JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Jan. 23 through Feb. 6, 2025 (most recent listed first)
Observers: Rebecca James, Jerry Gilson, Joan Gilson
The Board of County Commissioners encourages citizen participation in local governance processes. 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/ .
Feb. 6, 2025
Landlord Incentive Pilot Program Final Report
As of the end of 2024, the program successfully engaged 89 landlords, and supported housing access for 177 households, nearly 60% of whom were households with children. The program was supported by federal funds. A damage mitigation fee is included in this program, which motivates landlords to participate. Landlord Incentive Pilot Program Final Report 2025.pdf
Legislative Update
Current legislation includes a bill creating a constitutional Amendment stating that only citizens can vote. SB 178SB requires all local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE. No state assistance to local departments is available in this bill.
Chair Kelly noted that reducing the time limit on mail-in ballots from three days to one day will disenfranchise elderly voters. Julie Brewer also noted the effect on college students and military personnel and asked if there was a plan to add time to the beginning of the time between ballot distribution and the deadline. There is not. Weekly Report - Week of January 27 2025.cleaned (002).pdf
During the agenda review, there was some discussion about the effect of the current administration's cuts to grants on monies funding part of the World Cup 2026. The committee is proceeding as if it is still on.
Jan. 30, 2025
Live streamed public comments lasted about 10 minutes.
The Vice Chair for 2025 will be Commissioner Hanzlick.
Legislative Update
A bill banning gender affirming care for youth passed out of committee. It is expected to be passed by the legislature and vetoed by the governor. The supermajority could vote to override this possible veto.
Several election bills are moving through the legislature:
--a bill to grant the legislature a role in selecting replacements for US senators, the insurance commissioner, or the state treasurer who leaves office.
-- empower the Secretary of State, in consultation with county election officials, to establish rules and regulations for the removal of ballot boxes.
--require that ballots all be returned by 7:00 p.m. on election day. The bill is particularly relevant given the secretary of state’s criticism of the USPS for significant delays and loss of mail-in ballots during the last election. If enacted, the bill would align Kansas with laws in the majority of states.
--our lobbyist, Frederico and Durst, is informing legislators about the impact of a lowered mill levy and tax credits on the availability of affordable housing and on public school district budgets. The County supports public schools and affordable housing. Jan 20 Legislative.pdf
Commissioner Hanzlick asked about the possibility of a county tax credit for affordable housing.
Commissioner Allenbrand noted that 160 families in Johnson County are currently without homes.
The appointment of Ramakrishna Shetty as Chairperson Representative to the County DEI Coalition was approved.
Jan. 23, 2025
Public comments lasted about 15 minutes.
Federico and Duerst provided the legislative update. Senate Bill 4 would end the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots, requiring them to be received by 7 p.m. on election day to be counted, regardless of postmark date. A bill has been introduced which would require a revenue-neutral budget for Education. (A bill tracker is also available at https://legiscan.com/KS).
Commissioners approved the sale of the former Antioch Library property to Merriam for $3,930,000.
The Board Two-Year Priorities Update was accompanied by a two-year progress report; both items are available at BOCC Priorities Report Jan 2025 - FINAL.pdf and BOCC Priorities Report Jan 2025 - FINAL.pdf. The priorities are: Improving Housing Options, Healthy and Safe Community, Infrastructure, and Investment in Staff. As part of the Healthy, Safe Community priority, the County will offer multilingual options for hiring.
A recent CERI (County Economic Research Institute Inc.) study calculates New Century AirCenter's economic impact at $1.1 billion, with almost 5,000 jobs created.
