The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, Nov. 7 in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building. 

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.

Reimbursement for wastewater project

Approved an agreement with the City of Shawnee for Johnson County Wastewater to reimburse the city for the work completed in conjunction with the 67th and Cottonwood Sanitary Sewer Relocation Project in the amount of $184,258.63. 

Contract to replace chillers

Authorized a contract with BCI Mechanical, Inc. for the JCDS Chillers 1 & 2 Replacement Project at the JCDS Administration Building, 10501 Lackman Rd., Lenexa, in the amount of $298,084. 

Consent Agenda Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract for State Governmental Relations Services

Authorized a term and supply contract with Federico Consulting, Inc., for State Governmental Relations Services, in the aggregate amount not-to-exceed $172,000 for a period of two years with the option to renew for an additional three 2-year periods. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract for railroad track project

Authorized a contract with Capital Railroad Contracting, Inc. for the JCAX track rehabilitation project at the New Century AirCenter, in an amount not to exceed $1,766,857.57. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract for runway project

Authorized a term and supply contract with Crawford Murphy & Tilly in the amount not to exceed $2.5 million for engineering services for full reconstruction of runway 18-36 at New Century AirCenter and authorized an increase to the budget authority for the related project account to $2,553,000. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Funds to design improvements to wastewater facility

After a public hearing, authorized funds for the design and bid phase of the Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin Wastewater Treatment Facility Asset Renewal Project in an amount not to exceed $1,389,100. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Notice of intervention in Evergy’s petition

Authorized submission by Johnson County Government of a notice of intervention concerning Evergy’s Petition for Determination of Ratemaking Principles and Treatment before the Kansas Corporation Commission.

Amendment was proposed to focus on impact of rate increases to Johnson County residents and businesses for determination of ratemaking principles and treatment before the KCC. Vote: Failed 1-6.

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

Vote on Original Motion: Passed 6-1.

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

Public Works Maintenance Team shines at Equipment Expo 

The Johnson County Public Works Maintenance Team recently brought home the prestigious team trophy at the American Public Works Association Mid-American Metro Chapter Equipment Expo. This significant win marks the team's first since 2008, adding to their impressive record of seven total victories in the past 18 years. 

The team's success can be attributed to the exceptional skills of its 18 participants, who excelled in various heavy equipment operations. Notable individual performances include: 

• Skid Steer: Eric White secured second place out of 109 competitors. 
• Wheel Loader: Joshuah Drake claimed fourth place out of 86 participants. 
• Small Truck: Drake won first place out of 74 competitors. 
• Large Truck: Kenny Oshel achieved first place out of 85 competitors. 

Beyond the competitive aspect, the event provided valuable opportunities for professional development. Technical sessions covered crucial topics such as performance coaching, managing non-performance, addressing weather-related challenges, and ensuring cargo loading safety. 

2024 Veterans Day observance set Nov. 11 in Lenexa armory

Johnson County’s 2024 Veterans Day Observance is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 11, at the Lenexa National Guard Armory, 18200 West 87th Street Parkway, located just west of Renner Road. The event starts at 11 a.m. and honors and celebrates veterans from all Armed Forces for their military service. The ceremony will include a performance from the American Legion Band of Greater Kansas City and a demonstration from the Shawnee Mission North High School JROTC. For those who can’t attend in person, the event will be livestreamed on Johnson County’s Facebook page, located at facebook.com/jocogov, and online at jocogov.org/jocohonorsvets. 

Also, in honor of our veterans, we are participating in Operation Green Light, alongside the National Association of Counties, the Kansas Association of Counties and other local jurisdictions. We have lit the Johnson County Administration Building green (Nov. 4 - 11) to show our support for veterans and their families.

After meeting in executive session, the Board authorized the Chair to execute a property damage release with Liberty Mutual Insurance for damages to the sewer line of Johnson County Wastewater in the amount of $8,977.59. Vote: Passed 7-0.

The Board received annual reports on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Sustainability Coalitions.

Motion was made to direct staff to place on the Board’s agenda on Nov. 21 for action recommendations to approve the Sustainability Coalition bylaws, approve a revised resolution amending quorum and sunset provisions, and reappointment of the expiring 1-year term coalition members for full 3-year terms. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Motion was made to direct staff to place on the Board’s agenda on Nov. 21 for action recommendations to amend the DEI Coalition’s establishing resolution to change the quorum required to meet and conduct business from a two-thirds majority to a standard majority, change BOCC renewal of the coalition to every three years instead of every year, and approve the coalition bylaws. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract for EMS billing services

Consider authorizing a contract authority increase with EMS Management & Consultants (EMS/MC), in the amount of $150,000 for ambulance and EMS medical billing and collection services for a total annual cost not to exceed $750,000, per RFP 2022-047. 

Updating hazard mitigation plan

Resolution No. 085-24. Consider adopting Resolution No. 085-24, the updated 2024 Region L Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan for Johnson County. 

Updating emergency operations plan

Resolution No. 086-24. Consider adopting Resolution No. 086-24, an updated and revised emergency operations plan for Johnson County. 

Increasing contract authority

Consider authorizing an increase in the amount of $400,000 to the contract authority with R.E. Pedrotti Company, Inc, for SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) System Maintenance and Integration Services, RFP 2021-071, for the current contract year. The increased contract authority will not exceed $1.4 million the current contract year. 

Contract for ARC project

Invitation for Bid No. 2024-073. Consider authorizing a contract with MTS Contracting, LLC for the Adult Residential Center (ARC) Buildings Envelope Maintenance and Repair Project, located at 141 and 173 Mission Parkway, New Century, in the amount of $385,450. 

BOCC meeting calendar for 2025

Resolution No. 083-24. Consider setting an official meeting calendar for the Board of County Commissioners for 2025.

Final plat to combine residential lots

Application No. W 24-423-FP (MC). Consider a request from Alan and Pamela Sanford, applicant and landowners, for a final plat to combine two platted residential lots into one lot, (Spoon Creek Farms II Plat), on 9.54 acres, on property zoned RN1, Residential Neighborhood 1 District, located at 35658 W. 146th St. 

Rezoning of property

Resolution No. 084-24. Consider Application No. W 24-419-REZ (LE) for a rezoning of property from RN-2 (Residential Neighborhood 2) District to RUR (Rural) District in the vicinity of 92nd Street and Rowen Road. 

Plats for Walnut Valley residential lots

Application W 24-405-PP and W 24-405-FP (LE). Consider Application W 24-405-PP and W 24-405-FP (LE) for a preliminary and final plat for eight residential lots on 107.8 acres to be known as Walnut Valley. 

Funding for pump station project

Resolution No. WD 24-030. Conduct a public hearing and consider authorizing funds for the construction phase of the Dykes Branch Pump Station Improvements Project (DBJA Contract 8) in an amount not to exceed $6,406,000, increasing the total project authorization to $7,544,000.

Contract for pump station project

 Invitation for Bid No. 2024-040. Consider authorizing a contract with Dondlinger Construction to construct the Dykes Branch Pump Station Improvements Project (DBJAContract 8) in the amount of $4,464,000. 

Contract renewal for transit services

Consider authorizing a 2-year contract renewal with TransDev, doing business as First Transit, WHC Worldwide and EcoLane for transit services and scheduling, at a total cost not to exceed $26,586,597 with a contract term of Jan. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2026 per RFP F20-7024-30A and RFP F21-737-30A with the option to renew one 2-year period and assign the agreement with First Transit to TransDev per the acquisition on March 7, 2023.