridge, and treasurer recommendations. I just need I just need to find the time to completely finish all that. So, but we're there. We're getting close. Um, I'd like to res uh request a 10-minute non-elected executive session regarding um personnel in the jail to include myself, commission council, and Greg the sheriff. I'm sorry. Did you say 10 minutes?

I did. Yes, please. I thought you were going to do that, but you're not doing it. I move to recess into executive session to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel in regards to the jail for 10 minutes to include commission council, HR, the sheriff, and um if we come back. Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. You did say the sheriff. My apologies. And let's have a fivem minute recess. So we'll come back at let's say 2:25. I'll second the motion. All those in favor. All those in favor I motion car

[laughter] We're back in session and no action was taken. Um, I was wondering if we can do our executive session related to security matters right quick uh needs to be included as the sheriff and I guess Brett whenever he gets back in here. probably like 15 minutes.

15 minutes.

Yeah. So, we need the sheriff with us and I think Dave's going to come in and bre 240. Move to go in executive session discuss security measures regarding uh building building security concerning maintenance Dave Bernett Greg Taylor Sheriff Council and Commission. I'll second the motion.

All those in favor? I. Motion carried into security. Paul, you seconded that. Yes.

We're back in session and no action was taken. Cindy. Yes. Just a couple more things. Um, Gail kind of stole my thunder on the policy meeting, so Oh, you can tell more.

No, it's okay. I just messing. Um, but yeah, it did go really well. Um, I am currently transposing like if you will, converting the policy manual from PDF into Word and formatting goes out the door when that happens. So, in order to just be prepared for the next meeting, I've been trying to get the first section done, which is what we wanted to talk about. So, it's kind of where we're at with and then all of our additions and corrections and all piled into trying to put it all together. So, there's that. work.

Um, I will need two more executives, not long ones, but before we do that, um, David has, um, gotten with me a couple times. And this last, I mean, idea kind of makes the most sense as far as employment. He really does need a second person, but not all the time, not every day, um, not every week. And so this would just be literally um as like an as needed person. Um they would be listed as a general laborer um just to help maintenance, but they would need to have similar um knowledge of plumbing, electrical, um be able to operate a um a mower when David's not available during the summer or whatever. But for the situations like you know the plumbing and or water things or electrical stuff here he just simply needs another person who knows what's going on. Um and wanted to run the idea be before you before I sat down and actually wrote a job description for this. Um wage would obviously be set by the wage study. Um so we kind of what your thoughts were. He thinks he can work it from his budget as is. He may just have to move a little bit around.

I think we've approved extra help during the summer before. But you probably need as needed type thing that was just seasonal. I have to be careful with the age too because of working at the jail. So that kind of thing for high school students just want me to sign my job and I think I need a little bit more than that. Yeah. So, it has to be 18, valid license,

ability to work in the jail. Um, so I think there's some other requirements that go with that. Um, so just wanted to get your thoughts on it and if you agreed, um, David and I would work on the next step of that. We're worried about money issues and don't I think I think we need proposal as far as total expense to the county before add to the budget. I mean we're not adding to but in within the budget what we're talking about times the hours and we're looking at how much okay

they're going [clears throat] to be employed. we can come up with potential. Some of it's just going to be like, holy heck, the, you know, the wall fell down. Like, we're not going to know that type of hours. But if we're going to use the wage study um for setting the wage, it could be somebody who's 20 years old with two years of experience with electrical and plumbing or whatever else, general construction, or we could get somebody with 15 years, and that's going to affect the wage a little bit. Um, I will say general laborer is a lower grade, so it's not um a super high dollar per hour. So I guess I could run some scenarios and give you roughly what it could be

and what we're looking at how many hours they're only working. I mean, it's hit and misses beer in this is I would I I feel like Dave Dave does so much and has saved the county so much money that I think we can we can afford to have someone that Yeah. that can do an extra I mean because he can't do it all and then we just have to have someone an outside source do it, right? Uh, and during the summer it does get busier. And well, now that we know he can't do toilets, I mean, we definitely have to go out for someone else. [laughter] Um, job description.

Yeah. [laughter] Um, I mean, we kind of talked and I like I said, we'll talk more, but it it's not going to be more than a couple hundred hours per year, if that. Um, a what? Couple hundred hours per year. Hours? I thought she said dollars. Oh, no. like what if? Okay. So, yeah, we'll come up with something more concrete for you for the next meeting. We got about 10 minutes. Is that going to be enough?

