Thursday, July 29, 2010

Riley County Commission

July 29, 2010
Joan Strickler, observer

All Commissioners present, Kearns presiding.

Commissioner Kearns mentioned new Americans With Disabilities Act standards are coming out and will need to be studied before any new building or reconstruction is considered.

County Counselor Clancy Holeman mentioned that counties cannot charge convenience fees when accepting credit card payments. Cities and county treasurers’ offices are, by Kansas statute, allowed to do so. The Commissioners agreed that counties should pursue adding counties to that law.

Jennifer Wilson, County Extension Director, gave a report on the R. C. Fair. The 4-H entries were down, but exhibits such as photographic were up. Exhibits of vegetables and fruits remained about the same. They ran out of spaces for booth rentals very early. The carnival receipts were good, about the same as last year. The rodeo was successful with about 1700 persons attending on Thursday, 1750 on Friday and 2000 on Saturday. An estimated $41,000 exchanged hands during the livestock sale.

Public Works Director Leon Hobson said McDowell Creek Road is badly in need of some maintenance. Staff was asked to come up with a recommendation for repair work that the Commission will consider.

Commissioners voted to fund a contract with Bartlett &West for the design of reconstruction of Wildcat Creek Road.

Friday, July 23, 2010

USD 383 Board of Education

July 21, 2010
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

Regular meeting:
The board was presented with the pre-schematic design plans for Marlatt Elementary. The plans included a new kindergarten and special education wing on the southeast side of the building, and a new gym on the north side.

Board members were presented with a proposal for health insurance with Preferred Health Systems for district employees. District employees will have three options to choose from. The cost to the district will increase approximately $309,000, but that amount is much lower than the anticipated $758,000 that it would have cost the district if it had stayed with the current plan.

The board discussed the 2010-11 budget and options for mill levies. The mill levy for the bond and interest fund will increase as planned by approximately 1.6 mills due to the voter-approved construction bond. Board members discussed at length the capital outlay mill levy, currently set at 5.5 mills. Administration presented an option that would lower the capital outlay mill levy to 4.0 mills, and a second option that would keep the levy at 5.5 mills. Pete Paukstelis said he wanted to keep the levy at 5.5 mills at the minimum because the public has told the board that they don't want to see the district's buildings fall into disrepair again. Other board members also wanted to maintain a carry-over balance of at least $1 million. Nancy Knopp said that since the bond and interest mill levy has to increase, she would like the board to find additional budget savings to compensate in an effort to keep the overall mill levy relatively flat. The board will continue the budget discussion at its August 4th meeting.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

BOCC July 22, 2010

The 4H king and queen presented the Commission with the annual cookie jar and delicious cookies which were shared with all present.

Barry Wilkerson, County Attorney discussed the benefits to law enforcement officers of Crisis Intervention Training. This training helps officers to effectively and humanely interact with persons with mental illness. It requires a commitment of time from the officers, but with the increasing presence of inmates with mental illness it should be very useful.

Robert Nall, Information Technology Director asked for permission to dispose of large number of Riley County previously used cell phones that have become obsolete. He asked if they could be sent to a program such as “Cell Phones for Soldiers.” The BOCC agreed.

Susanne Kufahl,from the Riley County – Manhattan Health Department said they have had a Healthy Families Contract since 2001. It augments the Maternal and Infant program part of the Family Connections partnership with Early Head Start. While looking at some other regulations it was discovered that these contracts have to go through a unit of government with taxing authority. The contract renews each July. The Commission was asked to approve this request which will enable the health dept to continue services to young families in Riley County. This request will be budget neutral. The commission voted to grant the request.

Julie Merklin, observer

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

BOCC July 19, 2010
All present

Rod Meredith, Asst. public Works Director/Parks Director told the Commission that McDowell Creek Road is getting a lot of wear from Schilling asphalt trucks on their way to the project in Ogden and causing areas which show rutting and will need patching. This area is overdue for an overlay which could cost @$1.3 million . The road is 10 miles long. The deterioration was accelerated by the heavy rains this spring.
He also reported that the disk golf area in Fairmont Park has seen a lot of use as has the Dog park and dog water fountains. The Master Plan for this park shows an area designated for festivals in the future. Already there are people interested in using this area.

Ann Smith, aTa Bus Director told the Commission that there is progress in development but it is still slow. The busses they have must be put to use in a timely fashion or K-dot will take them back.. They are working with K-State Safe-ride program as well as regional transportation projects.

