MINUTES
KANSAS
ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES
GOVERNING BOARD MEETING
Interhab Conference Room, Jayhawk
Tower
Topeka,
Kansas
January 19, 1999
President
Sara Ullmann called the meeting to order at 10:55 a.m. Board
members
present were as follows:
Sara
Ullmann, Johnson County Register of Deeds
Don
Hanson, Ellsworth County Commissioner
Rodney
Broberg, Saline County Appraiser
Linda
Peterson, Marion County Commissioner
Randy
Duncan, Sedgwick County Emergency Management Director
Dean
Kruse, Norton County Commissioner
Alan
Winkler, Wabaunsee County Commissioner
Riley
Winkler, Gray County Commissioner
Nancy Weeks, Haskell County
Treasurer
Kenneth
Meier, Harvey County Commissioner
Jean
Barber, Allen County Commissioner
Michael
Dailey, Wyandotte County Sheriff
David
Heger, Miami County Counselor
Darryl
Lutz, Butler County Engineer
Robert
Abel, Jr., Jefferson County Weed Director
Linda
Schreppel, Labette County Clerk, was absent.
Others
present were:
Randy
Allen, KAC Executive Director
Judy Moler, KAC
Legislative Services Director/General Counsel
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
TO AGENDA:
Bob
Abel, Jr. asked for time to present a request for board support of his
nomination
to participate in the 1999 class of Leadership Kansas. President
Ullmann
added Bob’s request to the agenda, with discussion to occur during the
Executive
Director’s report. Randy Allen requested that presentation of the financial summary
of the 23rd Annual Conference be deferred to the February 9 meeting.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES:
Nancy
Weeks moved, seconded by Jean Barber, to approve the minutes of the December 10,
1998 board meeting, as presented. Motion carried.
FINANCE
COMMITTEE REPORT:
Jean
Barber presented the Finance Committees report in the absence of Finance
Committee
Chairperson Linda Schreppel.
Jean
reviewed the list of bills and payrolls dated January 19, 1999, totaling
$111,615.50.
The bills included a few large disbursements directly related to
the
23rd Annual Conference, including a $61,419.10 payment to the Hyatt
Regency Hotel in Wichita. Of the total payment to the Hyatt Regency,
$56,030.05 was directly attributable to food costs. The disbursement includes
the
cost of the Friendship Luncheon shared by the County Clerks,
Treasurers,
and
Registers of Deeds, which will be reimbursed by the three associations.
Don
Hanson moved, seconded by Bob Abel, Jr. to approve the bills and
payrolls
as presented. Motion carried.
Jean
and Randy reviewed the Monthly Financial Report for the month ending
November 30, 1998,
which indicated that through the first eleven months of
the
year, the Association had received 93.6% of its budgeted revenue of $561,080,
and had expended 75.4% of its budgeted annual expenditures of
$585,030.
Jean
Barber moved, seconded by Mike Dailey, to receive and place on file
the
Monthly Financial Report for the month ending November 30, 1998.
STRATEGIC
PLANNING/IMPLEMENTATION AGENDA:
Randy
Allen presented a Partnership Agreement between the KAC and the
Kansas
County Commissioners Association (KCCA) which had been earlier
approved
by the KCCA Executive Committee. The Agreement establishes
an education
partnership between KAC and KCCA in joint sponsorship of
the
new Kansas Leadership Academy for County Commissioners, the organizing
entity
for education programs of particular significance to county commissioners
in Kansas.
Under
the Partnership Agreement, the KAC’s role over a 2-year period (i.e.
1999-2000)
is to develop, organize, and implement the educational programming of the
Academy; hold a 10-hour workshop (“Introduction to the Commissioner’s Job”) in
February, 1999; hold six four-hour workshops identified as “core” classes, with
each of the four-hour workshops offered at three regional sites around the
state; and administer the financial affairs and recordkeeping of the
Academy.
