Commissioner Proceedings 05/31/22

July 24, 2022

The Wallace County Board of Commissioners met in regular session with Larry Townsend, Chairman, Ronnie Hill, Commissioner, and Michael Cowles, Commissioner, and Debbie Welsh, Deputy County Clerk present.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Townsend at 8:30 a.m.
Warrants 27812-27911 in the amount of $ 129,901.55 were approved for payment. Payroll warrants in the amount of $130,683.31 for the working period of May 1, 2022, through May 14, 2022, were approved for payment.
Commissioner Hill moved to approve the May 10, 2022, minutes. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Hill moved to approve the May 19, 2022, minutes. Commissioner Cowles seconded. AYE  3   NAY  0
The motion carried unanimously.
Marshall Unruh, Wallace County Sheriff entered the meeting.
The Board of Commissioners moved the meeting upstairs to look at the election storage area. Jacalyn Mai, Wallace County Clerk and Brionna Colvin, Human Resources (HR), entered the meeting to share and discuss plans to secure the election equipment also allowing the requirements for security during court proceedings. Jacalyn and Brionna shared a plan to install a metal locking gate that would secure the election equipment and provide the passageway from Steve’s office to the meeting room. The cost of the gate is under $600.00 and Jacalyn said there where funds available in the Election Budget. Law enforcement will have keys to the hall door and Steve’s office. The meeting moved back to the Commissioner’s Room.
Steve Unruh, Wallace County Judge, entered the meeting. There was further discussion on the needs for updating Courtroom security. Marshall indicated that the metal detector is being sent elsewhere as our building will not facilitate it. Because of this, wands will be used and all traffic for the Court would be directed through the south entrance when such security is needed.
Commissioner Hill made a motion to purchase the gate using election funds to secure the election equipment, allowing secure access to and from the Courtroom. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0 
The motion carried unanimously.
Anthony Garcia, Road Supervisor, and Doug Springsteel, Landfill Supervisor entered the meeting to give updates on their departments.
Doug is waiting to hear from PENCO on information for pit usage and plans for the landfill. As discussed at a previous meeting, bids from Foley Cat have been received for repairs and upgrades on the Compactor. The Board of Commissioners asked Anthony and Doug to make the choice and arrange the repair schedule. The repairs will amount to approximately $20,000.00.
Anthony shared photos of water damage to the road and ditches due to an irrigation malfunction. A letter will be sent to the responsible parties with information about regulations in such matters.
Anthony presented a quote for road preparation and chip seal of blacktop on Road 26. Commissioner Hill moved to accept the bid from B & H Paving, Inc. in the amount of $92,016.00 to resurface seal and repair 5.6 miles of blacktop with liquid asphalt on Road 26 to begin in September. Commissioner Cowles seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
The motion passed unanimously.
Chairman Townsend and Anthony signed the paperwork.
Anthony presented a bid for a limestone mix, AS-1, that works well and packs problem areas on roads. The Commissioners went out to Anthony’s pickup to look at a sample.
Chairman Townsend made a motion to purchase 300 tons of AS-1, to be stored at the landfill, in the amount of $18,675.00 from Mid-States Materials to help repair blow outs and soft spots on County roads.  AYE  3   NAY  0
The motion carried. Debbie will get the County’s tax exemption information to them.
There was brief discussion on a section of Hwy 27 that is in poor condition. Anthony will begin research in this matter.
Due to the present needs at the Road Department, Anthony would like for the Clerk’s office to inquire age requirements/regulations for hiring seasonal help with mowing. The Clerk’s office will investigate this matter and get back with Anthony.
Doug shared with the Commissioners that he is very pleased with his part time help. 
An applicant for Co-manager at the Wallace County Pool entered the meeting. After discussion the Commissioners offered the job to her.
Chairman Cowles made a motion to hire Michelle Schemm as a Co-manager under the direction of Tori Springsteel, at the current pay rate for Co-manager. Commissioner Hill seconded.  AYE  3   NAY  0
The motion carried unanimously.
All classes and activities are at the discretion and approval of Tori Springsteel.
Michelle Schemm will go to the Clerk’s office to begin pre-employment paperwork.
Anthony re-entered the meeting. An ad for a mechanic at the Road Department will be put in the paper.
Marshall re-entered the meeting with a request for more information for a Presidential Emergency Management issued for March 17th-22nd, 2022.
The Commissioners gave Anthony his 90 day probation evaluation. Each of the Commissioners let him know how well they felt he was doing. The Board of Commissioners agreed on a raise for Anthony effective from his 90 day date, May 16, 2022.
Lance Finley, Wallace County Undersheriff, entered the meeting to let the Commissioners know that the water was not reaching the trees at the end of the drip line at the Landfill. He suggested a solution, the Commissioners agreed. Lance will split the drip line, making the water reach all the trees.
Kim Danzel entered the meeting with a request for fund raising ideas during the fair. The group will run the BBQ Dinner at the Event Center and proceeds are to help finance the projected football/track renovations for Wallace Schools. She is also asking for permission for a Corn Hole Tournament and a possible Beer Garden. There was discussion on the legalities of the Beer Garden and the Commissioners tabled any decision for further discussion. The Commissioners are pleased that there is someone taking on the BBQ meal with the Ministerial Alliance stepping down.
Becky Larson, Adam Smith, Kansas State Representative, Maggie Figurilli, Wallace County Register of Deeds, and Chrysanne Grund entered the meeting.
Kim voiced concerns about the Wind Tower movement in Wallace County. Many in attendance agreed that they felt uninformed and wondered if a public forum should be held. The Board of Commissioners shared they have already begun putting a plan, still in the organization process, into motion and would hold a public meeting when details and information were complete. 
Adam shared that in the state of Kansas there are no regulations unless you are zoned. We are not zoned, which leaves all decisions to the County.
There was still concern for the public to be more informed. The Commissioners shared and assured that they have been proactively looking into and arranging protection for the county as they have no jurisdiction or control over landowners’ decisions on leasing in this matter. They look forward to sharing everything they are learning when the information is complete.
Paulette Unruh, EMS Director, entered the meeting to discuss tornado damage repairs and disposal of damaged items. She will contact VAP Construction for possible repairs on metal damage. Other items will be put on an upcoming Facebook auction. Information for the auction items will be given to the County Clerk’s office.
Chairman Townsend called for a recess until 1pm. Chairman Townsend called the meeting back to order at 1pm.
Beverly Elder, Wallace County District Manager for Wallace County Conservation District, entered the meeting to give updates on the Conservation District Budget. Last year the monetary request was for $17,000.00 and was much appreciated. She reported that the County Advisory Team had completed the placement of the Vending machine for the High School using Grant money. The fund request for this year is $20,000.00. The Commissioners thanked Bev for the updates and expressed willingness to grant the request if the budget allows.
The topic of the request for a Beer Garden fund raiser at the Fair was further discussed. Chairman Townsend made a motion to deny the request for a Beer Garden Fundraiser at the Fairgrounds. Commissioner Hill seconded.  AYE 3  NAY 0
The motion carried.
Chairman Townsend will contact Kim to inform her of the Board’s decision.
There was a question raised as to how long an employee should be given to choose a watch given in their Honor. It was agreed that 60 days would be a sufficient amount of time.
Brionna re-entered the meeting to discuss how volunteer services for the fire department are to be handled as far as payroll. There was discussion about the information Brionna had gathered. The Commissioners decided to continue current procedures.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:15 pm. 
ATTEST:
Debbie Welsh, 
Deputy County Clerk
Larry Townsend, Chairman
Michael Cowles, Commissioner
Ronnie Hill,Commissioner