Johnson County Board of County Commissioners
March 21 through April 11, 2024 (most recent listed first)
Observers: Rebecca James, Joan Gilson
Procedures for making public comments and for accessing BOCC materials, meeting schedules and videos are available at https://boccmeetings.jocogov.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/.
April 11, 2024
Commissioner Ashcraft was present via Zoom. Public Comments lasted about 20 minutes.
Commissioner O’Hara interrupted the proceedings with a request to take the issue of her recommendation of her candidate for the County Board of Zoning Appeals appointment off the table. The Chair explained that she could do this at another time and follow up was necessary, but allowed a motion anyway, which failed, 3 to 4. Yes votes: Fast, O’Hara, Ashcraft. No votes: Hanzlick, Allenbrand, Meyers, Kelly.
The Chair signed a Reclamation Plan Agreement with Johnson County Topsoil, Inc. as a requirement of their conditional use permit, to ensure adequate reclamation of the land after the completion of the topsoil removal operation near 191st Street and Woodland Road.
The Board approved the following resolutions:
--A resolution concerning bylaws for the Johnson County Housing & Community Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC). This resolution provides codified bylaws for the HCDAC, which were agreed upon by the members, and eliminates the Board Liaison as HCDAC chair position, keeping membership at 11 members. This measure also incorporates by reference the County’s procedures and policies, including the Ethics Code.
Each District Commissioner of the BOCC, including the Chair, is to nominate one (1) member to serve on the HCDAC. The Chair of the BOCC shall nominate an additional four members to serve on the HCDAC, including one representative of persons with disabilities; one representative of minorities; one representative of low-income households; and one representative of the homeless. This item was moved from the Consent Agenda to the Action Agenda.
--A resolution to reorganize and establish the qualifications, appointment process, and duties of members of the Johnson County Board of Zoning Appeals. This measure reorganizes the Board to be consistent with state legislation, while standardizing and aligning its processes with the East and West Zoning Boards. The two Commissioners that include unincorporated areas (Third & Sixth) each appoint two from their unincorporated areas and the Chair appoints another three, one of which is a member of the Planning Commission from the unincorporated area.
Commissioners voted to amend the capital improvement program to include the Library’s Central Resource Library West Wall Repair Project and to authorize the use of Library Operating Fund reserves for $375,000.
Commissioners conducted public hearings and authorized funds for the following items:
--The design and bid phase of the Belinder Pump Station Improvements Project for $2,076,900.
--The design and bid phase of the New Century Air Center Wastewater Treatment Facility Equalization Basin, Pumping, and Solids Thickening Improvements Project for $1,218,600.
In light of unique, serious current needs, the Board approved the addition of a full time equivalent, grant-funded substance abuse counselor position, to be funded by the UCS Substance Use Continuum of Care Fund.
The new Developmental Supports Services Handbook provides residents with ready access to local support services.
The Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (LFRF) has earned $115,000.23 in interest. Funds must be fully obligated through Dec. 2024 with options to move funding to other projects by 2026.
Mark Dapp, Frederico and Duerst, County lobbyists, reported on the current legislative session. Concerning election laws, pending bills retain and expand the ban on delivering more than 10 ballots to the election office, also adding a tracking system with extra affidavit requirements for anyone helping someone else vote, especially a requirement for a written permission from the voter, along with threats of felony charges. The Legislature is off until April 28. The veto session will be April 29 and April 30. Senate Bill 28, the budget bill does not include any funding for K-12 education, which is a “huge issue” to be dealt with in a separate committee. All tax proposals ended up in four different bills. Currently, the three-tiered tax rate has been collapsed into two and the tax on Social Security Income is eliminated, but it is unknown at this point whether the Governor will sign these.
Commissioners Meyers and Allenbrand attended the Seven Days of Kindness Breakfast, a local movement begun in response to the 2014 mass shootings at the Jewish Community Center and a local care center.
Chair Kelly thanked Commissioner Meyers for his work on the DEI committee and welcomed the additional space for inclusion in our community.
April 4, 2024
A proclamation for A Day of Kindness was made from the dais for Seven Days. Public Comments lasted for about 20 minutes.
The appointment of Kevin Nunnally (Third District Representative) to the Parks & Recreation Commission through January 31, 2027, was tabled due to process issues with the appointment timing and lack of discussion with the Commissioners who requested it before the meeting.
The appointment of Inas Younis (Fourth District Representative) to the Developmental Supports Board through August 31, 2024, was approved by consent.
