TOPEKA CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS:

SHAWNEE COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGS:

July 15, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

This morning's business brought a change from the usual routine. Shawnee County now owns Westlawn Memorial Gardens cemetery because the previous owner absconded with fees paid and lost the money. Since the law does not specifically state the cemetery can be sold the commissioners are looking for a way to care for it without involving tax money. Commissioners report hearing from numerous unsatisfied customers regarding the current caretakers. Shawn Leisinger, of the county counselor's office, dealt with people requesting refunds for prepaid services. Now the ball has been tossed to the Parks and Rec department to clean up the property. Parks and Rec staff will service the property short term but have been directed, by the commissioners to find a private operator to lease it until they can sell it.

July 12, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

This morning's meeting began with a presentation by Nancy Johnson, Community Resources Council, and completed by John Costello. They were reporting to the commission about the computer system that helps to track and serve homeless people and people receiving food handouts in Shawnee County. They reported 2.8 million dollars was used for services in 2009.

Included in the business of the meeting was a resolution changing the name of the Lake Shawnee Sports Complex to the Bettis Family Sports Complex. Apparently, the Bettis Family is held in high esteem.

The commissioners announced the hiring of Stacey Woolington as the head of Shawnee County's Financial Department, replacing Marti Leisinger.

After the commission meeting the commissioners heard budget requests of department heads and other entities included in the budget. At 10:30 Steve Bolton, Waste and Recycling, presented his plan for curbside recycling. Attending this meeting were Joe and Nancy Sargent and this observer. Mr. Bolton believes if he gets the money for a start up he can have a waste and recycling system that will pay for itself, requiring no tax money for support. Joe Sargent did a fine job relaying the League's position, which supports recycling. Vic Miller disagrees that Mr. Bolton's plan, voluntary participation (paid for by the consumer), would work. Commissioner Miller contends that curbside recycling will work if paid for as a government service as (his example) the services of the sheriff. The commissioners challenged Mr. Bolton to name another city where his system is working.

It should be noted that when Steve Bolton took over the Shawnee County Refuse Department it was in the hole and it is now self sustaining.

July 8, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

This observer was glad to be back at the commission meeting after three months away recovering from a fall. The commissioners graciously welcomed me back. My heart was warmed.

Rich Eckert started the meeting by introducing Mary Betzen, the assistant county counselor hired to replace Shawn Leisinger. We are proud that she placed third in her class at Washburn School of Law.

The commissioners scheduled a public hearing regarding the county's 2011 budget for August 4, at 5:30 pm in the commission chambers. The budget must be approved by August 25.

We learned that the commissioners are responsible for the Expo Centre and Maner Conference Center but they are separate entities when it comes to funding.
The foreclosure on 72 properties was approved. Those property taxes have not been paid.

Treasurer Larry Wilson reported that the bank reconciliations should be up-to-date by the end of July.

March 15, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

The county commission meeting room was full this Monday morning.

The office furniture for the health agency and metal culvert material for public works showed up first on the agenda and were quickly approved 3-0. However, the billing statements from Berlin-Wheeler were deferred once more until Tammy from the treasurer's office returns from vacation.

The commissioners raised the limit needed, for approval by county commissioners, for repairs and maintenance on county buildings from $1,000 to $1,500.

No surprise, the usual empty chairs were occupied by residents of Williamsport Township. The comments from residents to Commissioner Miller ranged from “You sure messed things up”, to “It was good that it got people's attention'. The township treasurer had concerns she wouldn't be able to hire anyone to service the roads if there was no guarantee the job would be there. We all got a civics lesson when commissioners explained that the county commission has no authority to supervise township boards. County commissions are required by law, only, to fill vacancies on township boards.

March 11, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Commissioner Buhler was absent at the commission meeting this morning due to high school basketball playoffs. Commissioner Miller entertained those assembled to a play-by-play of the last few minutes of the Rossville High School game the previous evening when Matt Buhler scored the winning point.

Today's business included a variety of requests and contracts for approval. As usual, if the request involved no expense for Shawnee County it was approved. If there was a request to waive the bidding process or multiple bids were not received questions were asked. Two items were deferred, office furniture for the health agency and metal culvert materials for public works, to wait for more information.

Some time was spent with Mr. Wheeler of Berlin-Wheeler Collection Agency because the commissioners did not understand the billing statements the agency submitted to Shawnee County. This item was deferred until the worker bees that dealt with the numbers could be present.

