March 13, 2009
KANSAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES
GOVERNING BOARD
MINUTES OF MARCH 13, 2009 MEETING
TOPEKA- SHAWNEE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
TOPEKA, KANSAS
Attendance
Board Members Present: Michele Abbott, Marion County Emergency Management Director; Sheila Biggs, Dickinson County Commissioner; Joe Connor, Unified Government Health Department Administrator; Terry David, Rice County EMS Director; Jack Frick, Scott County Commissioner; R. Steve Garten, Barber County Commissioner; Mark Low, Finney County Appraiser; Larry McAulay, Johnson County Director of Legal Services, JR McMahon II, Miami County Director of Public Works; John Miller, Norton County Commissioner; Tim Norton, Sedgwick County Commissioner; Dale Phillips, Barton County Noxious Weed Director; Dennis Peterson, Riley County Noxious Weed Director; Tom Wagner, Atchison County Commissioner; Dick Works, Allen County Commissioner.
Others Present: Randall Allen, KAC Executive Director; Melissa Wangemann, KAC General Counsel. Brenda Flanagan, CPA at Summers, Spencer and Callison, appeared for the presentation of the audit on E911.
Proceedings
President Connor called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
Tim Norton moved and Dennis Peterson seconded a motion to approve the agenda and the minutes. The motion passed.
Dick Works explained that the Finance Committee had reviewed the bills and payroll as of March 13, 2009. Dick Works moved and Tom Wagner seconded a motion to approve the report and file it for the audit. The motion passed.
President Connor gave his report.
Steve Garten gave the NACo report, Those attending the NACo annual meeting in Washington D.C. earlier in the week discussed the meeting and legislative breakfast hosted for the Kansas delegation.
Randall Allen briefed the Board on the process of selecting the next NACo representative.
Melissa Wangemann gave a brief report on the review of the bylaws. Dennis Peterson asked for an update on the bylaws discussion-- Melissa Wangemann said she would provide that for him. Jack Frick wanted to emphasize efficiency in government as part of our mission statement.
Melissa Wangemann and Randall Allen presented the legislative report. Melissa discussed E911 and the opposition that has arisen from the League of Kansas Municipalities. Melissa explained that she and Kim Winn from LKM would be discussing the bill with Chairman Carl Holmes next week. Melissa explained that the Medicaid bill had failed due to its fiscal impact ($5 m) and questions raised on whether the bill would actually fulfill its purpose. SRS proposed a pilot program to work on the issue, possibly with Sedgwick County. Randall talked about the consolidation bills and there was general discussion about the consolidation bills.
Brenda Flanagan presented the E911 audit. She explained that, although the receipts and disbursements were higher in 2008 than 2007, the administrative fee to LKM and KAC was lower in 2008 because of timing -- some of the receipts came in 2007, but were paid out in 2008.
Randall Allen gave the executive director report. He gave a report on membership dues, explaining that seven counties have not paid dues. He explained that 91 counties have paid dues for the local road engineer program. He discussed the wind farm conferences. He discussed the KAC accounts with Citizens Bank & Trust and called for Board approval of a corporate resolution authorizing signatories to the account, and an application for e-banking. Terry David moved and Tim Norton seconded a motion to authorize these actions. The motion passed. Randall also discussed the salary survey that KAC has provided in the past. He asked for a motion to approve $7,000 for hiring Austin Peters to assemble the information. Dale Phillips moved and Dick Works seconded the motion to approve the expenditure. The motion passed.
Senator Chris Steineger joined the group to discuss his legislative proposal on consolidation.
The Board meeting recessed for lunch at 12:05 p.m. The Board reconvened its meeting at 12:40 p.m.
Individual board members shared issues from their counties for general discussion. Steve Garten discussed wind energy developments in his area. Tom Wagner said the biggest issue for his county right now is the stimulus package; they are waiting to hear if they receive some KDOT monies for programs. JR McMahon also discussed KDOT projects and federal funding for programs.
Tim Norton discussed flood levy certification. He said that Sedgwick County was the first county to certify their levy. The federal government remapped the Sedgwick County flood plain, which would require flood insurance for the residents in that area. He also discussed health care accreditation for federal funding, and noted that Sedgwick County is also working on issues relating to maintaining the KU Medical Research Department in Wichita, which provides about 70% of doctors to western Kansas.
John Miller reported that Norton County will sign an agreement with Rob Mahoney for health insurance for 2010. Mahoney is also talking to Decatur and Meade counties.
Dale Phillips noted that the weed directors will be hosting a meeting in March. Dennis Peterson explained the 40 hour course that is required for noxious weed directors.
Michele Abbott explained that the state match of 20% for emergency management was not provided and therefore overall funding has been reduced.
Jack Frick mentioned that the wind farm conference went well. He also mentioned that his county is waiting on stimulus monies, too.
Dick Works, on personal privilege, said that NBC News was in his town filming his brother for their Monday night program.
Joe Connor said that the state match for preparedness programs was denied to KDHE. This money is used to hire personnel for local health departments. Joe Connor and Melissa Wangemann discussed sending a legislative bulletin on this issue to assist with the KDHE budget talks.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Melissa Wangemann
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Michele Abbott-Becker, Secretary