County Commission Minutes 12/19/22

Chairman Foley called the Board of County Commissioners meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. December 19^th, 2022, in the County Commissioners room at the Kingman County Courthouse.

Fred Foley, Chairman

Jerry Henning, Commissioner

Jack Thimesch, Commissioner

Carol Noblit, County Clerk

Brandon Ritcha, County Counselor

Pledge of Allegiance was said by all in attendance.

Commissioner Henning gave the invocation.

Visitors:  Bob Morris, Leader-Courier; Larry Landwehr; Becky Luntsford and Jana Eller.

Online Visitors: Joyce; Jill Plant; Heather Kinsler; Caller 02

Staff: Jamie Smith, County Treasurer; Ron Leroux, Noxious Weed Director; Brent Wood, appointed Sheriff; Stan Goetz, HR/Planning/Zoning/Wastewater Director and Charles Arensdorf, Public Works Director.

Chairman Foley asked if there were any additions to the agenda.

MOTION:  Commissioner Henning moved to approve the agenda.  Commissioner Thimesch seconded the motion. The motion was approved upon the unanimous vote of the County Commissioners.

Chairman Foley asked if there was any public comment.

Larry Landwehr let the Commissioners know that he was glad that we have the laws to follow on filling vacant positions and that the process works.

8:33 a.m. Carol Noblit, County Clerk swore in the newly appointed Jamie Smith to Kingman County Treasurer.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  Commissioner Thimesch moved to go into executive session at 8:35 a.m. with Jamie Smith, County Treasurer and Brandon Ritcha, County Counselor to discuss an employee’s performance pursuant to the exception under the Kansas Open Meetings Act for discussion of non-elected personnel matters of nonelected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individual(s) to be discussed, and they will return to open session in the Board meeting room at 8:45 a.m.  Commissioner Henning seconded the motion.  The motion was approved upon the unanimous vote of the County Commissioners.

Commissioners returned to regular session at 8:45 a.m. 

Commissioners signed and approved hiring form for a full-time employee for the Tag Office.

Ms. Smith, Ms. Luntsford and Jana Eller left the meeting at 8:47 a.m. 

The County Clerk submitted the December 12, 2022, Commission meeting minutes for approval.

MOTION:  Commissioner Thimesch moved to approve the December 12^th, 2022 Commission meeting.  Commissioner Henning seconded the motion.  The motion was approved upon the unanimous vote of the County Commissioners.

Commissioners received a resignation letter from Jay Jones, White Township Clerk.

Commissioners would like the County Clerk to contact Mr. Schwartz and see if he would like the position.

MOTION:  Commissioner Thimesch moved to approve a 2023 Cereal Malt Beverage License for Louella Schmitz.  Commissioner Henning seconded the motion.  The motion was approved upon the unanimous vote of the County Commissioners.

MOTION:  Commissioner Henning moved to approve a 2023 Cereal Malt Beverage License for Spikes Place.  Commissioner Thimesch seconded the motion.  The motion was approved upon the unanimous vote of the County Commissioners.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  Commissioner Thimesch moved to go into executive session at 9:16 a.m. with Carol Noblit, County Clerk and Brandon Ritcha, County Counselor to discuss an employee’s evaluation pursuant to the exception under the Kansas Open Meetings Act for discussion of non-elected personnel matters of nonelected personnel in order to protect the privacy interests of the individual(s) to be discussed, and they will return to open session in the Board meeting room at 9:26 a.m.  Commissioner Henning seconded the motion.  The motion was approved upon the unanimous vote of the County Commissioners.

Commissioners returned to regular session at 9:26 a.m. with no decision made.

9:29 a.m. Sheriff Randy Hill was in with Brent Wood, appointed Sheriff and submitted the September, October and November department reports.

Sheriff Hill submitted a quote from Axon Enterprise Inc for new tasers with 5 year maintenance agreement in the amount of $26,539.20.  

Mr. Wood and Mr. Hill left the meeting at 9:38 a.m.

Commissioners signed the following abatements:

ABATEMENTS:

2022000111 -596.88

2022000112 -70.78

2022000113 -36.00

2022000114 -35.80

2022000115 -66.80

9:45 a.m. Stan Goetz, HR/Planning/Zoning/Wastewater Director was in with a list of County Employees for the Commissioners.

MOTION:  Commissioner Henning moved to approve payment in lieu of being able to take vacation.  Commissioner Thimesch seconded the motion.  The motion was approved upon the unanimous vote of the County Commissioners.

Commissioners discussed that a wind farm payment had been received from Kingman Wind Energy 1 LLC.

Mr. Goetz left the meeting at 10:05 a.m.

10:10 a.m. Ron Leroux, Noxious Weed Director was in with a spreadsheet of the Chemical bid pricing received last week for the Commissioners to review.

Commissioners asked Mr. Leroux to bring totals for each bidder that would be purchased from.

Mr. Leroux left the meeting at 10:20 a.m.

10:35 a.m. Charles Arensdorf, Public Works Director was in with November Budget Reports for the Commissioners to review.

Mr. Arensdorf submitted his letter requesting a transfer of unused 2022 funds in the Kingman County Road and Bridge Budget with 75% to Special Highway and 25% to Special Machinery.

MOTION:  Commissioner Henning moved to put 75% of unused funds to the Special Highway and 25% to the Special Machinery fund.  Commissioner Thimesch seconded the motion.  The motion was approved upon the unanimous vote of the County Commissioners.

Mr. Arensdorf reviewed the KDOT Bridge programs and the awarded bridges with the County Commissioners.  The County was awarded the bridge North of Rago and will need the documentation submitted by January 30, 2023.

Mr. Arensdorf reviewed with the Commissioners that the Federal Fund Exchange yearly payment was received.

Mr. Arensdorf gave an update on D.0-6.2 River Bridge-East of Cunningham and showed pictures of the condition of the bridge.

Mr. Arensdorf was in with the bids for the 10’ mowers from the following with trade ins:

Howards Inc. Bush hog 2023 10’ $22,400.00

Schmidt & Sons Land Pride 2023 10’ $24,600.00

Prairie Land Partners John Deere 2023 10’ $29,500.00

Agri Center Rhino 2023 10’ $31,302.00

MOTION:  Commissioner Henning moved to approve the bid from Howards Inc. in the amount of $22,400.00 for two bushhog 2023 10’ mowers.  Commissioner Thimesch seconded the motion.  The motion was approved upon the unanimous vote of the County Commissioners.

Mr. Arensdorf left the meeting at 11:18 a.m.

MOTION:  Commissioner Henning moved to adjourn the regular board meeting at 11:25 a.m.  Commissioner Thimesch seconded the motion.  The motion was approved upon the unanimous vote of the County Commissioners.