Definitely get one of them done real fast. Okay. Um, and actually I could probably do both of them at the same time. Um, I'll just combine departments because it I'm only one that's going to be in there with you guys. So, I'd like to request an executive session regarding non-elected personnel in HR and payroll department and the 911 department for five-ish minutes. What were the what was the second? HR payroll and 911 please to include myself, commission, and council if I didn't say that.

Sure. I'll move to recess an executive session to discuss personnel matters for non-elected personnel for 10 minutes. Five minutes. Five minutes. Five minutes. uh concerning HR payroll and 911 with [clears throat] commission and councel. I'll second the motion. All those in favor? What time are we coming back? Say 257. We need five minutes. 255. 255. All those in favor? I. Motion carries. We talked about 10 and then five.

We're back in session and no action was taken. That's all I had unless you guys had something for me. Nothing. I don't think so. All right. Have a good afternoon. Thanks, Andy. as fast as you can get. Mike, well, he's here. Yeah, he's here. I'll go here.

Sorry, Mike. Judge comes first. The judge comes first.

Good afternoon. Afternoon, judge.

So, I'm call here to talk to you about the uh old court services offices and um but I don't think that anything's ever been designated for them. I think the county attorney's office is using them now. I know they are. Uh I don't know exactly when that occurred. Uh, I'm not sure that anybody came to the commission and said that the court needs those offices. The clerk's office needs those offices. And I also want to use part of it. Probably my idea would be to have a computer in there and have a quote law library access point since that building has a deed restriction that requires that there be a law library in that building for it to be used as a judicial center. And um to me it's important that we have that in place at least something and you don't have to have a lot of books for a law library anymore. You can just have a computer and we could deal with that. So the bottom line is is we need that. Uh what we would use it for would be Angie Walters would be in there a lot. Uh she'd be dealing with different employee things. We also have a lot of training that people have to do online. it's real difficult to do it in that open area of the clerk of the district court's office. So, um, a lot of times she'll go to one of the courtrooms or something like that. So, um, bottom line is I want that. We need that and I want it for the court offices. I have talked to Cheryl about it and I did let her know that I was going to be here today. So, uh, she was aware of that. She's told me that uh in the past anyway, she had told me that it was meant to be a court office and uh she didn't really have long-term plans to use that. Um there's a lot of files

in there. Uh she has one employee there back kind of in the would be the northeast office in there. Um and I know she has plans to get rid of a lot of those files, those hard copies of files because she doesn't have any need for it. I know that they in addition they've cleaned out some things and dealt with some past diversion funds that were still hanging around and uh so that's real simple what I I'm here about. There's nothing magical about it. Uh but we need it and uh I know that I've talked to maybe all three of you at times about this. So, but we need to make sure that

we don't give it away. Yeah. that [laughter] you don't give it away. But anyhow, that that's what I'm here. It's really So, is it both offices? Aren't there two offices? There's two offices there. There's kind of a storage area there, kind of a reception area. It's a real small area, you know, that's why we had to get the court services out of there.

Um, but, uh, if you go in, there's kind of a little room that has all those file cabinets in it. there's kind of a reception area and then there's two offices back there. So, in the back. So, um bottom line, that's what we need it for. So, clerk of the district court's office. So, I'll answer any questions, but I thought it'd be important that I come down and talk to you about it. So, questions. I was just wondering how the transition where she you going to [clears throat] have give her time to move some of that's not going to be a problem. Okay. Yeah, I will work with her there. Yeah.

You know that you can't expect them to move out right away and I I think she's overwhelmed right now. I get that. But sure, being get that worked out. That's not going to be a problem. I don't anticipate that being a problem at all.

As long as you guys can work together. Yeah. Yep. That won't be a problem. I don't see it. Not a problem at all. You've been in there. Yeah. you were here most recently and I can looked up everything. Yeah, there's I mean there's no other place for the county attorney's office expand [laughter] is it is where it is. Well, but I wasn't taking into account those offices for county attorney expansion either. I was looking to see what see other options we might have, but it's just where are the files going to go? I mean, they're not going to go away. Pardon? The files are not going to go away overnight. No, you know, there's just a lot. There's too much stuff there. Yeah. And she's going to have to go through.

