June 13

COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS

JUNE 13, 2023

The Rooks County Board of Commissioners met with the following present:  Chairman, John Ruder, and Member 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.

Matthew Whitney was in with a list of questions and concerns. He inquired about the new Pilot program being offered by North Central Regional Planning Commission with Dane G Hanson Foundation. Hilbrink mentioned the program at last week commissioners’ meeting. The program opened to the public yesterday. She discussed what the City of Stockton is doing to get the information out to the public.

Whitney also inquired about a County Facebook Page. Ruder said it has been discussed and guidelines are still being considered. Hilbrink thinks it would easier for the public for the county to have only one page.  Mr. Whitney had a survey on his Facebook page and 40 people responded. He presented those responses to the commissioners.

Ruder addressed the question regarding the county staying at or below the revenue neutral rate. Ruder said it is too early to know as they are still reviewing county budgets.

 The commissioners have asked Kelli Hansen to help with grants because it is less costly than paying someone a retainer fee. Whitney said Pam Herl has also done grants.

Commissioners reviewed the minutes from June 6th.  Ruder made a motion to approve the minutes with corrections. Hilbrink agreed.

Lori Eichman, County Health Nurse, was in to have the commissioners sign a letter of agreement for the WIC Program between Rooks County and Osborne County. Ruder made a motion to sign the Letter of Agreement. Hilbrink second the motion.

Eichman said the computer server at the Health Department is not working properly. She plans on using covid grant funds to pay CK Tech to repair or replace the server.  She will need to get approval from the State.

Mary Tucker is assisting Rooks County Health Center with a grant from Rural Hospital Intervention Grant. The county will need to be the applicant and then forward the funds to the hospital as a sub-applicant. The commissioners agreed to do this. The grant is for a Stroke Robot Device.

Rich Bouchey, Road Supervisor, weekly report: He had a department meeting last week. Brandon Mann, from KWORC, gave defensive driving training for all of the road employees.

Bouchey said the plan is to keep trucks and graders moving. He is short-handed because employees are taking leave.

Bouchey and the commissioners discussed the rain and roads. Bouchey informed the commissioners where the employees are going and what they are doing this week. The work on Red Line Road was completed last week. Bouchey is happy with the road. AA Road is also in good shape.

Bouchey and commissioners discussed equipment repairs. The dozer is still in Concordia. Ruder asked about the loader at the landfill.

Bouchey and the commissioners discussed personnel. Bouchey said the part time employees are looking for full time work. He will discuss this with commissioners next week. 

Landfill liter clean-up project for June 15th will not happen. The organizations he had lined up have cancelled. Instead, he will have some of the road crew pick up trash along Highway 183. He and the commissioners discussed having a crew from the correction facility and other organizations that could help.

Bouchey presented the landfill and road monthly reports for May.

Ruder made a motion to sign the land fill check in the amount of $2,142.50. Hilbrink agreed.

Bouchey has one of his employees looking at all red signs, such as STOP signs, and replacing any that are down or missing. Bouchey and commissioners discussed Pine Street.

Bouchey said the only project he has going is on W Road between 11 Road and 12 Road. They are going to remove cottonwood trees and replace culverts. He still needs to check for any utilities.

Ruder made a motion to sign June 6th minutes. Hilbrink second the motion.

Received from KAC, a reimbursement check in the amount of $257.50 for double payment for a registration. Ruder made a motion to endorse the check. Hilbrink second the motion.

Ruder said he was contacted by someone who is very interested in opening the restaurant at the golf course.

Hilbrink weekly report: She had a Work Force One meeting last week. She has a KS Juvenile Detention meeting on Friday. She received notice from Anna Muir, Extension Director, and they plan on closing at noon on Friday starting this week. The Clerk of District Court also notified Hilbrink they will close at noon on Fridays. Hilbrink visited with the County Attorney, and she is fine with closing at noon on Fridays. The custodians and attorney office will adjust hours to so the employees will still work 40 hours per week. Hilbrink received a few calls with concerns about not seeing graders on the roads after it has rained. The greens at the golf course are not looking well and are in terrible condition. Ruder said they had pulled some plug samples 10 days ago. The problem is not enough fresh water. There is too much salt in the reclaimed water being used. Hilbrink said she has an Economic Develop meeting next week.

Hilbrink made a motion to close the courthouse at noon on Fridays starting June 16th, 2003.  Ruder seconded the motion.

Ruder weekly report: He has not received any complaints on the roads.

Commissioners and Montgomery discussed a new website for just the county government. Montgomery is still getting pricing and information. Roger Hrabe, RCED, has already paid for the current webpage to be updated, just waiting on it to be finished. It will be designed for tourism and development.

Kim Northup, Treasurer, and April Brown, Register of Deeds, was in to discuss non-elected personnel. Ruder made a motion to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel for 15 minutes, from 10:30 to 10:45 with the two commissioners, Northup, Brown and Montgomery. Upon returning to open session, Ruder made a motion to for an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel with the same persons for 5 minutes, from 10:45 until 10:50. Upon returning to open session there was no further discussion.

Ruder made a motion to review and approve the weekly vouchers as follows. Hilbrink second the motion.

WEEKLY VOUCHERS

FUND                                    WARRANTS                        AMOUNT

General                                 80749-80770                     10,903.95

Road & Bridge                      80771-80786                      59,551.73

Health Dept                           80787-80791                       1,869.69

Sanitation                              80792-80797                       2,836.18

Golf Course                           80787                                     212.01

GRAND TOTAL                                                               75,373.56

Montgomery said she had a request from LeeAnn Traylor with Flex Development Solutions to install a utility pole on the county right of way. Ruder said they will need to complete a Utility Permit. Montgomery will send Ms. Traylor a permit and let her know she needs proof of insurance and a deposit fee is required. 

Montgomery had prices for flutter flags to be displayed at the courthouse. She will purchase four (4) 12-foot flags and poles from her election equipment fund. She will use the $500 donation to purchase additional flags.

With no further business to transact, Ruder made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Hilbrink second the motion.

Adopted this 20th Day of June, 2023

ROOKS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

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John Ruder, Chairman                                                                                                                                                                                

______________________________________

Kayla Hilbrink, Member

______________________________________

Tim Berland, Member

ATTEST:

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Laura Montgomery, Certified County Clerk