Craig Cox, Asst Counsel, held a public hearing on method of assessing for paving in three areas. Driftwood and High Meadows are each assessed (by resident voting) per landowner. In question was Lakewood. Landowners had voted and petitioned to be assessed by lot. The question was whether people who had replatted to make two or three lots into one should pay the pre-platting rate or be able to pay for one lot. One (of about a dozen) member of the public presented a logical and human case for the "one-lot" alternative. Commissioners discussed the justice of the case at length, citing possible unfairness to those who had not replatted to pay a higher amount (fewer lots total). They decided (3-0) to assess at the post-replatting rate. Petitions will henceforth be worded as counting lots as of the day petition is submitted, thus preventing a recurrence of the problem.
Anne Smith, Director, invited everyone to the groundbreaking for aTa Bus transit Facility on Friday. It was financed by a $2 million grant. It will incorporate geothermal heating/AC, translucent garage doors and good insulation.
Greg McHenry, Appraiser, reiterated (see 6/7/12) that people should check ID of people claiming to be from Appraiser's office. The real appraisers will be conducting Annual Reviews from now to about November. Each appraisers will visit nearly 1,000 properties. Of 24,000 real estate parcels in Riley County, this year about 20% will be reviewed.
Dennis Peterson, Noxious Weed Director, said all e-waste should now be taken to Howie's for recycling. Everything is free except leaded glass TVs and monitors. Charges are: TV under 20", $5; 21-29", $10; 30"-plus,$15. Computers are $5. Howie's accepts credit cards and checks.
Gary Roswicz, Asst Dir Pub Works, said McDowell Creek Road bridge work will begin Monday, June 18. The road will be one lane only, with stoplight at each end. Ten-minute delays.
Johnette Shepek, Budget and Finance officer, said Department heads and agencies are now presenting budget requests, several today and more on Thursday.
Ms McCulloh thanked all those who participated in the highly successful Garden Tour
Leon Hobson, Dir Pub Works, gave an update of current projects. County has been mowing, cleaning and repairing sewer lines, spraying for dust control, inspecting fire alarms, etc.
Clancy Holeman, Counselor, asked Commissioners if they preferred June 23 or June 30 as the date for a joint meeting with Geary and Pottawatomie County officials. Either date seemed acceptable to Commissioners, with slight preference for June 23. He had received a call from Senator Reitz, who was alertly looking out for the County's interests in a possible piece of Legislation.
Cheryl Collins, Museum Director, made her Budget request. The only changes were a request for $1,000 for advertising in legal publications, and a request to be allowed to attend the national conference of Mountain and Plains Museums in 2013, in Lincoln Nebraska. Their new employee begins working July 2.
Dalanna Nichols, Court Administrator, requested $5 more than last year in her Budget. She has rearranged other moneys to buy a new printer ($2000).
Judge Wilson discussed whether Riley County wants to dispose of the Law Library books and go to all on-line research (Douglas County, among many others, has already done so).Riley County pays about $50,000 per year in rent and utilities to maintain the books. For on-line research, we need only a room for computer terminals. The public would still have access. Wilson commented that the PolyComp (sp?) system saves RCPD a lot in transportation by allowing preliminary hearings for mental illness by on-line connection to Larned and Osawatomie Hospitals. Leavenworth, Douglas, and Shawnee Counties all have a paperless system. He said he is concerned about security in the Courthouse; events of the last few months have demonstrated the need for 24/7 system. The Courthouse does not have WiFi for attorneys. If Riley County received the additional Judge position they are qualified for, there would be no room--no office, no Courtroom--for him/her. The Legislative power of the small western counties makes it possible for them to thwart efforts to eliminate the "one County, one Judge" law. Some Judges try 500 cases a year; others try 2,500.
Barry Wilkerson, County Attorney, said his office will try to hold off another year in adding another employee. His budget request is for $5,000 less than this year. They will have tried three capital cases this year, and hope not to have those next year. In view of the recent instance of a many-year-old case coming back to haunt them (the suit for false arrest and imprisonment which cost a large settlement to be paid) the Attorney's office will keep all paperwork, and store old records. Commissioners decided that for the upcoming "big" trial, 14 reserved parking spaces for jurors and 4 for witnesses would be enough.
Lunch break.
Grant Bannister, Indigent Defense Counsel, made the appropriation request. The attorneys feel they are being underpaid. They have received minimal increases recently. These 6 attorneys carry on most of the Court's work, and their contractual obligation sometimes prevents them from using the other 1/2 of their time in private practice, because they are always on call. Ms Shepek said that their allocation was tentatively set at $350,000.
Asked about the Judge search (to replace retiring Judge Paul Miller) Bannister said the panel would be interviewing candidates next week and recommend 2 or 3 to the Governor, who will then have a month to decide.
Gina Scroggs, Downtown Manhattan, Inc., presented her appropriation request. She said this is an exciting time for downtown. After waiting 12 years, the Poyntz Avenue renovation plan will now be put into action. "Downtown" has expanded both south and north. The walkability of the area, including the Mall, has been widely admired. More signage is needed on Third Street to protect pedestrians. Fourth Street has become a thoroughfare, with heavy traffic. Her appropriation request is for slightly more than last year.
John Pagan, Eco Devo VP of Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, presented a "Power Point" show about economic indicators that Manhattan is becoming a leader in the State. Lyle Butler, Exec Dir, reminded Commissioners that the local Chamber makes its own decisions, and is not directed by the State Chamber of Commerce.
Johnette Shepek, Budget and Finance Officer, presented budget estimates for the Commission's own allocations and expenditures, for Insurance, Bond and interest, County Eco Development Fund, half-cent sales tax projects, RCPD, General Services and Coroner. These funds do not have "advocates," but their services are presided over by County Officers. Projections were not final. Treasurer's data will be available soon to be included in calculations. Consensus was that the County has shown frugality and integrity in not exceeding allocations except in areas over which they have no control (such as Juvenile Justice, Coroner, RCPD inmate health expenses). Apologies for the length of this report. At budget time, meetings are detailed and long, but the public needs to know how these things are done, and be able to trust their officials. Sermon finished. Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg.
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