Johnson County Board of County Commissioners
Sept. 14 through Oct. 5, 2023 (most recent listed first)
Observers: Rebecca James, Jerry Gilson, Joan Gilson, Lenore Rowe
A live broadcast is available at BOCC Meetings and on YouTube. Public comments during the beginning of the meeting or for a specific agenda item can now be made in person, virtually or in writing. For more information, meeting videos, documents and agendas, go to BOCC Meetings
Oct. 5, 2023
Commissioner Fast was present on Zoom. Vice Chairperson Allenbrand conducted the meeting because Chairperson Kelly was absent on County business.
Commissioners recognized Disability Employment Awareness Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. One honoree noted that Spanish speaking people have populated North America since before the arrival of the Pilgrims.
Public comments lasted about 15 minutes.
The chair signed an agreement with Mission for the Mission Street and Storm Sewer Improvements.
The Board approved codes of conducts covering travel expenses, voting, conduct of meetings, and conflict of interest, among other items, for the West Consolidated Zoning Board, East Consolidated Zoning Board, and Planning Commission.
The Board approved the 2024 County Assistance Road System Program projects for $20,008,000 (11 street maintenance projects in 13 cities) and 2024 Stormwater Management Program expenditures for $20,125,000. The Stormwater Management program includes:
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Traditional design/construction projects for flood risk
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Replacement of failing stormwater infrastructure
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Voluntary home buyouts
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Water quality improvement and preservation projects
Part of the CARS funding comes from projects previously approved by the Board that came in under budget.
An increase of $1,035,750 to the MNH TRP Building Program Modifications capital project, bringing the new total project authorization to $2,027,760, was approved. This project is located at the Mental Health Recovery Place at 11120 W. 65th St. in Shawnee. An elevator will be added, a storage area repurposed for patient services, and patients will be moved to other facilities temporarily.
The County Treasury, Taxation, and Vehicles offices were closed to the public for annual Staff Training on Indigenous Peoples Day, Monday, Oct. 9.
Johnson County Park & Recreation was recognized as Best Large Employer by the Shawnee Mission and Blue Valley Post.
Commissioner O’Hara made false comments about election security.
Commissioner Hanzlick noted County progress on affordable housing.
Sept. 28, 2023
Cyber Security Month (October) and World Environmental Health Day were proclaimed.
Public Comments lasted about 15 minutes.
After a public hearing, Commissioners voted to allow Johnson County Facilities Management to use the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) alternative project delivery method for the Sunflower Fire Station (fire station for the Panasonic Battery Plant). The fire station is funded by COVID funds, Desoto, and Panasonic.
The Board adopted the second revision to the Amended Rules of Order. For an item to be considered for a future Board agenda, a member must provide details of the reason for the request, the impact on staff, if any, to prepare the item for a Board agenda, and be related to Board priority and/or statutory or home rule authority of the Board. Items that will not be considered for a future Board meeting include the following:
Two public commenters objected. Votes. Yes: Kelly, Hanzlick, Meyers, Allenbrand, Fast. No: O’Hara, Ashcraft
The redistricting report indicates that, based upon the 2020 census data, the 2022 census estimates, and the County’s point-based data, the existing commissioner districts remain proportional using acceptable forms of measurement, so no reapportionment will occur now. Based on existing population trends, staff recommends the County redistrict in 2025. A public link will be available for the public to figure out new districts and participate in the redistricting process.
County Economic Research Institute (CERI) Indicators: Unemployment rate, July 2023: 2.8%, and Retail Sales year to date are up 3.9%.
Sept. 21, 2023 No Meeting
Sept. 14, 2023
For National Co-Responder and Crisis Responder Week, the Board recognized the partnership between emergency responders and mental health workers.
Welcoming Week was proclaimed. Johnson County is now part of the national Welcoming Community, an initiative in which all are treated equally regardless of income, race, sex, religion, national origin, presence of children, disability, age, sexual orientation or any other legally protected class.
