Monday, March 26, 2012

Riley County Commission March 26, 2012

Joan Strickler, observer


All Commissioners present, Johnson presiding.

County Treasurer Eileen King said a statewide check of Kansas’ new computerized system for driver’s licenses and motor vehicle registrations will be conducted on April 5. The test is to determine the system’s ability to deal with the volume of end of the month reporting requirements. April 30th is scheduled to be the last day the current operating system will be in use. From May 1-6 the statewide conversion of all records will occur. During this period no motor vehicle or driver’s license business will be conducted in the Treasurer’s office. The office will, however, be open for tax payments.

Doug Messer, with the Riley County Fire Department, said he expects to see a lot of burning this week due to a more compressed burning season. As of April 1, no burning will be allowed except for range management. Only 20 acres or more will be allowed a permit to burn during that period. Other burning may resume May 1. Due to new air quality control requirements for the Flint Hills area, the Fire Department will submit its report on the burning season to the Kansas Forest Service who, in turn, will report to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Commissioners discussed ways to structure a public hearing to be held Thursday morning March 28, concerning a Prairie Woods Retreat rezoning request. A protest petition has been filed against the rezoning.

Public Works Director Leon Hobson asked the Commissioners if they wished to review a previous decision to do away with taxi coupons for low income people. The original decision was made due to lack of requests for the coupons. Apparently one new request was received recently from someone who preferred the coupons to using the aTa system now in place. It was generally agreed to not provide the coupons since the aTa system is supported by the county and appears to be working well.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

County Commission 3/22/20012

County Commission March 22, 2012

Commissioners McCulloh and Johnson present.

The agenda today was very light.

After the usual minutes, tentative agenda and accounts payable, etc., Pat Collins, Emergency Management Director, discussed the funding of the maintenance costs with Ft. Riley for a new flood gauge installed by the USGS near Keats. This will join the other two gauges which are at Scenic Drive and Seth Child Road. This is part of the effort to address proactively the flooding issues that were seen during last summer’s flood. The cost is estimated at $6,000, and Ft. Riley asked the county to fund half the cost. The money will come from the Emergency Management portion of the general fund.

Johnette Shepek presented the update on CIP, County Building fund, and the Economic Development ½ Cent sales tax funds.

Roberet Nall, Information Technology Director, gave an update of his department’s activities. They continue to be busy with connections for the Health Department.

The Health Department director’s draft of the responsibilities of the Health Advisory Board was discussed but not finalized.

Julie Merklin, observer

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

County Commission 3/19/12

County Commission March 19, 2012
Commissioners McCulloh and Johnson present.

Eileen King, County Treasurer, informed the commission that her office will not be able to process motor vehicle or drivers’ license applications between May 1 and May 6. April 30 will be the last day on the current system. People will, however, be able to come in to make tax payments. The closure is because of a change to a new system which is being adopted statewide. It will replace the present mainframe system and eliminate some manual procedures and paperwork. Her office will be processing mail-in renewals on May 7, and renewals in person will begin again on May 8.

Jennifer Wilson announced the K-State Research and Extension Board Leadership series beginning in April. The goal is to help people who are on elected or appointed boards become more effective board members. Instruction will be at 10 different sites across the state and meet for four sessions. The cost is $25. Registration and information is available at www.ksre.ksu.edu/boardseries
Registration deadline is March 26.

Anne Smith, Director of ATA Bus announced two fixed routes beginning April 23. They will run east to west on the north side of the city, and the second route will run on the south side, also east to west. They both will come together at the KSU campus. Maps will be available soon. The current on-demand service will continue as usual. This new system will not receive any money from the city.

Friday, March 16, 2012

USD 383 Board of Education

March 7, 2012
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

As the district nears the end of the construction projects, the board approved a request for proposals for an audit of the bond project funds. The board approved awarding the construction bid for the project at MHS East Campus to Ferrell Construction. The board also approved several technology bids for network storage, network hardware, classroom projectors, and the purchase of desktops, laptops, and carts.

