The Atchison County Commission met Thursday, October 31, 2024. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood via call in, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.

South District Commissioner Burke called the meeting to order.

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Bills were reviewed and approved for payment.

Teresa Mertens met with the commission to introduce herself as the new Youth Program Associate with the University Extension Office. She will be working out of the Atchison County office and will be working on rebuilding the 4-H groups and the robotics program. The commission welcomed Ms. Mertens and looks forward to working with her.

Assessor Rochelle Long met with the commission to discuss the process for closing some abandoned roads in the Blanchard area that someone would like to purchase and tie several tracts of land together. All tracts are owned by the same landowner. Assessor Long will provide maps of the property in question and Clerk Taylor will forward the documents to Attorney Ivan Schreader for review.

Assessor Long also provided a proposal from SAM Surveying and Mapping LLC for ArcGIS Pro Training and support. The commission requested that Kenny Wallace, Allison Cherry, and Assessor Rochelle Long all complete the training. SAM stated there would be no additional cost for all of them to take the training at the same time. The proposal was approved and signed.

ACDC Director Monica Bailey met with the commission to discuss moving forward with a TIF project being proposed in the Fairfax area. Meagan Miller with Gilmore and Bell was present via conference call for the discussion. The commission agreed to have Mrs. Miller move forward with preparing the developer agreement for review and signing. The developer will be responsible for all legal fees related to the TIF project.

Melissa Massar, Great River Engineering Bridge Team Leader; Matthew Fazio, Great River Engineering Project Manager; Kenny Wallace and Allison Cherry, Atchison County Road and Bridge; Jason Garst and Garry Garst, Atchison County Levee District, were all present to discuss BRO-026 (Opp Bridge). Jason and Garry had some question regarding the permitting process with the Army Corps of Engineers. Ms. Massar was able to address all their concerns. Their board will meet and get her the documentation she needs to move forward.

Ms. Massar then presented Engineering Services Contract #5051 for Atchison County Bridge #3570016 BRO-R003001 on X Avenue over Little Tarkio Creek, which will allow Great River Engineering to perform the engineering services for this project. Following review, it was signed by Presiding Commissioner Livengood and Clerk Taylor.

Ms. Massar, the commissioners and Assistant Supervisor Wallace reviewed the remaining bridges on the BRO list to see if the county wanted to submit any additional bridges for funding in the next round of transportation funding. Ms. Massar felt like every county would get at least one, possibly two in the next round. She will review the last bridge inspection reports with Assistant Supervisor Wallace and make a recommendation to the commission.

There being no further business, the commission adjourned.