Commissioners hear Banner activity update
A variety of projects were completed at Banner Creek Reservoir in 2015 to help boost revenue, according to an annual report presented to the Jackson County Commissioners recently.
John Kennedy, Banner Creek Reservoir director, included a list of completed projects, programs and revenues in the report, as well as plans for 2016.
One of the biggest projects last year included the purchase of four new docks at the reservoir. Banner Creek received a $40,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to purchase the docks. This was a matching grant, with the county contributing an additional $40,000.
The docks were recently delivered to the reservoir and are set to be installed in the next few weeks, Kennedy reported.
The reservoir received $21,522.45 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for flood mitigation work after storms in May and June.
The funds were used to repair docks, backfill roads and trail with rock, remove shore debris and repair trail bridges.
In the past year, 12 new picnic tables were purchased, assembled and painted, and 20 new fire rings were purchased. Staff members are still in the process of installing the new fire rings in the “A” campground, Kennedy said.
A new tree nursery was established in 2015, as 75 trees were planted east of the maintenance shop. The trees included 25 Redbuds, 25 White Oak and 25 Burr Oak
Both the north and south swim beaches were weeded, sprayed and dragged. The north swim beach received two loads of sand this past year.
Total revenues generated at the reservoir were listed at $135,646.60, which was $15,646.60 more than the anticipated revenue for 2015, Kennedy said.
The generated revenue included $9,386 in annual vehicle permits, $10,622.22 in daily vehicle permits, $1,471 in camping permits sold at the office, $4,447 in shelter house rentals, $14,201.05 in south side camping permits, $48,075.65 in north side camping permits, $809.25 in bag ice sales, $7,431.95 in hayland rental agreements and $435.35 in miscellaneous revenue. The reservoir also received $38,767.13 from the Wildlife and Parks Community Fisheries Assistance Program grant.
Total expenditures in 2015 were $177,331.05, which allowed for a carry over of $22,000 to the 2016 capital budget, Kennedy said.
Revenues generated at Banner Creek Reservoir do not fully fund the department’s expenses.
The 2015 budget allocated for the reservoir by the county commissioners was $149,700, and included $77,100 for salaries, $34,100 for contractual expenses and $38,500 for commodities.
The reservoir also has a capital equipment reserve fund, with a current balance of $123,481.26.
Looking ahead, Kennedy said new adventure playgrounds will be constructed at the reservoir this year. Wildflowers are expected to be planted, and he will continue to work with the city to design a hiking and biking trail to connect the reservoir to the city.
Several special events are also being planned at the lake, includings an Arbor Day Celebration, a kids fishing derby, a car show, concerts in the park, the Rock-It Festival and a hunter safety course with Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.
In other business, according to the approved minutes from March 7, the commission:
* Approved the recommended zoning request from the planning commission for Michael Area’s property on S and 166th Roads. The 2.5 acres will now by zoned B4 (business).
* Met with Randy Robinson, who reported that the ditch at 158th and X.4 Roads needs a cross pipe to keep the water from washing across the road. The commissioners said they would look into the issue.
* Heard a weekly report from Earl Bahret and Eric Fritz, road and bridge department co-supervisors. The men reported that Giant Communications will run a new Internet and phone line to the new road and bridge shop.
Bahret discussed placing spray foam insulation in the north wall of the new shop. He estimated that it would cost $750 for 620 square-feet.
* Accepted the bid of $12,120 from Montgomery Electric for electrical work at the new shop.
Other bids include $17,300 from Mark Thompson and $13,847 from Riley Electric.
* Canvassed the results of the March 1 city of Holton primary election. The commissioners reviewed the original canvass results and no errors were found. The one provisional ballot was added to the count.
Finals totals included 29 votes cast for Christina Cobler, 103 votes for Mike Meerphol, 59 for Rodney Miller and 40 for Christina Murphy.
* Accepted the low bid from Elite Engineering Services of Michigan to conduct the 2016 biannual bridge inspections at a cost of $12,702.50.
The other bids were $17,336 from Schwab Eaton of Manhattan, $13,305 from Cook Flatt & Stobel of Topeka and $15,474 from BG Consultants of Manhattan.
* Learned from Terry Mick, bridge and special project manager, that the county needs steel decking. Mick said he is five sheets shorts from being able to rebuild the bridge at 134th and D.1. Roads. Mick said he would always like to keep an extra 20 sheets in the bridge yard as back up supplies.
Mick said that funds in the current bridge budget would not cover purchasing 20 sheets but that several items are set to be sold that will make up the difference.
* Heard a weekly report from Dan Robinson, noxious weed director and solid waste manager. The commissioners requested Robinson seek bids on small and large recycling trailers.
* Discussed bids received for pouring concrete for the south end of the east driveway of the Courtyard. Each of the bids received had different specifications, and the commissioners asked Chad Phillips, head custodian, to gather more information to develop specifications so the companies could re-bid the project.
* Approved liquor licenses for the Fire Keeper Golf Course and the Prairie Band Casino and Resort.
* Learned from Kennedy that revenues at the reservoir during the week of Feb. 28 through March 5 were $568.
* Approved a proposal from Grass Roots Pest Control to spray the office and bathhouses at the reservoir at a cost of $95 a month from May through October.
* Approved a bid of $1,761.51 submitted by Riley Electric to upgrade the electrical service at shelterhouse #4.
Kennedy previously received a $3,400 bid from Montgomery Electric for the work.
* Agreed to allow Amanda Spalding, Jackson County Senior Citizen services director, to purchase a Ford Transit Connect van from Foster Ford of Holton at a cost of $20,100, which was the lowest bid received at the Feb. 29 meeting.
The factory warranty on the van will end on July 3, 2018 or when the van exceeds 36,000 miles.
Spalding said that Foster Ford said the trade-in value for the county’s current 1999 Windstar van is $800, and the commissioners discussed listing the van on an online auction website.
* Met with Brooke Smith, youth services director, who reported that she is advertising an opening in her department.
Smith also discussed her budget and the possibility of purchasing another car for the next hire because she thinks the county could save money by purchasing a vehicle instead of paying the employee’s mileage.
The funds for the vehicle purchase would come from the grant monies her department receives every year and not from county tax dollars, Smith said.
* Discussed the possibility of asking Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller to draw up a contract between tourism and the Holton/Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.
* Met with Bahret and Fritz to discuss chip-and-seal projects for this summer. It was noted that there are 16.5 miles of current chip-and-seal roads that need maintenance work this year.
* Met in executive session with Mick and Miller for 15 minutes to discuss a personnel matter. No action was taken back in open session.
* Adjourned the meeting at 4:38 p.m. All commissioners were present.
