Riley County Commission August 25, 2011

Joan Strickler,observer

All Commissioners present, McCulloh presiding.

Robert Nall introduced the Commissioners to the newly installed communication system in the Commission room. The system allows for persons with hearing impairments to use amplification ear pieces and generally improves hearing for all persons attending meetings. A new video system allows more detailed visual presentations to be made.

The McGrath Consulting Group currently is working at the Health Department to prepare a salary reclassification analysis of employee positions. Commissioner McCulloh suggested this would be a time to consider restructuring the Health Board. Commissioner Lewis agreed suggesting it might serve a more advisory role.

County Attorney Barry Wilkerson introduced a new attorney in his office, Barry Disney. Disney had previously worked in the office of Sedgwick County Attorney Nola Fulston and in the office of Attorney General Steve Six.

Wilkerson said large cuts to the coroner’s budget in Shawnee County and the resulting resignation of their coroner will impact Riley County. Some of Riley County’s autopsies have been done in Topeka and now would have to be sent to Kansas City. Wilkerson said his office is dealing with four homicide cases at the present time. Problems continue in dealing with persons with mental illness. Due to the lack of hospital space many of these people are in State prisons or on the streets. His office is experiencing delays in bringing cases to trial since the KBI is very slow in evaluating DNA samples and completing fingerprint analyses.

The date for the public hearing on Riley County redistricting has been set for Monday night, September 12, in the Commission Chamber.

Human Resource Manager Cindy Volanti reported department heads were requesting more feedback from the Commissioners on their evaluations. Commissioner McCulloh suggested Riley County initiate a process utilized at K-State. Once every five years the staff in a department would be asked to evaluate their department head. It was generally agreed to initiate such a process.

Assistant County Counselor Craig Cox discussed plans to repave Lakewood, Driftwood and High Meadows Subdivisions. Each area will have a petition filed of the intent to repave subject to protest. To defeat plans for the repaving, more than one-half of the owners of property in the area must sign a protest.

Riley County Commission

August 22, 2011

Joan Strickler, observer

All Commissioners present, McCulloh presiding.

Commissioners agreed to sign a contract with the McGrath Consulting Group, Inc., to conduct a classification and compensation study for the Public Health Department. McGrath previously provided a study of the County and City positions.

County Clerk Rich Vargo assisted in a work session regarding redistricting of the Commission. Three options were considered. The Commissioners indicated a preference for option number 2 and a public hearing will be held in September prior to any finalization of a redistricting plan.

Tim Hegarty gave a Riley County Police Department update. He warns students in particular to lock their cars and keep valuables out of sight. He noted students are having some problems getting used to the roundabout on Bluemont. He warned that most burglaries occur during the day and urged people to report suspicious movement of items out of houses and apartments.

The new IRIS (Immediate Response Information System) is now in place and allows people to receive alerts on the communication devices they choose. Included in the choices are cell phones, work phones, email, text as well as the NOAA All-hazards Radio. Recently added is the option to receive notification of Wildcat Creek Flood warnings. To receive such warnings you may email lharrison@rileycountyks.gov and make the request. It will be necessary first to register for IRIS emergency notifications by going to www.rileycountyks.gov.

Emergency Management Director Pat Collins reported on some requests coming out of a study group on tenant safety issues. He noted some rental properties are in very good shape but some are not. Tenants should check for smoke alarms, preferably located in each room and centrally connected. He said tenants are responsible for replacing batteries in alarms when needed. He recommended carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers both be present. It was noted there are people on Post who can help Fort Riley people who are experiencing rental problems, and help is available to students through K-State.

County Counselor Clancy Holeman provided a draft of a resolution for Commissioners to sign in support of maintaining Riley County in the 2^nd Congressional District.

A lengthy discussion followed regarding the need to have a building code established for rural areas of the County. While most new construction appears to meet acceptable standards some people are living in old box cars or trailers lined up to form one residence. Commissioner McCulloh strongly supported the need for such a building code. Commissioners Johnson and Lewis felt such a code would be unnecessarily costly and not needed at this time.

Julie Govert Walter with the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging updated the Commissioners on the year’s accomplishments. A total of 6,054 persons age 60 and above received services in the County. Services provide information and assistance with a variety of programs including the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug program, energy assistance and housing. Other services make it possible for persons to remain in their own homes instead of nursing facilities.

USD 383 Board of Education

Aug. 17, 2011

Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

Work session:

The board held a work session to discuss issues with the constructions projects at Wilson and Roosevelt Elementary Schools. The project at Wilson had fallen behind schedule and will not be completely finished when school starts Aug. 24. Classrooms for grades K-2 will be ready, not all of the classrooms for 6th grade will be ready, and the readiness of the classrooms for grades 3-5 was uncertain. The program manager was hopeful that Wilson would receive a temporary certificate of occupancy such that grades K-5 would be able to meet at Wilson, and only 6th grade would need to be temporarily housed at Northview. At Roosevelt, the 1983 addition will be ready for school, and the other classrooms will be housed in mobile units on site. For both schools, administration recommended delaying the start of classes until Aug. 26 for student safety, and also to allow more time for furniture to be moved in and for teachers to set up their classrooms.

