Riley County Commission January 27, 2014

Joan Strickler, observer

Commissioners Boyd, Lewis and Wells present, Boyd serves as chair.

It was agreed to ask the County Planning Board to meet to discuss the need for a new emergency medical services facility and make recommendations to the Commission.

Museum Director Cheryl Collins reported on cooperative efforts between the Riley County Museum and the Beach Museum of Art.  Approximately 1200 children age kindergarten through 5^th grade are participating in 27 tours exploring the history of Riley County and Kansas.   Collins said problems involving a sewer breakdown are being dealt with through efforts of the County public works people and the cooperation of the Health Department.

Budget and Finance Officer Johnette Shepek reviewed the time schedule for the year pertaining to the 2015 budget planning calendar.

Vern Hendricks, the director of the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, told of the Flint Hills Wellness Coalition, a cooperate effort involving numerous public and private agencies.  The coalition’s work is aimed at improving the community’s access to local food supply and distribution networks to meet state-wide nutrition standards.

K-State Research and Extension will hold four training sessions for persons wishing to know more about responsibilities in serving effectively on boards.   Sessions are scheduled for February 19, 20, 26 and 27 from 6 to 8 pm at the K-State Research office.  Similar training will be offered in 11 locations throughout Kansas.  The cost is $40.  To register go to www.ksre.ksu.edu/boardseries.   Deadline for registrations is February 7.

The Commission will convene its first Board of Health meeting at 7 pm, on Monday, February 24^, in the Commission chambers.  The Health Department will present its 2013 annual report and discuss plans for 2014.  In addition to staff presentations, Dr. Cary Herl, medical director for the department and the public health advisory committee, will be present.

Greg Lund, parks manager, and Leon Hopkins, public works director, presented plans for the development of Fairmont Park.  Given efforts of some persons in the community to develop sports facilities that would attract statewide competitive soccer and other sporting events, it was agreed the commission needs to define the role of Fairmont Park.  Is it to be designed to offer multi-use areas such as the dog park, play grounds, and ball fields or primarily for tournament use?  It was generally agreed previous studies and recommendations should not be thrown out because of the new proposals.

Johnette Shepek, budget and finance officer, reviewed the Riley County Bonded and Indebtedness Report.  It demonstrates that Riley County has been very conservative in utilizing its bonding authority.