Meeting Information
4:00-6:00 p.m. - Douglas County Extension Office, 2110 Harper, Lawrence, KS 66046. Bill Wood's retirement reception. (Two or more Commissioners may attend. No county business will be conducted.)
Thellman called the regular meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, with all members present.
AGENDA 05-21-14
Thellman moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
- Commission Order Nos.14-023 and 14-024 (on file in the office of the County Clerk);
- Approval of amendment to the current agreement with the Kansas Head Start Association, the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to provide Parent Health Literacy Service in annual amount not to exceed $275,000 that include $137,500 in matching funds provided by the Kansas Head Start Association; and
- Authorization for the Public Works Director to approve purchase of a 16’ span X 8’ high waterway opening x 38’ long precast concrete culvert from Cretex Concrete Products at a cost of $58,660.00 for installation at 13.74N-01.00E.
Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
PUBLIC WORKS 05-21-14
The Board considered approval of a revision to the Guaranteed Maximum Price for the construction budget, to allocate additional funds from the CIP Fund for certain site improvements, and to approve the total project budget for the construction of a new Public Works Facility.
The total project cost was projected at $14,441,168. The Project Budget has been set at $14,389,836; making the project $51,332 over budget.
Keith Browning, Director of Public Works, stated the steering committee has considered several improvements to lower the cost of the project having to do with gravel surfacing in the materials storage area and the cost to surface the west access road to a total of $162,000. According to Browning it is imperative these items be included upon occupation of the new facility. Browning stated the engineering consultants have suggested using a less expensive geogrid underlying the gravel surface and installing a 6” depth of AB-3 base rock and a 6” depth of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) material,
lowering the cost of these improvements from $162,000 to $86,000. Browning asked the Board to consider allocating $100,000 from the CIP for the material cost for these improvements using reallocated funds from Bridge Project 12.00N-11.30E(CIP Project 131).
There was discussion on Browning’s request to go ahead and enclose Building E at a cost of $100,000. The cost will be greater in the future. And, Flory suggested removing the wood ceiling in the training room which would save the project $23,800.
Sarah Plinsky, Assistant County Administrator, stated raising the project budget amount would constitute changing the Guaranteed Maximum price of the project requiring an amendment.
Emily Brown, McCownGordon, confirmed a change order would be required to move funds. If the Board decided to put off the improvements more than six months, McCownGordon would need to reevaluate the price of the project.
Thellman opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Thellman stated if not for the good graces of the City of Lawrence who approved the utility development fee waiver of $264,000, we would be scrabbling now to try to get the budget overage amount to zero. She commented this was a tremendous help to the County.
Flory moved to approve the master budget by amending the addition of $128,366, including funds from the CIP to the project budget by reducing the ceiling style in the training room by $23,800 and by authorizing the enclose of the south side of Building E for $100,834 bringing the total project budget to $14,518,202; and authorized the chairman to sign the final documents. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
Note: It was the consensus of the Board to utilize any unused funds left over from the project to go back to the CIP.
HERITAGE CONSERVATION COUNCIL 05-21-14
Larry McElwain, Chairman of the Heritage Conservation Council, presented the Board with the grant recommendations for the 2014 Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program. The council recommended awarding $276,250 of the $325,000 total allotted funding as follows:
Major Grants:
• University of Kansas, Kelley Kindscher for a systematic inventory for natural areas and habitat in Douglas County.
Requested: $177,000; Recommend $147,500.
• Aaron and Kendra Marable for John G. Haskell Home; Hotel Haskell located at 1340 Haskell Avenue.
Requested: $100,280; Recommend $31,250.
Target Grants:
• Monarch Watch for Monach Watch Educational Signage
Requested $2,650; Recommended $2,650.
• Slice of Agriculture Planning Committee for Slice of Agriculture rural agricultural education to 4th grade students
Requested $1,500; Recommended $1,000.
• Liberty Memorial central Middle School USD 497 for restoration of an original architectural drawing of the Liberty Memorial Building in Lawrence, Kansas.
Requested $2,500; Recommended $1,250.
• Douglas County Historical Society for Watkins Museum permanent exhibit phase 4, Stair Hall
Requested $40,00; Recommended $10,000.
• Lecompton Historical Society to update artifact records for improved exhibits and programming.
Requested $28,978; Recommended $10,000.
• Douglas County Conservation District and Delaware Tribe of Indians to facilitate conversation regarding possible community collaboration on Delaware Tribe of Indian’s agricultural land.
Requested $15,000; Recommended $8,000.
• Freedom’s Frontier national Heritage Area for Kansas Riverkings: Life on the Kaw Museum Exhibit.
Requested $28,275; Recommended $8,000.
• Friends of the Kaw, Inc. for restoration for the Kaw River between Lawrence and Eudora.
Requested $27,920; Recommended $10,000.
• African America Quilt Museum and Textile Academy for project Turkey Red: Interpreting the Life of Douglas County
Requested $82,945.84; Recommended $25,000.
• Kansas Historical Foundation for Constitution Hall Window Restoration.
Requested $21,500; Recommended $21,500.
Thellman opened the item for public comment.
Aron Cromwell, 1616 New Hampshire Street, stated concerns that the Haskell House has not been proposed as a commercial development through the City of Lawrence.
Kendra Marable, 1300 Haskell Avenue, stated whether she and her husband decide to reside at the Haskell House, or go through with the commercial aspect, the home needs revitalization. She said she has been following the proper steps and has met with Planning and Development and had meetings with the neighborhood association. Marable said “hotel” is misleading because “bed and breakfast” d sn’t fit. There will be four rooms and with a small fine dining element open to the public.
Thellman asked for the schedule of the project.
