Meeting Information
Amended Agenda
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2014
3:00 p.m.
Preliminary discussion on CIP (Sarah Plinsky)-additional backup to follow
4:00 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders;
(b) Consider request of the City of Lawrence for right of way along a portion of the frontage of Broken Arrow Park (Michael Kelly);
(c) Review and Approve 7th Judicial District Kansas Department of Corrections – Juvenile Services SFY 2014 Supplemental Prevention Grant Application. (Pam Weigand);
(d) Consider authorization to solicit bids for Project No. 2013-15, Deck repair and silica fume overlay for Bridge No. 11.00N-16.40E and Project No. 2013-16, deck repair and silica fume overlay for Bridge No. 11.72N-17.50E (Keith Browning);
(e) Consider authorization to execute agreement with AT&T for relocation work along Route 458 (Terese Gorman);
(f) Consider approval of total offer amount for right-of-way on project 2012-14 [Route 458]
(Michael Kelly); and
(g) Consider Recommendation of vehicle purchase for Sheriff’s Office (Ken McGovern).
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Application for Westar Solar Panel Project for New Public Works Facility (Eileen Horn)
(3) Consider application to the Sustainability & Energy Savings Retirement fund for Jail Parking Lot LED Project (Eileen Horn)
(4) Work Study Session on Wind Towers
(5) (a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments
Bert Nash Community Health Center Board of Directors (2) expire 04/2014
Heritage Conservation Council (3) positions expire 05/31/2014
Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors – (2) vacancies
Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging Tri-County Advisory Council – (2) vacancies
Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department (1), position expires 03/2014
Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority (1) position expires 06/2014
Non-Lawyer Members of the District Judicial Nominating Commission (2) expire 03/01/14
(c) Public Comment
(d) Miscellaneous
(6) Adjourn
Thellman called the regular meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 with all members present.
WORK STUDY SESSION 02-26-14
The County Commission held a preliminary discussion on the Douglas County Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Sarah Plinsky, Assistant County Administrator; and Keith Browning, Director of Public Works, updated the Commissioners on the status of current road and bridge projects, and new projects added to the CIP. Plinsky discussed upcoming facility projects, conceal and carry building alterations and the fairgrounds.
It was the consensus of the Board to continue the CIP discussion at the March 12 meeting and the fairgrounds discussion at the March 19 meeting at 4:00 p.m. The fairgrounds discussion will include revisions to rate fees and possible cash and debt financing.
RECESS 02-26-14
At 4:10 p.m., the Board recessed for 7 minutes.
RECONVENE 02-26-14
At 4:17 p.m., the Board returned to regular session.
CONSENT AGENDA 02-26-14
Thellman moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
- Commission Order Nos.14-008 and 14-009 (on file in the office of the Clerk);
- Dedication of Right-of-Way to the City of Lawrence to execute a street easement along Louisiana Street for a utility relocation;
- 7th Judicial District Kansas Department of Corrections – Juvenile Services SFY 2014 Supplemental Prevention Grant Application;
- Authorization to solicit bids for Project No. 2013-15, Deck repair and silica fume overlay for Bridge No. 11.00N-16.40E and Project No. 2013-16, deck repair and silica fume overlay for Bridge No. 11.72N- 17.50E;
- Authorization for the Public Works Director to execute an agreement with AT&T in the amount of $128,830.96 for the relocation of AT&T facilities along Route 458 between E 1150 Road and US-59;
- The total amount of $47,150.00 to be offered by the Public Works Director to appropriate landowners for acquisition of various easements, including damages, for Project No. 2012-14, Route 458; and
- Authorization for the Sheriff to complete the purchase of five (5) 2014 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, three (3) 2014 Ford Expedition Special Service vehicles, and one (1) 2014 Ford Expedition with Shawnee Mission Ford for the total cost of $250,555.00 utilizing the MACPP joint vehicles bids
Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
SUSTAINABILITY 02-26-14
Thellman moved to authorize staff to apply for the Westar Energy Solar PV Project grant for the new Public Works Building. If Douglas County receives the grant, Westar Energy will provide funding for the installation of solar panels and equipment to gather data and share with customers to help inform them on solar energy choices. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
SUSTAINABILITY 02-26-14
Thellman moved to authorize the County Administrator to provide $28,000 from Equipment Reserve to fund the Jail Parking Lot LED Project which includes 28 lighting fixtures retrofit to utilize 130 watt LEDs meant to reduce energy costs and maintenance. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
WORK STUDY ON WIND TOWERS 02-26-14
The Board of County Commissioner conducted a work study session on Wind Tower regulations in Douglas County. Eileen Horn, Sustainability Coordinator, made a presentation on using wind as a Kansas Natural Resource; Neil W. Jones, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc; and Noah Hyte, NextEra’s, made a presentation on the factors of making wind energy a commodity and discussing the wind energy market. Sandra Day, Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning staff, discussed where the received applications are in the CUP process.
