Chairman Jake Liebau called the April 8 regular meeting of the Elk County Commission to order at 1 p.m. Commissioners Doug Hendricks and Perry Russell were also present as well as County Clerk Kerry Harrod, County Counselor Paul Dean. Ken Mitchell, EMS; John Walker, Sheriff; Kristina Kraft, Deputy Treasurer; Todd Winscher, Rural Fire; Kandy Dowell, Health; Erica Cordell, EM; Stefni Hebb, Deputy Clerk; Nick Miller, Noxious Weed; Malarie Chamberlain, Payroll Clerk; Don Sanders, Public Works; Shari Kaminska, Community Development; Chris Miller, Deputy Appraiser; Kaye Spooner; Thayne Botter-weck; and Doug Meyer.
The minutes of the March 25 meeting were approved as presented.
In public forum, Spooner expressed appreciation to the rural fire department for all their hard work. Botterweck expressed concern regarding his property value declining due to his neighbor’s property being full of trash and unkept. Botterweck asked the commission if there was anything they could do to make his neighbor clean up his property. The commission stated they could not.
Mitchell, with EMS, stated truck #206 is back in service. Mitchell presented the department report for March. There were 20 total runs with total collections being $8,161. Jenifer Clatt attended a leadership conference. The commission approved to increase Cassidy Brenner’s hourly wage from $13 to $13.50 for completing her training period. Motion carried 3-0. Elk County EMS hosted a Region 6 meeting on April 16.
Cordell, with Emergency Management, stated the monthly siren test was conducted and the Grenola siren failed, again. The Flood Plain Mapping meeting with the Kansas Department of Agriculture was Thursday, April 11. The Local Emergency Planning Committee met on Thursday, April 18 at the Cox Building. The American Red Cross will be holding a Shelter Fundamentals Training in Chanute May 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is welcome to participate if they are interested in learning how to set up/help in an emergency shelter within the community.
Dowell, with the health department, stated Loren Osborn from 4 County Mental Health would like to use the health facility to see veteran clients from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays. The commission said that would be fine.
During Public Works discussion, Sanders stated the automatic door in the courthouse needs to be repaired or replaced. The estimated cost for a new door is $2,000 to $3,000. Sanders is working on getting quotes for repairs from Cheney Door. The commission said to replace the door if it needed to be. Sanders stated Eric Watts was slated to begin working on April 23, in the maintenance department.
The county-wide cleanup is scheduled for June 8, at the Elk County Rodeo Grounds.
During community development discussion, Kaminska stated the Kansas Department of Commerce wanted the county’s award letter by April 18, for the BASE Grant. Kaminska will be publishing an article regarding the Elk County Landbank. If anyone is interested in being on the board of directors for the landbank please contact Kaminska.
Winscher, with rural fire, stated there will be a Street Smart training class put on by Task Force 4 and paid by Homeland Security at Moline on May 11, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sheriff Walker stated the new patrol truck is here, but has not been equipped yet.
County Clerk Harrod presented the direct expenses for the Presidential Preference Primary Election. The commissioners approved to sign the direct expense form for the Presidential Preference Primary Election, totaling $6,909.79. Harrod stated the County Clerk’s Office will be closed on Thursday, May 2, due to the KCCEOA Conference and mandatory election training.
Community Building Solutions conducted a walkthrough of the courthouse and planned to present quotes to the commission during their April 29 meeting.
The property, located at 1285 Evergreen in Moline, will be burnt off to help with cleanup. The commission will be taking sealed bids on the house on the 1285 Evergreen property to be moved and work with Kaminska to schedule a viewing. Dean was going to prepare and publish a public notice.
Kaminska stated she was waiting on the deed for the UMC property in Moline. The Moline community clean-up day went well.
Discussion was had regarding listing the property on Dove Road, in Moline, with an agent.
Discussion was had regarding moving the radio equipment off Flint Oak’s tower to the Wholesale 23 tower. Cordell presented a quote from Action Communications to move the equipment. This should improve the signal greatly on the eastern side of the county. The quote to move the radio equipment for $9,625.92 was approved. The expense will be paid out of the general fund unless another source of funding is found.
It has been determined that the Greenwood/Elk Countyline Road is still an open road and has never been closed. The Elk County Road Department will start maintaining the road. A contract will be drawn up by County Counselor Dean for the Meyers to sign acknowledging that it is an open road.
The resolution modifying the minimum fence construction set forth in KSA 29-101 for fences constructed in Elk County was discussed.
The commission held a five-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. After returning to open session, the commission approved having County Clerk Harrod advertise for the EMS Director position.
The commission approved the following: payroll, totaling $254,762.58; warrants, totaling $149,390.64; abatement OIL24-012.
The commission held a one-minute executive session to discuss legal matters with County Counselor Dean. No action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 2:48 p.m.
The Elk County Commission meets weekly, on Mondays at 1 p.m.
