JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Dec 12, 2024 and Jan 9, 2025
Observers: Rebecca James, Joan Gilson, Jerry 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 the meeting. A copy of the rules, BOCC materials, meeting schedules and videos are available at https://boccmeetings.jocogov.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/ .
Thursday, Jan. 09, 2025
The Board observed a moment of silence in honor of President Jimmy Carter.
Commissioners approved the following appointments:
--Daniel Nielson – Sixth District Representative to the Airport Commission.
--Aleksandra Nokes – Sixth District Representative to the Public Art Commission.
--Douglas Jones--County Auditor.
The Board accepted the Kansas Fights Addiction Grant for $300,000 to provide care for underinsured and uninsured individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health issues.
Outgoing County Officials, Charlotte O’Hara and Calvin Hayden, were recognized and thanked for their service to the County.
Commissioners approved an agreement between the County and De Soto to provide law enforcement services from 2025 through 2027 by the Sheriff’s Office to De Soto for $3,095,372.
Dec. 12, 2024
The County will buy eight wheelchair accessible, low-floor, 29-foot clean-diesel transit buses.
(“Mass Transit supports accessibility to voting, housing and employment” cited from Local Position, League of Women Voters Johnson County, 2024)
Commissioners also approved an agreement with the United States Geological Survey for a stream health assessment to identify locations most affected by environmental stressors, including urbanization and other factors.
Johnson County Library Board
Observer: Jodi Dinkins
Jan. 9, 2015
Most board members were present. Two were absent, as was County Commissioner Shirley Allenbrand.
Financial reports were given by Dave Vratney. He also presented a preliminary financial capital plan for 2025-2030.
Megan Clark presented ongoing plans for the upgrades of Spring Hill and DeSoto libraries.
Central Library is soon to complete repair to the west wall and will proceed with sidewalk and parking lot repairs. Leawood Library will upgrade the patio, courtyard, and sidewalk. Oak Park Library will receive repairs to the roof, the floor, shelving and the drop off box.
County Librarian Sue Sullentrop reported on four county employees who received a monetary reward for exemplary leadership in 2024.
They are:
-
Ashley Fick, who has worked to promote the libraries’ becoming a hub of civic engagement. She helped organize candidate forums and voting logistics partnering with Johnson County Election Board and with The Johnson County News.
-
Courtney Sammis, web content developer
-
Michelle Olsen, circulation manager
-
Zach Contess, Patron Service Specialist
The Antioch library property will be ready for sale to the City of Merriam in early February, 2025.
Library personnel are working with a consultant to seek site opportunities for the new library at Corinth. A report is expected later in the year.
To learn more, click here.
Blue Valley School Board
Jan. 13, 2025 (Viewed via Livestream)
Observer: Ann Schuster
The meeting was called to order at 5:50 p.m. and all Board members were present. Reports were given by the following Board Advisory Committees: DEI, Finance and Operations, and Student Activities. These three committees were introduced to the Superintendent search survey which is being sent to all members of the BV community.
Dr. Merrigan gave the Superintendent’s report by recognizing student/staff achievements with a special shout-out to the Grounds and Maintenance crews for snow and ice removal at District buildings during the recent storm. The BV “Unmuted” podcast for this month was also mentioned as it contains information about the District’s legislative positions as state representatives and senators begin their new session.
The enrollment report was given with a total of 21,704 students as of Sept. 20, 2024. The District is experiencing 0% net growth which is comparable to other surrounding districts. Two hundred fourteen new building permits were issued in the BV attendance area in 2024. The 5-year forecast shows stable enrollment at the elementary, middle and high school levels with nearly all buildings continuing to be within their population guidelines.
A facilities planning report was given next with the Board approving a slight boundary change to even out student numbers at Aubry Bend Middle and the upcoming Wolf Springs Middle schools.
The Calendar committee presented the 2026-27 preliminary calendar with a starting student date of August 15, 2026 and ending the school year on May 25th, 2027. Days for conferences, vacation breaks, etc. remain essentially the same.
The Board then approved three sets of construction projects financed by the last bond issue- for updates to the FACS areas in all high schools including commercial appliances for culinary
courses, for a multi-purpose auxiliary gym at Pleasant Ridge Middle with an improved storm shelter, and for concrete repairs throughout the District.
The purchase of Apple MacBooks for 2025 incoming 9th graders in 2025 and Chromebooks for incoming 6th graders in 2025, were Board approved.
The Board members then expressed their appreciation for the recognition given them by students and staff. Meeting adjournment followed at 8:00 p.m.
To Learn more, click here.
Overland Park City Council
Monday, Dec. 17, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
Observer: Jane McDowell
Ward One Council Member Holly Grummert was elected as the President of the Council to serve during 2025. She replaced Ward One Council Member Logan Heley, who is finishing his 2024 term.
Mayor Curt Skoog called the meeting to order which began with the Open Comment Period. Four of five residents used their 3-minute allotted time to speak about the need for a certification requirement for the LEED for Cities 2024 Program which began in Overland Park in May. The Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Program is a green building rating standard that has been used in many US cities across the country. In April of 2023, Overland Park hired Lara Isch as its first Sustainability Manager, and she will be coordinating efforts to help Overland Park achieve the LEED certification, to be awarded in the Spring of 2025.
Also discussed during the meeting was the donation of the Overland Park Farmers Market pavilion to the City of Garnett, Kansas. The Overland Park Farmers Market will be held at the Matt Ross Community Center location during 2025. The new market facility, The Gathering Place, is scheduled to open in May of 2026.
During his remarks, Mayor Skoog spoke about his participation this year in Operation Rudolph, in which 6th grade students from the area accompanied by local police officers, shop for Christmas presents for the student’s family. The police officers reported that the only difficult aspect of the shopping experience is convincing the student to buy something for themselves.
The entire council meeting and a copy of the full agenda can be viewed at: https://overlandparkks.new.swagit.com/videos/322797?ts=0
Overland Park City Council
Jan. 13, 2025 (rescheduled from Jan. 6 due to weather)
Observer: Jane McDowell
The Overland Park Mayor and Council meeting opened with a short discussion of the Community Development Block Grant which Overland Park receives from HUD each year. The 2025 $700,000 grant has been designated for projects that improve the quality of life in OP neighborhoods. This can include funding for infrastructure improvements, housing rehabilitation, and the improvement of various community services. The Council approved the necessary 5 year plan and the annual plan which is submitted to Housing and Urban Development.
Mayor Skoog recognized Overland Park Police Officers Bill Koehn and Wesley Griffith, who were recently awarded the United States Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing. The award was presented in Washington D.C. by Attorney General Merrick Garland, representing the Department of Justice. Officers Koehn and Griffith are a Crime Prevention Team and have given over 400 presentations in Overland Park, conducted over 120 free physical security assessments for homes and businesses, and are responsible for the Steadfast OP and OP Resolute programs which provide more crime prevention measures in the city.
Assistant City Manager Bryan Dehner presented an overview of the work that was done by 172 city staff operating 60 snow removal trucks during the recent storm. Staff worked 12 hour shifts for 55 hours during the first storm, and 40 hours during the second storm. Private contractors worked to clear the 2000 cul-de-sacs in the city. 2500 "OP Cares" calls were received (asking for information or requesting street clearing) and 1500 calls are still considered "active" as of Jan. 13. Mr. Dehner shared that the city hopes to improve their performance and their communication by carefully evaluating their response to last week's storm.
Prairie Village City Council
Dec. 16, 2024
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. A quorum was present. Absent: Graves, Reddell, C Robinson, D Robinson. Public comments lasted about 25 minutes.
Council approved the appointment of Deputy Chief of Police Eric McCullough to Chief of Police, effective Jan. 2, 2025. He will succeed Chief Byron Robison, who was elected to be Johnson County Sheriff.
Other city business was conducted; the meeting adjourned at 6:25.
Jan 6, 2025
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The meeting was cancelled due to unsafe travel conditions.
To learn more, click here.
Shawnee Mission School Board
Jan. 13, 2025
Observer: Karen Wiederaenders
The public comments section of the meeting was short with only three comments: one in favor of phone free schools and two against.
The meeting was opened with the pledge of allegiance led by student council members from Rising Star Elementary School. The students then introduced themselves, said what grade they were in, and what was their favorite school lunch. There was no consensus on this, but pizza and French toast were mentioned several times.
Most of the meeting was devoted to an update on the Student and Family Services project. This project aims to make all students feel included and comfortable within the district. It recognizes the differences in language and ethnic heritage among the students and tries to celebrate those differences. There is a strong emphasis on mental health and inclusion.
They have also been focused on preventing chronic absenteeism (defined as 10 unexcused absences in a school year) and have managed to reduce it from 22% to 18%.
The policy on personal electronic devices was discussed again. They voted on a policy that will keep elementary students from using devices during the school day; requires middle school students to keep their phones in their lockers during the school day except on lunch breaks and passing periods. The High School students can use their phones during the school day, if it is approved by the teacher and assists in student learning.
This is still a hot topic for the district. They will continue to work on several aspects of this: what is a personal electronic device? (cell phone, glucose monitor, hearing aid); how can this policy be enforced, and how can it be consistent?