Riley County Commission August 25, 2014

Joan Strickler, observer

All Commissioners present, Boyd presiding.

The Riley County Police Department reported on plans to deal with game day traffic.  For the most part things will be handled as before.  The game on September18 will present unique problems, however, since it will be played on a Thursday evening.  Students could still be in classes when traffic begins to get heavy.  Much depends upon the start time for the game.

Purple Power Play will be held Thursday August 28 and Friday August 29.  Once again the event will be held in City Park beginning at 6:00 p.m.  In addition to planned entertainment, the Riley County Historical Society’s City Park Pioneer Log Cabin will be open.  The building of the Cabin was the first effort of the Society which will be celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year.

Anne Smith, aTa Director, announced that, for the third year in a row, our local aTa was presented an award for the largest increase in ridership among similar size agencies in Kansas.

Cindy Volanti, Human Resource manager/Deputy Clerk, presented a proposal to restructure the hiring of temporary election staff.  Each year the County budget provides funds to hire eight temporary election staff.  She pointed out that needs have changed as technical advances have been introduced into the voting process such as use of I-Pads provided precinct workers this past election.  Volanti asked for permission to use money budgeted for some of the temporary workers to fund two as needed clerical assistants able to provide technical information support and process complex data.  The permission was granted.

Leon Hobsen, County Engineer, reviewed projects underway or in the planning process.  Of particular interest to the Commissioners was the proposal from Pottawatomie County regarding the building of a bridge across from Marlatt Road in Riley County.  It appears the Kansas Department of Transportation is prioritizing the project.  Commissioners stressed the importance of Riley County needing to plan for any transportation needs that might arise for Riley following completion of the project.

Riley County Commission Aug 21, 2014

Riley County Commission Aug.21, 2014

All commissioners present

Cheryl Collins and Allana Parker from the Riley County Historical Museum explained the History Resource Trunk.  It is an educational program aimed at school students in third grade but available for others.  Historic Riley residents cited include Amanda Arnold, Minnie Howard Champe, Isaac Goodnow, Harry Wareham, George Filinger, John Pipher, and E.B. Purcell.  Primary and secondary sources are included in the "Detective Packet" the students receive to analyze and research.  They then share their research by developing timelines, writing reports and making presentations.

Debbie Regester, Register of Deeds, gave year to date revenues.  In 2013, revenues were $886,447.  In 2014 they were $677,977,  down $188,470.  Reported revenue for July 1-July 31 were  (for 2013) $135,286 and (for 2014)  $87,704.

Everyone went outside to see Commissioner Lewis be "ice bucketed" for ALS.

RCPD Director Brad Schoen has been visiting small communities around the County and he encouraged Commissioners to let him know of any concerns they hear about.  He also mentioned the radio communications difficulties which he has also discussed withPat Collins.   In the north part of the county officers sometimes have to use their personal cell phones.  A longer term (and expensive) solution is needed.
   
Johnette Shepek, budget and finance officer presented the Budget Brochure for 2015.  The final "edition" of the brochure can be seen  at www.Rileycountyks.gov  clicking county clerk, then budget& finance, and then Brochures- current and past.

Rebecca Bishop, KSU AG Econ and extension presented a comparison study of revenues and expenditures from 10 "peer counties".  These were Geary, Crawford, Saline, Reno, Butler, Leavenworth, Riley, Douglas, Shawnee, and Sedgwick counties.  The periods compared were 2008 and 2012.

Julie Merklin, recorder

Riley County Commission Aug 18, 2014

County Commission Aug 18, 2014

All commissioners present.  Short agenda scheduled today.

Cindy Volanti, Human Resources Mgr. Presented the agenda and objectives for this years' Annual Employee Training Day, scheduled for Oct 13.  It will be held at the Farm Bureau headquarters building.
   The morning will focus on emergency situation training.  Other presentations will include information on open and concealed carry laws and County policy.

Monty Wedel informed the Commission about the new Riley County Agritourism Task Force.  It is comprised of representatives of the BOCC, retreat or event centers involved with Agritourism , Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau, Kansas Byways, and Riley County Planning And Development Dept.

The first meeting of the Task Force  looked at zoning regulations regarding these activities, and reviewing regulations from other  jurisdictions.  The next two meetings which are open to the public, will be Tues. Sept. 2 and Tues, Sept 16.  They will be at 7:00 in the large conference room on the second floor of the Riley County Office Bldg. 110 Courthouse Plaza.

The meeting adjourned about 9:40.

Julie Merklin, observer

New LWVMRC Website is Live

The League of Women Voters of Manhattan/Riley County has a new website.  Please come by for a visit!

http://www.lwvmrc.org/

USD 383 Board of Education

Aug. 6, 2014
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

Dr. Bob Seymour, Associate Superintendent, reported on student enrollment.  At the elementary level, enrollment was up by 246 students, and Dr. Seymour said that elementary buildings are "very tight."  As a result, requests for transfers to a different school within the district may not be honored.

The board received a report on enrollment for the Manhattan Virtual Academy from Brooke Blanck, the program director.  The 2014-15 school year will be the first year that USD 383 will be managing the virtual school program on its own instead of working with a vendor.  Ms. Blanck said 81 students had enrolled, which was not where she would like it to be, but there were still three weeks left for students to enroll and time for enrollment to increase.  The district has hired New Boston Creative to market the virtual school and increase awareness of the program.

Board members discussed the proposed budget with the guidance of Lew Faust, Director of Business Services.  Mr. Faust recommended an increase of 1.0 mills to capital outlay and transferring $250,000 from reserves to supplement the budget authority and in order to maintain cash flow.  Accounting for other increases to the bond and interest fund and adult education, the overall mill levy increase would be 0.04.  Mr. Faust also noted that the district is relying more on the Local Option Budget than in years past.  Board members approved 7-0 to hold a public hearing on the budget on Aug. 20.