The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, April 20 in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building.

The Board proclaimed April 23-29, 2023 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

Below, you can find a recap of the items discussed during the meeting.

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. This recap is not the official record of the BOCC meeting.

Noxious Weed Eradication Report

Approved the Johnson County Annual Noxious Weed Eradication Progress Report for 2022. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Noxious Weed Management Plan

Approved the Johnson County Annual Noxious Weed Management Plan for 2023. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Juvenile Placement Agreement with Douglas County

Authorized a Juvenile Placement Agreement with Douglas County, Kansas Criminal Justice Services for the placement of juveniles in 2023 in an amount not to exceed $361,350. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Monument signs for New Century Commerce Center

Approved a request from Ryan Kubert, Olsson Engineering, and VanTrust Real Estate Development, applicants, and Johnson County, landowner, for a Preliminary and Final Sign Development Plan for multiple monument signs for the New Century Commerce Center Complex, located at the southwest corner of 159th Street and Clare Road. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Plats for four residential lots

Approved a request from Scott Wesley, manager for KKSW Properties, LLC, applicant/landowner, for Preliminary and Final Plat approval for four residential lots on 133 acres, to be known as 175th & Edgerton, Second Plat, on property zoned RUR, Rural District, located at 17770 Edgerton Road, in Section 25, Township 14, Range 21. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Purchase of replacement vehicles for paratransit system

Approved an exception to competition and authorized the purchase of twelve 2023 Ford E450 Cutaway replacement vehicles, including the requisite ancillary equipment, for a total cost not to exceed $1,439,370 from Master’s Transportation, Inc., utilizing $1,151,496 of federal “Congestion Mitigation / Air Quality” (CMAQ) funds and a local match of $287,874 from the Transit vehicle replacement capital project funds. Vote: Passed 6-1.

• Yes: Fast, Meyers, Allenbrand, Hanzlick, Ashcraft, Kelly
• No: O’Hara

Applications for corrections grants

Authorized and submitted the SFY 2024-2025 Applications for Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board Grants in the amount of $801,546.34, the Juvenile Reinvestment Grants in the amount of $641,238, and a Juvenile Regional Collaboration Grant in the amount of $263,843.54 to the Kansas Department of Corrections - Juvenile Services, as approved by the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board, to support interventions and programming for justice-involved youth. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Application for juvenile justice grant

Approved and submitted the 10th Judicial District’s SFY 2024 Juvenile Justice Comprehensive Plan Grant Application in the amount of $1,811,753.80 to the Kansas Department of Corrections - Juvenile Services and authorized the associated positions, contracts and client services. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Submission of Corrections’ SFY 2024 plan

Authorized and submitted the Johnson County Department of Corrections’ SFY 2024 Community Corrections Adult Comprehensive Plan and Funding Requests to the Kansas Department of Corrections in an amount not to exceed $2,633,452.03. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Board’s Priorities for 2023-2024

(Added Item by the BOCC). Approved the Board of County Commissioner’s Priorities for 2023-2024. Vote: Passed 5-2.

• Yes: Fast, Meyers, Allenbrand, Hanzlick, Kelly
• No: O’Hara, Ashcraft

Housing Program Update In a study session, the Board received updates to the Johnson County Housing Program.

Wastewater expands recruitment efforts

Wastewater has stepped up recruitment efforts attending eight job fairs so far in 2023. Wastewater’s focus includes a range of student ages reaching potential candidates as well as future public servants. Wastewater also created a URL to better direct people to job openings and may be found at jobs.jcw.org. Besides job fairs, Wastewater is also engaging the public in several ways to connect them with job openings, including attending community events, launching communications to showcase JCW’s mission of protecting the environment and enhancing our community, and building an internship program with the goal of launching it in the summer.

JoCo hosts participants in NACo’s Familiar Faces Initiative site visit

Johnson County was selected by the National Association of Counties as a Familiar Faces Initiative Peer-Learning Site last year. Four counties received this honor. Johnson County hosted 13 counties (April 11-13) from across the country as well as The Pew Charitable Trusts, Council of State Governments: Justice Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Kansas Association of Counties and Netsmart. County staff from seven departments presented how the Criminal Justice Advisory Council has led data-driven projects to serve residents who have frequent contact with emergency services (Familiar Faces) proactively. These projects have been aided by the University of Illinois Chicago, Notre Dame University, Carnegie Mellon University as well as our Justice Management System and Department of Technology and Innovation. Johnson County Commissioners provided insight and support to visiting county officials who are seeking to replicate this work. Prior to the site visit National Association of Counties published a Johnson County Case Study.

Lenexa plans hearing on Redevelopment TIF Project Plan 1K

The City of Lenexa will be conducting a public hearing on Tuesday, May 16, to consider approving the adoption of Redevelopment TIF Project Plan 1K (“Project Plan 1K”) for the City Center TIF District. The proposed project is for constructing a six-story office building, a two-level parking structure, surface parking, landscaping, sidewalks, related site amenities, signage and associated infrastructure improvement, and would be constructed on approximately 0.90 acres in the City of Lenexa. View the city’s letter regarding the public hearing.

Corinth Library

The Prairie Village council committee of the whole has directed city staff to draft a memorandum of understanding with the Johnson County Library regarding relocating its Corinth branch to a new city-owned community center. Johnson County Library’s current master plan identifies the Corinth branch as one in need of replacement.

Other Reports

Mark Dapp, principal management and budget analyst at the Budget and Financial Planning, presented a Legislative Update of the Kansas Legislature.

Contract extension for elevator services

Consider authorizing a contract extension with MEI Total Elevator Solutions for elevator maintenance services in the amount not to exceed $185,000 for a period of one year with the option to renew for three one-year periods.

Definition of antisemitism

Consider adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of Antisemitism as a crucial first step in addressing the rise in antisemitism, especially in Europe and the United States. Adoption of the definition sends a message that governments understand the threat, which is the first step in addressing it.

Amending regulations on accessory buildings

Consider amending the Johnson County Zoning and Subdivision Regulations for the purpose of regulating accessory buildings within unincorporated Johnson County.

Agreement on Heritage Park Lake project

Consider an agreement with Johnson County Park and Recreation District to provide 50-percent cost-share to the Wetland Improvement Project at Heritage Park Lake, in an amount not to exceed $820,488.

Amendment to add Stormwater Management project

Consider approving an amendment to the 2023 Stormwater Management Program Expenditures to include $4,400,000 for Tomahawk Creek, College Boulevard to Roe Avenue (Phase 1) Flood Risk Reduction Project and increasing the approved 2023 Stormwater Management Program expenditures to an amount not to exceed $21,516,000.

Contract funding increase for gas, diesel fuel

Consider authorizing a contract expenditure authority increase, in the amount of $1,350,000, with multiple suppliers, for delivery of bulk gasoline and diesel fuel, in the total amount not to exceed $2,850,000, for the remainder of the initial contract term ending November 25, 2024 and $1,900,000 thereafter for two additional one year optional renewals.