Eric Theel, technology, reported that a large majority of the people responding to an on-line survey (994) approved of using county money to attract Google.

It has been apparent, by this observer, at Shawnee County Commission meetings that not all is well with Williamsport Township because the appointment of trustees has not been smooth. This morning Commissioner Miller proposed that Williamsport Township be dissolved and divided between Monmouth and Auburn Townships. This morning's proposal is the first step in the process. I predict drama.

February 22, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Two items on the agenda received most of the attention of the commissioners today.

Steve Bolton, refuse and recycling returned with the results of the survey regarding curbside recycling. If the responses are representative of the population, residents of Shawnee County are in favor of curbside recycling and would be willing to pay the fee. The commissioners did not appear convinced, maybe because the sample was relatively small. They wanted more information. No action was taken.

Under commission business was the consideration to issue “Request for Proposals” for audit services for Shawnee County and the Shawnee County Health Agency. Anne Freeze, of the health agency, reported that any audit company cannot do a health agency audit. This observer is confused on this issue. Perhaps the commissioners are also, because it was deferred until the counselor's office could review the proposal.

February 18, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Residents along NW Valencia Road have protested to the commissioners, creating some very intense commission meetings in the past, about the truck traffic from Kansas Sand and Concrete. The conditional use permit came up for review today, the company was found in compliance and no one from the public commented. Sometimes lack of drama is good.

John Kabus of the weed department brought two requests and one contract to the commissioners. The commissioners gave the go-ahead to solicit bids for chemicals and to enter a contract to control noxious weeds. Mr. Kabus was asked to explain the request to waive the bidding process for a new vehicle. Even though he said the county would probably save money the commissioners were not convinced and instructed him to follow the bidding process.

The question of what names would be sent to the collection agency for delinquent taxes may have made its final appearance before the commissioners. Those people with a vehicle license will not be referred but will be denied a new license if the taxes are not paid. Commissioner Miller stated that better the whole amount owed to the county come to the county rather than give 25% of it to the collection agency. Marsha Ralston, office manager of the motor vehicle division of the treasurer's office, was reporting to the commission today and appeared to agree.

February 15, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

We had some happy talk to start off the meeting this Monday morning. Representatives of TARC came to express their gratitude for the work, especially in the nasty weather, the county workers did on the Winter Wonderland fund raiser. County electricians and other workers were present to say “you're welcome”.

An up grade of the Expocentre's scoreboard, signs and Marquee is expensive. The commissioners didn't approve the request when it was first brought before them. They wanted more information, particularly on the funding. H.R. Cook, manager of the Expocentre explained that the money would be paid back to the county in five to seven years with money from facility fees and guest tax money. The commissioners approved the request 3-0.

Other requests and contracts were approved with few questions.

February 11, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Once more this meeting started with the unfinished business of referring tax payers to a collection agency for collection of unpaid taxes. Apparently, some people on this list have their current license tag. Commissioner Miller would like them removed so the county can collect all the taxes owed when they apply for a license tag instead of the collection agency getting 25%. Action was deferred again until the list can be revised.

The big money item today was a resolution that authorized a combination of agreements, with Certificates of Participation, which allow for the financing of a variety of county expenses/purchases to the tune of $3.25 million. Departments included are Corrections facilities, siren replacement for Emergency Management, site and equipment installation to Lake Shawnee facilities and replacement of display equipment at the Kansas Expocentre.

Action on the contract with the City of Topeka, a interlocal agreement of the city's Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, was deferred. Commissioner Miller wanted time to peruse any changes from the last contract.

February 8, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

The meeting began with unfinished business. Treasurer Wilson returned with certification that listed Shawnee County residents that have not paid county property taxes and said names would be referred to a collection agency. Commissioner Miller wanted assurance that the list of names did not include people that had been issued a current license tag even though the taxes had not been paid. Action on this item was deferred until this information was brought to the commission.

Later in the meeting commissioners denied Treasurer Wilson's request for funding of the newly established Accountant II position in the treasurer's office because they were informed earlier that the position was funded within the treasurer's budget.
Two requests were approved, one to submit a grant application for for the Shawnee County Drug Court Program and the other to negotiate for improvements at the Expocentre.

