The Board of Lyon County Commissioners met in Action Session at 9:00 a.m. in the Commission Chambers with the following people in attendance:
Rollie Martin, Chairman Doug Peck, Vice Chairman
Scott A. Briggs, Commissioner Tammy Vopat, County Clerk
Marc Goodman, County Counselor Dan Williams, County Controller
Michael Halleran, Asst. Co. Counselor
Others attending the meeting:
Chuck Boyce, I.T. Director Jarrod Fell, Emergency Manger
Phil Mott, Zoning Board Melissa McAllister, resident
Zach Deloach, Gazette Reporter Lillian Spellman, resident
Ashley McGee, Attorney’s Office Angel Cushing, resident
Chip Woods, County Engineer Lynn McAllister, resident
Jamie Sauder, RDA Representative Ryan Janzen, Appraiser
Jes Pfannenstiel, KWORCC Sharon Gaede, County Treasurer
Tagan Trahoon, KVOE Reporter Renee Hively, FHCHC
Dr. Oyenuga, Health Officer Ester Knobloch, NRH
Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
Motion: To Approve the Agenda as presented. Martin/Peck 3-0
Motion: To Approve the Minutes of the 3-4-2021 meeting. Peck/Briggs 3-0
Motion: To Approve Warrants Payable 3-12-2021 in the amount of $190,151.27. Briggs/Peck 3-0
Appointments: Commissioners discussed board appointments.
Jarrod Fell presented Commissioners with a request to consider the Disaster Resolution Lyon County, Kansas. There is still a waiting period in receiving vaccine and would be Jarrod’s recommendation to extend the Local Emergency Disaster Declaration for Lyon County, Kansas. Commissioners discussed the current status of the pandemic.
Motion: To Approve Extending the Local Emergency Disaster Declaration Lyon County, Kansas for 28 days to April 8, 2021. Martin/Peck 3-0
Motion: To Adopt Resolution 09-21, a Resolution to Authorize Foreclosure of Tax Liens and Sale of
Real Property for Collection of Delinquent Taxes. Peck/Briggs 3-0
Personnel changes: no action taken.
Permits: no applications received.
Motion: To remove from the Table consideration amending the text of the Joint Comprehensive Plan. Martin/Briggs 3-0
Sam Seeley presented Commissioners with a request to consider a resolution amending the text of the Emporia and Lyon County Joint Comprehensive Plan (Plan ELC) Resolution Number 24-17. Phil Mott commented on the text changes and making the language clearer. Commissioners discussed the changes.
Motion: To Adopt Resolution 07-21, a Resolution Amending the Text of the Emporia and Lyon County Joint Comprehensive Plan (Plan ELC). Briggs/Peck 3-0
Chip Woods presented Commissioners with emulsion bids and to consider closing Locust Street in Americus, Kansas for the Flint Hills Gravel Bicycle Ride.
Motion: To Approve closing Locust Street (Road 240) from Fifth Street west to Main Street in Americus on April 10, 2021 from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for the Flint Hills Gravel Bicycle Ride. Briggs/Martin 3-0
Motion: To Amend the Agenda to allow for reports. Martin/Briggs 3-0
Reports
Commissioner Martin:
• Attended the Lyon County Extension Board meeting.
• The Fairground Foundation meeting is coming up.
• I send letters out to form a sales tax committee.
Commissioner Briggs:
• Working with Counselor Halleran on a project.
• Thank you to all the emergency responders for their work during the fire danger.
Commissioner Peck:
• No report.
Clerk Vopat:
• No report.
Counselor Goodman:
• I will attend the RDA zoom meeting tomorrow.
Controller Williams:
• Attended the Fair Board meeting on Monday.
• Met with Jim Witt from the City of Emporia.
Public comment: Ryan Janzen, County Appraiser commented on the deadline to file the Personal Property Renditions is March 15th. Deadline to appeal real estate is March 30th. Angel Cushing thanked Commissioners for removing the trails from the Comprehensive Plan. Angel commented on the Biden 30-30 plan. Melissa McAllister commented on the Comprehensive Plan and was pleased about removing the trails from the plan. There is misinformation coming from Zoning Director Sam Seeley related to the Agri-tourism. City Home rule is in question and has been used to manipulate the county. Melissa commented on the public health representatives having no authority. Melissa recommend Jennifer Millburn and Renee Hively should not be speaking to the community without the authority of Dr. Oyenuga. Lynn McAllister commented on the recovery rates on the pandemic. Lynn commented that we need to get back to work.
Jamie Sauder as a real estate agent presented Commissioners with an update on the Lyon County Housing. Jaime discussed the need for housing in Lyon County. A big part of recruiting people to Lyon County is housing. Jamie talked about not addressing the situation. Important parts need to be recognized by both the city and county. The shortage of housing results in increased property tax. Infill is defined as taking an existing neighborhood and utilizing infrastructure already in place, removing dilapidated houses and rebuilding. Jamie talked about the Rural Housing Incentive Districts and the challenges with development. Jamie stated any support in working with the City of Emporia would be appreciated and helpful.
Jes Pfannestiel presented Commissioners with an award from KWORCC, the Lyon County workers compensation program. Jes talked about the OSHA inspections and loss prevention. Jes also discussed the different programs offered by KWORCC.
Sharon Gaede presented Commissioners with a request to renew the Qless contract and purchase an iPad for the motor vehicle department. Sharon shared the QR code process available now with Qless. Sharon talked about a kiosk and table for the public to check in with. Once the contract addendum is signed Sharon would like to make the purchases.
Motion: To move to Legal Executive Session for data exchange with Commissioners, Controller Williams, Counselor Halleran and Counselor Goodman, to return at 10:55 a.m. Martin/Briggs 3-0
Meeting reconvened at 10:55 a.m.
Motion: To move to Legal Executive Session with Commissioners, Dr. Oyenuga, Counselor Halleran, Ester Knobloch, Counselor Halleran and Counselor Goodman, to return at 11:20 a.m.
Martin/Peck 3-0
Meeting reconvened at 11:20 a.m.
Public Health Report: Dr. Oyenuga and Renee Hively updated Commissioners on public health. Renee provided documents of the call history and vaccination report. Renee reported an average of about 600 doses per week are being received. Dr. Oyenuga updated on patients hospitalized now is 1, due to covid.
Counselor Halleran presented changes to the public health order draft. Changes raise occupancy, expands mass gatherings and removed long care facility restrictions not now needed. Commissioners discussed the changes and shortening the length of the order. Active cases are still a concern.
Motion: To Approve the Public Health Order from March 11, 2021. Martin/Briggs 3-0
Motion: To move to Legal Executive Session for data exchange with Commissioners, Controller Williams, Sam Seeley, Counselor Halleran and Counselor Goodman, to return at 11:55 a.m. Martin/Briggs 3-0
Meeting reconvened at 11:55 a.m.
Motion: To move to Legal Executive Session for confidential data with Commissioners, Counselor Goodman, Counselor Halleran and Controller Williams, to return at 12:15 p.m. Martin/Briggs 3-0
Meeting reconvened at 12:15 p.m.
Motion: To Adjourn. Martin/Peck 3-0
There being no further business before the Board, the next Action Session will take place on March 18, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
Attest: Affirm:
________________________________________ _______________________________________
Tammy Vopat Rollie Martin, Chairman
Lyon County Master Clerk Lyon County Commission
