-Convene

      -Pledge of Allegiance

      -Consider approval of minutes of March 9 and 14, 2005

CONSENT AGENDA

      (1)    (a)   Consider approval of Commission Orders

               (b)   Consider approval of Lone Star Skiing Dates for 2005 (Craig Weinaug)

               (c)   Consider approval of Resolution Amending the Rules and Regulations of Lone

                       <1/2xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Star Lake Park (Keith Browning)

REGULAR AGENDA

      (2)    Discussion of proposals to amend exotic animal regulations in Douglas County (McElhaney)

      (3)    Consider approval of request to re-establish the 250' road frontage requirement as a development standard (Keith Dabney)

      (4)    Budget Work Session

      (5)    Discussion of administrator's issues and objectives report

Jones called the meeting to order at 8:35 A.M. on Monday, April 4, 2005 with all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Johnson moved approval of the minutes of March 9 and 14, 2005; motion was seconded by Jones and carried unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA 04-04-05
Johnson moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:

• Approve Commissioners Order No. 5310. Order is on file in the Office of the County Clerk;
• Approve Resolution No. 05-17 amending the rules and regulations applicable to Lone Star Lake Park; and
• Approve the Lone Star Lake skiing dates as follows:

That skiing be allowed from 10:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week between May 30th and July 23rd and also on the following dates:

 May  30 (Mon -- Memorial Day)            Jul     3 (Sun)
 Jun     5 (Sun)                                         Jul     9 (Sat) 
 Jun   11 (Sat)                                          Jul   17 (Sun)
 Jun   19 (Sun)                                         Jul   23 (Sat)
 Jun   25 (Sat)     

That skiing be allowed from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week between July 24th and September 5th and also on the following dates:

Jul    31 (Sun)                                         Aug 20 (Sat)
Aug    6 (Sat)                                         Aug 28 (Sun)
Aug  14 (Sun)                                        Sep   5 (Mon - Labor Day)

That skiing be allowed from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on the following dates:

 Sep   10 (Sat)                                       Sep  24 (Sat)
 Sep   18 (Sun)

Motion was seconded by Jones and carried unanimously.

 MISCELLANEOUS 04-04-05
The Board discussed a proposal to add elephants to the existing Douglas County Vicious Animal Ordinance and no longer exempt traveling circuses from the Ordinance. Judy Carman, Mary Prewitt and Ann Wilson, representing Animal Outreach of Kansas, and Midge Grinstead, Director of the Lawrence Humane Society, were present for the discussion. This matter was previously discussed on May 12, 2004.

McElhaney stated that he'd had several conversations with members of the Fair Board, agricultural community, Bill Wood from the Extension Office, and Dr. Paul Grosdidier, DVM. McElhaney suggested that instead of banning exotic animals, there be more of a check and balance system in place which would require an application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) which would require fees, permits and a background check before traveling shows and/or acts could come into Douglas County. The certification process would include a veterinary check-off list to verify the immunizations are current and there haven't been any complaints regarding cruelty to the animals. This would be an extra burden on Grinstead and her staff, but there are only 2-3 shows per year that come into Douglas County. McElhaney noted the agricultural community would be very much in favor of this process since they believe it seems a little extreme to ban them. McElhaney pointed out that even domestic animals can be dangerous -- where do you draw the line1/2

Jones suggested that some sort of fee be assessed in order to recover costs incurred by the Humane Society.

McElhaney noted the CUP fee should capture those costs.

Johnson stated he was more inclined to support this type of change, but was not willing to do so without proper public notification and discussion.

Jones stated that while the CUP speaks to conditions, fees and sanctions, seizure of the animals should be taken into consideration.

Grinstead noted there were no facilities equipped to handle these types of animals for seizure. Grinstead also stated that enforcement and cooperation would need to be worked out, such as who would assess the penalties, stop the show from leaving, etc. Lots of shows are brought in for fundraisers which can put her department in a tough position.

Jones questioned whether a permit would be required for any show or just shows that include exotic animals.

McElhaney responded that it would include any show except the Douglas County Free Fair.

Wilson stated her concern was that some of these shows frequently change their names and might be hard to check up on. Her other concern was the fact that the purpose of the ordinance was to be proactive by not allowing the circuses to come into town with exotic animals, such as elephants, tigers, etc. This would not affect the 4-H or agricultural community since it has nothing to do with cattle, goats, pigs, etc. Wilson cited a recent event where a tiger got a hold of a young boy and had his head in its mouth at a local fairgrounds.

Craig Weinaug, County Administrator, clarified there were two (2) proposals under consideration -- the first would be to ban exotic animals, the second would be to allow them through the CUP process. Weinaug suggested that the County Counselor prepare a draft resolution for circulation to be brought back to the Commission for consideration on a Wednesday evening agenda. No action was taken.

PUBLIC WORKS & AGREEMENTS 04-04-05
Jones moved approval of an agreement with Johnson County, Kansas for the replacement of Bridge No. 05.83N-24.00 E located on E 2400 Road approximately 0.8 miles north of N 500 Road. Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried unanimously.

ZONING & RESOLUTIONS 04-04-05
Jones moved approval of Home Rule Resolution No. HR-05-4-3 providing for the temporary prohibition of the issuance of permits for the construction or placement of dwellings and mobile homes on certain lots. Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried unanimously.

BUDGET 04-04-05
The Board discussed the 2006 budget process. No action was taken.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 04-04-05
Johnson moved approval of accounts payable in the amount of $873,447.96; accounts payable manual checks in the amount of $1,368.24; payroll in the amount of $632,481.32; electronic funds transfers in the amounts of $46,450.83 for FICA and $43,007.38 for KPERS to be paid 04/01/05; and authorize a letter to the Douglas County Treasurer authorizing the Treasurer to credit the account of Blue Planet, LLC in the amount of $90 against their delinquent taxes as authorized by state statute. Motion was seconded by Jones and carried unani mously.

Jones made a motion to adjourn; Johnson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

_____________________________ _____________________________
Charles Jones, Chairman                     Bob Johnson, Member

ATTEST:

_____________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk                   Jere McElhaney, Member