The KCCA’s role is to provide ideas, suggestions, and feedback to the
KAC
and KAC staff concerning Academy programs, and subsidize participation in the
Academy by paying the KAC $1,550 for the “Introduction to the Commis-
sioner’s
Job” workshop and $1,250 for each of the remaining core workshops offered over
the two-year period. It is further agreed that in November, 1999, the
KAC
staff and KCCA Executive Committee will meet to review the status and
progress
of the partnership and assess next steps, future changes, et. al. Randy
indicated
that there was a lot of good faith expressed by both KCCA Executive
Committee
members and KAC staff at the recent meeting, and that it was an
historic
beginning. Few state associations of counties will offer an educational
program
for commissioners that is as thorough as Kansas’.
Ken
Meier moved, seconded by Alan Winkler, to approve the Partnership Agreement
between the KAC and the Kansas County Commissioners Association (KCCA) for the
Leadership Academy for County Commissioners. Motion carried.
FALL,
1999 PUBLIC POLICY FORUM:
Randy
Allen indicated that he and Marla Flentje had recently met with John
Leatherman,
Office of Local Government, Kansas State University, to discuss
the
possibility of a second Public Policy Forum this coming late summer or
Fall,
to be jointly sponsored by OLG-KSU and the KAC. Last year’s Public
Policy
Forum – “Retail Wheeling and the Property Tax” – was well received
by the
approximately 65 persons who attended. The goal of John Leatherman,
Marla
and Randy is to establish the date for the 1999 forum as soon as possible as
well as to identify the topic which will be the focus of discussion.
Randy
indicated that the following subjects had been raised as potential subjects of
the forum: 1) Home Rule – current status, future options; 2) Consolidation of
Local
government units, including functional consolidation and organizational
Consolidation;
3) Y2K, or the Year 2000 Millenium bug (although it was expressed that by the
fall, 1999, either we will be close to ready or it will be too
late).
Bob Abel said that he thought a workshop on technology and how counties
will
increasingly utilize technology would be a good topic for the 1999 forum. Randy
Duncan raised the possibility of doing a forum on opportunities for public/
private
partnerships and offered an example from the emergency response area
to
illustrate his idea.
Randy
indicated that he would schedule further discussion on the February agenda and
very soon thereafter, he, Marla and John Leatherman would set a
date
and a topic. The forum would likely be in Manhattan, with a possibility
that
it could be held on the KSU campus.
No
action was taken with respect to this matter.
24th
ANNUAL CONFERENCE THEME SELECTION:
Randy
explained that reservations for sleeping rooms under the KAC’s room
Blocks
in Overland Park for the 24th Annual (1999) Conference
would be
Accepted
beginning April 1, 1999. As such, the staff will again mail information
On or
around March 1 to KAC members, indicating hotel information as well as the
theme of the 1999 conference.
Randy
distributed information which included the conference themes for the past
three
annual conferences:
1996
21st Annual Conference,
Wichita Airport Hilton Hotel, headquarters
Theme:
“Building Our Future Together”
1997
22nd Annual Conference,
Wichita Airport Hilton Hotel, headquarters
Theme:
“Partnerships for Progress – Counties Reach Out”
1998
23rd Annual Conference,
Hyatt Regency Wichita Hotel, headquarters
Theme:
“new horizons @ kac.98”
The
board had a vigorous and creative discussion about several conference
theme
ideas, as follows:
“The
Shape of the Future”
“Windows
of Opportunity”
“The
Service Imperative: Counties Respond”
“Looking
Ahead with Values and Vision”
“Charting
the Course: A Map for the New Millenium”
“Realizing
County
Communities: Shifts in Local Governance”
Randy
indicated that the best themes are rather broad in nature, with potential
to create
powerful imagery (i.e. pictures, symbols) to illustrate the theme.
Mike
Dailey moved, seconded by Randy Duncan, to select the theme “Windows of Opportunity”
as the theme for the 24th Annual Conference on
November 14-16, 1999. Motion failed.