Where's that going to go? Yeah. And I think, frankly, she won't want to go through it quickly because I think she's concerned about what could be in some of those homes. Yep. And rightfully so. So, I get all that. That's not a problem. So, there's still the back room that's empty. She says she still a back room there. Yeah. She's still looking for volunteers to help go through them. [laughter] I don't think I don't think a judge should be going through there might be a problem with that if I find if I find some things that might lead to immediate action that probably would not be what anybody wants. So I'm not saying there's anything there, but [laughter] I I just So

I thought she was going to try to be over here. She said she was going to try. She just couldn't. And I told her about 3:00. So I think we're right at that. So yeah. Um what action do we need to take? I don't know that you need just something in the minutes that it's going to be the court's going to work get ultimately get it and we'll just work it out with the county attorney's office on timing because we really never visit these spaces really over there. you know, that's it's always been within your private

and I think I don't think it's ever been taken away from the court. I mean, I really technically I think it probably is still quote a court office that we did the court services office moved it upstairs which was a great move that worked out real well. Good. to just put in an agreement with allowing that

place in the minutes that the the issue of space at the uh at the courthouse was discussed and uh just noted that the former court services offices would be taken back over by the board and we'll work it out with the county attorney's office on time. All right, questions. I'll leave it. Let you guys go then. All right. Thank you. Yeah. Have a good evening. Don't get blown away. [laughter] [clears throat]

Mike, you're up now, I guess. Good afternoon again. Um really thought we got some good bids a while ago. [laughter] U kind of a pleasant surprise to get some lower numbers than than what we were expecting. So hopefully we can move forward with those projects. Um this morning I went down and met with uh Commissioner Vince Shy and we went and looked at the 10th Road west of Irving as well as uh 10th Road west of 59. And uh we I kind of put together not a formal proposal but just if we wanted to come to a solution for this issue of possibly us partnering with them to bring the road up to minimum maintenance road standards whether it be you know contributing a little bit of rock maybe some brush cutting etc. and they could bring a crater over and we could just work together on it. And u then letting them take that road over as far as a minimum maintenance road and I'm talking 10th west of Irving and then us maintaining 10th road west of 59 highway. I think that's a viable solution. I visited with Brad a little bit before the meeting and and I was going to put that proposal in in the form of an email

and send it to him and let him send it to their counselor and see where it goes. Um and maybe we can put this thing to rest. So, so this is part of litigation, isn't it? Do we need to discuss this more executive session? Just want to be careful. Yeah. Um, I I think I mean you you've pretty much stated everything that you mentioned previously. So I think we go deeper into we probably ought to do it in executive session. But as far as what you stated

well and this would be I can't do anything without the commission's approval. So it's just a proposal to end this thing. Maybe I've I don't think anything that I've said is going to hurt it. I don't think I'm not an attorney. So, you asking for permission to send the email to me with No, I just This is just a discussion on on our visit this morning.

Yeah. One of the concerns I have and I thought just thought of is um who's going to be uh responsible for doing all the right away because we will have to take right away back cuz that as a closed road that south part of the road we take the north part of the road and work that way too would be another option deal with land on both sides or cuz we will have they or I don't know what the

if we're required to do that, but it's my understanding they didn't give up their rightway. So, if they were to take it over and maintain it after we get the work done, maybe they could just it'd be kind of like a one lane road. There's not a lot of traffic on it. Uh I think they could That's what it is now, basically. a little but let's yeah we shouldn't yeah I don't want to go any more details about what it is now or anything like that okay we can discuss it as pending litigation in executive session if you want to go into more detail about do you want to do that I mean that's I don't know why why don't we just go ahead and do that I think we should because who wants to wait two weeks

I'll move to recess into executive session to discuss matters deemed privilege in the attorney client relationship regarding road and bridge for 10 minutes to include the commission and council and road and bridge director and we will come back at let's say 320. I'll second motion. [clears throat] All those in favor? Hi.

We're ready, Mike. We're back in session and no action was taken. I handed out some information before the meeting to you guys regarding the traffic count on Elk Road. I thought that was interesting. Over 21,000 cars in a little under 7 days on North Elk north of Shinoot.

