April 25, 2011
Commissioners Present: Ben Bennett, Larry Hicks and Florence Whitebread
Chairman Hicks called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The commissioners held their review and update:
Commissioner Bennett discussed the following: CVB meeting:
• Noted that there was a 38% decrease in revenues in February 2011 compared to February 2010.
• Stated Connie Hall has prepared an updated budget.
• Reported they will not go to California in 2012 and they are planning to go to the Texas show.
Symphony in the Flint Hills:
• Stated that he sent them a letter because CVB has provided them with funds and they have not put anything on their web site about our community, even though they have been given the information. He stated they have not responded to the letter, but they have put the information on the website. There was a general discussion regarding the economy and the price of gas reducing travel.
Commissioner Whitebread discussed the following: aTa Bus:
• Reported the ribbon cutting was held last week.
• Stated that they now have 12 buses and 3 more on order for fixed routes. aTa Service is available in Junction City and between Junction City – Fort Riley- Riley and Pottawatomie Counties.
• Reported that most of the riders are using the service to go to work. • Announced that she will be on the aTa bus board.
• Stated they are working to tie in Dickinson and Wabaunsee Counties. North Central Juvenile Detention Center:
• Stated that Dickinson County has decided to retain their membership. Clerk Bossemeyer presented the minutes of April 18. Commissioner Whitebread moved to approve the minutes of April 18. Commissioner Bennett seconded and all voted aye. Sheriff Jensen presented the weekly report:
• Reported there are 103 prisoners in our detention center, with 106 being the highest. • Announced the first degree murder trial started this morning.
• Stated that the City of Junction City has decided to charge Project Graduation for the use of Spin City. He said he would like to make a donation from the Drug Forfeiture Fund. Commissioner Bennett stated he has heard that it has been worked out. Sheriff Jensen stated that the Rotary Club he belongs to donated $500 and so did Janice Edwards, Dick Edwards Ford. Commissioner Whitebread stated that the school district already pays $5,500 a month, the pest control, and janitorial services for Spin City and this was not a good idea by the city. Commissioner Bennett stated that he had met with Gerry Vernon, Junction City Manager. Mr. Vernon told him he did not know about this charge, which
was the idea of Cheryl Beatty, Finance Manager. Mr. Vernon will be meeting with Superintendent Walker.
• Discussed the impact that the price of fuel is having on his budget. He stated he budgeted $7,000 a month and last month he spent $11,000. He will be meeting with his staff to find ways to reduce this expense. One way may be for the night shift to double up. He expressed concern that calls for service are increasing, especially during the day shift and on weekends. He noted that he has some vacant positions which are helping to balance out for right now, but this is not a long term solution.
• Commissioner Whitebread inquired about theft of copper. Sheriff Jensen stated that we have not had any in Geary County at this time.
• Stated that he has received a proposal from John Mallon to provide the trash service. His proposal is less than we are currently paying. Sheriff Jensen left the meeting.
Commissioner Whitebread reviewed the CAB meeting and passed around her board packet. Commissioner Bennett announced that Grandview Plaza joined the Flint Hills Regional Council and Honey Grant will be their representative.
Steve Wickersham, Central Office Supply, presented the annual maintenance contract for office machines. He noted that it is lower than last year due to the replacement of the fax machine in the Clerk’s Office. He noted that most of the prices have been the same for three years. Commissioner Whitebread moved to approve the contract at a cost of $1,703 to cover the period April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2012. Commissioner Bennett seconded and all voted aye. Mr. Wickersham left the meeting.
Lisa Davies, Sanitarian, presented the monthly report:
• Presented the report on the conditional use permit for Johnson’s Portable Toilets. • Stated that she has talked to three contractors on the Burley Hill Road property and the
owners are working to get funding.
• Announced that Marshall County had a public hearing on their codes. It has not been adopted yet and there will be a second public hearing. Only one public comment has been received.
• Stated she expects to hear something about the LEPP programs later this week after the legislature goes back into session.
• Reviewed activity in various counties and reported two real estate inspections have been done in Geary County.
• Reported the mapping program is going well. They are averaging 40 properties a month. • Stated the quarterly report was submitted to the State of Kansas and Geary County is
down slightly in new construction compared to last year.
• Discussed the property on Milford Lake Road that was reported to the commission last week by Shawla Deam, Real Estate Agent. Ms. Davies stated she has spoken to Mrs. Deam and explained that she thought the report done four years ago was mis-interpreted. She stated she also explained that a system can fail at any time. She stated her office does not hold up the sale and the buyer and seller have to determine how they will handle the situation. Mrs. Davies left the meeting.
Connie Hall, CVB, presented the monthly report: • Presented the signed copies of the bylaws. • Presented the 2012 budget.
