The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from noon tomorrow to 9 p.m. Thursday and cancelled an excessive heat warning they had issued last week.

Anyone who needs a place to cool down is encouraged to visit one of the Johnson County Library’s 14 branches.

Libraries offer many services in addition to a cool place to rest and restore. You can read books, magazines and newspapers, access the internet–including a wide variety of eResources–or participate in a virtual event.

Library hours vary by location. Call 913-826-4600 to check hours of operation for your nearest library branch, or visit the Library website.

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment recommends the following tips to stay safe in the heat:

• Exercise in an air-conditioned place and drink two-to-four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
• Regardless of your activity level, drink more non-alcoholic fluids. Check with your doctor if you have restrictions related to fluid intake.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go somewhere cool — even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when temperatures are in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness.
• If you must be out in the heat:
  • Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
  • Try to rest often in shady areas.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
  • Protect yourself from the sun by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Although anyone can suffer at any time from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Be sure to check regularly on:

• People aged 65 or older
• People taking certain medications, including narcotics, sedatives and diuretics
• Athletes who are not used to working out in warm environments
• People who work outside
• People who have a mental illness or are physically ill, especially with heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes

More information including official minutes, votes, videos, information about how to make public comments and how to request accommodations is available at boccmeetings.jocogov.org.

Notes for the Record 

• Signed the Procurement Plan-Nutrition Programs with the State of Kansas for the Johnson County Juvenile Detention X0620 in relation to in the Aramark Correctional Services, Food Service Contract Renewal, for the term of July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. 
• Will sign Administrative Resolution No. WD 21-026, enlarging the privately financed sewer district and provide for the assessments of all applicable fees, charges and levies of the Consolidated Main Sewer District in the vicinity of Clear Creek Road and Gleason Road.
• Will sign agreement with the city of Olathe for the Construction of a Stormwater Management Project known as Upper Mill Creek Main Channel Stormwater Improvements.

BOCC actions for July 22, 2021

• Approved a request from Keith Kobes, applicant/landowner, requesting rezoning from PRN2, Planned Residential Neighborhood Two District, to RUR, Rural District, and for Preliminary and Final Plat for two residential lots to be known as 95th & Nirvana.
• Approved a change order for PCI Roads, LLC, IFB #2020-032, for deck repair on the De Soto River Bridge, in an amount of $138,112.13.
•  Authorized a contract with Vance Brothers, in the amount not to exceed $424,000, for the purchase of CRS-2P Chip and Seal Oil for a one (1) year term with the option to renew four (4) additional one (1) year terms.
• Authorized a contract with Hammons Asphalt Paving, Inc. to improve concrete paving near the dock and sally port area of the New Century Adult Detention Center (NCADC) located at 27745 W. 159th Street, New Century, Kansas 66031 in the amount not to exceed $119,700.
• Approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning the grant application made by the City of Olathe through the 2021 Bureau of Justice Assistance Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to include Johnson County as a party, together with the cities of Olathe, Overland Park and Shawnee.

Manager’s Memo, Penny Postoak Ferguson, County Manager

COVID-19 and Vaccination Update
The COVID-19 report was prepared by Dr. Sanmi Areola and Elizabeth Lawlor Holzschuh. A copy of the report with the most up to date information is available online. Dr. Areola and Johnson County Local Health Officer Joseph LeMaster, M.D., highlighted the increased cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant and the recent school guidance regarding mask use. That guidance is also available online.

County Economic Research Institute (CERI) Indicators – July 2021 Edition 
The July 2021 edition of the Economic Indicators for Johnson County was provided by CERI. All labor force statistics for the period 2010-2020 were revised by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on April 16, 2021. The unemployment rate for May 2021 was 3%, compared to 8.7% in May 2020 – a 5.7% decrease. The average unemployment rate for May the previous five years was 4%. The number of single-family homes sold in May 2021 was 1,095, compared to 992 in May 2020 – a 10.38% increase. Year-to-date (YTD), the cumulative number of homes sold is 4,179, compared to 3,847 during the same period the previous year – an 8.63% increase. The total number of single-family building permits issued in May 2021 was 225, compared to 128 in April 2020 – a 75.78% increase. YTD, the cumulative permits issued are 1,051, compared to 664 the previous year – a 58.28% increase. Additionally, the CERI reports total retail sales for Johnson County were $5.36 billion YTD through April 2021, compared to $4.43 billion through the same period YTD April 2020 – a 21.16% increase. The full report is available online.

