JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS AND MINUTES
OF THE CHASE COUNTY, KANSAS
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

September 30, 2021

September 30, 2021 at 10:00 am; Anthony Hazelton-Chairman, Randy Talkington-Vice chairman, Matt Miller-member, Connie Pretzer-County Clerk assembled in the Chase County Commission Chambers.  Hazelton opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Motion to approve 09/30/2021 Warrants by Hazelton was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion 
carried 3-0.

Motion to approve 08/25/2021 through 09/24/2021 Payroll by Hazleton was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion carried 3-0.

Motion to approve 09/13/2021 Minutes by Hazelton was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion carried 3-0.  

Motion to approve minutes of 09/20/2021 special meeting by Hazelton was 2nd by Miller.  Motion carried 2-0.  Commissioner Talkington abstained due to being absent for this meeting. 

Motion to approve change orders 2020-72 through 2020-75 by Hazelton was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion carried 3-0.

In other business, Commission discussed a road complaint; reviewed the flood plain letter from FEMA; approved flu shots for county employees (employees are to schedule through the health department and provide their insurance cards); approved the donation of the used folding chairs from the district court jury room to St. Anthony's Hall; tabled a decision on a copier for the Courthouse workroom pending further information; directed Clerk to request employee health census forms from current agent Stephen Euston.  

Commissioner Miller reported that he had received a phone call from US Stone representative Ben Retter.  US Stone and landowner Howard Chapman were unable to come to an agreement in using the truck route because Chapman did not want the trucks driving by his house.  Retter also provided information of a program in Douglas County that provides a dust control product at $1.50 per linear foot. 

EMS director Scott Harris asked the Board for consideration of $6530 in ARPA funds to pay for EMS schooling for 2 EMS students.  The application would qualify under the public/safety aspect.  The expenses have already been paid from the EMS budget and Harris is asking his budget to be reimbursed.  Harris has also applied for an education grant of $2300 through the Kansas Board of EMS but hasn't received word if the grant will be awarded to his department.  Therefore, the ARPA money requested could be reduced.  Commissioners approved the transfer request.

Road & Bridge report from Thom Kirk: discussed 2 fracture critical bridges and the cost for yearly inspections; gravel road conditions and the need for rain to be able to blade; review of the traffic count book which revealed one vehicle speed of 104 miles per hour on Z road; and the local bridge program guidelines which is used for bridges between 20-50 feet.  If the submitted bridges are selected there is a 90/10 match with $150,000 that the state will fund.  Kirk has been working with the engineering firm Cook, Flat & Strobel on bridges that would fit into this program which the County has 4 bridges that would fit.  Kirk will keep the Commission informed of his progress and would like the Commission to look into bridge bonds to upgrade the aging bridges.

Invited guest Rosemary Saunders of Ransom Citycode Financial was introduced and available to answer question regarding available funding for the County Fire Station.

Clint Hibbs of BG Consultants provided 5 potential sites with ratings and building options for the County Fire Station located in Strong City.  Ratings were determined by proximity to population served, access drives, flooding potential, land use compatibility, critical response times and other land use factors.

Site A, the current location of the fire station on Elm Street rated the lowest due to cost about $771,000 to renovate or $1,300,000 to renovate and add to the structure but would limit future expansion. 
Site B, N. Cottonwood and 8th Street had the highest ranking for location.
Site C, County owned property in Cottonwood Falls behind the detention facility ranked 3rd.
Site D, Highway 50 and Chase Street in Strong City ranked 2nd for location.
Site E, Highway 177 and Topeka St. in Strong City by the Depot is not fesible as it in in the flood plain and would not be available for federal funding.  

New site construction would cost $1.6 million.  Phased construction would cost $853,112 for phase one and $654,651.  

Saunders said she would pursue a community development block grant (CDBG) for the facility and USDA funds could also be looked into.  The County also has the option to use ARPA funds which could be allocated as part of the County's matching funds.  The County will likely have a 50/50 match on the project.  Saunders also reminded the Commission that decisions about the location of the fire station needed to come after community input.  Formal public hearings will most likely be held in July of 2022 but informal hearings can be scheduled by the Commission at any time. 

Commissioner Miller suggested the formation of an advisory committee consisting of individuals from the fire department, EMS, retired individuals that have worked these departments in the past and several community members.  Motion by Miller to form an Emergency Services Advisory Committee was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion carried 3-0.  

Motion to adjourn at 12:35 by Hazelton was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion carried 3-0.

Next scheduled meeting is Thursday, October 11, 2021 at 10:00 am.

	ADOPTION OF ABOVE MINUTES	

      STATE OF KANSAS
     COUNTY OF CHASE

NOW ON This 11th day of October, 2021 as shown in the Minutes of this date’s meeting, the above Minutes are hereby ADOPTED as the official record of the proceedings, business and actions of the Board of Chase County Commissioners during the session above described.

                                           BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

______________________________
							Anthony Hazelton, Chairman
                    SEAL

							  ____________________________   
							 Randy Talkington, Vice Chairman

______________________________
Matt Miller, Member

Attest: ____________________________
             Connie M. Pretzer, County Clerk