Nancy
Weeks moved, seconded by Ken Meier, to select the theme “Charting
the
Course: A Map for the New Millenium” as the theme for the 24th
Annual Conference. Motion carried. Jean Barber, Linda Peterson, Mike Dailey,
and Randy Duncan voted “nay”.
25th
and 26th ANNUAL KAC CONFERENCES IN 2000 AND 2001:
Sara
Ullmann indicated that we were extremely late in determining the site
for
future conferences, especially 2000 and 2001. Randy recommended that
the
KAC staff prepare a brief Request for Proposals (RFP) and disseminate
to
hotel and convention and visitors bureau officials in Overland Park,
Topeka,
and
Wichita to request formal proposals which could be reviewed by the board.
Board
discussion focused on whether the RFP should ask for proposals for 2002
and
2003 as well. The positive benefit of signing contracts early is the greater
likelihood
that we can control costs; the downside is that hotels change greatly in
quality
of service and appearance in only a few short years.
The board recessed for lunch at 12:05 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 12:43 p.m.
25th
AND 26th ANNUAL CONFERENCES (continued):
Darryl
Lutz moved, seconded by Mike Dailey to authorize staff to prepare
and
disseminate a Request for Proposals (RFP), with the primary request for
proposals to include 2000 and 2001, but with options accepted for 2002 and 2003
as well. The board had further discussion about whether any one
city
should be awarded consecutive conferences, and made no final decision pending
the receipt of proposals. Motion carried.
NACo
REPORT:
Linda
Peterson distributed a written summary of the NACo Board’s actions at its
December 11-12, 1998 meeting in Asheville, North
Carolina. Among other actions, the
NACo Board voted to adopt the following 1999 key legislative priorities:
Community and Rural Development:
1.
Support full funding of the HOME
program and maintain funds for the
Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocations to local and
State
governments, and eliminate all unauthorized CDBG set-asides.
2.
Encourage investment through an
increase in the volume cap for low-income
Housing
tax credits and an immediate and full increase in the tax-exempt private
activity bond volume cap.
3.
Support brownfields redevelopment
in both urban and rural counties.
4.
Support flexible and increased
funding for Rural Community Advancement
(RCAP)
funds to meet the needs of rural counties.
Assure
Adequate Health Care Funding for Counties:
1.
Medicare/Medicaid Reform that is
responsive and sensitive to providing fair and adequate benefits and
reimbursements, and that does not increase the
burden
on county governments.
2.
Support legislation that improves
the quality and access to health care in rural counties.
Funding for Children, Youth and Families:
1.
Restoring the Social Services
block grant.
2.
Maintain funding for the Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families
Block
grant.
3.
Increase funding for workforce
development programs.
4.
Promoting early childhood
development initiatives.
Justice Funding Equity:
1.
Local Law Enforcement Block Grant
2.
Juvenile Justice
3.
State Criminal Alien Assistance
Program
4.
Corrections
PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) and Natural Resource Funding
1.
Request full funding for the PILT
program and pursue other equitable
natural
resource funding opportunities affecting counties.
Airport
Improvement Program
1.
Support the reauthorization of the
Airport Improvement Program, including
an
increased funding level, guaranteed funding from the Aviation Trust Fund, an
increased Passenger Facilities Charge, and a special program for rural and
smaller airports to assist them in attracting new and expanded service.
Other
board discussion/action included: 1) consideration and adoption of NACo’s 1999
budget; 2) consideration and approval of a new 3-year strategic
plan
(this plan is updated annually); development of the Urban and Rural County
caucuses, and NACo’s drive to reach 2,000 county members by the end of the year
2,000. Linda indicated that Ken Mayfield, Dallas
County, Texas, and
Doris
Karloff (Nebraska) are both running for NACo 2nd Vice
President, with
the
election to be held at the NACo Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri
July 16-20, 1998.
Randy reminded the board that Kansas will have more clout in the NACo election if more Kansas county
officials attend the NACo annual
Conference.
The board had some discussion about whether the two candidates
for
NACo 2nd Vice President should be invited to the state to meet with
the board
prior
to the summer. No action was taken in this regard.
