The Board of County Commissioners met on Thursday, Oct. 31 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.

Contract for network connections at new fire station

Authorized an exception to competition and approved a contract with Zoom Fiber LLC to install fiber conduit and strands, facilitating critical network connections for the new Sunflower Fire Station in De Soto at a total cost of $168,324. 

Temporary office space for JCPRD

Approved use agreement to allow Johnson County Park and Recreation District to temporary occupy office space in the Johnson County Sunset Building. 

Grant award for DES project

Authorized the Department of Emergency Services to accept the FY 2024 Emergency Operations Center Grant Program Award; authorized the increase of $1 million for the FY 2024 DES Emergency Operations Center capital project account, bringing the new total project authorization to an amount not to exceed $1.5 million; and authorized the reallocation and expenditure of $1 million from General Fund reserves to fund the project increase. 

Consent Agenda Vote: Passed 7-0.

Permit renewal for baseball field

Approved a request from Roger Ratzlaff, Carter Capital, LLC, applicant and landowner, for a conditional use permit renewal to allow the continued use of a baseball field for amateur and recreational practices and games, on six  acres, on property zoned RUR, Rural District, located at 18310 Pflumm Road. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Funding for wastewater project

After a public hearing, authorized funds for the construction phase of the State Line Road Pump Stations Project and the State Line Road Force Main Project in an amount not to exceed $30,131,800, increasing the total project authorization to $40,857,800, and approved an agreement with the City of Leawood to facilitate the State Line Road Force Main Project, and authorized the Johnson County Wastewater General Manager to execute an encroachment agreement with Evergy, and granted authority to the JCW General Manager to execute necessary utility agreements for the project. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract for wastewater project

Authorize a contract with BRB Contractors, Inc. to construct the State Line Road Pump Stations Project in the amount of $10,839,000. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Contract for force main project

Authorized a contract with Rodriguez Mechanical Contractors, Inc. to construct the State Line Road Force Main Project in an amount not to exceed $12,455,101.16. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Agreement for respite care services

Authorized an exception to competition and approved a service agreement for respite care services with KidsTLC, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $265,000 for one 12-month contract period ending Oct. 31, 2025 and authorized the reallocation of FY 2025 Mental Health reserves in the amount of $221,000. Vote: Passed 7-0.

Health Guide on County Website 

A new Health Guide on the Johnson County website brings together public health information across several county departments. This includes key services and resources from Health and Environment, Mental Health, Park and Recreation, and K-State Research and Extension. As the COVID-19 Guide has been phased out, the Health Guide continues to provide health-related content prominently on the website. The public can access the guide at jocogov.org/health-guide. 

Public Engagement Meeting for Johnson County Broadband and Digital Access Plan 

As previously reported, Johnson County has partnered with KC Digital Drive to facilitate a countywide conversation regarding broadband access, connectivity, access to digital tools and services, and infrastructure expansion with the ultimate goal of developing a Broadband and Digital Access Plan. Two stakeholder meetings were on Oct. 29 and 30. Topics discussed included the quality and cost of home internet service and areas in need of broadband access. These meetings were an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss areas of concern and interest and provide input on the plan that will serve as the framework to expand and strengthen broadband services and digital access throughout the county.

After meeting in an executive session, motion was made to authorize Chief Counsel to file a motion and initiate a civil lawsuit, in necessary, on behalf of the county to recover costs incurred by the county in the U.S. District Court Case No. 20-2012-DDC-GEB. Vote: Passed 5-1-1.

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

Reimbursement for wastewater project

Consider entering into 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 for railroad track project

Invitation for Bid 2024-033. Consider authorizing 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. 

Contract for runway project

Request for Proposal 2024-041. Consider authorizing 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 authorizing an increase to the budget authority for the related project account to $2,553,000. 

Contract to replace chillers

Invitation for Bid 2024-037. Consider authorizing a contract with BCI Mechanical, Inc. for the JCDS Chillers 1 & 2 Replacement Project at the JCDS Administration Building, located at 10501 Lackman Rd., Lenexa, in the amount of $298,084. 

Funds to design improvements to wastewater facility

Resolution No. WD 24-032. Conduct a public hearing and consider authorizing funds for the design and bid phase of the Douglas L. Smith Middle Basin Wastewater Treatment Facility Asset Renewal Project (IMB1-Contract 39) in an amount not to exceed $1,389,100. 

Contract for State Governmental Relations Services

Request for Proposal 2024-049. Consider authorizing 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. 

Notice of intervention in Evergy’s petition

Consider Johnson County Government submitting a notice of intervention concerning Evergy’s Petition for Determination of Ratemaking Principles and Treatment under K.S.A. 66-1239(d)(2), in Docket No. 23-EKCE-775-RTS, before the Kansas Corporation Commission