TOPEKA CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS:

SHAWNEE COUNTY COMMISSION MEETINGS:

April 23, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Treasurer Wilson returned to the commission to announce the County Clerk and Finance Department could help residents with payment of taxes and transactions could be completed by mail. This met the concern about the Treasurer's Office being closed May1 to 9.
   It is may be a coincidence that soon after the sheriff announced his retirement 5 items on the consent agenda were purchases and contracts by the Sheriff's office. The consent agenda was passed with no questions.
   Business regarding the consolidation of Parks and Recreation continues. Today John Knight sought amendment of a contract to include Cypress ridge Golf Course with work for Forbes and Lake Shawnee courses.
   Philicia McKee reported to the commission Earth Day activities. The commissioners always smile when Philicia reports, probably because her reports are always positive.

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April 19, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Tribute was paid to Sheriff Barta with many family members and Sheriff Department employees present. The sheriff was visibly moved when the commissioners announced the naming of the training complex and firing range after him.
   The commissioners removed an item from the consent agenda regarding the closing of the Treasurer's Department, May 1 to 9,  for implementation of a new State Motor Vehicle system. Apparently the departments throughout the state of Kansas will be closed. Commissioners wanted citizens to be able to carry out necessary transactions. Treasurer Wilson promised to look into a solution.

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April 16, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Two items on the agenda this morning may be of interest to League members. The first is continued training for county employees in the technology system adopted by the county. Shawnee County adopted the Sungard system in August 2008. At that time a committee of city and county employees recommended that one system be adopted by both, consolidating the technology departments. Shawnee County  elected to go with Sungard because they claimed, that although it required more training, it could do more. The City of Topeka chose a different system so the consolidation didn't develop. Today the commissioners approved of a trip for training of seven employees of Shawnee County. Stacey Woolington made the case to the commissioners stating the need to advance in technology upgrades.
   The League has been interested in the coming elections and Elizabeth Ensley Deiter is requesting to solicit bids for election equipment. There will be 30% fewer voting places in Shawnee County. Gwen Elliott served on the committee that determined the location of the voting places. Deiter will solicit bids for four up-coming elections: August 7; November 6; February 26, 2013; April 2, 2013.

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April 9, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

With the combination of warm weather approaching and the consolidation of the parks and recreation departments the Parks and Recreation Department had the most items on the agenda once again. This morning they dealt with pest control, mowing services, water for golf course irrigation, safety inspection of the dam at Lake Shawnee, and racquetball courts for the Senior Olympics. Terry Bertels was asked for an explanation of why he didn't accept the lowest bid on mowing services. That was as exciting as it got.
   The consent agenda included ten items with the consideration of five different contracts and was approved with no questions.

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April 5, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Several contracts and purchases were approved this morning. The public hearing regarding a road in Shawnee County that was planned for but never existed brought the most comments. The state had a plan for the road in 1871 but it never was used as planned. It takes two public hearings to vacate such a right of way. The people that spoke to the issue essentially said, “What road?” So the commissioners voted to make it officially disappear.

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April 2, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Under unfinished business the commissioners approved the resolution establishing the Shawnee County Park Police. Sheriff Barta reported to the commissioners that he was “fine” with the county having jurisdiction over the park police, although he acknowledged the editorial in the Capitol-Journal opposing the change.
   The action that brought the most drama was not an action but a vote to acknowledge an impasse in contract talks with the Teamsters Union. Several hundred employees of the county are represented by the teamsters. The chairs of the meeting room were full with some of these employees, at least six in sheriff uniforms. Those people left, with no comments, after the vote was taken.

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March 12, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

The commission did not meet Thursday of last week so it is not surprising that today's agenda extends into three pages. The consent agenda has 17 items.
   Parks and Recreation Department continues to bring the most items (9) to the agenda since they now include the activities of the City of Topeka. The price tag for ADA mandated pool lifts and ladders is the highest of the P&R items at $34,345. The bulk mailing for recreation brochures is $7,000. They hope to go to more on-line registrations in the future. Even the cost of shirts for seasonal employees must come to the commission because of the increase in seasonal employees.
   Commissioners reluctantly voted to waive the purchasing resolutions and pay for repair cost to two trash trucks. Mr. Bolton reported that to diagnose the problem the trucks need to be “torn down” and it doesn't make sense to take them somewhere else for repairs. The commissioners really like competitive bids.

