BOCC June 20

Board of Riley County Commissioners June 20, 2011
Commissioners McCulloh and Johnson present

Commissioner McCulloh read the statement that she will present at the Manhattan City Commission meeting on Tues, June 21. The statement is in support of the fixed bus route proposed by the Flint Hills Area Transportation Agency. The City is being asked to contribute $15,000 as a match toward federal funds that will allow the Agency to begin implementing the system. She will also send a letter to this effect to the City Commissioners. The BOCC approved her actions in behalf of the County.

Laurie Harrison, Emergency Management coordinator asked the Commission for permission to take the Mobile Command Post to Wamego for the July 4th festivities. The City of Wamego is concerned that their communications command and control may not be adequate for the event which is larger every year. Harrison said that the Mobile Command Post was received through Homeland Security grant funds and this would be a very effective way to use its regional communications capability. The understanding is that in the event Riley County needed it for an incident in our county it would be returned. The BOCC agreed to this request.

Linda Teener of UFM presented a proposal to use “FEMA buyout land” which is located on Hunters Island for expanding the Community Garden program. The current Garden site does not have room for expansion and there is a waiting list of gardeners. The request is to lease the land from the county.
The BOCC thought this was a good idea. UFM will be back with a final proposal

Lyle Butler from the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce presented a budget request of $85,000 which is $35,000 higher than the previous year. The majority of the additional funds would support the Community Military liaison which the Chamber has paid for with City appropriations and private funds since its beginning in July 2006. The motivation is to encourage Ft. Riley and other military personnel to enjoy activities and spend additional money in Riley County. Funds will also be used to promote the Rodeo during the Fair as well as the “Manhattan 24/7” campaign. The result should be to bring new sales tax and property tax into Riley County. The request will be considered when the county budget is determined.

During the press conference Larry Couchman explained preparations for the Stampede and cautioned attendees to have adequate sun protection, wear adequate shoes and keep hydrated. He also said people should have a plan in case of emergency.

Laurie Harrison said that SBA disaster assistanceis available in the form of low interest loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes who were affected by the flash flooding of June 1&2..

The Manhattan Emergency Shelter Inc. submitted an appropriation request of $11,000 for the 2012 budget to support their efforts in helping the homeless help themselves.

Clancy Holeman, addressing the Manhattan City Commission’s concerns in funding the RCPD, investigated the statutes and said that KS law says that tax levy should be “sufficient to fund” - in this case the RCPD. It was noted that in several years Riley County has had to dip in to the General Fund when unexpected costs arose for the RCPD. Often these were unexpected medical expenses of inmates that could not be foreseen or budgeted for. The feeling seemed to be that the City might just have to do the same.

Grant Bannister, Indigent Defense Panel Attorney talked about the Panel’s contract request. There may be a need to consider a couple of options, one that eliminates covering high level juvenile felonies. These take more time and expertise than the typical cases such as ‘child in need of care’ cases. There will be more discussion of this.

Julie Merklin, Observer