The 2024 Audit Plan proposed by the County Auditor (item tabled from March 21, 2024) was approved by a vote of 5 – 2, with no votes from Commissioners Ashcraft & O’Hara. Objections were made about these audits being performance audits, rather than financial ones, and the possibility that more audits could be added.
Susan Pekarek, Manager of JOCO Wastewater, is featured in JOCO Women’s History Month for her recognition by the Kansas Water Environment Association as the first female manager of JOCO Wastewater, as well as being one on a national shortlist.
The County Election Office is holding a design contest for a “Future Voter” sticker.
US Representative Sharice Davids visited the County Emergency Operations Center this week and discussed Federal funding for emergency operations with the Board & staff.
The meeting was adjourned for the Executive Session at 11:07 AM.
March 28, 2024
Public comments lasted about 15 minutes.
The Board approved a resolution to continue to exempt the County from certain Civil Service provisions concerning the Sheriff’s Department.
Tabled from last week: After hearing an explanation of the decision process, the Commissioners authorized contracts with DebrisTech, LLC. and Tetra Tech, Inc. for Disaster Debris Monitoring Services, at no cost, unless contracts are activated for services following a disaster. Commissioner Ashcraft argued that the bid evaluations should “eliminate outliers in the data,” an unrealistic approach given the low statistical number of factors (5) and the necessity of following federal statute. No Votes: Ashcraft, O’Hara. Yes: Kelly, Meyers, Hanzlick, Fast, Allenbrand. Commissioner O’Hara accused Chair Kelly of speaking in “Word Salad.”
The Board also agreed to the following items:
Commissioners authorized an exception to competition with SeaChange Print Innovations, LLC, for election related printing and mailing services, for $400,000. A public commenter, Nancy Moneymaker, objected. Chairperson Kelly asked that the request-for-bid process be used in future years. Commissioner O’Hara wanted to know if the printing was for advance ballots. Election Commissioner Fred Sherman explained that mailed out ballots must be individually composed to accurately reflect individual voter information, adding that pre-printed advance ballot applications will not be mailed out to voters.
The County’s Manager of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Kendra Neal Wright, was featured in county communications for Women’s History Month.
The County Economic Research Institute (CERI) Indicators provided the following information for January:
--The Unemployment rate was 2.4%.
--The number of Johnson County homes sold by realtors was 385, compared to an average of 544 for January in the past five years.
--The total value of construction contracts let year-to-date through January was $757,266,000,
compared $363,604,000 for the average inflation-adjusted value of construction contracts for the same period in the past 5 years.
In the Kansas Legislature this week, a bill advocating harsh measures for projects addressing homelessness looks favorable for passage.
--The bill requires counties and cities to adopt ordinances regarding camping and vagrancy.
--It also allows any person to bring a writ of mandamus for non-enforcement of these ordinances
-- Finally, it limits shelter occupancy to U.S. citizens.
The Senate passed their version of a tax bundle, with the expansion of the homestead property exemption. The House version differed, featuring two income tax brackets but no homestead expansion language. The Tax Conference Committees haven’t begun yet, and budget bills are in process.
Medicaid Expansion failed in committee.
Chairperson Kelly noted that County residents report that they very much appreciate the County process for early access to free, fair and secure voting.
March 21, 2024
Public Comments lasted about 20 minutes.
The Board approved the appointment of Kevin L Petracek to the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board through June 30, 2025.
The Board voted to table the approval of the 2024 Audit Plan proposed by the County Auditor for two weeks in order to have time for further study. Plans for the Audit include reviews of practices and controls in the Department of Emergency Services, WIC, Nelson Wastewater Project, and risk assessment in departments previously omitted. Those departments are the Sheriff, District Attorney, District Court Trustee, District Courts, Economic Development Programs, and Law Library.
Commissioners approved the District Coroner’s appointment of Ayla McClain and Kim Drewry as special deputy coroners for the Tenth Judicial District of Kansas, until a deputy coroner is appointed or for a period of one year, whichever occurs first.
The Board voted to table for one week the authorization of term and supply contracts with Debris Tech, LLC. and Tetra Tech, Inc. for Disaster Debris Monitoring Services, at no cost, unless contracts are activated for services following a disaster. Four services were interviewed for this FEMA requirement in case of a presidentially declared natural disaster. Commissioners will take more time to understand the method of selection.
Johnson County Wastewater has received the EPA National Environmental Achievement Award for Public Information and Education for the #FortheW, an initiative created for the Department by Melissa Reeves.
The 2024 Presidential Preference Primary held on March 19 had about a 6% turnout. The canvas will be March 26.
