County residents complains about roads
Marion County Commission heard complaints from a county resident regarding the road to her home.
Barbara Schneider, 2068 Falcon Road, said she and her family have to use a four-wheel drive vehicle to get to and from their home.
She showed the commission pictures of her road following the flooding the past week.
Howard Collett, commissioner, commented after looking at the pictures, "I've seen a lot of roads that look a lot worse than these look in the picture."
"The road is below the level of the ditch," said Schneider. "What can we do to get the ditches cleaned up and water off the road?"
Gerald Kelsey, road and bridge superintendent, and Jim Herzet, road supervisor, also were present.
Kelsey stated rock was put on the road Friday.
"The fields are not terraced," said Kelsey. The water runs off the field, through the ditches, and on to the road.
Schneider is a mail carrier and has lived along the one-mile stretch of road for more than six years.
"It would save mail carriers 12 miles if every road was rocked," said Schneider.
Schneider gave a letter to the commission from some of the neighbors in the area.
"We were commended for the way the road was rocked last year," said Kelsey.
Kelsey said, "The best time to grade roads is July and August."
"I have not received any calls pertaining to that road from the Hillsboro school district," added Kelsey.
"Bus routes are one of our first priorities," said Kelsey.
Commissioners assured Schneider the matter will be remedied but she would need to be patient due to the wet weather.
In other road and bridge business, three bids were approved for a new bridge, bridge inspections, and wood sign posts.
One bid was received and opened for a new bridge to be located 100 feet north of 260th and Old Mill Road.
The 50-foot bridge was awarded to Kraus Welding of Hillsboro at a price of $37,725.
Three bids were received and opened for inspections of all county bridges. The state requires the inspection every three years.
The price of the inspections ranged from $48.50 per bridge to the low bid of $40.50. The low bid was approved by the commission from Cook, Flatt and Strobel of Topeka.
One bid was received, opened, and approved for wood sign posts. The bid was for 150 4x4-inch, 12-foot long, treated posts.
The Lumberyard of Hillsboro submitted a bid of $10.14 each for a total of $1,521.
Commission approved a road crossing permit for Panhandle Eastern at 30th and U.S.-77.
A job position change was approved for an employee to transfer from operator to truck driver. There will be no change in salary. The operator position is being advertised with numerous applications being received.
Kelsey said he would like an alternate route for residents along the Antelope Road. He will check into the options.
Darryl Thiesen, emergency medical services director, submitted an activity report to the commission.
There were 92 runs for the month of February, four fewer than January.
Eighteen emergency services personnel participated in the ice rescue class at Marion Reservoir.
Thiesen and another employee completed training in Indianapolis for new computer software program. The software is in the office.
Future projects include a countywide defensive driving class for Marion County emergency services personnel.
Thiesen reported a Goessel ambulance was dispatched by McPherson County to respond in McPherson County.
Leroy Wetta, commission chairman, was concerned with whether the Marion County dispatch knows when ambulances are called out of county. Thiesen said they communicate with each other and are aware.
Thiesen requested and received a 10-minute executive session to discuss identifiable personnel.
The meeting reconvened with the decision to allow Deanna Olsen, EMS secretary, to carry over 75 hours of vacation time until June 30.
Dale Snelling, director of Marion County Park and Lake, reported the dam inspection is postponed until the new hazard classifications criteria is in place.
Snelling said the rain from last week brought up the water three feet above the normal level.
New tables for the lake hall were discussed with Snelling going out for bids.
Snelling said the lake board meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 22.
In other business:
— County clerk Carol Maggard distributed the February budget report to the commission.
The county attorney and sheriff's offices are at 22 percent of the budget. Commissioners asked where the money was drawn to pay for the new car for the sheriff's office.
"The sheriff made it clear he didn't have funds in his budget," said Collett.
Proceeds from the sale of the Ranger pickup went to the general fund, said Maggard.
The decision was made to credit the sheriff's budget for the car purchase with sales tax funds.
"If we don't correct this now, his budget will be out of whack the rest of the year," said Collett.
— Commission approved copy paper bid from Baker Brothers of Hillsboro. The bid was for 80 cases with delivery as needed at $31.35 per case for a total of $1,708.
— Previous years, the county had to adopt a resolution designating April as Fair Housing Month for the Marion County Micro Loan program. Maggard will check with South Central Kansas Economic Development District to verify the need.
— An Arbor Day tree planting project was discussed by the commission. The tree and plaque are free and the county would be responsible for the planting of the tree and a dedication ceremony.
Maggard was instructed to proceed if beneficial to the courthouse landscaping plan.
— Maggard and Rose Funk, personnel officer, were given permission to attend a personnel seminar.
Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Monday in the courthouse.