Gaughan asked how the wind market as a resource compares to the utilities market in Kansas.
Neil Jones, Kimley-Horn and Associates, stated before a developer can consider building a tower they first must validate the wind resource. When looking at a wind site or wind project there are four main components you must have: land, available transmission, wind resource and a market.
Flory stated he is getting calls from constituents. He asked Jones to explain the applicant’s general plan. Jones responded he is looking at land south of Highway 56 and west of Highway 59. If approved, they are looking to put in two temporary meteorological towers, 196 feet in height. If the temporary towers generate data that demonstrate that the wind is strong enough and consistent enough, they would be able to move forward. It would take a minimum of 1-1.5 years to get enough data. The next step would be to market their project to Westar, and to do environmental and cultural historic preservation research. Jones would then negotiate power purchase agreements with municipalities, institutions, and utilities. It would take another 6-18 months to construct the towers. Jones stated he did not anticipate building prior to the fall of 2016. He is currently looking at 50 locations.
Flory stated there are a small number of constituents that do not want this in their area of the county because the proposed area is agricultural and residential. He said 400-foot turbines can be seen a long distance. Flory confirmed he d s though support alternative energy.
Thellman asked if the applicant has been in communities that support alternative energy where the area cannot meet the minimum number of turbines. Jones said there needs to be 100 megawatts of wind and there needs to be a critical mass of land spaced away from other people. If they can’t acquire the land, the project will be over.
Gaughan said he feels the Board should let the wind tests proceed to determine if the project is viable before starting on regulations. Jones responded, if approved, the MET tower could be up within a two week period.
Sandra Day, Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Staff, stated the Planning Office has received three applications: two MET towers and one tower for KU to collect data by the airport. When staff was approached for the MET tower, staff had to determine how this type of tower would fit with the County Code. Staff counseled the applicant for the MET towers to move forward with a CUP permit request. Applications have been deferred. If the Board wishes to pursue the MET towers, Staff has to do a review and schedule for Planning Commission before coming to this body final action.
Flory asked for confirmation that any protest petitions would follow the 1,000 feet notification criteria. Day confirmed that is correct, the statutory requirement is 1,000 feet. Flory stated he would like to consider revising the County Code to increase the distance for all notification.
John Bullock, Stevens and Brand, stated if the County Commission were to enact regulations for wind towers, he feels a two tier system would be beneficial for small personal home wind farm system and large commercial wind farm systems. When consider regulations, Bullock suggested we look around and see what other communities and counties have done.
Flory said the Commission needs to decide whether or not to modify the moratorium so work can move forward on the meteorological towers is that is the preferred direction by the Board.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Gaughan moved for the meteorological towers application to move forward to be heard at the Planning Commission; the moratorium is to remain in place with the April 30, 2014 date; prior to April 30, 2014 staff is report back to the Board to determine whether to extend the moratorium date; and for staff to research ability to expand the notification and protest zone beyond what is in the state statute. Motion was seconded by Flory and carried 3-0.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 02-26-14
Thellman moved to approve accounts payable in the amounts of $223,404.26 to be paid on 02/27/14. Motion was seconded by Flory and carried 3-0.
APPOINTMENT 02-26-14
Thellman moved to appoint J Harkins to the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board for a three-year term to expire 03/31/2017. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
Thellman moved to adjourn the meeting; Flory 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