JCW Integrated Plan 
Congress enacted the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act on Jan.14, 2019, codifying the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2012 Integrated Planning Approach and Framework. This framework was designed to help municipalities address competing clean water infrastructure investment needs and choose the most beneficial approaches for setting priorities and taking effective actions for achieving water quality goals. The EPA finalized and sent its Report to Congress on Integrated Plans to Comply with the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) of 2019 to the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee and the House's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on July 12. This report highlights the work of several communities that have developed integrated plans. Johnson County Wastewater’s Integrated Plan is highlighted on page 24 of the report. 

Items currently on the agenda for the July 29 meeting:

• Consider approving the appointment of Donna Davis – Fourth District representative to the Museum Advisory Council through May 7, 2024.
• Consider ratifying the Chairman’s appointment of Lindsay Grise to the Board of Zoning Appeals through May 5, 2022.
• Consider ratifying the Chairman’s appointment of Brad Willson to the Criminal Justice Advisory Council through Oct. 2, 2022.
• Consider authorizing the Wastewater General Manager to review and extend the current 2021 deferment extension requests one additional 5-year deferment period, if eligible, per the requirements of Charter Resolution No. 29-92.
• Consider a request from John Gaar, Finkle Williams Architecture, applicant, Johnson County, landowner for a Special Permit for an adult detention center, Sheriff’s facility, and water tank in Section 18, Township 14, Range 23. Located at 27745 W. 159th Street.
• Application No. SW 21-134-PP/FP (MC).  Edward Moore, III, applicant and landowner, is requesting a Preliminary and Final Plat for three residential lots, to be known as Moore Estates, on 32.5 acres, on property zoned RUR, Rural District, located at the northeast corner of 159th Street and Edgerton Road.
• Consider amending the FY 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to include a capital project in an amount not to exceed $269,085 for Safety/Security Gates at New Century AirCenter (IXD) and Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC); authorize a contract with BKM Construction, LLC, for the purchase and installation of three (3) motorized sliding safety/security gates at New Century AirCenter (IXD) and three (3) motorized sliding safety/security gates at Johnson County Executive Airport (OJC), in the amount not to exceed $269,084.18, Sourcewell cooperative contract, KS-E-GC02-111319 and authorize the reallocation and expenditure of 2021 Airport reserves in the amount of $40,363.
• Consider a Request for Proposal (RFP) #2021-001 to authorize a contract with Delta Dental of Kansas for the administration of the self-funded dental plan for the 2022 calendar beginning Jan. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022 at a cost not to exceed $72,000 for administrative costs and $2,548,778 for anticipated claims costs for a total of $2.62 million for a period of one (1) year with the option to renew for an additional four (4) one (1) year periods.
• Consider authorizing the Chairman to execute the proposed “Real Estate Sale Contract” in connection with the contemplated purchase of a site for a future Med-Act station in the City of Shawnee in the amount of $230,000, and authorize the reallocation and expenditure of County General Fund reserves in an amount not to exceed $230,000 to fund the purchase.
• Consider Resolution No. 053-21 to hold a public hearing and consider approving the County Manager’s recommendation to change the administrative organization of the County by reorganizing and merging the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Emergency Management and Communications (EMC) Departments including related employees and budget authority, and naming it the Department of Emergency Services, and transferring the EMC Medical Director to the Department of Health and Environment (DHE).

A Committee of the Whole meeting was held following the BOCC meeting on July 22, regarding the Master Development Plan for New Century.