COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
January 24, 2023
The Rooks County Board of Commissioners met with the following present: Chairman, John Ruder, and Members, Tim Berland and Kayla Hilbrink. Laura Montgomery, County Clerk, was present to record the minutes. Virgie Laska was present to write a report for Stockton Sentinel. Ruder called the meeting to order and asked all to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The agenda was accepted as presented.
Kelly Muir with Rooks County Fair Board was in to present the estimates for HVAC Units. Normandin called and said his bid has gone up 4 to 6 % because the estimate was done before the 1st of the year. There should be about $1160 from insurance from last year’s hail storm to help pay for replacing the units. Berland said he will ask Normandin if he will honor the bid from 2022. Ruder said the commissioners would discuss and let Kelly know.
The commissioners reviewed January 17th minutes. Ruder made a motion to accepted the minutes with corrections. Hilbrink second the motion and Berland agreed.
Butch Post, EMD, was in with more information on the tabletop recovery exercise. It will be geared towards the counties. It is March 23rd in Oakley. He needs to have a least one commissioner to attend. Also invited was the Economic Director, Emergency Management Director, County Health Nurse. Post needs to know by February 17th who will be able to attend. The commissioners will let Post know.
Butch presented a new job description for his position. He is certified to operate a drone. Deputies Dain Carmen and James Balthazor are also certified.
Rich Bouchey, Road Supervisor, was in for his weekly report. He presented Form 1302 for the bridge on 20 Road South of Y Road for the commissioners’ approval and signatures. Bouchey will to hand deliver to Penco. Hilbrink made a motion to sign Form 1302 for the off system Bridge #70 on 20 Road South of Y Road. Berland second the motion and Ruder.
Bouchey discuss personnel and the jobs he has lined up for them. Grader men will be working on snow removal. Hilbrink said she received a call on 22 Road between F and G Roads about a school bus getting stuck. This is a dirt road.
Jerold with Penco was in to ask what the commissioners have decided on the Zurich Black Top. Bouchey wanted to know if the county could come up with the money to do the whole road. If they put down 2 inches of overlay then the county would only be able to do 7 miles of road. If they put down 1 ½ inches of overlay then the county could do all 9.8 miles. They commissioners discussed the cost and doing the whole stretch of road. Berland thinks we should do the whole 9.8 miles. Ruder said we would have to borrow to pay for the project. The KDOT grant is for $1,000,000. The county would be responsible for just over $900,000. Bouchey said he has $350,000 for the project. The County has already accepted the bid from APAC. Ruder made a motion to move forward on the Zurich Black Top Project for 1,916,586.04 with 1 million from the state. This is on 10 Road from Highway 18 north to N Road. Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed. Ruder told Bouchey to get loan quotes for $600,000 for a 5-to-10-year term.
Bouchey presented letters for the commissioners to approve for reclassifications on some of his employees. He also hired a new full-time employee who started on Monday.
Hilbrink made a motion to approve the reclassifications. Berland second the motion and Ruder agreed.
Bouchey talked with 4-H Clubs and offered $200 to clean up landfill liter. One of his employee had spoken with an KDOC employee and said there is a class this spring for training to be able to use prisoners. Bouchey said if he could make that happen it would help him out with being short on employees.
Ruder made a motion to appoint Dr. Daniel Sanchez as County Health Officer. Hilbrink second the motion and Berland agreed.
Ruder made a motion to go into executive session for client attorney privilege with County Attorney Danielle Muir, John Ruder, Kayla Hilbrink and Tim Berland for 10 minutes, from 10:31 to 10:41. Hilbrink second the motion and Berland agreed.
Upon returning to open session there was no further discussion.
Ruder asked how things were going in the county attorney’s office. The new employee started January 3rd and training is going well. The current secretary is planning on staying until the end of the year. Muir said she will call Bouchey later on the truck. She has a few minor changes to his 2nd letter.
Berland made a motion to accept and sign the January 17th minutes. Ruder second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
The commissioners decided to table the HVAC unit for the fair-grounds until next week so Berland can speak with Normandin.
Berland had soil conservation last night.
Ruder has a Red Bud Board meeting on Thursday.
Hilbrink made a motion to appoint Doug Wilfong to the E-Community Board. Berland second the motion and Ruder agreed. Hilbrink made a motion to appoint Glen Eikleberry as Township #7 Treasurer to replace Rebecca Wells who is moving.
Ruder made a motion to review and sign vouchers as follow: Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
FUND WARRANTS AMOUNT
County General 79784-79818 340,656.66
Road & Bridge 79819 677.74
Noxious Weed 79820-79824 934.42
Health Department 79825-79829 1,033.79
Central Kansas Library 79830 1,064.64
Insurance Claims 79831 16,529.01
TOTAL 360,896.26
Hilbrink asked if the county has a maternity leave policy. It has been the county unwritten policy that the employee uses Family Medical Leave. She would like for the commissioners to review and discuss having a policy.
Rich Bouchey and the commissioners discussed legal concerns about the exempt position. This will be discussed further next week.
Montgomery said Mark Lowry was in yesterday and they discussed the insurance still needing paid out from last year. Lowry had asked about special insurance policies such as professional liability and airport. They have been separate policies through his company. Ruder will talk with David Luke with K-Camp to find out what the county is insured for as the policy isn’t on their website yet.
With no further business discuss, Ruder made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Hilbrink second the motion. Because of a prior commitment, Berland left the meeting early.
Adopted this 31st day of January, 2023
ROOKS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
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John Ruder, Chairman
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Kayla Hilbrink, Member
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Tim Berland, Member
ATTEST:
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Laura Montgomery, Certified County Clerk