COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
October 3, 2023,
The Rooks County Board of Commissioners met with the following present: Chairman, John Ruder, and Members Tim Berland and Kayla Hilbrink. Laura Montgomery, Clerk was present to record the minutes. Virgi Laska was present to write a report for Stockton Sentinel and Tonia Gertz was present to write a report for Plainville Times. Ruder called the meeting to order and asked all to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance
The agenda was accepted as presented.
The commissioners presented Eric Woodward his plaque for 10 years of Service to the County.
The commissioners reviewed September 26th and September 29th minutes. Ruder made a motion to accept the minutes with corrections. Hilbrink second the motion and Berland agreed.
Berland weekly report: Berland talked with Brad Keith about grill guard for the new pick up at the Weed department. Keith has a new guard for $700 or used one for $500. Berland will visit with Klein as to which one he prefers.
Berland said the road crew has been working on 2 & E Road. Mrs. Brumbaugh called him about a road caving in at a culvert.
Hilbrink weekly report: She visited with David Harper Kansas division of property evaluation about the ratio report for the county appraisal. Solomon Valley Manor will have their open house on Friday. The recruitment incentive grant is still available. Roger Hrabe will be doing programs at Plainville, Stockton and Palco called 13 Ways to Kill Your Community. There was a Work Force One meeting but she was unable to attend but was able to zoom.
Tim Colburn, Road Supervisor Interim, was in to visit with the commissioners. Colburn and the commissioners discussed road concerns. Colburn and Berland discussed the area where the road has caved in at the culvert.
Colburn discussed purchasing a new AC Recovery system for the shop. It is a machine that recovers freon from vehicles so the AC Unit can be repaired.
Colburn presented the ground water testing at the landfill. Ruder made a motion to accept and sign the report. Hilbrink second the motion and Berland agreed.
Ruder made a motion to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel with the three commissioners and Colburn from 9:30 am to 9:40 am. Hilbrink second the motion and Berland agreed. Upon returning to open session, there was no further discussion.
Ruder made a motion to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel with the three commissioners and Colburn from 9:41 am to 9:46 am. Hilbrink second the motion and Berland agreed. Upon returning to open session, there was no further discussion.
Danny Knoll, Sanitation Crew Chief, was in to discuss landfill concerns. Knoll met with KDHE and Brandon Decker, with Penco. Decker will need to meet with commissioners regarding the old landfill area. Berland asked about filling in the sink holes in the old landfill area.
Knoll said the pile of metal is getting large. He talked to Pfeifer Recycling and they can handle crushing and baling the metal. The commissioners said he will need to get bids for the job.
Knoll and the commissioners discussed the GPS equipment the county had purchased. It is still at the landfill and Knoll thinks Chet Rudman could learn to use it. It would be used for measuring the depth of the pits.
Ruder weekly report: He attended the Red Bud Board meeting. There are twenty-nine (29) in the home with 2 more possible and eleven (11) in the assistant living. They are not using any agency help. The Red bud Board decided to hire outside council to facilitate the change from the county owning the property to Plainville City. When the building phase starts it will be transferred to Red Bud Estates.
Berland made a motion to sign September 26th and September 29th minutes. Hilbrink second the motion and Ruder agreed.
Commissioners opened and reviewed their mail. They received a public notice regarding KS Water Pollution Permit for Agricultural and Related Wastes and Authorization to Discharge under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.
Also received, an invitation from DKSNW to attend the Annual Rewards Luncheon on Oct 17th in Hays.
Ruder made a motion to accept and endorse the check received from State of Kansas for Water Resource rent in the amount of $1,000. Hilbrink second the motion and Berland agreed.
Heather Poore, County Appraiser, said she was still working on quotes for mailing service. She also discussed the new website and having the ability for the taxpayer to make online payments.
Poore said she has been looking at purchasing a program called Field Mobile. It works with the Orian program and will allow the employees who are in the field to upload data while they are out surveying. She would like to use APRA funds to pay for the program. The set-up fee and first year is $20,000 and then there is annual maintenance fee. There are several counties that use the program now.
Ruder made a motion to sell by sealed bids the following property in Palco City. Hilbrink second the motion and Berland agreed.
The West One-hundred Feet (W 100’) of Lots Three (3), Four (4) and Five (5), in Block Eleven (11),
In the First Addition to the City of Palco, Rooks County, Kansas.
The commissioners will open the bids on November 14th at 10:00 am.
At the request of Montgomery, there will be no commissioners meeting on November 7th because she and her staff will be unavailable due to the General Election.
With no further business to transact, Hilbrink made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Berland second the motion and Ruder agreed.
Adopted this 3rd Day of October, 2023
ROOKS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
______________________________________ ATTEST:
John Ruder, Chairman __________________________________
Laura Montgomery, Certified County Clerk
______________________________________
Kayla Hilbrink, Member
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Tim Berland, Member