Meeting Information
The County Commission will only meet at 4:00 p.m. Please see agenda for 4:00 p.m.
Thellman called the regular session meeting to order at 4:07 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 with all members present.
PROCLAMATION 01-20-10
Thellman moved the approval of a proclamation honoring Ellie Ott for her designation as Rhodes Scholar. Motion was seconded by Flory and carried unanimously.
MINUTES 01-20-10
Flory moved approval of the minutes of December 16, 2009. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA 01-20-10
Thellman moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Commission Order Nos. 10-001, 10-002, 10-003 and 10-004 (on file in the office of the Clerk);
► Resolution 10-03 request a recommendation from the Planning Commission regarding rescinding the "minimum maintenance" designation for a portion of E1800 Road;
► Bids with N.R. Hamm Quarry, Inc. and Mid-States Materials to supply various aggregates (crushed rock) to the Douglas County Public Works Department for 2010 County wide maintenance;
► Renewal of maintenance contract for SUNGARD/THE Public Sector (computer aided dispatch/911 mapping/medical priority) using 911 Fee Fund money in the amount of $34,115.34. Douglas County has a credit balance in the amount of $1,280.00, and the Lawrence Policy Department will be billed $3,536.00 for the Crimes Management Portion of this agreement;
► Cereal Malt Beverage License for Clinton Store, 598 N 1190 Road, Lawrence, Kansas;
Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried unanimously.
ACCESS MANAGEMENT STANDARD 01-20-10
Regarding the approval of Home Rule Resolution 10-1-1 with the Consent Agenda, section 9.512 of the resolution as amended refers to a designee of the Board of County Commissioners. Flory moved to appoint Keith Browning, Direct of Public Works, as the designee for the purposes of the regulation passed. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS/PROPOSED USE OF COUNTY PROPERTY 01-20-10
The Board considered a request to place a concrete slab and other temporary structures upon the vacant land owned by Douglas County and located east of the United Way Building at 2518 Ridge Court. Muriel Cowgill, Northeast Kansas Youth (NKY Inc.), presented the item.
Cowgill stated NKY Inc. sponsors a program for children which meet in office space located in the United Way building. The program consists of indoor/ outdoor and computer lab activities among others. NKY Inc. would like to place a 50'X 100' concrete slab, six basketball goals, lighting and to landscape the remaining area for a playground and practice field for youth football, soccer, and batting practice. All equipment and maintenance would become ownership of Douglas County and the area would be available to all residents. The group would need 6-12 months to raise the funding needed. NKY Inc. is also interested in developing other phases of the project including portable builds on the site for computer labs and indoor activities.
Craig Weinaug, County Administrator, stated the County owns the old Valley View building and the land behind it. The previous Commission indicated to the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) they would support VNA's request to use the land to build a hospice center. The request was not put in a formal contract, but VNA and hospice has indicated they still want to do that. The plans are on hold for a couple of years.
The Board discussed the possibility of considering this request of use as a temporary arrangement. The Commission was interested in knowing how the United Way and VNA felt about the temporary site, and/or if the improvements could remain on site. The Board brought up the amount of money that could be invested in something that may end up being temporary. The proposal would also need to be reviewed by the County Counselor for liability issues.
It was the consensus of the Board for NKY Inc. to provide more information on the size of the court, how the proposal fits with Hospice's plan, explore the drainage and parking issues without spending significant money on a design. The Board is interested in hearing more information regarding the proposed phases of the project. The Board agreed to consider phase 1.
RHODE ISLAND PROPERTY 01-20-10
The Board considered a request from Tenants to Homeowners (TTH) to revise agreements on 1120 Rhode Island Street, enabling TTH to complete the sale of property. Rebecca Buford, Executive Director TTH, presented the item.
Buford stated TTH builds affordable housing and sells to those who qualify for first time homeowner loans. Through a federal subsidy, the price of the house is lowered for the purchaser. This location was taken on as a rehabilitation project. TTH would retain title to the land and the buyer purchases the house, with a split title, at less than market value. If Douglas County chooses to not convey the property, TTH will continue to operate under a 30-year lease, using the house as a rental property. Buford stated TTH currently has 40 homes in trust which TTH stewards. This type of split title is fairly new to the Midwest, but is used all over the country.