During the Press Conference Jennifer Wilson announced Riley County Fair activities. Complete info on this can be found at www.rileycountyfair.com

Johnette Shepek reported on the finalized budget for 2011 which will be reviewed by the auditors.

Rich Vargo said that registration for voting in the primary election on Aug 3 ends today, the 19. Advanced voting starts the 20th

Julie Merklin, observer

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Riley County Commission mtg 7-15-20

All Commissioners present. After routine business matters, Pat Collins, Emergency Manage-ment Director, updated Commission on negotiations with FEMA for help repairing flood damage to roads and bridges The County has received a loss compensation declaration from Small Business Administration. They discussed other grant applications from FEMA and Homeland Security. Collins and Mr. Kearns said hikers should be warned that the high water has caused snakes, some poisonous, to move to higher ground. They (hikers) should be alert and wear boots.County is still trying to recruit EMTs and volunteer fire fighters. There have been 156 fire calls so far this year. Last year at this point there were 260.
Clancy Holeman, Administration, requested an executive session, after which he conducted a brief administrative work session.
Bob Isaac, Planner, conducted a public hearing on amendments to Section 9-F Zones (floodplain) of Riley County Zoning Regulations to reflect the FEMA updates to five panel maps. The requested action was mainly to clarify language, to eliminate any confusion. Riley County Planning Board and Manhattan Area Planning Board have approved and recommended adoption of the amendments. Commission approved (3-0) resolution approving clarifying amendment and approved (3-0) the authorization of signature on certificate of adoption.
Brad Schoen, Director, RCPD, reported to Commission on the overcrowding at the LEC. In the A-pod, a few days ago, a "brawl" occurred involving 9 or 10 inmates among the 42 present. Normal capacity is 32. Personnel acted immediately and stopped the brawl. One inmate was taken to the hospital with a broken nose. The jail has three levels of security, for which they use different pods. A-pod is in the lowest category of security, being "dorm-style" housing. Higher risk inmates are housed in individual cells. Capacity for the entire facility is approximately 125. At present there are 138 inmates. The population increases at weekends because working people are often sentenced to weekend confinement so they can keep their jobs. Schoen said he intends to speak to judges about the possibility of these people making "appointments" to serve at lower population times. One other option is to "farm" some inmates out to Ottawa, a one and one-half hour distance away. This is expensive, especially transportation costs. They are trying (temporarily and experimentally) putting the least troublesome inmates, who are on "work-release," in G-pod, a new pod for which they have no personnel to man, with only TV monitoring. But this could be a problem any minute. RCPD will do the best they can improvising until they can hire the new personnel at the first of next year.
Adjourned. Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Riley County Commission mtg 7-12-10

All Commissioners present. Rich Vargo, Co Clerk, gave YTD Budget & Expenditure Report.There are no budget violations so far, in spite of overtime expenses caused by extreme weather. General/general funds cover. RCPD medical expenses for inmates were less than had been feared.
Chris Welchhans, new Director of GIS, reported on his department's activities. Notable projects beyond daily work of staff included help to other County and City entities in dealing with damage estimates from flooding, especially Wildcat Creek; encouraging use of their superior GPS equipment in property disputes; subdivision updates; Ft Riley ATA bus route; discussion of further combinations with City GIS.
Jennifer Wilson, Extension, gave a presentation on the Riley County Fair beginning July 22. Many Fair activities, especially 4-H judging, occur before the official start of the fair.The opening parade is July 22 beginning at 6:00 at Town Center.Rodeo begins July 22.4-H bake sale begins 4-7:00 on Wed July 21, also Thurs a.m. 8:00. Really good stuff! Carnival, Riley County "Idol" contest, and Livestock sale are other features.
Cynthia Cowell, of Small Business Administration, said that they will continue work from the Red Cross Center 2601 Anderson, processing Disaster Loans. Loans are available to individuals, families and businesses who suffered losses caused by flash flooding on June 16. Deadlines for filing are Aug 31, 2010 for physical damage and Apr 1, 2011 for economic injury (businesses only). After July 22 call SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Lyle Butler, Chamber of Commerce, said the second annual summer Leaders' Conference will be July 14 at the Manhattan Clarion Hotel from 8:00 to 2:30. Manhattan, Junction City, and Wamego are participating. Numerous speakers are scheduled to speak on current topics of interest. Enrollment is 175.
Greg Eyestone, Extension, discussed tomatoes. Poor root development as a result of cool and wet conditions have delayed ripening. Tomatoes should be planted with plenty of space for air circulation. He said 300 people visited the Garden Tour.
Cheryl Collins, RC Hist Museum, announced a book signing for Maury Berggren, local artist, at the RC Museum on July 13 from 4-7:00 p.m. She said the Historical Society's summer meeting will be July 20 at Zealdale Community Church, 6:30 for dinner ($11) and program at 7:15 (free). The speaker is Frances Schep Ruh, to disscuss her new book THE SCHEPP FAMILY CHRONICLES.Dinner reservations by July 16, 565-6490.
Mr. Kearns presented a plaque and certificate of appreciation from KSDHE (Health and Environment) to Chuck Murphy, Director of RC Health Dept., for his exemplary work in organizing the County's enormous vaccination program for H1N1, helping to prevent an epidemic. The Health Department gave over 20,000 vaccinations, with the cooperation of schools, hospitals, County emergency personnel, and others.
Rich Vargo announced the Primary Election on August 3. People may apply for mail ballots beginning July 14. Registration closes July 19, and in-person advance voting begins July 20 at the County Clerk's office.
Johnette Shepek, Budget and Finance Officer, presented 2011 Budget amendments discussed last Thrusday, with reductions that bring expenditures to $26,167,854. This represents need for .982 mill increase from last year, bringing mill levy to 32.216. Commissioners passed motion to approve pending auditing and other necessary legal procedures, 3-0.
Rod Meredith, Public Works, said the energy grant proposal is very near to approval. With this grant, the RC Shop buildings on Tuttle Creek Blvd will be able to install 4 wind turbines, 2 solar panel systems, solar street lights, etc. This will be a DOE (Energy) demonstration project which will probably provide enough energy to cover their needs entirely. It may become a "tourist" attraction, with publicity to 400 KS municipalities.
Clancy Holeman, Administration, conducted an administrative session.
Adjourned. Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Health Board Report:
The Health Board Meeting was cancelled for June because too many
Board members were unable to come. The June agenda will be added to
the July meeting which will be at noon on the last Wednesday of July.
Sue Cohen Observer

