Riley County Commission Oct. 28, 2013

 Joan Strickler, observer

 Commissioners Lewis, Wells and Boyd present, Lewis presiding.

It was noted that the Commission will not meet on Thursday, October 31. The Commissioners will be attending the Kansas Association of Counties annual conference in Wichita.

Bill Clark, director of the Flint Hills Regional Council, said the Regional Council’s grant from HUD will soon end and the Council must focus on looking into new funding sources if it is to survive and build its capacity to serve regional needs.  He addressed plans to establish a Welcome Center at the K 177—I-70 turnoff.  The land is currently owned by the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.  Clark said the FHRC is unwilling to build the Center there if it must pay a lease on the property.

Budget and Finance Officer Johnette Shepek presented an update to the Riley County Purchasing Card Policies and Procedures Manual which led to an extensive discussion of current policies regarding reimbursement for meals for employees when traveling.  Commissioner Boyd questioned the process of checking details of each purchase as well as the adequacy of the reimbursement allowance in higher cost areas.  It was agreed to accept the changes recommended but reconsider the adequacy of the amount allowed for meals at a later time.

Daylight savings time ends this Saturday.  People were reminded to turn their clocks back one hour and to consider purchasing 10 year batteries in all smoke alarms.  It is estimated that 7 people a day die in home fires.

Brenda Nickel, director of the Riley County Health Department, announced the Department’s Primary Care Clinic will no longer provide safety net primary care services effective November 1.  The Department has been unable to secure a mid-level provider on a full-time basis for medical and prescribing services since February.  Screening and counseling services will be provided by nurses and, if necessary, they will assist patients in linking to a primary care provider.

The program has received funding through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment with the level for fiscal year 2013 at $115,000.  Total projected expenses for the program in 2013 are running at $310,838.

 

Riley County Commission 10/24/13

BOCC 10/24/13

All commissioners present

     Robert Nall from the IT/GIS department discussed the need for improved network backup.  The proposed solution would need $160,000.  The Register of deeds has offered $50,000 from their Tech fund, the Public Works dept. offers $50,000 to assist which leaves $10,000 to be allocated from the IT/GIS budget.
     Clancy Holman introduced a review of matters to be presented at the Legislative Conference this afternoon.
     One item to be discussed is Senate bill 181 which would reduce the motor vehicle tax from 20% currently to 12% in 2017, reducing incoming dollars by $666,031 every ensuing year.
     Greg Mclure, appraiser will discuss equipment and machinery tax exemptions.
     Loss of previous financial support from the state since 2002 has  cost the county an estimated $22,199,758.  This includes loss of Local Ad Valorum Tax Reduction, Revenue sharing, City/County highway, Commercial Industrial Machinery and Equipment, Business&Machinery elimination and vehicle tax plus unfunded mandates from the state.  More detailed information on this can be found on the county website, search for "budget",
     Another item to be discussed at the meeting will be SB109 which puts severe restraints on lobbying of state legislators by public officials.  Only if the legislator has asked the person would it be legal, otherwise it could be a class C misdemeanor !
     Should be an interesting meeting with the local legislators.
Julie Merklin, observer

USD 383 Board of Education

Oct. 23, 2013
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

Board retreat:
The board held a special meeting to discuss plans for the College Hill preschool building and MHS East Campus (MHS-E).  The College Hill building had received no improvements from the 2008 bond, and only some improvements had been made at MHS-E.

For the College Hill preschool program, board members discussed the possibilities of renovating the existing building, constructing a new building on its current lot, or constructing a new building elsewhere, possibly on Northview Elementary's property.  Dave Colburn suggested incorporating preschool programs into some of the larger elementary schools, which would provide the opportunity to share services, such as the library, cafeteria, gym, staff.  Curt Herrman and Leah Fliter suggested locating the preschool program to space in MHS-E.  Pat Huggins suggested preserving the historic section of College Hill, while demolishing the 1950s and 1960s additions and replacing them with a new addition.  Board members agreed the building has immediate needs that have to be addressed, and plans for the district's overall preschool program will need further discussion.

For MHS-E, cost estimates for a significant renovation ranged from $14.7 million to $16.2 million, with the difference being the type of heating and cooling system that would be used.  Board members discussed the possibilities of making the school a smaller 9-12 grade high school that could focus on career and technical education or performing arts, but for now, the board agreed to continue to house only ninth grade in the building.  Similar to the College Hill building, MHS-E has immediate needs that have to be addressed, particularly issues with drainage.  The district has approximately $300,000 remaining from the 2008 bond, and those funds could be used to address issues at MHS-E.  (The bond's language would prevent the funds being used for College Hill.)  Mr. Colburn said that the district won't be able to address all of MHS-E's needs with the capital outlay budget, so the board will have to be thinking about another bond, which could also include moving 6th graders to the middle school level and adding on to the middle schools to accommodate them.

Riley County Commission Oct.21, 2013

BOCC Oct 21, 2013

Commissioners Wells and Lewis present

     Cheryl Collins, Riley County museum director, announced that the Midland Trail, one of the first US Transcontinental routes is being recognized.  It went from Washington DC to San Francisco and was marked across Kansas in 1914. It was the forerunner to highway 24.  Kansas museums, historical societies and tourism bureaus are working on a commemoration for the centennial in 2014.
     Collins also announced that Jim Sherow will speak on his new book "Manhattan"at the Riley County Historical Society annual meeting Oct. 29. Information and reservations at 785-565-6490.
      Three members of the museum staff reported on several conferences which they attended.
     Amy Chaplin, from the R.C. health Department Is now a Certified Application Counselor and can personally assist families and individuals through the Marketplace Exchange .  The Exchange will provide non-biased medical coverage information to help people make informed decisions.
      Julie Merklin, observer

USD 383 Board of Education

Oct. 2, 2013
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

The board received a report on the district's 2013 summer programs.  Sixteen programs had been offered and served 1,037 students.  Programs varied from credit recovery programs and driver's education at the secondary level to summer reading programs at the elementary level.

The board also received a report on athletic field maintenance.  Savings are expected in irrigation costs, resulting from Bishop Stadium's becoming artificial turf, but additional costs are expected for post-event clean-up because soccer games are now also played at Bishop instead of at Anneberg Park.

Debora Howser, Executive Director of Special Education, provided the board with information about the need to hire an additional certified special education teacher to accommodate a student's needs.  The student is expected to return to the district from an institutional setting where the student has been receiving specialized care.  The district is required to serve the student, so it's a matter of determining what's the best option to meet the student's needs.  Ms. Howser said that the student needs one-on-one teacher attention, and other options would have reduced learning opportunities of other students.  Once the student is settled in the district, Ms. Howser anticipates that the new teacher will be able to help with other students.  The board approved 7-0 to hire the additional teacher.

The board received a report on district enrollment.  Dave Colburn noted that enrollment in grades K-6 has declined by 50 students since 2011.  Dr. Bob Seymour, Assoc. Supt., said that was correct, but the elementary schools are still full.