In other business Monday morning, the Barton County Commission:
• Accepted a bid from Eldridge Fencing for $4,982.68 to replace the fence at the site of the county’s damaged communications near Doonans. On Nov. 4, the commission set aside a bid of $6,261 bid accepted On Oct. 21 and opted to re-bid that portion of the project with a deadline of Nov. 13.
Boeckman said after the bid was approved, he heard from another vendor who felt there hadn’t been an adequate opportunity to submit a proposal.
Becky Wornkey, a Great Bend resident who attended the Monday meeting, told commissioners she didn’t feel it was fair to the original bidder since his bid was public knowledge and this would allow anyone else to bid lower.
Commissioners said they felt badly and that mistakes in the bidding process were made. However, there were problems with the original bid as well.
The action doesn’t impact the bids for the tower (Hayden Towers of Topeka for $144,000), for the removal of the damaged equipment (Stone Waste Management for $2,800) and for the new electrical service (Hammeke Electric for $2,500).
• Appointed Rozena Tomlin to the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging Sub-Regional Council. The county recently sought applicants for one position on the SWKAAA which helps determine long term needs and adequate programs for all senior citizens in southwest Kansas. Appointees are required to attend four quarterly meetings per year, with mileage reimbursed. The uncompensated position ends in September 2016. Tomlin also serves as the director of the Great Bend Senior Center.
• Briefly discussed the use of overtime within the Road and Bridge Department. Commission Chairman Don Cates wanted it to be clear that the county offers no guaranteed overtime and that the department director will only approve overtime when needed.
This matter is also addressed in the county’s budget as it was approved.
• Heard an update on activities of county departments from County Administrator Richard Boeckman.
When it comes to grants, it’s not often more money is offered than originally requested. But, that is the case for a joint county/state project to improve the Cheyenne Bottoms Scenic Overlook between Hoisington and Claflin, County Administrator Richard Boeckman told the County Commission Monday morning.
In February, the county, partnering with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, applied for a Kansas Department of Transportation Transportation Enhancement Grant. KDOT approved this in the amount of $60,000.
The money would be used to improve handicapped accessibility to the site just of K-4, which already includes an informational kiosk. There were also plans to install fixed telescopes.
The grant required a 20 percent local match, which would be split between Barton County and KDWPT.
After the application was approved, it was decided that additional improvements were needed. These would include more concrete work and paving.
So, Boeckman asked if KDOT could let loose of a little more funding. The agency agreed to an extra $30,000.
However, upon further consideration, KDOT determined it would not cover the cost of the telescopes, which would have cost about $3,000.
None the less, for $1,800 more in county money (the county’s share of the additional 20 percent match), the project could be improved even more than planned.
KDOT will also reimburse the county $9,000 for engineering work it has done. This will be split between the county and KDWPT.
The commission approved the amended grant application.
In a related matter, the county also approved a $7,200 contract with the Ellsworth-based engineering firm Kirkham Michael for construction design services.
Commission Chairman Don Cates said he has come to realize just how much of an asset Cheyenne Bottoms and Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway are to the area, adding the overlook is a key part of that picture. He had two hunters from Norway stop in his business who came all the way to Barton County specifically to hunt.
