The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, Oct. 12 in the Hearing Room at the Johnson County Administration Building.

The Board proclaimed October as Substance Abuse Prevention Month and Oct. 16 to Nov. 3 as Johnson County’s  annual United Way Campaign. The Board also issued a proclamation to Governor Laura Kelly in support of KanCare expansion in Kansas. 

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.

Purchase of land near Ernie Miller Park

Authorized a real estate purchase agreement with the City of Olathe for the purchase of land adjacent to Ernie Miller Park in an amount of $155,226.93. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Agreement for property exchange

Authorized an agreement for exchange of recreational property with Johnson County Park & Recreation District for the Black Bob Road project. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Detection of Miami County inmates

Approved an inmate housing contract authorizing the periodic detention of inmates from Miami County, Kansas at the Johnson County Adult Detention Centers by the Johnson County Sheriff‘s Office at a rate of $85 per day per inmate. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract for on-call door repair and maintenance

Authorized a term-and-supply contract with DH Pace Company for on-call door repair and maintenance, in the amount not to exceed $125,000 for a one-year term period with four additional one-year renewal options. Vote: Passed 7-0.

2024 Streamlined Annual Public Housing Authority Plan

After a public hearing, approved the 2024 Streamlined Annual Public Housing Authority Plan for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract for reconstruction of T-Hangars

Authorized a contract with Gunter Construction Company in the amount of $3,819,085 for the reconstruction of T-Hangars Kilo and Lima at the Johnson County Executive Airport and authorized an increase to the budget authority for the related project account to $4,043,868 to cover construction and prior expenditures. Vote: Passed 7-0.

2023 Veterans Day Observance set Nov. 10

Johnson County’s 2023 Veterans Day Observance is scheduled Friday, Nov. 10, 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 all veterans from all Armed Forces for their military service. Our featured speaker will be Brigadier General Anthony Mohatt, commander of the Kansas Army National Guard. Other participants include the Olathe Northwest High School band and Lenexa’s Mill Creek Elementary School choir. For those who can’t attend in person, the event will be live streamed on Johnson County’s Facebook page, located at facebook.com/jocogov, and online at jocogov.org/JoCoHonorsVets.

Merriam Plaza Library art installation to begin this fall

After evaluating nearly 180 submissions, the Johnson County Public Art Commission has selected art from Emily Alvarez of Kansas City, Missouri, and Sage Vaughn of Los Angeles to feature in the new Merriam Plaza Library as it opens next year. Alvarez’s four-panel indoor mural will include deep blue teal and lime green among its vibrant colors and will have raised plexiglass panels featuring plants and side profiles of residents of diverse races. The mural also has a portion with people standing on roots to pay homage to the groundbreaking work of the Webb family, leaders of the 1940s movement to desegregate schools in Merriam. Vaughn’s outdoor installation features his sketches fabricated into four prairie flowers in two groupings of two apiece. The metal sculptures, some reaching taller than the building itself, are made of Corten Steel, which has a weathered, rust-colored exterior. The flowers featured in the installation include Mexican Hat (prairie coneflowers) and a sunflower variety. The art installation is set to begin at the site this fall. An article with additional information can be found at this link: Kansas Prairie Inspires Public Art Projects for Merriam Plaza.

Reviewed transit update - COVID pilot projects, interim steps and discussion of a strategic plan.

Representative to JCDS board

Consider approving the Appointment of John Bartolac - Sixth District representative to the Developmental Supports Board through Aug. 31, 2026.

Chairman appointments to Sustainability Coalition

Consider Ratifying the Chairman appointments to the Sustainability Coalition: Kim Winslow, Sara Greenwood, Piercyn Charbonneau, Shaun Pietig, and Emily Randel through Oct. 31, 2024; Kristin Riott, Chris DeVolder, Scott A Schulte, Lara Isch, and Jennifer Gunby through Oct. 31, 2025; and Ashok Gupta, Megan Parsons, Lindsey Constance, Tom Jacobs and Ajay N Kasarabada through Oct. 31, 2026.

