BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS
OFFICIAL MINUTES
September 24, 2007
The Board of County Commissioners, three members and the County Clerk present, met in regular session at 9:00 AM.
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CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Lewark-Wood.
INVOCATION: Commissioner Tucker.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Fowler.
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AGENDA APPROVAL:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Tucker to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Fowler.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Lewark-Wood - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Fowler – Yes
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APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF INVOICES:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lewark-Wood to approve invoices in the amount of $14,635.67 and $100.00 as presented by the County Clerk’s office. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Fowler.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Lewark-Wood - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Fowler – Yes
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lewark-Wood to approve the minutes of September 17, 2007 as presented by the County Clerk. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Fowler.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Lewark-Wood - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Fowler – Yes
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lewark-Wood to recess to Executive Session at 9:08 AM to return at 9:18 AM with the Human Resources Director Liz Schwatken present to discuss non-elected personnel. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fowler.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Lewark-Wood - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Fowler – Yes
Returned to session at 9:15 AM with no action taken and no decisions made.
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY RURAL FIRE – PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED BY-LAWS AND PURCHASE OF FIRE TRUCK FROM CHERRYVALE CITY:
Wilbur Schwatken, Montgomery County Rural Fire Coordinator, presented the proposed by-laws as prepared and approved by the Montgomery County Rural Fire Board, for the review by the Board of County Commissioners and the minutes of the August 21st Fire Board meeting. Mr. Schwatken was asked to high-light the changes which he did and returned to the Board after his presentation.
Mr. Schwatken presented pictures of a 1978 504 Ford Fire Truck for sale by the Cherryvale Fire Department. The Fire Board wants to offer Cherryvale City $6,500.00 for the truck. Commissioner Tucker requested Mr. Schwatken to contact the Glenpool, Oklahoma Fire Chief regarding a fire truck that could possibly be free to the Rural Fire District. No decision was made on the Cherryvale truck.
Mr. Schwatken advised the Board the Fire District has a 50/50 grant for pagers. The Board approved authorizing Mr. Schwatken to obtain bids.
There was discussion on a Special Equipment Fund for the Fire District. The auditor, Harley Schlotterbeck will be consulted as to the steps needed and regulations on the fund.
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KANSAS WORKS – NORMAN CHAMBERS:
Mr. Norman Chambers, Coordinator for the National Emergency Grant for Kansas Works, met with the Board of County Commissioners to explain the program and the services to the community. If assistance is needed with regard to the flood work, the grant will pay wages for the individuals assigned to the county and various departments. Mr. Jim Miller is receiving an employee through Kansas Works to assist in the Emergency Management Center in developing emergency plans and mitigation plans for the county.
Mr. Chambers was asked by Commissioner Lewark-Wood to visit with Scott Barnhart, Environmental Health Director, for needed assistance in his department as he has been turned down three (3) times when assistants were requested. Mr. Chambers said he would contact Mr. Barnhart.
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FLOOD ZONE PRESENTATION – JIM MILLER AND KATHY CRAIG:
Mr. Jim Miller, Emergency Preparedness Director and Kathy Craig of the County Appraiser’s Office gave an update on the current Flood Zone. Ms. Craig provided a large map showing the flood zone and designated each residence affected by the flood.
A “buy out plan” was discussed which would be the decision of the Board of County Commissioners. Ms. Craig said that the refinery offered a buy out to owners at the appraised value plus ten per-cent.
A plan must be put together before presenting to the State. Ms. Craig is working on the cost figures before the Board can consider a buy out of approximately 32 residences. If the plan is approved there will be funds available with the federal plan paying 75% of the buy out cost. These are residences that have received 50% or more in structural damage. Mr. Miller stated “both cities have put together plans”. A permit to raise a structure if 50% damaged must come from Mr. Miller.
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EXECUTIVE SESSION:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Tucker to recess to Executive Session at 9:25 AM to return at 9:30 AM with Jim Shontz of the County Appraiser’s Office present to discuss non-elected personnel. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lewark-Wood.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Lewark-Wood - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Fowler – Yes
Returned to session at 9:30 AM.
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler to extend the executive session until 9:35 AM Motion was seconded by Commissioner Tucker.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
Commissioner Tucker – Yes
Commissioner Fowler – Yes
Returned to session at 9:35 AM with no action taken and no decisions made.
PUBLIC WORKS:
Mr. Robert Bever, Public Works Coordinator, presented the weekly written report. He also requested an Executive Session to discuss non-elected personnel.
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lewark-Wood to recess to Executive Session at 10:20 AM to return at 10:30 AM to discuss non-elected personnel with Robert Bever, Public Works Coordinator, present. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fowler.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
Commissioner Tucker – Yes
Commissioner Fowler – Yes
Returned to session at 10:30 AM with no action taken and no decisions made.
The weekly written report was discussed as follows: The Right-of-Way request by Beachner at Hwy 400 was made to the County but the right-of-way belongs to the State and this issue will be between Beachner and the State of Kansas; A road viewing was set for 9:30 AM Monday, October 15th at Corbin City, south of Cherryvale; Discussed Hwy 169 evaluation with the state and local landowners (Landowners believe it is the county taking their land for right-of-way when in fact it is the State of Kansas; Update on Williams Case and Clark Case; Accident claim on the Cherryvale Landfill phone line (caused by Public Works employee); Upgrade to Judicial Center Heating/AC has been completed, still doing some adjusting on climate controls; October 2,3, and 4 is the scheduled time for the Coffeyville courthouse heating/AC unit to be installed by Tony Hawkins; and reported on repairs for Sewer District No. 2.
Mr. Bever discussed the projects due to the flood and the estimated costs and what will be covered by FEMA.
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SHERIFF:
Sheriff Stan Veach met with the Board to request an Executive Session.
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lewark-Wood to recess to Executive Session at 10:55 AM to return at 11:05 AM with Sheriff Stan Veach present to discuss non-elected personnel. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fowler.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
Commissioner Tucker – Yes
Commissioner Fowler – Yes
Returned to session at 11:05 AM with no action taken and no decisions made.
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OTHER COUNTY BUSINESS:
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Lewark-Wood to adopt the proclamation proclaiming the fourth Monday in September as Family Day – A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children” to encourage more involvement within the family. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Fowler.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
Commissioner Tucker – Yes
Commissioner Fowler – Yes
RES. NO. 07-168
ACTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Fowler to approve the purchase of software for the County Appraiser’s office to work in conjunction with the new state Orion System to be purchased from the APEX Company for approximately $2,500 to $3,000 with a yearly maintenance of $900.00. Debit County Appraiser’s Fund. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lewark-Wood.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Lewark-Wood – Yes
Commissioner Tucker – Yes
Commissioner Fowler – Yes
RES. NO. 07-169
The County Clerk advised the Board on the deadlines for elections to be held and dates tax collection could begin. If an election is held in December, collection could begin April 1st, 2008.
A mail ballot election will cost approximately $10,000 more than voting at the polling places. Since the flood and displacement of people in Coffeyville, many would not receive their ballot at the mailing address in the election system. The Board feels it would be better to have the election held at the polls the early part of December. No action was taken at this time.
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ADJOURNMENT: 11:42 AM
ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Lewark-Wood seconded by Commissioner Fowler.
ROLL CALL VOTE – Commissioner Lewark-Wood - Yes
Commissioner Tucker - Yes
Commissioner Fowler – Yes
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, KANSAS
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BILLIE LEWARK-WOOD, Chairman
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GENE TUCKER, Member
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TONY FOWLER, Member
ATTEST:
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County Clerk
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