So, lot of traffic on that road. That's the the busiest county road in the county. We just need to get the edges completed. And that's it's the middle of March. Yeah. Should be coming soon hopefully. So did Yes. Were they aware of what we had to take care of this last week? No. Uh two weeks ago. Well, kind of. I talked to Gail about it later that day, but uh there was that Nick had called me and there was a very large

hole that had developed along the shoulder on the east side. It would be between Elks Lake and the New River Bridge. And uh So we hustled up there and and marked it and then I called O'Brien readymix and we filled it with flowable fill. I think we agreed that that was probably uh contributed by the beaver activity in the area and uh we've had problems with them before burrowing into the side of the road and and we've tried to plug it off in different areas with just kind of caving it in and putting oversized rock over the top of it. And we may have to line that whole area with with oversized rock. at some point. Um, Nick and I kind of been looking for somebody that we could either borrow or rent a side dump trailer, semi-tra and possibly haul oversized rock up there. And when I say oversized, I'm talking, you know, 12in rock probably dumping off the side of the road and take a machine and work it out toward the water's edge and

that would stop that. So, When we mean a sizable hole about that big around and five or six feet or better back underneath the road. Mhm. I dump a yard and a half of flowable fill in that hole. Wow. So it was it was substantial. Good catch. Well, I had a concerned citizen call me because it would have been very dangerous. And it went underneath the undermined. You could take a You couldn't take a stick and go act underneath the surface of the road.

I couldn't get anybody to stick their arm down there and see if they breach. Yeah. I stuck a stick back there. [laughter] Huh. You don't want to get a hold of the beaver. I promise you that. I think that's Neil County swamp down through there. Yeah. Yeah, it is. Anyway, we we did we got that taken care of and hopefully but we may have to do you know the lining that edge with oversized rock in the future. So there multiple spots if we don't Yeah. Well, we drove we were trying to figure out which spot was the one you guys fixed. I think they had a cone over it.

There was another one. Yeah. 30 yards from that uh bridge ahead sign. Yeah, probably 30 yards and that's right there. But if you look back and where they're digging along that embankment,

I do have a the guy that maintains the the Neos County Cemetery in Shinoot. Every so often, every few years, he asks for a load of chips, which is basically half inch clean rock to fill her in around the the vaults, I guess. And he's asked for another load of that. We've always the commission's always approved that, but I I still wanted to just run that by you. I don't know you need a motion on that or or just do it, but You know, it's really our our cemetery. I

It's a county owned cemetery. It's a county cemetery. It's not an individual taxing day. We're I believe that's the only county owned cemetery in the county. It is. Probably in the state. No. So, well, we've checked and sold that before. Yeah. I mean, you want to make a motion or I don't have one written. We'll pay I mean we'll pay Well, we're going to be paying for it anyway. So if it's within your budget and your scope of duties already then I don't think we charge them did we that big a deal. So we don't charge we don't charge the cemetery for road and bridge. Okay.

But I think he is going out and getting some dirt. They also were needing some filler dirt and a couple things. But um it's within their budget. So just glad he's taking care of those. those needs out there. Okay, I'll get that taken care of. Um, I mentioned u couple meetings back that KOD is selling some dump trucks. They're selling a lot of equipment, but uh they have some dump trucks that match up with ours. one in particular would I feel would be a a good fit. And they also have a power broom that's actually they got two of them. They're both in mechanically sound condition. They've got some rust on them. I don't think they're going to bring a lot. Um, but our broom down there is it's it's really needs replaced and we rely on that thing quite a bit when we're chipping the ceiling. And uh I would just like permission to I'd like to have or get permission and I don't I forgot to write up a

motion motion to but I would like to to be authorized bid up to 35,000 on both both pieces of equipment total. not each but just total between them.

So I think I mentioned last time you have some funds in the pilot fund and then some from your last purple wave sale. So,

I don't care. I mean, I I've seen them before down there. So, they're old broom. So, I'm talking about the old one. It's It's pretty bad. the guys do a good job of keeping it running, but it's and this one's it's got a decent Here's the other thing about that that I probably should have mentioned is that thing it has a cab on it, but no air conditioner and a cab without an air conditioner is not good. You're out there cab,

you're out there sweeping. [laughter] So, you're you're really stirring up a lot of dust. So this is also a health concern for whoever is operating that thing. So these do have air conditioners. The air [clears throat] conditioners worked and so it would be a nice up that's a big plus [clears throat] and they could provide all the maintenance on too. Right. I mean, they're I'll make a motion to allow road and bridge to go out for equipment at K DOT for up to This is on purple wave. Purple wave. Oh, purple wave. It's KOT equipment.