JOHNSON COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD
Feb. 13, 2025
Observer: Nancy Kalikow Maxwell
The Johnson County Library Board of Directors met on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 at 4:00pm. Commissioner Julie Brewer was welcomed as the new liaison from the County Commission. Library Attorney Fred Logan provided a clarification that the Board is a Governing Board, not an Advisory Board. They have absolute authority over hiring and evaluating the Library Director and ultimate authority over library books and materials. Shanta Dickerson reported that the Friends Bookstore expansion is nearing completion and should be ready by this weekend. Once opened, hours will increase to Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-3pm. Staff reports mentioned that having the libraries serve as election sites significantly increased library card applications and library use during those times. A presentation on library personnel noted that employee turnover is 8.94%, and anything under 10% reflects a good working environment. Another positive personnel indicator shows an average of 136 applicants per open position, meaning the library is seen as an attractive place to work. A presentation about the MakerSpace showed increasing usage with extensive waitlists. Once new employees are hired, the hours will be expanded to meet this need. The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
To learn more, click here.
BLUE VALLEY SCHOOL BOARD
Feb. 10, 2025
Observer: Ann Schuster
I attended this meeting in person. All Board members were present. Just one patron spoke during the Public Comments section. His concern was the presence of a registered sex offender at a recent elementary school after-hours function which children attended.
The business section of the meeting was called to order at 5:44 p.m.
Board Committee reports followed, given by the Strategic Planning, DEI, Finance, Student Activity and Curriculum/Instruction committees. Topics discussed included refining the core values and mission statement of the District strategic plan, reading strategies and selection of ELA resources, bids and contracts, supplementary salary schedules, student performance data and resource adoption.
Dr. Tonya Merrigan gave the Superintendent’s report which highlighted student/staff accomplishments including the names of 26 high school students named as candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholar program. She reminded the public about the latest version of the BV Unmuted Podcast (found on the District website). She also repeated the recent NFL announcement of Brian Schottenheimer, a BV graduate, as the new coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Agenda items included Board approval of the the following:
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Replacement of the tennis courts at BVW HS (part of the 2023 bond issue)
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The 2026-27 school calendar
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Children’s Mercy contract addendum for social worker services which will provide for expansion of this program at buildings in need
Dr. Merrigan reiterated the District’s legislative priorities for the 2025 session in Topeka (can be found on the BV website). Testimony has been given by the District regarding 5 bills and the KSDE budget.
Board President Gina Knapp provided updates on the search for a new Superintendent. The position has been posted and applications accepted until March 1.
Board comments followed with responses to public concern about recent events in Washington related to students and schools. Members provided reassurance that the District continues to provide a safe, secure learning environment for all students. A reminder was also given about the Battle of the Bands event on Feb. 21. This is a fundraiser for the BV Ed. Foundation.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:22 p.m. To watch the meeting, click here.
OVERLAND PARK CITY COUNCIL
Jan. 27, 2025
Observer: Jane McDowell
The meeting was brought to order by Holly Grummert, President of the Council, in the absence of Mayor Curt Skoog.
Council Person Grummert read a statement from Mayor Skoog, proclaiming Jan. 26, 2025 as the 40th Anniversary of Officer Deanna Rose's End of Watch. Deanna Rose was killed in the line of duty on Jan. 26, 1985. At the time of her death, Officer Rose was the first woman police officer in Kansas and the only Overland Park police officer to be killed in the line of duty. Officer Rose posthumously received the Award for Valor from the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police. Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead was named in Officer Rose’s honor. On the evening of Monday, Jan. 27, a special event was held at the Farmstead in partnership with the Overland Park Police Department. The public was invited to the event which included an honor guard, wreath presentation, and the Final Call.
Councilwoman Gummert then announced the third Repair Cafe to be held in Overland Park. The event, in conjunction with the sustainable living organization, Re.Use,Full, will be held on Feb. 1, at Matt Ross Community Center. These events, which promote sustainability, reuse, and repair, focus on keeping items in need of repair out of the landfill. Residents are invited to bring clothing, furniture, jewelry, bicycles, toys, small appliances and electronics to the event where volunteers will be available to offer help in fixing and repairing items.
City Manager Lori Curtis Luther submitted her report including information on the opening of swimming pools in Overland Park for the 2025 summer season. Lifeguard hiring has already begun, and high school and college students are encouraged to apply. Those interested do not need to be certified to apply, as the city will begin its own lifeguard training and certification in March.
