ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE GEARY COUNTY COMMISSION MINUTES August 17, 2009 Commissioners Present: Larry Hicks and Florence Whitebread Commissioner Absent: Ben Bennett (in the hospital) Steve Opat, County Attorney/Counselor, arrived at the meeting. Vice Chairman Whitebread called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mr. Opat discussed the following: Reviewed an email from Christina Cook, Junction City Engineer to Dennis Cox, Public Works Administrator, regarding the speed limit by the Junction City Middle School on K-18. He discussed the fact that it is a state highway and they have set a speed limit of 45 miles per hour. Mr. Opat reviewed the statutes and stated that a resolution would have to be passed and published prior to changing the speed limit. Rebecca Bossemeyer, County Clerk, discussed the following: Presented a request from Christina Bartel, Executive Director of CASA, about the use of the Office Building Conference Room for training on Tuesday evenings. The commission denied the request, since the office building is closed in the evening. Inquired if one of the other commissioners could attend the Safety Committee meeting on August 19, since Chairman Bennett is in the hospital. It was determined that Commissioner Hicks will attend. Sheriff Jensen arrived at the meeting. Christina Cook, Junction City Engineer, arrived at the meeting. Sheriff Jensen stated that they needed to discuss the speed zone on K-18 Highway. Mrs. Cook stated the speed limit is 60 mph on K-18 and with the construction of the new middle school, the speed limit needed to be adjusted. KDOT chose the distances and speed zone area. The issue is part of the speed zone is in the county and part is in the city. The city is concerned if the limit is enforceable when it goes into the county. Mr. Opat inquired why the city is concerned. Ms. Cook stated to be sure that people can be ticketed. Dennis Cox, Public Works Administrator, arrived at the meeting. Mr. Opat inquired if the state has designated a 45 mph speed limit when the lights are flashing. Mrs. Cook and Sheriff Jensen stated yes. Undersheriff Roman arrived at meeting. Mr. Opat asked what the problem is. Sheriff Jensen stated the biggest problem is regarding tickets that are written in the 660 feet of the speed zone that is in the county. He reviewed the procedure that they have to deputize the Junction City police officers and they are given a county ticket book. He stated he doesn t see a problem. Mrs. Cook stated she was asked to come here to coordinate with the county and determine if a resolution needs to be passed. Mr. Opat stated he was informed of this issue last week and the
Minutes 08-17-2009 Page 2 county needs more time due to publication requirements. Commissioner Hicks inquired about the need to pass a resolution. Sheriff Jensen stated he doesn t think it has necessary, but it might be helpful to eliminate possible confusion. Mr. Cox reviewed the steps the county takes if a speed zone change is needed. Sheriff Jensen asked why it could not be 40 mph to Karns Road. Mrs. Cook stated they asked for that and KDOT has said no, unless a traffic/speed study is done. Mr. Opat asked if anyone has consulted KDOT about the need for a resolution. Mrs. Cook stated she talked with Dale Hershberger and he said he would look into the matter. Commissioner Whitebread inquired about putting a sign up that indicated the speed limit is to be reduced. Mrs. Cook stated KDOT will have to do that. Mr. Opat stated he doesn t think the county has the authority to enact the resolution without a traffic and engineering study. Sheriff Jensen stated this seems to be about the 660 feet of the area in the county and the ticket might be an issue if a JCPD officer is not deputized by Sheriff Jensen. Mrs. Cook, Mr. Cox and Mr. Opat left the meeting. Sheriff Jensen and Undersheriff Roman presented the weekly report: Reported there are 105 prisoners in our detention center and 109 was the highest. Reviewed the court issues regarding the tax sale that will be heard tomorrow. Calvin Pottberg, CPA, arrived at the meeting. Ben Kitchens, citizen, arrived at the meeting. Sheriff Jensen continued: Stated that he and Garry Berges, Emergency Management/Rural Fire Chief, continue to resolve issues between their departments. Sheriff Jensen and Undersheriff Roman left the meeting. Mr. Pottberg discussed the following regarding the 2010 budget: Reported that he talked with Chairman Bennett this morning about the budget issues and the report he planned to make. Stated that one mill is equivalent to $211,415; so it takes a lot of dollars to reduce the budget. Stated the delinquency rate was raised to 3.5% from 2% a year ago. After the recent information from Kathy Tremont, Treasurer, this year (2008) delinquencies are at 8%. He stated it might be risky to reduce this rate. Reported the cash carryover is already less than other years and many are at zero. Stated that revenues from the State of Kansas are either zero or down considerably. Reported that interest rates are down, so interest income is lower. Lisa Eickholt, Human Resources, arrived at the meeting.
