Riley County Commission June 25, 2015

Joan Strickler, observer

Riley County Commission June 25, 2015

Commissioners Wells, Boyd and Wilson present, Wells presiding.

In general comments the Commissioners expressed a great deal of frustration with the actions taken in the Legislature during the current session.   They tended to doubt that the tax limitation placed on the counties would gather the votes in the veto session to eliminate the problem.  Reportedly Pottawatomie County Commissioners are threatening to declare “Home Rule” and ignore the law.   A question was raised about the possibility of avoiding the limitation problems by passing a county budget in June (the current fiscal year) to avoid coming under the new restrictions voted for FY 2016.

It has been reported that the Kansas Department of Transportation will have no money to fund any asphalt overlays in the coming year.

Assistant County Engineer Gary Rosewicz recommended a cost increase of $2 a ton to handle the Municipal Solid Waste disposal delivered to the County site. The increase is needed to keep the facility self-funded.  The Commissioners voted to approve the increase beginning August l.

It was agreed to name a small group of knowledgeable people to come up with recommendations on how to proceed with a new RCPD shooting range training facility.  Commissioner Wilson will serve on the committee.  The committee will be staffed by the Planning/Special Projects Director Monty Wedel.  It is hoped that the objections of area residents near the proposed facility can be addressed positively.

A budget work session focused on requests from those services providing agencies not part of the County government such as the Crisis Center, Pawnee Mental Health etc.   It was suggested a 10% cut be made to all the agencies requests, but instead agreed that each should be dealt with individually.

Riley County Commission June 22, 2015

Riley County Commission June 22, 2015

Joan Strickler, observer

Commissioners Wells, Boyd and Wilson present, Wells presiding. 

The director of Extension appeared at the meeting to ask for clarification of proposed changes to the Extension budget.  The Commissioners responded that actions taken by the Legislature and the Governor have imposed budget limitations on counties that will affect a county’s ability to fund many local programs and projects.  They fear that local governments will be blamed for the increases to property and sales taxes made by the Governor and Legislature as a result of their income tax cuts for certain business owners.

The Commissioners discussed a confrontational meeting held recently dealing with the proposed location of a new shooting range to train law enforcement personnel.   Commissioner Boyd said the meeting reflected a pervasive distrust of government that has grown in recent years.

EMS Director Larry Couchman discussed potential increased staffing costs to his agency resulting from the former Mercy Hospital’s change in ownership.  The new owner is demanding that personnel funding practices be the same throughout its system.   The problem is that hospital workers hours and those of EMS are not comparable.  EMS personnel work 24 hour shifts and do not provide breaks for meals or increased compensation for overtime or night shifts. Such practices do not relate to the on call emergency nature of EMS.  If required to follow the funding practices it could increase costs for 2015 to $110,000 and to $220,000 for 2016.  

  

Riley County Commission April 30, 2015

Joan Strickler, observer

All Commissioners present, Wells presiding.

The meeting was brief.  Commissioners voted to send a thank you letter to Linda Morse for her years of service on the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board.  John Ball was appointed to the position formerly held by Morse.

Community Corrections Director Shelly Williams presented the County’s FY 2016 Kansas Department of Corrections Adult and Juvenile Services Comprehensive Plan Grant Applications.  The Plans contain cuts in staffing and services in anticipation of funding reductions.

Counselor Clancy Holeman mentioned a bill dealing with a county’s requirements in seeking competitive bids.  The measure would set the requirement to request bids for projects costing $15,000 or more.  That bill, however, reportedly has been amended into a controversial measure dealing with annexation that may run into trouble gaining legislative approval.   

Riley County Commission April 27, 2015

Joan Strickler, observer

Riley County Commission April 27, 2015

All Commissioners present, Wells presiding.

Robbin Cole, director of Pawnee Mental Health Services, spoke of the effect problems at Osawatomie State Hospital are having on communities.  The hospital must reduce the number of patients served during renovations required to bring the hospital into federal compliance standards.

The hospital will temporarily limit occupancy to 146 patients while the renovation is completed.  OSH is, however, licensed for 206 beds once the changes are made.  The target population for the temporary reduction was reached on April 21. This means no more voluntary or involuntary patients will be accepted.

The Governor has proposed a budget amendment to include $3.45 million to fund community beds and alternative placements.  Also, an Adult Continuum of Care Committee is to be named to review the state’s behavioral health system.  It will begin work in May and is to have recommendations to the State by July 25, 2015.  It seems Larned State Hospital also has a trigger point in place to stop voluntary admissions if the census there rises past a certain point.

The position of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas states that the State has the responsibility for inpatient mental health programs.  According to Cole, Pawnee has crisis services for children, but not adults.

Michelle Crisler reported on activities planned at the Kansas Sampler Festival to be held this coming weekend in Wamego.  A large variety of Kansas products, food and entertainment will be available.  Anne Smith, aTa Director, said the busses will be available to provide transportation to and from Wamego on Saturday only.

Health Department Nursing Supervisor, Linda Redding, reported on the success of the Healthy Babies program.  It was funded through a March of Dimes grant and has proved positive in reducing the occurrence of low birth weight babies through educating and providing prenatal health services to pregnant women.  The

Commissioners approved her request to apply for a continuation grant.

The Commissioners voted to re-appoint John Ball to the Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board.  He will replace Linda Morse, now a City Commissioner.   Mayor Karen McCulloh will have the opportunity to appoint a new member to fill the remaining vacant position.

Riley County Commission March 26, 2015

Joan Strickler, observer

Riley County Commission March 25, 2015

All Commissioners present, Wells presiding.

Commissioner Wells said he would like to see regional participation in cost sharing for building the new firing range to train law enforcement personnel.

Greg Lund, parks manager reported Randolph is requesting support for a new bathroom in its recreation area.  The current facility was built 50 years ago and is so badly in need of repair it would make no sense in trying to upgrade it.  A new facility would be ADA accessible.  They are requesting $12,000 from Parks funds but will need an additional $62,000 to complete the project.  They are looking into the possibility of grant support.

The Riley pool needs a new security system.  People are getting into the pool after hours.

The Commissioners refused a request from the Veterans Administration Home Loan Center to put their link on the County website.  There were concerns about opening the option to a multitude of requests.

Johnette Shepek, budget and finance officer, reviewed the extensive schedule for gathering and reviewing information to help in developing the 2016 budget which is due in August.

The portion of the review process dealing with holding executive sessions with department heads was questioned by Commissioner Wells.  He expressed the opinion that Commissioners were getting into micromanaging the staff.  Commissioner Boyd disagreed saying the Commission has a responsibility to provide such leadership.  Commissioner Wells said he felt it led to a waste of time for Commissioners and staff.  A vote to reduce the sessions to two, one in July and the other at the end of the year passed.  The discussion, however, was renewed at the close of the meeting as the two debated the role of commissioners in terms of providing good leadership vs. micro managing.

Human Resource manager Cindy Volanti reported on her participation in a meeting with State officials on KPERS and deferred comp benefits.  There are many concerns about changes that may occur to the KPERS program as a result of actions by the Kansas Legislature.

Emergency Management Director Pat Collins thanked the local media for their coverage given to the need for additional fire crew volunteers.  Apparently five new volunteers have been recruited as a result of the attention.  Collins also reported on an investigation he was involved in the night of the party at Britts which occurred during Fake St. Patty’s Day activities.  At the time he was there a possible problem with overcrowding was handled.  More concerning problems involving firearms occurred later.