[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6573155,"mediaKeyId","3112044-3ead2bc3fce1aa3b3ab0477929b2a89a","parentId",3112044,"title","Votes at a glance: Riley County commission actions, April 24, 2025","audioSeconds",148,"startMs",1052000,"endMs",1200000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112044-3ead2bc3fce1aa3b3ab0477929b2a89a&start=1052&end=1200","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112044-3ead2bc3fce1aa3b3ab0477929b2a89a/thumbnail_1052000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6573155/Kansas/Votes-at-a-glance-Riley-County-commission-actions-April-24-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573155-1397da4b8ffbaffcbfec5c52b13ba4f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149556&Signature=QFW7Ya3bYuhd93ye4PaJg~j-miOYOpJid2DyjiCiN2ggMLYMP~cGvw9eSQ0KTObhFVl92iFTeqWY0c478S4rLB3cDLkrQO5E0QPso4kP6Lku8675XqIVCHh4KyEiI667cQxSUFi0twhZZJ0FpvqLE2xVlBe8vTjtOF8iDA3lkYxM1ena5AQxXZx1qCCevYUa5Gr-0Sy6shdHj7AADTZ59VUbDgz9hGYj-irlVxUFWrfVDlNL10GhLH3-c32IbcjqUk0FZ92bcLfInXiHx1dL7PfBZhpoLsLZK4-qV1t9A7VeU~DS90MS0-ocXE4aNkNQ1tLFO9hrO~oTLsdouOzv4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Riley County","date","2025-04-24T16:26:41.457Z","article","The Riley County Commission took multiple administrative and procedural actions at its April 24 meeting. Key votes and outcomes:

- Audit engagement letter with James Gordon & Associates for the 2024 audit — approved. Motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as \"Aye.\" (Motion introduced at the meeting and carried.)

- Resolution reappointing the county appraiser — approved for a four‑year term. Motion carried by voice vote.

- Personnel action: approval of election‑day worker lists and related separation/rehire items — approved (personnel forms submitted and accepted as listed in packet).

- Refill Public Works mechanic (mechanic technician II) — approved. Motion and second recorded; voice vote \"Aye.\" Public Works explained the shop handles county vehicle fleet maintenance and needs the position filled.

- Approve RFQ for judicial services space‑needs and building study, modified to require consultant site visits — approved. Staff will publish the RFQ and begin selection with a panel including judges and corrections staff.

- Retain Riley County authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) for EM/fire EOC remodel and submit plans to the Kansas State Fire Marshal for review — approved. County will proceed under county permitting for the remodel and submit required plan review to the state.

- Approve temporary relocation of EM/fire offices to former Konza/cons county office space until remodel completion — approved. IT and Public Works reported the temporary space is adequate and moving costs were estimated as modest.

- Authorize staff to work with a property owner (mister Bluebaugh) to draw up an access agreement/easement for a driveway that historically served a private residence from county property — approved. Staff will prepare an access easement draft for the owner to review and seek final action on a subsequent agenda so the buyer could close.

How the votes were taken: Most motions were moved and seconded with outcomes recorded as voice votes (“Aye”) and no roll‑call tallies disclosed in the minutes. The commission did not take votes on funding commitments for the US‑24 cost‑benefit study during this meeting.