• Reported they will present a training session on how to prepare a social media marketing plan on June 8. There will be different sessions tailored to the needs of the various businesses who attend.
• Reviewed the social media contacts as follows: o Web Site:
6,530 page views as of April 18.
152 average page views per day.
Top 5 In-State visitors: Junction City, Manhattan, Topeka, Wichita, and Kansas City.
Top 5 Out-of-State visitors: Ashburn, VA; Kansas City, MO; Moline, IL; New York, NY; and Lincoln, NE
Top 5 Countries: United States, Spain, United Kingdom, France, and Germany o YouTube: 219,158 views as of April 18 55 videos posted 15 subscribers o Facebook: 399 people as of April 18. o Flickr: 1,987 photographs posted 86,206 views as of April 18. o Twitter: 88 followers as of April 18 o Kansas.gov:
We are the 4th in the state for supplying photographs to this website as part of the state’s 150th event.
• Noted that a Kansas Department of Transportation report states that our traffic count has dropped almost 1000 vehicles.
• Announced that they will have a sales blitz in May. It will include a direct mail piece. • Discussed the fishing event that is being held today for legislators.
• Reported they are visiting with around 155 soldiers per month during the briefings. She reviewed the items they have in the packets. Mrs. Hall left the meeting.
Meredith Butler, Community Corrections Director, discussed the following:
• Requested approval for FY 12 Kansas Department of Corrections Comprehensive Plan. She reviewed the changes including probation officers having cases for both adults and juveniles; if the state cuts their budget they will use up all carryover funds and reduce a full time secretarial position to a part time; with changes in the DUI laws she anticipates an increase of 24 clients; and training for staff in evidence based programs.
• Commissioner Bennett inquired about the number of clients in Geary County. Mrs. Butler stated around 167 adults and 36 juveniles. She stated they are seeing a slight increase in clients compared to last year.
• Commissioner Whitebread moved to approve the FY 12 Kansas Department of
Corrections Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Bennett seconded and all voted aye. Chairman Hicks signed the plan. Mrs. Butler left the meeting.
Dennis Cox, Pubic Works Administrator, arrived at the meeting. The bid opening was held for noxious weed chemicals:
Product Quantity Van Diest Supply Co. Crop Protection Services Vegetation Management Sims Fertilizer & Chemical Non-Ionic Surfactant 2 x 2.5 100 gallons $947.00 $1,050.00 $906.00 $698.00 Non-Ionic Surfactant 1 gallon 25 gallons $249.25 $291.25 $266.75 $350.00 Tordon 22K or generic equivalent 2 x 2.5 100 gallons $4,244.00 $4,350.00 $4,368.00 4,175.00 2.4 D LO Vol Ester
55 gal drum 165 gallons $2,496.45 No bid No bid $824.45 Mr. Cox stated they will review the bids and he will make a recommendation next week. Mr. Cox presented the weekly report:
• Stated he is working on the request for bids for the annual HVAC contracts. • Reported that they are continuing to haul rock to all areas of the county. • Stated they worked on erosion issues last week. Mr. Cox left the meeting. Rebecca Bossemeyer, County Clerk, discussed the following:
• Noted that Kathy Tremont, Treasurer, had e-mailed the sales tax report. • Inquired about attendance for the MAC breakfast.
• Presented a brochure for the J.J. Pennell Day activities on April 30, 2011.
• Stated that she had an inquiry from MAC regarding payments. She noted that in 2010, they were paid $68,000 of the $80,000 budgeted. The entire amount was not available due to the higher than budgeted for delinquency rate. She stated that the MAC is included in the EDC fund and the following expenditures have been made: $53,000 to EDC and the $75,000 Convention Center payment. At the present time, there is only $14,369.78 in the fund and it was her understanding the commission didn’t want to make any payments until the consolidation effort was decided. She inquired if they wanted to reconsider sending funds at this time. The commission decided to send $14,000 during the regular bill paying cycle in May.
• Presented the documents to be signed as a result of the KWORCC loss prevention visit at the Senior Center. Commissioner Bennett moved to approve and authorize
Chairman Hicks to sign the documents. Commissioner Whitebread seconded and all voted aye. Chairman Hicks signed the documents.
• Presented information that KAC provided to the Northwest Kansas County Officials meeting that she attended last week.
• Requested approval of a cereal malt beverage license. Commissioner Whitebread moved to approve the cereal malt beverage license for Milford Lake Marina LLC,
for sale in original and unopened containers and not for consumption on the premises. Commissioner Bennett seconded and all voted aye.
• Presented commission change orders for approval. Commissioner Whitebread moved to approve Commission Change Orders 2010-491 through 2010-494. Commissioner Bennett seconded and all voted aye.
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.
