Meeting Information
Amended Agenda
8:30 A.M. (Meet in the Commission Chamber)
-Convene
-Consider the approval of minutes for February 13, February 18, February 25, February 27 and March 13, 2008
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders;
(b) Consider approval mobile and portable Law Enforcement Radio purchase request (Ken McGovern);
(c) Consider approval of application for an authorized Emergency Vehicle Permit for John E. Steele, Jr. (Sheriff's Office);
(d) Consider approval of Re-Bid for Glyphosate Herbicide for Noxious Weeds (Keith Browning);and
(e) Consider approval of right-of-Way for drainage structure 10.60N-20.00E (Michael Kelly)
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Presentation on East Hills Business Park (Beth Johnson)
(3) Consider 2008 ski dates for Lone Star Lake (Keith Browning)
(4) Discussion of an agricultural value added type of business manufacturing use currently permitted only within the industrial zoning districts. (Article 19 of the Zoning Regulations) (Bill Schaetzel/Linda Finger)
(5) Consider approval to purchase four trucks for public works (Jackie Waggoner)
(6) Consider approval of the purchase of Manatron Tax System (Jim Lawson, Jamie Shew , Paula Gilchrist)
(7) Discussion of 31st Street planned and future projects (Keith Browning & Chuck Soules)
(8) Other Business
(a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments
(c) Miscellaneous
(d) Public Comment
(9) Executive Session for the purpose of consultation with County Counselor on matters, which would be deemed, privileged under the attorney-client relationship. The justification is to maintain attorney client privilege on a matter involving Douglas County.
(10) Adjourn
Johnson called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, March 24, 2008 with all members present.
Johnson moved to approve the minutes for February 13, February 18, February 25, February 27 and March 13, 2008. Motion was seconded by Jones and carried unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA 03-24-08
Johnson moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Commission Order Nos. 08-028, 08-029, and 08-030 (on file with the office of the Clerk); and
► Mobile and portable law enforcement radio purchase of 15 portable radios ($54,477.38) and 12 mobile (vehicle mounted) law enforcement radios ($41,969.16) for a total cost of $96,466.54 for the Sheriff's department;
► Authorized Emergency Vehicle Permit for John E. Steele, Jr.; and
► A re-bid and low bid from Lone Pine Ag-Services for supply of 600 gallons of Glyphosate Herbicide for Noxious Weeds at $27.81 per gallon.
The motion was seconded by McElhaney and carried 3-0
Item 1(e) of the Consent Agenda; Consider approval of right-of-way for drainage structure 10. 60N-20.00E was deferred to the Wednesday, March 26, 2008 meeting Consent Agenda.
EAST HILLS BUSINESS PARK 03-24-08
Beth Johnson, Vice President, Economic Development at the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, gave a presentation to the Board on the history of the East Hills Business Park (EHBP) and its success in luring industrial and commercial growth to Douglas County. The Chamber will celebrate the parks 20-year anniversary with a reception to be held at 4:00 p.m., March 31, 2008, in the DCDI spec building located in the business park.
PUBLIC WORKS 03-24-08
The Board considered the approval of the Lone Star Lake skiing dates for 2008.
Keith Browning, Director of Public Works, was present for the discussion.
Jones moved to approve the following times and dates for skiing:
12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday of each week between June 1 and Labor Day; 12:00 noon until 8:00 p.m. on May 26 (Monday, Memorial Day) and September 1 (Monday, Labor Day); and also 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday of each week between September 3 and September 28, 2008. Motion was seconded by McElhaney and carried unanimously.
ZONING & TEXT AMENDMENTS 03-24-08
Bill Schaetzel, property owner, discussed with the Board his desire to start a business on his property located at approximately 100 N 600 Road, Section 25-12-17. The business type is agricultural involving the use of hay and straw for the creation of compressed brick for use as a fuel for fire places and wood burning stoves. There are two existing buildings on the 190-acre site, which includes two barns and a silo to be used for storage, manufacturing and production of the compressed bricks. At this time there is no listing for this type of agri-business in the Zoning Regulations since the hay and straw would not be grown on the property.
