Riley County Commission July 17, 2014

Riley County Commission July 17, 2014

BOCC 7/17/14

Commissioners Wells and Boyd present.

The meeting didn't start until 9:00 because of Good Morning Manhattan from 7:15 to 8:30 a.m.

Register of Deeds, Debbie Regester, reported that revenue is up a bit, but behind for the year.
Regester showed a spreadsheet demonstrating the effect of the new fee schedule on County finances.  She indicated that by 2019 the total projected loss of income will be $500,000.  This is because of the elimination of the mortgage registration fee.

John Doehling, assistant director of  the RCPD showed a video of the proposed body cameras worn by officers and how the results differ from the video cameras in police vehicles.
Asked about the use of drones, Doehling said that they can be very useful, citing the  search for the drowning victim at Tuttle Creek Lake earlier this year.  The search in this case could have been expedited by use of a drone.

Pat Collins gave the July staff update for Emergency Management.  He said people have wanted to have organized events in areas that present difficulties with fire protection.  The problem is that  the locations do not have access to sufficient water to provide even minimum fire protection.

Brenda Nickel, Director of Health Department gave a review and budget report to the BOCC which convened as the Board of Health.  She announced an Immunization Symposium July 24.
Nickel also announced a series of classes on Mental Health First Aid.  These 8 hour classes will be held a number times and places in the area.

Julie Merklin, observer

Riley County Public Health Department Advisory Council

                        

Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Riley County Health Department Advisory Council Meeting
June 28, 2014                    Submitted by Sue Cohen

The Council continued with their in depth investigation of
binge drinking as it occurs in the County in order to help discern how much of a health problem binge drinking is in the the county and to determine if the Health Department should have a role in dealing with it.

Brad Schoen, Director of the Police Department, was present to discuss St. Patty’s day and the Police Department’s take on it. Ironically, the day I began this report was only several days after the Manhattan Mercury’s news story in which the City Commission suggested that the Police Department dip into their reserve to manage the deficiency of funding for this year.  This is pertinent because the deficiency is almost equal to the Police Department’s cost in dealing with St. Patty’s day.
Mr. Schoen estimated cost of the period, some thirty six hours starting Friday night and ending Sunday morning to be $50,000 in actual cost and not counting any administrative time in planning but which are actually part of the costs. 

Most of that cost is in the overtime pay required as every member of the police force is on duty for the duration.  Outside help came from as far away as Hays and Emporia sends their entire bike brigade and puts in 12 hour shifts.  Mr. Schoen stated that they could actually use 4 to 5 more. 

There are also “soft” costs, so called, calculated to be around 7 to 10 thousand. Soft costs are things like equipment to be bought in some cases and set up so that dispatching can be done from Aggieville.

As to health events, Mr. Schoen says they do treat some though their main issue is safety (which seems to me to qualify for a “health” qualification.) They deal with health events not treated by EMS or the Hospital such as consequences of fights when the person involved does not go to EMS or prevention of “bad outcomes” such as finding a person lying in their vomit and worry about aspiration.  The PD does work a lot with EMS. Mr. Schoen also noted that alcohol poisoning is a significant risk and can easily be missed.  So far there has not been reports of sexual assaults though he surmised that there are probably those who regret some bad decisions. There were more arrests this year as have implemented zero tolerance for violence.
Karen McCulloh asked if there seemed to be a younger crowd this year. Mr. Schoen thought there were people in their 20’s but he didn’t think there were many younger than that.  He did agree that there is a spread into the neighborhoods especially north and east.  He also stated, in answer to a question that they are prepared in case of a riot by having riot control equipment stations close by and that, though not recently, the department has had training in riot control.

Lyle Butler, from the Chamber of Commerce, answered a question about the motels and hotels reactions to the day.  He said that at first the hotels/motels were very much against it and wanted it stopped but that has completely changed as it is now one of their biggest weekends not unlike graduation etc.  They jack up the prices.  Major problem is, as Mr. Schoen sees it in relation to the motels/hotels is getting back to them late at night in the dark.  This is especially true of those out on east Highway 24.  Transportation (taxis) are hard to get so drunken persons decide to walk and in the dark it is a tragedy just waiting to happen.  He suggested that it would be helpful if the motels could in someway make transportation available.