Tom Vlach received the go-ahead to write a contract with Capitol City Oil for a locked-price for diesel fuel. The commissioners will need to approve the final contract.

February 1, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Commissioner Ensley was not in attendance on this Monday morning. The consent agenda was 15 items long because there was no meeting on January 28. There were also 9 renewals of tax exemptions that were approved by the two commissioners in attendance.

The commissioners approved a change of zoning for the southwest corner of SW 10th and Auburn Rd. Sometime was spent describing the planned efforts to make the property attractive when the commercial facility is built.

County Treasurer Larry Wilson asked to create a position for an accountant in the treasurer's office. After he told the commissioners that the position could be funded within his budget this request was approved. Next, Treasurer Wilson submitted a list of those personal property taxes that would be referred for collection by a collection agency. The commissioners asked for certification that the treasurer's office had made a concerted effort to collect the taxes before the agency is used. The vote on this notification was deferred for one week. Finally, the deputy treasurer reported to the commission that reconciliation has been completed for months through February 2009. Reconciliations for 2010 will not be started until 2009 is complete.

January 25, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

The district attorney's office took another step toward a more tech savvy department. The commissioners approved contracts for two systems requested by Eric Theel of information technology department for use in the District Attorney's office.

Tom Vlach, public works, received the OK from the commissioners to seek a locked-price for diesel. This price would be good for the rest of this year and the fuel would be used by the Refuse, Parks and Recreation and Corrections departments also. Commissioner Miller stipulated that the fuel be priced at less than $2.60

As usual, Ann Freeze's request for out-of-state travel for two employees of the health agency was approved because KDHE will foot the bill. Ms Freeze also reported on planned H1N1 clinics at Washburn Rural Middle School, Rossville and Silver Lake.

Commissioner Buhler asked Tom Vlach to report on the work being done on the Auburn Bridge. Mr. Vlach reported that, unfortunately, the detour is very long and explained the reason for the timing of the repair. I'm thinking Commissioner Buhler is getting phone calls.

January 21, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

This Thursday morning meeting had 18 items on the consent agenda, probably because there was no Monday meeting this week when ML King's birthday was celebrated.

Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Department brought two contracts, two requests and one authorization before the commission. They included guardrails, brochures, pumps at the beach, photography services and synthetic grass. All were approved 3-0.

Shawnee County Treasurer Larry Wilson reported that the peer review committee recommended an auditor be hired to serve on the treasurer's staff. Commissioner Miller requested a copy of the complete report of the peer review committee. Commissioner Buhler requested that Mr. Wilson confer with the audit/finance department in writing the job description. Action by the commission was deferred by a vote of 3-0.

Tom Vlach of public works requested a snow blower attachment for the “Caterpillar skid steer loader.” Apparently, because the county roads include more urban areas, including roundabouts, different equipment is needed.

KDHE is paying for out-of-state travel for county employees so the commissioners did not hesitate to approve a trip to Atlanta for three employees of the health agency.

January 14, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Tom Vlach, public works, came before the commission to report on a bridge project on Carlson Road. Since the road is the county line the cost of the bridge is shared.

Dick Kline, corrections, won approval for a contract for the inmate drug and alcohol treatment program. We learned that it is available to all inmates. For those that work during the day night classes are available.

The commissioners also approved the annual contract with Valeo Behavioral Health Care. The county provides $2 million to a $15 million budget. The Valeo representative reported that the Valeo pharmacy has been very successful. The pharmacy had more sales for its first month in business than any other Mental Health pharmacy in Kansas.

January 11, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Most of this meeting was spent organizing for the year ahead. Shelley Buhler will serve as chairperson of the commission. Vic Miller will be vice chairman. Ted Ensley will lead the board of directors of the Joint Economic Development Organization.

Commissioners set the calendar specifying the days and hours the courthouse will be open and the dates and times of the commission meetings for 2010.

Commissioner Ensley favored The Capitol-Journal to serve as the official county newspaper but his motion died for lack of a second. Commissioners Buhler and Miller voted for the Topeka Metro News to serve in that capacity, probably because it is less expensive. The commissioners also made these appointments: Buhler to the Metropolitan Topeka Planning Organization and the Shawnee County Health Board, Ensley to the Ambulance Board, and Miller to Expocentre board.

