Meeting Information
-Convene
-Pledge of Allegiance
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Consider PLAY proposal (Bonnie Lowe)
(3) Planning Item: CPA-2005-3: Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Chapter 11 - Historic Resources) (Lynne Braddock-Zollner)
(4) Discussion of Sister County Proposal with <1/2xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />China (Harold Stewart)
(5) Consider HTF Grant application for courthouse (Craig Weinaug)
(6) Other Business
(a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments
(c) Miscellaneous
(d) Public Comment
Johnson called the meeting to order at 8:35 A.M. on Monday, February 27, 2006 with all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
CONSENT AGENDA 02-27-06
There were no consent items.
MISCELLANEOUS 02-27-06
The Board considered a request from the Partners for Lawrence Athletics & Youth (PLAY) to agree to fund 10% of a Needs Assessment/Feasibility Study. Bob Sanner, Director, Conventions & Sports Markets of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitor's Bureau, was present for the discussion. Sanner noted that USD 497 and the City of Lawrence have each agreed to fund 40% of the study, the Chamber of Commerce has committed up to $5,000 and the Lawrence Sports Corporation has committed up to $1,000.
Jones stated he is supportive of the request but would like to see a list of the advisory committee to be sure it's balanced.
Sanner noted they committee had not yet been finalized but he would make sure the Commission would have opportunity for input.
McElhaney stated he was also in support but would be in favor of a smaller committee. Sometimes when there is too much input, the cost of the project increases considerably.
Johnson stated he was also in favor but would prefer to see the Commission approve 10% but not to exceed a certain amount, possibly $6,500 or $7,000. He noted he wanted it to be very clear that his vote for the study is not his vote for the funding mechanism that supports whatever comes out of the feasibility study. When it comes back, it will have to be prioritized with other items the Board has to deal with.
McElhaney made a motion that the Board agree to participate in the needs assessment/feasibility study to the extent of 10%, not to exceed $7,000. Motion was seconded by Jones and carried unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS 02-27-06
Harold Stewart, Douglas County Administrator Intern, appeared before the Board to discuss the proposal to establish a sister county relationship with a county in China. The Board originally discussed this proposal on October 31, 2005, with Cal Downs. At that time, the Board directed staff to set up a work session to discuss this issue. Stewart noted that he had assembled a panel to aid the Board in considering whether or not to pursue this relationship. The panel members were: Lavern Squier -- CEO of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce; Judy Billings, Director of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce; Cal Downs, Retired KU Professor, Business Consultant in China; Graham Kreicker, Member of the Lawrence Sister Cities Advisory Board; Bill Tsutsui, Center of East Asian Studies at KU, Confucius Center; Nancy Hope, Center of East Asian Studies at KU; Sheree Willis, Center of East Asian Studies at KU; Trudy Rice, Kansas Extension Office; and John Watson, Trade Development Division Director, Kansas Department of Commerce. Stewart noted the pros and cons that needed to be considered.
Jones stated he was not sure how successful something like this could be and asked if there was anyone who had "fire in the belly" to see this would happen.
Tsutsui stated that Professor Downs, who was unable to make the meeting today, would be the best person to see this through.
Kreicker agreed with Jones about the lack of deep commitment noting there were six (6) in attendance today who were in support, but none of whom were willing to take on primary responsibility for the project.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to table action until the Board is approached with an active proposal to consider.
COURTHOUSE & GRANTS 02-27-06
The Board considered approval of submitting an application to Heritage Trust Fund for chimney and balcony reconstruction for the Courthouse. Don McMican, President of DGM Consultants, and Jackie Waggoner, Purchasing Director, were present for the discussion. The grant is based on 80% of the total project cost up to a maximum of $90,000. This would obligate the County to match the remaining 20% or $22,500. After discussion, Jones made a motion to approve the Heritage Trust Fund Grant Application. Motion was seconded by McElhaney and carried unanimously.
PLANNING 02-27-06
The Board discussed CPA-2005-3: An amendment to Horizon 2020 to update the Historic Resources Element (Chapter 11). This amendment was initiated by the Planning Commission at its April 27, 2005 regular meeting at the recommendation of the Comprehensive Plans Committee (CPC). The CPC reviewed this chapter as part of the annual update process to Horizon 2020, the comprehensive land use plan for the City of Lawrence and unincorporated Douglas County. Lynne Braddock Zollner, staff member of the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Department, was present for the discussion. This item comes to the Board with a recommendation for approval, subject to the condition that staff shall develop and add a policy under Goal 4 identifying the Black Jack Battlefield as an area of historic significance and outlining steps to bring the area to national attention as an important part of Civil War tourism.
Johnson stated he felt like he was being asked to approve the Plan without any details. He noted that he would prefer to table consideration until the subdivision regulation issues have been resolved.
Jones agreed noting that one of the things that was left open in the proposed new subdivision regulations was to ask the Planning Commission to recommend some sort of mechanism that would offer incentives with respect to the preservation of historic, natural and other resources.
No action was taken.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 02-27-06
Jones moved approval of accounts payable in the amount of $125,698.75 to be paid 02/27/06; and accounts payable manual checks in the amount of $467,000.00. Motion was seconded by McElhaney and carried unanimously.
RESOLUTIONS 02-27-06
The Board considered approval of a resolution providing for the imposition of restrictions on certain outdoor burning practices in the unincorporated area of Douglas County. After discussion, Jones made a motion to approve Resolution No. 06-08 providing for the imposition of restrictions on certain outdoor burning practices in the unincorporated area of Douglas County. Motion was seconded by McElhaney and carried unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS 02-27-06
At 10:10 A.M., Johnson made a motion that the Board recess to go into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss personnel. Motion was seconded by Jones and carried unanimously. The Board returned to regular session at 10:23 A.M. No action was taken.
Johnson made a motion to adjourn; Jones seconded and the motion carried.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Bob Johnson, Chairman Jere McElhaney, Member
ATTEST:
_____________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Charles Jones, Member
Time and Date