Chairman Jake Liebau called the April 29 regular meeting of the Elk County board of commissioners to order at 1 p.m. Commissioners Doug Hendricks and Perry Russell were all present, as well as County Clerk Kerry Harrod, County Counselor Paul Dean, Kandy Dowell, Health; Stephanie Ollenborger, ROD; Ken Mitchell, EMS; Shari Kaminska, Community Development; Don Sanders, Public Works; Erica Cordell, EM; Rachel Ware, Treasurer; Malarie Chamberlain, Payroll Clerk; Stefni Hebb, Deputy Clerk; Chris Miller, Deputy Appraiser; Nick Miller, Noxious Weed; Kristina Kraft, Deputy Treasurer; Kaye Spooner; Tyler Garst and Jacob Hurla.
The April 8 meeting minutes were approved as presented.
Mitchell, with EMS, stated the generator failed to start automatically when power was lost. It did start manually, but every time a power surge came through, it had to be restarted manually. Chris Carlson has been contacted to repair the generator. Mitchell would like the Road Department to put some gravel under the dumpster to keep it from being blown into the Health Department’s trailer. Sanders will have a gravel pad made for the dumpster. Mitchell stated all the licenses have been renewed for 2024.
Emergency Manager Cordell stated the Grenola siren parts were expected to be installed soon and would cost $1,500. The commission approved Resolution 24-02, which is a resolution providing for a state of local disaster emergency for Elk County. Dowell, with Health, presented an office space-sharing agreement with 4-County.
During public works discussion, Sanders stated the phone call had been made to FEMA. The RS roads and any brush removal is not covered by FEMA. Sanders said there was some damage, with only six tubes that were impassable and one bridge was washed out. Sanders said a third of the work is already complete. Sanders recommended to not file for FEMA.
The commission approved to hire Eric Watts at $17.50 an hour for the maintenance position.
Register of Deeds Ollenborger presented the report for March 2024. They had a total of 45 instruments recorded and a total deposit of $2,160.50.
Kaminska, with community development, stated the sump pumps did not work in the basement at the United Methodist Church in Moline and there was water in the basement. Kaminska presented the resolution for matching funds for the BASE Grant. Resolution 24-03 was adopted for matching funds for the BASE Grant.
The commission approved the Real Estate Purchase Agreement between Great Plains Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and Elk County for one ceremonial dollar.
Sanders, with rural fire, stated the generator for the courthouse did not work. Chris Carlson will fix it.
Treasurer Ware requested a non-elected personnel executive session. She also asked Counselor Dean for the status of the tax sale.
Clerk Harrod stated she would be attending the KCCEOA Conference.
Discussion was held regarding the clearing of trees at 1285 Evergreen. The county will take bids for the clearing of trees and brush within the perimeter of the property.
Discussion was had regarding taking sealed bids with the chance to increase bids if you are present at the meeting. Counselor Dean will prepare the paperwork.
A two-minute executive session, to discuss wages with Counselor Dean and Treasurer Ware, was held. After returning to open session, the commission approved to hire Traci Swanwick at $14 an hour in the Treasurer’s Office.
The 2024 Solid Waste Plan for Elk County was approved.
County Counselor Dean stated he sent a letter to a landowner regarding the boundary line for a fence at Road 27 and Limestone on April 5.
Garst and Hurla presented a preliminary engineering audit for updating the courthouse’s HVAC, windows and electric.
A five-minute recess was held.
Kaminska presented a proposal for a boundary and topographical survey from Cornerstone Regional Survey LLC for $4,800 for 1285 Evergreen. Kaminska presented a proposal for site planning from MKEC Engineering Services in the amount to $7,000 plus costs with three options. Kaminska will get another proposal on surveys.
A fence viewing was scheduled for May 20, at Road 27 between Limestone and Native.
The new Howard City PILOT Resolution was presented.
The commission approved the Site Lease Agreement for the radio tower project between Public Wholesale Water Supply District #23 and Elk County. Motion carried 3-0.
Commissioners also approved: Abatements PP24-013, OIL24-015 and OIL24-016; Warrants for $296,939.62; and Payroll for $262,895.53.
The commission held a 10-minute executive session for attorney-client privilege to discuss legal matters with Counselor Dean. No action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 4:54 p.m.
The Elk County Commission meets weekly on Mondays at 1 p.m.