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March 5, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Along with many other entities in Kansas the county commissions of Kansas are taking issue with plans to shift tax revenues. The Shawnee County Commissioners voted 3-0 to oppose a proposed diversion of $35 million in transportation funds for a tax reform package.
   HR Cook, Expocentre, brought a contract for management of events at the Expocentre. Included in the contract is establishment of funds that should attract bigger events and finance improvements to the facilities. Mr. Cook has previously reported that the Expcentre must be updated to remain competitive.
   Related to money management, Stacey Woolington, Audit/finance, received permission from the commissioners to begin a search for credit card services or purchasing card services and audit or financial report services.

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March 1, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Those items regarding Topeka's economy were discussed this morning along with the regular business of bids, purchases and resolutions.
   First, the Chief Marketing Officer of Topeka Golden Giants reported to the commission that Topeka is hosting the Collegiate Summer Games. These games are expected to bring in over $40,000 to the Topeka community.
   Second, Andrew Gray, of the Topeka City Council requested that the commission choose a chair for JEDO so a meeting can be called. The commissioners chose Commissioner Buhler.
   Third, County Appraiser, Mark Hixson, reported to the commission that appraisals will be sent to property owners today (March 1). Of the 70,000 properties in Shawnee County 47,000 have changed. The majority have gone down. The stagnant economy has finally reached Kansas.

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February 23, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Now that the Parks and Recreation department includes all of Shawnee County we are seeing more items on the agenda for approval by the commissioners. This morning there were 6. They ranged from a chemical sprayer for the golf courses, to bids for bus transportation for the summer camps, to a Tea House at Ensley Gardens. The largest request was to solicit bids for mowers. Terry Bertels said other things can go wrong but the grass can’t get high. All were approved 3-0.
   Bob Perry, Bond Counsel, received approval to refinance bonds from 2006 to save $325,000 in interest.
   Tom Vlach received approval for a project to overlay a bridge over Indian Creek on NE46th. Mr Vlach has had to defer many projects because of budget cuts but he said this project could be covered by unspent funds from last years budget.

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February 20, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

The commission is trying to find a policy regarding the use of credit cards by county employees. Stacey Woolington, Finance/purchasing,  reluctantly stated that she would rather not have to deal with credit cards. She reported that going through the bills credit cards generate is a hassle and that credit cards in employees' wallets invites fraud. However, she realizes the difficulty department heads have purchasing necessary commodities. Some businesses are reluctant to set up accounts and the process of setting up an account delays a purchase. This issue surfaced when Steve Bolton, Waste, requested six credit cards be issued to six employees in his department. The commissioners appeared reluctant to dispense more credit cards. They charged Ms Woollington and other department heads with writing a policy for all departments to follow keeping in mind “less is better”.
   The big purchasing process has begin for the recycling department. Steve Bolton requested to solicit proposals for eight truck chassis' and bodies for over $2 million. The request was granted 3-0.
    Tom Vlach, Public Works, requested authorization to purchase fuel at a locked-in price. As we watch gasoline prices creep up, I say good luck to him. It was approved 3-0.
   After the state Fire Marshall's inspection, Corrections Director Kline is requesting three heat detectors and 480 security sprinkler heads. It was approved 3-0.

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February 16, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Rich Eckert, county counselor, reported some information at the commission meeting that may be of interest to our membership. 1) The county must wait three years to file a residential foreclosure and two years for a business. 2) The owner may pay taxes due up to 4:30 before the day of sale to avoid foreclosure – which happens often. 3) Zoning has nothing to do with annexation. 4) By Kansas law it is almost impossible to use eminent domain for economic development.
   Tom Vlach brought a contract to the commissioners for snow removal services for the City of Topeka. They negotiated according to time, labor and equipment costs and will review those costs annually. Mr. Vlach assured the commissioners that the county crews could easily clear the roads in question as they were in the areas with their equipment anyway. Most of the roads in question are in the SW and SE areas of Topeka.

