Meeting Information
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2011
Convene at 6:35 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders;
(b) Consider approval of Notice to the Township Board for Cereal Malt Beverage License for The Clinton Store, 598 N 1190 Rd.(Clerk's Office);
(c) Consider approval of Notice to the Township Board for Cereal Malt Beverage Licenses Midland Farm Store, 1423 East 900 Rd. (Clerk's Office);
(d) Consider approval of agreement with KDOT for the treatment of noxious weeds on state rights-of-way in 2012 and authorize the Chair to sign the agreement. (Keith Browning);
(e) Consider approval of acquisition of right-of-way for three (3) drainage structures on County Route 460 (N600 Road) in the E200 mile (Michael Kelley);
(f) Consider approval to waive the bidding process for the purchase of seven (7) digital ally DVM750 digital video mirrors and accessories in the amount of $31,220.00 for the Sheriff's Office, with funds available in the Sheriff's Office budget. (Ken McGovern)
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Consider recommendations of Heritage Conservation Council for grant awards (Ken Grotewiel).
(3) Other Business
(a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments:
Building Code Board of Appeals - vacancy
Lawrence-Douglas County Advocacy Council on Aging - vacancy
Douglas County Community Corrections Advisory Board - 12/2011
Douglas County Senior Services, Inc. Board of Directors - 12/2011
Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging Tri-County Advisory Council - vacancy
Fire/EMS District No. 1 - 12/2011
(c) Public Comment
(d) Miscellaneous
(4) Adjourn
Flory called the regular meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 with all members present.
CONSENT AGENDA 11-16-11
Flory moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Notice to the Township Board for Cereal Malt Beverage License for The Clinton Store, 598 N 1190 Road;
► Notice to the Township Board for Cereal Malt Beverage Licenses Midland Farm Store, 1423 East 900 Road;
► Acquisition of right-of-way for three (3) drainage structures on County Route 460 (N600 Road) in the E200 mile for Project No. 06000201 - 06000219-06000233 with Robert K. and Susan C. Herrinton, 640 E200 Rd, Tract 1; and with Robert W. and Carolyn K. Hutchins, 193 N600 Road, Tract 2; and
► Waive the bidding process for the purchase of seven (7) digital ally DVM750 digital video mirrors and accessories through Digital Ally in the amount of $31,220.00 for the Sheriff's Office, with funds available in the Sheriff's Office budget.
Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
Pulled from the agenda:
PUBLIC WORKS 11-16-11
The item regarding an agreement with KDOT for the treatment of noxious weeds on state rights-of-way in 2012 and authorize the Chair to sign the agreement was deferred to a later agenda.
NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE GRANT PROGRAM 11-16-11
The Board considered recommendations from the Heritage Conservation Council on 10 heritage conservation projects for the Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program. Ken Grotewiel, president of the Heritage Conservation Council, presented the item. John Bradley and Shelly Hickman-Clark, members of the Heritage Conservation Council, provided discussed the following grants proposals:
Major Grants:
Project Titles
- Robert Hall Pearson Farmhouse Rehabilitation
- Renovation of 720 and 722 Main Street and Development of Eudora Community Museum
Target Grants:
Project Titles
- Restoration on interior and exterior of Clearfield School to make it a Heritage Visitor's Stop
- Museum addition to Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum
- Heritage Trees of Douglas County, Kansas
- Signage for historic buildings on main Street, Eudora, Kansas
- Hamilton Conservation Easement
- Protecting cultural heritage through listing on the National Register of Historic Places (B'nai Israel Cemetery, Robinson Oakridge Farm Barn and 707 Main Street, Eudora, Kansas
- Relocation of 1892 Lecompton City Jail
- Vinland Presbyterian Church building, exterior preservation
Flory opened the item for public comment.
Elizabeth Hatchett, representing the Wakarusa Valley River Valley Heritage Museum, stated she was shocked to receive $20,000 of the $79,809.17 requested in the application. The council has earmarked the proposed amount to be used for a museum consultant. Hatchett stated what they need in the immediate future is storage for the collection. The consultant services they feel they can acquire from volunteers.
Paul Bahnmaier, President of the Lecompton Historical Society, stated property owners where the jail sits want the jail moved. The money as proposed from the council is to be earmarked to explore options to preserve the jail and explore permanent access to the building. The jail sits 12 feet from the house. The property owners are not interested in an easement. He feels what that council proposed is not beneficial to Lecompton. The Lecompton Historical Society's plan is to secure money first so they can approach the State Historical Society about the permitting process.
