Riley County Commission Nov. 23, 2009

Joan Strickler, observer

All Commissioners present, Johnson presiding.

Julie Govert Walters reported the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging has counselors prepared to assist seniors with decisions regarding Part D Medicare medical insurance options. Decisions on policies must be made during the open option period now in effect.

Shawn Brandmahl with the North Central Juvenile Detention Center asked the Commissioners for permission to draw down reserve funds on a quarterly basis rather than a bed usage basis for one year. A new funding formula for the Center is in the process of being developed and this help is needed to keep the Center functioning during the current year. Apparently the number of juveniles served has gone down this year. The Commissioners agreed to the request.

Lengthy discussions were held relating to the estimated 2009 General Fund ending cash balance. Budget and Finance Officer Johnette Shepek noted budget overruns probably will occur in Public Works causing estimated carryover to look lower than expected. It was mentioned that Riley has the lowest tax level of counties in Kansas.

Lori Feldkamp, director of Big Lakes Developmental Center, discussed the possible impact on developmental disabilities community centers of closure and/or downsizing of the Kansas Neurological Center and Parsons State Hospital. Apparently BLDC and the other centers already have lengthy waiting lists. KNI serves clients who generally are fragile and sometimes have extensive medical needs. She noted BLDC does serve some clients with medical needs such as gastrointestinal feeding tubes, but would not be equipped to deal with more extensive needs such as ventilators. Parsons serves clients with more severe behavioral problems. Serving them might require help from law enforcement. BLDC housing is virtually full and finding and keeping trained staff to serve the current heavy needs of clients is difficult. Special education students in the community are faced with graduating from high school to the couch at home because of the existing waiting lists.

Riley County Law Board, November 16, 2009
Bob Kruh, Observer

Aside from approval of a routine consent agenda the Board discussed the city's proposal to ban use of communication devices while driving. With much agreement about the existence of a problem, the Board noted that cellphones, texting, etc, are just part of a larger issue-- inattentive driving. Given the downside of creating a definition and enforcing a ban, the importance of education was emphasized. There was also interest in exploring the experience of other jurisdictions that now have a ban in force.

USD 383 Board of Education

Nov. 18, 2009

Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

Work session:

The work session focused on the MHS construction project with the architects presenting ideas that they have developed for adding space to the building. Possible options included "wrapping" new space around most of the existing exterior, adding space in a "book end" design in the NE and SW corners of the building, and adding space in an "efficiency" scheme that puts the new space all in one location. The architects want to create space that will be flexible and adaptable as the needs of education change over the next 20 years.

Regular meeting:

The board was presented with information about how the state may be reducing funding during the school year and possible scenarios for how that would affect the district's budget. Administration is anticipating that the state may reduce state aid by $200 per pupil, which would result in a decrease of over $1 million in the district's budget.

The schematic design for Northview Elementary was presented to the board. The board expressed concerns about dedicating space for laptop cart storage because technology needs will change in the future. Northview's principal also expressed her concerns that the design does not provide enough classroom space, and board members responded that Northview's attendance boundary could be redrawn to alleviate crowding. The board approved the schematic design 7-0.

The board also approved 7-0 to award Ogden Elementary's construction project to Champion Builders of Topeka.

The board approved 7-0 to adopt the Botvin Life Skills Training program, which is a substance abuse prevention program that will replace the D.A.R.E. program that the police department had decided to cease offering. The city's Special Alcohol Tax Funding committee will be providing the funding for a program coordinator and a program specialist.

Board members discussed whether the district should join the Schools For Fair Funding (SFFF) organization. The district had been part of SFFF in 2006 when a lawsuit was filed against the state of Kansas for failing to adequately fund public education, and the SFFF group may pursue legal action against the state again. To join SFFF, the district would be asked to contribute $5 per student, which amounts to $27,860. Board members were concerned about the cost to join SFFF, other state agencies also in need of funding from the state, and the lack of available state funds due to the poor economy. Several board members didn't think that suing the state was the answer to funding problems for education. Pete Paukstelis was in disagreement and felt that suing the state did work in 2006 and resulted in a dramatic increase in state funding. Paukstelis also said the Legislature has the power to provide additional funding to education in spite of the poor economy by expanding the tax base. The board voted 6-1 to not join SFFF, with Paukstelis dissenting.

