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.