Meeting Information
Amended agenda
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2014
4:00 p.m.
-Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the County Commission for 2014.
-Consider approval of proclamation declaring January 8-14, 2014 as “Martin Luther King Week.”
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders;
(b) Consider approval of Supplemental Agreement No. 1 to original Agreement No. 157-11 for interchange construction project at Bob Billings Parkway/K-10 highway. (Keith Browning);
(c) Authorization for Emergency Communications Director to approve 2014 service and maintenance agreements. (Scott Ruf); and
(d) Authorization to purchase precast concrete structure for culvert replacement project on Route 1-E in Lone Star Lake Park; Str. No. 06.85N-07.30E (Keith Browning)
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Authorization for Public Works Director to enter into engineering services agreement with GBA, Inc. for 2014 bridge inspection services (Public Works)
(3) Consider approval of the 2014 Douglas County Heritage Council Grant Program (Bobbi Rahder)
(4) Report of Heritage Conservation council leverage Funds (Bobbi Rahder)
(5) Consider adoption of resolution amending Chapter XIII Construction Codes, section 13-111.2 Permit Fee Schedule to add a flat fee for “solar, thermal, and photovoltaic (PV) systems….” as deferred from the 12/18/13 meeting. (Linda Finger)
(6) Approve design and engineering services for pre-engineering metal buildings for the new Public Works facility (Sarah Plinsky)
(7) (a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments
-Fire District No. 1 (1 position, eligible for reappointment)
(c) Public Comment
(d) Miscellaneous
(8) Adjourn
Gaughan called the regular meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 with all members present.
APPOINTMENT OF COUNTY COMMISSION POSITIONS 01-08-14
Gaughan moved to appoint Nancy Thellman as the 2014 Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. Motion was seconded by Flory and carried 3-0.
Thellman moved to appoint Jim Flory as the 2014 Vice Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
PROCLAMATION 01-08-14
Thellman moved to approve a proclamation declaring January 14-21, 2014 as “Martin Luther King Jr. Day” in Douglas County. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
DONATION 01-08-14
It was the consensus of the Board for the County Administrator to approve a donation in the amount of $1,500.00, per the request of The Ecumenical Fellowship, Inc., to help advertise the 2014 Martin Luther King Jr. Community programs.
The Board requested Reverend Winn to separate any additional nominal funding requests between community activities and religious ceremonies for tax funding purposes.
CONSENT AGENDA 01-08-14
Thellman moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
- Commission Order Nos.14-001 and 14-002 (on file in the office of the Clerk);
- Supplemental Agreement No. 1 to original Agreement No. 157-11 for interchange construction project at Bob Billings Parkway/K-10 highway;
- Authorized the Emergency Communications Director to approve 2014 service and maintenance agreements;
- Authorized the Director of Public Works to purchase precast concrete structure for culvert replacement project on Route 1-E in Lone Star Lake Park; Structure. No. 06.85N-07.30E (Keith Browning)
Motion was seconded by Flory and carried 3-0.
PUBLIC WORKS 01-08-14
Keith Browning, Director of Public Works, asked the Board for authorization to enter into an engineering services agreement with George Butler Associates (GBA), Inc. for 2014 bridge inspection services. Federal regulations, administered by KDOT require every bridge on public roadways to be inspected at least biennially.
Browning stated he solicited a cost proposal from GBA for inspection services for 152 bridges and received a lump sum maximum proposal of $42,560, or $280 per bridge. Though higher than the 2012 inspections, Browning said he considered the fee reasonable. He received an informal quote for approximately $375 per bridge from another firm.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Flory moved to waive the purchasing policy requirements and authorize the Public Works Director to enter into an engineering agreement with GBA, Inc. to provide 2014 bridge inspection services for a lump sum maximum fee of $42,650.00. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
HERITAGE COUNCIL GRANT PROGRAM 01-08-14
The Board considered the approval of the 2014 Douglas County Heritage Grant Program. Bobbi Rahder, Project Manager, presented the item.
Rahder stated the same amount of funding as 2013, $325,000 has been budgeted for 2014. If the Board approves the guidelines, Rahder proposed the following schedule:
• Announce grants on Monday, January 13;
• Hold workshop, January 30,
• Presentations, March 27 and April 3
• Council to evaluate applications in April
• Bring the final applicants to the Commission on May 7.
Gaughan asked if the inventory list is available on line. Rahder said it is registered online with the State Historic Preservation Office. She said we are just starting the remaining survey work in Wakarusa Township which will be paid for with federal funds through a Historical Preservation Fund Grant administered by the State.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Thellman moved to approve the 2014 Douglas County Heritage Council Grant Program. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
Note: Flory stated he hopes the Council will scrutinize the applications and not spend the entire budgeted amount unless all of the applications had sufficient merit. If the application d sn’t meet what we want, the request d sn’t have to be funded. He asked the committee to look at what’s best for the entire community.
