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
Dan Williams, County Controller Michael Halleran, Asst. Co. Counselor
Others attending the meeting:
Ian Boyd, Emporia Senior Center Chuck Boyce, I.T. Director
Shane Brunner, LCAT Zach Deloach, Gazette reporter
Trudy Hutchison, Hetlinger Developmental Svcs. Tagan Trahoon, KVOE reporter
Viola Heskett, resident Harley Heskett, resident
Janice Arb, LCAT Lillian Spellman, resident
Judy Colglaizer, resident Dotty English, resident
Carl Antes, resident Melissa McAllister, resident
Casey Woods, Emporia Main Street Fred Spellman, resident
Mark Schondelmaier, MUPP Board Jessica Buchholz, Emporia Main Street
Linda Forbes, resident Melissa McAllister, resident
Lynn McAllister, resident Dean Hollenbeck, FHTC
Steve Loewen, FHTC Sarah Henry, resident
Marilyn Ellis, resident Larry Ellis, resident
Megan Sundo, Gazette reporter Francis Whitaker, resident
Call to Order / Pledge of Allegiance
Chairman Martin called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and welcomed those present.
Motion: To Approve the Agenda as amended. Martin/Briggs 3-0
Motion: To Approve the Minutes of the 6-10-2021 meeting. Briggs/Peck 3-0
Motion: To Approve Warrants Payable 6-18-2021 in the amount of $976,074.08. Peck/Briggs 3-0
Appointments: Commissioners discussed board appointments.
Motion: To Appoint Jason Young to the Lyon County Fair Board for a term to expire 12-31-2021.
Briggs/Peck 3-0
Personnel changes: no action taken.
Permits: no applications received.
Ian Boyd presented Commissioners with a request to consider the 2022 budget request in the amount of $65,000.00 for the Emporia Senior Center. Ian spoke about the services, events and meals offered by the Senior Center.
Trudy Hutchinson presented Commissioners with a request to consider the 2022 budget request of $36,500.00 for Hetlinger Developmental Services, Inc. Trudy discussed the direct and indirect services offered by Hetlinger Developmental Services, Inc. including enrichment programs, activity programs and the Community Development Disability Organization (CDDO).
Motion: To move to Legal Executive Session for Attorney/Client Privilege with Commissioners and Counselor Halleran, to return to commission chambers at 9:40 a.m. Martin/Peck 3-0
Meeting reconvened at 9:38 a.m. in commission chambers.
Break until 9:45 a.m.
Public Comment: Commissioner Martin opened public comment at 9:45 a.m. Viola Heskett asked about Mr. Boyd’s budget request. If the budget is approved, will Commissioners have the information on how many meals are being served and the cost per person? Counselor Halleran commented the information may be available at the state level. Mark Schondelmaier, Chairman of the MUPP Board. Mark commented on the new walking trail around the fairgrounds and invited Commissioners to a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony next week, June 24th at 5:30 a.m.
Casey Woods and Jessica Buchholz presented Commissioners with a request to consider the 2022 budget request of $40,000.00 for Emporia Main Street. Casey thanked the Commission for their support in the past. He discussed the projects they have been working on including grants and assistance for the businesses and non-for-profit organizations. Casey spoke on the services used in supporting local businesses during the pandemic. There will be a 30-year anniversary celebration which Casey invited Commissioners to attend. Casey also discussed the impact the pandemic had on the business community.
Shane Brunner and Janice Arb presented Commissioners with a request to consider direction two grant submissions.
Motion: To Approve the LCAT grant to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) submission for additional funding for the project of security camera expansion. Martin/Briggs 3-0
Motion: To Approve the LCAT grant submission to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for additional funding for the project of new operating facility. Briggs/Peck 3-0
Melissa McAllister presented Commissioners with information on the Emporia-Lyon County Interlocal Agreement. Melissa talked about constitutional rights and the power of the people. Melissa asked Commission to terminate the Inter-Local Agreement as it is not representative of the people of Lyon County and not consider a replacement. Melissa stated those residents in the metropolitan area do not have representation. Lynn McAllister stated to Commissioners to “Fix It”.
Dean Hollenbeck and Steve Loewen presented Commissioners with a request to consider the 2022 budget request of $60,400.00 for the Flint Hills Technical College. Dean and Steve talked about the past appropriation and where the dollars where spend along with the benefit to the students and community. They discussed the needs for the upcoming year.
Dan Williams discussed the issue of fiber to home in the rural areas of Lyon County. Dan talked about the telecommunication businesses that helped with information to get grants and recovery money for installation of fiber to every home in Lyon County providing broadband internet needed. The American Recovery Act allocated 6.4 million dollars which will help in funding the project.
Motion: To Approve signing the contract between Lyon County and RVW, Inc., for FTTP Design and NTIA Application in the amount of $37,383.00 to be paid from Fund 044-00-7600 for full design of fiber to premises throughout Lyon County. Briggs/Peck 3-0
Note: No taxpayer dollars are being used for this project.
Motion: To Approve the contract between Lyon County and TCA for a feasibility study for the fiber to the premises project and fulfilling the requirements of the NTIA Grant in an amount not to exceed $23,500.00, to be paid from Fund 044-00-7600. Martin/ Peck 3-0
Note: No taxpayer dollars are being used for this project.
Reports
Commissioner Martin:
• I attended the Lyon County Extension Board meeting.
• I plan to attend the RDA Business Appreciation Ceremony tonight.
Commissioner Briggs:
• Attended the Fair Board meeting on Monday. Working on preparing for the fair.
• I plan to attend the RDA Business Appreciation Ceremony tonight.
Commissioner Peck:
• I will also attend the RDA Business Appreciation Ceremony tonight.
• RDA board meeting is tomorrow.
Clerk Vopat:
• No report.
Counselor Halleran:
• No report.
Controller Williams:
• Attended the Fair Board meeting.
• Met with telecommunication representatives.
• Working on budgets.
Motion: To move to Legal Executive Session for data exchange with Commissioners and Counselor Halleran and Controller Williams, to return to commission chambers at 11:45 a.m. Martin/Peck 3-0
Meeting reconvened at 11:44 a.m. in commission chambers.
Commissioners discussed not renewing the Declaration of Emergency.
Motion: To Adjourn from chambers at 11:50 a.m. Martin/Briggs 3-0
Attest: Affirm:
___________________________________________ _______________________________________
Tammy Vopat Rollie Martin, Chairman
Lyon County Master Clerk Lyon County Commission
