Meeting Information
-Convene
-Pledge of Allegiance
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders
(b) Consider fire arm purchase recommendation (Sheriff McGovern)
(c) Consider approval of Home Rule Resolution amending Article 2 of Chapter VI of
the Douglas County Code, regulating the use of fireworks and the issuance and
conditions of permits for the sale of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of
<1/2xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Douglas County, Kansas (Keith Dabney)
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Consider approval of contract for chip sealing county roads (Keith Browning)
(3) Discussion of County-Owned house on Rhode Island Street
(4) Other Business
(a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if ne
Jones called the meeting to order at 6:36 P.M. on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 with all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
CONSENT AGENDA 03-16-05
Jones moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
- Authorize the adoption of a policy for the Sheriff's Department to provide firearms to the Sheriff's Department officers and the purchase of firearms and ammunition for the Sheriff's Department in the amount of $59,657.50; and
- Pull the item "Consider approval of Home Rule Resolution amending Article 2 of Chapter VI of the Douglas County Code, regulating the use of fireworks and the issuance and conditions of permits for the sale of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County, Kansas" for discussion.
Johnson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS 03-16-05
Jones stated that the City of Lawrence was considering participation in a service that Aquila helped underwrite which is a community housing assessment team of a very intense effort which involves focus groups of various targeted sectors of the community such as financial, government, realtors, developers and builders. Jones suggested that the County also agree to participate. The cost share would be $3,000 for each the City, the County and Aquilla. Boog Highberger, Lawrence City Commissioner, stated that participation could keep us from having to appoint a task force to work on housing issues in the future.
Johnson questioned how they would assess affordable housing in the unincorporated area of the County. Jones responded that would be a challenge for them to face. Jones then questioned whether Lecompton, Eudora and Baldwin City should be approached to see if they were interested in participating. Johnson stated he thought it made sense to look at this issue countywide, including the other cities.
Jones directed Craig Weinaug, County Administrator, to work out the details with the City Manager, and bring it back to the Board for additional consideration. No action was taken.
ZONING & RESOLUTIONS 03-16-05
The Board considered adoption of Home Rule Resolution No. HR-05-3-1 amending Article 2 of Chapter VI of the Douglas County Code, regulating the use of fireworks and the issuance and conditions of permits for the sale of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County, Kansas. Jones stated that he had spoken with a representative of Pine Family Fireworks who want to be in full compliance, but since it is so late in the year, they would not be able to get a tent at this late date. They currently use wooden stands. Jones stated he would like some kind of mechanism that would allow them to operate their stand this year.
Keith Dabney, Director of Zoning & Codes, stated that he has verified it is too late to get a tent and the Pine Family Fireworks stand has been in business for a number of years. Dabney expressed his support to allow their operation for 2005.
Jones then made a motion to approve Home Rule Resolution No. HR-05-3-1 with the provision that the tent requirement be waived for Pine Family Fireworks. Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS 03-16-05
The Board considered approval of a contract for chip sealing county roads. Keith Browning, Director of Public Works/County Engineer, stated that last year Hi-Plains Sand was awarded the contract for chip sealing county roads. The contract was renewable for up to two additional years (through 2006). Under terms of the contract, material costs may be increased in renewal years to allow for market fluctuations. Hi-Plains submitted proposed unit costs for 2005. However, the proposed costs included increases that were not due to market fluctuations of material costs. The Public Works Department notified Hi-Plains that the 2004 contract could not be renewed for 2005 given the proposed unit cost increases, but would be re-bid. Browning recommended the Board approve the low base bid received from Vane Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $449,414.15 to seal approximately forty (40) miles of county roads in 2005, and authorize the Public Works Director to approve change orders totaling up to 5% of the contract amount. Jones made a motion to approve Browning's recommendation; McElhaney seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS 03-16-05
The Board discussed the County-owned house on Rhode Island Street. Craig Weinaug, County Administrator, conducted a brief review of the history of the property, stating it was acquired several years ago with the intent of tearing down the house and utilizing the other County-owned vacant lots to build a parking lot. The East Lawrence Neighborhood Association has indicated they do not want a non-residential use on that side of Rhode Island Street. Last year, the County Commission directed staff to make arrangements to either tear down the house or move it. Since the house is contained within the environs of two (2) historic buildings -- the Douglas County Courthouse and the Old English Lutheran Church -- an Historic Resources Commission Review Application must be submitted to the Planning Office. This application process would require the County to specify what the lot will be used for. Since there has been no consensus, there has been no action. Weinaug stated he met with the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association on March 14 and discussed a number of alternatives. One idea that was brought up was the possibility of rehabilitating the house and leasing it. No specific proposal was made -- the idea was just discussed.
The Board then heard comments from several neighbors and members of the Association urging the Board to keep the property residential.
Ed Tato, former President of the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association, then addressed the Board. Tato stated that both sides are at fault here -- the neighborhood wants residential and the County wants parking or to preserve ownership for future use and neither side wants to compromise. Eventually someone is going to lose. Tato urged the Board and the Association to work together and figure out how to reduce the impact of dual uses and do something good for the city.
Johnson stated that ultimately the decision has to be made as to what is going to happen to the ownership of the property. Johnson noted that he was not of the opinion that the County needs the property today, but the time may come when the County would need that property for some use. Johnson then stated that while he fully appreciated and understood the Association's feelings, he believed the County ought to keep the property for potential future expansion.
McElhaney stated that he appreciated the good relationship between the Association and the County. He also stated he was not in favor of giving up the property.
Jones stated that the County would do it's best to compromise and he would prefer to see the property go to private hands.
Johnson suggested that the Board engage the neighborhood to come up with a proposition that deals with all the lots.
Jones agreed and offered architectural assistance from the County.
Tato requested that Johnson be involved in the discussions since he believed the County should also be involved.
Jones suggested that it would be up to Johnson when he wanted to get involved.
It was the consensus of the Board that a work session be scheduled in the future to discuss the proposals. No action was taken.
Jones made a motion to adjourn; Johnson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Charles Jones, Chairman Bob Johnson, Member
ATTEST:
_____________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Jere McElhaney, Member
Time and Date