Council Member Jim Kite announced that the Public Works Committee would meet on Jan. 29 to discuss the city's week-long response to the Jan. 5 storm. The committee will be discussing aspects of the storm response that went well, and also discussing any necessary changes that need to be made for future events.
Agenda, minutes of the meeting, and video may be viewed at opkansas.civicweb.net
OVERLAND PARK CITY COUNCIL
Feb. 3, 2025
Observer: Jane McDowell
After the meeting was called to order, Councilmember Holly Grummert read Mayor Curt Skoog's statement proclaiming February 2025 as Black History Month in Overland Park. Mayor Skoog then shared the proclamation with newly elected president of the Johnson County NAACP, Katrina Robertson, who was present at the meeting.
Resolution No. 5021 was discussed, providing for notice of a possible public hearing on March 24, concerning a proposed TIF project located at the southwest corner of Metcalf and West 80th St. This mixed use project would include housing, retail, and parking,
Holly Grummert, President of the OP Council and a member of the Mid-America Regional Council, submitted a report from MARC. A page from the MARC website explains that "The MARC Board of Directors consists of 33 locally elected leaders from the nine member counties and the six largest cities in the region. The member counties are Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray in Missouri and Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami and Wyandotte in Kansas. The six cities with direct Board appointments are Kansas City, Missouri; Kansas City, Kansas; Independence, Missouri; Lee's Summit, Missouri; Olathe, Kansas; and Overland Park, Kansas." Overland Park residents serving on the MARC Board include Holly Grummert serving as Treasurer, and Janee Hanzlick (a JoCo Commissioner and resident of Overland Park) serving as Chair.
A complete video, agenda, and minutes of the meeting can be found at opkansas.civicweb.net.
PRAIRIE VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL
Jan. 21, 2025
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: Agniel, Reddell, Selders. Public comments lasted about 55 minutes, with most people commenting on the plans for a new city hall, both pro and con. Part of the 55 minutes was taken up by various council members correcting some misinformation given by members of the public.
After a one-hour discussion, Council approved an interpretive panel to be installed in Porter Park, explaining the discriminatory racial covenants included in the original deeds that covered many PV residences. The interpretive panel is the result of work done by the PV Diversity Committee.
Council approved the work done to-date on conceptual plans for a new city hall.
Other city business was conducted; the meeting adjourned at 10:15.
PRAIRIE VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL
Feb. 3, 2025
Observer: Eileen Marshall
The Council met in person at 6:00 p.m., with public viewing in person or via livestream. All members attended, including two who joined via Zoom. Public comments lasted about 25 minutes.
Consolidated Fire District Chief Chick presented the latest statistics for fire and EMT calls in PV, noting that the average time from alert to arrival is four minutes. Council heard a complete update on the recent electrical fire in the basement of the Prairie Village Shops.
Other city business was conducted; the Council went into executive session at 8:40, with adjournment immediately afterward.
To view PVCC meetings, click here.
SHAWNEE MISSION SCHOOL DISTRICT
Feb. 10, 2025
Observer: Karen Wiederaenders
It was a relatively short meeting. The Superintendent reported that students are involved in various activities around the district such as The Battle of the Books, Pursue Passions, MicDrop PodCast and the Polar Plunge in which students and faculty will dive into Lake Olathe.
Most of the meeting was spent discussing the strategic plan. This has 20 action teams, but they discussed only two of them: developing interpersonal skills and supporting the growth of our team. For developing interpersonal skills, they are looking at what other school districts are doing and examining the resources already available to teachers. The goal is to develop skills so that students will be able to communicate, interact, and work effectively with others.
The second part of the strategic plan is to “support the growth of our team.” This means retention, evaluation and retention of teachers and other staff members. They are talking to teachers and evaluating data about retention and job satisfaction.
The meeting went into executive session at 7:30 p.m.