Thursday, July 8, 2010

USD 383 Board of Education

July 7, 2010
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

Regular meeting:
Board members elected Susan Marshall to be board president and Doug Messer to be vice president. The board also approved 6-0 the annual appointments of board clerk, treasurer, legal counsel, affirmative action chairperson, and other similar positions.

The board was presented with information regarding a certified nurse aide course that would be offered in the spring of 2011 to MHS students through an arrangement with the Manhattan Area Technical College. Board members expressed concerns about the course fee of $540 and planned to revisit the topic at the next meeting.

Larry Doll, director of human resources, updated the board regarding health insurance for district employees. Mr. Doll has been working with a consultant to help him determine which company offers the best plan for the district's needs. Mr. Doll expects to be able to make a recommendation to the board at its next meeting.

Board members were presented with a prioritized list of capital outlay projects to assist the board in its budget planning. Some of the items on the list included new hot water systems for both middle schools, replacing the track at both middle schools, replacing the roof over the gym at Wilson Elementary, and repairing the decorative plaster in the auditorium at MHS - East Campus.

Friday, July 2, 2010

BOCC July 1

All Commissioners present

Dennis Peterson, Noxious Weed Director, told the commissioners that some land owners are not doing their spraying for certain plants. All landowners, both public and private, are required to control and eradicate all noxious weeds on lands that they own or manage. Some townships have said that they don’t have the money and so are not complying with the law. The biggest problem is with bindweed. It was suggested this topic be discussed at the next annual meeting of the townships. The state has no money for spraying and state laws provide for legal action if the regulation is not complied with.
Peterson said that the next household hazardous waste pickup at Howie’s will be July 10th.

Greg McHenry, Appraiser, reported that good progress has been made with the Orion project. The post conversion work was finished 2-3 weeks earlier than anticipated.
Because of the recent flooding, the appraisers did damage assessments of 91 real estate parcels in the County – several parcels had multiple buildings on them such as apartment buildings, mobile homes, etc.

Monty Wedel, Planning/Special Projects Director addressed the question of building codes in the unincorporated areas of the county. Right now they are looking at codes for residential buildings with the option to consider commercial codes in the future if the need arises. They will look into requirements, costs for inspections, etc. If codes are adopted, all contractors will have to have a license from Manhattan. An owner/occupant may build it themselves but permits and inspections will be required and it will have to be up to code.

The commission then addressed the CIP budget. Two lists of infrastructure projects, one from 2010 and one for 2011 were looked at with a view to getting them completed promptly. Other items in the budget were discussed and will be looked at on July 8 work session.

Julie Merklin, Observer
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