Public hearing for 2011-12 budget:

Amanda Arnold's principal and PTO president spoke about the need for a proposed curb cut to improve safety for a student drop off/pick up area. No other members of the public addressed the board regarding the proposed budget.

Regular meeting:

The board continued its discussion of Roosevelt's construction project that had begun in the work session. Roosevelt will be needing structural repairs after cracks were discovered in its concrete floors. The program manager reported that the contractor was still in the process of determining the cost of the structural work, but the program manager believed that the cost will be able to be covered by the existing bond funds. The board approved 6-0 to delay the starting date for Wilson and Roosevelt until Aug. 26, primarily for student safety.

Board members discussed the 2011-12 budget and the option of setting the overall mill levy at 51.625 mills, which included a capital outlay mill levy of 6.0 mills. Board members Dave Colburn, Pete Paukstelis, Curt Herrman (who joined the meeting via telephone), Doug Messer, and Darell Edie expressed similar thoughts that the capital outlay levy needed to be set at 6.0 mills in order to address projects needing attention rather than delay them. Walt Pesaresi disagreed because he felt 6.0 mills represented too much of a tax increase and that the $1 million the district has in capital outlay reserves could be used if an emergency repair were needed. Paukstelis pointed out that the $1 million in reserve is used to cash flow projects and isn't sitting idle. Paukstelis also thought capital outlay had not been adequately funded for the past four years, and the board needed to start taking steps to take care of its buildings. The board approved 6-1 to adopt a total budget authority of $86 million with a total levy of 51.625 mills. Pesaresi dissented.

Riley County Commission mtg 8-11-11

Mr Lewis absent. After routine business, Lyle Butler, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, updated Commissioners on Economic Development. Ms McCullogh suggested that Riley County could do well to discuss development with neighboring Counties instead of competing with tax concessions, etc. Butler said the average citizen is not aware of City and County boundaries when shopping for goods or services. When jobs are created in Pottawatomie County, Manhattan and Riley County benefit. A 2010 survey of 366 metropolitan statistical areas showed the four with the fastest personal income growth: Elizabethtown, KY, Lawton, OK, Manhattan, KS, and Hinesville, GA. All these communities are near military installations, which had significant earnings growth in 2010. Butler emphasized that Manhattan's economic success is a result of policies begun in the last 10 years. E.g., the K-18 project was proposed in the early '90s. Dept of Defense has raised military salaries recently. KSU is growing in the research areas. The airport expansion was planned for many years. Ms McCullogh pointed out that faculty at KSU have had no raises for 3 years. New hires are sometimes earning more than long time faculty. She also mentioned that County has had inquiries from NBAF about aTa bus. They propose having about 500 employees in need of public transportation. Butler said a recent gathering of economists agreed that public transportation will become increasingly necessary as energy prices rise--as they inevitably and unquestionably will do for the foreseeable future.

Eileen King, Treasurer, gave her monthly financial reports. Investment income is at 57.05% of Budget, with 58% of the year expired. The interest rate on checking is 0.03%; on one-year investments, 0.65%. July report of sales tax (May sales) was $248,487.44. This makes to-date, 74.45% of annual Budget. Counting all sources of revenue, after distributions, County received $429,496., which is 3.07% above budget. Clancy Holeman, County Counselor/Dir of Admin Services, reported on the meeting of Legislative Policy Committee. He mentioned a tipping fee for KDHE to be raised $1 per ton, the proceeds to go into a State pool. Credit card payment for County services is near approval. Farm Bureau is preparing a proposal for a Bill to remove County Commissions from the duty of soil erosion inspections, perhaps except in emergencies. Johnson County proposes a bill permitting Counties to perform emergency repairs to roads and bridges without the bidding process. Next meeting is Sept 23.

Holeman distributed to Commissioners a proposal amending the Form Quarantine Orders, which originally were formulated when TB was a common health problem. RCPD and the Health Department have been working together to clarify methods of protecting law enforce-ment officers as well as persons being quarantined. The designated Health Officer (presently the Director of the Health Department) is empowered to deal with epidemics, and may need to direct enforcement by RCPD personnel. Obviously, cooperation is of paramount importance. Commissioners approved the proposed procedures 2-0.

Rich Vargo reported on meetings of County officials with representatives of the Health Department on Aug 9 and this morning. County is making every effort to reassure Health Department employees that their positions will be protected in the County takeover. In the transition, health insurance is a being adjusted: employees of County pay small part of their insurance, (as Health Dept employees have not done) but HD employees will receive coverage including dental and vision for only slightly more. County is carefully studying policies on sick leave and annual leave to ensure fairness. Classification adjustments to pay increases are being made so as to place people properly, not to deprive anyone. Vargo will be meeting with County Auditor to discuss the accounting system of the Health Dept and how it will be either integrated or set up as "Fund Entity" system. McCullogh suggested Vargo keep a record of the overload in his duties as he is overseeing these transition issues, so he can be compensated.

Adjourned. Submitted by Lyndal Nyberg.