Mr. Butler said the numbers of occupancy are very high.  The restaurants, especially in Aggieville, do very well though other business find they need to close their business that day.  The Chamber’s position is that “the greatest care should be taken to protect citizens and participants but not to stop it.”

Mr. Schoen closed his discussion with this statement. “It is not a healthy environment”.

Debby Nuss noted that Universities, to increase funding, have started selling beer at sports activities. Mr, Schoen noted that K-State is experimenting with that at the baseball games.

In other business:
Lisa Ross gave the director’s report in Brenda Nichol’s absence. She introduced a new staff member, Gail Challman, new Nursing Supervisor. She will be managing the Flu clinics as well as other duties. Planning for that is well underway. Letters will be sent to local business etc. offering to do Flu clinics at their place of business.  Secondly, the preliminary report of the County Wide Health Assessment has been started and participants have been encouraged to turn in their data. Ms. Ross also stated that grants have been received to the amount of $418,532 for the following: State Formula, Emergency Preparation, Child care licensing, Maternal/Child Health, and Family Planning.  On July 3rd Brenda Nichols, administrator, will present to the County Commission a plan to cooperate with the Topeka Health Department to share a HIV Care Manager which will make sense fiscally and will be helpful for both departments. 

Riley County Commission June 26, 2014

Joan Strickler, observer

Riley County Commission June 26, 2014

Commissioners Wells and Lewis present, Wells presiding.  Commissioner Boyd was absent.

The Riley County employees are conducting a food drive to help families needing food assistance over the summer months.

Dawn Shoffner, Interim IT/GIS Director/Assistant Technology Director said the loss of a GIS technician has caused delays in implementing the geographic information system.  Imagery, however, has been received and is now being processed in house.  Businesses that use the site regularly are providing feedback prior to going live with the system.

Clancy Holeman, Counselor/Director of Administrative Services reviewed the provisions of H.B. 2578, the “Open Carry” bill passed this last session in the Kansas Legislature.  The law becomes effective this July 1. Holeman said concealed carry currently is prohibited for both the public and employees in only three County owned buildings:  the Riley County Courthouse, the Carnegie Building, and Pawnee Mental Health.

According to Holeman the Commission may simply leave the existing “concealed carry” signage in place for those three buildings.  Currently only five additional County buildings have concealed carry prohibitions.  An additional 39 buildings have no such signage.  Commissioners would, however, have the option of placing signs prohibiting “open carry” on buildings other than the three listed.

Violations of the law are not criminal offenses.  Lesser charges, such as trespassing, might be filed.

The Riley County Health Department Advisory Council
Meeting Report for May 28, 2014 submitted by Sue Cohen

    The meeting began with Administrator Brenda Nickel discussing upcoming county wide assessment plans which were to commence the next week. Information from this endeavor will be forthcoming in the months to come.

    The main issue of the meeting was to continue with the investigation of the specific health issue of binge drinking.  Although in yearly health rankings in the state Riley County has usually ranked very highly generally, binge drinking showed up to be a major health problem for the County.  Because binge drinking can lead to horrific outcomes as well as large costs to the County, the Council has decided to focus on that problem by assessing, in particular, Fake Patty ‘s Day’s impact. 

Following are the planned presentations to the Council at monthly meetings.

May: Riley County EMS and Mercy Regional Hospital

June: Business impact of Fake Patty’s Day (Chamber of Commerce),
RCPD/FD input.

July: City of Manhattan tax revenue report, area hospital report.

August: Riley County Treasurer, Aggieville business owner’s perspective.

September: City of Manhattan volunteer clean up. Student input/KSU input.

October: Health Impact Assessment summary

Today, Larry Couchman, Director of the EMS in Riley County contrasted  Fake Patty’s Day’s impact with the Country Stampede, both of whom have large alcohol components.                                    

The Stampede, in its 20th year, lasts five days whereas Fake Patty’s day, in its 6th year lasts about 33 hours.  The major problem, as Mr. Couchman sees it is that the Stampede has an “owner” who is well aware of the problem with alcohol and is doing much to control it.   There are  other activities besides drinking at the Stampede but thus far that has not been the situation with St. Patty’s Day.  The fact that the Stampede is not in town is also helpful.  But his major issue is that there is no “owner” of St. Patty’s Day and thus it is most difficult to control.

This year the numbers were slightly down possibly due to the weather and the fact that there was a game that afternoon to take potential drinkers away or give them a later start.