Meeting note: The commission also approved minutes from prior meetings and handled several administrative forms and reports during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/24/2025 Riley County Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Riley County commissioners approved several administrative and facilities items at the April 24 meeting, including an audit engagement letter, a four‑year reappointment for the county appraiser, personnel actions, and facility‑planning steps for emergency management and judicial services.","taxTitle","Riley, Kansas","taxId",4218,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6573159,"Riley County approves RFQ for judicial services space‑needs study; commission asks consultants to include site visits",700,6960000,7660000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112044-3ead2bc3fce1aa3b3ab0477929b2a89a&start=6960&end=7660","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112044-3ead2bc3fce1aa3b3ab0477929b2a89a/thumbnail_6960000.jpg","/articles/6573159/Kansas/Riley-County-approves-RFQ-for-judicial-services-spaceneeds-study-commission-asks-consultants-to-include-site-visits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573159-bf6dc6716d13ef36adc12ccaf25d6144/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149556&Signature=AcMUhyipENthdfh99aD2jaF0X9rQzR5u3-wxU2q5~m4irPGH1UIzxAL6W1zHNnwnmrhBLd-dkg-mY50Fxi9I~yZRKCO6f92B7pnJ2CvBh~w4rwPNT7Iv1d7pkYe5DTMG0wm8rl1wswh4zyWLd0-QYRDEw4n9NmOkL7Xz-b8TJ7~5GwokUMYaWIUiXg~nHWRdoKjyTTt93RlJqZrqC33kfEP1oPfn~VU7ttBAAzJ4OcLMMSaQh2uaJEwc-eWsOhaHy46dYffEykj8m-mg5i6I6iuIKQrRfWQwdfj9WuMly647drDOVNtkM1KrNImhxhf3RJyaer2EDriRvYVWh9Is5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Riley County commissioners on April 24 approved a request for qualifications (RFQ) to hire a consultant to study space needs for judicial services, court functions and related county departments.

Why it matters: The county has aging facilities and an operational need to review courtroom, justice‑sector and related office space. A professional study will inventory current space needs, project future operational demands, produce preliminary programming and schematics, and produce cost estimates to inform a long‑term plan.

John Ellerman, Public Works director, presented the RFQ and the scope he recommends: departmental interviews, an inventory of current facilities, operational and equipment needs, preliminary layouts, cost estimates and options for existing building re‑use. Ellerman said the county will ask consultants to evaluate the church property the county has previously discussed as a potential site and to consider whether consolidating functions would be cost‑effective.

Commissioners asked that the RFQ explicitly require the consultant to include site visits to comparable judicial facilities as part of their evaluation. Ellerman also said he will include Judge Bannister in the consultant selection process and that staff (including corrections and other stakeholders) will participate in interviews.

The commission approved the RFQ as modified and authorized staff to proceed with the consultant selection process and an RFP timeline. Commissioners said they expect follow‑up work to include detailed technology and security planning, and that IT and court staff will be engaged in the study.","Commissioners approved a request for qualifications to study courthouse/judicial space needs and potential consolidation, with the RFQ modified to include consultant site visits to comparable facilities and to involve judges and corrections staff in the selection process.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6573163,"Riley County keeps permitting authority for EM/fire EOC remodel, approves temporary relocation of offices",599,5891000,6490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112044-3ead2bc3fce1aa3b3ab0477929b2a89a&start=5891&end=6490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112044-3ead2bc3fce1aa3b3ab0477929b2a89a/thumbnail_5891000.jpg","/articles/6573163/Kansas/Riley-County-keeps-permitting-authority-for-EMfire-EOC-remodel-approves-temporary-relocation-of-offices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573163-24378bedfc4cb678b91f8b8c987df19f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149556&Signature=BrgEbV8AC8iHic6T1kfDaNbmP6pi-axJhGlZYq6zd1jVO3xq7M-HOopil4wuVaYMh67aC9rYPgjDzuMcxD2LbikKO8qkUINUiwuEED0LVT6RSDHoEHhzvkDjweiNnE6EdqYjhRSMv2CrPvcQaQREjLsL57oJp07DM5hErVdMU7JNTc5CFEeMTHNNj2n9PUPDUWjieP1WYv5FqAfZU~GynRoPbtG~pEo8eln2Zff7u07o4I3KRy3kI5qI0uDvhdf-xwVqv4CKdxwfS24pFVIb7tE0jsEhCNGFleLsQEAck0kVPOJA3ho~8YuNSlGit8YM82lZjCxhQjPoEkKeoyqplA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Riley County commissioners voted April 24 to retain county authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) for the planned emergency management (EM) and fire department remodel that will convert the former EMS building into a combined fire/EM operations center and emergency operations center.

Why it matters: Retaining local AHJ authority means Riley County will use the county permitting process and submit plan review to the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office rather than follow the city permitting route. Commissioners said that approach should speed the review for this remodel and keep county oversight of a facility that will house 24‑hour staffing.