HERITAGE CONSERVATION COUNCIL 01-08-14
Bobbi Rahder, Heritage Council Project Manager, gave a report to the Commission on the additional grants and funding received on past projects due to agencies receiving Douglas County money through our federal grant program. So far, awarded Heritage organization has received an additional total $926,243.00 in leveraged federal funds, which is a 181.70% leveraged of money funded by Douglas County.
No public comment was received. No action was taken.
ZONING/PERMITS 01-08-14
The Board considered the adoption of a resolution amending Chapter XIII Construction Codes, section 13-111.2 Permit Fee Schedule to add a flat fee for solar, thermal, and photovoltaic (PV) systems as deferred from the December 18, 2013 meeting. Linda Finger, Interim Director of Zoning & Codes; and Eileen Horn, Sustainability Director, presented the item.
There was a short discussion on using a flat fee versus charging per kilowatt (kW). Most solar construction is at 13.44 kilowatts (kW) and under. The additional expense to the County comes when there are more panels/materials to inspect, which initially required more kWs. A multimillion dollar project would easily surpass 13 kW.
Thellman opened the item for public comment.
Aron Cromwell, Cromwell Solar, stated he agrees with charging an additional $10 per kilowatt over 13.44 to help offset County inspection fees.
Flory moved to adopt the following building permit fees for Solar photovoltaic Systems retroactive back to December 18, 2013: Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems (up to 13.44 kW) and solar thermal systems requiring no structural changes to the building - $115.00. For every kW, measured in whole increments of 1 kW, over 13.44 kW the flat rate shall increase by $10 per kW.
Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
PUBLIC WORKS 01-08-14
Thellman moved to approve design and engineering services for the pre-engineered metal building portion of the new Public Works facility to MarLan Construction in an amount not to exceed $83,185 to be later incorporated in a Guaranteed Maximum Price. Motion was seconded by Flory and carried 3-0.
MISCELLANEOUS/MORATORIUM 01-08-14
Flory stated he was under the impression, when passing the moratorium on large wind energy conversion systems at the December 11, 2013 meeting, that it covered an existing application for a tower off Hwy 56 to measure wind. The application for a Conditional Use Permit has already been schedule for a hearing with the Planning Commission. He would like to Board to make a decision on whether this application should be delayed or deferred until after the moratorium. Flory stated it makes no sense for the application to go forward, and if recommended by Planning Commission, to come to this Board without regulations in place.
Thellman asked what this tower actually d s. Scott McCullough, Planning Director, stated it is a wind analysis tower which provides information to wind generating companies. He said there are two avenues to pursue regarding pending application: 1) The CUP is discretionary. You can interpret the moratorium that no action will be taken on any application until we get far enough along to know whether we need regulations to establish wind farms; or 2) Let the process unfold to see if there will be issues with the tower through the public hearing process. Then, if the Board d sn’t want to take action, recommend deferring at that time. McCullough stated if approved, the tower could answer the question of availability of wind capacity. The tower could be removed after its purpose was completed.
Flory said it seems like the Planning Commission would benefit from regulations being place before holding a public hearing and considering the application.
Gaughan stated he is inclined to think the moratorium covers turbines and energy systems. There are no blades on these towers. He asked if Planning looks at the wind monitor towers like a radio tower. McCullough stated Planning looks at this tower as they would a cell tower. Gaughan said he wasn’t opposed to moving forward.
Thellman stated without the measurements, we won’t know if a wind turbine is a viable idea, or know if regulations need to be created.
McCullough suggested the applicant might voluntarily agree to postpone consideration of this application if requested. All Commission members agreed to pursue a voluntary postponement.
Note: After McCullough spoke with the applicants, the application was withdrawn from the Planning Commission agenda.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 01-08-14
Gaughan moved to approve accounts payable in the amounts of $347,144.60 paid on 12/26/13, $102,658.30 paid on 01/02/14, and $327,813.34 to be paid on 01/09/14; and payroll in the amounts of $813,440.36 paid on 12/20/13 and $253,573.11 paid on 01/08/14. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
APPOINTMENTS 01-08-14
Gaughan moved the following appointments to the Horizon 2020 Steering Committee: Scott Zaremba, Business Person; Clay Britton, Planning Commission Member; Lisa Harris, At Large position; and Marilyn Bittenbender, Joint Development appointee. There are no terms as the Committee remains enforce until disband. Thellman seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
APPOINTMENTS 01-08-14
Flory moved to reappoint Steve Fuggett to Fire District No. 1 for a second term to expire 12/13/16. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
Gaughan moved to adjourn the meeting; Flory seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
____________________________ ____________________________
Nancy Thellman, Chair Jim Flory, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
____________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Mike Gaughan, Member
Time and Date