The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, May 23 in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building.

The Board proclaimed May 19-25 as Emergency Medical Services Week in Johnson County.

More information, including attachments to agenda items, weekly reports, 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.

Update to development plan for Commerce Center

Approved an update to the Master Development Plan with VanTrust Real Estate for the New Century Commerce Center and to authorize the initial subphase of Phases II and III of the Infrastructure Development Plan, to be financed by previously authorized ARPA funds in the approximate amount of $2.6 million and by the issuance of General Obligation bonds in the approximate amount of $4 million. Vote: Passed 6-1.

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

Infrastructure improvements for Commerce Center

Approved a request from VanTrust Real Estate Development, LLC, applicant, and Johnson County, landowner, for a Final Development Plan for Phase 2 infrastructure improvements, for the New Century Commerce Center, East Area Plan, zoned PEC-LP, Logistics Park District, located in the vicinity of 167th Street and Clare Road. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Enlargement of sewer district

After a public hearing, approved an enlargement to the Consolidated Main Sewer District for a tract of land at the Northwest corner of 167th Street and Industrial Bypass known as the New Century Commerce Center Phase 2. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Declaring land as surplus property

After a public hearing, approved and adopted Resolution No. 042-24 declaring a certain tract of county-owned land as surplus and authorizing its disposition. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Disposition of former Lackman Library

Approved and ratified the disposition of the former Lackman Library branch property by the Board of Directors of the Johnson County Library, pursuant to the contract with XEC Holding LLC (buyer) for the amount of $2,050,000 as required by state law. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Rezoning, site plan for B Street Collision Center

Approved the City of Olathe’s application for rezoning and a preliminary site development plan for B Street Collision Center, on approximately 3.43 acres, located nearby the northeast corner of 151st Street and Pflumm Road, Olathe, and within one mile of Johnson County Executive Airport. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Johnson County participants complete FEMA course

County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson praised 74 Johnson County participants for completing FEMA’s Community-Specific Integrated Emergency Management Course last week at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The week-long course is offered to only a few jurisdictions each year. Johnson County was selected based on an application submitted last year by the Emergency Management Division. Participants represented 16 cities, 18 county departments and other community organizations. These activities are part of the county’s ongoing effort to continually maintain and develop local disaster response capabilities in Johnson County.

Emergency Management response to storm on May 19

Dan Robeson, deputy director of Emergency Management • Emergency Services, shared information regarding the county follow-up response from a severe storm on Sunday, May 19. The evening storm caused power outages, damage to structures and significant vegetative debris throughout Johnson County. The National Weather Service confirmed Johnson County was impacted by two EF-1 tornadoes. Emergency Management has been working with cities and other partners to evaluate the impacts.

CERI releases May 2024 edition of Economic Indicators

The County Economic Research Institute has provided the May 2024 edition of the Economic Indicators for Johnson County. In March 2024, the unemployment rate increased 0.1%, the number of single-family homes sold decreased 4% and the total number of single-family building permits increased 42%, all in comparison to March 2023. Year-to-date information also was provided. Additionally, total retail sales for Johnson County were $3.02 billion year-to-date, as of February 2024, compared to $3.05 billion through the same period, year-to-date, February 2023, a 1% decrease.

After meeting in executive session, the board approved a motion to approve the release of the confidential attorney-client privileged email communication from chief counsel to the BOCC and select county staff dated May 15, 2024, including the legal memorandum regarding the allocation of Library District employee benefit expenses from the Countywide Supplemental Retirement and Compensated Absences Fund within the County General Fund rather than from the Library Taxing District Levy Fund. Vote: Passed 6-0.

Commissioner Allenbrand was absent.

Board met as a Committee of the Whole to receive a proposed FY 2025 Budget overview by County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson and representatives from Budget and Financial Planning.

Appointments to Board of Zoning Appeals

Consider approving the appointments to the Board of Zoning Appeals: Unincorporated appointments: Third District representative Daniel Ryan through 05-16-2025; Third District representative Brian Rutherford through 05-16-2026; Sixth District representative AJ Lang through 05-16-2027; Sixth District representative Andrew Belt through 05-16-2025; Chairman representative Rosemary Rieke Male through 05-16-2026; and Chairman planning representative Tim Orrick through 05-16-2026.

Appointments to Community Development Advisory Committee

Consider approving the appointments to the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee: First District representative Susan Metsker through 05-31-2027; Second District representative Brian L Roby through 05-31-2026; Third District representative Andrew Neenan 05-31-2025; Fourth District representative Joan Thiel Leavens through 05-31-2027; Fifth District representative Dave Myres through 05-31- 2026; Sixth District representative Heather Bradley-Geary through 05-31-2025; Seventh District representative Michele Manne Neylon through 05-31-2027; Chairman representative of homeless Lee Jost through 05-31-2025; Chairman representative of minorities Charles Jean-Baptiste through 05-31-2026; and Chairman representative of low-income households Susan Miller through 05-31-2027.

Appointments to Tenth Judicial District Nominating Commission

Consider approving the appointments to the Tenth Judicial District Nominating Commission: First District representative Stephene Moore, Fourth District representative Janine L Estrada-Lopez and Fifth District representative Damon Stelting. All will serve through 03-06-2028.

Appointment to Park and Recreation Commission

Consider Appointing Jared Coleman as the Third District representative to the Park and Recreation Commission through Jan. 31, 2027.

Appointment to Criminal Justice Advisory Council

Consider ratifying the appointment of Brian Huff – Chairman representative (school superintendent representative) to the Criminal Justice Advisory Council through Oct. 2, 2024.

Appointment to DEI Coalition

Consider ratifying the appointment of Farris Muhammad – Chairman representative to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition through Oct. 31, 2026.

Appointment to Transportation Council

Consider ratifying the appointment of Michael (Mike) Talboy – Chairman representative to the Transportation Council through Aug. 31, 2026.

Appointment to REACH Board

Consider ratifying the Chairman’s appointment to the REACH Board: Anna Sahli through May 31, 2027.

Contract for bridge replacement

RFP No. 2024-018. Consider authorizing a contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. for the survey and design to replace the 207th Street bridge 0.2 miles east of Cedar Niles Road, at a cost not to exceed $249,986.

Agreement to replace culvert

Consider approving an agreement with the City of Gardner for the replacement of a culvert on Four Corners Road 0.41 miles north of 175th Street.

Request to approve final development plan

Resolution 040-24. Application No. E 24-377-FDP (AU). Consider a request from Todd Hill, MHS Properties, LLC, applicant and landowner, for a final development plan for a teaching or instructional use on property zoned PRB2, Planned Residential Neighborhood Retail Business District and located at 20059 Metcalf Ave.

Final plat for Adams Farm Estates

Application No. E 24-376-FP (AU). Consider a request from Kelli Adam, landowners, for a final plat for Adams Farm Estates, 2nd Plat, a replat of Lot 11, located near the southwest corner of 199th Street and Antioch Road.

Contract for road safety improvements

Request for Proposal 2024-019. Consider authorizing a contract with Renaissance Infrastructure Consulting for the survey and design of safety improvements for 199th Street from Renner Road to Antioch Road at a cost not to exceed $929,535.

Contract for services for Health Services Building project

Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 2024-022. Consider authorizing a contract with BranchPattern, Inc. for commissioning services for the Health Services Building project for an amount not to exceed $358,800.