Meeting Information
VIP Open House for new Healthcare Access location at 330 Maine, Lawrence. (Two or more Commissioners may attend.)
Thellman called the regular session meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 with two members present. Gaughan joined the meeting at a later time.
MINUTES 04-07-10
Flory moved approval of the minutes for March 10, 2010. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 2-0.
PROCLAMATIONS 04-07-10
Thellman moved to approve a proclamation declaring April 5-11, 2010 as "Public Health Week." Motion was seconded by Flory and carried 2-0. Lisa Horn, Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, made a short presentation on the importance of public health.
PROCLAMATIONS 04-07-10
Thellman moved to approve a proclamation declaring the month of April 2010 as "National Child Abuse Month." Motion was seconded by Flory and carried 2-0. Jenn Preston, Kansas Children's Service League, discussed child abuse awareness.
CONSENT AGENDA 04-07-10
Flory moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Commission Order No. 10-012 (on file in the office of the Clerk);
► Resolution No. 10-11 establishing a 30 miles per hour maximum speed limit for Route 442 from Ash Street in Eudora to approximately 153 feet east of Peach Street;
► Contract with Asphalt Sales of Lawrence to supply 5,001 tons to 8,000 tons of BM-2 asphaltic concrete at the unit price of $44.25 per ton, and approve contract with Bettis Asphalt to supply 1,000 tons to 5,000 tons at the unit price of $46.30 per ton; and
► Acceptance of low bid of $84,443.00 and contract with Sunflower Paving for Project Nol. 2010-13, mill & overlay on Routes 442 and 1061 near Eudora, and authorize Public Works Director to approve change orders totaling up to 10% of the contract amount.
Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 2-0.
Item pulled from the Consent Agenda:
PUBLIC WORKS 04-07-10
The Board considered the approval of a contract for dust palliative supply and application for the Public Works Department. Terese Gorman, County Engineer, and Mike Perkins, Operations Manager, were present for questions. Flory asked how the situation is handled when maintenance is required to a township road that has been treated with a dust palliative paid for by a resident. Perkins replied when grading is required or a pothole needs to be fixed, the County or township tries to preserve the application as much as possible. Residents are notified when they purchase the dust palliative treatment road maintenance can occur.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Flory moved to accept the low bid and award the contract for supply and application of 32% magnesium chloride solution for the user fee dust palliative program to Scotwood Industries, Inc. at a unit cost of $0.760 per gallon. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 2-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 04-07-10
Pam Madl, Assistant County Administrator, presented the Board with recommended changes to the Personnel Policy in the following categories: cell phone use, social media site utilization, sick leave loan, grievances, drug/alcohol policy violation, merit policy, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and FMLA & unpaid leave. All recommended revisions have been reviewed by the County's legal counsel. If approved, the amendments will be posted on the intranet, the Douglas County website and emailed to employees. Each department will receive at least one copy of the updated Personnel Policy.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Thellman moved to approve the amendments to the Personnel Policy. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
DISTRICT COURT/GRANTS 04-07-10
Judge Jean Shepherd, District Court Division 3, asked the Board to consider approving a Mental Health Court Grant Application. If approved, the grant is intended to fund a part-time coordinator for a new juvenile offender court program aimed at reducing probation violations and recidivism among mentally ill and developmentally disabled youths. The program would be limited to 10 participants at any given time. Shepherd stated she will be willing to commit court time to this project and is optimistic that the program will make a difference in the future of some of the area youth, as wells as, their families and this community. In two years, if the project is successful, the County would be asked to fund a one-quarter time coordinator and a clerical assistant.
Flory asked if the grant is approved, if the Board would receive reports on the success of the program to help determine its future continuation. Shepherd replied, yes.
Gaughan asked how the success of the program would be determined. Shepherd stated even keeping one young person from coming back into the court for at least a year could be considered a success.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Flory moved approval to proceed with the grant application process. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
CELL TOWER 04-07-10
The Board discussed a proposal from Josh Montgomery, Community Wireless Communications (CWC) and owner of Lawrence FreeNet Inc., to consider a lease of monopole cell tower space on a tower located adjacent to the Judicial Lawrence Enforcement building for data service. CWC is offering a lease amount of $500 per month, which according to Montgomery, is the going rate for data providers. Montgomery stated the tower access would also help to further the mission of Lawrence FreeNet, a not-for-profit data provider also owned by Montgomery, to service low income households in Lawrence.
Craig Weinaug, County Administrator, stated the tower was built by Sprint and has since been abandoned. There is no interest at this time from any cellular carrier to use the tower. We are not currently receiving any rent on the tower. Montgomery is not seeking final approval tonight, but general direction.
Flory stated he supported the proposal as it would provide greater service to Northeast and East Lawrence.
It was the consensus of the Board to direct staff to work out the agreement issues and bring back to the Board for approval.
BERT NASH/BUDGET 04-07-10
David Johnson, CEO of Bert Nash, made a presentation to the Board on how state budget cuts will affect mental health services to Douglas County residents. Once funded primarily through county, state and federal grants, the community mental health system in Kansas, as in most of the U.S., is built around Medicaid. According to Johnson, Douglas County has a high population of residents that fall slightly below poverty level for income but do not meet Medicaid requirements, and do not have insurance. Johnson is looking for ways to sustain services to all residents, regardless of their financial situation, as their budget is continually cut. Johnson proposed the County consider providing funding for an additional psychiatrist who could provide an ongoing walk-in medical clinic at Bert Nash. Johnson stated the hope is to start the program in October 2010. Bert Nash should be able to fund the position eventually after healthcare reform commences.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
It was the consensus of the Board that a loss of mental health treatment will impact the community. Johnson was asked to bring forward specific numbers to the Board for the cost to Douglas County to support a full-time psychiatrist at Bert Nash for the entire fiscal year of 2011 prior budget discussions. And to include in this information, numbers to support the position for the remaining months of October through December 2010.
PUBLIC WORKS 04-07-10
The Board considered a request from the Public Works Department to solicit bids for overlaying and paving shoulders on Route 1023/458 from Stull to Route 1. Terese Gorman, County Engineer, presented the item. The project is approximately 10.56 miles in length and is estimated to cost $2.9 million. There are no easement acquisition costs or utility relocations. The CIP includes $3.175 million for this project. Public Works plans to begin construction in July following the completion of the two bridge rehabilitation projects on the same road. The project includes a 3-inch asphalt overlay on the two traffic lanes and the construction of 4 feet wide, 6 inches deep paved shoulders throughout most of the project length.
Gaughan asked what the life span of the improvements would be. Gorman replied 10-15 years. The 3-inch overlay is a significant improvement, however, there will still need to be some patching at some point.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Thellman moved to authorize the Public Works to solicit bids for Project No. 2010-12, overlay and paved shoulders for Route 1023/458 from Stull to Route 1. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
MISCELLANEOUS 04-07-10
Flory updated the Board on the status of the Noise Ordinance he is working on. The County Counselor has approved the rough draft. There should be a draft to place on the agenda for the Commission to review in a few weeks.
MISCELLANEOUS 04-07-10
The Board discussed interest in attending the Lecompton Township New Building Open House scheduled for April 17, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. More than one Commissioner may be in attendance.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 04-07-10
Thellman moved to approve accounts payable in the amounts of $340,023.21 paid on 04/01/10 and $175,092.32 to be paid on 04/08/10. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
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