Flory stated he d sn't agree with using property taxes for this purpose, but he d s support the projects. His immediate concern is a resulting reduction in revenue of $3-4 million that is certain in the 2013 budget. He feels we should lessen that impact now by spending less. Flory said the Board should put a moratorium on spending for non-essential governmental functions until we know where we stand and what money is available. Spending this money now potentially jeopardizes essential services in year 2013 and beyond. If our estimates are wrong, we can remove the moratorium and go on. We have some mandated expenses coming up that we need to focus on plus the need for additional personnel. Flory asked if Freedom's Frontier money is available for grants.
Grotewiel replied Freedom's Frontiers funding is not available for these
types of projects. Its role is to promote the themes of Freedom's Frontier.
Gaughan stated he appreciated the work from the Heritage Conservation Council and the balance given between the cultural and natural heritage items. Gaughan said he considers these projects as investments in our heritage. He is pleased with the thought that went into this process and he supports these projects.
Thellman said she would eventually like to see a sales tax created to continue this effort and give it a solid source of funding we can count on through the years. This first round of awards is projects located throughout the entire county. Until this happens year after year we won't see the full impact of this initial investment but in time we will have reason to be glad we made these investments in our historic land and structures. In time, Douglas County will become a magnet for heritage tourism and a lead county in the Freedom's Frontier heritage area. It's a way of investing in quality of life as well as economic development now and for the future. Some of these structures we are trying to save now with these grants may not last long enough to see a day when we have more money or a different funding mechanism.
Flory stated he has concerns with the proposed awards to the Clinton and Lecompton projects. Regarding the Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum, Flory said he feels the applicant knows whether they need a consultant. He recommended not spending the money. But if the other Board members are determined to spend money, the grant money should go towards the building fund. On the relocation of the Lecompton jail, it sounds like the council is asking the applicant to explore an option they don't want to explore. He understands why the owner wants the jail moved. Flory recommended utilizing funds for the relocation of the jail as they deem appropriate, dependent upon conditions and permits necessary through the State Historic Society. Flory said he would like to see more money allotted to this project and less to some others awards.
It was discussed amongst the Commissioners that the details on the proposed awards for the relocation of the Lecompton jail and the Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum could be worked out with the Heritage Conservation Council in the performance agreement stage.
Formal actions on the grants are as follows:
Major Projects
- Project Title: Robert Hall Pearson Farmhouse Rehabilitation.
Requested Amount: $163,000
Award Amount: $163,000
Gaughan moved to approve the full funding of $163,000. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 2-1 with Flory in opposition.
- Project Title: Renovation of 720 and 722 Main Street and development of Eudora Community Museum
Requested Amount: $180,000
Award Amount: $29,500
Gaughan moved to award the amount of $29,500 as recommended by the Heritage Conservation Council. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 2-1 with Flory in opposition.
Target Projects
- Project Title: With Restoration on Interior and Exterior, make Clearfield School a Heritage Visitor's Stop
Requested Amount: $23,280
Award Amount: $3,000
The item passed on a 2-1 vote with Flory in opposition.
The following projects were combined by the Commission in one vote:
- Project Title: Signage for Historic Buildings on Main Street, Eudora
Requested Amount: $3,000
Award Amount: $3,000
- Project Title: Hamilton Conservation Easement
Requested Amount: $32,818
Award Amount: $22,300
- Project Title: Protecting Cultural Heritage through Listing on the National Register of Historic Places (B'nai Israel Cemetery, Robinson Oakridge Farm Barn and 707 Main Street, Eudora) Requested Amount: $10,000
Award Amount: $9,000
- Project Title: Vinland Presbyterian Church building, exterior preservation
Requested Amount: $34,810
Award Amount: $30,000
The Board approved the above-listed grants as recommended by the Heritage Conservation Council on a 2-1 vote with Flory in opposition
- Project Title: Museum Addition to Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum
Requested Amount: $79,809.17
Award Amount: $20,000
Gaughan moved to approve the awarded amount of $20,000. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 2-1 with Flory in opposition.
- Project Title: Relocation of 1892 Lecompton City Jail
Requested Amount: $58,400
Award Amount: $15,000
Thellman moved to approve $15,000 for the Lecompton Historical Society for planning and advancing the objective of relocating the Lecompton city jail, including the possibility of repair, if feasible. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
Kathy Wigginson, rural resident, commented that this money is important to leverage other funds for tourism. She said no one was there to say they're happy about the support, so she was expressing her appreciation for the Vinland project funding.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 11-16-11
Flory moved to approve accounts payable in the amount of $511,322.11 to be paid on 11/17/11. Motion was seconded by Gaughan 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