COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
January 31, 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.
Roger Hrabe was added to the agenda and the agenda was accepted as presented.
Roger Hrabe was in to visit with the commissioners on the airport. The airport received a grant through KDOT for a new AWOS system to allow planes to fly in by instrument. FAA allows a grant to small airports in the amount of $150,000 each year for three years. The runway is showing signs of age. They want to repair the asphalt/concrete and the markings on the runway. The project is projected to cost $600,000. The grant is 90/10, FAA will pay 90% of the project and the county will pay 10%. The amount of money made off of the airport has decreased because of COVID. Less fuel is being sold. Generally, it has been able to support itself. The FAA requires a consultant on all projects. The project will address the drainage issue under the runway and the area where the runway has been painted white that has become uneven. The airport committee plans on meeting in March to consider bids. The commissioners discussed using ARPA Funds for the 10% of the grant.
Rich Bouchey, Road Supervisor weekly report: The commissioners discussed having to do General Obligation Bonds for the Zurich Black Top Project for the $600,00. They would need to guarantee funding through a mill levy. Montgomery talked with Mr. Garth with Gilmore and Bell. The process would be similar to what was done for the Jail but no election will be needed. It was discussed not doing G.O. Bonds and finding another way to pay for it or not doing the whole project. Ruder asked Bouchey to look at other options for funding. Montgomery said the project was not eligible for No Funds Warrants.
Bouchey received another employment application. The person is looking for a fulltime position and has a CDL. Berland and Bouchey discussed the person and the possibility of hiring.
Hilbrink requested an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:42 until 9:52 with Commissioners, John Ruder, Kayla Hilbrink and Tim Berland and Road Supervisor Rich Bouchey and Gail Strutt. Ruder second the motion and Berland agreed. Ruder came to the door and requested an additional 5 minutes.
Upon returning to open session: the commissioners said no further discussion.
Bouchey’s truck is in the shop getting outfitted and ready to go. The commissioners discussed road equipment. Ruder said he has had to explain to people why there isn’t a grader-man in their section every day.
Heather Poore, Appraiser, gave the commissioners the Employment Agreement. The commissioners looked it over and gave their consent.
Poore said she is going to use the commissioners houses for public comparison for value.
The commissioners reviewed January 24th minutes. Ruder made a motion to accept the minutes with changes. Hilbrink second the motion and Berland agreed.
Commissioners opened their mail. Received thank you card from the Balthazor family for donation to the Stockton Recreation Commission. Received a thank you letter from Western Child Advocacy Center for the County’s appropriation in the amount of $1,650.00.
Received in the mail a check from the State of Kansas for the Water Resource Rent in the amount of $1,000.00. Ruder made a motion to endorse the check. Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
Received from Prairie Land Election a ballot to elect five new board of directors. No action taken by the commissioners.
Received in the mail was a request from SHS After Prom Bash. Ruder made a motion to give Stockton High School, Palco High School and Plainville High School each $400 out of the Alcohol Program. The checks will be held until the request has been made by the Prom Committees. Berland second the motion. Hilbrink abstained as she is on the Stockton Prom Committee.
Received in the mail was a check from Township #5 for their bond insurance. The commissioners pay for the township bonds each year and then the townships reimburse the commissioners. Ruder made a motion to endorse the check, Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
Berland made a motion to sign January 24th minutes. Ruder second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
Hilbrink made a motion to appoint the following to the Richland Fire District Board. Ruder second the motion and Berland agreed. Ivan Normandin, Tom Benoit and Kyle Benoit.
Berland talked with Normandin and he has agreed to honor his bid for the HVAC Units at the Fairgrounds that he had presented in 2022. The Fair Board received two bids for heating and air conditioner units as follows:
Tracy’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C: Four Payne Furnaces with parts and supplies
Units $39,611.00 Labor $4200.00 Total $43,811.00
Normandin Heating & Air Conditioning: Four Trane Gas Furnaces, Four Trane Air Conditioning Units, includes parts & supplies & labor $38,612.00
Berland made a motion to accept Normandin Heating & Air Conditioning bid to replace the heating and air conditioning systems at the Fairgrounds in the amount of $38,612.00. The funds will be paid for out of the APRA Funds. Ruder second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
Hilbrink weekly report: She had a RCED meeting last Wednesday. She has gotten several calls about roads needing graded.
Berland weekly report: He had LEPC meeting on Zoom. They discussed having a table top active shooter training.
Ruder weekly report: He had a Red Bud Board meeting on Thursday. Both the nursing facility and assisted living are almost full or are full. The still have two nurses on contract and when the contracts are finished, one of the nurses will go to work for the facility. The commissioners discussed paying the Agency fee if we are not using any of their nurses or administration. Ruder also had some calls about roads.
Ruder made a motion to sign the end of the month vouchers and payroll as follows. Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
WEEKLY VOUCHERS
FUND VOUCHERS EMPLOYEE BENEFITS GROSS PAY TOTAL
General 287,522.15 42,038.52 163,836.71 493,397.37
Road & Bridge 100,111,.50 66,675.08 166,786.58
Noxious Weed 1,448.24 7,038.45 8,486.69
Attorney Equip Res 355.39 355.39
Health Department 2,841.87 4,266.69 25,003.07 32,111.63
Sanitation 5,806.93 10,284.59 16,091.52
Golf Course 361.00 6.61 367.61
RCED 3,655.21 840.97 4,873.96 9,370.14
CKLS 83,897.40 83,897.40
GRAND TOTAL 485,979.69 47,146.18 277,718.46 810,844.43
MONTHLY VOUCHERS TOTALS
FUND VOUCHERS EMPLOYEE BENEFITS GROSS PAY TOTAL
General 656,654.49 42,038.52 163,836.71 493,397.37
Road & Bridge 120,651.76 66,675.08 166,786.58
Noxious Weed 2,605.68 7,038.45 8,486.69
Attorney Equip Res 355.39 355.39
Health Department 7,506.90 4,266.69 25,003.07 32,111.63
Sanitation 8,121.46 10,284.59 16,091.52
Golf Course 461.59 6.61 367.61
RCED 3,805.29 840.97 4,873.96 9,370.14
CKLS 84,962.04 83,897.40
Insurance Claims 16,909.06 16,909.06
GRAND TOTAL 902,013.66 47,146.18 277,718.46 1,226,878.30
Ruder made a motion to sign the NW KS Juvenile Services letter for Kayla Hilbrink to represent Rooks County on their Board. Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
With no other business to transact, Ruder made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Berland second the motion and Hilbrink agreed.
Adopted this 7th Day of February, 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