Meeting Information
4:00 p.m. - County Commission Meeting
-Convene
-Proclamation for "International Literacy Week" September 6-12, 2009 (Betty Parks)
-Proclamation for "National Preparedness Month" September 2009 (Teri Smith)
CONSENT AGENDA
(1)(a) Consider approval of Commission Orders;
(b) Consider adoption of Resolution No. 09-32 amending section 12-324 in the Zoning Regulations, Chapter XII, Article 3 of the County Code, creating the authority for commission consideration and approval of conditional zoning map amendments (Linda Finger)
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Consider adopting special rules for special music event at Lone Star Lake (Keith Browning)
(3) Consider approving renewal of the Communities Fisheries Assistance Program (Keith Browning)
(4) Consider approval of the formation of a local Food Policy Council (Emily Jackson)
(5) Other Business
(a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments
(c) Miscellaneous
(d) Public Comment
(6) Adjourn
Thellman called the regular session meeting to order at 4:07 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 with two members present. Flory was absent.
PROCLAMATION 09-09-09
Nancy Thellman read a proclamation declaring September 6-12, 2009 as "International Literacy Week." Thellman moved approval of the proclamation as read; Gaughan seconded and the motion carried 2-0.
PROCLAMATION 09-09-09
Nancy Thellman read a proclamation declaring the month of September as "National Preparedness Month." Thellman moved approval of the proclamation as read; Gaughan seconded and the motion carried 2-0.
CONSENT AGENDA 09-09-09
Thellman moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Resolution 09-32 of the Board of County Commissioners of Douglas County, Kansas adopting text amendments to the Zoning Regulations for the unincorporated territory of Douglas County, Kansas, as codified in the Douglas County Code.
Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 2-0.
PUBLIC WORKS 09-09-09
The item to consider adopting special rules for a special music event at Lone Star Lake was deferred to the Wednesday, September 16, 2009 agenda.
PUBLIC WORKS 09-09-09
Mike Perkins, Operations Division Manager for Public Works, approached the Board with a request to re-enroll Lone Star Lake in the Kansas Department Fisheries Assistance Program. The County agrees to not require fishing and boating permits and in return, KDWP will provide annual lease payments totaling $7,781.65. To maintain eligibility in the Community Fisheries Assistance Program (CFAP), Douglas County would need to document 75% of the amount of the lease payment as expenses each year in maintenance and enhancement of the lake as related to fishing. Many of the routine maintenance activities associated with the lake qualify toward the 75% amount of the lease payment.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
After discussion, Gaughan moved to approve the re-enrollment of Lone Star Lake for an additional 10 years in the Community Fisheries Assistance Program through Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, and to authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Commission. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 2-0.
MISCELLANEOUS/FOOD COUNCIL 09-09-09
Emily Jackson, Management Intern, asked the Board to consider approving the formation of a local Food Policy Council. It is estimated that Eastern Kaw River Region, which includes Douglas County, loses $2.1 billion in potential wealth each year by outsourcing its food production and supply. The goal of the council is to study food system issues and advise the board on local food policies. The council would engage partnerships that could lead to economic development and entrepreneurial opportunities, improved health outcomes, increase access to and distribution of wholesome local food, support local producers of sustainable food products, and identify, preserve and sustain the development of local resources including soil, agricultural land, important breeds/cultivars, water, skilled labor, capitol and markets. The council membership will be determined by the County Commission. Staff recommends that membership should represent:
- Local producers (both produce and protein)
- Local growers
- Farmer's Market
- Local restaurant/restaurant coalition
- Kansas Rural Center
- ECKAN/food security
- Lawrence Unified School District
- Kansas University
- Lawrence Memorial Hospital
- Private sector institutional buyers
- Chamber of Commerce
- Sustainability Advisory Board
- Douglas County Extension Service
- Youth representative: 4-H or Future Farmer's of America
- At-large/Chair
Gaughan commented that he would like to see someone from Douglas County Senior Services on the council. Jackson responded that a representative of Senior Services would benefit the program.
Thellman stated the key to the program is that the council needs to be custom created to fit the community.
Jackson stated the council would not have any formal authority, but would be an advisory board to the County Commission on matters relating to food consumption, production and food security, and economic concerns related to food.
The Board discussed setting up initial funding for the council in the amount of $10,000 to enable several council members to attend the Community Food Conference in Des Moines, Iowa in October, as well as, help cover costs associated with forming the Council and sponsoring any initiatives that the Council decides to take on in its first year.
It was the consensus of the Board to ask staff to provide a breakdown of the costs for discussion at a future meeting when Commissioner Flory could be present.
Thellman opened the item for public comment.
Rita York, general manager of the MERC, stated her support for the council and that the MERCs Mission is to promote community ownership of a grocery store dedicated, in part, to supplying locally grown food. The MERC provides the community with local and organic food from a 200 mile radius.
Jeanette Collier, Coordinator for EKCAN, wants the council to serve the low income population of the County. She is interested in food security and lower income residents having access to all food sources available. EKCAN is in the process of establishing a consolidated food bank warehouse. She is convinced there is no shortage of food in the area, but a distribution problem. Collier suggested a city/county planner be appointed to council.
Thellman moved to approve the formation of a Food Policy Council to focus on food issues in Douglas County, with the ultimate goal of creating and maintaining a healthy local food system. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 2-0.
[The discussion on council funding was deferred until a later date.]
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 09-09-09
Thellman moved to approve accounts payable in the amount of $229,902.78 paid on 09/08/09. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 2-0.
Thellman moved to adjourn the meeting; Gaughan seconded and the motion carried 2-0.
____________________________ ____________________________
Nancy Thellman, Chair Jim Flory, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
_____________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Mike Gaughan, Member