Thellman opened the item for public comment.
Dennis Brown, president of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance, stated he supports TTH's proposal and the house is stunning. Allowing a single-family household to purchase the house is the best way to stabilize an old neighborhood.
Thellman moved to close the public comment. Motion was seconded by Flory and carried unanimously.
It was the consensus of the Board they would not be opposed to selling the property, conditioned upon proper legal notice for public hearing process. A unanimous vote is possible upon consideration.
RECESS 01-20-10
At 5:07 p.m., Thellman moved for the Board to recess for 5 minutes. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried unanimously.
The Board reconvened at 5:12 p.m.
PUBLIC WORKS 01-20-10
The Board considered the authorization of the 2010 dust palliative program. Terese Gorman, Douglas County Engineer, and Doug Stephens, Douglas County Inspections Supervisor, where present to answer questions.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Thellman moved to authorize the Public Works Department to continue brokerage of a dust palliative program with an upfront user fee of $1.60/linear foot ($1.00/l.f. for dust palliative material and water, and an additional $0.60/l.f. user fee to cover road preparation costs), an administrative fee of $45.00 per applicant, plus a late fee of $15.00 per application submitted after the deadline. And, for the County to continue to fund treating additional roads considered a danger with funding from the Road and Bridge Fund 201. The Board authorizes the Public Works Department to advertise for bidders once the application process has been complete. Motion was seconded by Flory and carried unanimously.
AGREEMENT/CITY OF LAWRENCE 01-20-10
The Board reconsidered a lease agreement between the City, County and Lawrence-Douglas County Bioscience Authority (LDCBA) regarding the operation and maintenance of the West Lawrence Labs Building at 4950 Research Parkway, to remove the option to purchase provision. Beth Johnson, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, presented the item. The concern was that the wording would enable the purchase in the future at a cost less than market value. LDCBA still has the ability to propose a purchase in the future and the City and County can choose how to respond to such a request. Depending on the County Commission's action, the building is set to close on Tuesday, January 26, 2010.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Flory moved to approve the amended lease agreement between the City, County and Lawrence-Douglas County Bioscience Authority (LDCBA) regarding the operation and maintenance of the West Lawrence Labs Building, and to authorize the Chair to execute the agreement. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried unanimously.
ADMINISTRATION/HEALTH INSURANCE 01-20-10
The Board considered the approval of changes in the pharmaceutical plan for Douglas County employees. Pam Madl, Assistant County Administrator, presented the item. The County is looking to lower pharmaceutical costs by switching to MedTrak, a third party administrator who uses a lower pharmaceutical price index. The network however will not include some of the larger chain stores who are not willing to reduce their pricing structure. The new pharmacy plan has two tiers (generic and brand names), as opposed to the current three tier plan.
The co pays with the two tiers are as follows:
Generics: $8.00
Brand Names: $35.00 + difference between generic & cost of brand name.
Madl stated the MedTrak was working with the County to find service providers for those living outside the local network.
Flory moved to approve the contract for a Pharmaceutical Plan with MedTrak, noting he would like to see the solution for using out-of-town pharmacy locations. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried unanimously.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 01-20-10
Gaughan moved to approve an accounts payable in the amount of $242,937.50 paid on 01/21/10; a wire transfer in the amount of $424,372.00 paid on 01/15/10; payroll in the amounts of $1,172.50 paid on 12/10/09, $761,339.17 paid on 12/17/09, $659.62 paid on 12/18/09, $799,097.56 paid on 01/30/09, and $498,106.44 paid on 01/14/10; FICA in the amounts of $55,371.72 paid on 12/18/09, $59,683.38 paid on 12/31/09, $41.80 paid on 01/04/10, $36,827.45 paid on 01/15/10, and $24,551.63 paid on 01/15/10; KPERS in the amounts of $71,455.49 paid on 12/18/09, $73,795.95 paid on 12/30/09, $45,684.62 paid on 01/15/10, and $30,456.41 paid on 01/15/10 Motion was seconded by Nancy carried unanimously.
Thellman moved to adjourn the meeting; Gaughan seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
____________________________ ____________________________
Nancy Thellman, Chair Jim Flory, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
___________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Mike Gaughan, Member
Time and Date