Thursday, July 31, 2014

Riley County Commission July 31, 2014

Joan Strickler, observer





Riley County Commission July 31, 2014

Commissioners Wells, Boyd and Lewis present, Boyd presiding.

Some informal discussion was held on the content of the meeting minutes.  It was agreed that the meeting packet attachments were a positive help.  There was some disagreement on whether to include discussion of issues along with actual votes taken.

County Counselor Clancy Holeman said he is trying to pull together a meeting with insurance experts to discuss the determination of flood rate costs.  His office also is researching whether K-State or the County is responsible for play area renovations made some time ago at the Child Development Center on Claflin.

Apparently the Kansas Department of Transportation may require the removal of the Welcome to Manhattan sign on Highway 18.  The sign contains the logos of the four organizations that each donated $2500 to cover the cost.  It appears such business identifiable logos are prohibited along KDOT highways.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Riley County Commission July 28, 2014


Joan Strickler, observer



Riley County Commission July 28, 2014

Commissioners Wells, Boyd and Lewis present, Boyd presiding.

During informal update reports it was mentioned a couple of persons at the County Fair complained about the minutes of Commission meetings.

It also was reported that, at a meeting of a committee of the local Chamber of Commerce, most members expressed no opposition to the County’s creating a public building commission.  It appears there have been few if any expressions of opposition from Chamber members in general.

County Health Department Director Brenda Nichols reported on an arrangement with K-State’s Child Development Program involving a lease on space in the Family and Child Resource Center on Claflin.  The University has been utilizing the space even though the most recent contract, written in 2012, had never been signed.  The rental amount of $2.77 has been considerably below today’s rate standards.  The Commissioners agreed that the Health Department offer K-State a new lease for one year but at today’s cost rate of $10 a square foot.

County Clerk Rich Vargo reported 514 ballots have been requested for mail in vote and more than 500 persons have advance voted.  He said the average turnout for State and local elections usually amounts to about 20% voter participation. 

County Treasurer Eileen King was awarded a plaque and thanked for her 30 years of service to Riley County.  King is retiring as County Treasurer on August 1.

Community Corrections Director Shelly Williams discussed her plans for meeting her agency’s needs in view of funding cuts.  She has proposed eliminating the COLA and merit increase for her salary this coming year and taking $12,115 out of the $30,000 held in the Department’s emergency fund.  The Commissioners thanked Williams and commended her for her leadership.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Let's All Vote! Sites for Free Identification Materials


Do you know someone who cannot vote or register to vote because of lack of documentation?  
Here are the links to getting a free non-driver ID card and a free birth certificate if the person was born in Kansas.  I hope this helps!
Catherine Hedge

Division of Vehicles, Kansas Department of Revenue Certification
Requesting Fee Waiver for Nondriver Identification Card
Download this form at www.ksrevenue.org
Office of the Kansas Secretary of State
Affidavit of Person Requesting Free Certified Copy of Birth Certificate
DOWNLOAD THIS FORM AT WWW.SOS.KS.GOV
Application for Certified Copy of Kansas Birth Certificate  (Cost $15, even if they do not find the record.  Need copies of two other forms of Identification (ie: w-2 form) http://www.kdheks.gov/vital/download/birth_fillable.pdf

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Riley County Commission July 17, 2014

Riley County Commission July 17, 2014

BOCC 7/17/14

Commissioners Wells and Boyd present.

The meeting didn't start until 9:00 because of Good Morning Manhattan from 7:15 to 8:30 a.m.

Register of Deeds, Debbie Regester, reported that revenue is up a bit, but behind for the year.
Regester showed a spreadsheet demonstrating the effect of the new fee schedule on County finances.  She indicated that by 2019 the total projected loss of income will be $500,000.  This is because of the elimination of the mortgage registration fee.

John Doehling, assistant director of  the RCPD showed a video of the proposed body cameras worn by officers and how the results differ from the video cameras in police vehicles.
Asked about the use of drones, Doehling said that they can be very useful, citing the  search for the drowning victim at Tuttle Creek Lake earlier this year.  The search in this case could have been expedited by use of a drone.

Pat Collins gave the July staff update for Emergency Management.  He said people have wanted to have organized events in areas that present difficulties with fire protection.  The problem is that  the locations do not have access to sufficient water to provide even minimum fire protection.