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February 13, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Leaguers may be interested in the tax exemptions for Del Monte Foods, Target Distribution Center, Frito-Lay, Inc., Frito-Lay, Inc., Expansion, Goodyear, Addition II, Goodyear Addition III Goodyear Addition IV, Mainline Printing, Inc., Mainline Printing, Inc., 3500 S Topeka, HME, Inc., Expansion #2, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Hormel, US Foods. All were approved 3-0.
   At the end of the meeting Rich Eckert, county counselor, reported to the commissioners that two bills would be considered at the legislature that the commissioners may want to testify to. One was a bill instituting term limits for county commissioners. In the other it was mandated that public trash haulers would suspend operations if a private hauler could match or beat their rates. This observer had the sense the commissioners wanted Rich to do the testifying.

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February 9, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Since the budget cuts were made  by the county we haven’t seen Tom Vlach at the podium but he was back today for the commissioners to consider budgets for three culvert projects. All three will be outsourced, each will take 3 months, two will be started and the third will be built if the available money has not been needed for an emergency project. Commissioners approved the projects 3-0.
   Commissioners approved a payment of $35,000 from the Shawnee County Solid Waste budget to Keep America Beautiful, 3-0 vote. This amount has been budgeted every year.
   Stacey Woolington presented a reorganization plan combining Audit Finance with the purchasing department. Some positions will be lost but they will realize a savings of $140,000. This was approved 3-0.

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February 6, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

It is apparent that John Knight, Parks and Recreation, has much more on his plate these days. There were 6 items on the agenda to be acted on by the commission regarding business of the P&R department.  Commissioners approved an amendment to a contract for installation of seven alarm systems and monitoring of 22 alarm systems.  Commissioners approved a request to fill three Golf Course Superintendents and three Maintenance worker positions. Then there is silt in the water supply at Cyprus Ridge Golf Course to be dealt with—just three of the items.
   Mark Hixon, County Appraiser, reported to the commission that Shawnee County evaluations have remained fairly stable for the past few years but the country-wide trend seems to have moved here. He reported that of the 75,000 parcels of land in Shawnee County, his office will send out about 40,000 notices of changes and about 90% of those valuations are down. The appraiser’s office relies heavily on information regarding how much properties have sold for.

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February 2, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

The big news at the commission meeting was the approval of a contract and resolution that would bring curbside recycling to Shawnee County Waste Department services. The contract with Waste Management is for ten years because they are investing in a new facility to serve the county and the county is investing in trucks, bins and people. Commissioners had delayed the approval of this plan for one week so the public could weigh in. LWVTSC president, Marge Ahrens, reported to the commissioners the League’s long-term studies and support for curb-side recycling. Marge also emphasized the need for citizen input to be built in to the recycling organization.

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January 30, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

H.R. Cook, Kansas Expocentre, was mighty proud to report that the Expocentre had a 5 year contract with KS Kids Wrestling. This organization has the 2nd largest draw for events in Topeka and the usual contract is 2 years.
   As a result of the new election requirements the commissioners passed a resolution requiring the free use of Shawnee County photocopiers to copy identification documents for advance voting purposes. The commissioners were told they expect few people to use this service.
   All the belt tightening seems to have paid off. Stacey Woolington, audit finance, reported that the county brought in $2.4 million more than it spent in 2011. She said all departments came in under their budget.
   Rich Eckert, county counselor, asked the commission to approve a contract that would settle a lawsuit. The Shawnee County Jail prohibited inmates from receiving publications, packages and other personal property, which the suit claimed violated the First and 14th Amendment rights. The settlement cost the county $75,000. The commissioners approved the contract, with unhappy faces, 3-0.
   Anita Wolgast asked that the county purchase a strip of land that could serve as a walkway from Kansas Avenue to a parking area in the NOTO area. Commissioners approved the purchase from the general fund 3-0.

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January 26, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

The Shawnee County Commission approved three items on their agenda this morning of interest to the LWV. Steve Bolton, Solid Waste department, brought a contract and resolution for approval. He appeared pleased as punch that an agreement has been reached with Waste Management to establish a facility to accept recyclable materials. The accompanying resolution established the increased fees for recycling services. The long-awaited curbside recycling appeared within reach. The commissioners responded by deferring action until they could hear from the public.

Another item was brought to the commission as a result of the consolidation of the parks and recreation departments. By combining departments, salaries had to be adjusted so people with the same job description received the same pay. Unfortunately, this action resulted in salary reductions for long-term employees.

The third item was a request to enter negotiations with Motorola and Cassidian for an emergency radio system. A committee was dispatched to find a better deal after proposing Shawnee County piggy-back on a state system. This morning the committee reported that they believed they could negotiate a better deal with these two companies. After many questions the commissioners gave their approval 3-0.

