Meeting Information
-4:00 p.m. - County Commission Meeting
-Convene
CONSENT AGENDA
(1)(a) Consider approval of Commission Orders;
(b) Consider approval of Annual Noxious Weed Eradication Progress Report 2009 (Keith Browning);
(c) Consider approval of Annual Noxious Weed Management Plan (Keith Browning);
(d) Consider approval of Application for an authorized emergency vehicle permit for Louie Disney; Duane B. Filkins; John E. Steele, Jr. (two vehicles); Dillon Filkins; and Joshua A. Wood (Sheriff's Office); and
(e) Acknowledge fee reports for December 2009.
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Discuss and consider a City of Lawrence request for funding assistance in the amount of $277,715
for improvements at 31st Street and Kasold Drive (Keith Browning)
(3) Other Business
(a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments
(c) Miscellaneous
(d) Public Comment
(4) Adjourn
Thellman called the regular session meeting to order at 4:06 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 with two members present. Gaughan joined the meeting later.
CONSENT AGENDA 02-03-10
Thellman moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Commission Order Nos. 10-005 and 10-006 (on file in the office of the Clerk);
► Annual Noxious Weed Eradication Progress Report 2009;
► Annual Noxious Weed Management Plan;
► Application for an authorized Emergency Vehicle Permit for the following: Louis Disney, Lecompton Fire Dept; Duane B. Filkins, Johns E. Steele, Jr. (for two vehicles), Dillon Filkins, and Joshua A. Wood of the Sheriff's Department; and
► Acknowledge fee reports for December 2009.
Motion was seconded by Flory and carried 2-0.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 02-03-10
Flory moved to approve accounts payable in the amounts of $99,204.74 to be paid on 02/04/10, and $301,207.28 paid on 01/28/10; manual checks in the amounts of $18,715.00 paid on 02/01/10, $1,254.93 paid on 01/21/10, and $770.00 paid on 01/29/10, and a wire transfer in the amount of $1,301,570.57 paid on 01/29/10. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 2-0.
PUBLIC WORKS 02-03-10
Keith Browning, Director of Public Works, presented a request from the City of Lawrence asking Douglas County to assistant in funding improvements to E 1200 Road between K-10 and 31st Street and Kasold. The requested amount of $277,715 for improvements include the estimated cost for concrete pavement, curb and gutter, fly ash treated subgrade, sidewalk, recreation trail and sidewalk ramps near the intersection. The City is proposing a right-turn lane for southbound traffic on Kasold at E 1200 Road, and a continuous left-turn lane on 31st Street to serve westbound traffic turning left onto E 1200 Road.
Browning stated that a future Wakarusa Drive extension between K-10 and Route 458 near E 1000 and a new Wakarusa Drive/K-10 interchange are both shown in the long-range transportation plan, T2030. T2030 d s not include a connection between 31st Street and Kasold and Route 458. Douglas County has no plan to improve E1200 Road south of 31st Street. The City of Lawrence has also annexed the entire right-of-way width of E1200 Road from 31st Street to approximately 100 feet north of the bridge over Yankee Tank Creek. Browning stated it is not unprecedented for the County to partner with the City on improvements, but these are not improvements the County has planned. He can not recommend granting the City's request for funding assistance for improvements at 31st Street and Kasold.
The Board had a brief discussion whether there would be a need for improvements to E1200 Road between K-10 and 31st Street, the replacement of the bridge on E1200 Road, and whether there even is a need if KDOT intends to remove the intersection when two lanes are added to K-10 in the future.
Chuck Soules, Public Works Engineer for the City of Lawrence, discussed the upgrades planned to Kasold and 31st Street. They stated there is a visibility issue on Kasold coming out of Yellowstone with a speed limit of 45 mph. Soules stated there are plans for a church to be built at the intersect which will cause an increase in traffic along E1200 Road. The church would have to improve E1200 Road for its entrance. Soules asked that the Board consider contributing $277,715 to upgrade the curve.