January 4, 2010 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

The Shawnee County Commission meeting was brief this morning. There were few questions for the two resolutions, two contracts, and one request that were approved. There was some discussion about the conditional use permit to establish a rock quarry on SE 45 th to emphasize that traffic on SE 45 th would not see an increase in traffic.

Ann Freeze reported that the Health Agency is still waiting anxiously for the completion of the independent audit so grant money can be obtained.

TOPEKA CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS:

from mid-April, 2010, to end of May, 2010
– Notes by Joe Sargent

On May 25 th the zoo acquired a new director, Brendan Wiley, who states that he will approach the zoo as a business. Previously, he had worked as a curator for the Kansas City zoo and most recently as director of Animal Haven, Kansas City's largest no-kill animal shelter. According to city manager Boneparte, he brings passion and enthusiasm to his work as well as experience in management, budgets, fund-raising, working with a board, and reaching out into the community. Workers at the Topeka zoo expressed optimism at his coming and are hopeful that problems recently occurring at the zoo will be resolved by his presence. One of the many immediate problems requiring the attention of the new zoo director is security because of recent break-ins involving the stealing of a golf cart and the release of a bobcat.

Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine selected Topeka as one of the ten cities in this country most likely to have prosperity during the next ten years. In spite of this, Topeka does face some significant problems such as dealing with a budget shortfall for 2010, coming up with a balanced budget for 2011, and keeping up with the repairs of the multiple potholes appearing in our streets.

As stated in a previous report, Boneparte in late March predicted a budget shortfall for 2010 of $3.5 million. One measure used to cope with the shortfall was to offer city employees (eligible for retirement) incentives to retire early. As of early June, 45 employees have decided on retiring early.

On May 4, 2010, Boneparte announced that the 2010 budget shortfall had risen to $4 million and 70 to 135 full-time jobs will need to be eliminated in order to balance the budget. One department being considered for elimination is the city's Human Relations Commission consisting of a director, an office assistant, and a civil rights investigator. Its mission is to ensure fair and equal rights for all city residents in the areas of employment, public accommodations, and housing. Doing this by July 1 st , the city would save $71,000 in 2010 and $163,000 in 2011. As an alternative, civil rights cases could be filed with the Topeka office of the Kansas Human Rights Commission but its director stated all levels of government needed to be involved with this issue. Boneparte's proposal would keep intact the nine member volunteer human rights commission. There has been much public outcry against making this change.

It is estimated that the combined budget shortfall for 2010 and 2011 will be $6.6 million.

Presently, the city's administration is putting together its 2011 budget. Various proposals under consideration to balance the 2011 budget include raising the mill levy on property, increasing the sales tax by .25% for three years, laying off city employees, and not increasing salaries for 2011.

The city has spent almost $261,000 filling potholes this past winter as compared to slightly over $87,000 the previous winter. This translates to 800 tons of cold mix used this past winter versus 120 tons the previous winter. The city presently has 29 employees assigned to providing street maintenance whereas there were 103 workers doing the same work 30 years ago with less miles to maintain. Besides fixing potholes these employees are responsible for snow and ice removal during the winter and major repairs of streets.. To help with fixing potholes the city has used a private contractor.

Major renovations for the city are under consideration. The one receiving the most consideration is the redesigning of the I-70 corridor through downtown Topeka. Other projects under discussion are developing North Topeka into an art center, the redesigning of downtown so that it would become more attractive to business and tourism, and establishing of a river front complex between Kansas and Topeka Boulevards.

Reflections on the Proceedings of the Topeka City Council from early February, 2010, to early April, 2010
– Notes by Joe Sargent

On April 7th councilwoman Swank became deputy mayor replacing councilman Harmon, who had held that position for the past year. He had to assume mayoral duties soon after his election because of Mayor Bunten’s lengthy illness. At the same meeting council members, Ortiz and Preisner, were elected to the Joint Economic Development Organization, a city-county board that promotes economic development and improvements in infrastructure through a county-wide half-cent sales tax.

In late March city manager Boneparte revealed that the city needed to reduce its operating expenses for this calendar year by $3,5 million because of a budget shortfall. He announced that as of now there was an immediate hold in the 2010 budget on vehicular replacement and repairs to facilities and equipment except for needed emergency repairs. Boneparte plans to present a strategy in May to cut $3.5 million out of the $82.6 million in the general fund. Also he has formed a 63 member panel called the City Operations and Service Team, charged with the task of making the city government more efficient In mid-February Boneparte announced that 36.25 vacant positions were eliminated and six employees were terminated, four of which were from the zoo management staff.

