The Commission meeting will be live-streamed through Microsoft Teams. Citizens may view the meeting through their own sign in or by signing in “anonymously”. Please follow this link: https://bit.ly/3TBp0zh. If you wish to participate in the discussion of any item, please call (620) 793-1800 for instructions.
BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Agenda Meeting
Oct. 8
9 a.m. Until Close
I. OPENING BUSINESS:
A. Call Meeting to Order.
B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. Consider Approval of the Agenda.
D. Consider the minutes of the October 1, 2024, Regular Meeting and the October 1, 2024, National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor Tri-County Special Meeting.
E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes.
F. Please silence all phones and electronic devices. Recording the meeting is allowed and the Commission requests that anyone using special recording equipment be seated in the back row to avoid creating a distraction during the meeting.
II. APPROVAL OF APPROPRIATIONS:
-Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk, will present details. An Accounts Payable Register will be submitted to the Commission for the period of September 24, 2024, and ending October 8, 2024.
III. OLD BUSINESS - Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.
IV. NEW BUSINESS - All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.
A. PUBLIC PRESENTATION: Oxford Houses – Great Bend, Kansas:
-Mike Swalley, Oxford alumni, will provide details. Oxford Houses is transitional living for people in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. The houses are not a boarding house or a halfway house, but a home run democratically by the service participants themselves. The mission of the Oxford House is to provide a supportive, drug- and alcohol-free environment for people recovering from substance addiction.
B. PUBLIC HEALTH: Home Visitor of the Year – Savannah Bochy:
-Karen Winkelman, Public Health Director, will provide details. Kansas Home Visiting is a voluntary program that brings a trained family-support professional to homes at no-cost to clients. In addition to home visits, the program offers prenatal support and programming for children to the age of one. Savannah Bochy, Maternal Child and Health (MCH) Home Visitor, has been named the Home Visitor of the Year by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in appreciation of her invaluable services and contribution to the Barton County Health Department and the Maternal and Child Health Universal Home Visiting program.
C. PUBLIC HEALTH: Women, Infants and Children – Certified Breastfeeding Specialists:
Ms. Winkelman will provide details. After completion of a course offered through Lactation Education Resources, Bev Frizell, Registered Dietician, and Emilee Foote, Registered Dietician, have both been awarded the title of Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS). The CBS supports families through pregnancy, breastfeeding initiation and the normal course of lactation. In addition, the CBS may offer individual support, lead lactation support groups and teach lactation classes. The current designation period is five years.
D. PUBLIC HEALTH: Acceptance of Grant Award - FY25 CommunityBased Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) Grant:
-Ms. Winkelman will provide details. The Health Department was notified that they have received a $160,956.00 grant for a joint project with the Family Crisis Center. The project grant period runs from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. Ms. Winkelman will expand on program goals and ask that the Commission accept the funding.
E. NATIONAL INTEREST ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION CORRIDOR TRICOUNTY SPECIAL MEETING:
-Chairman Barb Esfeld will facilitate the discussion. On October 1, 2024, Barton, Pawnee and Russell Counties joined to hold a triCounty Special Meeting relative to the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC). Included were federal and state officials along with input from the US Department of Energy, Kansas Corporation Commission and others.
F. KANSAS LEGISLATIVE POLICY GROUP: Annual Meeting Update:
-Chairman Esfeld will provide an update. On October 3 and 4, 2024, the Kansas Legislative Policy Group held its Annual Meeting in Liberal, Kansas. The meeting included a legislative platform review, economic development program and a series of speakers.
G. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
-Chairman Esfeld will present. Any Commissioner may make a motion for the board to recess to executive session at this time as allowed by K.S.A. 75-4319. Any motion must contain the justification for the executive session, the subject matter to be discussed, any individuals in addition to the board who will attend the executive session and the time at which the regular session shall resume.
V. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following items, including announcements, will be heard.
A. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, sign any documentation approved during the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day.
B. APPOINTMENTS:
-Although subject to change, the following appointments have been scheduled:
10:00 a.m. or following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Program Update – Sara Arnberger, Executive Director, Great Bend Economic Development.
10:30 a.m. – County Policy on County Policy on National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors – Patrick Hoffman, County Counselor.
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Bev Schmeidler, County Clerk, is scheduled for October 10, 2024.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Discussion Items.
B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration at this time.
C. The Commissioners are available to the public on Tuesdays during regular business hours.
D. One or more Commissioners may be present in the Commission Chambers conducting county business throughout the day on Tuesdays.
E. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments related to County business at their discretion.
F. The next Regular Meeting will be at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
VII. ADJOURN