The Atchison County Commission met Wednesday, August 27, 2024, in a special session. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.
The commission conducted personnel interviews for Road and Bridge Supervisor.
––
The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, August 29, 2024. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Bills were reviewed and approved for payment.
The commission met with Kimberly Tanner, Communications Specialist with NPPD, at 9:00 a.m. Present at the meeting were Emergency Management Director Rhonda Wiley and Assistant Director Mark Manchester. There was no representation present from the City of Rock Port or Watson. Mrs. Tanner stated that NPPD (Cooper Nuclear Station) will no longer maintain sirens located in the 10-mile radius of their facility as they will begin using IPAWS in 2025. This will impact the sirens located in the City of Rock Port and Watson, as well as some in the rural area of Atchison County. She explained that IPAWS is the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System in FEMA’s national system for local alerting that provides authenticated emergency and lifesaving information to the public through mobile phones using wireless emergency alerts, to radio and television via the Emergency Alerts System, and on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Radio.
Mrs. Tanner gave the following reasons why NPPD is transitioning to IPAWS vs. the sirens.
• Sirens only sound an alert to get your attention. They do not give instructions. They do not tell you why the siren is sounding. When people hear the sirens, they do not know what to do next.
• Wireless emergency alerts allow for follow-up messages and updates to be sent out regarding an emergency. This means you will get updates and further guidance throughout an emergency.
• Sirens are not designed to always be heard indoors, whereas wireless emergency alerts can reach you inside your home, at work, in the car, or wherever you are near a cell phone.
• Sirens must endure the outdoor elements and are very costly to install and repair. While NPPD currently maintains them, they are still susceptible to local severe weather damage.
• The wireless emergency alert system uses GPS targeting, meaning that the wireless emergency alert will go out to anyone and everyone who is within a 10-mile radius of the Cooper Nuclear Station, whether they live, work, or are vacationing in the area.
She stated that there would be several press releases issued about the IPAWS implementation in the county before it goes into effect.
Emergency Management Director Wiley stated that Atchison County has the IPAWS system in place and will work closely with NPPD to educate local citizens.
Mrs. Tanner stated that the sirens will remain in place until the IPAWS is approved and implemented. Once that is final the sirens will be disassembled.
The commission thanked Mrs. Tanner for her presentation and looks forward to working with her throughout the implementation in Atchison County.
Director Wiley updated the commissioners on the progress of the remodel at the 911 office.
The commission adopted the following resolution in recognition of Leon Reed’s years of service:
WHEREAS, The members of the Atchison County Commission make it a practice to recognize and commend individuals who have excelled in a career as a public servant; and
WHEREAS, Leon Reed was hired to work for the Atchison County Road & Bridge Department on May 12, 1975; and has devoted 49½ years to the department, giving of his many talents until his retirement on August 29, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Leon has devoted countless hours of effort, demonstrating personal excellence and diligence in maintaining and upgrading the entire 647 miles of county roads and especially the 122 bridges in Atchison County where he has served as Bridge Foreman overseeing the construction; and
WHEREAS, Leon has achieved respect from his colleagues and the citizens of Atchison County as an astute and distinguished public servant and hardworking, dedicated fine gentleman; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Atchison County Commission, elected officials and fellow co-workers commend Leon for his long and honorable dedication to the Road & Bridge Department and bid farewell to an esteemed and honorable public servant.
––
There being no further business, the commission adjourned to assist with an open house and retirement celebration for Leon Reed, Road and Bridge Foreman in recognition of his 49½ years of service to Atchison County.
