June 15, 2005
BOARD OF FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Donald R. Stottlemire called the meeting to order at 6:32 and asked all in attendance to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Chairman Donald R. Stottlemire present, Commissioner John E. Taylor present, Commissioner Donald C. Hay present, Commissioner Roy C. Dunn present and Commissioner Donald E. Waymire present.
Commissioner Hay moved and Commissioner Waymire seconded to approve the minutes for June 13, 2005. All voted “yes.”
Agenda item 5.1 Board discussed the two individuals, John Fletcher of 45 Timberlake Rd and Robert Wilson of 867 Oregon Rd. whom asked to be consider to the vacant position of Pottawatomie Township Clerk.
Commissioner Taylor moved and Commissioner Hay seconded to appoint Robert Wilson to fill the unexpired term of Pottawatomie Township Clerk. All voted “yes.”
Agenda item 5.2 Commissioner Dunn presented Shawn Turner with an award for his selection as President of the Kansas State Future Farmer’s of America organization.
Freone Hollinger of 3090 Neosho Rd. discussed the Farmers Market, said she was an advocate for the County Administrator and did want five commissioners. Freone said it is budget time and the Commissioners have been a bit hasty on decisions, which has caused turmoil in the County and piece meal situations. She asked the Commissioners to cut back on their salaries and or benefits and need to reconsider the need for a County Counselor. Need to say no. Slow down-brake which is the Kansas slogan.
Larry Skeet of 4151 Cloud Rd. asked if there had been some discussion about not hard surfacing Cloud Rd. With the amount of money that has already been spent it would not be feasible to stop. When the loan for the 36 miles was applied for was Cloud Rd. included.
Doug Morgan of 3921 Florida Rd. said he attended last Wednesday’s meeting and was not allowed to address the Board because the agenda had changed and he did not know that. He said the landowners and taxpayers can’t take anymore taxes. He doesn’t want to live in the 50’s but things need to slow down.
Commissioner Taylor moved and Commissioner Dunn seconded to approve the agenda and add 15 minutes of public comment later in the meeting. All voted “yes.”
Commissioner Dunn moved and Commissioner Waymire seconded to approve the consent agenda. 8.1 Approval of waiver for the building permit fee in the amount of $50 for a carport type structure to be located at 4571 Texas Rd. 8.2 Approval of the Juvenile Justice Authority’s grant conditions for the Prevention/Intervention and Graduated Sanctions Block Grants for fiscal year 2006. 8.3 Approval to waive Franklin County’s bidding policy and approval to purchase a Ford Taurus, contingent upon availability, from Rusty Eck Ford-Mercury Corporation, Leavenworth, KS., in the amount of $11,731 plus any costs associated with the delivery of the vehicle under the State’s bidding contract and 8.4 Approval of 2006 Noxious Weed Annual Control Plan. All voted “yes.”
Agenda item 9.1 Larry Walrod discussed a special use permit for a Communication Tower for Franklin County located on the East side of Texas Rd. between Stafford and Thomas Roads that was continued from an earlier meeting until tonight.
Blaine Finch said we would ask the Board to withdraw their application for the special use permit.
Wendall Barker of 2573 US 59 Hwy asked Blaine Finch who “we” is. Blaine Finch said the “we” is Alan Radcliffe, Brad Gilges, Larry Walrod, Jason Parks, Ted McCurdy and himself who are the Radio Communications Task Force. Wendall said he thought the application was submitted by the County.
Freone Hollinger of 3090 Neosho Rd. said she is confused about the application. She is on RWD #1 Board and didn’t realize there was a problem.
Jim Stonequist of 5th St in Wellsville asked who discovered the error in the zoning of the tract the RWD #1 owns where the radio tower is to be placed.
Blaine Finch said that he and Scott Ryburn, attorney for a property owner near the tower site have been talking and that is why they desire to have the application withdrawn.
Scott Ryburn said he had submitted a memo requesting the denial of the Special Use Permit because a Special Use Permit is not permitted in an R-3A zoning according to the Franklin County Zoning Regulations. Mr. Ryburn’s memo was then handed out to the Board.
Commissioner Waymire moved and Commissioner Hay seconded to withdraw their application for a Special Use Permit to place a communications tower on Pork Chop Hill located on the East side of Texas Rd. between Stafford and Thomas Roads. All voted “yes.”
Agenda item 10.1 Jim Haag discussed bids for 2004 CHIP Project surfacing and recommended accepting the low bid from Killough Construction for an asphalt overlay in the amount of $2,253,815.07. Commissioner Hay said we do not have the funds and will need to borrow from the State. We should not use all the money in the CHIP Fund and other funds for this project. Ron Henrickson said we would be spending money in the CHIP Fund, Special Bridge and Road and Bridge along with the rest of the $6 million that has been borrowed.
Commissioner Taylor moved and Commissioner Waymire seconded to accept the recommendation from Jim Haag and accept the low bid from Killough Construction for asphalt overly on the 36 miles in the amount of $2,253,815.07. Commissioner Hay said he would vote yes if we are going to borrow more money from the State. Commissioner Dunn said that Cloud Rd. was not on the radar screen and is included in this project. Commissioner Dunn stated that the CHIP Committee recommendation needs to be followed in the future. All voted “yes.”
Norman Wooge of 3790 Pawnee Rd. said it is the same old thing favoritism; he is in favor of the grand jury investigation, some people are over using their authority. Norman asked why the recorder is not being used. It was used by Charles Mavity when he was on the commission. Norman said that public comment should be at a set time so people know when it is.
Juanita Peckman 4567 Marshall Rd. said she called about agenda last week, but was not told about new agenda and was late for item she was interested in.
Jim Stonequist of 5th St in Wellsville said a lot of people showed up last time the communication tower was on the agenda, but was not aware of the agenda change and missed the meeting.
Freone Hollinger of 3090 Neosho Rd. said she is on the RWD #1 board and has attended all of the meeting. She asked who’s error it was on the zoning that needed to be changed for the communication tower.
Wendall Barker 2573 US 59 Hwy thanked the Board for extending public comment. Wendall said everything the Board does needs to be transparent.
Larry Skeet 4151 Cloud Rd. said he knows from experience that it is a lonely feeling when you are out on the roads and can’t get radio communication.
Commissioner Hay said there is not another site in NE Franklin County that would be better than Pork Chop Hill for a radio tower.
Citizens attending the meeting asked about having more evening meetings.
With no further discussion the meeting was adjourned at 7:40.
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Clerk Chairman