Minutes 08-17-2009 Page 3 Mr. Pottberg continued: Stated that sales tax is flat, so that is why we left it at the same rate as estimated for 2009. Chairman Whitebread reviewed the fact that we have to pay $675 for each rape kit, whether it is prosecuted or not; due to new state laws. Discussed cuts that were already made including, but not limited to: $100,000 from Public Works; $10,000 from Noxious Weed, which eliminates their capital outlay fund; reduced pay increase from 3% to 2.5%; and reduced Geary Community Hospital request by $50,000. Clerk Bossemeyer stated she cut the election budget $50,000 plus provided additional carryover for that fund. Garry Berges, Emergency Management/Rural Fire Chief, arrived at the meeting. Mr. Pottberg continued Discussed the fact that the budget started out at an 8-9 mill increase and has been reduced to the 3 mill we are currently at. Clerk Bossemeyer reviewed budget cuts that have been made over the last several years by various departments. She also discussed the need to have carryover to make bond payments that are due the first of each year. Commissioners Whitebread and Hicks determined to take final action next week when Chairman Bennett is here. Mrs. Eickholt, Mr. Pottberg, and Mr. Kitchens left the meeting. Mr. Berges discussed the recent newspaper coverage on fire training and stated that it went very well. Mr. Berges left the meeting. Chuck Otte, Extension Office, presented the monthly report and noted the following: Reported the Geary County Free Fair went very well and the weather was beautiful. He stated exhibit participation was down this year, but he found that true in several other counties. The attendance was good, which he attributed to the new things the board has implemented. Announced the board has decided to leave Donna Martinson s position open until the first of the year, due to budget concerns. She will retire in October. Announced that the 2008 federal farm bill is very confusing and he is receiving many calls about it. Reported the new 4H year is beginning. Announced they are preparing for the Kansas State Fair. Mr. Otte left the meeting. Jeffrey Black, EDC Director, presented the monthly report: Commissioner Hicks inquired about the recent newspaper article where Mr. Black did not agree with the unemployment rate the state released. Mr. Black stated that in his computation, he used the population number after it was successfully challenged. Announced that in the last two weeks, they have had three prospects visit (2 industrial and 1 commercial). Reviewed his visit to Vermont on the possibility of having the world headquarters of the Buffalo Soldiers move here. Discussed the importance of a good census count to help in recruitment efforts. Reviewed the status of the NBAF facility in Manhattan and the effect it may have on our community.
