Meeting Information
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2015
4:00 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders;
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Consider a resolution revising the alcohol exemption for the Fairgrounds (Drew Vincent)
(3) Consider request for funding for Transitional Housing for Lawrence Community Shelter clients (Shannon Oury)
(4) CUP-13-00281: Extension request for Conditional Use Permit approval and a revised site plan for Public Wholesale Water Supply District #25 water treatment plant on approximately 28 acres northeast of the intersection of N 1500 and E 1750 Roads. The CUP was approved by the Board of County Commissioners at their September 23, 2013 meeting. Mary Miller is the Planner.
(5) Consider joining JoCo Mandamus action (Steve Miles)
(6) (a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments
-Board of Construction Codes Appeals (1) position
(c) Public Comment
(d) Miscellaneous
(7) Adjourn
October 14, 2015
Flory called the regular meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 with all members present.
FAIRGROUNDS 10-14-15
The Board considered a resolution revising the alcohol exemption for the fairgrounds. Drew Vincent, Management Intern, presented the item.
Thellman stated what brought this about was the Christmas Parade Committee has asked the County if they can have alcohol with their catered meal for their annual Christmas dinner at the fairgrounds. The caterer would have a liqueur license. Currently the County Code prohibits alcohol on the fairgrounds. Douglas County is in the process of renovations at the fairgrounds and with these new proposed facilities it makes sense to consider establishing some new procedures.
The resolution presented exempts the fairgrounds from K.S.A. 41-719(C) allowing alcoholic beverages to be served, consumed, possessed or carried on the fairground premises in accordance to county policy and permits.
Vincent then presented two options for revised policies and procedures to use to as a guide for alcohol limitations. Option 1 has the rules and procedures drafted by the management intern, reviewed by facilities and Sheriff’s office for input and bought back to the Commission at a later date for discussion; Option 2 is the same procedure as above minus a return to the Commission with the responsibility of final review and approval delegated to the County Administrator.
Flory said he has no problem going forward with the resolution but would like the regulations to come back before the Board for consideration. He said he wants to keep a tight rein on alcohol policies.
Flory opened the item for public comment.
Marnie Kennedy, Ole Fashioned Christmas Parade Committee, stated staff members have done an excellent since they moved their dinner from the Knights of Columbus to the Fairgrounds Building 21.
Flory moved to approve an amended Resolution 15-26 with a revised wording to reflect exempting the Douglas County Fairgrounds from K.S.A. 41-719(C); the Board will adopt policies and procedures at a later date and the County Administrator will issue event permits. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
FUNDING 10-14-15
The Board considered a request for funding for Transitional Housing for Lawrence Community Shelter clients. Shannon Oury, Executive Director at Lawrence Douglas County Housing Authority (LDCHA), presented the item.
The housing authority has run transitional housing since 1995. The LDCHA was approached about administering housing for current guests at the Lawrence Community Shelter if funding was provided. The HOME transitional housing program currently has 53 households on the waiting list and 17 of those reside at the Community Shelter. Federal funding for HOME transitional house has been significantly cut over the past three years
The HOME Transitional House Program provides up to 24 months of rent subsidy and one-time grants for security and utility deposits. Households rent from private market landlords and pay a portion of the total rent with the LDCHA paying the difference. At the end of the 24-month period if there are no evictions or issues, the renter moves into regular Section 8 housing. Oury stated the problem is there are too many on the list and not enough funds to move the list along. Of the 17 families on the waiting list from the Community Shelter, 10 are families ranging from two to seven members. The cost of housing increases as the number of family members increase. The LDCHA estimates the cost to cover 9 households, including households of one, for a 24-month period is $100,000. If the funds were directed at housing families, the LDCHA believe it could only house 5-6 families for that same time period. The LDCHA requested the County authorize funding for $50,000 and possibly additional funding in future year.
It was the consensus of the Board to try to get people into transitional housing sooner rather than later. The sooner they are out of the shelter the sooner they are in a more productive environment. The County is already stepping up to assist those with mental health issues where the State is not. It was determined the City has already made a commitment of $100,000 from their 2016 budget.
Flory opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Thellman moved to provide $50,000 from the 2015 budget year for this transitional housing for Douglas County residents, preferably those housed in the Lawrence Community Shelter with a priority for families with children (amended to add the wording “and those seeking services from Bert Nash.” Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
PLANNING 10-14-15
The Board considered CUP-13-00281, an extension request for Conditional Use Permit approval and a revised site plan for Public Wholesale Water Supply District #25 water treatment plant on approximately 28 acres northeast of the intersection of N 1500 and E 1750 Roads. The CUP was approved by the Board of County Commissioners at their September 23, 2013 meeting. Mary Miller, Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Staff, presented the item.
Flory said he plans to defer the item to the October 21 meeting at 6:00 p.m. to allow for additional public comment.
John Ruckman, Bartlett and West, explained the needed changes to the site plan. It was determined the water district needs to move to a lime softening procedure for water softening to keep the project feasible for those purchasing water. This will cause a need to increase the size of the building and height of the silo to encompass additional equipment, and add two lagoons. The other option would be to place the additional equipment outside.
Thellman questioned whether the lime would have an effect on the aquifer. Ruckman stated the lime would make the water only slightly harder. The lagoons will be lined. The lime will be recovered. There has been interest from local farmers to use the recovered lime. Thellman also questioned why there was an increase in parking. Ruckman stated there will only be 1-2 people at the site. The additional parking can be removed.
Flory opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Flory deferred the final action on the item to the October 21 meeting at 6:00 p.m.
APPAISER 10-14-15
Steve Miles, Douglas County Appraiser, asked the Board to consider joining the Johnson County Mandamus Action, which if successful, would no longer require the County to maintain the value for the next two (2) succeeding years if the value of real property is reduced pursuant to the appeal process. Miles feels this creates unfairness to other taxpayers because market values change.
Johnson County has agreed to absorb the entire cost and do all of the work including research, writing, deposition and oral arguments necessary if other counties are willing to support the issue. Currently there are eight counties that have joined in the action.
Flory opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Gaughan moved for Douglas County to join with Johnson County by participating in the Mandamus Action. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 10-14-15
Flory moved to approve accounts payable the in the amounts of $365,871.75 to be paid on 10/15/15, and $263,946.93 paid on 10/01/15; payroll in the amount of $885,559.00 to be paid on 10/16/15. Motion was seconded by Gaughan carried 3-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT 10-14-15
Joyce and Ron Wolff, 1605 E 318 Road, stated they are disappointed about the changes to Stull Road. They are worried about possible erosion control. They also stated concerns about wind towers being allowed too close to eagle nests and the possibility bird fatalities.
Flory moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
____________________________ ____________________________
James E. Flory, Chair Mike Gaughan, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
____________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Nancy Thellman, Member
Time and Date