BY KEITH LIPPOLDT
klippoldt@gbtribune,com
Although the award letter was originally received on May 24, 2023, and signed by the county on April 24, 2024, KDOT has requested a supplemental agreement be signed capping the state’s total payout on a Barton County road project at $171,000.
According to the Barton County Commissioners Nov. 5 Board agenda, this project involves an engineering study to determine the proper location of no passing zones, followed by the installation of no passing zone signs on blacktop roads in southwest Barton County. The county will incur any costs over that amount.
Barton County Engineer Barry McManaman addressed the five commissioners in attendance Tuesday to provide details of the new agreement.
“KDOT sent me a supplemental agreement on the High Risk Rural Roads project for your approval,” McManaman said. “It is in the southwest quadrant of the county where there’s going to be a study done to determine the proper location for no passing zones, and then have an actual construction project to put up no passing pennants.”
McManaman explained that when KDOT awards the money, typical with high risk road projects, there is a maximum award.
“They had stated at the time they would fund up to $171,000,” he said. “I think what happened is they simply forgot to specify that maximum in the agreement. So they sent this supplemental agreement, just adding the language in there that anything over the $171,000 will be the county’s expense.”
Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson asked McManaman if he believed the $171,000 would cover the cost of the entire project.
“That’s always a guess. I did speak with Kirkham Michael (civil engineering firm). They had helped out with the estimates,” McManaman said. “We are responsible for any right of way and utility costs – which I assume to be zero – we shouldn’t have to move anything. We’re kind of at the mercy of the bids. You are never sure what kind of prices you are going to get. But Kirkham said they did try to estimate high enough to cover some contingencies.”
Board Chair Barb Esfeld asked McManaman the last time the county had this kind of study done.
“We’ve had three previous signing projects, and I believe when we applied they actually did the no passing zone studies in association with the no passing pennants - putting them in the correct spot,” he said. “So we’ve had those two. I think this one backs up to one of the earlier signing projects we did where we didn’t have a no passing zone associated with it. If you apply for a striping job or a sign replacement job, if it involves no passing pennants, they will ask if you had an official study.
“I’m just trying to get ahead of the game a little bit, get the study done, so that the next time we apply in this part of the county, we’ll have that box checked.”
Commissioner Tricia Schlessiger made a motion to approve the supplemental agreement that was seconded by Hutchinson. The motion passed 5-0.
In other action, the county:
• Approved the Accounts Payable Register, presented by County Clerk Bev Schmeidler, for the period beginning Oct. 22, 2024 and ending Nov. 5, 2024.
Commissioner Donna Zimmerman made a motion to approve and Commissioner Duane Reif seconded. The motion passed 5-0.
• Discussed Resolution 2022-08 which states that gravesites at Golden Belt and Hillcrest cemeteries may be decorated seven days before Veterans Day and that the decorations must be removed within seven days after. The items will be removed by county employees if left longer than the seven days and the employees will not attempt to find the items after being removed. Additionally, Barton County will not be responsible for the loss or damage to any appropriate ornamental items left on any lot grave or any other part of memorial parks and cemeteries during the listed holidays.
Schlessiger commented more on the resolution.
“We put this announcement in here because we’re very concerned. We want to get the word out this time, especially that they will be taking items off the graves seven days after Veterans Day,” she said. “And in years past this has not really been enforced. So we really want people to understand this is really going to happen this time. I don’t want a bunch of people in here the week after and be like ‘We didn’t know’. We really want people to understand it is really going to happen. Please take your items back seven days after Veterans Day. I don’t want people to be like, ‘I left something very, very personal on a grave and now it’s gone’.”
Hutchinson also spoke on the subject saying, “To add to Commissioner Schlessiger’s point, I was just going to say we have some new blood on this board, on this committee. They’re really stepping up and trying to make that cemetery as good as a cemetery that may be in the city limits somewhere. So we don’t want to get in their way and slow them down by telling them not to abide by the rules that have been written. Sometimes it’s difficult. It’s going to be a change, but it’s for the better in the long run.”
• Heard a plea from Hutchinson to the younger people to get involved in the growth and development of the cities or county.
“There’s something kind of weighing on my heart,” he said. “Recently, I’ve noticed there’s almost like a generational change in our community right now. It’s a cultural and generational change, and I would just like to invite people, the younger generation, the best and the brightest, to get involved in the community. There’s a lot of ways to get involved that can make a major difference that don’t require a lot of time and effort. Things like township boards, city councils, advisory steering committees. There’s a lot of those things out there. And if there are some people in the community that would like to get involved, I would be glad to help them find where they fit best and to help them with the process.
“As I’ve gotten involved over the last several years, I’ve noticed the same 20 people on every board throughout the communities. We wouldn’t even have boards if it wasn’t for them. But I think a lot of them are willing to pass the torch, and I think now is the time to step up. And I think any one of the five of us (commissioners) would be willing to help someone find where they best fit and where they’re most needed.”
