Meeting Information
-Convene
-Pledge of Allegiance
-Consider approval of minutes of May 8 and <1/2xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />May 15, 2006
PROCLAMATION
-Proclaim the month of May 2006 as "Mental Health Month" (David Johnson)
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders
(b) Consider approval of resolution granting a cereal malt beverage license for Pipeline
Productions/Wakarusa Festival (Jamie Shew)
Consider approval of Agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for
Extension of E 1326 Road in Berge Acres Area (Keith Browning)
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) SP-05-39-06: Football field improvements for Veritas Christian School, 1470 N 1000 Road (Sandra Day)
(3) Consider approval of Text Amendment to the Zoning Regulations to allow "self storage or mini storage as a permitted use in a General Business District (Keith Dabney)Johnson called the meeting to order at 8:35 A.M. on Monday, May 22, 2006 with all members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Jones moved approval of the minutes of May 8, 2006, as amended, and May 15, 2006. Motion was seconded by McElhaney and carried unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS 05-22-06
Martha Parker, representing Clinton Lake Museum, presented invitations for the Clinton Lake Museum Open House to be held on June 10, 2006.
MISCELLANEOUS 05-22-06
Judy Billings, representing the Black Jack Trust, presented invitations for the 150th Anniversary of John Brown's Battle of Black Jack Sesquicentennial Commemoration to be held on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3, 2006.
CONSENT AGENDA 05-22-06
Johnson moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
- Approve Commissioners Order No. 06-148. Order is on file in the office of the County Clerk;
- Approve Resolution No. 06-18 granting a special cereal malt beverage license to Pipeline Productions for Wakarusa Music Festival; and
- Pull "Consider Approval of Agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for Extension of E 1326 Road in Berg Acres Area" for discussion.
Motion was seconded by Jones and carried unanimously.
AGREEMENTS & PUBLIC WORKS 05-22-06
The Board discussed an Agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for the extension of E 1326 Road south to Route 458 in conjunction with U.S. 59 freeway improvements. McElhaney noted he would abstain because he has a land interest in the area. Johnson made a motion to approve the Agreement with KDOT; Jones seconded and the motion carried with McElhaney abstaining.
ZONING 05-22-06
The Board discussed a request received from Stanley C. Hernly, Architect, for a text amendment to the Douglas County Zoning Regulations that would allow "self storage" or "mini-storage" as a permitted use in the "B-2" or General Business Districts of the County. Keith Dabney, Director of Zoning & Codes, Sandra Day, staff member of the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Department, and Stanley Hernly were present for the discussion. This request arises from the desire to build a combination boat/self/mini storage facility on a piece of property adjacent to Judy's Junction.
Dabney explained that when the Zoning Regulations were adopted in 1966, this use either did not exist or was not contemplated in the regulations. Without a text amendment, this use is not allowed nor is it eligible to obtain a variance from the Douglas County Board of Zoning Appeals. Dabney recommended that the proposed text amendment be forwarded to the Planning Commission for consideration.
Johnson stated that he was not in favor of modifying zoning regulations based on a single request. He stated he would support submitting it to the Planning Commission, but was not hopeful they would be in favor of the amendment.
Jones stated he was not inclined to support the request because of issues with fire protection. There seems to be sufficient storage in town that would be more safe and secure, and the infrastructure in the city is better equipped to handle these types of facilities.
McElhaney stated that he would not vote in favor of the request.
Jones made a motion that the Board not forward the proposed text amendment to the Planning Commission. Motion was seconded by McElhaney and carried unanimously.
The applicant returned later in the meeting to present an alternative proposal. No action was taken.
PROCLAMATION 05-22-06
David Johnson, Executive Director of Bert Nash, read a Proclamation proclaiming the month of May 2006 as "Mental Health Month." Johnson made a motion to adopt the Proclamation as read; Jones seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
PROPERTY VALUATION & PURCHASING 05-22-06
The Board considered approval of a request to purchase an Oblique Imagery Database. Marion Johnson, County Appraiser, stated that Aerial Cartographics of America, Inc. contacted him about doing an Oblique Imagery Database pilot project in Douglas County. The cost of the pilot project to the County would be $39,000, compared to a total cost of $62,000 if the County was not a pilot project. With the pilot project, Douglas County would receive the oblique photography, the software, installation and training. The pilot project area would be the City of Lawrence, which covers 31.4 square miles and composes approximately 70 percent of the County's parcel count. Funding would come from the County's Equipment Reserve (Technology) Fund. The State of Kansas currently requires physical inspection on each piece of property every 6 years but may reduce that requirement with this type of new technology in the future.
Jones asked why the County shouldn't wait to see what the Department of Revenue requires in the future. Marion Johnson replied that he didn't believe they would move on it until they actually see a product in place and understand how it can be used.
Craig Weinaug, County Administrator, noted that this technology could significantly reduce field work.
Jones questioned how often the data would need to be updated. Marion Johnson stated that the industry standard is currently being discussed. The general industry standard is every 2-3 years. This technology would enable staff to overlay current sketches on the photography to determine whether any changes have been made. Marion Johnson noted that he debated about this opportunity for some time before bringing it to the Board and believes it is an opportunity he should pursue.
Johnson asked if we could afford the opportunity. Pam Madl, Assistant County Administrator, noted that a portion of the Register of Deeds Technology Funds are transferred to the Commissioner's account annually which can only be used for land use purposes; there are sufficient funds available for this purchase.
Jones asked what the operating/integrating costs were. Marion Johnson responded that he didn't anticipate any since the personal computers were already on desktops.
Jones questioned the maintenance costs. Marion Johnson stated that he didn't have that information. He noted that in the 15 years he has been the County Appraiser, his staff has been reduced from 21 to 14. He has arrived at the point of needing to develop ideas of getting things done in the field more efficiently and is having difficulty getting 1/6 of the properties looked at every year with four field appraisers.
Jones stated he would prefer to wait and see if other counties jump on board. Johnson stated that he believed it should be done because of the anticipated work efficiencies and because it is the right time to do it -- not because of a cost savings.
It was the consensus of the Board to table formal action until a later date.
OUT-DISTRICT COLLEGE TUITION STATEMENTS 05-22-06
Jones made a motion to approve the eighteen (18) Out-District College Tuition Statements in the amount of $83,496. Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried with McElhaney opposed.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 05-22-06
Jones moved approval of accounts payable in the amount of $137,106.31 to be paid 05/22/06; Johnson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
APPOINTMENTS 05-22-06
Johnson made a motion to reappoint Wes Smith to the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority Board of Directors for a four-year term to expire on June 30, 2010. Motion was seconded by McElhaney and carried unanimously.
ZONING 05-22-06
The Board discussed an Application for a Class B & Class C Public Fireworks Display Permit from the LHS Senior Boys Bash Parent Committee to be held on May 28, 2006. Keith Dabney, Director of Zoning & Codes, explained that the Application was not yet complete but anticipated it might be ready in time for the May 24, 2006 Commission Meeting. Jones noted he would not be available for that meeting and made a motion that the permit be approved subject to McElhaney determining that the appropriate conditions are met. Motion was seconded by Johnson and carried unanimously.
Johnson made a motion to adjourn; Jones seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Bob Johnson, Chairman Jere McElhaney, Member
ATTEST:
_____________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Charles Jones, Member
Time and Date