Johnson County Board of County Commissioners
May 16 through June 6, 2024 (most recent first)
Observers: Rebecca James, Joan Gilson
The Board of County Commissioners encourages citizen participation in local governance processes. To that end, and in compliance with the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KSA 75-4317), the public is invited to participate in all meetings. A copy of the rules, along with BOCC materials, meeting schedules and videos are available at https://boccmeetings.jocogov.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/.
June 6, 2024
The Board recognized National Gun Violence Awareness Day, June 7th, 2024, the first Friday in June. Representatives from Moms Demand Action and Lives on the Line spoke.
Public comments lasted about 10 minutes.
The Commissioners approved the appointment of Tim Janssen as the First District representative to the Consolidated Fire District No. 2 Governing Board through August 25, 2025.
The Board conducted a public hearing and authorized funds for the design and bid phase of the Mill Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility Influent Pump Station Improvements for $1,254,800.
The Major Projects Update included the information that the bids will go out in June to bring the restrooms in Theater in the Park to be ADA compliant. Major Projects Update 06062024.docx.pdf (jocogov.org)
The County held open houses on June 3rd and 10th, and another is scheduled for June 19th at the Juneteenth Celebration for the 2025 Budget to provide the public an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback. Several discussions occurred that gave the opportunity to provide more details on the various functions of county government and the differences between county and city/state government.
Johnson County Juvenile Services Center won the 2024 Barbara Allen-Hagen Award for its innovative efforts to involve families in the reintegration process of their children, especially in response to the COVID 19 epidemic.
The Board adjourned to executive session.
May 30, 2024
The meeting began with public comments, which lasted about 10 minutes.
The board approved the following appointments:
--Board of Zoning Appeals: Daniel Ryan, Brian Rutherford, AJ Lang, Andrew Belt, Rosemary Rieke Male, and Chair Representative (Planning Representative) Tim Orrick.
--Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee: Susan Metsker, Brian L. Roby, Andrew Neenan, Joan Thiel Leavens, Dave Myres, Heather Bradley-Geary, Michelle Manne Neylon, Chairman Representative of Homeless Lee Jost, Chairman Representative of Minorities Charles Jean-Baptiste, and Chairman Representative of Low-Income Households Susan Miller.
--Tenth Judicial District Nominating Commission: Stephene Moore, Janine L Estrada-Lopez and Damon Sterling.
--Park and Recreation Commission: Jared Coleman.
--Criminal Justice Advisory Council: Brian Huff (School Superintendent Representative).
--Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition: Farris Muhammad – Chairman Representative.
--Transportation Council: Michael (Mike) Talboy, Chairman Representative to the Transportation Council.
--REACH Board: Anna Sahli.
--Commissioner O'Hara's motion to have a Committee of the Whole session on the remediation and renovation of the Kuhlman Plant added to the agenda passed.
Budget Open Houses will be held on June 3rd, June 10th and at the Juneteenth celebration on June 19th.
Gardner will hold a public hearing on June 3rd to consider a property tax abatement for the Treadway Phase II, LLC/IRB for apartment buildings. Commissioner O’Hara complained about property taxes and lack of information. Chairperson Kelly directed her attention to the briefing sheet, which provided the information she asked about. County Manager Postoak Ferguson explained that this packet was from Gardner, not the County. Commissioner Hanzlick explained that the Board does not issue TIF’s. The County’s only role here is to get information to the public.
Commissioner Hanzlick noted the new bicycle paths. She also said that MARC is providing elected official training on How to Accomplish Your Agenda. The area has received a $4.7 million federal grant for energy audits and updates for non-profit organizations through MARC. A request for proposals will come out in June, and about 35 non-profits will be selected to participate.
Commissioner Ashcraft attended a meeting of the JCDS governing board last week.
Commissioner Fast took a naturalist’s class to learn more about invasive species. As of January, 2027, Bradford Pear trees will be quarantined in Kansas, no longer planted or sold. She is investigating next steps for the County for these trees. She also reported that the County eviction mediation program is having very good results, and Sedgewick and Douglas Counties have requested information about it.
Commissioner Allenbrand reported that Olathe’s Fourth Friday was an outstanding success, with over 6,000 attendees. Gardner has been named the fastest growing community. She thanked Mental Health and Housing for helping a resident in need over the week-end. She also thanked the County Manager for the notes every week.
