Meeting Information
The County Commission will meet at 4:00 p.m. for administrative items and at 6:35 p.m. for public items. Please see agenda at 4:00 p.m. meeting.
Flory called the regular meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 with all members present.
CONSENT AGENDA 01-11-12
Flory moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Approval of the 2012 outdoor warning siren maintenance agreement in the amount of $20,390.40 with Blue Valley Public Safety;
► Authorized County Administrator's use of Emergency Authority to approve execution of advance fuel purchase contracts;
► Approval to solicit bids for Project No. 2012-5, pavement rehabilitation on Route 442 from Stull to Route 1029;
► Approval of the Force Account Agreement with KDOT for Public Works department personnel to perform construction engineering services for Project No. 23 C-4123-01, replacement of the Route 1057 bridge over the Wakarusa River (Douglas County bridge number 13.00N-19.00E);
► Authorized the transfer of $100,000.00 from the Register of Deeds Technology Fund to the Reserve Technology Fund 232 to be used by other Douglas County land records offices; and
► Approval of Contracts for Acquisition of Easements for Project No. 2010-20 for Road No. 483 (E1750 Rd) with Alan and Emily Grant; and Margaret Counts, Trustee of the Margaret Counts Trust, UTD, March 21, 1995.
Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
WESTAR 01-11-12
Chad Luce, Westar Energy, made a presentation to the Board on their tree trimming program which will eliminate trees growing up in the power lines. The program will be on a five-year cycle. The focus "right tree in the right place" should decrease power outages by up to 60% after the five-year cycle.
CITY OF LAWRENCE 01-11-12
Gaughan moved to direct the County Administrator to send a letter to the City of Lawrence requesting the City pay a portion of the update of the Emergency Communications Center. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 01-11-12
Flory moved to approve accounts payable in the amount of $337,946.74 to be paid on 01/12/12. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
APPOINTMENTS 01-11-12
Flory moved to make the following appointments.
Wayne Foster, Master Plumber, to the Douglas County Board of Building Code Appeals for a first four-year term to expire 02/16/15; and
Vanessa Sanburn to the Community Corrections Advisory Board for a first three-year term to expire December 2014. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS 01-11-12
Flory moved to appoint Mike Gaughan as the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners; and Nancy Thellman as Vice-Chair for 2012. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
EXECUTIVE SESSION 01-11-12
At 4:25 p.m., Flory moved for the Board to recess to executive session for 45 minutes (until 5:10 p.m.) for the purpose of consultation with the County Counselor on a matter which would be deemed privileged under the attorney-client relationship. The justification is to maintain attorney client privilege on a matter involving Douglas County. Attendees included Evan Ice, County Counselor; Craig Weinaug, County Administrator; and Sarah Plinsky, Assistant County Administrator. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
The Board returned to regular session at 5:10 p.m. No action was taken.
RECESS 01-11-12
At 5:10 p.m., Thellman moved for the board to recess until 6:35 p.m. Motion was seconded by Flory and carried3-0.
At 6:35 p.m. the Board returned to regular session.
PUBLIC HEARING ON DISTRICT MAP 01-11-12
Gaughan moved to open a public hearing to discuss revisions to the County Commission district map based on 2010 census data.
The Board reviewed three options as follows:
- First alternative equalizes the population between districts by shifting two precincts from District 3 to District 1. Under this proposal, all of the District 1 remains within Lawrence and the other two districts represent portions of Lawrence, and portions of the remainder of the County.
- The second alternative makes more specific changes to the boundaries, and equalizes the populations of each of the districts slightly better. Under this proposal, District 1 continues to be contained completely within the city limits of Lawrence, and the other two districts continue to represent portions of Lawrence, and portions of the remainder of Lawrence;
- The third alternative represents a more significant shift in how the boundaries are drawn. Under this alternative, each of the districts would include a significant portion of Lawrence, one of the three other cities in the county, and a portion of the unincorporated area. District 1 would include a portion of Lawrence, all of Lecompton, and a portion of the unincorporated area located primarily northwest of Lawrence. District 2 would include a portion of Lawrence, all of Eudora, and a portion of the unincorporated area located primarily northeast of Lawrence. District 3 would include a portion of Lawrence, all of Baldwin City, and a portion of the unincorporated area located primarily south of Lawrence.
Jamie Shew, County Clerk, described how redistricting will affect notification for elections. Notification will be sent out to voters after all redistricting is completed as other things may also affect the districts.
It was a consensus by the Commission to eliminate Option 3 because of the many changes it would require.
Gaughan stated he prefers Option 2 for its compactness, population equity and keeping our neighborhoods, our communities of interest intact.
Flory prefers Option 1 because it minimized disruption among the voters. He said some will lose their vote in 2012 because the seat they vote for will change and not be open.
Thellman stated she also prefers Option 2 because it is more equal in population than the other options.
Gaughan moved to close the public hearing. There was no comment from
the public.
Gaughan moved to direct staff to draw up documents for Option 2. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 2-1 with Flory in opposition.
Gaughan moved to adjourn the meeting; Thellman seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
____________________________ ____________________________
Mike Gaughan, Chair Nancy Thellman, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
___________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Jim Flory, Member
Time and Date