Johnson County Library’s new branch, Merriam Plaza Library, 6120 Slater St., celebrated its opening on March 20. Thousands attended the event, and members of the Webb Family, descendants of the Brown family, principals in the Brown vs the Topeka Board of Education, were recognized.
The Results of the 2024 County Resident Survey indicate that Johnson Countians were generally satisfied (rating of 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale) with a wide range of factors that influence perceptions of living in Johnson County. Some of the general perception items that rated significantly above the national average are:
--Overall quality of County services (80%), 31% above the national average.
--Overall image of the County (91%), 38% above the national average.
--Public safety (91%), 26% above the national average.
--Value received for taxes (53%), 50%+ above national average.
About 1,200 people completed the survey. (BOCC meetings) Commissioner Fast asked if the survey could be shortened. In response to Commissioner O’Hara’s complaints about taxes, Chairperson Kelly noted that the County’s above average offerings of services were highly valued by residents.
Satisfaction for most services rated above pre-pandemic areas with a few exceptions: Transportation for disabled people, public transit, corrections, the DA's office rated lower than in 2020.
After the meeting the Commissioners entered a study session for an infrastructure update.
Johnson County Library Board
April 11, 2024
Observers: Nancy Kalikow Maxwell and Jodi Dinkins
The Johnson County Library Board of Directors met on Thursday, April 11, 2024 beginning with an emotional farewell address from Board Chair Bethany Griffith, who was ending her 8 years of service on the Board. Griffith stressed that she accepted the appointment to the Board because she believes “libraries and literacy are the front lines in battling ignorance and are quite possibly the last bastion of intellectual freedom and value-neutral access to information.” She expressed pride in Johnson County Library’s policies that “endorse and support that free people read freely.”
Shirley Allenbrand was welcomed to the Board as the new Commission liaison. In staff reports, it was announced that a $124,000 donation would be made to the library from the Foundation and that the Friends of the Library are investigating possibly relocating to a larger facility. An analysis of library trends revealed that Johnson County Library was first among peer libraries in print circulation and in the top three in library visits.
Building projects noted included the successful ribbon cutting ceremony for the Merriam Library and on-going survey and public forums to solicit comments about a possible Corinth library co-relocation. The Board went into executive session at approximately 5:30 p.m. to discuss a possible real estate transaction.
To learn more, click here.
Johnson County Mental Health Center (MHC) Advisory Board
March 25, 2024
Observer: Harry Bognich
Meeting was called to order at 5:40 p.m. by Erin George, the new chair of the Advisory Board, and by Chairman Mike Kelly (BOCC). Meeting was in-person at the County Administration Building in Olathe. This was a special joint meeting with the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).
Public comment was on the agenda; none given.
Tim DeWeese, MHC Director, announced that Susan Rome would be retiring in May; she has worked as the Deputy Director with Tim for decades and will be missed.
Tim provided everyone a 16 page “Clinical Services Overview 2024” handout which lists the 7 Divisions of the Johnson County Mental Health Center (JCMHC) and details the nearly 100 services, teams, or programs which MHC has, and under which Division each is.
Tim stressed the huge impact which has resulted from JCMHC becoming a “Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic” (CCBHC). He said it has been critical for us, both for our services and our financial health, especially changing from “fee for service” to “prospective service”, so payment is now based on the cost of planned service which helps us to emphasize quality of service. MHC has been able to add 80 full-time employees (FTE) since 2022. January 2023 was the CCBHC Baseline Review and in December 2023 MHC received certification for the next 2 years.
2024/2025 Vision and Growth:
Continue to fund additional FTEs via CCBHC funding (and not from county taxes).
Summer 2024 --- Expand Gardner area services (lacking mental health facilities amid population growth).
Fall/Winter 2024 --- 988 Hotline Enhancements.
January 2025 --- Enhancements for Older Adult Services and Parent Support.
MHC will be emphasizing elderly adults who are trying to live independently, because too often they are isolated from everyone.
“Bullying in Schools” was brought up as a comment during the meeting. Tim said that MHC is addressing this. However, Tim feels that it is the adults who need to be showing kindness and resiliency in order to show kids how to act; kids learn from adults. One area of bullying and suicide that is growing is in nursing homes where residents are bullying other residents, who are then committing suicide.
Judge Robert Wonnell provided an update on Joco’s Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) where a specialty court (Behavioral Health Court) can provide a voluntary post-conviction program for defendants and assign an offender to the AOT program to treat underlying mental or drug issues that led to a non-violent crime instead of keeping the person in jail. The number of people being helped has been increasing: 300 in 2021, 400 in 2022, 500 in 2023, and currently 2024 has already exceeded the 2023 counts.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.. Next meeting will be May 27, 2024. To learn more, click here.