Okay. On purple wave up to 35,000. Is that what you said? Sorry. Yes. and to be taken out of the road and bridge part of the pilot fund. I'll second the motion. Any more discussion? All those in favor? I. Motion carried.

Thank you for that. The other thing that I I sent you an email the other day regarding the possibility of issuing permits for local trucks to use on our gravel roads during this project. I don't know if that's something you'd want to pursue or We just leave it the way it is. And um

what's Leette doing?

They have uh passed some resolutions not allowing commercial trucks on some of their roads that are affected by this. But when I spoke with Commissioner Shy this morning, he said that that was not supposed to include a trucks, but I don't it wasn't specific to that the resolution that I read. So right now we don't have anything in place and I don't have a problem with that. We do have no through trucks on our pave roads in that area and and I would like to see that you know continue to be enforced. I think that's very important. But as far as the gravel roads, I mean, if it gets wet and there's a lot of truck traffic, it's going to cause some problems, but that's a lot easier to fix than a pave is.

Sure. So, and and we can just leave things alone. Maybe that's maybe leave alone and see how it truly affected Yeah. how much traffic they're getting and stuff like that. Yeah. So, we can just do that and just maybe if [snorts] we can we think about maybe dropping a speed limit on on that, Mike, 45 mph. Well, I had a person call me up after

we and and we talked about that the last meeting and we decided just to wait a little while and and I would like to get input from the locals down there. Um, right now the times I've driven it, it wasn't terribly busy. I mean, it was busy, but not not like what I expected it would be. Yeah, I think the no through truck traffic is a main issue. Yeah, we definitely want the trucks off there. Yeah.

Um, I'm glad we we did the 30 mph on the other roads. Um, I didn't know if we would want to amend that to include Ottawa Road north of 10 to 59 or um, we could just do a resolution 10th to Ottawa. Yeah. From 10th to Ottawa. No, Ottawa. I'm I'm sorry. I misspoke. Ottawa Road from 10th Road to 59. I'm sorry.

Big problem once it gets dry again. Dust. Yes. And I did well and I I I sent you guys the same email that I sent KOT regarding the treatment of these roads that are affected with M chloride. And uh I haven't heard back from them, but hopefully we can make that come together too. Just remember when that when we do that in the past is we would have to pay for that upfront and then they would reimburse. Sometimes that took a while to get reimbured. Yeah,

quite a while. Not saying it's going to be that way this time, but that's kind of the way it's been in the past. That's all I have on my list, Mike. [clears throat] Did you get that Brown Road? Well, Brown Cemetery rather. Did you get that taken care of down 37 Street Road? Good. Thanks.

Yeah, we he graded it, I think, the next day. And he just forgot. We knew that was an open road and uh it's I don't know what if it's classified as a minimum maintenance, but that's kind of what it is because I would think so. Yeah. There's very few people use that road. And the se that's a really old cemetery. I don't know when the last time somebody [clears throat] was buried down there, but it's been quite a while. Did you happen to be able to get our six districts together for the blades?

Well, no, not yet because Well, I'm not going to get into that during open meeting, but it's we're we're still working on how we're going to set things up. So, you still got four blades down south for now? Yeah. And I don't know. Well, I I I'm not going to say any more on that.

So, we got two guys doing the north end. It's a lot of roads, but we have I got a lot. This is this is an eight district here, Mike. I couldn't find six. You also can't forget too, Paul, that with this railroad overpass project going on down there, it changes things on the south end, too.

We've got way, way more traffic down there than we've ever had before. And some of those roads are going to need graded more frequently than they've ever been graded before. because of that. Not saying we can't change something in the future, but for right now, I'm just going to keep it the same pattern. And if we have to, we can gang up on the northern part and send blades up there. But right now, with all the rain we've been getting, uh, we really got to focus our efforts on that southern part. I know that when it get all moisture that south of there is

yeah pretty milky. It's tough. It's really tough. Even though I'm getting slided still. Yeah. Yeah. [laughter] He's the one affected more than I Okay. I think that's all I got, Mike. Okay. All right. Thank you.

