EMS/Ambulance Director Brian Mongeau presented the official quote for the ambulance remounting project through Osage Ambulances Emergency Services Supply, located in Jefferson City, Mo.
Figures for options pertaining to remount of the box on a 2024 Ford E450 Chassis Ambulance were presented. The two options outlined were provided as follows: option one, $145,876, includes a $15,000 trade-in allowance for the old chassis and option two, totaling $148,303, the county keeping the old chassis and paying a freight charge of $927 for bringing it back. It was advised that the old unit could be driven back, but this was not advisable as there would be no weight on the back. Efforts to reduce cost in upfitting were noted. Everything from the previous unit that could be maintained was. As this item was discussed, Mongeau shared that the company had advised they are already scheduled out to 2028. Greenwood County could get on the list to lock in the price for a potential future remount. Mongeau shared, if they chose not to proceed, the county could back out with no commitment fee or penalty.
Commissioners approved the expenditure of $148,303, and will keep the chassis. It was noted in earlier discussion that it was believed more than $15,000 could be received for the sale of the old chassis this is slated to go for remount the week of Aug. 12. A three-year or 36,000-mile warranty for components Osage manufactured was included within bid documents.
As Road and Bridge Supervisor Allen Greenwood was absent due to work in the field at a bridge site, his written weekly report was reviewed by commissioners. It was noted that Ramsey Concrete had begun work at 110 Street and L Road. This is slated to be closed through Aug. 12.
The crossing on J Road and 60th Street was revisited by Commissioner Paul Hodge, who referenced a bid for work provided from Ramsey Concrete. During this time, Commissioner Ben Fox noted they should probably be accepting sealed bids for projects. The prospect of throwing out the bid received and opening this item for bids was noted. In reference to the subject, Commissioner Roy Ballard noted they hadn’t yet agreed to a project. In reference to putting in a low water crossing, Ballard commented that he didn’t think they needed to put in a slab. After Hodge noted commissioners had previously agreed to a low water crossing, records were to be reviewed.
In regards to the washout on H Road and 250th Street, the proposal for a project at the west side of the bridge, bid totaling approximately $23,375, was approved.
Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson recommended an improvement for record keeping. In reference to their bid and purchase approvals, Vinson noted an observation he made as he went through commission meeting minutes during research. He suggested that documentation in association with such approved items be provided to the County Clerk’s Office for journal entry, so that they are included in records. After referencing items such as the ambulance purchase, Vinson noted that this would be an improvement for future records. Legal Counsel Paul Dean suggested breaking this into categories for records: having a book of agreements and a book of resolutions. The future of adding a digital option was suggested for consideration.
Clerk Deann McCaffree reported to commissioners that the road viewing slated for Aug. 12 may be canceled as interest had been expressed in the submission of a petition to withdraw.
In old business, Vinson revisited the subject of open roads that have gates across them, for inclusion of Dean (who was absent from the previous meeting) as the subject is considered. Vinson noted that there are approximately a dozen such roads and told Dean that he had suggested a letter be sent to advise land owners to either draft a petition or take the gate down. In conversation, Vinson noted some of these have been up for decades and others were more recently put in place. Dean shared that commissioners could move to do this themselves. They could then go through the process, petition for closure and set a date for viewing to determine if individual roads should be closed. A list of such roads was to be compiled.
Commissioners revisited discussion of 125th Street. This was discussed during their last regular meeting and tabled for consultation with legal counsel. This week, Dean was advised that there are conflicting maps at Road and Bridge in regards to road maintenance and interest was expressed in designating this as a township road. When it was shared that there are two cattle guards on the road, Dean noted that if this were assigned to the township, he didn’t believe the county would be responsible for maintaining the cattle guards. Vinson noted an alternative to consider: give the township this section of 125th Street and the county take a small section of road at the county line which leads to a populated area in the vicinity of Toronto Lake. No opposition was voiced to this.
Vinson presented the issue of a stretch of road near Climax and proposed officials consider closure. The area in question was shared as in the vicinity of 80th Street on W Road. Vinson noted that the Corps of Engineers owns the land along the roadway and The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks maintains it. Closure was proposed to a particular section as it is isolated/inaccessible. Giving the remaining road to the Township was also proposed. When discussion concluded, a consensus was reached to proceed with paperwork to give both sections of road to the township.
Commissioner Fox shared an inquiry which was posed to him pertaining to Road and Bridge. Fox advised that someone had questioned why they did not have a bridge crew. Numbers and workload were noted as factors in discussion that followed.
Commissioner Preston Evenson posed a question about solar panels, asking if these are allowed. Dean noted there is nothing prohibiting this to his knowledge, but addition of these would have to go through zoning.
Minutes of the July 22 meeting were approved as written.
Special payables in the amount of $439.78 were approved. This was noted as expenses in relation to staff attendance of a conference and a utility bill.
Commissioners reviewed the written fee report for June.
The 2025 proposed budget was approved for publication.
Commissioners approved the reappointment of Nancy Mock for the Cowley County Housing Commission.
Approval was received for reappointing Linda Snyder to the Ten County Aging Board of Directors.
Executive session called by commissioners with Dean for 10 minutes for legal discussion. No action was taken following the session.
An executive session for legal discussion was requested by Dean for 10 minutes. Following the session, no actions were taken.
The next meeting of the Greenwood County Commissioners will be held on Monday, Aug. 5, at 9 a.m.
