Meeting Information
-Convene
-The Pledge of Allegiance
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders;
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Consider approval of a resolution pledging the County's portion of the County sales tax revenues to the payment of certain redevelopment project costs within the 12th & Oread Redevelopment District created by the City of Lawrence, Kansas (Dave Corliss)
(3) Discussion of issues related to County's animal regulations (Midge Grinstead)
(4) Receive a presentation on the draft Transportation 2030 (T2030) Long-Range Transportation Plan. The official public comment period was opened on January 30, 2008. T2030 is the updated version of T2025 and will serve as the long-range transportation plan for the City of Lawrence and the surrounding area of Douglas County. (Davonna Moore is the Planner)
(The backup for item 4 is a large document. You can find the entire draft of the Transportation 2030 (T2030) located on the City of Lawrence website).
(5) Other Business
(a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments
(c) Miscellaneous
(d) Public Comment
(6) Adjourn
Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 with two members present. McElhaney arrived at a later time.
CONSENT AGENDA 02-27-08
Jones moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Commission Order Nos. 08-022 and 08-023 (on file with the office of the Clerk); and
Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried 2-0.
RESOLUTIONS/12th & OREAD REDEVELOPMENT 02-27-08
The Board considered the approval of Resolution 08-09 pledging the County's portion of the County sales tax revenues to the payment of certain redevelopment project costs within the 12th & Oread Redevelopment District created by the City of Lawrence. Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager, was present for discussion.
All incremental ad valorem property taxes generated within the redevelopment district, including those incremental ad valorem property taxes attributable to the County's mill levy, are captured and pledged to repayment of TIF-eligible costs incurred within the redevelopment district. In addition to the incremental ad valorem property taxes, the developer/City has requested that the County pledge its share of the one-cent countywide sales tax.
Jones stated that the TIF constitutes about $11 million dollars over 20 years. He asked if at the end of that period if everything will go on the tax rolls. Boecker confirmed it will.
There is no liability to the taxpayers. If the sales tax fails to generate what the developer has proposed, all the responsibility falls to the developer. Boecker confirmed that statement is correct. There are $11 million in identified, reimbursable costs, plus interest. The transportation development district, which is being established in addition to the increment, is identified to refund the developer those development costs.
Jones asked if the parking structure will belong to the developer. Boecker stated that is correct, but the street improvements will be public access and that us is $5 million. The $6 million expense for the private parking garage is considered a TIF eligible expenditure per state statute.
Johnson stated there are two things happening; one, the Tax Increment Financing, which is done by the City, and the Board has the option to not agree, the Board remains silent and it passes, or the Board voices support and it passes. Boecker stated that is correct. There is a 30-day comment period. Johnson then stated that the second item has to do with the sales tax which will be generated by the resolution.
Johnson opened the item for public comment. No comments were heard.
Jones moved to support the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the 12th & Oread Redevelopment Project. Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried 2-0.
Jones moved to approve Resolution 08-09, of the Board of County Commissioners of Douglas County, Kansas, pledging the County's portion of the County sales tax revenues to the payment of certain redevelopment project costs within the 12th & Oread Redevelopment District created by the City of Lawrence, Kansas. Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried 2-0.
VICIOUS DOG 02-27-08
Midge Grinstead, Executive Director Lawrence Humane Society, discussed the effectiveness of the animal regulations in Douglas County. In 2006-2007, the Humane Society targeted 83 dogs, reduced bite cases by 52% and cruelty cases by 43% percent. Overall, Grinstead feels the laws are working well. She would like to see the regulations changed to a one bite rule because she has seen situations where dogs have bitten repeatedly and been released to owners.
It was the consensus of the Board for Grinstead to work with the County Counselor to revise the dangerous dog resolution to add a two bite rule, and also amend the vicious dog resolution to allow for prosecution of the dog owners to receive restitution.
TRANSPORTATION 2030 02-27-08
Davonna Moore, Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Department, and Jim Tobaben, Planning/Engineering Manager for Parson's Brinkerhoff Americas, made a presentation to the Board with a draft of Transportation 2030 (T2030) Long-Range Transportation Plan. The official public comment period was opened on January 30, 2008 and runs for 30 days. T2030 is the updated version of T2025 and will serve as the long-range transportation plan for the City of Lawrence and the surrounding area of Douglas County. Federal law requires that the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) adopt and update a Long-Range Transportation Plan at least every five years. The Long Term Transportation Plan typically covers a 20-year span that outlines future transportation investments for all modes of transportation for the MPO area.
No action was taken.
Jones moved to adjourn the meeting; McElhaney seconded and the motion carried.
____________________________ ____________________________
Bob Johnson, Chairman Jere McElhaney, Vice Chair
ATTEST:
_____________________________ ______________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Charles Jones, Member
Time and Date