Flory asked where the majority of the funding for the City's portion is coming from. Soules responded by sales tax and state funding.
Gaughan stated he is not opposed to partnering with the City to assist in funding projects, however, he commented it would be appropriate for the County to be involved in the project from the beginning whenever we are asked to participate financially. He stated the plans appear to be appropriate improvements but helping to fund this project would impact the County's ability to make improvements to projects we have already committed to.
It was noted by the Commission that the improvements to the curve and upgrades to E1200 Road could affect the County's need to replace the bridge along E1200 Road earlier than expected. The intent is to replace the bridge with a similar but wider structure to accommodate two-lane traffic.
Thellman opened the item for public comment.
Hank Booth, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, stated he wanted to comment as a local resident of Douglas County. He uses the E1200 Road 3-4 times per day. He is concerned that the church would draw traffic from both the curve and K-10. People may find K-10 is an easy access to Kasold without a lot of traffic. He d sn't see K-10 widening for 20 years.
Linda Finger, Planning Coordinator, stated she could see an increase in traffic heading south on E1200 Road as the church is developed and the land west of the church. People may use this route more often than Wakarusa.
Browning commented if that is true that K-10 may not be a four-lane in 20 years, maybe the County should discuss partnering with the City to improve the bridge and remainder of E1200 Road to K-10 intersection.
Flory stated he cannot support the County supporting this project because it is all within the City of Lawrence. He d s not see a benefit to the County and E1200 Road. He d s see, based on future potential development, the County may have a responsibility farther south that we may need to spend money on, perhaps improving the bridge and continuing along E1200 Road to K-10 working with the township. Flory stated that because of the sales tax, everyone buying in Lawrence is contributing to this project. He d sn't want to see property tax also paying for this funding. The County should be prepared to make improvements to the bridge. We may need to accelerate that process. Flory stated his is not opposed to joint projects, but he cannot support using County funds for this project.
Gaughan stated a funding source for this project has been identified. It's the first of 10 projects that the community agreed to fund with sales tax dollars. He is concerned that we have identified a funding source for a project and within the first year of a project the City is looking for alternative funding. Gaughan stated he is relieved to have had the discussion on the improvements proposed. He feels the proposed improvements are appropriate for those who will use the curve. He agrees with Flory that the funding source identified by the City is the appropriate funding source. He asked that in the future, the County be considered in the improvement decisions.
Thellman stated the County may need to consider accelerating its plans to set money aside in the CIP for future replacement of the bridge and upgrades to E 1200 Road should the traffic generated by new development there prove too intense for the current road and bridge. While she supports collaboration with the City on appropriate joint projects, this funding request is being made very late in the process and without the benefit of County input on the planning side. Given Keith Browning's recommendation against funding the project along with the current budget constraints, and given the fact that the project is well funded by the City's sales tax, Thellman d s not support County funding for this project.
Flory moved to deny the City of Lawrence's request for funding assistance in the amount of $277,715 for improvements at 31st Street and Kasold Drive and to convey to the City of Lawrence, the County d s want to be supportive in joint projects, but not in this situation due to other responsibilities down the road and with the City receiving sales tax funding for this project. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
MISCELLANEOUS 02-03-10
Thellman stated that her concerns regarding the need for a moratorium on new industrial proposals in Grant Township had been addressed nicely by the Planning Department staff. An airport overlay zone encompassing 20 square miles around the Lawrence Municipal Airport (the land within 10,000 feet of the airport's perimeter) will be identified in the North East Sector Plan. Scott McCullough states that planning staff will advise future applicants of the FAA circular regarding wildlife mitigation concerns. With these changes in place as described by Scott McCullough, she no longer intends to pursue a moratorium.
MISCELLANEOUS 02-03-10
Gaughan stated he has received compliments on our Douglas County First Responders and he wanted to extend his gratitude for their hard work.
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