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January 19, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Most of this morning’s commission meeting included approval of resolutions and contracts that continued current services. One resolution calling for a change was the contract with the after hour’s courthouse security company. It will be under the supervision of the sheriff.  The sheriff wanted assurance that this company would continue to be paid from the general fund for this fiscal year.

John Knight continues to pull together the organization of the Parks and Recreation department. He requested issuance of credit cards for 42 new employees. The commissioners asked him for an explanation of the procedures for the use of the cards.

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January 12, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Commissioners approved a temporary solution to a need in the appraiser's office.  A former employee will perform mapping and data entry electronically from out-of-state until a full-time employee can be hired.

John Knight reported 30 vacant positions in the parks and recreation department. He asked, and received, permission to fill four positions. Commissioners expect to have less overtime now.

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January 9, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

Today's meeting lasted only 14 minutes. Most of the meeting was organizational. Ted Ensley will serve as chair and Mary Thomas as vice-chair.

The commissioners also chose The Topeka Capital-Journal as the official county newspaper, which means public notices will appear in that paper.  The commissioners noted that the Capital-Journal charged substantially more than The Metro News but is printed every day and reaches more people. The Metro News has served as the official county paper for seven years.

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January 5, 2012 – Notes by Georgia Sandlin

After asking Treasurer Wilson a number of questions the commissioners voted 3-0 to cancel the 2009 and 2010 checks. This item appeared before the commission last week and was deferred but, I guess, they found no reason the checks shouldn’t be canceled.

Two citizens spoke to the commission regarding the appointment to the Fire District #1 Board. The commissioners would like the community to have input as to the system used to choose the board so have delayed appointing someone to fill the position that is expired.  I assume action will be taken when the community provides feedback to the community.

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TOPEKA CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS:

Reflections on the Proceedings of the Topeka City Council
This report covers mid-February, 2012, to early April, 2012
—Submitted by Joe Sargent

During a council meeting on February 16th it was revealed that Mars Chocolate North America and Go Topeka, an organization concerned with economic development  and connected with the Greater Topeka  Chamber of Commerce, had an agreement that Go Topeka would use its best efforts to rezone property within a two mile radius of the Mars’ property. The area under consideration was to be rezoned for only commercial or industrial use by June 1st, 2012.

Go Topeka in December, 2011, proposed to Shawnee County Planning Commission  the creation of the South Topeka Economic Growth Corridor for development of 4,135 acres as an industrial park. This entity was bounded by Interstate 470 on the north, S.W. 93rd Street  on the south, S.W. Burlingame Road on the west, and  Forbes Field on the east.

After learning of the agreement between Mars and Go Topeka, the Shawnee County Planning  Department evolved a development plan allowing a little over 1600 acres to remain residential, particularly areas surrounding Montara (an area containing approximately 1000 homes). Subsequently Go Topeka revised its plan to allow somewhat over 1900 acres to remain residential and  Mars accepted the changes. Thus, only a little over 2000 acres of Go Topeka’s original proposal  could be rezoned. On March 12th the Shawnee County Planning Commission revised its plan and removed 2479 acres from Go Topeka’s original proposal  leaving only 1610 acres that could be rezoned for  uses other than residential. The Shawnee County Commission will consider this issue in April.

The city council’s connection in this matter stems from  the fact that it has four voting members out seven on the board of the Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) which oversees Go Topeka. The latter organization is responsible for administering $5 million per year drawn from a countywide half-cent sales tax. The other three voting board members are county commissioners who will ultimately decide the rezoning issue. Until they act, it will be difficult for JEDO to discuss this matter. In addition, the chairperson of the JEDO board will be one of the commissioners because in even years the JEDO executive board is headed by one of the commissioners.

The interim city finance director Simecka stated that the city’s general fund had decreased close to $1.8 million ($10,056,787 to $8,263,075) by the end of 2011. This amount would have been less if the council had not made a one-time transfer of $1 million to the city’s employee health care fund in October, 2011.

On March 8th our League president, Marge Ahrens, and Allyn Lockner, a League member and certified public manager, testified before a meeting called by the administrator of the firm seeking a new city manager. They were the only ones that gave public testimony. Marge Ahrens listed the qualities that the new manager should have from the league’s perspective and Allyn Lockner mentioned what he personally would be looking for in this person.

