BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS
OFFICIAL MINUTES
August 4, 2005
The Board of County Commissioners, three members and the County Clerk present, met in special session at 7:00 PM in the basement of the Judicial Building for discussion of a Kansas Foreign Animal Disease Plan for Montgomery County.
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CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Mattix.
INVOCATION: Commissioner Mattix.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Tucker.
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Commissioner Mattix asked each individual to introduce themselves and their representation at the meeting. Those present from the State of Kansas were: Jackie Miller, Southeast Regional Coordinator Kansas Homeland Security; Bill Lynn, State of Kansas Livestock Inspector for Animal Health Department; and Coco Sutton, DVM, Veterinary Medical Officer for USDA. He then introduced Mr. Jim Miller, Montgomery County Emergency Preparedness Director.
Others present at the meeting were: Scott Barnhart, MC Environmental Health Director; Wilbur Schwatken, MC Rural Fire Director; Rodney Walker, USDA; Richard Catron, Sycamore; Doug Blex, KS Dept. Wildlife and Parks; Richard Barta, DVM, Independence; Ron Smith, KDHE; Louis Wood, Dearing; Jim Wilhelms, CRMC-EMS, Coffeyville; Barbara Curtis, MC Public Works Director; Randy Curtis, KS Wildlife and Parks, Elk City; Bruce Main, ATMOS Energy; Pascal Van Schjindel, Caney; Linda Newby, Coffeyville; Warren Newby, DVM, Coffeyville; Greg Allen, Fire Chief, Coffeyville City; Scott Gordon, Montgomery County Extension Office; Larry Felts, MC Rural Fire; Darin Porter, KS Wildlife and Parks; Jerry Wallace, City of Cherryvale; Edward Epp, DVM, Independence; Richard Felts, Liberty; Dennis Knuth, Wildlife and Parks; Ralph Alter, DVM, Coffeyville; Chuck Springer, Sycamore; Michael Springer, Sycamore; Dale Rail, Independence City Fire Department; Andy Benfield, Independence EMS; Ruth Bardwell, MC County Health Department; Ron Rooks, MC Sheriff’s Department; Ron Wade, MC Sheriff’s Department; Sid Howell, MC Sheriff’s Department; Jared Dannels, MC Sheriff’s Department and Stan Veach, MC Sheriff.
Mr. Jim Miller presented the introduction to the meeting. He stressed the need to “be prepared” and referred to the United Kingdom “not being prepared”. He then introduced Mr. Bill Linn, State of Kansas Livestock Inspector.
Mr. Linn began the presentation of the meeting which included a visual program with slides explaining all aspects of the program.
The overview of the meeting states the “Kansas’ livestock industry is a major contributor to the economy of the State, the nation and the world. An outbreak of foreign animal disease (FAD) would impact the agricultural community as a whole in a manner that could result in economic losses of unprecedented proportions.”
Every county is required to have a plan. This plan would help prevent the crippling of economy because the livestock industry is an attractive target for terrorists. The “plans” to be in place in case of an outbreak are: Federal, State and each individual county developing their own plan.
These plans include: burial, transportation, cleaning and disinfecting equipment and equipment to support quarantine for the following disease threats: Foot & Mouth Disease (the most dangerous) ; BSE (Mad Cow Disease and terrorists cannot infect); Rinderpest (cattle plague); and Classical Swine Fever.
The State responsibilities for the first 24 hours would be:
The county’s responsibilities for the first 24 hours:
There are four (4) levels of operation:
Only cloven hoofed animals, including deer, have FAD.
The areas for quarantine and animals to be destroyed are 1.5 mile radius and 4.5 mile radius. The 4.5 mile radius is a surveillance zone; the exposed zone is 1.5 mile radius.
Billions of dollars will be involved and cost will depend on rapid response, appropriate resource management, reduction in economic input and a faster recovery is a plan is well executed. Surveillance and reporting and suspicious animal is important. Partnership with other departments and public officials is extremely important.
The program was opened to questions:
Question: Are there plans we can pull from?
Answer: Yes, State Plans and Bourbon and Neosho Counties have plans that are being reviewed by their County Attorney.
Question: Are there ways to work across county lines? (Scott Gordon)
Answer: Each county should have cooperative agreements with neighbors (counties) and mutual aid agreements.
Question: Is Oklahoma doing the same? (Dr. Barta)
Answer: Yes – but Kansas is further ahead.
Question: Is there any reason they cannot be eaten? (Jim Miller)
Answer: Not fit for consumption – Cannot be moved off farm and the virus can stay in the meat.
Question: Sites are critical and how long will remain infected? (Scott Barnhart)
Answer: The virus is susceptible to acid and will die.
Question: Will the preliminary sites be in the bulls eye? (Scott Barnhart)
Answer: Burial sites will be at each feed yard.
Question: What is the time frame on the restricted areas? (Barbara Curtis)
Answer: Length of time is variable. Sunlight will kill the virus and will vary with each site.
Question: Will state monitor these sites and for how long? (Lee Mattix)
Answer: The sites will be monitored and replaced with sentinel animals. The virus will also live in manure and wood.
Question: When will cattle be allowed to move from the six (6) mile radius? (Scott Barnhart)
Answer: 30 days after last infected animal has been destroyed.
Question: When can cropland be used in the infected area? (Richard Catron)
Answer: As soon as you want to use it.
Question: Will there be compensation for the animals? (Doug Blex)
Answer: Yes – with records.
Question: Will FEMA, FDA all be involved with the USDA? (Lee Mattix)
Answer: Yes.
Question: Will the Commissioners approve the plan after it has been recommended by a committee? (Doug Blex)
Answer: It will be presented to the Board for their approval.
Question: There is a plan for quarantine for fenced in cattle – what plan on hogs? (Scott Gordon)
Answer: Hogs would be placed in a secured area inside buildings.
Wildlife and Parks have a plan in place for deer also.
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Question and answer session closed and Commissioner Mattix invited the attendees to visit further with Mr. Linn, Ms. Miller and Dr. Sutton after the meeting if they have any other questions.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Tucker seconded by Commissioner Mattix.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Mattix - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS
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LEE MATTIX, Chairman
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GENE TUCKER, Member
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BILLIE LEWARK-WOOD, Member
ATTEST:
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County Clerk
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