Marable stated the first step is to get the house on the list of historical places which will make the building eligible for a Special Use Permit. There is currently a text amendment in the process that concerns historic properties getting SUPs.
Gaughan commented that last year, the Commission limited advertising on the commercial signage of the Castle Tea Room project. This project, Haskell House, is probably the largest commercial project the Heritage board has endorsed.
Julia Mangliz, Heritage Council member, stated typically the Council has not funded large commercial projects and one of the reasons is they do not qualify for a lot of funding leverage. Haskell designed the Courthouse and the State Capitol, which she feels is important to local history.
Gaughan stated the Midland Railway was an example of a commercial grant the County funded.
Marable stated whether they move forward for a commercial business on the Haskell house, the windows need to be restored, and improvements to the exterior need to be addressed.
Thellman stated we are about to use public funds for a project that in order to meet its goals requires a public process. And it hasn’t happen yet. As presented and with the concerns brought forward there has been for process for public input and what the end use of the building will be. Public dollars might make this a more sensitive award situation.
Marable stated it was her understanding that any individual is allowed to apply for this grant funding. She wanted to make it clear that if she had not said anything about the possible business aspect, and there is an outline of the steps they have taken, they should still qualify as a possible funding candidate. The HRC is looking at this as a structure and encouraged her and her husband to move forward.
Thellman stated the HRC suggested you apply but the sticky point is this item still needs to go through public process for the use mentioned here and that may not have occurred to the HRC.
Sarah Plinsky, Assistant County Administrator, stated it is worth pointing out that when the Heritage Conservation Council guidelines were created there was discussion on whether or not the grants should be open to private individuals and private organizations. The Board decided to keep open the idea to see what types of grant applications came in, but it did not mean that it would be something the Board would actively encourage. She said there are a lot of issues about investing in private home residences and whether or not it’s taxable income for them and the issue of profit organizations.
Thellman stated there is no question this is a house worthy of restoration. The question is whether we put public tax dollars toward this project before it is vetted to become Haskell Hotel. Thellman prefers the process be finished so the Board will have clarity on whether this will be a private residence or a hotel and also know the publics’ and neighbors’ perception. If this becomes a commercial project, the neighbors need to be heard regarding the traffic, dining and drinking aspect in the middle of a residential district. This could be a significant change for the surrounding neighbors. The process isn’t finished so the outcome is unknown. Thellman said she d s not feel comfortable in supporting this application. The applicants are in the process and doing what they are supposed to and encouraged to do, but it still d sn’t change the fact there is still uncertainty.
Gaughan said it sounds like the applicants have strong support, whether it be public or private, to restore the home whether it becomes a commercial property or not. He suggested tabling this application until the process steps are complete, but act on the other recommendations made by the council.
Flory said this is his least favorite meeting of the year. He has difficulty spending property tax dollars on projects that are in competition with core critical services the County has to provide. Earlier this year, Flory said he suggested holding off on the applications to see what happens with the legislature in light of the fact the Board was fearful of the budget process taking a hit, and it did. The County Administrator has told all of the Commissioners there will be difficult decisions to make on funding core functions of the county government. There will be a significant budget impact with the Mortgage Tax repealed by the legislature and we are looking at a mill levy increase just to fund the bare essentials of county government. Flory said we are looking at spending a quarter of a million dollars out to organizations and private individuals to fund laudable activities. Flory said he struggles using tax payer dollars to do that. With respect to the Haskell property, Flory stated he applauds the efforts but consistently opposes the use of funds that is of an economic nature, like the Baldwin Railway project. He d sn’t feel individual property tax payers should be supporting this type of grant. Flory said he has a real problem supporting the Haskell property especially when we don’t know if funding will be for a historic house or restoration for an economic purpose. He knows these are good projects but in good conscious he cannot support this. He told the council he would again like to see the leverage amount past projects have received. Looking at the list, Flory said he is willing to support the Douglas County Historical Society, the Lecompton Historical Society, the Kansas Historical Society with respect to the windows at Constitution Hall, which he can see the County being responsible for. Flory said he will vote to deny funding for all applications except those above mentioned, and use the remaining funding for other necessary core County responsibilities.
Gaughan moved to approve the three-following 2014-2015 recommendations made the Heritage Council as follows:
Douglas County Historical Society for Watkins Museum permanent exhibit phase 4, Stair Hall for $10,000;
Lecompton Historical Society to update artifact records for improved exhibits and programming for $10,000; and
Kansas Historical Foundation for Constitution Hall Window Restoration.
for $21,500.
Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
Gaughan moved to approve the remaining 2014-2015 recommendations made by the Heritage Council grant funding as follows:
• University of Kansas, Kelley Kindscher $147,500.
• Monarch Watch $2,650.
• Slice of Agriculture Planning Committee $1,000.
• Liberty Memorial central Middle School USD 497 $1,250.
• Douglas County Conservation District and Delaware Tribe of Indians $8,000.
• Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area $8,000.
• Friends of the Kaw, Inc $10,000.
• African America Quilt Museum and Textile $25,000.
Withholding the John G. Haskell Home project. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 2-1 with Flory in opposition.
Note: If the public process is completed with the Haskell House, the applicants can contact Bobbi Rahder, Heritage Conservation Coordinator, to bring the item back to the Commission for consideration.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 05-21-14
Thellman moved to approve a manual check in the amount of $48.49 paid on 05/20/14. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
APPOINTMENT 05-21-14
Thellman moved the following appointments to the Heritage Conservation Council: Dr. Mike Thompson, and Lori Hutfles for a first three-year term to expire 05/31/17; and reappointed Ken Grotewiel for a second three-year term to expire 05/31/17. 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