The housing of the two elephants at the zoo became an issue in early February. The council on February 23rd rejected a resolution to move the elephants and many of its members felt the decision regarding the elephants should be left to when a full-time zoo director is hired. In early March the Topeka zoo avoided losing its accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums; it required the Topeka zoo to file a progress report in six months and will do a follow-up inspection in March, 2011, to decide whether the zoo will retain its accreditation.

This winter has produced more potholes than in previous years. One city official called the job of filling the potholes an overwhelming task. To help with this task the city purchased two new pothole patching trucks and even contracted with a private company for this purpose.

There has been great excitement generated by the possibility that Google might select Topeka as its site to install an experimental high speed Internet network. In fact, the council gave its support to this project. Subsequently, Topeka obtained notoriety as "Google, Kansas" from around the world and as a result Mayor Bunten had to field a great number of inquiries from interested individuals.

The final chapter in the helicopter saga has ended. The 1994 Schweizer 300C helicopter was sold on March 31st for $102,500 to a private individual from Hayes.

Reflections on the Proceedings of the Topeka City Council from Early December, 2009, to early February, 2010
– Notes by Joe Sargent

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my Topeka Capital-Journal paper on January 6th and found that our city was ranked third in the nation according to a real estate expert on NBC’s “Today” show as a desirable place to buy a house. This expert used such factors as size and value of houses, job growth, quality of education, low unemployment, and stable home pricing to rate the area..

On December 9th Councilman Wolgast reintroduced the helicopter issue because of recent surveys showing a majority of the population favored having a police helicopter. In his plan the helicopter would only be used for designated missions such as searching for lost persons or responding to a natural disaster and would be budgeted for up to $150,000 for 2010 out of a special fund. The helicopter unit would be downsized and would use the available Schweizer 300C helicopter. Later, Wolgast withdrew his proposal because of lack of support on the council to override a mayoral veto and as of January 1st we have no police helicopter service.

In early December, the Topeka Zoo director, Mike Coker, retired as of December 25th, amid controversies at the zoo. In late January, the city received a letter from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums stating that the association will determine at a hearing in March the zoo’s accreditation. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a two day walk through in January cited the zoo for seven non-compliance issues. Interim zoo director, Dennis Taylor, indicated that he was addressing these issues. City manager Boneparte stated at a council meeting on January 26th that the search for a new zoo director would take several months.

At its December 15th meeting, the council approved five street improvement projects totaling a little over $13 million using the half-cent sales tax approved by the voters in April, 2009 for this purpose.. Also, approval was given to thirteen capital improvement projects totaling nearly #3.6 million using general obligation bonds with a debt service of nearly six million. Subsequently, Mayor Bunten vetoed four projects involving replacement of three traffic lights, replacement of golf cart paths at the city’s Cypress Ridge Golf Course, construction of a new office, classroom, and work area for the Helen Hocker Theater, and extension of the Landon Trail. Eventually, three of these vetoes were overridden; the only one not overridden was the replacement of the golf cart paths at Cypress Ridge. .

Boneparte in early January recommended changes in the format of the council’s meetings. Instead of four meetings per month used to act on ordinances and resolutions, he would reduce these meetings to twice per month and have abbreviated meetings twice a month to approve the consent agenda and first readings of proposed council legislative items that would be acted on later. The abbreviated meetings would then be followed by work sessions during which matters under consideration could be discussed in greater depth.

The council approved the replacement of the Garfield pool, built in 1926, and renovation of its bath house at a cost of nearly $2 million with a debt service of slightly over $3.2 million. Councilperson Archer raised concern about replacing the Crestview pool, the only one in Southwest Topeka, with a spray park; it services a larger population living within a two mile radius than the other four pools.

The council on January 26th approved the widening of Southwest 29th street between Wanamaker and Urish Roads at a cost of $9.3 million. This will include the replacement of the round-about at 29th street and Urish Road and will take two construction seasons to complete. The businesses in the area are greatly concerned about how this project will affect their business.

The city administration is presently considering the 2010 budget and in order to stay within the budget the city will possibly terminate some employee positions with a savings of $1 million. At the same time the city faces the expense of replacing an aging fleet of snow removal equipment as well as the increasing deterioration of our streets.