Okay. We've had our executive session unless anyone else wants to talk more about security. Um, county purchasing policy. I gave one out at the last meeting. Um, so I don't know if you guys like the limits that we've set. So up to 2,000. It's advised to have three informal quotes. Um I think most of like accounts payable that we just had are within that or under that. Then from 2001 to 5,000 three informal written bids. Um, and then over 5,000 would be formal bids where you're soliciting bids. You get approval from the commission before you go out for bids. Um, we do online notice. So, kind of like what we just did on the bids for the two road projects. So, um, then the next page is anything that's not subject to that. Um, I think our department heads do a great job of coming to it to us. Um, I think though that it's state statute is that we have a purchase policy. We haven't had a purchase policy probably for about six years.

And it does help the county clerk when she does vouchers to know that everyone's within the stipulation of what we want. Of course, number 11 was purchases within the budgets of departments of elected officials is an exception as far as going out for formal bids. Commissioner Clawson,

is the definition of informal bids delineated in that so that way everybody has the same interpretation of what that means? No, we really don't find that specifically. I mean, because I mean, truly, I guess I would want to know what that meant. Um, because I know what I kind of think it is, but I, you know, it's probably different. So, up to 2,00 is three in informal quotes. So, you're just basically calling and asking, hey, can you give me a quote? Okay.

So the informal is actually written bids. So you would actually say, "Hey, can you send us a quote and then the three formal bids is defined in here to is exactly how that's done." But I think that's just the the difference. Um I think like wouldn't how we go out for tire bids be considered an informal bid? Could we send out our request to the local vendors and say we want a price on this size of tire with this tread pattern right

tomorrow by noon. And then they send them to us. We select the lowest bidder and and we award that right there in house because right that that's why tire purchases aren't subject to this. Okay. Yeah. They were set they were set [clears throat] out. Okay. And then the other thing that I would also is there a clause in there regarding emergency repairs? Yes. Okay. Emergency purchases because you know you you that like out of the quarry we have Sure.

frequent breakdowns and it's nothing for a part to be north of $5,000. And usually when that happens I call whoever the chairperson is and say hey this is what we got going on. Can I get it coming? And that's that's how so it basically says the next day that you will have the submitted documentation to the board on um emergency emergency purchases. So just being okay making us aware of what's going on. Yeah. Uh, I just want to make sure that it doesn't.

So, I would like when we finally approve this or maybe we've got it approved enough to when Cindy has a meeting with the department heads to pass this out and then everyone can look it over and and give their opinions. I I just had a few notes. I Okay, we need to put something in as far as uh conflict any personal gain, any no personal gain or your I guess we don't have that in here, do we?

Relationships to who's building how it's being uh processed when you're getting over a certain dollar amount. That could definitely happen. [clears throat] this also in those formal documents. Anything over the 2,000 legacy costs, it might only cost you 2,000, but it's cost you 10,000 over the next year to maintain [laughter] that. [panting] Do you get what I'm saying? We buy something this is Oh, it's only $2,000. Well, but we have a maintenance contract and all that adds up. So, we need to be aware of that.

Okay. And uh just those were some thoughts I had but and I think there's some other purchase policies that we have that have those in there that we could just move across. Yeah. If if there is a conflict that need to be disclosed that right no financial gain by you selecting a certain person

or bringing us one bid if that's the only person. So, it's just this day and age of fraud within the government agencies. We want to be real careful. Let's see. They just indicted 324 healthcare workers. Oh, wow. Nationwide. diverting billions of dollars. Medicare,

Medicare, Medicaid. Was there anything else anything else that you were wanting to add? No. No. Okay. And are you okay then with these um limits? Do you think 2,000 is a good I am. I think I think two to five I think anything over 5,000. I can't think of anything that's on the list that we would consider not getting a formal bid for.

As to my other board appointments, the that's still one we're going to be addressing is they had pretty large purchasing abilities without broke water per with personal gain extremely large. Yeah. But okay, I think those are good things to add. Um, and when is your next meeting with department heads? Um, March 25th.

5th. So the day after our next meeting. So maybe our next meeting we can informally approve one that we can submit to the department heads. So let's get that on next week's continue to have that. We just need to get her done. Get her done. We can always adjust it. Um but I want to make sure we get that done. We strike a goal off that one. Yeah.