The Board recognized National Recovery Month.
Public comments lasted about 15 minutes.
The Board approved the following appointments:
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John Hunkeler-- First District Representative to the Consolidated Fire District No. 2
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Joan Leavens – Fourth District Representative to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee
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Michael P. Casey, Sr. – Sixth District Representative to the Fire District No. 1 Governing Board
Johnson County has received national re-certification for the Appraiser’s Office.
The Kitchen Restore Project Extension was highlighted. Master Food volunteers have created Kitchen Restore Kits to supply residents with cooking equipment with booklets detailing food preparation steps in Spanish and English, can openers, and easy recipes. Supplies in the kit also include pots, pans, knives, cutting boards, and utensils.
Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (LFRF) – Countywide Support Fund (CSF) Change for August 2023: Interest Earnings $111,116
Remaining amount of funds available for future one-time expenses: $22,607,752
Future reports will be made quarterly rather than monthly.
Commissioner Hanzlick reported on her participation in the Climate Action gathering in Kansas City this week. Commissioner O’Hara complained about the election office mailing general election information to registered voters.
The Board voted to extend the employment of the County Manager. A 3% increase and bonus were also (narrowly) approved: Yes Votes: Kelly, Hanzlick, Allenbrand, Meyer. No Votes: Fast, O’Hara, Ashcraft.
Johnson County Library Board
Sept. 14, 2023
Observer: Karen Wulfkuhle
The board approved a memorandum of understanding with the city of Prairie Village to "jointly engage in a site design study and gather public input and feedback." The Library has budgeted $50,000 for the study on a potential co-location with a proposed community center in Prairie Village. For fiscal year 2024, the board approved a resolution for the Library to exceed the revenue neutral rate in the levy of property taxes in support of the budget for the Library taxing district.
Each year Library staff review one third of policies or Administrative Regulations (ARMs). No changes were recommended and the board affirmed the recommendation at the October board meeting.
The board will hold a retreat on Oct. 19, 2023. The agenda includes reviewing the Comprehensive Library Master Plan and Capital Improvement Project timeline.
To learn more, click here.
Johnson County Mental Health Center (MHC) Advisory Board Meeting
Sept. 25, 2023, in-person at the Mission Office.
Observers: Harry and Mary Bognich
MHC Director Tim DeWeese reported that County Employees can no longer serve on an Advisory Board without certain exceptions.
Most of the meeting centered on KanCare Expansion; KanCare is basically Medicaid in Kansas. Guest speakers were April Holman from the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas (a non-partisan, non-profit focused on Medicaid Expansion) and Cathy Matlack (a volunteer advocate with the Alliance and a LWVJoCo member). Here are a few key points from their presentation:
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Expansion at the national level passed back in 2010 as part of the ACA. Each state had to ‘opt in’ if they wanted to participate. The Federal government pays 90%, and the state pays 10% of the costs. There is now even a Federal one-time incentive for a state to join. 40 states have expanded Medicaid. Every state around Kansas has done it.
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Many Kansas citizens and many of the KS legislators support expansion in Kansas. The issue is that the leadership in the KS legislature is against expansion for various reasons, partly because it originated from “ObamaCare”. Kansas citizens need to contact these representatives to voice support for KanCare Expansion.
To learn more, click here.
Johnson County Park and Recreation Department Board Meeting
Sept. 20, 2023 at JCPRD Administration Offices
Observer: Ada Niedenthal
Began at 7:00. Went into the Executive Session around 8 p.m.
There were no Public Comments
20 items on the Consent Agenda were approved without comment.
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A resolution for a levy of property tax exceeding a revenue neutral rate for fiscal year 2024 passed.
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A resolution to accept the Mid-America West sports complex master plan as presented passed.
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A resolution to accept the Ernie Miller Nature Center Phase 3 Improvements as presented passed.
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A resolution to accept the 2024 Legacy Plan as presented passed.