Mr. Couchman noted that the Ambulance Service has 12-13 calls a day normally. In 2013 in the 33 hour period of St. Patty’s day there were 46 calls. Serious injuries have occurred, one requiring ICU attention and one requiring surgery.  This year a participant fell through the plate glass window of the “Creamery” which required Emergency Room care.

St. Patty’s day also spreads into the surrounding neighborhoods. 
There are problems for people living nearby with broken windows, fights, puking in the streets, and people lying unconscious in the yards or even in the streets.

In contrast the Country Stampede is worked on throughout the year and the organization and accountability is much stronger. But there are many more people (up to 40000 people in one day).
So this is not to say it isn’t a problem.

Stacy Crane from the Alcohol Beverage Control spoke about the issues with alcohol risk prevention. She has worked with the department for 9 years.  Their major activity is to enforce the
law.  They particularly try to prevent underage drinking.  They monitor liquor stores and sometimes even follow customers to try to make sure the alcohol is not being bought for underage children.  They issue citations and prosecute.   Because they did not get a grant this year to pay for the overtime and extra salary costs of having ABC people at St Patty’s day, the Department decided they could not fund having personnel at the 2014 St. Patty’s day.

Other business:  Debbie Nuss reported on the ongoing Community Assessment noting strong response and that focus groups were planned for this summer.

Brenda Nickel, Administrator noted that, although the County Commissioners were favorable to a Quality Improvement Plan that she wanted to implement in the Health Department,  they did not
feel they could budget for it at this time.  It may be something the Advisory Council might want to look at as to supporting it at a later date.

The Konza Clinic will open mid June.  There were suggestions for having a ceremony to launch its opening.

Karen McCulloh had a number of suggestions for “getting the Health Department in the people's view” such as sponsoring special “health promoting “ movies such as “Double Size Me” at the Public Library.

Riley County Commission June 23, 2014

Joan Strickler, observer

Commissioners Boyd, Wells and Lewis present, Boyd presiding.

During the “Commission Comments” section Commissioners discussed the advisability of establishing a watershed district to deal with flooding problems on Wildcat Creek.  Apparently residents in the area are not showing much support for the idea.  Watershed districts become permanent once they are established, have taxing authority, and may take care of a current problem but lead to others in the future.

The Commission is in the process of developing the budget for 2015.  Actions taken by the Kansas Legislature this past session, such as eliminating counties’ abilities to tax mortgage registration fees, have caused a drop in Riley County’s anticipated income.  Yet needs are expected to increase.

According to Human Resource Manager Cindy Volanti, the Department of Labor posted the Consumer Price Index at a calculated 1.60% increase.  Average step increases among all County employees for 2014 would amount to 3%.  Going with the previously adopted procedures for salary increases this would mean an average total increase for personnel of 4.6%.

EMS Director Larry Couchman said, with the growth in the community and the growing volume in ambulance calls, he would like to have authorization to hire six additional personnel to staff another ambulance for 24 hour shifts.  This would require adding $95,000 to his budget request.

Couchman and Captain Kurt Moldrup spoke of anticipated needs as Country Stampede gets underway this upcoming weekend.  This Stampede is expected to bring the largest crowds ever.  The weather may be a problem with rain in the projections.  

BOCC 6/19/14

County Commission 6/19/14

All commissioners present

During commissioners comments, Commissioner Wells mentioned that he happened to run into Gov. Brownback at lunch.  In the course of their conversation Commissioner Wells brought up the elimination of the mortgage registration fee and the financial burden that this legislation has on counties.  Brownback said he thought that the legislature had made adjustments so that it wouldn't be a financial problem.  The Gov. seemed unaware of the details of the legislation.

Deb Regester,  Register of Deeds, reported that income was less than last year at this time but said that last year there were two unusually large mortgages and subtracting these, the numbers were about the same.
     Regester said that the "fix" for the elimination of the mortgage registration fee, to have a per-page copy fee,  was going to result in the mortgage lenders submitting very brief official documents with their fees and lengthy "additional materials" not subject to the per page fee.

Jennifer Wilson, County  Extension  Director, talked about the benefits of 4-H camp, both for the campers and the counselors.  Important life skills developed at camp are self confidence, living with others, and making group decisions.
   
Brad Schoen RCPD Director, reported that crime decreased again.  There will be a Citizens forum in early July.

