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The Kentucky Association of Counties held a special executive committee meeting, pursuant to proper notice given in accordance with KRS 61.823, at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2020 at 400 Englewood Drive in Frankfort, Kentucky.
The roll was called. The following Directors were present: President Gary Moore, Boone Co. Judge/Executive; President-elect Reagan Taylor, Madison Co. Judge/Executive; 1st Vice President Phil Sammons, Boyle Co. Magistrate; 2nd Vice President Amy Milliken, Warren Co. Attorney (via phone); and Immediate Past President Elbert Bennett, Caldwell Co. Magistrate.
Others present were: Jim Henderson, Executive Director/CEO; Tim Sturgill, General Counsel; Karen Basham, Chief Financial Officer; and Sonya Chesser, Executive Assistant/Events Manager.
President Moore called the meeting to order at 1:41 p.m.
Motion made by Reagan Taylor, seconded by Elbert Bennett, to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2020 meeting. Motion carried.
Mr. Sturgill presented a draft revision of the employee travel expense policy for consideration.
Motion made by Phil Sammons, seconded by Reagan Taylor, to approve the employee travel expense policy as presented effective April 1, 2020. Motion carried.
President Moore recommended circulating the employee travel expense policy to the KACo board and its program boards with a memo stating that the Executive Committee has adopted the policy for the KACo employees and recommends that each board adopt the same travel expense policy.
President Moore provided an update on the successful NACo Legislative Conference held Feb. 28 - March 4 in Washington, DC.
Ms. Chesser provided historical data concerning KACo's legislative events including costs and attendance. She said KACo will be hosting its second legislative lunch for 2020 on March 26th.
Mr. Sturgill provided an update on his progress seeking firms to conduct a compensation study.
Motion made by Phil Sammons, seconded by Amy Milliken, to go into closed session to conduct a discussion or hearing which might lead to the appointment, discipline or dismissal of an individual employee as authorized by KRS 61.810(1)(f) at 2:23 p.m. Motion carried.
Motion made by Phil Sammons, seconded by Elbert Bennett, to return to open session at 4:06 p.m. Motion carried. No action was taken during closed session.
The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held March 25th at 3:00 p.m.
Motion made by Phil Sammons, seconded by Elbert Bennett, to adjourn the meeting at 4:10 p.m. Motion carried.
The Kentucky Association of Counties held an emergency executive committee meeting, pursuant to proper notice given in accordance with KRS 65.312 and 61.823(5), at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020 at 400 Englewood Drive in Frankfort, Kentucky.
The following Directors participated via phone: President Gary Moore, Boone Co. Judge/Executive; President-elect Reagan Taylor, Madison Co. Judge/Executive; 1st Vice President Phil Sammons, Boyle Co. Magistrate; 2nd Vice President Amy Milliken, Warren Co. Attorney; and Immediate Past President Elbert Bennett, Caldwell Co. Magistrate.
Others present were: Jim Henderson, Executive Director/CEO; Tim Sturgill, General Counsel (via phone); and Sonya Chesser, Executive Assistant/Events Manager.
President Moore called the meeting to order at 11:05 a.m.
President Moore stated that the meeting is being called pursuant to KRS 65.312 and 61.823(5). This meeting will be limited to the following emergency circumstance: update on state and national strategies regarding COVID-19.
Mr. Henderson provided an update to a conference call he participated in yesterday with the executive director of the National Association of Counties and state association executive directors regarding the heightened precautions being taken around the United States as it relates to the global pandemic. He said this issue is the top priority for counties and they counties are looking to their state associations to provide the answers. He provided information relative to Congress voting today on a second relief package that will provide assistance to those directly affected by the economic impact. He said Allison Adams, president of the Kentucky Public Health Association asked that KACo's messaging emphasize the need for a loop of communication among the community partners including the judge/executive, public health director and emergency management with those three communicating on a regular basis. He said KACo is also providing information to counties about emergency declarations and what counties can do and not do. President Moore asked Attorney General Daniel Cameron about his willingness to participate in a statewide conference call with KACo to discuss the powers held by the county judge/executives during emergency situations. It was decided to also invite representatives from the Kentucky Health Department Association to discuss their critical role as it relates to this crisis and to ask Harrison Co. Judge/Executive and KACo Board member Alex Barnett to provide an update from a county leader's perspective since Kentucky's first coronavirus case was confirmed to be a resident of Harrison County.