The documents and graphics associated with the above presentations can be viewed at the JCPRD website. Go to About JCPRD > Agendas and Minutes > Regular Board Meeting > Meeting Files and Agenda Packet. Scroll down to page 40 for the Mid-America West sports complex, and page 48 for the Legacy Plan presentation.
Next Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Administration Offices.
To learn more, click here.
Blue Valley School Board Meeting
Oct. 9, 2023
Observer: Ann Schuster
Public comments included the topics of the District’s Chinese Immersion Program, overcrowding at Valley Park Elementary and concerns about 3 books present in high school libraries.
The general meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Board President Jodie Dietz at which time a statement expressed concerns over the events in Israel during the preceding weekend. Counseling and resources are being made available to students and community members wishing to take advantage of them.
Board Advisory Committee reports were made by:
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Health and Well-Being - on a District substance abuse program emphasizing an alcohol prevention and intervention theme
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Students Activities – on the Open Enrollment and Transfer policy (see below)
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Finance and Operation- discussed an IT Services Report
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Curriculum and Instruction- update on MAP assessments being replaced by FastBridge; BV compliance with Kansas’ Every Child Can Read Act; new state graduation requirements ( see below)
Reports from Board members included:
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Welcomes to Rockhurst and BVN HS student observers
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BV Giving Circle
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BV Foundation fundraising of $393,000-much of which will fund teaching grants to be awarded in November
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Aspen Grove Elementary dedication
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Community Connections meetings-noted an increase in attendance
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56 HS students named as National Merit semi-finalists
Main Agenda items:
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Graduation Requirement changes, as required by the KS State Board Ed, will start with the class of 2028. District requirements will now include courses/instruction in Communications, STEM elective(s), Financial Literacy. Options for Post-Secondary Assets were also presented.
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Community member Lindsey Weiss was appointed to the DEI Advisory Committee.
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The new Open Enrollment/Transfer policy was presented. The changes were mandated by a new Kansas statute. The policy will be presented for Board approval in December, with implementation beginning in 2024.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
To learn more, click here.
Prairie Village City Council
Sept. 18, 2023
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. Two members were absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT – Two residents spoke against an increased budget/proposed community center/proposed increased housing density. Two residents asked for parking help and noise abatement for the residents living close to the new pickleball courts in Windsor Park. (In a report from the Parks & Rec Committee later in the meeting, we learned that both issues at Windsor Park are being looked at, and a decision could come before year-end.)
The mayor reported on the final ruling on the three citizen petitions submitted in August. (One is against any zoning changes, and two of them regard abandoning the current form of government and adopting a new one.) Two were ruled by a district judge to be ineligible to be voted on under state law; however the deadline for inclusion on a ballot has passed, so the remaining petition will NOT be on the November ballot.
The mayor reported on a call with the mayor and council of our sister city, Dolyna Ukraine. They asked us to urge our congressmen to support continued aid to Ukraine.
The council went into Executive Session around 8:40
Prairie Village City Council
Oct. 2, 2023
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. One member was absent.
PUBLIC COMMENT – Seven residents spoke against an increased budget/legal actions regarding petitions/proposed increased housing density. Two residents spoke up in favor of exploring all options for increasing affordability of housing in the city.
Members of the new Youth Council were introduced.
Council debated a motion to clarify that certain changes to zoning regulations are NOT being considered. While all members agreed that it is a truthful statement and is in accord with what has actually happened, some members did not think it necessary to make a new statement, as all actions taken by the council are public record. Others thought it would perhaps reduce the amount of misinformation circulating among residents. Motion passed 8 – 3.
Working as the Committee of the Whole, council discussed a presentation regarding possible updates to the building guidelines for new residential construction in R-1-b lots. Ideas will go to the planning commission for detailed discussion and engagement with the public before coming back to the council at a future date.
The council adjourned around 8:50 p.m.
To learn more, click here.