Russell Stuckey, fire and emergency management, described the building committee’s recommendation that the county use its own permitting process and submit plans to the state fire marshal for review. County legal staff told the commission it is legally permissible for the county to retain permitting authority for county‑owned projects, though they acknowledged the city could take a different view and that some jurisdictions still choose to pull city permits for convenience.

The commission approved a motion to retain AHJ and to submit plans to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Commissioners also approved a second separate motion instructing staff to temporarily relocate EM/fire offices to existing county office space (the former Konza/cons space) until the remodel is complete. County IT staff reported they have reviewed the temporary space and found networking and office placement suitable; Public Works and EM staff estimated moving and light preparations would be modestly expensive.

The AHJ vote and the temporary relocation vote were both unanimous. County staff said the County will proceed with plan submittal to the State Fire Marshal and coordinate the move in coming weeks.","Commissioners voted to retain Riley County as authority having jurisdiction for the emergency management/fire/EOC remodel, to submit plans to the State Fire Marshal for review, and to temporarily relocate EM/fire staff to a county office until remodel completion.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6573168,"Study funding shifted; Riley County backs focused US‑24 corridor work while local cost‑benefit analysis on second bridge remains county-led",993,3852000,4845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112044-3ead2bc3fce1aa3b3ab0477929b2a89a&start=3852&end=4845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112044-3ead2bc3fce1aa3b3ab0477929b2a89a/thumbnail_3852000.jpg","/articles/6573168/Kansas/Study-funding-shifted-Riley-County-backs-focused-US24-corridor-work-while-local-costbenefit-analysis-on-second-bridge-remains-county-led","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573168-0f5f59e036952e6afd321e0d9f26a9a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149556&Signature=hvsKnXEFAsemAE7Su5KQ-83S6JLbhW4SSWn5YEu7PdKweKsKMrFeDn54-Nb3BcLw5GP9-A4BVtHkXCanksUeDbdqtRVFMTm7vzRoA5jPQHGIVC63s2u35aAtTRznuhQpw05IIpdltydA65nM1xjSoJyla2fmDZZqjzuF4Co4U99ek0PehjrjFbLGrTE-rQjBWUIGCgEOeAXEuBG3nhr8R7RDznAsKzMyMhAfHaBNDZfkQy9JOyrvC6EXc7FLJmdpS6YMC0ZAqXIHz38lrfComWcJNNs1AENUp34M6-4~BLshhC6sZszxPI8Swvq5nN9ZHJUmkHGacYuq2nQEOcIg-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jared Tremblay of the Flint Hills NPO briefed Riley County commissioners on April 24 about a two-part approach to studying improvements on U.S. Route 24 and the costs and benefits of a second connection across the river.

Why it matters: Residents and local officials have repeatedly raised the prospect of a second crossing to relieve congestion on the existing US‑24 bridges. The newly planned cost‑benefit analysis would quantify traffic diversion, hydrologic impacts, and preliminary cost estimates to help local jurisdictions understand trade-offs.

Tremblay presented a plan that splits the work into (1) an updated corridor study along US‑24 (segments A–C) and (2) a locally led cost‑benefit analysis for a new connection (segment D). He said Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) reallocated about $97,000 away from the cost‑benefit piece and toward the corridor study because KDOT’s priority is the national highway system. That reallocation leaves the NPO and local partners responsible for funding the local cost‑benefit analysis.

Tremblay said the corridor work still totals roughly $133,300 in preliminary estimates with KDOT covering most of the corridor portion; the local analysis cost was estimated near $17,050. He described how travel‑demand models for 2050 would be used to estimate how many vehicles each option would divert from US‑24 and to show congestion and hourly effects.

Commissioners said they preferred work that prioritized the segment that most affects Riley County and supported moving the local funding to the corridor study while retaining a separate, locally funded cost‑benefit analysis to examine a second connection. No funding commitment was taken at the meeting; Tremblay said he would seek consensus with Pottawatomie County and KDOT and return with interlocal agreements and an RFP for consultants.

Tremblay emphasized the value of the traffic modeling: the cost‑benefit work will show whether a new connection would remove thousands of vehicles from US‑24 or have only modest effects, and it will allow the county and partners to compare options and build realistic cost expectations before any major capital request.