One. Um, another goal, um, courthouse internet backup. So, I don't know. It's been a couple years, year and a half ago, the internet went down and I somewhat said, "Hey, I'll look into getting backup." And I tried to look into that and never got anywhere. But again, last about 10 days ago, it the internet went down again. And I don't know how long was yours down, but here it was down for like 24 hours. I was down and I owe at least eight. Yeah.

So, noon to 9. I think it was noon to 9. I was working that day. I know. I didn't come back on here. We couldn't get phone call. So, I want to know construction that put it down or did they ever say what went down? cut fiber optic. That's all I ever heard. Okay. So, um it affected everybody pretty much though. Verizon, AT, US Cellular, all of them went down. You couldn't use cell phone IO at all. Now, they use T-Mobile, were you? Yeah. Satellite link. Yeah. Well, inside building, you could do that very well. It wasn't great, but it worked. Yeah. So, the one that was not affected,

yeah,

was CAN. Um, and they're the ones that I had talked to earlier. Um, so they are a local fiber optic. Actually, they have a site here um locally in Erie and there was an article in the paper in Erie's paper this week about them uh the city doing some work with them. They actually had said the county had approved something and I'm like, "Wait, hold it." So, I called them. Um that was a misquote, but they did come in today and Chassity and I sat down and talked to them for about an hour today. So um there's a lot more involved in it than what I am capable of of knowing. Uh but I think we kn do need to pursue them. Whether we use them as backup, I think maybe we might want to use it as our primary. Um they're a local company. It's fiber optic. Um so there's just a lot of things to coordinate. So we have the courthouse here in Shenu or I'm sorry in Erie and then we also have road and bridge and then we have the sheriff and the jail. So it's coordinating those. How is everything going to talk to each other? How are we going to do all of that? Um they had some interesting ideas. And then I believe also district court

court and well district court here. So I think I believe I forgot to ask the judge. I knew I need to ask him something. They use shinoot fiber for the health department and district court over there, but then then district court is separate over here from like our system. Okay. So, um but they're still on Cox here. Yeah.

So, um if we did backup, we would have the two systems. We would just need to decide which one wanted to be our primary if we wanted to change. And probably we would probably need to meet with Steve Pasco and he would probably have a pretty good idea of what is best for us. But we might be able to improve our system security and security and all kinds of things which would help with our insurance uh through They can even do the telephones. Um, so can communication they'd have to be internal link with Kansas communication too. Well, they have their own they have their own telephone. Oh,

so I don't know if we want to pursue that or not. Who knows? Yeah. What they got? Yeah. Yes. Our phones are new enough that

Anyway, it's something I feel like we need to pursue, but I thought I should bring it before the commission. I know I talked it about it a year and a half ago. The last time I talked to to Caucan was in May of last year. So that's how much I've dropped the ball, but I think we need to again. And they were very receptive and were ready to meet with us, which I don't think in May they really were, but now they're very much a presence in Erie and would I think do a really good job for us. So, um I think Chassity is going to maybe pursue some of this when we have time with my help. My help chassity is going to help me anyway. But I think we'll get some uh see what we can get. But I do feel like because like the treasur's office just said to say, "Hey, sorry. We don't have internet. We don't know when it's going to come back up." And they just had to shut their office. And that's not good. Not good. So among other other departments. So um we're working on that, but it was a good conversation to at least start with. So um next is Kansas Communications Elevator Line, which we have in our packet. This is a good question. Do you know when we started using Cox?

It goes back to 2013 records, but Well, the sheriff's office has AT&T as a hardline backup with T1s and 91 911 does. I'm I'm go back when they're all connected. So we have Bright Speed. That's through 911 as well. Yeah. So we're looking at exactly what our contract is with them. Um so Okay. This is yours. I don't know about the elevator.

Okay. So um what is happening is they are raising the rates on the phone line and there is a card it's through to pull it up again. It's getting rid of their copper lines. So the increase is going up on that for let's see getting the card would decrease the bill by $230 each month and it's a onetime payment for the card and installation pretty much. So we are needing approval of that. If that is the route you would like to take.

Where exactly are they replacing the copper lines?

