Governmental Relations Committee
October 26, 2009
Called to Order at 7:04 pm
Attendance:
Present
Chair Unruh
President’s Office Representative Haug
Sidlinger
Weinert
McGuire
Woolsoncroft
Bryant
Spiess
Blythe
Fey
Rose
Ogan
King
Taylor
Excused
Local Relations Director Merklein
State Relations Director Bradford
Grice
Modesitt
Walker
Announcements:
- Bruce Shubert has asked the arms of K-State to come up with a policy for the ban on cell phones.
- We will sit and wait on the cell phone, when they decide what they are going to do then we will right legislation in support or negation of the ordinance.
Discussion:
City University Fund:
- Important things to note:
- Total amount we have to work with $570,000
- We are tied to $50,000 for NISTAC
- We don’t know how much it is going to take for the safety initiatives that will be coming out of executive.
- Sidewalk repairs/work: $98,000
- $89,000 for Jardine sidewalk (HillPress to Harry)
- $9,000 for the cross walk on College
- We allocated money previously to the construction of a sidewalk over by Jardine, however when the Todd Rd project was worked on they needed extra money to complete the project so they took money from the Jardine funds, which means that now we nee to get that funding back for this project this year
- $150,000 for College sidewalk no longer needs to be paid, we have already completed this job.
- The work that we are doing tonight is not going to be final, we are just doing ranges of funding that we would like to see, and we will work on the hard numbers next week.
- What money we have to work with:
- 570,000 Total
- 50,000 NISTAC
- 89,000Sidewalk projects
- 431,000 funds that we have to work with
- Options on the table:
- Lighting, Emergency prevention, visitor center, good neighbors program, recycling/sorting center, bicycles (lanes, or racks etc…)
- Potential needs for the funding that isn’t in the current recommendation:
- Bike Racks at McCain
- It may be an easier solution or ten foot
- Wildcat walk with permanent position
- Night walk takes a long time.
- Single Person @ the same price as someone at the front desk with a central location, so that people will actually utilize it.
- Right now for the first few weeks there is a lot of interest, but since it takes too much time people don’t utilize it.
- They already have extra radios and uniforms.
- Cost: $15,000 for a 9-6 Shift
- Normally we don’t fund someone’s salary
- We Broke up into 4 small groups to discuss possible ways to potentially split up the funds that we have (two groups combined, which is why there are only 3 different columns with suggestions):
|
A |
B |
C |
Consensus |
Lighting |
$176,900 |
$150,000 |
$170,950 |
$175,000 (12-0-0) |
Recycling |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
$50,000 (12-0-0) |
Emergency |
$120,000 |
$100,000 |
$100,000 |
$100,000 (12-0-0) |
GNP |
$10,000 |
$18,000 |
$8,000 |
$15,000 (12-0-0) |
Visitors Center |
$65,000 |
$0 |
$0 |
$50,000 (8-4-0) |
Other |
$0 |
$103,900 |
$0 |
$0 |
Bicycles |
$0 |
$0 |
$92,050 |
$0 |
Wildcat Walk (Gator) |
$0 |
$0 |
$15,000 |
$0 |
Total Remaining |
|
|
|
$31,900 |
- Recycling center:
- Who is going to keep the center running? The GA that the director of sustainability has been searching for funding for a Graduate Assistant, but has not been successful to the best of our knowledge.
- The recycling center is going to be maintained by facilities.
- What will the recycling center be used for?
- At the moment it is being used for sorting.
- They would like a bailer so as to get more money for the materials that they have since, they don’t get as much of a return if Howey’s does the bailing for us.
- Bicycling:
- What about bike lanes?
- People don’t use bicycle lanes now, what is going to make them use them if we are to create them?
- If you can have a long bicycle lanes it helps out a lot more … they tend to follow the rules more because they feel like they actually have a place where they can continue to use the bike lanes.
- There isn’t a lot of room to have bicycle lanes.
- Maybe we could create double Wide sidewalks instead of narrow sidewalks.
- Bicycle Racks are going to be the most important and feasible thing that we can accomplish with the City University Funds
- Lighting:
- Lighting is going to be a huge thing that we want to get accomplished this year
- Walking to Rec from Moore and haymaker. (By military science)
- Visitor center
- We are just the very beginning step – there will be money going to the visitor center, regardless of if we choose to allocate some of the City University Fund.
- Benefit to the city and the university?
- Many people were concerned as to the benefit that it will have for K-State
- It is better than alertus for the City
- One thing to look at is where the University dominates the most of the funding going to 61% of the K-State Unlike anything else that we all have.
- Compromise – for now fund it, and then explain our concern about our funding it in the future. We do not want to be a continuing source of funding for the project.
- Karen made it clear that there will be a K-State focus, if you are promoting K-state.
- Good Neighbors program
- This would be the last time that we are going to fund them
- Potential of the Leadership Program taking over the funding for the Leadership program
- Molly will talk to them, and see what is going on with this
- We should give them a two-year cushion, just like the Band.
- Emergency Prevention
- We all seem to agree that this is a good idea; there was no discussion on this matter.
Cell Phones:
- Please talk to people about how they feel about it? Get a general consensus.
- They were neglecting the statistics about the Bluetooth.
- Sitting on it, until the city comes with an idea.
Adjournment at 8:38pm
October 12, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Unruh called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
ROLL CALL:
Present
Chair Unruh
Local Relations Director Merklein
President’s Office Representative Haug
Sidlinger
Weinert
McGuire
Grice
Modesitt
Bryant
Spiess
Taylor
Rose
Fey
King
Ogan
Blythe
Excused
State Relations Director Bradford
Woolsoncroft
Walker
GENERAL BUSINESS:
Guests: President Henry, Lauren Palmer, Karen Hibbard , Senator Ahlstrom, Director Joerger .
Manhattan Asst. City Manager Lauren Palmer:
- Described CUF to Committee and guests
- When university was annexed into the city in '94 one of the compromises was the CUF
- Any sales taxes and franchise fees on campus are pooled into CUF
- City/University decide on "mutually beneficial" projects
- Currently at approximately 1/2 million dollars a year
- Projects requested at 5 year intervals
- Good Neighbors Program
- City would prefer supporting staff instead of infrastructure
- College Ave Sidewalk
- Project finished, money allocated for 2011 can be used elsewhere
- Priorities of the City
- Aggieville Safety Group
- Perceived increased acts of violence in and around Aggieville
- Infrastructure
- Adding and improving lighting
- Signage of appropriate conduct
- Security Cameras
- Looking for a request from GR with students perspective
- Cell Phone Ordinance
- Written very strict for second reading
- Week from Tuesday 7 pm City Commission Meeting to discuss
Karen Hibbard :
- Flint Hills Regional Welcome Center
- Chamber of Commerce purchased with hope to educate travelers about the attractions within the region
- Fort Riley, Council Grove, Konza Prairie
- 15-17K cars travel by this spot (Intersection of 177 and I-70) each day
- Problem: there is no water to make center viable and functional
- Currently securing funding and undergoing final studies on location
- Mutual beneficial to K-State
- Manhattan is one of the larger communities
- Greater name recognition for K-State and marketing for passersby
- Will include gas station
- Previous station ran out of business due to mismanagement and not location problems
- Final answer on a grant is expected by late January
- Flint Hills Tourism Coalition is helping to fund with an "art sale"
President Henry:
None
President’s Office Representative Haug:
N one
Director Joerger :
- Alertus
- Will be tested this Wednesday
- Let her kow if you do not get a text/e-mail
- City Park Lighting
- City does not want to increase lighting because it would attract people after hours
Chair Unruh reports from meeting with Mayor
- Mayor is on the same page with students about funding safety initiatives
- Director Joerger wants to push lighting issue with uncommitted money from CUF
OPEN PERIOD
LEGISLATION PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE:
ADJOURNMENT:
Moved by Senator McGuire. Meeting adjourned at 8:16 pm.
September 28, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Unruh called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
ROLL CALL:
Present
Chair Unruh
State Relations Director Bradford
President’s Office Representative Haug
Sidlinger
Weinert
McGuire
Woolsoncroft
Grice
Modesitt
Bryant
Spiess
Blythe
Fey
Rose
Ogan
King
Taylor
Excused
Local Relations Director Merklein
Walker
Unex.
Frager
GENERAL BUSINESS:
Guests: Speaker Schultz, Michael Champlin
Speaker Shultz:
- Faculty senate executive committee interested in forming legislative advocacy as well.
- Tentatively Winter break or Spring Semester.
- Interested in partnering with GR.
- GR is interested in including student voice and will develop proposal for winter break.
President’s Office Representative Haug:
none
State Relations Director Bradford:
none
Local Relations Director Merklein (Bradford as proxy):
- Sidewalk was found but still needs to be funded by City-University Fund this year.
- Census: Meeting with city official discussing difficulty of educating students of distinction between permanent address and address a student spends the most time at during the year.
- Very important for mass transit plans.
Chair Unruh transitions to City-University Fund (CUF):
- Distributed numbers on CUF.
- Emergency Prevention, Coordination and Communication:
- Senators McGuire and Sidlinger reported status of blue lights on campus.
- Rarely used but considered a deterrent.
- Visitor Center:
- Chamber of Commerce official will present in the next few weeks.
Chair Unruh transitions to Legislative Advocacy (LA):
- Committee divided into sub-committees to discuss LA
- Brainstorm possible divisions of the state.
- Will not reinvent the wheel and use the current state House of Representatives.
- Personal visits in the fall and then will follow up later.
- Utilize students with connection to districts.
- Out of state students will still be included to display vast interest in LA.
- May not reach all districts with pilot LA
- Development of communication with legislators.
- Create a link on SGA Website – “Contact Your Legislator!”
- E-mail testimonies.
- Weekly phone call conversation with state legislator discussing issues of interest.
- Continued dialogue beneficial to consistency.
- Investigate students to convey message
- Use current SGA members
- Have skill set and enjoy our experience at K-State.
- Will begin Thursday by conducting research on student Senators
- Hometown.
- Other locations lived within districts.
Next Week:
Good Neighbors Program presentation.
Director Joerger has the flu and was not able to attend. Emergency prevention, communication, and coordination information will be presented during the open period at Senate this Thursday.
Monday at 7:00 p.m.
OPEN PERIOD
none
LEGISLATION PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE:
none
ADJOURNMENT:
Moved by Senator Weinert. Meeting adjourned at 7: 52 pm.
September 21, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Unruh called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
ROLL CALL:
Present
Chair Unruh
Local Relations Director Merklein
State Relations Director Bradford X
President’s Office Representative Haug
Sidlinger
Weinert
Grice
Modesitt
Walker
Bryant
Spiess
Excused
McGuire
Woolsoncroft
Unex.
Frager
Guests: Emilee Taylor, Eli Schooley, Dalton Henry
GENERAL BUSINESS:
President Henry:
- Discussed excitement for finalization of City-University Fund.
- He noted that safety will be a focus now and in the future during his administration.
Chair Unruh updated interns on City University Fund discussion from last meeting:
- Entire proposal needs to be completed by Friday, November 20, 2009
- What the 2010 fund did:
- Sidewalk, bicycle , lighting improvements
- NISTAC
- Recycling
- Emergency prevention
- Good neighbors program
- Sunset Ave crosswalk improvements @ College Heights Rd.
- Visitors Center
- Plans for this year – we want to get done
- Sidewalk
- NISTAC
- Recylcing
- Sidewalk on Sunset Ave
- Visitor center
President’s Representative Haug updates committee:
- NBAF Update
- Currently in appropriations stage but it is a go!
- Funding goal is $36 million
- Construction anticipated by 2010
- Full usage by 2015
- NISTAC
- Still searching
- Locked in to $50,000 over the next two years
- University Committee on Governmental Issues
- Dr. Peterson bringing back to life
- Students and Faculty will discuss
- House Republicans Retreat
- October 16 th , 17 th
- Looking for students to help
- Presidential Inauguration
- Consensus Revenue Committee
- Find out Governors recommendations in the next few weeks
Chair Unruh transitions to future GR allocations (continued from previous meeting):
- Priority 6 – College Heights Road
- Safety features installed at four major crosswalks from 2006 funding.
- $11,500 requested for 2010
- Project will be of mutual benefit to K-State and the Manhattan community
- New light at the corner of Sunset and College Heights
- Priority 7 – Regional Visitors Center
- Regional visitors center is a goal of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
- Intersection of I-70 and I-77 and possibly I-35
- Mutual benefit: Discover the treasures of the Flint hills including but not limited to the Wamego Wizard of Oz Museum and Kansas State University.
- They have $50,000 for 2011
- Statement of mutual benefit – attracts travelers to campus to see benefits
- Discussion ensued: Is there any mutual beneficial to KSU students?
- Possible student employment
- Promotion of K-State
- What is the return on people visiting center then visiting the university
- K-State name already displayed from highway
- Chair Unruh will research Flint Hills Regional Group composed of 22 counties
- Priority 8 – City University Transportation System Planning
- Background – there is a shift in how people think about transportation to mass transit
- Proposed to benefit all residents of Manhattan including K-State students
- Committee will wait until census numbers to make a decision
- In 2012, $46,000 requested
- Priority 9 – Tree Walk
- Identify trees and create a walk
- Benefits students in horticulture department
- Emily Haug says there is no need to fund in the future
- Priority 9 – Sidewalk on College Ave
- Need more detail on exact location requested
- There are sidewalks on both sides of College Avenue between Kimball and Claflin
- The Fund is planning on receiving funding in 2011.
- Campus sidewalk, bicycle, and lighting $81,000
- NISTAC $50,000
- Recycling/Sorting Center $50,000
- Emergency Prevention, Coordination and Communication $100,000
- Visitors Center $50,000
- College Avenue Sidewalk $150,000
- Grand Total: $481,000
Next week committee will discuss the continuation of the Good Neighbor Program
Next week Director Joerger will present on Emergency Prevention, coordination and communication.
Chair Unruh transitions to Legislative Advocacy Program
- Committee needs to increase K-State’s relations with Kansas legislators
- Will divide state of Kansas to better focus legislative attention
- Importance influencing legislators to continue funding higher education
OPEN PERIOD
None
LEGISLATION PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
Moved by Director Bradford. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.
September 14, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Unruh called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM.
ROLL CALL:
Present
Chair Unruh
Local Relations Director Merklein
President’s Office Representative Haug
Sidlinger
Weinert
McGuire
Woolsoncroft
Modesitt
Bryant
Spiess
Excused
State Relations Director Bradford
Grice
Frager
Walker
GENERAL BUSINESS:
Gustavo Correa will not be on committee, because of the overwhelming amount of work as a graduate senator.
EmilyHaug - Dr. Sue Peterson’s intern will act as a representative for Dr.Peterson.
The city commissioner meeting about rental inspection will be Tuesday September 15, 2009 at 7pm.
Danny would like for each GR member to attend at least one city commissioner meeting
Tomorrow we will be meeting Outside OSAS at 6:45pm
You don’t have to speak if you don’t want to, if you do speak we would appreciate if you go over it with Danny or Dalton
Tomorrow night is second reading of the mandatory Rental inspection Ordinance, if approved the city of Manhattan will have mandatory rental inspection.
City University Fund
- Background: 1994 was the beginning of the fund. Sales taxes on campus will go in an account to be used for projects that help both the city and K-State.
- we will be working on 2011 fund
- What the 2010 fund did:
- Sidewalk, bycicle , lighting improvements
- NISTAC
- Recycling
- Emergency prevention
- Good neighbors program
- Sunset Ave crosswalk improvements @ College Heights Rd.
- Visitors Center
- Plans for this year – we want to get done
- Sidewalk
- NISTAC
- Recylcing
- Sidewalk on Sunset Ave
- Visitor center
- Review of previous years allocations and priorities:
- 1- Sidewalk, bicycles and lighting improvements
- Background: 1.3 millions dollars in FY2010, bicycle parking, and lighting on campus.
- Safety is a top priority, sidewalk, emergency phones. With increase in population will increase demand in safety. Increase in sustainability
- Sidewalk by the engineering
- McCain sidewalk bad
- What has been done with previous allocations?
- The projects will began January 1 st 2010.
- North of waters hall in 2010 50 thousand there
- And additional bicycle spots by the library and the union.
- What are the biking rules?
- Bike lanes or only on the doublewide sidewalks.
- Look into:
- Labeled lines for campus.
- Perhaps Blue Lighting
- Molly will call the K-State police about how much
- Where are we designated to put up lighting
- We want to encourage tolight the more student neighborhoods.
- 2. NISTAC
- Background: In the research center, and Bill Muir committed funding to the project at the city commissioner meeting. Mission: formal network to support Technology, and to increase the local communities.
- How does it relate with NBAF?
- What are the plans for recommitment of the funding to NISTAC?
- We should probably look into it.
- Benefit to K-State Students: Student research projects, and with patents on students. (Emily Haug, will look into it.) It will form an umbrella effect to help k-states reputation, which will draw more science students, which will be great for K-State
- Areas of focus:
- Biological and Food Sciences
- NBAF continuation
- We are working on funding for the project, and the Texas lawsuit is being dropped. 5-7 limit year is the time limit.
- ASAP will begin research for the BRI,
- Types of Research facility background
- Recycling Sorting Center
- City commissioner has allowed to have a side loading truck
- Remodeling recycling center – the tornado allowed for the opening of a new recycling center. We will be re-bundling for resale
- Request for 2010 – 150 thousand
- North of Moore and Haymaker
- What is the resale going to be used?
- We will find out from Chambliss?
- What is going to happen to the wind erosion center
- It will be going off of campus.
- Talk to Director of Sustainability Zack Pistora
- What about deferred maintenance
- It doesn’t affect the citizens of Manhattan.
- Emergency prevention:
- Corrections and increase of current emergency prevention systems. Revamped tornado notification system, with voice activated. Alertus is also going to be placed into different classrooms.
- Projected amount for allocation: 100 thousand.
- Alertus- There is a benefit to making sure the safety on campus.
- Debate over Alertus…..
- What do we do to make sure?
- Talk with Ashley Joeger about the emergency prevention center
- Good Neighbors Program
- Nuisances in the neighborhood to be focused on.
- 10 thousand asked from 2010.
- Next year there is no projection.
- Promotional focus, which is what a lot of their funding, has gone for it.
- Volunteer center has taken that over.
- 2007 ice cream social
- 2008 neighborhood cleanup
- mattress amnesty
- No Request
The week after next we will begin to have speakers.
November we will have to legislation written for our proposition for City University Fund.
OPEN PERIOD
LEGISLATION PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE:
ADJOURNMENT:
Moved by McGuire. Meeting adjourned at 8:04pm.
May 4, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Unruh called the meeting to order at 8:53 PM.
ROLL CALL:
Chair Unruh
Local Relations Director Merklein
Sidling
Correa
Weinert
McGuire
Grice
Modes
Frager
Walker
Director Joerger
Director Klug
Chief of Staff Bunnel
Speaker pro tem Oliver
President Henry
Vice President Stoskopf
Chair Norris
Excused
State Relations Director Bradford
Woolsoncroft
Bryant
GENERAL BUSINESS:
- Guest Ashley Joerger gave a presentation on the Executive Branch’s efforts to monitor lighting in the city zones south and east of campus.
- Members of GR and Exec were split into groups for street walking.
- Results were collected and will be presented to the city in the coming weeks and Senate in Fall 2009.
OPEN PERIOD
LEGISLATION PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE:
ADJOURNMENT:
Completed at various times by committee members. Last group in at 10:30 PM.
April 27, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Unruh called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
ROLL CALL:
Chair Unruh
Local Relations Director Merklein
State Relations Director Bradford
Sidling
Correa
Weinert
McGuire
Grice
Frager
Walker
Bryant
Excused
Woolsoncroft
Modes
GENERAL BUSINESS:
- Guest Ashley Joerger gave a presentation on the Executive Branch’s efforts to monitor lighting in the city zones south and east of campus. A time was set for 8:45pm outside OSAS on May 4 th.
- Discussed goals and actions for the upcoming year.
- City-University Fund
- Rental Inspections
- Rising Contest of Higher Education
- Lighting and Safety
- Mass Transit
- Held elections for Vice Chair. McGuire and Grice both nominated. Grice elected by a vote of 6-0-1.
- Discussed action to be taken on swine flu.
- Set meeting time for next semester. Possibility of changing location due to Yosokoi practice outside OSAS during that time .
OPEN PERIOD
LEGISLATION PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE:
None
ADJOURNMENT:
Moved by Grice. Adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
October 9, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Henry called the meeting to order at 9:30pm.
ROLL CALL:
Governmental Relations Chair Henry
Senator Taylor Calcara
Senator Molly McGuire
Senator Kyle Reynolds
Senator Jennifer Shoemaker
Senator Kristen Tremonti
Intern 1 Erin Meyer
Intern 2 Sarah Works
Intern 3 Ariel Anib
Intern 4 Na’im Al-Amin
Intern 5 Mitchell Loeb
Intern 6 Taylor Concannon
Intern 7 Vincent Adams
At-Large Joanne Bauer
At Large Robert Tibbets
At-Large Dena Bunnel
At-Large Christine Caplinger
At-Large Ryan Wilkerson
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
GENERAL BUSINESS:
LEGISLATION PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE:
Resolution in Support of the Manhattan School Board Bond Election
Resolution in Support of “SGA Election Watch Event”
ADJOURNMENT: