April 7 Rooks County Commission regular meeting minutes

(The following article is taken from the approved minutes taken at the April 7th Rooks County Commission meeting.)

The Rooks County Board of Commissioners met in regular session. This meeting was held through Zoom. Those present were commissioners John Ruder (Zoom), Corky Hagan, and Greg Balthazor (both in the office). Ruthmary Muir, Rooks County Clerk, was present to write the minutes. Heather Poore, Rooks County Appraiser, was present for a scheduled appointment. Several others joined the meeting through Zoom. The computer was moved to be able to see the flag, and Chairman Ruder asked all to rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Lori Eichman, Rooks County Health Administrator, and working through Zoom, announced that Rooks County had its first presumptive-positive case of COVID-19. All contacts had been notified, and this person has been quarantined; and had also been quarantined before the test. More testing is being done, and the Rooks County Health Center has plenty of testing kits. Eichman said she has now locked the Health Department doors to the public, and people will need to call and be vetted with questions and temperatures taken before being allowed into the office.

Butch Post, Emergency Management, and working through Zoom, reported he had received supplies through National Strategic Supplies, and these will be distributed. He has received hand sanitizer through the Boot Hill Distillery in the three ounce-sized individual bottles to be given to personnel. Post said Rooks County has reached Trigger Point C with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the EOC is ready as planned. The Commissioners continue to discuss a burn ban that would help keep smoke out of the air to help people with any respiratory illnesses through the pandemic. Hagan asked if a burn ban would affect the federal outlook on burning and the dates the farmers need to burn their CRP. Post said KDHE is asking for the burn ban because of the respiratory influences on people. The Commissioners said more investigation needs to be done before they would make a decision on the burn ban.

Hagan asked if there had been a problem with the 911 system during a fire over the weekend in the Damar area. Post replied that it was a miscommunication/computer issue with the dispatcher. The issue has been corrected.

The minutes of March 31st were reviewed. Ruder made a motion to approve the minutes of March 31st with some corrections. Hagan seconded the motion, and Balthazor agreed. After the minutes were printed, Hagan made a motion to print the minutes of March 31st. Balthazor seconded the motion, and Ruder agreed. Also, the minutes of March 24th, March 26th, and March 27th were signed as approved the previous week.

Heather Poore, Rooks County Appraiser, requested approval of a memorandum she would

like to send to the major taxing districts to let them know, in advance of budget work, about the drop in oil valuations. After the memorandum was reviewed, the Commission approved Poore mailing the memorandum to the taxing districts.

Rich Bouchey, Road and Bridge Supervisor, reported the three new trucks have been delivered. Bouchey has not heard any current news about the truck boxes and when they will be ready to be picked up. The Foley Cat truck has also arrived. A grader is still in Colby with a right rear tandem shaft leak. A motor grader that had previously been rebuilt is now losing oil. The dealer will come and get it to take to Wichita for the work. It is still under warranty. Bouchey is still waiting on a delivery time for the crawler loader to be delivered to the Landfill.

Bouchey said the 1991 3/4 ton signage pickup with a utility box has a cracked frame. It had been replaced five years ago. Bouchey has the funds in his Special Equipment fund. The Commissioners asked Bouchey to keep looking for a replacement without spending too much money.

Bouchey talked about the work his crews are presently doing, and some road concerns.

Bouchey talked about some issues he is having with social distancing with his employees, with the shop employees having a harder time keeping their distance. Bouchey will pick up some hand sanitizer from the Emergency Management Director.

In Weekly Reports, Hagan spoke about a meeting he had attended with personnel from Damar about the issue with the dispatch computer and miscommunication. There had been several fires in his area. All have been handled well.

Balthazor had talked with Ken Rahjes, Rooks County’s State Representative, about the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks letting the out-of-state turkey hunters come to Kansas and Rooks County during the governor’s Stay-at-Home orders. Both Balthazor & Hagan participated in a Zoom meeting with KAC at the Health Department.

Ruder had attended a meeting with the Redbud Nursing Home Administrator concerning COVID-19 issues. Their finances are down because of being closed right now. The Commissioners discussed helping the Redbud Nursing Home financially. After checking the appropriation funds, Ruder made a motion to issue $15,000.00 to the Redbud Nursing Facility out of their fund for that purpose. Hagan seconded the motion, and Balthazor agreed.

Ruder explained an issue at the golf course with an extra golf cart that had been proclaimed excess property last year and sold by bids. It is was now being claimed by a resident in Plainville. Ruder presented a solution to purchase a similar golf cart for the owner of the surplus cart with an agreement from the previous owner that he would say yes to the deal. After some discussion, Ruder made a motion to purchase a similar golf cart at a similar price be taken to the previous owner with the contingency that the previous owner would be okay with the deal. Hagan seconded the motion, and Balthazor agreed.

Ruder also mentioned that the golf course is receiving bids to replace the tin on the golf cart sheds at the golf course to preserve the buildings. Balthazor asked if members would help pay for this project, and Ruder stated it was still projected that way.

Roque Garcia, Rooks County Custodian, presented information about a teleconferencing system to set up in the former law library. The Commissioners said they liked the idea, but would like to wait until a later date to decide. Meanwhile, they will look through all the information.

Hagan made a motion to sign for deposit a bond insurance check received from Township #4 in the amount of $147.97. Balthazor seconded the motion, and Ruder agreed. Hagan made a motion to accept the 2019 annual report from Township #4. Balthazor seconded the motion, and Ruder agreed.

Hagan made a motion to review, approve and sign the weekly vouchers. Balthazor seconded the motion and Ruder agreed. The vouchers are as follows: County General voucher in the amount of $12,803.88; Road and Bridge voucher in the amount of $14,183.45; Noxious Weed voucher in the amount of $14,319.11; Health Department voucher in the amount of $1,870.73; Sanitation voucher in the amount of $528.03; and CKS voucher in the amount of $13,010.80. The grand total was $56,716.00.

With no further business to transact, Hagan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Balthazor seconded the motion, and Ruder agreed.