Meeting Information
The County Commission will meet at 4:00 p.m. for administrative items and at 6:35 p.m. for public interest items. Please see the agenda packet at the 4:00 p.m. entry.
Thellman called the regular meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 with all members present.
MINUTES 01-22-14
Thellman moved to approve the minutes of December 18, 2013. Motion was seconded by Flory and carried 3-0.
CONSENT AGENDA 01-22-14
Thellman moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
- Commission Order Nos.14-003 and 14-004(on file in the office of the Clerk);
- Resolution 14-01 directing the County Counselor to institute a judicial tax foreclosure action in the District Court of Douglas County, Kansas;
- Extension of CUP-11-6-11 a Conditional Use Permit for a borrow pit at 1207 N 1056 Road in the NE ¼ section 26-13-19 and US-59 Highway;
- Received report of State Forfeitures per K.S.A. 60-4117(d)(2) as submitted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department;
- Authorized the Public Works Director to approve purchase of a 17’-span x 6’-high x 59’-long precast concrete frame culvert from Cretex Construction Products at a cost of $76,620.00 for replacement of Structure No. 13.00N-23l60E; and
- Approval to solicit bids for supply of crushed rock aggregates for the 2014 maintenance season
Motion was seconded by Flory and carried 3-0.
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS 01-22-14
The Board considered the approval of a funding grant awarded to Community Corrections which was applied toward staffing. Linda K ster-Vogelsang, Court Administrator, presented the item.
Gaughan asked how the grant would impact Community Corrections request for the 2014 Budget. K ster-Vogelsang said it will reduce the shortfall from the State of Kansas and the amount needed from the County in the 2014 Budget.
Thellman opened the item for public comment.
Flory moved to approve the FY2014 Budget Summary with additional Community Corrections Grant funding award in the amount of $19,075.21 to be allocated toward personnel expenditures. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
MORTGAGE REGISTRATION FEE LEGISLATION 01-22-14
The Kansas Bankers Association and the Kansas Association of Realtors are sponsoring legislation to abolish the mortgage registration fee which would affect the funding of public services. Kay Pesnell, Register of Deeds, asked the Board to consider approving a resolution to help gain attention on reasons for retaining the mortgage registration fee.
Currently, people who take out mortgages pay a registration fee. Last year in Douglas County that fee generated $1.8 million in revenue. If the mill levy is raised to cover the loss of this revenue source, taxpayers will be affected whether they have a mortgage or not. Statewide this could be a $47 million loss.
Thellman moved to approve Resolution 14-02 urging the Kansas Legislature and Governor Sam Brownback to retain the mortgage registration fee, as provided in K.S.A. 79-3102 and reject any or all legislative proposals abolishing such fee. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
PUBLIC WORKS 01-22-14
Keith Browning, Director of Public Works, requested the County Commission consider approval of a dust palliative program for 2014 for residents living on rock surfaced roads. Participants in the program pay for the actual cost of the material used plus an administrative fee to help absorb inspection and administrative costs. The County solicits bids for materials. Browning plans to set a March 7, 2014 deadline for residents to turn in applications for the dust palliative program. A late fee will be charged for applications received after the deadline and four days prior to the bid opening date.
In addition, the 2014 Road & Bridge Fund 201 includes funds to treat approximately nine miles of rock roads with safety concerns due to limited visibility caused by dust.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Thellman moved to authorize staff to continue brokerage of a dust palliative program with 2014 user fees set at $1.40/linear feet ($1.00/l.f. for dust palliative material and water, and an additional $0.40/l.f. user fee to cover road preparation costs), an administrative fee of $60.00 per applicant, plus a late fee of $15.00 for applications submitted after the deadline; permission to advertise for bidders once the application process has been completed. Motion was seconded by Flory and carried 3-0.
CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION STUDY 01-22-14
The Board considered approval of a contract for a Classification and Compensation Study to analyze employee job description and wages. Sarah Plinsky, Assistant County Administrator, presented the item.
Plinsky stated the County solicited proposals from a number of firms and interviewed three. The evaluating committee recommended the Austin Peters Group based on their bid, experience with working with Kansas counties and their close proximity. The approved firm will provide an accurate and up-to-date position description with pay based on market value. Plinsky stated the results of this study will be beneficial when setting up the new Human Resource system.
It was determined the Sheriff’s office will be included in the report. The District Attorney is interested in being a part of the process but as an elected official his participation is optional. The courts are part of the state system and will not be included.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Gaughan moved to approve a contract with The Austin Peters Group in the amount of $51,630.00 to conduct a Classification and Compensation Study. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 01-22-14
Gaughan moved to approve accounts payable in the amounts of $604,488.17 paid on 01/23/14 and $496,079.65 paid on 01/16/14; and manual checks in the amounts of $1,500.00 paid on 01/09/14 and $25.00 paid on 01/16/14. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-s0.
REVISED APPOINTMENTS 01-22-14
Gaughan moved to revise the appointment made on January 8, 2014 to the joint development position on the Horizon 2020 Steering Committee, naming Kyra Martinez to replace Marilyn Bittenbender. Thellman seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
RECESS
At 4:37 p.m., the Board recessed until 6:35 p.m.
RECONVENE
At 6:35 p.m. the Board returned to regular session.
PUBLIC WORKS 01-22-14
The Board conducted a public hearing to consider rescinding minimum maintenance designation for E1600 Road and N1175 Road, near the City Waste Water Treatment site. Michael Kelly, Counter Surveyor, presented the item.
Flory moved to open the public hearing. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
Matt Wells, 1150 E 1550 Road, stated he is interested in trying to save the 200-year-old railroad bridge on his property and to retain access to the back of his property.
Flory clarified that tonight the Board is only considering changing the road maintenance status from low to normal maintenance.
Flory moved to close the public hearing. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
Flory moved to adopt Resolution 14-03 rescinding a designation of “minimum maintenance” of a portion of N1175 and E 1600 Road. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
Thellman 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