IOLA, KANSAS
OFFICE OF THE ALLEN COUNTY CLERK
September 25, 2007
The Allen County Board of Commissioners met in regular
session at 8:30 a.m. with Chairperson Kent Thompson, Commissioner Dick
Works, Commissioner Walt Regehr Jr. and Ann Johnson, Deputy County Clerk.
Bruce Symes, Iola Register, was present to observe the
meeting.
Commissioners corrected and approved the minutes of the
September 18, 2007 meeting.
Ron Holman, Maintenance Supervisor, mentioned the need
for a bigger fan and motor to replace the present one used for ventilation
purposes. Ron had received a bid from Fagen for a three horsepower motor
for $2000.00. Commissioners asked Ron to check with other vendors and
report back.
Ron asked commissioners about the Area Agency on Aging
person that was in question for work at the courthouse and was given the
go ahead to check into it further. A max of 25 hours a week would be the
limit for the person to work and would work only when Ron or Rick Riley
were on site. Commissioners approved.
Commissioners moved to nominate D.J. Dangerfield to
fill the position on the hospital board vacated by Larry Hart.
Commissioners gave permission to Hope Unlimited for use
of the bandstand in the courthouse yard on October 12th from noon to one o’clock
for Purple Ribbon Day. A presentation will be given and hot dogs and chips
will be served.
Bill King, Public Works Director, mentioned Harvey
Buckley, Monarch Cement Company representative, asked for a traffic
counter on a couple roads. Counters were set up on Florida road between
1400 street and 1600 street from 2:30 p.m. on September 21st,
to noon on September 24th. and a total of 102 vehicles were
counted and 1600 street from Florida to Delaware from 10:00a.m. on
September 19th to 1:55 p.m. on September 21st and
178 vehicles were counted. Information was forwarded to Mr. Buckley.
Bill stated the new bucket truck has arrived.
A phone call was received concerning the airport
personnel from a visitor to the airport. The call was very complimentary
of Mitch Garner, airport manager, and the airport staff. Airport lights
were discussed and everything is okay.
The West Virginia road project was discussed. The cost
was $34,253.00 per mile and that figure did not include the machine they
rented or the chip seal.
Bill mentioned some ideas he heard at a conference last
week but nothing Allen County will take on at this time.
Tom Williams, Allen County Sheriff, stopped in to
report a YTD medical cost to the sheriff’s office. A drastic reduction
was reported from $18,000.00 last year to $3000.00 so far this year. Tom
suggested a new route to try for gun purchases and commissioners gave
their approval.
Sheriff Williams mentioned that Jay Thyer is retiring
on September 29th from the corrections staff and invited the commissioners
to stop by and wish him well. Sheriff Williams stated Jay is a great
employee and he will be missed.
Kenneth Bacon was in to ask for some assistance in
getting the roads graded and ditches cleaned in his area. Commissioners
will visit with Bill King.
Elaine Dugan, EMS Director, stopped by to bring
commissioners up to date on the combined city/county ambulance matter.
Commissioners Works voted to go into executive session for 5 minutes to
discuss Land Acquisition, Commissioner Thompson seconded, time is 9:52
those in the room will be Commissioner Works, Commissioner Thompson,
Commissioner Regehr, Ann Johnson, deputy county clerk and Elaine Dugan,
EMS Director. Commissioners reconvened at 9:57. No action was taken.
Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County Clerk had requested by
letter to shred 2003 Claim Vouchers, 2003 Added & Abatement Taxes,
2003 Daily Work, 2003 Payroll Duplicate Checks, 2003 Bank Statements, 2003
Treasurers Daily Statements, 2003 Check Register, 2003 Motor Vehicle Daily
Audits, as per new Local Government Records Management Manual dated
07/14/98. "The General Records Retention and Disposition Schedule has
been authorized by the State Records Board in accordance with K.S.A.
75-3504 and has been adopted by the board a K.A.R. 53-2-115, an
administrative regulation having the force of law." Commissioners
approved the request to shred documents.
Commissioners approved the following documents:
Payroll Changes
Clerk’s Vouchers Totaling $33,823.16
With no further business to come before the board, the
meeting was adjourned until the Road Vacation Hearing at 6:00 p.m. in the
Assembly Room of the courthouse.
Chairman Thompson, Commissioner Regehr and Commissioner
Works reconvened for The Monarch Cement Company request for a Road
Vacation of a portion of 1600 Street. Sherrie L. Riebel, Allen County
Clerk, Bill King, Public Works Director, Bruce Symes, Iola Register, Dale
& Pat Riebel, Ron & Ryan Whitworth, Jerry Naff, Eugene Bennett,
Larry & Judy Hoepker, Curt Mueller, Glenda & Randy Hill, concerned
residents, Kenny Miller, Walter Wulf, Jr. and Harvey Buckley, Monarch
Cement Company representatives were present for the hearing.
Commissioner Thompson requested Harvey Buckley explain
why Monarch requested to close a portion of 1600 Street between Florida
South Road and Delaware Road and reroute approximately 2,200 foot of 1600
Street. Mr. Buckley reviewed a paper stating reasons:
1. The alternate route will substantially reduce
traffic exposure to quarry activities.
Trucks from the east side of 1600 Street make
approximately 500 crossings per day hauling limestone.
Scrapers hauling material from the east side of
1600 Street cross the road when building berms, filling ledges, and
for quarry reclamation.
