Topics discussed during the Clay County Commissioners’ weekly meeting on March 24th included: right-a-way, donation, bridge replacement, EMS week, radio communication meeting, Museum, and more.
Danny Mesalles, County Appraiser, discussed the closure that was done by a Resolution in 2002 along with the right-a-way. Mesalles stated that he has filed the Resolution in the Register of Deeds Office so that there is a record, and he will close the portion of the road on his mapping system.
Richard Avery representing the Wakefield High School Trap Shoot Team contacted the Board. Avery reported that he has 15 students participating in trap shooting this year. Avery asked if the Commissioners would be willing to make a donation like last year to help with the cost for the students to participate. A motion to donate $500 was made, passing unanimously.
Bobby Shomper, Highway Administrator, informed the Board that Schwab Eaton had been out to view the bridge located on Utah Rd. between 26th Rd. & 27th Rd. The Bridge will remain closed until further notice. He then provided a proposal for the replacement of this bridge from Husker Steel. After discussion the Board made a motion to accept and sign the contract with Husker Steel, passing unanimously. Shomper also presented bids for two concrete boxes to be used in Green and Wakefield. A motion was made to accept the proposal from RMA Engineering for the boxes, passing unanimously.
Alec Trembath, EMS Director, stated that the Department has continued to stay busy. They are currently on run number 244 for the year 2025. He also stated that the EMS Public Relations Committee has been working on events for the upcoming EMS Week which will be May 19th through the 25th. Trembath also reported that they have started working on the renewal of the EMS License. He also stated there will be changes to cover the Miltonvale area along with the staff.
Pam Kemp, Emergency Manager, and Jim Bogart, Deputy Emergency Manager, met with the Board. Kemp stated that several Homeland Security projects have been approved but there has been no Federal funding released to do the projects. She stated that last week they hosted the Radio Communication meeting with a speaker from the State of Kansas. This was well attended, and good information was provided to those that attended. This week they will attend the Homeland Security meeting in Salina and host a meeting for all of the Fire Chiefs and second in command on Thursday evening. Kemp reported that on Friday morning they will attend a USD 379 Crisis Plan Review.
Alan Benninga, Sheriff, presented sealed bids on the purchase of a replacement patrol unit. Only one bid was received from Glavan Ford. After reviewing the bid, a motion was made to purchase a new Ford Explorer Police Interceptor and accessories from Glavan Ford, passing unanimously.
Christine Swaim, County Treasurer, met with the Board to have a conference call with KLENDA AUSTERMAN, LLC Attorneys at Law who are handling the delinquent Real Estate Tax Sale. Swaim made the phone call and Chris McElgunn and Michelle Brenwald joined in on the call. Brenwald went through each step and procedure that will need to be followed to make the sale happen. All delinquent tax sales in Counties that are handled by KLENDA AUSTERMAN are placed on their website along with information for each sale.
The Board then adjourned and reconvened at the Clay County Museum. Jeff Gaiser, Museum Curator, and Terri Parry, Museum Treasurer, met with the Board at the Museum. Gaiser gave the Board a tour of the showrooms to show them the lateral cracks that are happening on the inside walls. They have called a structural engineer for advice. The engineer told them to move all of the stored items away from the wall and then he would come back out to look at it more in detail and they would decide what should be done. Gaiser gave the Board a tour of the displays on the main floor and provided information about the items. Gaiser and Parry then discussed a grant that is available for signage, and wondered if the Board would be interested in the placement of a sign for the Courthouse. The Board stated that they would be interested and would like more information on the sign.
