Meeting Information
4:00 p.m. Only
-Convene
-Consider approval of proclamation declaring the month of May 2011 as "National Preservation Month"
(Lynne Zollner)
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders; and
(b) Acknowledgment of fee reports for March and April 2011 (Clerk's Office)
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Presentation by Natural and Cultural Heritage Task Force on Heritage Conservation Bylaws and grant program (Ken Grotewiel/Collin Bielser)
(3) Consider Purchase of Vehicles for Zoning & Codes (Jackie Waggoner)
(4) Discuss and consider approval of Employee Insurance Plan Renewal (Sarah Plinsky)
(5) Consider adoption of a resolution to hold a public hearing to consider creating a community improvement district in the vicinity of Yankee Tank Dam, to contribute to financing the costs of rehabilitating Yankee Tank Dam to bring the structure into compliance with state and federal safety regulations (Craig Weinaug)
(6) Other Business
(a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments:
Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Commission 05/31/11;
Property Crimes Compensation Board 04/30/11
(c) Miscellaneous
(d) Public Comment
(7) Adjourn
Flory called the regular session meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 with all members present.
PROCLAMATION 05-04-11
Thellman read a proclamation declaring May 2011 as "National Preservation Month." Thellman moved to approve the proclamation. Motion was seconded by Flory and carried 3-0. Lynne Zollner, Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Staff, and Dennis Brown, Lawrence Preservation Alliance President, were present to support preservation.
CONSENT AGENDA 05-04-11
Gaughan moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Commission Order No. 11-017 (on file in the office of the Clerk); and
► Acknowledgement of fee reports for March and April 2011.
Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
HERITAGE/TASK FORCE 05-04-11
Ken Grotewiel, representing the Natural and Cultural Heritage Task Force, made a presentation to the Board on Heritage Conservation Bylaws and grant program. Grotewiel discussed the setup of the Heritage Conservation Council as having seven members who are Douglas County members. Their requirements are outlined in the bylaws. Their job will be to administer the grant program. His hope is to have the council set up soon and to make the grant program available by July 1, 2011. It was discussed that a formal resolution creating the council and accepting the bylaws is the preferred action needed.
Flory asked why all decisions by the County Commission are subject to review by the District Court. Collin Biesler, Management Intern, replied a lot of the wording came from the City of Lawrence Historic Commission bylaws because that's how they are set up. Flory stated he d sn't feel legislative funding should be appealed at the District Court but another option may be more appropriate.
Flory opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
It was the consensus of Board to draft a resolution and the Board will work with the draft before putting on the agenda for considerate for approval.
PURCHASING/ZONING & CODES 05-04-11
The Board considered the purchase of two vehicles for the Zoning & Codes department. Jackie Waggoner, Director of Purchasing, presented the item. Funds have been allocated to purchase two SUVs. The current used F-150 pickup trucks both have approximately 200,000 miles and are experiencing mechanical issue. Shawnee Mission Ford, on the regional cooperative bid as offered 2012 models at the 2011 prices as follows:
Quantity
Make/Model
Unit Cost
Extended Cost
2
2012 Ford Escape Sub-Compact SUV, 4x4
$17,718
$35,436
2
3 Spare Keys - All in One Key
$ 130
$ 260
1
Service Manuals
$ 200
$ 200
TOTAL COST
$18,048
$35,896
Funds in the amount of $33,000 are available in the Equipment Reserve Fund. The remaining balance of $2,896 will be paid from a budget designated by the County Administrator.
Flory opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Flory moved to approve the purchase of two SUVs in the amount of $35,896 through Shawnee Mission Ford in the total amount of $35,896. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
PERSONNEL/HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWAL 05-04-11
Sarah Plinsky, Assistant County Administrator, made a presentation to the Board on medical insurance claims results for the 2010-2011 year. Medical claims are 11.2% higher per employee per month for the first nine months due to several large claims. Dental claims through the same period compared are up 7.6%. Pharmaceutical claims during the same period are down 3.6%. Overall, the total plan claims cost were up 7.6% for that same period.
Plinsky discussed staff recommendation that the stop loss specific remain at $175,000, with a continued $50,000 aggregate specific, which is the most cost effective level. Douglas County received a renewal reinsurance bid from ING and a bid from Optum. Due to the excellent relationship Douglas County has with ING, and that the final quotes for Optum were not submitted in a timely manner, staff recommends accepting the stop loss/reinsurance proposal from ING.
