County Commission August 16, 2010

All commissioners present.
Leon Hobson, Public Works Director/ County Engineer talked about a number of roads or parts of roads in Riley County that are adjacent to the city limits of Manhattan and should be annexed by the city. This discussion will continue using updated maps and will require more discussion by the Commission and then with the city of Manhattan to resolve the question of which entity should be responsible for maintenance.

During the press conference, Greg Eyestone announced the new Back to Gardening fall training programs. They will be held August 26 at Potdorf hall from 6-8 p.m. The Master Gardener sessions will start soon, also. More info at the extension office

Eileen King told the Commission that there will be no new automobile license plates issued the rest of this year because of increased demand and the inability of the manufacturer to meet the demand.

Cheryl Collins announced the dedication of the bell from the Bala Presbyterian Church The bell is being relocated to the grounds of the Riley County Historical Museum. The ceremony will be at the Museum on Sunday August 29 at 3:00 p.m.

Rod Meredith, Asst. Director of Public Works was happy to announce that Riley County, in partnership with KSU, GBA Architects + Engineers and GBA Builders, will receive a $3 million DOE grant for "Resourceful Kansas: A Sustainable energy and Economic Development Blueprint for Communities Across Kansas."
The program will be implemented over a 3 year period and is located at the Public Works facility at 6215 Tuttle Creek Blvd. This facility already has geothermal heating and cooling, abundant natural light, T-5 fluorescent lights and high R valud insulation. The new technologies will include four wind turbines (100 kw, 40kw, 20kw and 2.5kw), a thin-film PhotoVoltaic solar system, solar hot water under-floor heating, four PV solar powered street lights and a waste-oil heater. The energy produced will provide more than enough electricity to power the publics facilities. The effectiveness of the features will be evaluated by KSU. When completed there will be information available to the public with on-site displays and web displays. Seminars will be offered to cities, counties, state agencies, colleges and universities and agribusiness coordinated by K-State Engineering Extension and held at the RCPW facility.

Julie Merklin, observer