The board discussed at length the district's transfer policy for the 2012-13 school year in light of the redistricting plan shifting students to different schools. Board members had previously agreed to allow 7th graders to stay at their current middle schools for 8th grade because the number of students affected is small. Administration recommended not allowing redistricted elementary students to request transfers, with the intention that denying transfers would encourage students to attend their new schools and allow the redistricting plan to work. Pete Paukstelis and Doug Messer disagreed with the recommendation and thought that redistricted students should have the opportunity to request transfers the same as any other student. Leah Fliter and Walt Pesaresi agreed with administration's recommendation to deny transfers for redistricted students so the redistricting plan will work. Other board members were concerned that the transfer policy for redistricted students didn't seem to allow employees to bring their children to the school where they work and didn't allow for other special circumstances. The board directed administration to develop a policy for redistricted students that will allow for special circumstances and will allow children of employees to attend the school where their parents work.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Riley County Commission mtg 3-15-12

All Commissioners present.

Johnette Shepek, Budget and Finance Officer, presented final, unaudited 2011 General Fund Ending Cash Balance. (Includes budget stabilization of $1 million.) The ending balance is $3,842,957. The budgeted beginning cash balance for 2012 is $2,432,049. The variance is slightly lower than previous years; it is used to operate until 2012 ad valorem taxes start to come in.

Debbie Regester, Register of Deeds, said revenue is a little below last year at this time. Their new microfilm reader/printer has been installed. Other offices are welcome to use it. The customer work area is now finished, making genealogical research much more comfortable. She has been asked to submit a site bid for a Register of Deeds seminar in June. Manhattan is an attractive place for such activities. Commissioners encouraged her to submit.

Robert Nall, Director of Information Technology, brought a proposal for Cox fiber optic connection to the Public Works site. Usage has far exceeded capacity for some time. Cox proposed 100 meg, more than AT&T's offer of 45 meg. The cost (after installation) would be $3,000 per month. Cox has signed off on the agreement with these terms; they will take care of any repairs. Commissioners approved the proposal 3-0.

After an executive session, Clancy Holeman, Counselor, said the tax bill to eliminate sales and income tax and institute various changes including a "consumption tax" is moving slowly. The soil erosion bill, which passed the State Senate 40-0, is tangled in the House. Mr. Holeman suggested that at some future time Riley County might be able to take action under Home Rule.

Representatives from Extension reported on various projects. The Kansans Optimizing Health Program (KOHP) will start a new session April 21 (10:00 a.m.) at Max Fitness. This is a self-management program for people with chronic diseases. There will be six, one-and-a-half hour sessions. Annie's Project, a program to empower farm women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information, had a very successful seminar. There were 27 participants from 10 different counties (9 from Riley County). They hope to sponsor another session next year. The K-State Extension Board Leadership Series training sessions will be presented at Highland College in Wamego on the first four Saturdays in April, from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Cost for all four sessions is $25. For further information on these program, visit www.ksre.ksu.edu.

Brad Schoen, Director of RCPD, gave an update on their experience on Fake Patty's Day and provided a revision of numbers. He outlined some changes they plan for next year. The final report of costs will be forthcoming at the end of the month (overtime summary).

Susanne Kufahl, Director of the Health Department, presented requests for approval of seven grant proposals. Grant number 1 is set by the KDHE in advance with no application required. The other six are carefully and hopefully prepared in Riley County. The requests total $809,000. Last year they received under $500,000. All are recurring grants, and all begin July 1. (There are other grants with other timelines.) Commissioners approved the grant applications 3-0.

Cindy Volanti, Human Resources Manager/Deputy Clerk, requested the transfer of a sanitarian position from the Health Dept. to the Planning and Development Dept. Monty Wedel, Planning, said they have adequate office space for the position. Commissioners decided the balance of the salary not covered by other sources should come from Health Dept. funds. Commissioners approved the transfer 3-0.

A restructuring of the WIC positions (promotion from within) was approved 3-0.

