LINCOLN COUNTY COMMISSIONER PROCEEDINGS – March 6, 2017
The regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners was held in the commission meeting room of the courthouse Monday, March 6, 2017. Chairman Al Joe Wallace called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. with Vice-Chairman Terry Finch present and Member Alexis Pflugh absent. County Clerk Dawn Harlow was in attendance.
Others present for portions of the meeting: Cynthia Nelson, Norman Mannel, Jeremy Wiebke, Steve McReynolds, Darrell Oetting, Julia Ancell, Howard Wehrman, Steve Schneider, Dwight Heller, Carl Nielsen, Shawn Schneider, Delbert Wacker, Rodney Golden, Jim Wiebke, Richard Ancell, David Wacker, John Tyson, Mary Powell, David Bell, Titus Bell, Michel O’Hare, Robert Howe, Debora Zachgo, Jeff Bender, Brian Standley, Chad Blackwood, Mike Cole, Dennis Ray, Jennifer O’Hare, Mike Weigel and Dustin Florence.
Commissioner Alexis Pflugh arrived at 10:04 a.m.
Alexis Pflugh moved to appoint Robert Loveless to the Lincoln County Council on Aging Board, expiring December 31, 2018, seconded by Terry Finch. Motion carried.
The board approved allowing the City of Barnard to utilize the County’s tree trimmer for cleanup day, with the stipulation that a county employee must volunteer to operate the equipment.
The chairman recessed the meeting to the basement meeting room at 10:14 a.m.
The chairman reconvened the meeting to the basement meeting room at 10:17 a.m.
Steve Schneider presented a written request for road improvement in Cedron Township asking for two miles of road to be improved with gravel and offering to pay for the gravel. The board made no decision this date.
David Bell inquired about a bridge in Elkhorn Township that has been closed for approximately 2 years and requested that the board consider replacing the structure due to the amount of agriculture traffic that utilizes the road, relating that if a shoefly is a potentional solution until a structure can be built that the shoefly could be installed on his property.
Director of Public Works Michel O’Hare with Road and Bridge Supervisor Robert Howe reported on highway department activities. The board forwarded the following: a thank you from Max Pounds, relating that he appreciates the county highway guys and all of the work they do in his area; the request and offer from Steve Schneider; and a culvert request from Norman Mannel. O’Hare provided the price breakdown for chemical that will be utilized by the Noxious Weed Department this calendar year and related that 181 Ag and Van Diest Supply Co are willing to split the chemicals bid, however the third company was not willing, and provided a new spreadsheet identifying the lowest bid for each type of chemical. Terry Finch moved to purchase chemicals from 181 Ag and Van Diest Supply Co based upon the lower bid for each type of chemical, seconded by Alexis Pflugh. Motion carried.
O’Hare provided cost estimates to rent mobile toilets for the outlying shops. No decision was made this date.
O’Hare forwarded a request from a landowner in Valley Township to close a portion of the 500 block of N 140th Rd and he will reimburse the county for all expense incurred to date; or he requested that the county clean out several water ways and creek beds along the road to restore proper drainage along the road. No decision was made this date.
O’Hare presented the information on the 2017 Federal funds distribution/Federal Fund Exchange and explained how the program works and what projects can be submitted for reimbursement. Alexis Pflugh moved to enter into an Agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation and Lincoln County to participate in the Federal Exchange of Funds Program whereby the County requests the use of banked funds for a Federal-Aid Project up to $55,441.97, seconded by Terry Finch. Motion carried.
O’Hare reported that the International weld truck, utilized by the bridge crew, is not repairable as a remanufactured engine and parts are not available. The board authorized O’Hare to seek bids to replace the truck. O’Hare reported that they held the preconstruction conference for Off-System Bridge OS 145 (Kobbeman bridge) and that construction is set to begin in late March or early April, O’Hare has negotiated with the company to close the structure prior to March 31, in order to prevent the structure from having additional mandated inspections.
O’Hare provided information on an incident that occurred in which a resident interfered with a highway department crew while they were cutting down and trimming trees in Orange Township.
Jeff Bender and Brian Standley, Foley Equipment and Chad Blackwood, Murphy Tractor & Equipment answered questions regarding the bids for motor graders that were provided by each of their respective companies. The board tabled a decision until Monday, March 13.
The chairman recessed the meeting to the commission meeting room at 12:06 p.m.
The chairman reconvened the meeting in the commission meeting room at 12:07 p.m.
Terry Finch moved to recess into executive session for twenty minutes from 12:07 – 12:27 p.m. for the purpose of discussing personnel matters of nonelected personnel with Sheriff Mike Weigel, Undersheriff Dustin Florence, Human Resource Officer Debora Zachgo, County Attorney Jennifer O’Hare and County Clerk Harlow present, seconded by Al Joe Wallace. Motion carried.
The chairman reconvened the meeting to regular session at 12:27 p.m.
Al Joe Wallace moved to recess into executive session for fifteen minutes from 12:28 p.m. – 12:43 p.m. for the purpose deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship with County Attorney O’Hare and County Clerk Harlow present, seconded by Terry Finch. Motion carried.
The chairman reconvened the meeting to regular session at 12:43 p.m.
The chairman recessed the meeting to the basement meeting room at 12:43 p.m.
The chairman reconvened the meeting to regular session at 12:44 p.m. in the basement meeting room.
Terry Finch moved to approve the following payroll increases effective February 26, 2017: Sherie Lee, eight-eight dollar per month salary increase (equivalent to fifty cents per hour) for the completion of the first six months of employment; and Jacob Winters, a twenty-five cent per hour merit increase for the completion of the first year of service, seconded by Al Joe Wallace. Motion carried.
Terry Finch moved to approve and adopt the minutes of the February 27, 2017 regular meeting as corrected, seconded by Alexis Pflugh. Motion carried.
Commissioner Pflugh provided an assessment of the nursing home projected repairs.
With no further business to come before the board the chairman adjourned the meeting at 12:57 p.m. until 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 13, 2017 in the commission meeting room of the courthouse.