The Road and Bridge report was provided by Superintendent John Schouten, during the routine weekly Greenwood County Commission meeting on Monday of this week. Schouten reported that inventory was started Monday morning, due to the rain. Bids for culverts were provided for commission review. He is looking to compare the price for culverts to previously submitted numbers for steel pipe. All culvert bids received were for 14-gauge. Following comparison of figures and review of local vs non-local vendors, commissioners approved to proceed with the bid from Coyote Culvert and Pipe Company for the amount of $14,374.50. Commissioner Preston Evenson noted that the county could consider reinforcing the ends of culverts to prevent them from being crushed. Commissioner Mac Obourn asked that ‘Bridge Out’ signs be put up for the bridge on 60th Street west of J Road. Road and Bridge will look to address this. Greenwood County Fire Chief Glen Collinge presented a request for the county to pay half of the total cost for purchase of headsets for Madison Fire. Collinge noted that these help with safety and communication. He shared that the contribution amount would total $2,500. Commissioners approved contributing towards the purchase. This would afford for the purchase of three sets. Collinge noted while present that Fall River and Piedmont Fire departments do not have headsets. He will be looking at needs and cost to potentially bring numbers back to commissioners. Collinge shared that the recently held live fire training proved to be very beneficial.
Health Department Director Vicki Lindsey was on Monday’s agenda to discuss COVID leave. She noted that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) says that people need to be off five days and when they come back to work should wear a mask for five days. For those not wanting to wear a mask, KDHE recommends that the employee stay home for this period. Lindsey asked commissioners’ plans in regards to whether or not they would offer leave for this. Legal Counsel Paul Dean commented that COVID pay was previously mandated, but it no longer is. Commissioners reached a consensus that employees use their sick leave.
Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson expressed interest in collecting data on roads in the form of gathering a traffic count. Vinson noted he would like to proceed with getting two traffic counters, one unit totaling between $400 and $500. Vinson noted that data collected could also be useful for bridge grants to reflect traffic and provided definitive data. Commissioners approved that two be ordered.
Commissioner Evenson reported on the EMS EMR Class meeting held recently. He noted that they had a good turnout. Those who take this class must pay for the State Board test.
Following a five-minute break, commissioners held a 10-minute executive for consultation with legal counsel pertaining to the holiday compensation policy. No action was taken following the return to regular session.
A 10-minute executive session for legal discussion was requested by Vinson for consultation pertaining to roads. No action was taken following the session.
A legal executive session for the Greenwood County Clerk’s Office was requested by Deputy Clerk Deann McCaffree. Following the 10-minute session, no action was taken.
Minutes of the November 13 meeting were approved.
The October fee report was provided to commissioners for review.
Special payables for the amount of $1,210.41 for phone and utility bills were approved.
The meeting adjourned at 10:08 a.m. for election canvass. During this time, provisional ballots were reviewed and benefits of the new election machines were discussed by county officials. Official results were presented and reviewed.
The next meeting of the Greenwood County Commissioners will be held on Monday, November 27.
