County Commission endorses transportation needs from state
By Brandy Nance
Friday, September 19, 2008
Lyon County commissioners approved a resolution Thursday endorsing transportation improvements as a part of a new state-wide comprehensive plan.
Commissioners met Thursday for the weekly action session. During the meeting, commissioners passed the resolution concerning the enactment by the Kansas Legislature of a new state-wide comprehensive transportation program. The county declared the following transportation capital improvements to be vital to the future economic growth and development of the county and safety of citizens: US Highway 50 between Emporia and Newton, or expanded west of town to road E5, to allow for safe entrance into Industrial Park IV and Prairie Land Partners; continued funding for information and directional signage; continued T21 funding for transportation enhancements; funding to remove Y intersections of highway 99 and Road L and Highway 99 and K-170 for safety reasons; for railroad: continued funding for quiet zones, continued funding for underpass improvements, continued support for passenger rail and continued funding for railroad improvements such as sidings, train sets and intersection improvements; continue to provide funding to assist with economic development projects such as road improvements; and continued federal and state support for airport improvements.
There will be a public hearing for the comprehensive plan held in Topeka.
In other business:
• Commissioners approved having Lyon County Hazardous Waste Facility open on Nov. 15 for America Recycles Day.
• Commissioners approved paying training and miscellaneous expenses for CPR/first aid training.
• Approved re-roofing the county’s maintenance shop at 17 E. Fourth Ave. for $10,500 by George Groh and Sons.
• Commissioners authorized Scott Briggs, Lyon County Commission chairman, to sign 230 Modifications/Cycle Cover Page for the Community Rating System, which relates to Lyon County’s flood insurance rating.
• Commissioners approved the Community Rating System annual recertification to maintain current rating and added Briggs’ name as the chairman.
• Commissioners denied a purchase request for a 1991 force feed loader from State Surplus for $15,000. The request came from the county's Road and Bridge department. Commissioner Bob Davis said the machine is a light-duty machine designed for snow or possibly wood chips. He made the motion to deny the purchase. Commissioner Marshall Miller seconded the motion stating that it did not have application for Lyon County. Briggs cited economic/budgetary concerns as a reason to deny the purchase.
The consent agenda included:
• Warrants payable in the amount of $202,005.41.
• Payroll payable in the amount of $211,601.93.
• Payroll withholdings payable in the amount of $233,965.93.
• Approve personnel/payroll change authorizations.
• Approve the low bid of Welborn Sales Inc. for 300 pieces at 12 foot each of 12 gage galvanized steel bridge planks for $50,760.
• Approve three certificates for free dumping at the transfer station for America Recycles Day as in the past.