Submitted by Nicole Lee, County Clerk

The Board of Brown County Commissioners met in regular session Tuesday, Sept. 8, with the following members present: Chairman Lucas Heinen, Commissioner Richard Tesoriero and Commissioner William Pollock. Also present was Brown County Clerk Nicole Lee. County Counselor Austin Parker was present for a portion of the meeting. Chairman Heinen opened the meeting at 1 p.m. All recited the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer led by Commissioner Heinen.

Department Reports

Emergency Management Coordinator Brandon Roberts updated the commission on the Presidential Disaster Declaration for the June 3-4 storms and the upcoming Request for Public Assistance Briefing with State and FEMA officials.

Road and Bridge Secretary Tami Lehmkuhl discussed an upcoming KDOT meeting in Holton regarding the possible expansion of U.S. Highway 75 from Holton to the Kansas Highway 20 intersection. Commissioner Pollock stated that he would attend the Sept. 22 meeting.

Also at the meeting:

Services for the Elderly Director Tami Lehmkuhl requested a 10-minute non-elected personnel executive session. The commissioners agreed to recess into a 10-minute executive session for the purpose of discussing the performance and duties of non-elected personnel, to protect the privacy interests of the employee. Lehmkuhl and Lee remained present. The meeting returned to regular session with no action taken following the executive session.

The board approved the Aug. 31 meeting minutes as presented.

The board approve the Sept. 2 payroll as follows: General, $97,036.97; Road and Bridge, $12,518; Technology, $396; Appraiser, $8,576; Noxious Weed, $1,960; ACC, $11,138.68; JJA Core, $8,945.24; Services for Elderly, $3,525; Solid Waste, $6,108.48; Special MVT, $3,508; Employee Benefit FICA, $9,802.65; and Employee Benefit KPERS, $13,485.71. After State Unemployment and Worker’s Compensation of $228.18 and Insurance of $3,441.93, the total was $173,330.62.

The board reviewed a Property Use Agreement from Hiawatha Chamber & Visitors Bureau for the use of water for the petting zoo and possible foam party. Commissioner Tesoriero said he spoke to the Hiawatha Administrator Brad Scott, and he would be able to allow use of a city hydrant that day. The clerk will also notify the Chamber that Courthouse restrooms will not be available during the Maple Leaf Festival this year due to lack of staff available.

The commission was presented with the Extension Council budget documents for approval. The board approved the Extension Council budget documents as presented.

The commissioners agreed to recess into a 10-minute executive session for the purpose of discussing the performance and duties of non-elected personnel, to protect the privacy interests of the employee. Parker and Lee remained present. The meeting returned to regular session with no action taken following the executive session.

The board agreed to recess into a 10-minute executive session for the purpose of discussing the performance and duties of non-elected personnel, to protect the privacy interests of the employee. Noxious Weed Director Rich Rodvelt, Parker and Lee remained present. The meeting returned to regular session with no action taken following the executive session.

The commissioners agreed to extend the executive session for an additional five minutes. The meeting returned to regular session with no action taken following the executive session.

Noxious Weed Director Rodvelt was presented with a Written Notice of Termination of Employment. Motion by Commissioner Heinen to terminate for cause the employment of Rich Rodvelt as Noxious Weed Director effective immediately. Seconded by Commissioner Tesoriero. Motion carried. Commissioner Pollock abstained.

The next regular meeting was held Monday, Sept. 14. These minutes were not available at The Herald’s press time.

Work Session

The Brown County Commissioners convened at 1 p.m. at the Brown County Courthouse for a work session with Chairman Heinen, Commissioner Tesoriero and Commissioner Pollock present, along with County Clerk Lee. Tami Lehmkuhl was present for a portion of the work session. Austin Parker and Brandon Roberts were present by phone for a portion of the work session. Brightspeed permit question, Highway 75 meeting, Noxious Weed Department, meal contract, Road and Bridge Structure, two-week look-ahead form, Industrial Development, NRP application changes, Appropriation Request Report, Bridge FAS-51 project traffic controls, Appraiser duties, Landfill entrance, 190th Street/73 Highway approach, and time clock rounding. No action was taken. The work session adjourned at 3:11 p.m.