All Commissioners present. Rod Meredith, Asst Dir Public Works, presnted a revision of his departments budget request. He mentioned that if the sales tax is not renewed, they will have trouble keeping to the road maintenance schedule.
Ralph DeZago requested that the Commission extend the permission granted for hot dot sales in Courthouse Plaza be extended three months (through end of September). In light of the City's action to grant him permission to buy permit ($300 per year, not pro-rated), undergo background check, prove he has insurance and join business organization, and sell hot dogs on Saturdays, Commissioners found no objections to the extension. Motion passed 3-0. McCullogh suggested they must hold a work session (when pressure of Budget work is finished) to formulate a policy on such activity. Consensus agreement.
Doug Messer, Asst County Fire Chief, presented suggestions for fireworks safety in July 4 celebrations. Highlights included: have adult supervision; have water nearby; never throw fireowrks at people or carry in pocket; never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers, or in or near a roadway or street. He encouraged everyone to attend public fireworks displays. Riley County sales begin July 1, for those who have applied for a permit by June 27 (today).
Tim Hegarty, RCPD, said arrests at Stampede were down this year; RCPD had only three DUI arrests (Highway Patrol numbers are separate). Hegarty said crime is down slightly this summer so far. Almost all serious crime is committed by permanent residents of Riley County; student influx increases "nuisance" crimes in general
Cheryl Collins, Museum Director, introduced Melissa Kirkwood, Development Office of Flint Hills Discovery Center, who encouraged County residents to find and contribute interesting items for a 50-year Time Capsule which will be incorporated into the Discovery Center building.Items might include photographs, tools and objects, household/business items, cultural objects, ephemera of 2011, toys or music for children, etc.Contributions may be taken to Manhattan Convention & Visitors Bureau or RC Historical Museum by July 8.
Collins also noted that Barbara Poresky was elected Treasurer of Kansas Preservation Alliance Board of Directors. Rheba Howard was elected Director, and Linda Glasgow was elected President.
Rod Mer4dith said June 27-July 1, an asphalt seal will be applied to RC 376, Fancy Creek Rdl/Winkler mills Rd and RC 875N Wilkler Rd. Drivers should try to find alternative routes. The oil will stick and is hard to cleran off. Delays of up to 15 minutes are expected.
Ginny Barnard, Extension representative, said Children's cooking classes will be held July 2 and July 23. They will buy materials at Farmeer's Market and cook in County building. Preservation classes will be held in conjunction with HyVee Dietitian, at HyVee kitchens. July 6 Tomatoes & Salsa; Aug 10 Pickled Products; Sept 7 Jams & jellies. further info at County website.
Larry Couchman, RC Emergency Services, said in 16 years of Country Stampede, this year was the "best ever" from his perspective. Good Weather help in crowd behavior and attendance, and quality of entertainment was high. Their contract with Mercy covered their divect personnel expenses. They had only 9 ambulance transports (6 or 7 of which were alcohol related). Grand total of patient count for all days was 425, most of which were first aid calls. There were 23 primary alcohol problems and 34 heat related problems included.
Johnette Shepek, Budget and Finance Officer, said Budget deadline is July 14. The Consumer Price Index for May was 3.8%. This will be used for COL adjustments. All Dept Heads have submitted their requests. 80-90% of most department budgets are personnel costs.
Clancy Holeman Administration, requested Executive Sessions for two separate litigation matters.
Chuck Murphy, Director, RC Health Dept, discussed possible repercussions of City's proposed withdrawal from contributing to Health Dept. They would lose $50,000 off the top in State matching funds. Total from County is $380,330. Lost feom City would be $311,000. Over the last three years Health Dept has lost $617,000 in funding. The mill levy in Riley County is $7.50. State average for counties is $15 (per capita).80% of Riley County's assessed valuation is within the City of Manhattan. Part of the City is in Pottawattomie County. There are several structural matters that would have to be dealt with, many serious issues. Clancy Holeman, County Counsel, said a charter resolution is needed immediately. Health Department is on entirely different pay scale. They have a different Health insurance plan. Their systems and computers are entirely separate from the rest of the County. Services such as Child Care, Restaurant inspections, epidemic control, vaccination programs, etc would need to be contracted by the City. Audit and legal expenses would have to be increased. There may also be factors unknown at this time. Mr Holeman will present this information in a respectful and informational manner to the City Commission Tuesday night (tomorrow, June 28). County w
ould appreciate as long a transition period as possible, at least until January 1, 2013. Some such transitions have taken 4 to 5 years.
Johnette Shepek summarized CIP requests for 2012. $1.9 million in IMPERATIVE expenditures are unfunded in the budget. There are many more possible projects not imperative. 2012 is the last year in which mercy will make a payment for purchase of Memorial Hospital: $650,000. Commissioners agreed tentatively to finance the payment to the City on Konza Water project in order to have a better ending balance.
Adjourned. Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg
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