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

Revised requests for outdoor storage

Approved a request from Judd Claussen, Phelps Engineering, applicant on behalf of Lawn & Landscape Solution, and Baxter Investments LLC, Landowner for revised Preliminary and Final Development Plan (PDP/FDP) and Amended Conditional Use Permit for outdoor storage for a term of 15 years, on property located at 20924 Floyd Street. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Right-of-way easements for street signalization

Granted street right-of-way easements in favor of the City of Olathe in connection with a city signalization project planned for the intersection of Sunset Drive and Ridgeview Road. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Code of Regulations for parks and related facilities

Adopted the 2023 Code Edition of the Johnson County Code of Regulations for the Johnson County Park and Recreation District’s parks and related facilities. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contracts for In-Home Services

Authorized term and supply contracts with 14 suppliers for In-Home Services through the Johnson County Area Agency on Aging in an amount not to exceed $1,416,000. The term will be for one year with the option to renew for four additional one-year periods. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Paving project at transit center

Authorized a contract with CM Concrete, Inc for the Transit Paving Improvements Phase VI Project at the Murray L. Nolte Transit Center, 1701 W. 56 Highway, Olathe, in the amount of $336,490. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Project at New Century

Authorized a contract with US Engineering Construction, LLC. for the NCADC Mixing Valves Project located at 27745 W. 159th Street, New Century, in the amount of $255,850. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Purchase of eight vehicles

Authorized an exception to competition for the purchase of eight Dodge Durango’s from Allen Samuels Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram in Hutchinson, Kansas for the Sheriff’s Office in an amount not to exceed $348,000 and granted approval to enter a contract to purchase the vehicles. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Delegates to NACo conference

Designated Commissioner Jeff Meyers as the voting delegate and Commissioner Janeé Hanzlick as the alternate delegate for the 2023 National Association of Counties conference, annual business meeting. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Request for Committee of the Whole for future study on impacts of pornography

A motion was made to consider convening a BOCC committee of the whole to study the impact of books, such as When We Were Magic, on children’s mental health and the broader issues and connection to pornography addiction including a report from the Johnson County Mental Health Department on the connection between pornography and mental health issues, pornography addiction and the impact on families. Vote: Failed 2-5.

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

Request for report on pornography impact on county employees

A motion was made to direct Johnson County Human Resources to prepare a report from the Johnson County Mental Health Department on the connection between pornography and mental health issues, pornography addiction and the impact on families. Vote: Failed 2-5.

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

Team JoCo, volunteers recognized in Corporate Challenge

Johnson County staff recently participated in the Kansas City Corporate Challenge for the first time since 2012. Johnson County competed in Division A, a competitive division of companies with 1800+ employees. This includes other public organizations such as the City of KCMO and Evergy, alongside companies like Black & Veatch and Garmin. Events involved athletic activities such as swimming and volleyball, along with recreational activities such as cornhole and darts. Team JoCo competed in 98% of the events and finished 9th place in Division A. Employees who participate earn wellness points towards the county’s wellness program. Special thanks should be given to the 16 JoCo volunteers who helped run the events, alongside the company coordinators and the event coordinators. KCCC partners with a KC-based charity each year, this year being Cornerstones of Care.

Master Gardeners host successful conference

The Johnson County Extension Master Gardener program hosted the recent International Master Gardener Conference from June 18-22 in Overland Park. More than 1,000 people attended the conference representing 44 states, Canada, and England. As part of the conference, participants and the public could also visit the Garden Thyme Marketplace and take a private garden tour with four of the six gardens being in Johnson County. This was the first time a local county extension master gardener group hosted and facilitated this conference.

CERI releases July edition of Economic Indicators

The July 2023 edition of the Economic Indicators for Johnson County has been provided by County Economic Research Institute. According to the report, the unemployment rate for May 2023 is 2.5%, an increase from a year ago; the number of single-family homes sold in May 2023 was 922, a 14% decrease; the year-to-date number of single-family homes sold in 2023 is 3,117, a 19% decrease; and the number of single-family building permits issued in May 2023 was 125, a 19% decrease, and the year-to-date number of single-family building permits issued in 2023 is 508, a 35% decrease. Additionally, the CERI reports total retail sales for Johnson County were $6.3 billion year-to-date through April 2023, a 6% increase. View the full report.

Emergency Services assist in Johnson County storm

Last Friday afternoon, July 14, a strong storm impacted the Kansas City metro area and caused widespread tree damage, power outages and damage to some structures in Johnson County. Numerous wind reports (estimated and measured) were more than 70 mph and the highest reported wind gust came from western Johnson County where a personal weather station recorded 89 mph wind just west of Lenexa. There were no injuries reported from the storm. The Johnson County Department of Emergency Services worked with Evergy, cities and community partners over the weekend to identify any unmet needs, assist utilities with restoration efforts and evaluate the need and eligibility for additional state and federal assistance.

Financial Reports and Audits

• Becky Jones, deputy director at Financial Management & Administration, provided a 2022 Financial Statement Presentation.
• Chester Moyer of RubinBrown presented the 2022 Financial Statement Audit - Required Communications.
• Jones also gave the 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).

Other Reports

The Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (LFRF) - Funding and Expense Report through June 30, 2023 was presented by Jones.

Amending regulations for accessory buildings

Consider adopting Resolution No. 059-23 amending the Johnson County Zoning and Subdivision Regulations Article 18, Section 6, to allow existing Conditional Use Permits for accessory buildings to transition to Accessory Building Use Permits within unincorporated Johnson County.

Agreement for storm sewer inspection

Consider authorizing an agreement for a storm sewer inspection project with the City of Mission at a cost to the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program of $87,768.

Plats for new lots in mobile home community

Resolution No. 058-23. Consider City of Gardner Application No. PP-23-01, a Preliminary Plat for The Lakes of Conestoga; Application No. FP-23-02, a Final Plat for The Lakes of Conestoga, 2nd Plat, and Application No. FP-23-03, a Final Plat for The Lakes of Conestoga, 3rd Plat for two new lots within an existing manufactured/mobile home community, located southeast of Santa Fe Street and Conestoga Drive, within one mile of New Century AirCenter.

Request for accessory building use permit

Resolution No. 061-23. Application No. SW 23-307-ABUP (GA). Consider a request from Richard and Donna Senst, applicants and landowners, for accessory building use permit approval for an oversized accessory building on 3.9 acres, located at 19500 Clare Road, on property zoned RN1, Residential Neighborhood 1 District, in Section 5, Township 15, Range 23. This application is also known as SW 23-0001-ABUP (GA).

Contract for project at New Century

IFB# 2023-035. Consider authorizing a contract with Jim Jam, Inc, for the NCADC AHU 12-18 Repair and Replacement Project located at 27745 West 159th Street, New Century, in the amount of $721,891.

Funds for dechlorination system project

Resolution No. WD 23-011. Conduct a public hearing and consider authorizing funds for the construction phase of the Turkey Creek Pump Station Peak Excess Flow Treatment Facility Dechlorination System Project (SMTC-Contract 43) in an amount not to exceed $1,719,700.

Contract for dechlorination system project

Invitation for Bid No. 2023-030. Consider authorizing a contract with MegaKC Corporation to construct the Turkey Creek Pump Station Peak Excess Flow Treatment Facility Dechlorination System Project (SMTC Contract 43) in the amount of $1,302,946.

Contract for locomotive maintenance

Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 2023-022. Consider authorizing a term and supply contract with FMW Solutions, LLC, for Locomotive Maintenance, Repair and Service, at a cost not to exceed $200,000 for a period of one year with the option to renew for four additional one-year periods.