Commissioner Proceedings 7/25/23

September 3, 2023

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. 
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Townsend at 8:46 a.m.
Warrants 29834-29944 in the amount of $ 399,105.27 were approved for payment. Payroll warrants in the amount of $131,099.48 for the working period of July 9, 2023, through July 22, 2023, were approved for payment and payroll warrants in the amount of $ 69,803.39 for the working period of July 23, 2023, through August 5, 2023, were approved for payment.
Clerk Colvin gave a letter from Becky Chubb, Health Department Receptionist to the commissioners. Becky turned in her resignation and gave thanks to the county for allowing her to serve the community.
Tate Vincent, Co-pool manager entered the meeting.
The sunscreen to put in the pool finally came in. It was delivered to Scott City instead of Sharon Springs. The first session of swim lessons they had 19 kids attend and the second session they had 15 kids. The aerobics numbers have been pretty low this year. Tate presented some flyers that the pool can use to advertise hours next year. Ed and Judy Selzer have been donating the candy for the concessions this year. The managers are going to write them a thank you card.
Commissioner Cowles moved to go into executive session at 8:50 am for Personnel exception-Personnel matter of individual NON-ELECTED personnel for 10 minutes and return at 9:00 am. Invited in are the 3 commissioners, Clerk Colvin and Tate Vincent.  Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
No decision was made.
Duane Barber, Building and Grounds, entered the meeting. 
Duane is trying to keep on top of the mowing for fair week. Clerk Colvin presented a bid from G & R Tree Service for $5,200.00. The estimate is based on cutting and onsite pile of debris. The deadline to accept bids was July 24th.  Duane and the commissioners discussed the tree work that needs to be done. 
Lance Finley, Undersheriff, entered the meeting. 
The county needs to start replanting some shade trees. Lance is going to talk to Marc Finley and see what trees would be best to purchase.
Ambulance runs dating back to 2007 were presented. These runs are uncollectable due to not having all of their personal information to bill them, no contact within 4 years, and other entities that take priority in collecting debt. Debbie Welsh, Clerk Deputy has tried to reach out to these patients multiple times with no response. According to the Kansas State Rules on collections, you are not allowed to collect any debt after 5 years of no contact. 
Chairman Townsend makes a motion to write off ambulance run bills dating back to 2007 that are uncollectable because of numerous reasons including, no contact for 4 years and other entities taking priority over Wallace County. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Motion carried unanimously.
The commissioners agree that the fireworks display for fair 2023 is okay.
Anthony Garcia, Road and Bridge Supervisor is not able to make the meeting, but he wanted Clerk Colvin to give an update. Road 3 has washed out again due to the large amount of rain Wallace County received. Anthony is hauling sand to road 3 to try and get it opened again from the rain. The road crew got the low hanging trees on road 15 taken care of. Road 15 is passable at this time. Anthony would like to work on road 12.5 next week when it dries out some.
The commissioners would like Anthony to go take a look at Jace Stabels road where he wants a culvert and report back next meeting. 
Clerk Colvin presented a McClure Plumbing and Heating bill for $600.00 for the WCCCC. That bill was approved for payment.
Linda Tittle, Carol Martin, and Tonya Medina, County Health Administrator/ Registered Nurse entered the meeting.
The commissioners had questions regarding her full-time receptionist job opening. Tonya explained that the workforce grant will help pay for a new full-time receptionist. The receptionist will also be a community health worker. The new employee will be responsible for housekeeping for people who can’t, grocery shopping for people not able to, and helping Tonya with grant work. The grant money will become available in December and last over the next 4 years. This grant is also able to be used for education for Jean and Tonya. Tonya would like to have Jean trained for hearing, vision, and DOT with the grant funds. Tonya would like to get her bachelor’s degree, with the possible help of scholarships and the grant. The commissioners would like to advertise and fund a part-time receptionist, as it has been, and wanted time to review the grant.
Marshall Unruh, Sheriff, entered the meeting. 
Marshall did the damage assessment this morning from the storm that came through on July 21st. Marshall thinks about $800,000.00 in road damage. Midwest Energy had $171,500.00 in damage from the last storm. Wallace County roughly had $971,500.00 in damage from this most previous storm. In order for FEMA to help counties out, multiple counties have to have 4.7 million dollars combined. 
Lance Finley, Undersheriff entered the meeting.
Midwest Energy had to replace 49 electricity poles due to the straight-line winds.  
Chairman Townsend makes a motion to adopt Resolution #2023-10 and Proclamation. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION # 2023-10 AND PROCLAMATION
PROCLAMATION of a State of Local Disaster Emergency for Wallace County, Kansas.
WHEREAS on the 21st day of July 2023, the Board of Commissioners of Wallace County, Kansas finds that straight line winds of 115 MPH and flooding has caused, or eminently threaten to cause widespread or severe damage, damage to county roads and electric poles, injury or loss of life or property in disaster proportion in Wallace County, Kansas.
WHEREAS such conditions have created obstructions which endanger health, safety, and welfare of persons and property within the border of Wallace County, Kansas.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Board of Commissioners of Wallace County, Kansas.
That the Board of Commissioners of Wallace County, Kansas, under and by virtue of the authority vested in it by K.S.A. 1976 Supp. 48-932 does hereby PROCLAIM that a State of Local Disaster Emergency exists.
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED AND PROCLAIMED that the area within the border of Wallace County, Kansas covered by this proclamation/resolution is in the entire area of Wallace County, Kansas.
BE IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that said Board has all rights and/or powers to perform such functions as are vested in said Board by and through the provisions of the Kansas Emergency Preparedness Act of 1975.
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED AND PROCLAIMED that this resolution shall remain in effect for a period of thirty (30) days unless terminated earlier or renewed by consent of the governing body. 
ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF WALLACE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THIS 25th DAY OF July 2023.
ATTEST:    
Brionna Colvin, County Clerk
Larry Townsend, Chairman
Michael Cowles, Commissioner
Becky Larson, Commissioner

