These minutes are unofficial until approved by the Board of Commissioners at their next meeting.
March 25, 2019 Unofficial
The Board of Nemaha County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, March 25, 2019 in the Commissioner’s Room of the Nemaha County Courthouse. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Gary Scoby leading the flag salute. Present also were Commissioners Tim Burdiek and Dennis Henry, and County Clerk Mary Kay Schultejans recording the minutes.
The board reviewed the minutes from the March 18, 2019 meeting. Dennis Henry moved to approve the minutes as presented. Tim Burdiek seconded the motion. The motion carried with all voting aye.
Windfarm Attorney James Neeld came before the board. Dennis Henry moved to hold a forty- five minute executive session until 10:00 am to discuss legal issues relating to NextEra Energy Resources. Tim Burdiek seconded the motion. The motion carried with all voting aye. Present for the executive session was the Board of Commissioners, Attorney James Neeld, and County Attorney Brad Lippert. The meeting returned to open session at 10:00 am with no action taken by the board following the executive session.
Open discussion concerning the development of a windfarm in Nemaha County began at 10:05 am. Attorney James Neeld announced that the county has finished negotiating a term sheet with NextEra Energy Resources concerning the Soldier Creek Windfarm. The term sheet, along with a site map and procedures for the public hearings, will be made public later this week and public hearings will be held soon to consider the approval of the term sheet. Questions and comments were posed to Mr. Neeld from those present for the open windfarm discussion.
Sherri McNary with ARC Wild came before the board to let Commissioners know about the ARC Wild organization and what this organization provides for the citizens of Northeast Kansas. Ms. McNary stated that the ARC Wild organization will be requesting funding in the future for activities that they have planned.
Tim Burdiek moved to hold a thirty minute executive session until 11:45 am to discuss attorney- client privileges. Dennis Henry seconded the motion. The motion carried with all voting aye.
Present for the executive session was the Board of Commissioners, Attorney James Neeld, and County Attorney Brad Lippert. The meeting returned to open session at 11:45 am with no action taken by the board following the executive session.
Dr. James Longabaugh, Sabetha City Administrator Doug Allen and Assistant City Administrator Bill Shroyer, and Sabetha Community Hospital Director of Nursing Jenna McClain came before the board to let Commissioners know that they would like to add a paramedic to the Sabetha EMS Service. Doug Allen stated that this person would serve as an employee of the City of Sabetha, but the city is requesting that the county cover the cost of the paramedic portion of this person’s total salary. Commissioners made no decision regarding this issue at this time.
Jim Woolsoncroft came before the board to talk to Commissioners about the cost of farm taxes in Nemaha County.
The board reviewed vouchers submitted by the different departments to be paid at the end of March.
Noxious Weed Report:
Noxious Weed Director Mixie Vance advised the board that:
• she would like to advertise for summer help at this time for the Noxious Weed Department. Mixie spoke to Commissioners about possibly hiring one individual that would hopefully return each summer instead of two high school students that have to be trained each year.
• the annual Northeast Kansas Noxious Weed Directors Meeting will be held in Seneca this year in April. Mixie requested that she be able to pay for the cost of the meal for this meeting out of her Noxious Weed budget. Commissioners agreed to this request.
Jim and Freda Dobbins came before the board to ask Commissioners if a term sheet for the construction of the Soldier Creek Windfarm was available to the public yet at this time or not. Commissioners advised them that it will be made public later this week.
With no further county business coming before the board, Chairman Gary Scoby adjourned the meeting at 2:30 pm. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, April 1, 2019 at 9:00 am.