Damage to fiber optic and power lines along 1600
Street. If the rerouting were approved, Monarch would relocate both
along an alternate route.
Costs of an alternate route provided by Monarch.
Security concerns with 1600 Street in the middle of
the quarry if alternate route is not approved.
Traffic disruption on 1600 Street when blasting.
The road will need to be detoured or have a
temporary outage if we are allowed to put a conveyor under 1600
Street.
Removal of road would simplify quarry reclamation.
The disadvantage to the alternate road location is an
increased travel distance of .82 miles if traveling east or south on 1600
Street. If traveling west, there is a slight decrease in distance
traveled.
Commissioner Works asked Mr. Buckley to explain the
difference between the proposed road and current 1600 Street.
Mr. Buckley stated it would be easier to build the
tunnel before the road was built than building under a currently
established road. Discussion followed on the size of the proposed tunnel.
Commissioners questioned the decision to locate the
proposed road east of the center section line. Mr. Buckley stated the
proposed road could be centered on the center section line, they were just
trying to preserve the current tree row, however, they could move it if
that is the decision.
Mr. Buckley explained the road needs to be moved due to
quarrying along both sides of 1600 Street, it would move traffic over out
of the way. He presented a green and blue map of the proposed reclamation.
The map showed a quarry full of water with green sides.
Dale Riebel stated if a portion of 1600 Street were to
be vacated they would not be able to go straight south to meet up with
Harper Road in Neosho County.
Pat Riebel stated there are several curves along 1600
Street and Florida South Road now that drivers miss and take out fences,
the change would create more curves.
Commissioners discussed the possibility of taking out
two of the current curves to replace with one sweeping curve. Discussion
followed.
Ron Whitworth expressed his concerns of adding more
curves. He is the owner/operator of Humboldt Speedway located north of the
proposed road portion to be closed. Mr. Whitworth stated everyone leaves
the races driving like race drivers as it is, without adding more curves.
He asked if the county had plans to do any changes to the rest of the
current 1600 Street. Commissioners stated it is hard to change due to the
creek in the area. Mr. Whitworth stated he was under the impression that
the road was going to be closed without an alternate route. What about
stop signs? Where would they be located, at the "Y"?
Walter Wulf, Jr. stated they could add more road
slating from Florida South Road to 1600 Street.
Jerry Naff asked if Monarch had permission from the
State of Kansas to cross US Hwy 169 with the conveyor? He had heard a
rumor that Monarch was already building the conveyor. Mr. Buckley stated
they have not received permits to cross US Hwy 169 at this time and they
have not started on the conveyor. They are working on a conveyor but not
the one for over the highway. Mr. Naff asked about traffic count along
1600 Street between Florida South Road and Delaware Road. Bill King stated
there were about 100 vehicles on that road. Mr. Naff followed with several
questions concerning the reasons listed by Monarch Cement for closing a
portion of 1600 Street. He stated he would rather have to put up with
Monarch traffic than to detour the extra two miles each way. Once the road
is gone it will always be gone. He assured them he is not against Monarch
just concerned.
Ryan Whitworth stated everyone has covered all of his
concerns.
Mr. Naff asked if Monarch has plans to quarry the Hoke
Tract? Mr. Buckley stated they have no plans to quarry that tract; it is
too close to US Hwy 169.
Eugene Bennett stated he could not see how it could be
any cheaper to reroute the road by the time Monarch pays for utilities and
building the road. Chairman Thompson stated Monarch is not doing it
because it is cheaper, but safer.
Larry Hoepker stated it would not be helping any
because there would still be truck traffic along the roads. It would be an
inconvenience of 125 miles out of his way for just one year, 5000 miles in
five years and this is for just one person. He suggested they put in a
conveyor under the current 1600 Street and leave the road where it is. He
expressed his concerns of damage heavy trucks are doing to the current old
hwy 169 bridge. He was concerned he had not received a letter about the
road closing. Commissioners allowed statutes were followed on the
publication and mailings.
Mr. Buckley stated that state guidelines are always
followed. Commissioners allowed that they have been in support of Monarch
Cement getting the permit for conveyor crossing US Hwy 169; it would take
truck traffic off of county roads.
A discussion on reclamation and what has to happen
followed. Concerns were stated on Monarch not having started any
reclamation in the Allen County area. Mrs. Hoepker stated farmers need
land not ponds.
Mr. Wulf stated their main concern is safety and there
will be more traffic due to the quarrying in the next two years.
Mr. Hoepker expressed his concerns for future
generations and all the changes being requested, the inconvenience,
worthless land and future reclamation. He asked what if Monarch doesn’t
pay their taxes, who would get the land in a tax foreclosure? Mr. Buckley
explained Monarch has to put money aside for reclamation.
Curt Mueller asked if the holes would ever be able to
be used for a landfill? Mr. Wulf stated all options are open. The proposed
reclamation for the area around 1600 Street between Florida South Road and
Delaware Road would act as a settling pond.
Glenda Aikins-Hill asked what Monarch’s intentions
are for 1800 Street, 2000 Street and so on? Mr. Buckley stated Monarch
would be going under the roads.
Several comments were made on complementing the county
for road maintenance and the courtesy of Monarch truck drivers. Discussion
followed on notification and US Hwy 169 plans for the future.
Commissioners allowed they would like to visit the area
again before taking a vote. No action was taken at this hearing.
With no further business to come before the board, the
meeting was adjourned until October 2, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commission
room of the courthouse.