Blue Valley School Board
April 1, 2024
Observer: Ann Schuster
I attended this meeting in person. All Board members were present for the meeting. There were no community members seeking to comment publicly this month.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. followed by 2 employee recognition presentations.
The following Board Advisory Committees gave reports:
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Finance and Operations: A bond sale for school improvements will likely take place in June.
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Communications: Crisis communications was the focus of the March meeting.
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Health and Well Being: The “Giving 20” program on mental health and suicide prevention was presented to committee members.
Superintendent Merrigan gave an update on staff and student achievements including high schoolers who reached the state finals in the National Civics Bee and a high school presenter at a conference on the coming solar eclipse in Carbondale, Il. She also mentioned that Blue Valley will host another session of the “Realtor’s Guide to Blue Valley''. In addition, Dr. Merrigan was recently presented with an Alpha Kappa Alpha Recognition Award.
In other Board business, it was determined that Friday, May 24, would be the last day for students for the 2023-24 school year, and the 2025-26 calendar was approved.
Asst. Superintendent Mark Schmidt updated the Board on the district’s Special Education program relating the following facts:
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Blue Valley serves Special Ed students ranging in age from 3-21 with the District’s preschool program and its 18-21 transition program.
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2939 BV students exhibit some type of disability and 1338 are considered gifted ( the latter is also served by Special Ed in accordance with state statutes).
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The Special Ed population has grown by 16% in the last 3 years while the total student population growth has been just 1%. This is significant because district funding is predicated on total student enrollment (including any gains and losses).
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40% of the transportation in BV is for Special Ed.
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Special Ed students spend the majority of their school time in a general education classroom (due to a law requiring them to be in the least restrictive environment for learning).
BV Board Policy 3122 was reviewed and found to be in accordance with the new state law regarding open enrollment and transfers to the District of new students. At present, only Blue Valley Southwest and Aspen Grove Elementary have room for out-of-district students seeking transfers. This availability is also dependent on adequate staffing.
A KC architect study was approved for construction work at some schools (related to earlier mention of bond sale in June).
After considerable discussion, the acquisition of Amplify digital and consumable products for Middle School English/Language Arts students was approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m. To learn more, click here.
Prairie Village City Council
March 18, 2024
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. Lauren Wolf, who had to resign due to moving out of the city, is no longer part of the council, leaving 11 members plus the Mayor. One member attended by Zoom; all others were present in the room. Public comments lasted about 15 minutes.
Council heard a presentation from the Teen Council, which is a group of local students who “shadow” the Council during the school year, volunteering in various ways to serve the community. Each year, they make a presentation to the Council, and this year’s request was for period products to be provided free in the restrooms in municipal buildings and city parks.
The diversity committee will be sponsoring an open session on civil discourse. No details yet. They have also been working on interpretive panels to be placed in city parks, explaining the history of exclusion in PV.
City business was conducted, and the council adjourned at 9:00.
Prairie Village City Council
April 1, 2024
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. Lauren Wolf, who had to resign due to moving out of the city, is no longer part of the council, leaving 11 members plus the Mayor. All members were present. Public comments lasted about 25 minutes.
The Mayor reported that 24 applications have been received for the open council position, and he will bring a recommendation for replacement to the council as soon as all applications have been worked through.
City business was conducted, and the council went into executive session at 7:10.
To learn more, click here.
Water One
April 9, 2024
Observer: Annette Becker
The meeting started with the annual report from ETC on customer satisfaction surveys. Water One continues to have a 95% approval rating (the national average is around 50%) and has the highest ratings of the 150 water utilities surveyed.
Legislative update reported not much accomplished on water items this session though the water committee is working hard. Five of the seven bills reviewed this session dealt with groundwater management.
Jim Winger of Black and Veatch gave a presentation on the second Wolcott horizontal collector well currently under construction on the Missouri River. It is really quite interesting how these work and the planning ahead for extreme flood levels and for two more collector wells in the future along that portion of the Missouri River, one of the two rivers supplying water for Water One.
The first group to go through the new Water Academy were all present at the Board meeting as their final session of four and were recognized for their participation.
Dan Wancura, one of the attendees, commented to me that the program was very well organized and he was most impressed with the tour of the Water One treatment facility.
The Tower to Tower 5K is coming up on Saturday, May 4. The event is held annually to celebrate National Drinking Water Week and to raise funds for Water for People.
Stay hydrated! To learn more, click here.