USD 383 Board of Education

Aug. 3, 2011

Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

Regular meeting:

Carol Adams, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, provided the board with a preliminary report on how the district had performed on state assessments. The majority of the district's schools achieved "adequate yearly progress" (AYP) with only a few exceptions. The schools that did not achieve AYP included Amanda Arnold Elementary in math for students with disabilities, Marlatt Elementary in math for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch and for students with disabilities, and MHS in math for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. The district's minority students also showed significant gains in math scores, although they did not show the same gains in reading. Pete Paukstelis commented that he noticed the scores for minority students have improved since the district hired a Diversity Coordinator, and he wanted to know if the improved scores could be attributed to the coordinator. The board eliminated the Diversity Coordinator position due to budget constraints, and Paukstelis said all of the data will need to be looked at carefully to determine if the coordinator position should be reinstated.

The board was presented with information regarding the status of the construction project at Wilson Elementary. The project is behind schedule, and the district's program manager reported that the contractor has made a concerted effort to catch up. Even so, eight classrooms will likely not be ready for the start of school. Administration presented the board with a plan for housing Wilson's students. Students in grades K-2 will be housed at Wilson, grades 3-4 will go to Northview, and students in grades 5-6 will go to Eisenhower Middle School. The temporary locations were anticipated to be needed for only a couple of weeks. Walt Pesaresi said that the situation isn't fair to the teachers and students who will have to pack up and move classrooms more than once. Several Wilson parents addressed the board expressing their concerns, particularly for the students being sent to Eisenhower, about how their students would use the library, have recess (no playground at Eisenhower), share lunch with older students, and have their days lengthened due to the added busing time.

Board members discussed the 2011-12 budget. The options the board discussed varied in the mill levy amount for capital outlay: Option 1 set the capital outlay mill levy at 4.0 mills, Option 2 was 5.3 mills, and Option 3 was 6.0 mills. A fourth option would raise the Local Option Budget 1%. A majority of the board favored Option 3 with a capital outlay mill levy of 6.0 mills. Dave Colburn said Option 3 would allow the board to set aside funds to replace Amanda Arnold's HVAC system or to acquire property for the site of a future elementary school. Paukstelis agreed, saying the board had vowed during the bond campaign to take better care of its facilities in a planned, deliberate way. Pesaresi said he could support Option 1 or Option 2, but he could not support Option 3 because it represented too much of a tax increase. Doug Messer said he also supported Option 3, although he said he might support one of the other options. Once the board approves publishing the proposed budget, it has the option to adopt a lower mill levy, but it can't go higher once the public hearing date has been set. The board approved 5-1 to authorize the publication of the proposed budget and set the public hearing for Aug. 17. Pesaresi dissented.

RILEY COUNTY/MANHATTAN

BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT

JULY 27, 2011

MICHELLE MARKVICKA provided the Department Highlight for the education of the Board. She is the receptionist for the Family Connections Clinic, WIC, the Women,Infants and Children Federal program, as well Smart Start, which provides visits to new mothers and infants. She has been with the Health Department for three years and that experience has enabled her to take on the many tasks related to these programs. She noted that she is the point of contact for people seeking services making 150 referrals weekly directing them to the right place which requires her to know a great deal about each service. She also does a lot of charting and entering of data as well as alerting the clinic nurses to problems. Essentially she is so much more than a receptionist.

The Treasurer’s report touched on ongoing transfer of the Health Department to the County. Charles Murphy, Director, reported nearly daily meetings working out the transfer of the so-called “reserve funds” from CD’s to money market funds. The City does have the right to them but have stated that all Health Department funds will go to the County. Karen McCulloh stated that she has the legal department working on this.

The on-going meetings with the County have been working on the transferring the Department to the County policies relating to salary, benefits, etc. An educational session with the staff will be held when the transfer is completed.

The City has removed the segments of the code that required the Board of Health to enforce the nuisance ordinance. Nuisances will now be addressed by the City staff. The Health Department and the County Counselor are completing a State Statute study to reaffirm the roles and requirements of the County Health Officer as well as the new County Board of Health.

Since Early Head Start has lost its funding, space is now available at the former Wharton Manor building. District #383 has requested space for their Infant/Toddler Developmental Services program. The lease for the building is ending so that new rental rates need to be developed. The Board approved renting the space to District #383.

Brady Burton, President of the Board, asked if there were any problems on the horizon which led to a discussion of the immunization clinics which will be held at each school registration which will be open 12 hours in order to encourage and help with required immunizations. Dr. Paul Hesse stated that there had been a case of Whooping Cough (pertussis) here. He also stated he had a great deal of concern about Meningitis.Dr. Derek Moser noted that there had been an increase in Rabies and that the present drought and heat was causing animals to enter town in search of water.

Next on the agenda was the question of how to handle the Administrator position. The Board went into executive session for 25 minutes to determine this. The decision was to continue, for the time being, the search for a new administrator rather than appoint an interim administrator.

Discussion of the Board’s future led to the indication that the present Board members would not be interested in remaining on as an Advisory Board only and would only serve if the Board continued to have “teeth”. Karen McCulloh, County Commissioner,

stated that she would consult with the County Councilor as to how to charter such a board.

Submitted by Sue Cohen, Observer