These minutes are unofficial until approved by the Board of Commissioners at their next meeting.
January 22, 2019 Unofficial
The Board of Nemaha County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 in the Commissioner’s Room of the Nemaha County Courthouse. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Gary Scoby leading the flag salute. Present also were Commissioners Tim Burdiek and Dennis Henry, and County Clerk Mary Kay Schultejans recording the minutes.
Windfarm Attorney James Neeld came before the board. Tim Burdiek moved to hold a forty- five minute executive session until 9:45 am to discuss attorney-client privileges. Dennis Henry seconded the motion. The motion carried with all voting aye. Present for the executive session was the Board of Commissioners, Attorney James Neeld, and County Attorney Brad Lippert.
The meeting returned to open session at 9:45 am with no action taken by the board following the executive session.
Dennis Henry moved to approve the appointment of Clint Tegtmeier as the Nemaha Township Clerk upon the recommendation of the other Nemaha Township Officials. Tim Burdiek seconded the motion. The motion carried with all voting aye. Commissioners signed the appointment letter as presented.
The board reviewed the minutes from the January 14, 2019 meeting. Dennis Henry moved to approve the minutes as presented. Tim Burdiek seconded the motion. The motion carried with all voting aye.
Open discussion concerning the development of the Soldier Creek Windfarm in Nemaha County began at 10:00 am. Present for this discussion with the board and Windfarm Attorney James Neeld included several local landowners, members of the local media, USD 380 Superintendent Matt Rogers, and County Attorney Brad Lippert. Chairman Gary Scoby stated that the county is still waiting to receive the final footprint of the project and the density study from NextEra Energy Resources. Windfarm Attorney James Neeld stated that NextEra Energy Resources has our terms, but he will wait to begin any negotiations until the final footprint and the density study have been provided by the windfarm company. Many questions and comments were given by those present for the windfarm discussion.
Tony Hundley came before the board to again apologize to Commissioners and County Attorney Brad Lippert for an incident that happened prior to his termination from employment with Nemaha County. Mr. Hundley also asked that the county consider re-hiring him at some time in the future.
Galen Ackerman came before the board to let Commissioners know that Lynette Strathman put together a cost/benefit analysis on the proposed wind turbine project in Nemaha County. Ms. Strathman reviewed this report with Commissioners and with several local business owners that were present for this discussion. Local business owners provided comments to Commissioners following the review of the cost/benefit analysis.
Road and Bridge/Solid Waste Report:
Road and Bridge/Solid Waste Supervisor Dennis Ronnebaum advised the board that:
• he received a right of way easement request from Blue Valley Telecommunications to bore under D Road south of Highway 36. Tim Burdiek moved to approve the right of way easement request with Blue Valley Telecommunications. Dennis Henry seconded the motion. The motion carried with all voting aye. Commissioners signed the easement request as presented.
• the guys came in and worked the county roads on Saturday this past weekend.
Chairman Gary Scoby signed add/abate orders as presented.
Emergency Preparedness Report:
Emergency Preparedness Director Russel Lierz advised the board that:
• the county would have access to snowmobiles if needed in the local area.
• he would like some time to consider taking on the Flood Plain Manager role for Nemaha County before accepting this responsibility.
Sheriff’s Report:
Sheriff Rich Vernon advised the board that:
• he would like to make an official request for one of his employees to utilize shared leave. Commissioners agreed to allow this employee to utilize shared leave.
• he would like Commissioners to consider the adoption of two different resolutions that County Attorney Brad Lippert prepared for review. Following discussion, Dennis Henry moved to approve Resolution 2019-1, which sets the cost of maintaining county prisoners for the Kansas Department of Corrections at $73.75 per day. Tim Burdiek seconded the motion. The motion carried with all voting aye. Commissioners signed the resolution as presented. Tim Burdiek moved to approve Resolution 2019-2, which establishes procedures whereby the animal shelter may petition the District Court of Nemaha County, Kansas, to be allowed to place an animal for adoption or euthanize an animal that has been taken into custody by any public health officer, law enforcement officer, licensed veterinarian, or officer or agent of any animal shelter. Dennis Henry seconded the motion. The motion carried with all voting aye. Commissioners signed the resolution as presented.
Dennis Henry moved to approve the 2019 appropriation requests received from organizations in Nemaha County. Tim Burdiek seconded the motion. The motion carried with all voting aye.
An appropriation in the amount of $6,500 per quarter was approved for Nemaha County United 4 Youth; $3,000 was approved for Glacial Hills RC&D Council; $10,000 was approved for Northeast Kansas Environmental Services; $6,100 was approved for Northeast Kansas Multi- County Health Department; and $3,000 was approved for Northeast Kansas Enterprise Facilitation.
With no further county business coming before the board, Chairman Gary Scoby adjourned the meeting at 3:05 pm. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, January 28, 2019 at 9:00 am.