The Committee agreed to hold a webinar on Monday, March 16th upon the availability of the Attorney General. KACo will email all county judge/executives and county attorneys inviting them to participate in the webinar along with the executive directors of the affiliates and presidents of the ten affiliate associations. Participants will be able to submit questions via the webinar allowing the presenters to respond.
President Moore asked that the Executive Committee be prepared to participate in a special meeting on Monday, March 16th.
Mr. Henderson said KACo will be including in its communications for county officials to put an emphasis on conducting business online rather than in person. He said KACo has received an influx of calls asking if counties can close their courthouses, their public libraries and other facilities. Also, if fiscal courts could meet via telephonic rather than in person. Mr. Henderson recommended not having the KACo Board and program boards meet in the office for the next thirty days due to the state and national directives to limit the number of people in social gatherings. The legislative luncheon scheduled for March 26th is being cancelled due to the Governor placing limits on the number of people allowed in the Capitol. He said staff is adversely affected by schools being closed and is working to implement a policy to work from home.
Mr. Henderson said the COVID-19 health crisis has also created a worldwide economic crisis. He said KACo has lost $4.5 million in investments since December 2019.
President Moore asked if KACo should set up a hotline to allow officials the opportunity to ask questions via email and/or phone. Mr. Henderson said yes KACo will offer this service via its website.
Mr. Sammons thanked President Moore and Mr. Henderson for their leadership.
Motion made by Phil Sammons, seconded by Elbert Bennett, to adjourn the meeting at 12:27 p.m. Motion carried.
The Kentucky Association of Counties held a special executive committee meeting, pursuant to proper notice given in accordance with KRS 61.823, at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2020 at 400 Englewood Drive in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Others present were: Jim Henderson, Executive Director/CEO; Tim Sturgill, General Counsel; and Sonya Chesser, Executive Assistant/Events Manager.
President Moore called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m.
President Moore provided an update on the webinar that KACo produced on county guidance as it relates to COVID-19. Presenters participating in the webinar included Attorney General Daniel Cameron; Harrison County Judge/Executive Alex Barnett; Allison Adams, president of the Kentucky Health Department Association; Mr. Henderson and President Moore. President Moore reported that 186 individuals signed in to the webinar and, of course, that number does not include other individuals that may have watched the webinar alongside those that signed in. The video recording of the webinar will be available on KACo's website for everyone to access. Mr. Henderson said KACo will also create a frequently asked questions section on its website. President Moore said Judge Barnett showed great leadership and poise during today's webinar and has been a tremendous asset in the wake of his county being the first in Kentucky affected by the virus. President Moore provided information as to the procedures that Boone County has implemented as a result of the recent pandemic.
Mr. Henderson addressed steps that he plans to initiate concerning staff being in the office. He requested feedback from the Committee concerning a work from home policy, which he will be discussing with the executive management team upon adjournment of the Executive Committee meeting. He said he has prohibited staff from traveling to counties for the next thirty days.
There was discussion concerning the March 26th regularly scheduled KACo quarterly board meeting given state and national directives to maintain social distancing and gathering in groups of no more than ten. The Committee agreed that holding a special meeting via teleconference would be in the best interest of all parties for the quarterly KACo board meeting and monthly Executive Committee meeting.
Motion made by Elbert Bennet, seconded by Amy Milliken, to request all KACo program boards to call special meetings in order to conduct those via teleconference rather than in person. Motion carried.
Motion made by Amy Milliken, seconded by Elbert Bennett, to adjourn the meeting at 1:10 p.m. Motion carried.
