Commissioner Proceedings 4/23/24

May 28, 2024

The Wallace County Board of Commissioners met in regular session with, Larry Townsend, Chairman Michael Cowles, Commissioner, Becky Larson, Commissioner, and Brionna Colvin, County Clerk present. 
Marshall Unruh, Sheriff entered the meeting.
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Townsend at 8:31 a.m.
Warrants # 31047-31102 in the amount of $ 80,175.00 were approved for payment. Payroll warrants in the amount of $122,142.93 for the working period of March 31, 2024 through April 13, 2024 were approved for payment. 
Marshall is on the Northwest Kansas Homeland Security Council. Marshall would like to continue to be a representative for NWKHS in 2025- 2027. The commissioners would like to appoint Marshall Unruh to be a representative for NWKHS. Marshall expressed his concerns with Old Highway 40.
Clerk Colvin turned in her resignation to the commissioners.
Daune Barber, Building and Grounds entered the meeting.
The drinking fountain at North Park has froze this winter. Duane and Will Walker had worked on this the last couple of winters to help winterize the faucet and try to eliminate pipes busting. Will came to look at the drinking fountain to see where the pipes had busted. Will thinks that it is inside the bathroom, so he will begin taking the concrete out inside to find pipes. 
Micaila Lock, Deputy Election Officer entered the meeting.
The commissioners would like Will to attempt to repair the current situation before they look into another option.
Bob Bolen, Noxious Weed Supervisor entered the meeting. 
Bob would like to be in control of purchasing the chemical for the spraying this summer. Bob does not think that we need 3 people involved in weed spraying. Bob is in total charge of chemical, instructions, etc. When Andrew is not spraying, he can be under Anthony’s supervision.
Andrew Heyl entered the meeting.
Anthony Garcia, Road and Bridge Supervisor entered the meeting. 
The road crew is trying to finish up elevating Gooseberry before the planters get moving. CHS is starting to transfer corn from Weskan to Sharon Springs and they are using Old Highway 40 to do so. Andrew spent a few hours this last weekend to use the moisture to help work Old Highway 40 (local bypass). Anthony does not think that millings are the answer, but Chairman Townsend disagreed and ask him to put milling on Old Highway 40. Chairman Townsend has always been in favor with spraying but thinks the last 2 years have not been held up to standards. Andrew is willing to work with Bob on spraying ditches. Spraying will be Andrews number 1 priority and he will do road blading when he is not spraying. 
Doug Springsteel, Landfill Supervisor entered the meeting. 
Doug will coordinate with Reva Phillips to get her on the agenda to discuss recycling bins in Wallace County.
Clerk Colvin mentioned to the commissioners and Anthony that the line item the Madigan Bridge replacement was funded out of is still in the negative. Lewis, Hooper, and Dick suggest that the cash carry over for road department go towards replenishing the fund. Anthony agrees that the cash reserves be transferred over to the line item that is in the negative.
Chairman Townsend makes a motion to approve the Wallace County 5-year Solid Waste Management Plan. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE 3   NAY 0
Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION 2024-09
Chairman Townsend makes a motion to accept resolution 2024-09. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE 3   NAY 0
(Resolution 2024-09 was published in the May 14, 2024 issue of The Western Times)
Eric Oelschleir and Jeff Stewart, KDOT employees, entered the meeting.
Eric suggests getting rid of the message board. The wording cannot read local bypass. 
Thad Vincent, KDOT employee entered the meeting.
Jeff suggests leaving the message board sign there. Everyone in the room discussed what could help keep non-local traffic off of the dirt roads and using the detour. The county is going to change the message board to read “Road Closed Ahead”.  KDOT will add another message board by Straightline Irrigation to encourage people to use the detour. KDOT will also get ahold of CDOT to put a message board in Colorado.
Applicant entered the meeting.
Chairman Townsend moved to go into executive session at 11:18 am for Personnel exception-Personnel matter of individual NON-ELECTED personnel for 12 minutes and return at 11:30 am. Invited are the 3 commissioners, applicant, and Clerk Colvin. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE 3   NAY 0
Returned to regular session at 11:30 am. No decision was made.
Wendy Dunagan, Appraiser entered the meeting.
Wendy and the commissioners discussed a potential applicant for level 1 entry appraiser.
Commissioner Cowles makes a motion to hire Sherri Lock as an entry level appraiser. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE 3   NAY 0
Commissioner Larson moves to approve the Cereal Malt Beverage License for Sharon Springs Golf Course, Inc. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE 3   NAY 0
Charles Moser, County Attorney entered the meeting.
Clerk Colvin will send an email to PENCO including the resolution and PENCO should be able to advise the road department to place correct signage to be able to enforce resolution 2024-06. The commissioners and Charles discussed a potential resolution regarding wind development.
Recess at 12:52 pm.
Reconvene at 1:36 pm.
Commissioner Cowles moved to approve the March 26, 2024 minutes. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE 3   NAY 0
Commissioner Cowles moved to approve the April 9, 2024 minutes. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE 3   NAY 0
Chairman Townsend moved to approve Resolution 2024-10 to extend the burn ban. Commissioner Larson seconded. AYE 3   NAY 0
The commissioners discussed the Economic Development Director contract.
Applications that were turned into the Clerk’s Office were reviewed.
The commissioners discussed a document that was brought into the clerk’s office regarding the consumption tax.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 3:15 pm.

ATTEST:
Brionna Colvin, County Clerk

Larry Townsend, Chairman
Becky Larson, Commissioner
Michael Cowles, Commissioner