Brenda Nickel, Director of Health Department gave a review and budget report to the BOCC which convened as the Board of Health.  She announced an Immunization Symposium July 24.
Nickel also announced a series of classes on Mental Health First Aid.  These 8 hour classes will be held a number times and places in the area.

Julie Merklin, observer


Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Riley County Public Health Department Advisory Council

                        

Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Riley County Health Department Advisory Council Meeting
June 28, 2014                    Submitted by Sue Cohen

The Council continued with their in depth investigation of
binge drinking as it occurs in the County in order to help discern how much of a health problem binge drinking is in the the county and to determine if the Health Department should have a role in dealing with it.

Brad Schoen, Director of the Police Department, was present to discuss St. Patty’s day and the Police Department’s take on it. Ironically, the day I began this report was only several days after the Manhattan Mercury’s news story in which the City Commission suggested that the Police Department dip into their reserve to manage the deficiency of funding for this year.  This is pertinent because the deficiency is almost equal to the Police Department’s cost in dealing with St. Patty’s day.
Mr. Schoen estimated cost of the period, some thirty six hours starting Friday night and ending Sunday morning to be $50,000 in actual cost and not counting any administrative time in planning but which are actually part of the costs. 

Most of that cost is in the overtime pay required as every member of the police force is on duty for the duration.  Outside help came from as far away as Hays and Emporia sends their entire bike brigade and puts in 12 hour shifts.  Mr. Schoen stated that they could actually use 4 to 5 more. 

There are also “soft” costs, so called, calculated to be around 7 to 10 thousand. Soft costs are things like equipment to be bought in some cases and set up so that dispatching can be done from Aggieville.

As to health events, Mr. Schoen says they do treat some though their main issue is safety (which seems to me to qualify for a “health” qualification.) They deal with health events not treated by EMS or the Hospital such as consequences of fights when the person involved does not go to EMS or prevention of “bad outcomes” such as finding a person lying in their vomit and worry about aspiration.  The PD does work a lot with EMS. Mr. Schoen also noted that alcohol poisoning is a significant risk and can easily be missed.  So far there has not been reports of sexual assaults though he surmised that there are probably those who regret some bad decisions. There were more arrests this year as have implemented zero tolerance for violence.
Karen McCulloh asked if there seemed to be a younger crowd this year. Mr. Schoen thought there were people in their 20’s but he didn’t think there were many younger than that.  He did agree that there is a spread into the neighborhoods especially north and east.  He also stated, in answer to a question that they are prepared in case of a riot by having riot control equipment stations close by and that, though not recently, the department has had training in riot control.

Lyle Butler, from the Chamber of Commerce, answered a question about the motels and hotels reactions to the day.  He said that at first the hotels/motels were very much against it and wanted it stopped but that has completely changed as it is now one of their biggest weekends not unlike graduation etc.  They jack up the prices.  Major problem is, as Mr. Schoen sees it in relation to the motels/hotels is getting back to them late at night in the dark.  This is especially true of those out on east Highway 24.  Transportation (taxis) are hard to get so drunken persons decide to walk and in the dark it is a tragedy just waiting to happen.  He suggested that it would be helpful if the motels could in someway make transportation available.

Mr. Butler said the numbers of occupancy are very high.  The restaurants, especially in Aggieville, do very well though other business find they need to close their business that day.  The Chamber’s position is that “the greatest care should be taken to protect citizens and participants but not to stop it.”

Mr. Schoen closed his discussion with this statement. “It is not a healthy environment”.

Debby Nuss noted that Universities, to increase funding, have started selling beer at sports activities. Mr, Schoen noted that K-State is experimenting with that at the baseball games.

In other business:
Lisa Ross gave the director’s report in Brenda Nichol’s absence. She introduced a new staff member, Gail Challman, new Nursing Supervisor. She will be managing the Flu clinics as well as other duties. Planning for that is well underway. Letters will be sent to local business etc. offering to do Flu clinics at their place of business.  Secondly, the preliminary report of the County Wide Health Assessment has been started and participants have been encouraged to turn in their data. Ms. Ross also stated that grants have been received to the amount of $418,532 for the following: State Formula, Emergency Preparation, Child care licensing, Maternal/Child Health, and Family Planning.  On July 3rd Brenda Nichols, administrator, will present to the County Commission a plan to cooperate with the Topeka Health Department to share a HIV Care Manager which will make sense fiscally and will be helpful for both departments.