Meeting Information
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016
4:00 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders;
(b) Authorization to purchase precast concrete culvert Project No. 2015-52; Structure No. 02.07N-10.00E (Keith Browning);
(c) Consider approval of a Joint City/County resolution amending Joint Resolution No. 1957 and repealing Joint Resolution (County Resolution No. 10-6 and City Resolution No. 6867) making miscellaneous changes to the duties of the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board (Dan Partridge);
(d) Consider approval of KDOT Agreement No. 129-16Master Agreement for Federal Fund Exchange Program (Keith Browning); and
(e) Consider approval of petition to annex road rights-of-way into City of Eudora
(Keith Browning)
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Consider request for Sheriff to enter into a contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare (Ken McGovern/Gary Bunting)
(3) Receiving the Austin Peters Report on Building Codes and Inspections (Sarah Plinsky)
(4) (a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments
-Board of Construction Codes Appeals (1) position 12/15
-Heritage Conservation Council (2) positions 05/16
-Community Corrections Board (2) positions 01/16 and 05/16
-Planning Commission (2) positions 05/16
(c) Public Comment
(d) Miscellaneous
(5) Adjourn
April 13, 2016
Flory called the regular meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 with all two members present. Commission Gaughan joined the meeting at 4:08 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA 04-13-16
Flory moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Authorized the Public Works Director to approve the purchase of a 12’- span x 8 38’-long precast concrete box culvert from Pretech Precast Concrete Technologies at a total cost of $34,732.00 for installation at 02.07N-10.00E;
► Resolution 16-08, a joint resolution of the City of Lawrence, Kansas and the Board of County Commissioners of Douglas County, Kansas, pertaining to the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Board, and repealing Joint Resolution No. 1957, Joint City Resolution No. 4957 and County Resolution No. 86-26, and Joint City Resolution No. 6878 and County Resolution No. 10-06;
► Agreement No. 129-16, Federal-Aid Fund Exchange Master Agreement with KDOT;
► Petition to annex road rights of way into the City of Eudora for East 7th Street Right of Way, East 10th Street at Ash Street to Peach Street, West 10th Street at Winchester Road Right of Way, and Church Street and 20th Street Right of way.
Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 2-0
SHERIFF 06-13-16
The Board considered a request for Sheriff to enter into a contract with Advanced Correctional Healthcare for providing inmate medical services. Ken McGovern, Douglas County Sheriff, and Gary Bunting, Undersheriff, presented the item.
The Sheriff’s office solicited information from Advanced Correctional Healthcare (ACH), Correct Care Solution, and Turn Key health as potential options. At the conclusion of the evaluation process, ACH was selected as the agency’s primary choice.
ACH provides the most effective solution that meets Sheriff’s office needs. It is a national company that operates based upon nationally recognized correctional healthcare standards and policies. The contract would provide physician, nursing and certified medication aid services. The length of the contract would be for one year effective July 1, 2016 and would renewable for up to four additional one-year periods at a cost of $597,333.94 which includes a $75,000 pool of money for the payment of medications and outside medical expenses. The contract was reviewed by legal counsel. Mental health services will continue to be provided by Bert Nash.
After discussion, Flory moved to authorize the Sheriff to enter into a contract with ACH commencing services on July 1, 2016. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
ZONING AND CODES 06-13-16
The County Commission received the Austin Peters Report on Building Codes and Inspections as presented by Beth Tutarko, Austin Peters Group.
Tutarko said the request for proposal by Douglas County outlined three general areas of study for the project: Responsiveness, Fairness and Professionalism, and Best Practices. The purpose of the study was to provide findings and recommendation for best practices in the Zoning Building department. To complete the project, APG initiated the process with stakeholders feedback which involved focus groups, surveys and interviews. APG conducted a lengthy and detailed review with peer local governments to establish benchmarks and best practices which included out-of-state peers in Colorado and Missouri, as Kansas has a small sample of counties with adopted building codes.
Tatarko provided the findings and commendations as provided in the backup to the public, media and Commissioners. Some of the findings included:
• Implementing an EZ permit program
• Reducing times for permits
• Implement informational sessions and training for contractors
• Develop a general public education program
• Modify staff hours during peak times
• Utilize technology in the field
• Continue cross training
• Provide customer service training
• Developing a guidebook for applicants
• Publish method used to calculate fees
• Implement a general contractor licensing or registration program.
• Conduct internal audits
Flory said one thing he notices in the comments was frustration on the part of contractors due to discrepancies between City and County codes. He asked how that can be addressed since we are working with the same code and contractors.
Sean Reid, Director of Zoning and Codes, stated the City is using a different code version than the County. Every three years new codes are available. Reid said there will be significant changes to the 2018 building codes. The County is currently working with 2012 codes. Reid suggested the County bypass updating to the 2015 codes and adopt the 2018 code along with the City of Lawrence. He supports the discussion nationally of moving to five-year building code cycles as opposed to three-year cycles.
There was discussion on requiring all building to be done by licensed contractors. This is required in Johnson County along with required eight hours of continuing education for individual licenses.
Flory also said he was pleased to see the many comments on what the Zoning Department is doing well and was pleased to see the things we can improve going forward.
Flory opened the item for public comment.
Walt Spencer, Douglas County resident, stated concerns that Douglas County home builders do not enforce OSHA regulations. OSHA requires builders to have restrooms or port-a-potties for all employees, and requires all employees to wear hardhats and glasses. He also doesn’t like the fact the Zoning Department doesn’t fall under the Public Works department.
Bobbie Flory, Lawrence Home Builders Associations (LHBA), said she was disappointed there were not more participants in the survey. Some of the comments she heard from builders were:
• The City of Lawrence did adopt the 2015 Building Codes at take effect in July. The biggest change had to do with energy changes and the City amended the codes to coincide with 2012 codes.
• Advocate for contractor license requirement
• Agreed with continuing education program because it’s important the inspectors and contractors hear the same information.
Flory said the information received is a good outline for going forward.
No action was taken.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE 04-13-16
Flory moved to approve accounts payable in the amount of $794,836.28 to be paid on 04/14/16. Motion was seconded by Thellman carried 3-0.
Gaughan moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
____________________________ ____________________________
James E. Flory, Chair Mike Gaughan, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
____________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Nancy Thellman, Member
Time and Date