Meeting Information
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2017
-2:30 p.m. Work Session – Update on Behavioral Health projects, strategies and partnerships. Work session will be led by Bob Tryanski, but with significant contributions from the five community partners involved: LMH, Bert Nash, Heartland, LDCHA and DCCCA.
-4:00 p.m.
-Proclamation for “Domestic Violence Month” (Will Averill)
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders; and
(b) Consider recommendation to purchase a vehicle for Public Works (Jackie Waggoner/ Doug Stephens)
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Consideration of approval of the NRA cooperative agreement and County participation (Britt-Crum-Cano)
(3) Consider approval of a Charter Resolution relating to a Public Building Commission (Sarah Plinsky)-Backup to follow
(4) (a) Consider approval of Accounts Payable (if necessary)
(b) Appointments
-Board of Zoning Appeals (4) position 10/16
-Building Code of Appeals Board (2) positions 12/16
-Community Corrections Advisory Board (1) position resigned
(c) Public Comment
(5) Adjourn
October 11, 2017
Gaughan called the work session meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 with all members present.
WORK SESSION 10-11-17
Bob Tryanski, Behavioral Health Coordinator, provided an update on the status of the Behavior Health projects, strategies and partnerships with Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH), Bert Nash, Heartland Community Health, Lawrence Douglas County Health Department and DCCCA.
RECESS
At 3:36 p.m., the Board recessed until the 4:00 p.m. regular meeting.
RECONVENE
At 4:00 p.m. the Board returned to regular session.
PROCLAMATION 10-11-17
Thellman moved to approve a proclamation declaring October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in Douglas County. Motion was seconded by Gaughan and carried 3-0.
CONSENT AGENDA 10-11-17
Gaughan moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Commission Order No. 17-040 (on file in the office the County Clerk);
► Accessing the MACPP regional cooperative vehicle contract and the City of KCMO for special equipment with Shawnee Mission Ford in the amount of $116,602 for the purchase of a F-550 cab and chassis 4x4 truck with special equipment to the Public Works department to replace their existing fleet maintenance truck.
Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
CITY OF LAWRENCE/NRA REBATE 10-11-17
The Board considered request from Vermont LLC for a 10-year, 75% Neighborhood Revitalization Area (NRA) rebate and an Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRB) sales tax exemption on construction materials to support the development of two vacant parcels, located at approximately 800-815 Vermont Street in the Downtown Lawrence business district, into a mixed-use, commercial and residential project. The item was presented by Britt Crum-Cano, Economic Development Coordinator.
This request was originally considered in December 2016 by the City Commission, but did not proceed. In January 2017, the City adopted specific affordable housing requirements. The applicant is proposing the removal of any personal residence within the project from participating in receiving NRA rebates. Project parameters have not changed since the original request, including those of affordable housing unit the applicant will provide. The project expense and revenue assumptions have been revised to reflect current real estate market and property tax conditions.
Actions to Date
Originally a Request Letter and Incentives Application were received May 18, 2016 from the Applicant requesting a 10-year Neighborhood Revitalization Area (NRA) with an 85% rebate provided annually for years 1 through 5 and a 50% rebate provided annually for years 6 through 10. Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) financing was also requested to receive a sales tax exemption on construction materials.
As a result of gap analysis findings, the applicant submitted a revised Request Letter and Incentives Application on October 10, 2016 requesting a 10-year Neighborhood Revitalization Area (NRA) with a 75% rebate provided annually. Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) financing was also requested to receive a sales tax exemption on construction materials expenses.
The request was considered by the Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB) at their October 10, 2016 meeting. AHAB voted 6 to 0, with one abstention, to recommend the affordable housing aspects of the project to the City Commission. The request was considered by PIRC at their November 1, 2016 meeting. PIRC reviewed the request and voted 4 to 2 to recommend the project, as requested (75% NRA rebate, 10-year period) to the City Commission.
The City Commission received AHAB’s and PIRC’s recommendation at their December 6, 2016 meeting. However, the project was not approved at the 10-year, 75% NRA rebate level and did not proceed to the County or School Board for NRA consideration.
At the July 11, 2017 meeting, the Commission received the reconsideration request and referred it to PIRC for review and recommendation. The Commission also authorized the project to be considered under the original fee schedule for NRAs and IRBs that was in place at the time the project was originally considered and allow the original dedication of one affordable housing unit for this project, since current policy does not address rounding when the required set-aside percentage equates to a partial unit. A public hearing date of September 19, 2017 was set. PIRC reviewed the request and updated analysis at their September 14, 2017 meeting and recommended, on a vote of 7-1, assistance approval for both the IRB sales tax exemption and the 10-year, 75% NRA rebate.
Crum-Cano stated staff views the project favorably since it would support several community goals, including in-full and density development, environmental responsibility via LEED construction, adding affordable housing stack to the community, reducing rather than adding pressure on public parking, supporting area businesses and Downtown vibrancy, and increasing the tax base. It also seems reasonable for the owner’s personal residence within the project to be shielded from the rebates.
Gaughan stated he would like the City to consider opening this NRA benefit to homeowners, business owners and neighborhoods for broader community use instead of always using it for these targeted site by site programs.
Gaughan opened the item for public comment. No comment was received.
Gaughan moved to approve the County’s participation in the NRA for 10-year, 75% NRA rebate. Motion was seconded by Derusseau and carried 3-0.
CHARTER RESOLUTION 10-11-17
The item to consider approval of a Charter Resolution relating to a Public Building Commission was deferred.
ACCOUNT PAYABLE 10-11-17
Gaughan moved to approve accounts payable in the amount of $1,064,197.91 to be paid on 10/12/17. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
Gaughan moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded by Derusseau
and carried 3-0.
____________________________ ____________________________
Nancy Thellman, Chair Michelle Derusseau, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
____________________________ _____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Mike Gaughan, Member
Time and Date
-