WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2015

4:00 p.m.

CONSENT AGENDA

(1)     (a)    Consider approval of Commission Orders

REGULAR AGENDA

(2)    Discussion of Building Code and Inspection Review (Sarah Plinsky)

(3)    Consider scope of work for continuation of Margaret Severson and Jason Matejkowski’s services on the jail project, and authorize the County Administrator to execute contract for services (Craig Weinaug)

(4)    Take action on solicitation for proposals for a design professional for a new mental health crisis center (Craig Weinaug)

(5)    H2020 Steering Committee’s Issue Action Report (Jeff Crick, Planning Department)

(6)    (a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)   

(b)    Appointments

    -Board of Construction Codes Appeals (1) position

(c)  Public Comment

(d)  Miscellaneous

(7)    Adjourn

November 11, 2015

Flory called the regular meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 with all members present.

BUILDING CODES/INSPECTION REVIEW 11-11-15

Sarah Plinsky, Assistant County Administrator, presented the Board with two proposals to provide a Building Code and Inspection function review, one from The Austin Peters Group, Inc. and one from The Novak Consulting Group. Given the estimated costs for the project, staff recommended Austin Peters. Both are high quality firms; the difference is the approach.

There was discussion on placing a cap on traveling expenses. A source of funds for the review has not been identified. Plinsky suggested one of the following funds: Commissioner, Countywide or Building Codes Fund.

It was a consensus among the Board they favored the Austin Peters Group.

Thellman asked if Plinsky anticipated waiting to begin the review until a new Zoning Director was hired. Plinsky responded she preferred to begin work as soon as possible, before getting a new director.

Flory opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.

Flory moved to approve The Austin Peters Group contract with staff to negotiate a timeline and travel cap. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.

JAIL PROJECT 11-11-15

The Board considered the continuation of Margaret Severson and Jason Matejkowski’s with University of Kansas School of Social Welfare professional consulting services on the jail project. Craig Weinaug, County Administrator, presented the item.

Weinaug stated he feels there is a value of having an independent voice regarding the jail/mental health expansion. The Part 1 of the contract would provide for technical assistance, facilitation services, operations and programs consultations, consulting on the mental health court etc, for a contract amount of $46,799.

Gaughan stated he would be open to finding funding for Part 2 of the contact which would include evaluation and reports.

Flory added going through with Part 1 of the contract is not a guarantee of a commitment to Part 2.

Flory opened for public comment.

Gaughan moved to approve the agreement with Margaret Severson and Jason Matejkowski’s of University of Kansas School of Social Welfare to continue work on the jail project and authorized the County Administrator to execute the contract. Motion was seconded by Flory and carried 3-0.

MENTAL HEALH CRISIS CENTER 11-11-15

Craig Weinaug, County Administrator, asked the Board to take action on the solicitation for proposals for a design professional for a new mental health crisis center.

Weinaug stated our work to date confirms there is enough population that could be diverted from jail to other services, plus the need for a crisis intervention center. A design professional is needed at this point to work out the size of the facility and to provide cost estimates to build and operate based on Kansas regulations. Various officials have visited facilities across the country.

Flory added the proposal does not authorize the facility. It would only find out about the facility.

Flory opened the item for public comment.

John McDermott, Pastor of Morning Star Church, said he heard what Weinaug said about state requirements, but in the Town Hall meetings he saw presentations that were really compelling. He asked how the Board arrived at the proposal of a 30,000 square foot facility.

Weinaug replied that the estimate of the size of the facility is generally based upon data collected so far to give some general direction to the design professional. There hasn’t been a decision by this commission to set the square footage.

Flory said the goal of the design professional is to take size and data and come back with something we can look at. No decision has been made on size of scope.

McDermott said he feels there has not been enough thought about the budget and how much we need to spend on a building versus the caliber of people to run the building. He believes it will take higher trained staff to run this facility.

Weinaug stated the building cost is actually small compared to the cost to run it. The County needs someone to understand the federal and state regulations and what level of staff need hired. There will be ongoing costs associated with running the building. The public will be made aware of those numbers as the commission decides whether or not to proceed.

Gaughan asked if the facility in Topeka is 30,000 square feet. Weinaug replied he believes it is. Gaughan asked David Johnson, CEO Bert Nash to respond to size of facility.

David Johnson, CEO Bert Nash, said there are things we have to take into consideration such as 16 beds for people who stay more than 23 hours is the maximum number approved for Medicaid funding. If we were to build by the average daily census, half the time we would be too small. But, if we build for that need than half the time you have empty beds. One of the things we are looking at is possibly locating the crisis response at this location as opposed to going to the hospital for these services. Johnson said he was impressed with St. Elizabeth’s structure where they take a broad base of population and provide one treatment model. Those are the kinds of things he is hoping to bring to discussion. Also, he feels building the space to fit rather than converting a building is a much wiser option.

Ben MacConnell, Organizer for Justice Matters, stated he recommends the County do this in a different order. The thought of asking architects to design a building without exactly understanding the services offered seems backwards. The photos provided from the facility visits were all different. He feels we should design the building based on who we will serve.

Weinaug replied a design professional doesn’t just design rooms and walls, they ask those types of questions MacConnell is asking, seeks answers and puts together a design cost. This is one of the reasons the Commission chose to keep Severson and Matejkowski’s with University of Kansas School of Social Welfare Professional Consulting Services on this project, to get their input. We also have to meet licensing requirements for Kansas. Weinaug said he does not feel this step is premature and he wants a professional to help answer questions.

Flory added he sees this project as a package: space and professionals together. We are looking at a significant price tag.

Thellman stated we are looking for a design professional to attempt a complete real picture. The finished product is not the building.

MacConnell stated again he feels an architect is not a facilitator for a mental health facility and would not be the first person he would hire.

Weinaug replied programming goes first.

Flory moved to authorize the County Administrator to solicit for a professional design team for a health crisis center. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0. 

Note: As part of the process, Flory moved to appoint the following people as the Design Committee: Mike Gaughan, Ken McGovern, Bill Wood, David Johnson and Craig Weinaug. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.

HORIZON 2020 11-11-15

Jeff Crick, Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Staff, presented the annual H2020 Steering Committee’s Issue Action Report.

After presentation and discussion, Thellman moved to approve the H2020 Action Report. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 11-11-15

Flory moved to approve accounts payable the in the amount of $702,013.01 be paid on 11/12/15; and payroll in the amount of $993,919.24 to be paid on 11/13/15. Motion was seconded by Thellman carried 3-0.

APPOINTMENTS 11-11-15

Thellman moved to reappoint Jim MacMurray to the Lawrence-Douglas County Bicycle Advisory Committee for a first full term. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.

Flory moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 2-0.

____________________________  ____________________________

 James E. Flory, Chair                        Mike Gaughan, Vice-Chair

 

ATTEST:

 ____________________________   _____________________________  

Jamie Shew, County Clerk                   Nancy Thellman, Member