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

October 29, 2021

October 29, 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.  Also present were patron Mark Gibbons and CCLN reporter Zach DeLoach.

Motion to approve 10/29/2021 Warrants by Hazelton was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion 
carried 3-0.

Motion to approve 09/25/2021 through 10/24/2021 Payroll by Hazleton was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion carried 3-0.

Motion to approve 10/11/2021 Minutes by Hazelton was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion carried 3-0.  

Motion to approve a Road & Bridge wage adjustment of .50 per hour for a non-elected person by Hazelton was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion carried 3-0.  

Becky Nurnberg introduced herself as a resident of Chase County and the executive director of the Emporia Community Foundation.  Nurnberg pointed out Chase County's involvement with ECF by revealing funds with assets of over 4.5 million dollars.  One such fund is the Legacy Fund which is donated to while the person is living; then at passing the fund becomes an estate plan.  The Nancy Keller legacy fund was established in 2010 with the purpose of preservation and restoration of the Chase County Courthouse.  Nurnberg then presented a check to the Commission for $249,349.40.  The Chase County Community Fund board of directors (Mike Holder, Mike Spinden, Brian Filinger, Luke Koch, Janis Glanville, Lori Potts and Katrina Griffin) will act as an advisory board to identify the needs of the Courthouse.  

Commissioners reviewed the Chase County General Public Transportation Title VI Transit Public Participation Plan Outline dated September 2021 as submitted by Senior Center Director Deb Haglund.  Motion to approve the Transportation Title VI Outline by Hazelton was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion carried 3-0.

Tom Thompson and Sharon Burton of the Chase County Historical Society met with the Board to discuss the Courthouse signage on Highway 50.  The Society would like to forfeit the responsibility of the signs to the County due to financial and maintenance issues.  Commissioners directed Clerk to gather information and report to the Board.  

Stephen Euston of Bukaty met with the Board to present the Aetna renewal and quotes from other insurance companies for the County employees health insurance.  Aetna came back with a 9.9% increase, from $585.94 to $643.95 per person.  United Healthcare's quote is $528.04 per person for the similar plan.  Euston also explained HSA and HRA plans with Aetna and United Healthcare.   Commissioner Miller asked Euston again if he had received information from Aetna on how many employees had met deductibles.  Euston explained that Aetna would only release that information to a new carrier.  Miller explained the information was necessary in order to make an informed decision on what type of plan was needed in order to move forward.  Euston will research other plans and contact Aetna.  

Owner of Absolute Natural Stones Nazir Jesri informed the Board that he had purchased land at a recent auction for the purpose of mining stone for his 18 year old business in Wichita.  Jesri had previously spoke to Clerk who informed him there were no zoning or permits for quarries in the County.  Jesri told the BOC that the state requires an application and a statement from the County before issuing a permit.   Commissioners will meet with Road & Bridge superintendent to determine bridge weight limits on the haul route as well as road conditions.  Miller reiterated the responsibility of the Commission was to preserve county assets and for Jesri to be aware that Commission is in the process of evolving classifications and restrictions. 

Maintenance supervisor John Haglund apprized the BOC of the ongoing sewer situation at the Courthouse.  Haglund believes the sewer line lies too flat for proper flow and ties into a cast iron service line which may have shifted over the years or possibly could have broken.  His recommendation is to have the line dug up and a double clean out installed.  Commissioners will take the recommendation under advisement.

Detention Facility Supervisor Larry Sigler met with the Board to explain the phone bill from Combined Public Communications.  When the bill is received the Clerk's office pays the bill from the Detention Facility fund.  ICE is then billed for the phones which they reimburse at the time they pay travel, per diem etc. in one check which is automatically deposited to the County Treasurer.  Combined Public Communications then reimburses the Facility about a 50% cut of the bill in the form of a check which the Facility sends to the Treasurer's office.  

Motion at 11:24 for 10 minutes of executive session with Sigler for confidential matters dealing with financial affairs by Hazelton was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion carried 3-0.  Meeting resumed at 11:34 with no action taken.  

Motion at 11:43 for 5 minutes of executive session with Pretzer for non-elected personnel by Hazelton was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion carried 3-0.  Meeting resumed at 11:48 with no action taken. 

Motion to adjourn at 12:05 by Hazelton was 2nd by Talkington.  Motion carried 3-0.

Next scheduled meeting is Monday, November 8, 2021 at 10:00 am.

	ADOPTION OF ABOVE MINUTES	

      STATE OF KANSAS
     COUNTY OF CHASE

NOW ON This 8th day of November, 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