Linda Finger, Planning Resource Coordinator, stated she discussed several options with the property owner, 1) possible Type II home occupation use if a residence were added to the site; 2) possible special use permitted for a conditional use permit; 3) rezoning to a Light-Industrial Zoning District and permitting low-intensity manufacturing and production types of uses; and 4) Initiation of a text amendment to the County's Zoning Regulations to add this type of use to Section 19-4 of the Zoning Regulations. The text amendment to the County's Zoning Regulations appears to be the best option. The amendment must be sponsored by the County Commission or the joint City/County Planning Commission.
Johnson stated he personally sees this as a positive opportunity for Douglas County. Jones stated this business appears close enough to an agricultural type business that he agrees is a benefit for Douglas County. However, he stressed we should move cautiously when considering what is an agricultural business use.
It was the consensus of the Board for staff to initiate a text amendment and to bring it back the Board for consideration on a future agenda.
PURCHASING 03-24-08
The Board considered a recommendation by Jackie Waggoner, Purchasing Director, for the purchase of four trucks for Public Works with funds allocated in the equipment reserve fund. Mike Perkins, Operations Manager, was present for the discussion. Public Works plans to purchase two (2) heavy duty tandem dump trucks equipped with central hydraulics, snow plow, and spreader, and two (2) F-550 trucks equipped with a utility bed. The two dump trucks will replace two (2) 1999 International Tandem Dump trucks. The two F-550 trucks will replace one (1) 1997 F-150 truck and one (1) 2001 F-250 truck. Purchasing plans to sell the trucks online or through an auction service. Waggoner asked that the Board consider the approval the following purchases:
Diamond International
(2) 2009 HD Tandem Dump Trucks with Central hydraulics, snow plow and spreader)
$315,641
<1/2xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Shawnee Mission Ford
(2) 2008 Ford F-550 Pickup Trucks equipped with a utility bed)
$77,378
Combined Total
$393,019
The item was deferred to the March 26, 2008 agenda for Commissioner McElhaney to inspect the condition of the presently owned trucks before the Board makes a decision regarding the new purchase.
TREASURER 03-24-08
The Board considered the approval for the purchase of a Manatron Tax System to replace the current tax system written in house in 1982. Jim Lawson, Director of Information Technology; Jamie Shew, County Clerk; and Paula Gilchrist, Treasurer, were all present for the discussion. The initial cost for the Manatron Tax system is $384,000 and will require the purchase of web services from Tyler Technology for $25,000 to enable the integration of the Manatron Tax System with the State mandated Orion CAMA system. This functionality will eliminate the dual data entry into the tax and CAMA systems currently done in the County Clerk's office. The project could require the expenditure of $15,000 for new network servers if the County is unable to run the new tax system. The total maximum initial cost would be $424,000. It was recommended by Lawson, Shew and Gilchrist that the purchase be funded from the Commissioners technology fund. Staff discussed that Sedwick County has already implemented the Manatron Tax System and is in the setup process.
Jones asked if there is enough money in the Register of Deeds Technology Fund to purchase the system. Craig Weinaug, County Administrator, stated there is, and that we've been planning several years for this upgrade. Jones asked if we need to waive the bidding process. Weinaug replied that yes, the Purchasing Department would like to waive the bidding process and the review committee has thoroughly reviewed the options and the Manatron System is the best option for Douglas County.
Johnson opened the item for public comment.
Hubbard Collinsworth, resident, asked if there is a possibility of losing data during the implementation stage. Lawson replied that part of process is the conversion stage. It will be up to staff to make sure all data is converted.
Johnson moved to close the public comment. Motion was seconded by Jones and carried unanimously.
Jones asked when will new system will be up and running. Lawson stated in early 2009.
Jones moved to waive the formal bidding process for the purchase of the Manatron Tax System. Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried unanimously.
Jones moved to approve the purchase of the Manatron Tax System as recommended by staff, and that it be funded from the Register's Technology Fund at a cost not-to-exceed $424,000 and urged staff to delay as long as possible the actual purchase of the system to see what happens in Sedwick County. Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried unanimously.