Minutes 08-17-2009 Page 4 Reported that they are looking at a Community Improvement District (CID) for the Goldenbelt Project, which is a new law that went into effect July 1. This can involve special assessments or increased sales tax for that designated area. Mr. Black left the meeting. David Yearout, Planning and Zoning Administrator, presented the monthly report: Reported the MPC is this Thursday and noted some of the agenda items. He stated that the Interlocal Agreement regarding the K-18/Highway 77 Corridor Study is also on their agenda. Discussed the progress made on vacating the Winchester Estates plat. Presented and reviewed agricultural exemption certificate and application. Announced that he will attend and be a presenter at the Kansas Association of County Planners/Zoning Officials meeting in Hutchinson. Presented information on the Kansas Association for Floodplain Management annual conference on September 2 and 3 in Emporia. There was a general discussion regarding floodplain and insurance issues. Mr. Yearout left the meeting. The meeting recessed for lunch at 12:00. Dennis Cox, Public Works Administrator, presented the weekly report: Presented a copy of the proposal from Kaw Valley Engineering to provide the bi-annual bridge inspection. The cost will be $85 per bridge and will allow for additional bridges to be added at the same cost. This would allow the City of Junction City to add on to our inspection. Commissioner Whitebread moved to accept the proposal. Commissioner Hicks seconded and both voted aye. Provided an update on the work at Cloud County Community College Geary County Campus. The work was completed last week. Reported that chip sealing will start next week on Humboldt Creek Road. The work will take 13 days. Reported on the mowing that has been done and remains. Announced the work that they did to assist Flinthills Electric with tree removal. Mr. Cox left the meeting. Shirley Ehrlich, Appraiser, presented her first monthly report: Reported that they have two cases before the State Board of Tax Appeals. They discussed the issue of a campground wanting to change the classification from commercial to residential. Mr. Opat has been notified of this issue. Announced the failure to file notices were sent out for personal property in the amount of $587,041 of assessed value. Commissioner Whitebread inquired if that is higher than normal. Ms. Ehrlich stated no. Reported that Lewis has caught up on splits and combinations. Stated she ordered and received up to date information on open records and meetings from the League of Municipalities. Provided an update on GIS: o Received data from Manatron on Milford. The same format for annotation is not being used and this will be corrected. o Manatron has complied with the hash marks that we requested.
Minutes 08-17-2009 Page 5 Reported that the additional fees, in the amount of $800, on the Neighborhood Revitalization Program have not been received. Commissioner Whitebread stated she will discuss it with Mr. Barnes during his appointment. Announced Scott Johnson is talking about renovating the former Country Club into a single family dwelling. Reported she has started on the neighborhood analysis which is one of the compliance issues they are required to do each year. Ms. Ehrlich left the meeting. Rod Barnes, Junction City Manager, and Mike Guinn, Assistant City Manager, presented the monthly report: Requested support for the extension of East Street and the classification designation that has been previously discussed. He stated that KDOT, Fort Riley and the City of Junction City support it. Mr. Guinn reported he is working with Denise Ott, MAC, on the agenda for the AUSA visit to Washington, D.C. in October. He reviewed the items that have been scheduled. Stated that a representative of Congressman Moran s Office stopped by to discuss floodplain issues. Commissioner Whitebread stated David Yearout will attend the fall conference. Commissioner Hicks inquired about the NRP payment. Mr. Barnes stated that he has given the information to Jeffrey Black. Mr. Barnes stated he will ask that the check be written. Commissioner Whitebread stated that Mr. Cox talked with Mr. Hershberger about the resolution for speed zones by the middle school and KDOT does not recommended one. Mr. Barnes stated that during the budget process the issue of consolidating law enforcement has come up. He also stated that privatization of the ambulance service has also come up. He said they will look at it, but is concerned because of the subsidies that other nearby cities have to pay for the service, plus the fees will go up. Inquired about a joint legislative meeting. Commissioner Whitebread said the county usually has their own and thinks it best they are kept separate or the meeting will be too long. Reminded the commission about the meeting on Fort Riley tomorrow regarding housing. Discussed the census meetings that are being held. A flyer will be in the water bills in February. Mr. Barnes and Mr. Guinn left the meeting. Lisa Eickholt, Human Resources, presented the weekly report: Announced the ad was placed for the administrative assistant in the planning/zoning department and was in the newspaper for the first time Saturday. It is also on several web sites. She stated she has received 21 applications as of today. Stated that there are two on-call, part-time positions open in Community Corrections. Due to budget constraints, they are going to try less advertising that has to be paid for. Announced that insurance enrollment has wrapped up. Reported that she is working on updating the employee handbook. She reviewed the schedule she has developed, need for review by department heads for their input, legal review and commission review. The goal is it will be adopted by the first of the year. Confirmed that Ms. Ehrlich provided an update on GIS. Commissioner Whitebread stated yes. Mrs. Eickholt explained what she has done regarding the annotation issue. Inquired if there is a schedule for reviewing the inter-local agreements. Mrs. Eickholt left the meeting.
Minutes 08-17-2009 Page 6 The press conference was held. There being no further business to come before the board of county commissioners, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.