Chairman appointments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition

Consider Ratifying the Chairman appointments to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition: Jae Moyer, James (Jim) Terrones, Sandy Geduldig, Dr. Victoria Haynes, and Charles McAllister Jr. through Oct. 31, 2024; Samantha von Ende, Kathleen Smith, Jeffrey Mendoza, and Saaliha Khan through Oct. 31, 2025; and Thamara Subramanian, Graciela Couchonnal, Michael Poppa, and Paulina Tabares through Oct. 31, 2026.

MOU for certification program for sanitary sewer extensions

Consider authorizing the Chairman to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to implement a certification program for sanitary sewer extensions.

Plat approval for ‘Bonar Estates’

Application No. W 23-314-PP/FP (GA). Consider a request from Jason Eastland, applicant, and Elmer Glen Bonar Revocable Trust, landowner, for Preliminary and Final Plat approval for three residential lots on 151 acres, to be known as “Bonar Estates,” on property zoned RUR, Rural District, located at 31540 W. 151st St., in Section 3, Township 14, Range 22.

Permit for maintenance facility at AirCenter

Resolution No. 088-23. Application No. W 23-313-SP (GA). Consider a request from Roger Barrett, SK Design Group, applicant, on behalf of Kansas Department of Transportation, leaseholder and Johnson County Airport Commission, landowner, for a special permit for a for an operational and maintenance facility at 90 Leawood Drive, New Century AirCenter, on 10.1 acres.

Authorizing bonds for industrial facility at New Century

Resolution No. 086-23. Consider adopting a resolution authorizing Johnson County to issue Taxable Industrial Revenue Bonds in the principal amount not to exceed $54,100,000 for the purpose of financing the construction of an industrial facility located at 16175 John Glenn Way, New Century, and to grant an ad valorem tax abatement on the constructed improvements for 10 years starting at $0.30 a foot escalating at 1.5 percent (1.5%)each year thereafter and entering into a payment in lieu of tax (PILOT) agreement, and certain other documents in connection with the issuance of the bonds.

Plan for refrigerated warehouse at AirCenter

Resolution No. 087-23. Application No. W 23-315-PDP/FDP (GA). Consider a request from Polsinelli, PC, applicant, and landowner, Johnson County, for a preliminary and final development plan for a refrigerated warehouse facility, paved parking and related infrastructure improvements, on 36.23 acres, on property zoned PEC3, Planned Light Industrial Park District, located at 27302 W. 159th St., at the New Century AirCenter.

Setting public hearing on proposed bond issue

Resolution No. 089-23. Consider scheduling a public hearing for Nov. 2, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. at the Johnson County Administration Building on the proposed issuance of industrial revenue bonds and granting of ad valorem tax exemption for the benefit of 27302 W. 159th Street, LLC, or its successors and assigns.

Having public hearing on proposed 2024 Action Plan

Resolution No. 065-23. Conduct a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed 2024 Action Plan; consider adopting the 2024 Action Plan as recommended on Aug. 16, 2023, by the Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee; and consider adopting Resolution No. 065-23, which authorizes the County Manager to perform certain tasks related to the 2024 Action Plan, including authorizing submission of the plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and to take other actions necessary to implement the Plan. The 2024 Action Plan has an estimated funding amount of $2,713,649 consisting of an estimated $1,404,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and $1,309,649 in Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) funds for housing and community development activities.

Amending agreement with Miami County Fire District No. 2

Sitting as the Governing Body of Fire District No. 2, consider authorizing an amendment to the existing five-year agreement with Miami County Fire District No. 2 to provide fire and rescue services within the boundaries of Miami County Fire District No. 2.

Agreement with Spring Hill on fire and rescue services

Sitting as the Governing Body of Fire District No. 2, consider authoring a one-year agreement with the City of Spring Hill to provide fire and rescue services to that portion of the city that is not located within the boundaries of Johnson County Fire District No. 2.

Contracts for wastewater facility repair and improvement services

Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 2023-026, Consider authorizing term and supply contracts with Crossland Heavy Contractors, Inc. and MegaKC Corporation for on-call wastewater facility repair and improvement services in an amount not to exceed $6,500,000 for a one-year term with the option to renew annually for up to four additional one-year terms.