Meeting Information
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018
6:00 p.m.
-Consider approval of the minutes for March7, March 14, March 28, April 4, April 11, April 18, April 25, May 2, June 20, June 25, June 26, June 27 (budget and 4 p.m.), July 9, July 10, July 11, July 18 and July 25, 2018.
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders;
(b) Consider waiving the purchasing policy and extending the contract with Allen, Gibbs and Houlik for the Audit Services (Jackie Waggoner); and
(c) Consider waiving the bidding process and extending contracts for Banking, Marchant Card and Procurement Card services. (Jackie Waggoner)
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Consider adopting building code regulations for Lone Star Lake (Sean Reid)
(3) Commission discussion on funding mechanism for mental health initiative
(4) (a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments
-Board of Zoning Appeals (1) positions 10/17
-Building Code of Appeals Board (2) positions 12/16
-Community Corrections Advisory Board (1) position open (edu); (1) 08/31/18
-Fire District No. 2 (2) positions
-JAAA Advisory Council (2) position
-JAAA Board of Directors (1) position
-Joint Economic Development Council (2) positions
-Lawrence-Douglas County Advocacy Council on Aging (2) open positions
-MPO Bicycle Advisory Committee (1) position
-Mental Health Board (1) position 04/18
-Property Crimes Compensation Board (1) position
-Senior Resource Center (1) positon 12/31/18
(c) Public Comment
(d) Miscellaneous
(5) Adjourn
August 15, 2018
Thellman called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 with all members present.
MINUTES 08-15-18
Thellman moved to approve the minutes for March7, March 14, March 28, April 4, April 11, April 18, April 25, May 2, June 20, June 25, June 26, June 27 (budget and 4 p.m.), July 9, July 10, July 11, July 18 and July 25, 2018. Motion was seconded by Derusseau and carried 3-0.
CONSENT AGENDA 08-15-18
Thellman moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Waive the formal bidding process and approved a contract for audit services for 2018-2011 audits with Allen Gibbs and Houlik, L.C.; and
► Waive the formal bidding process and approved a new term (2019-2023) with US Bank for banking and procurement card services, and access the national cooperative contract with Sourcewell with FIS Company for merchant card services.
Motion was seconded by Derusseau and carried 3-0.
ZONING & CODES/LONE STAR LAKE 08-15-18
The Board considered the adoptions of Building Code Regulations for Lone Star Lake. Sean Reid, Director of Zoning and Codes, presented the item.
Because the department has received an increasing number of complaints about derelict or unsafe structures placed on the County owned Lone Star Lake or Lone Star Lake Park property, it has been determined that the private construction on public property requires regulation. In the past, property owners were allowed to place docks, floating platforms, retaining walls and accessory structures on County owned property on Lone Star Lake and Lone Star Park. Second, the building and residential codes adopted by Douglas County do not address docks and floating platform structures with prescriptive design criteria.
Staff proposed the County consider adding Article 8 to Chapter 13 of the Douglas County Code and Construction Codes to address privately owned structures placed on County property and to also address the docks and swimming platform specification and criteria within that chapter.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Thellman moved to approve adding Article 8 to Chapter 13 of the Douglas County Code and Construction codes to address privately owned structures placed on County property and to also address the docks and swimming platform specification and criteria within that chapter as recommended by staff. Motion was seconded by Derusseau and carried 3-0.
MENTAL HEALTH 08-15-18
The Board discussed funding mechanisms for the mental health initiative. Sarah Plinsky, Assistant Count Administrator, lead the discussion.
On July 18, 2018, the Board of County Commissioners met and reviewed various options to fund behavioral health campus and services. At that meeting, the Commission directed staff to prepare draft ballot language on both a half-cent and quarter-cent sales tax options. The presentation from that meeting has been updated slightly to include revenue estimates from a quarter-cent sales tax.
Concerning the question of combining a mill levy increase and a sales tax, Bond Counsel has advised that it could be done and it is included as Option 1 of the agenda packet along with draft ballot language for both sales tax options specifically Options 2 (half-cent sales tax) and 3 (quarter-cent sales tax). The options were prepared by Bond Counsel in accordance with the specific statutory authorizations for each tax. The language used to describe the behavioral health project is similar to what was used in the May 2018 mail ballot election.
Also on July 18, 2018, the Commission asked staff to also research the viability of a sunset on the sales tax and if a property tax increase could be joined with a sales tax in one ballot question. Draft language from Bond Counsel was presented with a PowerPoint presentation along with estimates and a half-cent sales tax and a quarter-center sales tax.
The sample Ballot Questions were presented to the Board.
Thellman opened the item for public comment.
Pat Lechtenberg, Justice Matters, stated she was hoping for something more specific to talk about regarding design. There are a number of things not defined at this point.
Thellman responded the Health Leadership Coalition will be meeting in September and are working on a revised budget with probably the information Lechtenberg is looking for.
Dustin Stumblingbear, Lawrence resident, stated he is in favor of a half-cent sales tax to fully fund the mental health initiative.
Susan Rieger, 1205 Schwarz, stated she is relieved and happy to lean towards a quarter-center sales tax. She said she is advocating for those who would be hurt by a sales tax increase. She also stated there should be an annual review of the crisis center by an outside research source; more details on the budget; and should have a sunset provision of 20 years.
Belinda Davis, 221 Deerfield, commented that taxes are necessary to fund and develop projects for citizens. It’s important to be good stewards. There should also be accountability through audits.
Bill Wood, 2612 W 27th Terrace, said he would like to see a ballot option at the November election with a sales tax to support the building on a separate ballot. He feels a quarter-cent sales tax has a better chance of passing.
Thellman closed the public hearing.
Thellman stated the Board is leaning toward the quarter-cent sales tax option because we are hearing from the public that a quarter-cent sales tax with a small property tax increase might not be acceptable.
Gaughan stated the options are pretty straight forward and a quarter-cent would get us toward what we are looking for.
Thellman added our mental health services and facility include housing and substance abuse services that we intend to work on. She asked for assurance from Bond Council that the quarter-cent sales tax can cover housing and other mental health related services.
Garth Herman, Gilmore and Bell, stated the language tracks what is allowable under state law including buildings and centers.
Plinsky asked the Board for direction to proceed with Option 3 and to put the language on the next agenda for approval.
Thellman asked if there was discussion on a sunset clause.
Gaughan said he is opposed. Any future commission can reassess the state of the community mental health funding at any time. This sales tax will remain relevant.
Thellman agreed. She is also opposed to a sunset clause. The need for mental health services will always be with us. There needs to be permanent funding for permanent issues.
It was the consensus of the Board to direct staff to prepare a resolution authorizing a special question election on the November ballot in Douglas County imposing a quarter cent sales tax to finance mental health services and place on the October 22, 2018 agenda for consideration.
ACCOUNT PAYABLE 08-15-18
Thellman moved to accounts payable in the amount of $3,400,891.48 to be paid on 08/16 /18. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
Thellman moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Derusseau and carried 3-0.
____________________________ ____________________________
Nancy Thellman, Chair Michelle Derusseau, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
____________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Mike Gaughan, Member
Time and Date