Monty Wedel presented the final draft of the Property Maintenance Code.  He emphasized that this is maintenance, not a building code.


Julie Merklin, observer

County Commission June 16, 2014

BOCC June 16, 2014

All commissioners present


The Commission convened as the Health Department.

Brenda Nickel, director of the Health Department presented a comprehensive report on expenditures for her department.

The Commission  was informed by the school district that the summer free and reduced lunch program that had been extended to the Health Department site was discontinued at that location after only three days because of lack of participation.  One reason suggested was probably lack of publicity about the new site and it was felt that it was eliminated too quickly.

The Commission re-convened as the BOCC

Eileen King gave the June staff report.  Total assets were $54,574,287.45 and the total liabilities and fund balance was the same.

Eilrrn King announced that a presentation on Commercial Vehicle Regulations would be given on Wed June 25 at the Courtyard  by Marriott in Junction City from 1 pm to 3:30.  

Julie Merklin, observer

County Commission 4/14/2014

Riley County Commission April 14, 2014

Commissioners Boyd and Wells present

Contrary to the headline in the Mercury, the discussion of burning and air quality was not a contentious one.  Pat Collins and Jason Orr said there had been quite a number of calls on this topic.  They explained the purpose for burning.  They said the heaviest "fallout" (the ash that some folks experienced) was from counties some distance from here.  Orr gave tips for reducing adverse health effects including awareness of air quality reports,limiting strenuous outdoor activities, staying indoors with windows closed and keeping hydrated.  More info on open burning and regulations atwww.ksfire.org.

Deb Nuss alerted the commission about the upcoming community needs
assessment.

Julie Merklin, observer

USD 383 Board of Education

June 4, 2014
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

USD 383 has been working on establishing a virtual school program that it will manage itself as opposed to working with a vendor.  The board received a report on the progress of the program and learned that the hiring process for the virtual program is on-going.  The board approved the purchase of the Pearson curriculum for the 2014-15 school year to use with the virtual school program.

The board also approved several facility related items, including structural improvements to address a settling issue at Northview Elementary; playground surfacing at Bluemont, Roosevelt, and Wilson Elementary Schools; storm water improvements at MHS East Campus; and engineering services for the chiller at MHS West Campus.

The board also received public comment from MHS student Haley Heaton in regards to the mock car crash that is staged each spring to impress upon students the dangers of impaired driving.  Heaton was concerned that all students are required to view the mock car crash, and students who may have known someone who died in tragic circumstances could find the mock car crash to be emotionally traumatic.  Heaton suggested that these students should be provided with an alternative to viewing the mock crash.

Riley county Commission May 29, 2014

Joan Strickler, observer

All Commissioners present, Boyd presiding.

County Counselor Clancy Holeman announced a breakfast meeting with local legislators will be held at 8:00 a.m. on Monday.  Representative Swanson will not be available but his wife intends to attend.  Susie Swanson is running for her husband’s seat in the House.  The Commissioners will, however, address their questions only to sitting members of the Legislature and not to any candidates not currently elected.  The meeting is open to any persons wishing to attend.

Shelly Williams, Community Corrections Director, made a request for consideration of County support in the coming year.  Erica Christie, Three Rivers, also made a request for financial support from the County as next year’s budget is developed.  Commissioners pointed out the potential drop in tax support for counties due to actions taken by the Legislature will impact their ability to fund any new efforts.  Consideration also will have to be given to increased costs resulting from the concealed and open carry gun laws also passed by the Legislature.

Commissioners agreed to transfer any cash balance carryover from last year into the CIP fund.  That fund is used for purchase of equipment, facilities, building and repairs etc.

The Commissioners passed motions agreeing to support requests from the Health Department of application for grants to fund the Healthy Families Program as well as the March of Dimes “Becoming a Mom” program.  No new County funds are required as match.

Commissioners approved a Resolution and Review of a Publication Notice Authorizing Sale of Certain Real Property.  The request was made by a couple wanting to purchase a .36 acre easement to access their property located south of the viaduct.  The couple is planning to build a zip line attraction.

Robert Ott, with the City of Manhattan, discussed improvements needed to Airport Road.  The City is asking the County to fund half of the cost of developing a cooperative plan to build a sewer system needed to handle storm water.  The sewer system must be installed before improvements to the road itself can be made.