Next steps: The Flint Hills NPO will continue interlocal coordination with Pottawatomie County and KDOT and, if partners concur, release an RFP for the cost‑benefit analysis. The county did not approve funding at the April 24 meeting.","Regional planning group and county staff described a split in funding for the US‑24 corridor study and a separate local cost‑benefit analysis for a proposed second connection between Manhattan and Blue Township. Commissioners indicated theoretical support for the refined funding split and asked staff to coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6573174,"Riley County legal staff raises options to limit fireworks sales and discharge after state deadline change",430,2989000,3419000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3112044-3ead2bc3fce1aa3b3ab0477929b2a89a&start=2989&end=3419","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3112044-3ead2bc3fce1aa3b3ab0477929b2a89a/thumbnail_2989000.jpg","/articles/6573174/Kansas/Riley-County-legal-staff-raises-options-to-limit-fireworks-sales-and-discharge-after-state-deadline-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6573174-ab20808d1db14fb1a580970098d69fe4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149556&Signature=kX1Ce97pRsbasxaePZECBqHw9Jc43abCiSlIsL4Do-v1VTA2s3PVFaSks8-3H~Zs-t~AxNmfgCt~JLmlsFvlJ4P6b2PjVi9a7DAczYyQIZxEvVDy98UZVN179~GXG1rsiuoEU-kyz1CppkfM9uLCh1LNU-xcPeol0DhVG2Ngf-ewFECNi8xFPfPAsb050jJBgbFvRM6Qd2deKve51NZy2qTL1qLnEcB7gkrJODXqUPyB3fg9canguFpI7PFnV3~gDbxoGzU2tdRaH7PQO4JM9cc4ubNoqGYYmooXcuVDGel0pwhvaimsd5-a2EdarjvIEOWeqYx-Rw5dYY4RvE6kWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Counselor Russell Stuckey told Riley County commissioners on April 24 that the county’s existing fireworks resolution dates from 1978 and that a recent change in state rules has extended the retail sales window for fireworks. Stuckey said the state now allows sales from June 20 through July 7 and that counties retain authority over local sale and discharge times in unincorporated areas.

Why it matters: Stuckey told commissioners the state change will likely prompt requests from local vendors and fund-raising groups to extend county sale dates to match the state. He warned that without a local policy update, commissioners will face constituent pressure on timing for both sales and discharge.

Stuckey said the county’s current resolution already allows discharge on agricultural land year-round under certain setbacks and allows broader discharge from July 1–4, 8 a.m. to midnight. He outlined several policy choices the commission could ask staff to draft for formal consideration: mirror the state sales window but delay discharge until closer to July 4; keep sales more limited; or leave regulations unchanged and allow municipalities to set their own rules inside incorporated boundaries.

Stuckey also noted public-safety restrictions embedded in state guidance and the state fire marshal’s advice — for example, prohibitions on discharging fireworks near fuel tanks and on certain dangerous devices. He said the county could set separate sale and discharge windows for unincorporated Riley County and that many Kansas cities take a local approach (some ban fireworks, others restrict discharge dates).

Commissioners discussed practical trade-offs: vendors want to sell leftover stock after July 4, but extended sale windows can lengthen the period when fireworks are available to residents and animals are affected. No amendments or ordinances were adopted at the meeting; Stuckey said staff will draft formal options and return with a proposed resolution or code changes for the commission to consider on the agenda.

The discussion applied to unincorporated Riley County only; Stuckey and commissioners noted incorporated cities set their own rules and would remain unaffected by a county decision.

Looking ahead: Stuckey recommended the county present options in a formal agenda item so the commission can vote on specific sale and discharge windows before the summer season.","County legal staff briefed commissioners on a 1978 county fireworks resolution and a recent state change expanding retail sale dates; no ordinance change was adopted, but staff will prepare formal options for sale and discharge windows.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Riley County commission actions, April 24, 2025

Riley County approves RFQ for judicial services space‑needs study; commission asks consultants to include site visits

Riley County keeps permitting authority for EM/fire EOC remodel, approves temporary relocation of offices

Study funding shifted; Riley County backs focused US‑24 corridor work while local cost‑benefit analysis on second bridge remains county-led

Riley County legal staff raises options to limit fireworks sales and discharge after state deadline change