The council on February 28th chose not to increase water, waste water, and storm-water utility rates. On March 7th they also voted against funding a revision of the cloverleaf intersection at N.W  US-24 Highway and Topeka  Boulevard. The Kansas Department of Transportation will go ahead and fund this project with $3 million of their own money.

On April 3rd council person Wolgast was elected deputy mayor for one year since council person Alcala’s term has expired and council persons Gray and Hiller were elected to the JEDO’s executive board.

Action on building a low-income housing complex for military veterans on grounds owned by the Veterans Administration was deferred on March 27th for three weeks to allow public testimony. The sticking point was that if the units were not filled by veterans,  then they would be rented to other persons with low incomes.

The council on March 20th approved 226 acres of the Topeka State Hospital grounds for the establishment of an educational park called the Kanza Education and Science Park.

On March 7th the council approved the 2012-2013 capital improvement budget and the 2012-2016 capital improvement program.

The fate of the Topeka Zoo’s two elephants remains undetermined.

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Reflections on the Proceedings of the Topeka City Council
This report covers mid-December, 2011, to mid-February, 2012
—Submitted by Joe Sargent

On January 31st the council selected the firm of Bob Murray and Associates (based in Tallassee, Florida) to help in the selection of a permanent city manager. The contract allows no more than $22,000 for the requested search plus travel and lodging expenses.

Interim city manager Stanley prepared a resolution for the appointment  of a person to assume his duties while he is away. After the council on January 24th granted him an extension of his contract until, at least, April 1st, 2012 he subsequently found that he would have to be away at times due to a serious family illness.

Recently the council considered the fate of two Topeka Zoo elephants. Council members indicated on January 31st that they had received many e-mails in favor of moving them to an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. A non-profit organization, Animal Outreach of Kansas, announced that they had placed two billboards along Gage Boulevard in support of moving the elephants. In order to comply with new requirements of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Brendan Wiley, the Topeka Zoo director, stated that the zoo will be required to house together, at least, three elephants of the same species (African or Asian) by 2016. He wants the community to have a voice in this matter. In addition, the United States Department of Agriculture filed in late December an administrative complaint against the Topeka Zoo, alleging that the zoo willfully violated the Animal Welfare Act on eleven inspections between April, 2007 and July, 2011. The city administration indicated that this complaint would receive serious attention. 

Stanley stated in early January that he will use a new way to do the city’s budgeting. It is called “Balance Scorecard.” This tool was developed 20 years ago and has been use successively by Charlotte, North Carolina. It focuses on outcomes, namely, the budgeted finances achieving their goals. He felt that it will take several years to implement it fully. 

In October, 2011 Police Chief Miller stated that the Topeka government should allow the department to fill all of its 300 positions rather than to continue to achieve a yearly savings of $900,000 by leaving eighteen positions unfilled. In early January Stanley indicated that he intends to fully fund the police department in the 2013 budget. At the council’s meeting on December 20th it approved a contract granting pay increases to the police for two years ($192,000in 2012 and $400,00 in 2013).

The pace of repairing the city’s streets was a concern taken up by the council on January 3rd. Council member Manspeaker noted that only seven out of fifteen projects were finished in 2010 and work in 2011 was completed on only one  and partially on two out of twelve scheduled projects. The city’s  project engineer, Mike Morrissey, stated the assumption in 2009, when the half- cent sales tax was enacted, failed to take in account that the streets would require more work than the basic mill and overlay work.

Stanley in early January picked Greg Bailey to be the new fire chief. He had served as the interim fire chief since December, 2011 when the former fire chief retired.

In mid-January a partner of RDG planning and Design of Omaha, Nebraska announced that the design for improving South Kansas Avenue from Seventh to Ninth streets was ready for public viewing. The design is on display at the RDG’s Design Center at 828 South Kansas Avenue.

On January 18th council member Eberhart had the first reading of her plan to establish an Employees Group Health Insurance plan which would provide health care benefits and funding for eligible employees and family members. The present city health insurance plan and funding would be incorporated under her plan. An advisory committee would monitor its programs and funding monthly and there would be representatives from administration and employees on the committee. A vote by the council on January 24th sent her proposal to the policy and finance committee for further review.   

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