The Board recessed for three executive session meetings, a Public Building Commission meeting, and budget sessions to follow in the afternoon.
May 23, 2024
The Board recognized Emergency Medical Services Week.
Public comments lasted about 8 minutes.
The Board approved the following items:
--An update to the Master Development Plan (land use, finance, design) with VanTrust Real Estate for the New Century Commerce Center to be financed by previously authorized ARPA (American Rescue Plan) funds for about $2.6 million and through General Obligation bonds for about $4 million. Despite explanations from Assistant County Manager Aaron Otto and Mike Kelly, Commissioner O’Hara complained about expense, offering misinformation.
--A request from VanTrust Real Estate Development, LLC, applicant, and Johnson County, landowner, for a Final Development Plan for Phase 2 infrastructure improvements, for the New Century Commerce Center, East Area Plan near 167th Street and Clare Road.
Commissioners also approved these items:
--The sale of the former Lackman Library branch property (which was replaced by the Lenexa Center City Library in 2019) by the Board of Directors of the Johnson County Library to Newkirk Novak Construction Partners, Inc. for $2,050,000. After brokerage fees are paid, the remaining funds will be held for future use as part of the Library’s Comprehensive Library Master Plan capital projects.
Management Reports:
County employees, police chiefs, fire district personnel and Johnson County Community College representatives attended the Johnson County – FEMA Community-Specific Integrated Emergency Management Course last week. Exercises were customized to our community and provided a solid opportunity for personnel from various areas to collaborate and create partnerships to better address a disaster.
Emergency Management Response to Recent Storm Event.
--Severe storms came through the county on Sunday night. Duty officers and spotters did come in to monitor conditions even though the forecast was below the threshold, indicating low chances for tornado, but two F-1 tornadoes occurred, however. Commissioner O’Hara asked whether the sirens sounded. They did not; sirens are only activated when reported by a trained spotter, a local public safety official or the National Weather Service, which did not happen. The NWS did announce the tornadoes the next day. Notify JoCo, a free service, alerted subscribing residents via email, message and telephone. https://www.jocogov.org/department/emergency-management/emergency-alerts/notifyjoco
The County Economic Research Institute report for May, 2024 was presented. (https://cerionline.org/ ) The unemployment rate for March was 2.8%. The number of Johnson County homes sold by realtors in March, 2024 was 577, down from a five-year average of 758 for the same month. The average price of homes sold was $521,948, with an inflation adjusted increase from one year ago of +1.4%. The average real annual change in price of homes sold in the same period during the previous 5 years is +6.0%. The number of multi-family building permits issued in March was 68.
Chairperson Kelly recognized Memorial Day, honoring all those who served to defend democracy; democracy is especially important today at all levels of government, including locally.
May 16, 2024
Commissioner Becky Fast was absent.
The Board honored the 10th graduating class of Project Search, which provides job preparation for developmentally disabled individuals, and graduate Josiah Strum thanked the Board. Johnson County is proud to support opportunities for all.
Public comments lasted about 10 minutes.
Because of the increased student population, the Board approved an Immediate Action Request to add one Deputy Sheriff FTE for the Sheriff’s Office to provide an additional School Resource Officer for the Spring Hill School District and authorize the reallocation and expenditure of fund balance (reserves) for FY 2024 for $45,558.
Because of an increased population and level of construction, the Board approved an Immediate Action Request to add one Deputy Sheriff FTE for the Sheriff’s Office to provide an additional dedicated patrol deputy for DeSoto, and authorize the reallocation and expenditure of fund balance (reserves) for FY 2024 for $89,854.
The Board voted 5 to 1 to approve a subordination agreement for the HOME mortgage on the Prairiebrooke Townhomes development in Gardner. (“No” vote, Commissioner O’Hara.) In 2022 the Board approved $1,000,000 of federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program grant funds for Oikos Development Corporation’s 76 unit Prairiebrooke Townhomes project, which accepts Section 8 vouchers. Construction is in its final stages, 50 units are finished and occupied while 26 are under construction. Oikos Development Corporation is Johnson County’s Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), a non-profit developer of affordable housing.
As a part of the HOME funds approval, a mortgage was placed on the property to protect the
investment for the affordability period (30 years) as required by HUD. Also in November 2022, the Board approved a subordination agreement of Johnson County’s HOME mortgage to Bonneville Mortgage Company, the senior lender.
