John Bell

The meeting included the approval of the consent agenda. New business involved the consideration and approval of vouchers totaling over $81,723,189, with significant amounts allocated to Caper's payment, motor vehicle funds, the Morton Building project, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation. Correction orders were also approved. The Shawnee County Extension office presented the 2018 budget request, asking for a flat budget despite challenging tax lids and planning to redirect savings to replace two vehicles. The District Court requested and received approval to immediately purchase a new SUV for court services due to significant maintenance issues on the current vehicle, planning to absorb the cost within current year funds. Resolution 2017-36 appointing Dr. Martin Martinez as Deputy District Coroner for the Third Judicial District was approved. Parks and Recreation sought approval to solicit proposals for overhead netting at the Betteis Family Sports Complex for safety purposes, addressing constituent concerns about long-term maintenance costs. Two contracts related to the Lake Shawnee Spillway Repair and Maintenance project were approved: one with Mcon for revised services and another amending a previous contract with Professional Engineering Consultants for additional construction administration and inspection services. Approval was also given to create and fill four new Park Maintenance Technician positions, eliminating five vacant positions, to address difficulties in filling lower-level maintenance roles. The Facilities Maintenance Director presented a request to solicit proposals for a design-build team to renovate or replace the HVAC systems at the Shawnee County North Annex due to failing original equipment. The Corrections department received approval for a contract with Language Line Services to update interpretation services, adding remote video interpretation for American Sign Language to improve communication, especially for medical evaluations and emergency services for inmates with special needs. Finally, the County Counselor's office secured approval for continuing Westlaw access, sharing the cost with the Sheriff's Office and Department of Corrections, and adding a database for in-house litigation materials. An amendment to the SMG management agreement for the Kansas Expo Center was approved to move the termination date earlier.

The meeting commenced with a recognition presentation for the retirement of Marilyn Nichols, Register of Deeds, who served for 17 years. Key discussions involved the approval of consent agenda items and new business including voucher payments, correction orders, and capital expenditures for the Kansas Expo Center, such as purchasing a new microt computer, flow switches, and bearing/seal kits. Public Works received approval to fill a vacant road maintenance position. The Health Agency sought approval to submit a grant application for supplemental funding to assist with outreach and enrollment of uninsured residents for the Health Insurance Exchange. Additionally, approval was sought for two Workwell Kansas minigrant applications to improve worksite wellness through bike rack installation and health promotion messaging. Finally, the commission considered a resolution to apply for Safe Routes to Schools funds for the Quincy Elementary project, which focuses on evaluating the area surrounding the elementary school where 94% of students qualify for lunch support and 40% are at risk for obesity.

The meeting proceedings included a presentation regarding the ACT Work Ready Communities initiative aimed at enhancing local workforce development and economic efforts through standardized skill assessment. The Commission also recognized the Shawnee County Health Department for its work in increasing HPV vaccination rates among adolescents, which resulted in a $5,000 reward. Business items included the approval of various voucher payments totaling over two million dollars, approval of correction orders, authorization for a contract with TAR Inc. to provide social services to county residents, authorization for a janitorial services contract funded by a state grant, and approval for the GIS coordinator of the Appraiser's office to attend an ESRI User Conference for professional networking and technical development.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance. A presentation was given by the Boys and Girls Club of Topeka regarding their accomplishments year-to-date for the Teen Center established at the Abbott Community Center. The update detailed the extensive volunteer hours, over 2,000, contributed by the community, including significant support from Westar and Hills Architect, necessary for facility readiness and obtaining necessary operating licenses from the State Fire Marshal, KDH, and Shawnee County Health Department. The presentation highlighted the successful summer enrichment program, which included comprehensive math, STEM, and literacy components, serving 62 teenagers, and providing three meals daily. Other key activities mentioned included college visits, exposure to the Arts through theater productions, participation in National Night Out Against Crime, and a visit from recording artist LRAE. The presentation also covered the structure of the after-school program, including expanded transportation routes to pick up students from every Middle School in 501, tutoring via Power Hour, and career launch planning. Furthermore, updates were provided on Healthy Lifestyles programs addressing substance abuse and gang resistance, recreation opportunities, and partnerships with Westar for industry exposure and Washburn University for mentorship. Student testimonials emphasized the positive impact of the center on academics, behavior, and future planning, noting an 87% reduction in behavior incidents. The staff also noted the operation of a small boutique for gently used clothing. Future plans included a Halloween celebration on October 30th.

The board meeting featured presentations on the current COVID-19 situation, focusing heavily on the Omicron variant. Key discussion points included sharply rising case numbers and testing percent positivity rates, which were significantly higher than previous peaks. The director of the health department and the health officer provided updates on testing availability, noting efforts to expand options despite high demand. Information was shared regarding hospitalization rates, noting that ICU hospitalizations were at a pandemic high, and a review of COVID-19 related deaths in the county. The presentation detailed that Omicron is highly contagious and evades prior immunity, requiring booster doses for adequate protection against severe outcomes. Discussions also covered the severe limitations in the supply of effective monoclonal antibody treatments and new oral antiviral medications. Furthermore, updated CDC guidelines for isolation (5 days followed by 5 days of masking) and quarantine (5 days followed by masking) were explained. Projections indicated that cases would likely increase for three more weeks, followed by a surge in hospitalizations and deaths in February, placing strain on healthcare resources. Anticipated impacts on local businesses included employee absenteeism and supply chain disruptions, alongside disruptions in school operations.