Oh, he's not here. Sure. Are they going to something else like to fiber or something? It does not specify or they just replacing their copper. [cough] So this is just the line inside of our elevator. Correct. Yes. So the line is copper line through AT&T. AT&T is getting rid of the copper line. So the bill is going to increase again. Getting the card would decrease the bill by $230 each month and a onetime payment for the card and installation. That's pretty much the just I've got

things that we have to have that we forget we have. I'm just trying to figure out going to wireless. It's a good question. No, I'm I'm just trying to think out how except they're using the using our phone system as the merchant call. Is it in the phone itself or in the box? I bring it back next video with more detail.

Yeah. because Yeah. And Dave might be able to tell us they'd have to put a different type of phone. Well, don't they have a phone inside the elevator? Supposed to. Yeah. Oh, so you're saying it's a different um might be a different system that goes into seems expensive for Yeah. a monthly charge. Well, I know you have to have it. So, there it goes. And does this include the one over in Shenoot? So, are we going to see this?

It's a onetime payment of the 43,250. Um, let's see. The decrease by 257 increase by 18. So, you're pretty much decreasing your monthly by $238.75. Is it using AT&T line? No, because it'd be taken out. That's That's how they're saving. That's how it's reducier. Oh, okay. Because that must not be a voice recorded phone in there. It must be a hard line.

That's probably what it is because well with the hard cat five instead of copper line. You're not paying the AT more information on I'm somewhat familiar if you want to holler at me on the conversion hard line to wait. All right. So, our next meeting is the 24th which we start our budget hearings. So, 9:00 we're starting

there is um yes starts at 9. There is one that will not have their information to us in time. So, they're asking rescheduled. I believe it was enough. Imagine that. So, we go with pushing them back to the next meeting possibly or is there another time? When do we have department heads? We set we haven't set ahead yet. Why don't we just push him to that much time?

What do you have something else for us?

I do something I forgot earlier. Plus, I brought the leave request form. Um, by statute, I'm required to let you guys know when I get an extension from the state. Uh, we did not send out the one, uh, property valuation notice. We're waiting on an appraisal on that. So, it will be here Monday. Our extension is till Monday. After that, I have to have the valuation set and sent out. Um, so and I need Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday off if that is okay. I will still take care of the extension and all of that uh mailing. It will be done still on time. Wednesday, maybe. So I may make a motion to approve three days of vacation for Tanya Stip.

Second. All those in favor? I. Motion carried. I'll still be available back on that day. We are kind of in the middle of a time. Okay. If you want to give that back to Oh, wait. Maybe it just has to go to Cassidy. Nope. Okay. Okay, back to the meeting then. Sorry. And on the 24th, then at 1:00 we have our regular meeting and we will be appointing a new board member for the hospital. So, so far we've gotten two applications.

Okay. If we get any in the meantime, you will forward those to us. Okay. I don't know of anything else pressing as far as the meeting yet. Go ahead and put the purchase policy on unfinished business. Um, and I guess the other two things on new business can be put up into unfinished business. We'll have to be out here by five on that. If possible, you may need to I have another meeting. Doesn't mean we have to be out.

Yeah. I just say I will have to leave at 5. Let's please make it. Yeah. So, um it's going to be a long day getting here at 9:00. So, hopefully we can get things taken care of. Hopefully, I'll be done by 10 10:00 a.m. Oh, 10 at night. Oh, we're going on Tuesdays now. Okay.

I have one other thing, right? Um, we're working through the opioid settlement agreements. Uh, I received notice attorney general's office that the final group of uh providers has settled. So, I'm going to complete the uh paperwork necessary for us to receive our part of that settlement. don't have any idea how much it's going to be yet, but we'll be getting a little more money on that settlement. So, she probably should wait to spend our money until we get a total, but we do need to start figuring out. I'll print out theou and bring it to the the next meeting. We can give some of the department heads that perhaps we can use some of those funds to address some things in their budgets. Be

good. um on the 27th. I really put that on the wrong day. I think Chassity and I are going to attend a budget and finance session again. So, it'll help get us on course. Um, that'll be very helpful having one of those through KAC. So, anyway, yeah. Oh, I got one [clears throat] more thing, too. uh you know we talk about that Carol Smith and I looked at the video of that meeting and if you don't take a look at it you might see what was said and done.

So what you might do that too please what meeting was it? Do you remember? July 1st 2025 I looked at today. [clears throat] Was that the last one that she came to? Yes, I believe so. I'm getting horse. What was that day again?

July 1st. [clears throat] Anything else? Commissioners motion tojourn. Second. All those in favor? I. Motion carried.