Riley County Commission mtg Nov 9,2009

All commissioners present. Rich Vargo, Co. Clerk, gave YTD budget and expenditure reports. Eileen King, Co Treasurer, gave monthly financial reports. Interest earned on County investments in October was at .08%. King was able to secure reinvestment of one fund at 1.84%.YTD interest income is $342,049.91 (54.73% of budget for year) as compared to 120.86% at this point in 2008. Sales tax collections are slightly over budget. Hy-Vee, though operating only since August, has joined the "top 25" of sales tax contributors (at #25). King commented that the delinquency rate on Ad Valorem taxes is very low in Riley County. All the counties in Kansas are linked by computer with regard to motor vehicle taxes. If anyone with delinquest tax registers a car in another county, the delinquency "pops up" on the computer.
Robbin Cole, of Pawnee Mental Health Services, reminded Commissioners that the State allocation for mental health services has been cut by 52% in the last year, by the Legislature. This has caused many providers to rethink the way they provide services to uninsured persons.This year the Legislature changed the wording on the contract to include "subject to available resources" Pawnee has already cut $50,000 in salaries from 2009 Budget. Cole said that the Counties participating in Pawnee MHS have been very supportive.
McCulloh said County Hazardous Waste will be at Howie's on Sat Nov 14.
Kearns read a proclamation of Veteran's Day on November 11, Wednesday. He said many activities are available to honor Verterans, including a breakfast, parade, speeches at City Auditorium.
Susan Kufahl said County Health Dept will hold clinic for H1N1 vaccine on Tuesday from 4 to 5:30. They hope to have a clinic for elementary school children on Nov 23, and one for High school students on Nov 30. They still do not allocations they will receive. From 33% of schools with 10% or more absentee two weeks ago, rate has gone down to 15%.Hospital admissions remain the same.
Leon Hobson,Pub Works Dir and County Engineer, gave an update on projects. Commission will tour the site of a proposed road closing on Nov 23, afternoon. NOTE: Barnes Road Bridge will be
CLOSED for repairs; project will begin sometime between Jan 4 and Feb 10, and continue for about 70 days.The main financing for this project is from Federal stimulus funds.
Clancy, County Counsel, conducted an informational hearing on the question of reopening the west entrance to Tuttle Creek State Park. A representative of the Corps of Engineers and a representative of the Kansas State Parks spoke on the subject. The Corps representative explained which roads had been destroyed by the recent dam construction, which would never be restored, and when the entire project will be finished (by Dec 15, they project). The employee of the State Park System discussed the three options: two entrances, a west entrance only, and an east entrance only. Each has good and bad points. For complete information, attend the public meeting on Nov 16 at the Fire Station, 7:00. Commissioners agreed by consensus to postpone action on any resolution until after the meeting.
CherylCollins, Museum Director, said Goodnow house and barn are now closed for renovations. They may figure in the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area activities. A meeting of that grouip will be here in Riley County on Nov 12. Call Museum for details.
Bob Isaac, CountyPlanner, conducted a public hearing on the vacation of utility easement on property at Tuttle Creek Lake. The area has never been developed\. There are no utilities in the property. Commissioners accepted recommendation of staff to approve vacation, 3-0.
Isaac conducted a public hearing on vacation of road right-of-ways in same general area. The County owns rights of way, but has never built any roads. Owner made plats for development and installed primitive roads in 1964. There has been no development, there is no access to water or sewer services, the "road" (classed as a "trail")is only half on the right-of-way, the terrain is hostile to development, there are no utilities and no interest in utilities. Staff recom-mended approval of the vacation. In discussion, Corps of Engineers stated interes in retaining access to the Lake at that point. Mr. Johnson was concerned about increasing difficulties for hunters and fishers. It was agreed that staff will find a time for Commissionerrs to view the property before making a decision.
Commissionersw signed a contract to buy two properties in Fairmount Park.
COMMISSION will not meet on Thurs Nov 12 or on Mon Nov 16.