Plan changes for 2011-2012 mandated by the Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act include no Lifetime Benefit Maximum and adding dependents up to age 26 that do not have medical coverage available to them at their place of business. Other plan changes include coverage of domestic partners and dependents of domestic partners.
Recommend premium levels for 2011-2012 are as follows:
FULL PREMIUM
EMPLOYEE PORTION
2010-2011
2011-2012
2010-2011
2011-2012
EMPLOYEE ONLY
$543.00
$545.15
$29.00
$30.00
EMPLOYEE + ONE
$,1062.00
$1,066.20
$183.00
$186.50
FAMILY
$1,518.00
$1,524.01
$254.00
$258.00
RETIREE'S PORTION OF THE PREMIUM (55%):
Regular Retirement Plan
EMPLOYEE ONLY
$300.00
EMPLOYEE + ONE
$587.00
FAMILY
$839.00
RETIREE'S PORTION OF THE PREMIUM:
Incentive Retirement Plan
EMPLOYEE ONLY
$31.00
EMPLOYEE + ONE
$186.50
FAMILY
$258.00
Staff recommends that the 2011-2012 Health insurance Plan be renewed with the above changes and acceptance of the reinsurance from ING.
Flory opened the item for public comment.
Kurt Schueler, 857 E 1259 Road, thanked the board for considering domestic partnership in their benefit plan which he feels will help Douglas County be a competitive employer.
Forest Swall, 1718 E 1117 Road, spoke in favor of adding domestic partnership to Douglas County's health insurance plan. He stated we want to end all forms of discrimination of family members. He thanked the Board for their leadership in taking this important step.
Pastor Leo Barbee, Jr., Victory Bible Church, stated he feels this is a moral decision the Board is making by saying partners are equal to families of God. He stated he is in opposition. This is a choice, not discrimination.
Flory stated his opposition was not based on a moral issue. His concern in trying to do an objective analysis is the County health plan for years has been to cover the employee. The other aspect that has been approved is when employee has spouse and children, or legal obligation by law. Expanding to approve domestic partnership is not a legal partnership; there is no legal obligation to support. There are a number of relationships where there is no legal obligation but a moral obligation. He said draws the line at who has a legal responsibility. That is for state legislature not the county. Flory said he will vote against this part of the renewal, but agrees with using ING and with the renewal rates.
Gaughan stated he plans to support the plan changes adding domestic partnership to the health insurance benefit plan. He has received 30-40 emails on this process. This is the one, of all the relationships that Flory described, that the state has precluded from accessing equal rights in our community. It's reasonable and fits the character of this community to extend coverage to domestic partners. Gaughan said we won't have to consider losing talented applicants because this benefit package will allow us to be competitive. We're going to be a good employer to every one of our employees. This step says our community cares about families of all kinds.
Thellman affirmed that not all families are alike. There are those who are not married but committed to each other and should not be discriminated against. She thanked staff for working through this because the process is complicated. Thellman stated the conversations she's had and emails she received were positive about this subject. She agreed to vote yes in support of this benefit package.
Gaughan moved to renew the health insurance plan through ING for the 2011 -2012 benefit year and to accept the plan changes as discussed. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 2-1 with Flory in opposition based on the comments listed above.
RESOLUTION/PUBLIC HEARING 05-04-11
Flory moved to adopt Resolution 11-13 calling a public hearing on the (I) advisability of creating a community improvement district (for Yankee Tank Dam) within Douglas County, Kansas, (II) authorizing the making of certain improvements therein, and (III) setting forth the general nature of the improvements, the estimated or probable costs thereof, the proposed method of assessment and financing; and providing for the giving of notice of such public hearing. The public hearing date is set for June 1, 2011, at 6:35 p.m., in the Commission Chamber of the County Courthouse located at 1100 Massachusetts Street. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 05-04-11
Flory moved to approve accounts payable in the amount of $107,598.76 Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
Flory moved to adjourn the meeting; Gaughan seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
_______________________ _______________________
Jim Flory, Chair Mike Gaughan, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
______________________ ________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Nancy Thellman, Member
Time and Date