Lyon County Commission action session

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By Brandy Nance (Contact)

Originally published 08:00 a.m., September 4, 2008
Updated 10:27 a.m., September 4, 2008

10:30 a.m.

Commissioners have entered into executive session for the remainder of the morning.

10:20 a.m.

Commissioners passed a motion to re-let the bids for remodeling of rest rooms at the Highway Department and the Lyon County Health Department to bring the rest rooms to ADA code. The architect drawings weren’t as complete as the county needed them to be, said Mark McKenna, of Lyon County Facilities Management.

10:15 a.m.

Commissioners passed two motions related to roof issues at the Lyon County Annex, 402 Commercial St. and the Lyon County Courthouse at 430 Commercial St.

The first motion commissioners passed was a bid from George Groh and Sons for $3,100 for water leak repairs at the Lyon County Annex.

The second motion related to the Lyon County Courthouse to contract with a company that will perform a nuclear scan on the roof to determine the location of roof leaks. About 25,000 square feet of roof will be scanned. The county agreed to pay no more than $2,200 for the scan, which will be performed sometime in the fall.

“This is just the investigative part,” said Commissioner Marshall Miller.

9:30 a.m.

Commissioners passed a resolution proclaiming September as National Preparedness in Lyon County. Rick Frevert, of Lyon County Emergency Management, said the goal of the month, which is being observed nationally, is to raise more awareness of emergency preparedness including the need to have supplies to sustain a family — including pets — for 72 hours following an emergency event such as a tornado or other disasters.

9 a.m.

Commissioners have approved Virgil Morris and Fred Kurzen attending the “How to Supervise People” seminar in Emporia on Oct. 17 and pay the $99 registration and related travel from Road and Bridge fund.

8:50 a.m.

Commissioners have completed their individual reports. Commissioner Bob Davis reported that out of several counties in Kansas who had sales tax issues on the August ballot, only one failed in Jefferson County. The others passed overwhelmingly.

“People are understanding the financial limit that counties are in,” Davis said.

Commissioner Scott Briggs reported that the county received a letter from Sutherlands Home Improvement thanking Lyon County employees for participating in their fire safety program in August.

County Controller Dan Slater said the county’s surplus auction will be 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at the county’s bus barn, located in the back of the Lyon County Extension Office, across from the Lyon County Fairgrounds. The auction is open to the public and includes office furniture and other surplus items.

Lyon County Clerk Karen Hartenbower reported that she will officially retire on Jan. 1, 2009, 11 days before her term is up. KPERS requires that an employee retire on the first day of the month, Hartenbower said. Hartenbower said she will hire the newly elected clerk two weeks before her retirement date to bring that person up to speed.

Hartenbower also is working on long-term care home voting in Emporia’s care centers. She is working on establishing voting in the care homes so residents don’t have to leave the care homes to vote. Lyon County piloted the program during August’s election and received a positive response from residents.

Lyon County Counselor Marc Goodman discussed the pay scale in the Lyon County Attorney’s office. Goodman said although money is tight, pay scale raises will be necessary to prevent more employees leaving the department. An open position in the department is receiving little response.

8 a.m.

Commissioners have approved warrants payable and payroll payable.