Smith County Commissioners – April 16, 2018

Office of the County Clerk

Journal of Proceedings for the Smith County Commissioners

April 16, 2018

The County Commissioners met in a regular session on April 16, 2018 in the County Commissioners’ Room. Present were Commissioners Art Befort and Tom James.  Roger Allen was absent.  Also present were Sharon Wolters, Clerk; and, Mitch Fritz, Road Supervisor.

Befort opened the meeting with prayer.

Commissioners revised and approved the agenda for the April 16, 2018 meeting.

Commissioners revised, approved, and signed the April 9, 2018 minutes.

Commissioners approved voucher #37075-37199 from the following accounts:

General                                                 3781.98

Road                                                     9839.54

Health                                                    1632.17

Landfill                                                    990.33

EMS                                                       1135.60

Health Reserve Accounts                     144.50

TOTAL                                 $             17,524.12

Fritz discussed the following:

1. James reported that he received a call from Richard Synoground about a sign on E & 100 Roads intersection. James reported that the sign was attached to a corner post and was removed during fence maintenance. Fritz agreed to repair the sign.
2. James reported that he received two calls thanking the county for maintenance on 150 & J Roads.
3. James asked about the time line for L Road rock project. Fritz reviewed the rock maintenance scheduled if weather conditions allow he intends to be completed by the end of this year.
4. Fritz and commissioners discussed efficiency of road resources.
5. Fritz reported that the road department is patching gravel today.
6. Fritz also reported that 50 Road between C & H Roads will be on this week’s schedule for work.
7. Fritz reported that all work is complete on V Road between 30-70 Roads.
8. Fritz reported that the bridge crew will work on 230 Road between DD & EE Roads.
9. Befort discussed maintenance on 120 Road between DD & EE Roads. Drainage solutions at this location were also discussed.
10. Befort discussed 10 Road between S & U Roads and agreed to propose a resolution to ensure maintenance on the state line road provides for property access to landowners in the future.
11. Befort reported that he has contacted Southern Natural Gas about safety training and coordinating with the City of Smith Center and Kansas Gas Company for joint training.
12. Fritz reported that he has planned a defensive driving course for his employees.
13. Fritz reviewed the applicants for seasonal labor.

Eastes and Snyder joined the meeting.

A motion was made by James and seconded by Befort to convene in executive session to review write off requests for the EMS Department.  Also in the session were Snyder and Eastes.   Regular session reconvened at 10:20 a.m.  Commissioners agreed to write-off uncollectable debt in the amount of $35,315.37.

Eastes discussed the following:

1. Eastes reported on the repair estimates for the damaged EMS vehicle and a door replacement. Commissioners authorized an upgrade in the door replacement.
2. Eastes also reported that the local auto repair is unable to complete painting on the ambulance. Eastes has received an estimate from a nearby body repair business that does larger vehicles.
3. James reported on the recent Health Care Community Assessment meeting that he attended. James thanked Eastes for administration of an ambulance service which was considered a strength in our community.

   Befort asked Owen about a request for the south driveway entrance on the new hospital property.  Owen asked to review the lease before signing it.  Commissioners agreed to have Owen review the revised lease.  Owen left the meeting.

    

   Hageman discussed the following:

   1. Hageman reported on her schedule. Her schedule included a 14-22 Grant meeting.
   2. Hageman reported on a safe route grant approval received.
   3. Hageman discussed the Healthy Living Coalition. Hageman asked about using the Smith County Road Dept. as a pilot program employee work group.  Hageman reported that this would be a grant funded wellness program.   Commissioners encouraged Hageman to pursue wellness programs.
   4. Befort reported that the Smith County Health Department was named as a strength during the Community Assessment and thanked Hageman for the good work from her department.
   5. Hageman discussed mental health care needs in Smith County.

   Hageman left the meeting.

    

   ElDean Holthus joined the meeting and discussed the following:

   1. Holthus thanked the county for the excellent road work completed on J Road.
   2. Holthus discussed the wellness center and expressed his interest in the topic of coordination of wellness and mental health. Holthus discussed a presentation on a KU study showing a correlation between wellness and good mental health.  Holthus encouraged the commissioners to continue to take time evaluating the best approach to wellness in our community.
   3. Holthus discussed Home on the Range. Holthus reported that Home on the Range had 2200 registered visitors in 2017.  Holthus reported that 46 states and six foreign countries were registered.  Holthus indicated that some additional signage is planned for other locations in Smith County.
   4. Holthus reported additional locations of interest in Smith County.

   Holthus reported on events sponsored by The Peoples Heartland Foundation and other activities.  Holthus thanked the commissioners for the CVB funding used to promote the Home on the Range cabin