This will have no practical change to Johnson County’s HOME mortgage, and it will allow Oikos to secure the last bit of financing needed to finish construction. This debt structure is common with new developments with hard financing (traditional mortgages) taking precedence over other soft financing (HOME grant funds, National Housing Trust Fund, Low Income Housing Tax Credit, etc.).
Commissioners voted to accept a grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (subrecipient, American Rescue Plan) for $225,883.88 to purchase medical supplies and equipment for the Sheriff’s Office and authorize the reallocation and expenditures of fund balance (reserves) in the same amount.
County Manager Penny Postoak-Ferguson reported that the Planning Commission has completed its annual review of the Rural Comprehensive Plan and determined that it remains current, particularly the Plan’s recommended Goals, Policies, and Action Steps.
The Board adjourned for a study session and an update on the Homeless Services Center and introduction of reStart Inc.
Johnson County Library Board
June 13, 2024, 4:00 PM
Observers: Jodi Dinkins and Nancy Kalikow Maxwell
The Johnson County Library Board held its monthly meeting at the Central Resource Library, 9875 W. 87th St., Overland Park, KS 66212. Two board members were absent due to other meetings. The meeting was in person, live-streamed and also available on YouTube.
There were no public comments. One board member asked why the Pledge of Allegiance was not recited at the meetings, as it is at County Commission meetings. There was no objection and going forward, the meetings will be opened with the recitation of the Pledge.
The Johnson Co. library system has 80 teen volunteers for the summer and could use more. “Library Lets Loose” fundraiser tickets are available online now.
Summer focus is on children ‘s activities. 55% of outreach is focused on ages birth to 6. In the fall 12 new employees in the library system will focus on increasing traffic throughout the system.
Many ongoing renovations and updates continue at Spring Hill, Desoto, Edgerton, Oak Park, Gardner and Cedar Roe. The Lackman Library sale is proceeding.
The libraries continue to be cooling centers in the summer when open and warming centers in the winter.
The library will sponsor a Juneteenth celebration at Lenexa City Center on June 19 with live music and roller dancing.
Teen Services of the Johnson County Library created a magazine Elementia using submissions from teens from all over the world highlighting art, poetry and writing. The magazine was presented by Emma Clement and Kate McNair, Maker Space Manager. The board members were duly impressed as was the audience.
To learn more, click here.
Blue Valley School Board
Observer: Ann Schuster
Monday June 10, 2024
Viewed via Livestream
The meeting was called to order at 5:45 p.m. by President Jodie Dietz. All Board members attended, including Gina Knapp who was out of town and participated via Zoom.
The Finance and Operations Committee was the only Board Committee to report this month. Their meeting included items that would be discussed and approved later during Board business.
Board members reported on events they attended in the last month including high school graduations and activities, the Blue Valley Recreation Board meeting and the state legislative wrap-up.
Dr. Merrigan commented on student activities and honors regarding sports, ACT achievements, DECA, National Merit scholars, summer school and tech preparations for the fall term.
The consent agenda was approved. New business items included approval of a budget amendment and BV and BV Rec committee assignments.
The K-5 technology refresh was approved which authorizes the distribution of Chromebooks to all elementary students. An amended contract for the Superintendent was also accepted.
Gina Knapp was elected Board President for the coming term and Jan Kessinger elected Vice-President.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
To learn more, click here.
Prairie Village City Council
May 20, 2024
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. Tyler Agniel was absent. A video from the mayor of our sister city in Dolyna Ukraine was presented.
Public comments lasted about 30 minutes, with continuing angst about zoning and taxes. One resident gave an update on the KS Silver Haired Legislature and their legislative priorities.
Acting as Committee of the Whole, Council saw a presentation on the current status of planning for a potential co-location of a new library and community center in the Harmon Park campus. A preferred site plan and preliminary cost of construction were presented. Another public meeting is planned for August, when more detailed plans and operating costs will be available.
Other city business was conducted, and the public meeting ended when the Council went into Executive Session at 9:30.
Prairie Village City Council
June 3, 2024
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. Nick Redell and Chi Ngyuen were absent. June 7 was proclaimed to be National Gun Violence Awareness Day in PV.
Public comments and council responses lasted 40 minutes, mostly about zoning and taxes. Three residents spoke up in support of the Mayor and against the current recall effort.
Other city business was conducted, and the public meeting ended when the Council went into Executive Session at 8:00.
To learn more, click here.