Lance has not gone to San Antonio to pick up the K-9. The company that is flying the K-9 dogs to San Antonio needs the weather to cool down. 
Commissioner Larson moved to approve the July 18, 2023, minutes. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Larson moved to approve the July 11, 2023, minutes. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Motion carried unanimously.
April Hall, Floater for Treasurers office and retired Sherman County Treasurer entered the meeting.
The commissioners informed April about what is going on with the WCCCC vehicle titles. April was able to give some guidance on what she would do but she is going to get ahold of Christine and let her know the commissioners have questions regarding the two WCCCC vehicle titles. 
Eileen Porubsky entered the meeting.
The commissioners discussed with Eileen what the laptops will be used for and how many they need to run efficiently. Eileen would need 4 laptops, 2 for the nurses’ station, 1 for Brad and Eileen, and 1 for Shelly Woolf.
Chairman Townsend makes a motion to purchase 4 Dell Laptops at $459.00 each. Commissioner Larson seconded. AYE  3   NAY  0
Motion carried unanimously.
Christine Smith, Treasurer entered the meeting via phone call. 
Christine thinks that the simplest way to transfer the titles for the van from WCCCC, is to transfer the vehicles to the county’s name. The county will put a county tag on both vans and then Christine will process both titles in Wallace County’s name. When the titles come back, the county will transfer the titles to Hope Springs. The commissioners agreed on it, but no motion was made. 
Recess at 12:24 pm.
Chairman Townsend left the meeting and will not return.
Lissa Sexson, Wallace County Community Development Director entered the meeting.
Reconvene at 1:01 pm.
The Office of Rural Prosperity and Rural Champions are coming to Wallace County on August 1st to have their meeting at Mt. Sunflower Bed and Breakfast. Everyone will be eating at Towns End Tavern and touring the Ft. Wallace Museum. Lissa handed out a document to breakdown the applicants for the Housing Incentive. Lissa also provided a document to show the status of current applications for the Storefront/Signage grant. There are 2 pending applications. 
Charles Moser, Attorney entered the meeting.
Chairman Townsend entered the meeting via phone call.
Commissioner Larson moved to go into Executive Session for Attorney-Client Privilege Exception and invite in Charles Moser, the 3 commissioners, and Clerk Colvin at 1:35 pm for 15 minutes. Return at 1:50m. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Returned to regular session at 1:50 pm. No action was taken. 
Commissioner Cowles moved to return to Executive Session for Attorney-Client Privilege Exception and invite in Charles Moser, the 3 commissioners, and Clerk Colvin at 1:50 pm for 15 minutes. Return at 2:05 pm. Commissioner Larson seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
Returned to regular session at 2:05 pm. No action was taken.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:10 pm.
ATTEST:
Brionna Colvin, County Clerk

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