FOLLOW-UP
ACTION TO JOINT STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES –
COUNTIES,
CITIES, SCHOOL BOARDS:
The
Joint Statement of Principles, adopted by the boards of the KAC, Kansas
Association of School Boards, and League of Kansas Municipalities, has been
signed
by the presidents of all three organizations. Randy reported on conversa-
tions
with two legislators who reacted positively to the joint statement.
Randy
indicated that he had met with John Koepke, Executive Director of the
Kansas
Association of School Boards, as well as Chris McKenzie, Executive
Director
of the League, concerning the feasibility of the three boards meeting soon to
1) get to know each other; 2) learn more about the others’ organizations;
and
3) identify mutual legislative and work priorities. To “piggy-back” on
the
board’s travel to Topeka on February 9 for a KAC Board meeting and February 10
for County Government Day, Randy indicated that the three executive directors
had tentatively arranged a meeting of the three boards for
Tuesday,
February 9, as follows:
4:30 - 6:00 p.m. First
Work Session
6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Reception
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Dinner
7:30 - 9:00 p.m. Wrap-up
work session
The
meeting would be held in Emerald I meeting room of the Capitol Plaza
Hotel,
immediately adjacent to the Kansas Expocentre. The board indicated
that
the proposed date was acceptable. Randy inquired as to which board
members
would require hotel rooms on Monday, February 8 and Tuesday, February 9, 1999. Judy
Seymour, KAC staff person, will make reservations
and
send confirmation letters to all board members.
1999
LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE:
Judy
Moler engaged the board in a discussion
about the Legislative Breakfast
held
earlier that morning (January 19) in the Jayhawk Tower, at which approximately 50 legislators attended. The
general feedback from the board
was
that the event was successful. Several board members indicated that legis-
lators
indicated surprise that county officials from their county(s) were not
at
the breakfast. Discussion ensued as to whether the Legislative Breakfast
should
be scheduled as an early-morning event on County Government Day so
that
we could have wider participation. Another suggestion was to involve the
Legislative
Platform Committee in the breakfast. Additional discussion was held
concerning
the feasibility of an annual event involving the KAC and the House/Senate local
government committees.
Judy
used the January 15, 1999 Legislative Bulletin (#1) to summarize the
status
of various legislation under consideration. Ken Meier commented on the
status
of a possible new comprehensive transportation program, and contrasted
the
Governor’s plan with the program developed by the Transportation 2000 Task Force.
SECRETARIAT
AGREEMENT WITH CCAK:
Randy
indicated that, again this year, he was requested board approval of an
Agreement
between the KAC and County Counselors Association of Kansas (CCAK) for the KAC
to provide secretariat services to the CCAK. Bill Jeter, Ellis County Counselor
and CCAK President, has submitted a continuation agreement for consideration
and approval by the KAC Board.
Ken Meier moved, seconded by Randy Duncan, to approve the secretariat
services
agreement between the KAC and the County Counselors Association of Kansas (CCAK). Motion
carried.
BOB ABEL’S REQUEST
Bob
Abel, Jr. indicated that he had been nominated to participate in a
competitive
process to be chosen to participate in Leadership Kansas.
A
Leadership Kansas class is chosen annually to expose current and future state
leaders to issues/topics of concern across the state and to provide a knowledge
base which could be used in the future. Bob indicated that he
had
discussed his possible participation in the Leadership group with the
Board
of Jefferson County Commissioners, and that they supported him in
this
regard. Bob asked for the board’s support in the form of a letter.
Randy
Duncan moved, seconded by Nancy Weeks, to instruct staff to
prepare
a letter for the President’s signature that conveys the board’s
strong
support for Robert Abel, Jr.’s nomination to participate in the
1999
class of Leadership Kansas. Motion carried.
The
meeting was adjourned at 2:12 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
________________________.
Randy
Allen, Executive Director
MINUTES-011999.doc
January 26, 1999