Rod Meredith, Asst. Public Works Dir./Parks Dir., presented a list of purchases recommended by the Park Board. (No approval was required, but RCBC accepted the list 3-0.) Meredith reported on the write-off of Manhattan city park receivables account fro 2011 for county care of city parks. Commissioners requested an update on the park masterplan. Meredith said many people and organizations are eager to help with upgrading park facilities (such as playground) at CiCo Park. The city is helping in pruning and removing trees. The city and county also share equipment that's not duplicated.

Leon Hobson, Public Works Dir./County Engineer, requested a change for Wildcat Creek Road from being a township road to being a county road. Costs can be incorporated into the budget. They can phase in the beginning improvements. Both legal requirements are met for the transfer. Approved 3-0.

Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Riley County Commission mtg 3-12-12

All Commissioners present.

After executive session, Clancy Holeman updated Commissioners on legislative matters. Commissioners came to consensus that Holeman should ask our legislators to vote against a bill that would put lids on local governments ability to raise property taxes. They felt there are many reasons why this would not be a good idea.

Brad Schoen, Director of RCPD, along with representatives of Emergency Medical Services, the Fire Department, and other agencies, reported on the success of their elaborate planning for Fake Patty's Day. This was fully and accurately reported in Monday's Mercury.

Robbin Cole, Director of Pawnee Mental Health, said that they are preparing to operate under severe budget restraints in the coming year. She believes the governor's budget will eliminate the Family Centered Systems of care for children. Up to six (6) staff members may be lost. In non-Medicaid screening of persons for admission to the State Mental Hospital, they may be asked to perform without any compensation, losing $120,000, which would mean two (2) staff. The Rainbow Mental Health Center in Kansas City, scheduled for renovation to bring it up to standards for a residential treatment center, will be for only 36 of the potential 50-bed capacity. The proposed Kansas Medicaid "reform" still must have federal approval before it can be put into effect. A large number of people are working hard to delay the start for six months so proper preparations can be made for the changes. The "reform" will probably result in reducing institutionalization and hospitalization. The community concerned with developmental disabilities is very concerned that their programs will be "dumped" into Medicaid. The program will likely result in 10-12% less Medicaid support. There will be more patients, less money, fewer staff. Ms. Cole said, "We do our best."

Ginny Barnard, Extension, urged people to participate in Walk Kansas. Riley County has a team and is expected to challenge the city to see who could do better. Teams must register by March 16, www.rile.ksu.edu or 785-537-6350.

Mr. Johnson presented a plaque to Becky Dekat, 35-year employee of the Health Department. He said the county greatly appreciates her long service. Suzanne Kufahl, Health Dept. Director, said that Ms. Dekat represents the defining role of professional service to the public.

Leon Hobson, Director of Public Works, gave an update on projects. As for K-18, avoid it at all costs. If you must go that way, drive carefully (slowly), and attempt NO left turns. Among other projects discussed was work on the McDowell Creek Road Bridge. This will impact the alternate route for K-18.

Cheryl Collins, Museum Director, said the Historic Summit on March 1 was highly successful. Forty people attended. Ms. Collins has also been working on the planning committee for KSU 150 Commemoration in 2013. On Feb 14, there will be a Gala with a variety of attractions in Ahearn. They hope for a significant sports event (perhaps KU-KSU basketball game) on Feb 15, and on Feb 17 a signature event in McCain. She said that the publicity about the discovery of the oldest Kanza village had made many archaeologists anxious about its safety. There are already reports of untrained members of the public approaching the site.

Rich Vargo gave a report on year-to-date budget and expenditures. He said 2011 had closed out at 91.93% expenditure of budget. The 2012 report is for only a small period of time. The Health Dept. integration is going well. Ms. Kufahl has been exceedingly obliging and efficiently helpful. There is no established trend with those RCPD expenses paid by the County. Health costs of inmates and maintenance of the physical plant are very hard to predict. Mr. Vargo said he had presented a voting program at Via Christi Retirement Center. It is a poll site, which makes voting easier for residents. Most of the residents have signed up for permanent advance voting, which does not require repeated production of ID. He also reminded residents that people over 65 may use expired forms of ID, such as a driver's license or passport.

Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg