Meeting Information
-Convene
-Pledge of Allegiance
-Consider approval of minutes of October 18, October 19, and <1/2xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />October 24, 2005
PROCLAMATION
-Proclaim the month of November as National Caregiver's Month (Annette Thornburgh)
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders
(b) Consider approval of Agreement for County Treatment of Noxious Weeds on
KDOT Rights-of-Way (Keith Browning)
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Discussion of resolution prohibiting keeping of dogs on property unoccupied by owner
(3) Discussion of rental rates and policies at the Douglas County Fairgrounds (Harold Stewart/Trudy Rice)
(4) Presentation of Local Public Health Response to Pandemic Flu (Kim Ens/Kay Kent)
Jones called the meeting to order at 8:32 A.M. on Monday, October 31, 2005 with all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Jones moved approval of the minutes of October 18, October 19, as amended, and October 24, 2005. Motion was seconded by McElhaney and carried unanimously.
PROCLAMATION 10-31-05
Annette Thornburgh read a Proclamation proclaiming the month of November as "National Caregiver's Month." McElhaney made a motion to adopt the Proclamation as read; Jones seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA 10-31-05
Jones moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
- Approve Agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for the treatment of noxious weeds on state rights-of-way in 2006.
Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried unanimously.
HEALTH -- PUBLIC 10-31-05
Kim Ens, Disease Control Program Coordinator from the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, conducted a presentation of the Local Public Health Response to the Pandemic Flu. Kay Kent, Director, and Sheryl Tirol-Goodwin, were also present for the discussion. No action was taken.
MISCELLANEOUS 10-31-05
Midge Grinstead, Director of the Lawrence Humane Society, briefed the Board on vicious dog issues. She introduced Janine Hirscha, Operations Manager and Investigator, and distributed a listing of animals that have been targeted and taken away. Sheriff McGovern, was also present for the discussion.
The Board then discussed the issue of dogs that are kept on unoccupied property, which sometimes cause noise issues. Jones stated he didn't want to dilute the Humane Society's focus on neglect and vicious issues, and suggested that Keith Dabney, Director of Zoning and Codes, be directed to coordinate with the Humane Society and the County Counselor to determine if an enforceable ordinance could be adopted. No action was taken.
MISCELLANEOUS 10-31-05
Cal W. Downs, Ph.D., appeared before the Board to discuss the possibility of pursuing a sister county relationship with a county in China. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to direct staff to set up a work session including Lavern Squier, President of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, a representative of the Economic Development Board, Judy Billings, Senior Vice President of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau, a representative involved in the City of Lawrence's sister city program, Trudy Rice, Director of the Extension Office, a representative from Kansas University who is involved in KU's effort to start the third Confucius Institute in the United States, and others with agricultural interests, to discuss this issue. No action was taken.
PUBLIC WORKS & PURCHASING 10-31-05
The Board discussed problems with a contract award of a 2005 tractor. Jackie Waggoner, Purchasing Agent, stated that in December 2004, the Board authorized accessing the HGAC (Houston Galveston Area Council) Cooperative Purchasing Program to purchase a tractor through Houston Freightliner in the amount of $91,696. When the order was placed, the expected delivery for the tractor was November 2005. On October 12, 2005, Mike Perkins, Operations Division Manager of the Department of Public Works, was notified that the specification of the tractor engine (C-15) could not be met. This size engine will not have enough cooling from the radiator. Sterling (the manufacturer) recommended that we accept a smaller engine (C-13) and Houston Freightliner would adjust the cost accordingly. Public Works was not interested in accepting this offer and reducing their specification. For the past couple of weeks we have been waiting for Houston Freightliner to provide another alternative. To this date, they have not provided an acceptable solution.
Two other dealerships were contacted -- Rush Truck Centers and Santex Truck Center. Due to the production cut off date, both had to quote on 2006 models. Rush Truck was willing to hold their original quote of $130,205 and the Santex Truck quote increased slightly to $105,668.
Jones made a motion to authorize the cancellation of the tractor order with Houston Freightliner and approve ordering a 2006 tractor from Santex Truck Center in the amount of $105,668. Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried unanimously.
FAIRGROUNDS 10-31-05
Harold Stewart, Douglas County Administrator Intern, discussed recommendations with regard to potential increase of rates, reservation policies and parking problems for the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Trudy Rice, Douglas County Extension Director, and Bill Bell, Director of Buildings and Grounds, were also present for the discussion. No action was taken. This item is scheduled for additional discussion on Monday, December 5, 2005.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 10-31-05
Johnson moved approval of accounts payable in the amount of $109,879.01 to be paid 10/31/05; accounts payable manual checks in the amount of $566.06; payroll in the amount of $642,993.19; and electronic funds transfers in the amounts of $47,255.90 for FICA, $38.25 for KPERS, and $45,043.27 for KPERS to be paid 10/28/05. Motion was seconded by Jones and carried unanimously.
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