PUBLIC WORKS 03-24-08
Keith Browning, Director of Public Works, and Chuck Soules, City of Lawrence Public Works Director, gave a briefing to the Board regarding the proposed and future improvements planned for 31st Street. The City of Lawrence received an earmark for $800,000 with no restrictions for improvements to 31st Street from Haskell Avenue to O'Connell Road. The City has hired Wilson & Company consulting engineers to provide a concept plan and preferred alignment study. Soules stated the Mayor of Lawrence will be announcing a steering committee to review options for alignments. He would like to see some of the $800,000 used to acquire right-of-way. Soules also stated the contract the City has with Wilson & Company is approximately $200,000, depending on the alignment selected, right-of-way could be an issue. The City only has about half of the right-of-way that will be needed.
Jones asked if the City acquires the needed right-of-way, when is the expected completion date. Soules stated the construction would probably begin in 2010 and be completed in a year and a half. Jones asked why the City would pursue putting in a road from Haskell to O'Connell without resolving what will happen to the east and west of this segment. Soules responded that will probably be a discussion the committee will have.
Rick Johnson, Engineer with Wilson & Company, discussed the major impact the road will create on the environment regarding a straight line for the connection of Haskell to O'Connell though property. He stated he is waiting for the public and the Board to guide his company on what direction to go.
Jones stated is seems like we are focusing in detail on one area, without knowing what will happen, the level of usage and amount of traffic.
McElhaney asked how many routes have been proposed. Rick Johnson stated there are three suggested drawings, plus the straight through option. Regarding the amount of traffic, Rick Johnson stated without the SLT, he projects the traffic volume at 23,000 cars per day and with the SLT 13,000 cars. He stated a two lane road can handle the 13,000 volume.
Jones stated that it d sn't make sense to make a decision on a small area of road, just because there is money there, when you don't know what will happen west and east of the segment. Browning replied that maybe there needs to be a discussion with the City on where and how to pay for it, or hire a consultant to do a study. We need to come to an agreement with the City. The road is needed. There needs to be a schedule and a plan. Browning suggested a work session with the City Commission on how to pay for this and how to collaborate.
Johnson stated future governing bodies will be more likely to follow what is conceived and approved as a long range plan. We have the responsibility as a Board to move this conceptual plan forward.
It was the consensus of the Board to direct Staff to explore with the City the feasibility of a study covering a longer stretch of 31st Street to be jointly funded by the City and County (See the April 2, 2008 minutes for additional information).
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 03-24-08
Jones moved approval of accounts payable in the amounts of $685,722.94 paid on 03/17/08 and $217,908.89 to be paid on 03/21/07; payroll in the amounts of $759,172.61 paid on 02/14/08, $766,887.05 paid on 02/27/08; and $746,739.43 paid on 03/13/08; FICA in the amounts of $56,031,96 paid on 02/15/08, $58,823.39 paid on 02/29/08 and $55,075.32 paid on 03/14/08; and KPERS paid in the amounts of $66,621.56 paid on 02/15/08, $67,042.73 paid on 02/29/08 and $65,220.57 paid on 03/14/08. Motion was seconded by McElhaney and carried unanimously.
APPOINTMENT 03-24-08
Jones moved to appoint Paul Liechti to the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board. His term will expire 03/31/11. Liechti will fill the expired term of Carl McElwee. Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION 03-24-08
At 10:50 a.m., Jones moved that the Board recess into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss a matter, which would be deemed privileged under the attorney-client relationship. The justification is to maintain attorney-client privilege on a matter involving Douglas County. Other attendees included: Craig Weinaug, County Administrator; and Evan Ice and Chris Burger, County Legal Consultants.
At 11:10 a.m., Johnson moved for the Board to return to regular session; Jones seconded and the motion was carried unanimously. No action was taken.
Jones moved to adjourn the meeting; Johnson seconded and the motion carried.
____________________________ ____________________________
Bob Johnson, Chairman Jere McElhaney, Vice Chair
ATTEST:
_____________________________ ____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Charles Jones, Member
Time and Date