BY TONY FURSE | October 4, 2023

In addition to two reports relating to public comments the past two weeks regarding solar farm zoning regulation and another report seeking to shift Queens Road, articles located elsewhere in this issue, the Linn County Commission approved a personnel move at its weekly meeting Monday.

Following a 10-minute executive session for non-elected personnel, the Commission unanimously accepted the immediate resignation of Mike Nation, north road shop supervisor. Also approved was advertising to fill the now-open position.

On another action, the commission voted 2-1 to invest $3,000 for kitchen cabinet and plumbing upgrades for the fairgrounds’ 4-H Building.

Abbie Powell, county agent for K-State Research and Extension’s Marais des Cygnes District office at Mound City, explained that the extension office is undergoing remodeling, including “redoing our kitchen,” and entertained donating to the county 8-year-old cabinets.

After hearing of the $3,000 estimate that Powell received from Coleman Hardware, David Lamb, master county clerk, said that none of the $5,000 in the 2023 4-H Building budget has been spent. Jim Johnson, District 3 commissioner, cast the dissenting vote after questioning “why we’re deciding today. We just got it dropped on us.”

Powell said the sudden remodeling was unplanned but that K-State Extension “looks for an avenue for these rather than throwing them away.”

The Commission did unanimously approve $3,198.90 for a pump and pump assembly for the courthouse heating system.

Shaun West, county public works administrator, explained that, after new boiler cells were replaced, the pump apparatus failed--”otherwise, it’s operational.”

Asked by Danny McCullough, commission chair and District 2 representative, if the STARS (Southeastern Technical Academy for Rural Students) heating/ventilation/air conditioning unit could help, West said the inspection piece required by the State Fire Marshal’s Office is “maybe a little advanced for that program and one they might not want to tackle.”

Responded McCullough, “We’ve got to do what we’ve got to do. Winter’s coming up.” Agreed Johnson, “We’ve got to fix it.”

During his report, West also said that several large, impaired tubes have been identified during the past two months, which he attributed to more frequent checks. He estimated that approximately 40-45 tubes (30-, 36-, and 48 inches) are needed and listed County Road 1077, Botkin Road, and off Ungeheuer Road as identified “situation” sites.

With West asking for permission to put them out for bid, Jason Hightower, District 1 commissioner, voiced his okay. Johnson suggested that dirt be filled in around them rather than gravel. He said gravel held water, which contributes to rusting, with debate then on the merits of each type of fill.

Department heads also reported their weekly/monthly numbers. Randy Hegwald, county emergency management coordinator, said 10 incidents last week has increased the year’s total to 340. Galen Anderson, American Medical Response operations manager, reported 70 transports, 23 of them last week. 

Sheriff Kevin Friend reported 93 calls to 9-1-1 and 535 total calls for service last week, as well as 62 inmates currently housed in the Judicial Center jail, 38 of them farm-ins. Friend reported that the current daily jail farm-in income is $2,934, the same as last week. Amanda Snyder, county health department director, reported 115 clients served in September, “a little low,” but she said September tends to be a planning month, as well as one “to catch up on summer” reports.

In other business before the Commission:

--Snyder reported that drive-through flu shots will be available at the health department building at Pleasanton from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m.-noon Saturday.

--The commission will meet at 9 a.m. next Tuesday, a day later than usual because of Monday’s federal Columbus Day holiday.

--The commission approved bill payments totaling $185,257.66.

--The commission approved Hegwald’s recommendation to hire Adam Smith as a probationary firefighter at Prescott’s Station No. 960. Hegwald said the hire now fills five of 15 available roster spots there.

--West reported that Bates County, Mo., is asking for one addendum--for payments and notification of bridge inspections--to the original memorandum of understanding concerning State Line Road maintenance.

--West reported that Johnny Taylor, noxious weed director, anticipates right-of-way spraying to “wind down” this month. West said Taylor is working from a list of bridges, guard rails and culverts to be cleared.

--No public action followed two executive sessions totaling 30 minutes for legal attorney/client privilege.