Sumner County Commissioner minutes: March 6 – March 7, 2023
Sumner Newscow report — The following is the Sumner County Commissioner report for March 6 and March 7, 2023:
March 6, 2023 – 9 a.m.
The Board of County Commissioners met in a regular session in the Commission room of the Sumner County Courthouse. Those present were Chairman John Cooney, Commissioner Jim Newell, and Commissioner Steve Warner. Also present was County Clerk Debra A. Norris.
The Commission reviewed and unanimously approved the minutes of February 27 and 28.
Jan Grace, Campus Operations Officer (COO) for the Cowley College – Sumner County Campus, provided a campus update to the Commission. Grace advised enrollment has been steady with various organizations using the campus for training and continuing education.
Wellington Chamber Director Valerie Earl provided information on Engaged Kansas! A program to get the public involved, from job descriptions to campaign tactics. What does it mean to serve on a City Council, Sumner County Commission or a school board? Kansas has over 6,000 elected positions on school boards, county commissions, and municipal governments. The goal is to encourage and support Kansans who want to serve their communities. Engaged Kansas is a nonpartisan, non-policy-specific endeavor to demystify the process of becoming a public servant and develop leaders who will drive progress from the ground up.
Engaged Kansas helps remove barriers and provides the tools and understanding needed to get involved in public service. The program will be available to all citizens in Sumner County on April 12 at 5:30 p.m., Wellington High School Auditorium. A second presentation will be on Thursday, April 13, at the Wellington Chamber Coffee at 10 a.m.
Emergency Management Director James Fair provided the Notification of Withdrawal of Request for Public Assistance. The withdrawal to Request for Public Assistance from the COVID-19 Pandemic event, which occurred on January 20, 2020, and is ongoing for the reason of no eligible damage, is coming to an end. After discussion, Chairman Cooney was authorized to sign the form.
Director Fair requested to purchase/update a pickup for the department. A request for bids from local dealerships was reviewed. The local Chevrolet dealership is not interested in bidding on a 3/4 ton pickup. A bid received from the local Ford dealership was $52,000 with a trade of a 2008 pickup. The pickup will take six to eight months for delivery. The Commission advised Director Fair to search outside the local dealerships.
A prepared EMS agreement with the City of Wellington was presented to the Commission for review. After discussion, the Commission unanimously signed the agreement.
At 10:18 a.m., upon unanimous vote, the Commission entered into an executive session for 5 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Clerk Norris was asked to remain in the meeting. At 10:23 a.m., the Commission reconvened in open session. No binding action was taken as a result of the executive session.
County Counselor Jack Potucek provided general reviews and updates.
The Commission reviewed and unanimously approved current-year abatement orders in the amount of $7,339.50.
There being no further business, the Board of County Commissioners adjourned at 11:18 a.m.
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March 7, 2023 – 9 a.m.
The Board of County Commissioners met in a regular session in the Commission room of the Sumner County Courthouse. Those present were Chairman John Cooney, Commissioner Jim Newell and Commissioner Steve Warner. Also present was County Clerk Debra A. Norris.
Insurance Clerk Jen Strickland presented a prepared document for using ScriptSourcing on prescription drugs. The program has shown some savings to the current plan. After review and discussion, Chairman Cooney was authorized to sign Amendment No. 7. Additional discussion included the need to wire funds for exceptionally higher medical claims. After discussion, the Commission authorized wiring an additional $200,000 to cover the claims.
Maintenance Director Joe Struble and Assistant Director Jimmy Thornton provided a proposal for heat/air throughout the entire courthouse of $179,988, from Hobbs Mechanical. Additional bids have not been received to date. This would be a two-year project, adding heat/air and removing the current chiller system. Funding for the project would be through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The Commission will review the project once additional bids are received.
Additional updates included roofing projects at the Raymond Frye Complex, Health Department and Santa Fe buildings. Funding for the projects is from various sources, such as Department of Energy and ARPA.
Sheriff Darren Chambers, Undersheriff Mike Westmoreland, E-911 Director Marcie Bristor, Sumner Mental Health Chief Executive Officer Jeanne Brown, Legal Counsel Linda Pfalzgraf and Clinical Director Sheila Schroeder spoke with the Commission of an employee assistance program for county employees. The visit would be anonymous and paid through employee benefits, not individual employee insurance. A policy and agreement will be presented to the Commission later for adoption.
Decent Energy President Barry Dicker and PlaNet President Laura Lombardi provided updates on the DOE project. The project at the Wellington City Police/Fire Building is complete with energy readings being reviewed on a regular basis.
At 11:18 a.m., upon unanimous vote, the Commission entered into an executive session for 15 minutes with Dicker and Lombardi to discuss financial and trade secrets. At 11:33 a.m., the Commission reconvened in an open session. Chairman Cooney advised no binding action was taken due to the executive session.
At 11:34 a.m., upon unanimous vote, the Commission entered into an executive session for additional 10 minutes with the same parties present to discuss financial and trade secrets. Clerk Norris was asked to remain in the executive session. At 11:44 a.m., the Commission reconvened in an open session. No binding action was taken as a result of the executive session.
County Counselor Jack Potucek provided general reviews and updates.
The Commission reviewed the request from Sumner Cowley CEO Coni Adams for video camera surveillance for the six (6) local substations throughout the county. Funding from the ARPA funds would cover the cost of $18,000. After discussion, the Commission unanimously approved the request and adopted Resolution No 2023-02.
The Commission reviewed and unanimously approved current-year abatement orders for $71.40.
At 11: 53 a.m., the Commission recessed for lunch.
At 1:15 p.m., the Commission reconvened for an afternoon session.
At 1:25 p.m., upon unanimous vote, the Commission entered into an executive session for 55 minutes with Patrick DeWitt to discuss non-elect personnel. At 2:20 p.m., the Commission reconvened in an open session. Chairman Cooney advised no binding action was taken due to the executive session.
There being no further business, the Board of County Commissioners adjourned at 2:24 p.m.
