SOLDIER TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING
The regular monthly meeting of the Soldier Township Board was called to order on March 1, 2022, at 12:15 p.m. Board members present were Karl McNorton (Trustee), Jerry Glasgow (Treasurer) and Mike Mathes (Clerk). Also present were Bob Oliva, Township Business Administrator and Road Superintendent, John Tipton, Co-Road Superintendent, Chief Doug Schmitt representing the Fire Department, and Laurie Moody, Bookkeeper.
Guests in attendance:
Jared Beam (Insurance Consultants), Lee Hendricks (Legal Counsel)
Member Glasgow made a motion to approve the check register, the minutes from February 1, 2022, Board meeting, and the agenda, as presented, with no additions or amendments. Member Mathis seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.
Public comment and communication:
There were no public comments or communication.
General
Jared Beam, Insurance Consultants, presented the commercial insurance proposal for 2022-2023 renewal, to be effective 3/1/22. Member Mathis made a motion to approve the insurance proposal. Motion was seconded by Member Glasgow. Motion carried 3-0.
Mr. Oliva presented a possible boundary change, incorporating a cul-de-sac which has a total of
eleven (11) houses and is currently in Menoken Township. The cul-de-sac is not easily accessible to Menoken Township for maintenance of the street and, therefore, has been maintained by Soldier Township Road Department. Lee Hendricks submitted a memo highlighting K.S.A. 79-1807, pertaining to this subject. If the boundaries are changed, it will change the voting site and taxes for the residents on the cul-de-sac, Mr. Oliva will communicate with Menoken Township and proceed accordingly.
Laurie Moody, Bookkeeper, has been commissioned as a Notary Public for departmental needs.
Brief discussion was held about the revisions being made to the Personnel Handbook. Lee Hendricks will email suggested changes/clarifications to Mr. Oliva.
Mr. Oliva presented the current Profit and Loss Report, highlighting the insurance costs and budgeted amounts.
Fire
Chief Schmitt announced a new request being made for ARPA funds for the possible construction of a new fire station. The current station is nearly fifty (50) years old.
Due to a recent resignation, the fire department is currently accepting applications for the position of Battalion Chief. The application packet is posted on our website, Facebook, and is also advertised on the Kansas State Fire Fighters Association website. Motion was made by Member McNorton to grant authorization to Chief Schmitt to fill the Battalion Chief position at the annual salary cost of $55,000. Motion was seconded by Member Mathes. Motion carried 3
Chief Schmitt presented the official fire report which included a fatality fire on February 17-18, 2022. Unfortunately, the fire went unreported for several hours and the house was completely destroyed by the time of the fire crew’s arrival.
Road
Mr. Oliva updated on the insurance claim status concerning the building that was destroyed by the windstorm. The township has received payment from the insurance company for $81,664.50, the total amount of the claim, and steps are being taken to begin the replacement building construction, utilizing Schulz Construction Inc. Preliminary discussions have also begun for the construction of the new Road Department building and how it will be funded.
John Tipton presented the Road Report. There are currently twenty (20) open work orders which are being addressed in a timely manner. The four (4) snow events were addressed successfully, with no significant machinery failures. The crew has started sweeping up the residual sand, moving from west to east, to keep it from clogging up the storm sewers.
Numerous pieces of equipment have been identified as expendable, either outdated or non working. It is requested that the department be given authority to sell these pieces through Purple Wave Auction. Motion was made by Member Mathis and seconded by Member McNorton to approve the disposal of the identified township property on Purple Wave.
Executive Session
Member Mathis made a motion to move into closed Executive Session, beginning at 1:15 p.m., for a period not to exceed 20 minutes, for attorney client privilege discussion. Motion seconded by Member McNorton. Exception was made to include Lee Hendricks, Doug Schmitt, Bob Oliva, John Tipton & Laurie Moody. At 1:35 p.m., motion was made to continue in Executive Session for an additional five minutes under attorney client privilege. Exception was made to include the same people. Motion was seconded and carried 3 0. At 1:40 p.m., the Board came out of executive session and convened in open regular session. No action was taken.
There being no further business to come before the Board, motion was made by Member Mathis and seconded by Member Glasgow that the meeting be adjourned at 1:40 p.m. Motion carried.
The next monthly Board meeting will be held on April 5, 2022, at 12:15 p.m.
Approved by: Karl McNorton, Jerry Glasgow, and Mike Mathews