Meeting Information
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF DOUGLAS COUNTY, KANSAS
Public comment will be taken for each regular agenda item as each item is discussed. Individuals will be limited to one comment per agenda item. Individuals are asked to come to the microphone, sign in, and state their name. Speakers are asked to sign in so that the spelling of names is correct in the minutes of the meeting. Speakers should address all comments/questions to the Commission.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2019
5:30 p.m. BUSINESS MEETING
-Proclamation for Suicide Prevention Week (Karrey Britt)
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders;
(b) Consider awarding a contract in the low bid amount of $537,915.15 to King’s Construction Co., Inc. for construction of Project No. 2019-12, improvements to E 1750 Road north of Route 12, as deferred from the August 21,2019 meeting.(Keith Browning)
(c) Consider approval of a County Disaster Termination Resolution (Joe Hoelscher)
(d) Consider awarding a construction contract for Project 2019-06 for pavement rehabilitation on portions of Routes 1029 and 438 (Keith Browning); and
(e) Accounts payable.
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Consider flood buyout program options. (Tonya Voigt)
(3) Executive session to discuss personnel and to consult with County Counselor on matters which would be deemed privileged under the attorney-client relationship. The justification is to protect the attorney-client privilege.
(4) General Public Comment
General Public Comment will be at the end of each meeting with a limit of one comment per person and keep their comments brief. Individuals may not give unused time to other speakers. As a general practice, the Commission will not discuss/debate these items, nor will the Commission make decisions on items presented during this time, rather they will refer the items to staff for follow up, if necessary.
(5) Committee Reports
(6) Commissioner and/or Administrator Miscellaneous
(7) Adjourn
September 4, 2019
Derusseau called the Regular Session to order at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 with all Commissioners present.
PROCLAMATION 09-04-19
Thellman read a proclamation declaring September 8-14, 2019 as Suicide Prevention Week in Douglas County. Karrey Britt, and representatives from the Suicide Prevention Coalition; and Monica Kurtz, Headquarters, were present to support those who struggle and changed by the loss of a loved one to suicide.
CONSENT AGENDA 09-04-19
Thellman moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Contract in the low total bid amount of $537,915.15 to Kings Construction Co., Inc. for construction of Project No. 2019-12, improvements to E 1750 Road north of Route 12;
► Resolution No. 19-27 Disaster Termination Resolution regarding flooding disaster declared by the State of Kansas on August 1, 2019;
► Construction contract in the amount of $1,263,894.25 to Hamm, Inc. for Project 2019-06, asphalt patching and overlay work on portions of Route 1029 & Route 438, and authorized the Public Works Director to approve change orders totaling up to 5% of the contract amount; and
► Accounts payable in the amount of $410,123.33 to be paid on 09/05/19.
Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried 3-0.
ZONING & CODES/FLOODING BUYOUT PROGRAM 09-04-19
The Board considered flood buyout options and authorizing staff to investigate potential buyouts with affected or interested landowners. Chad Voigt, Deputy Director of Public Works, presented the item.
Because of recent flood events, the County has the option to apply for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to remove flood prone structures in Douglas County. Staff has reached out to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management to determine if federal funds are available as a result of the Presidential Disaster Declaration received on June 20, 2019. The County can choose to apply on behalf of the landowner to purchase a floodplain property and remove the structures. The structures and land would then become deed restricted County property.
General guidelines require any applicant to be located in the 100-year floodplain. The application bases buyout costs on fair market value plus project costs. The program will cover 75% total costs and requires a County 25% match. The match can be in-kind services, such as work by County staff. Project costs can include: a required asbestos inspection and remediation if necessary, closing, demolition costs and County time.
If the County chooses to pursue one or more buyout applications, we would need to determine the source for the 25% match. The match may include in- kind services, an acceptance of lower purchase price by the owner, or contributions to the project by the County Commission. Letters of intent must be submitted to KDEM by October 24, 2019. Selected applications will be submitted to FEMA for official funding in April 2020. Voigt stated there were 3-4 properties he felt had the potential to qualify for services.
Derusseau opened the item for public comment.
Richard Rawlings, Douglas County resident, asked what criteria had to be met to qualify. Voigt responded any property has to be in the floodplain and not necessarily part of the August 1 flood, as it’s a statewide program. There is a better chance of receiving funding if there is repetitive loss to structures.
Thellman stated we are working on the assumption that the County contribution to this process is the in-kind service. Voigt said it is actually the project cost. If staff works with the demolition, that is considered in-kind. However, the seller could take all of the difference and there would be no County cash. So the property owner would also be required to contribute to the 25%. The 25% just has to be local. It could be an agency, the owners or a not-for-profit organization.
Kelly asked if staff plans to come back before the Board before any potential buyouts are submitted. Voigt responded he would come back to the before submittals are made in October.
Thellman moved to authorize staff to investigate potential buyouts with affected or interested landowners. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried 3-0.
EXECUTIVE SESSION 09-04-19
At 5:45 p.m., Commissioner Derusseau moved to recess into executive session for 30 minutes to discuss personnel matters of nonelected personnel in order to protect the privacy of the individual(s) involved. The County Commission will reconvene the open meeting in the County Commission Chamber at 6:15 p.m. Motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0. Attendees included: Commissioners Derusseau, Thellman and Kelly; and John Bullock, Stevens and Brand.
At 6:15 p.m., Commissioner Derusseau extended the executive session for 30 minutes, to return to regular session at 6:45 p.m.
The Board returned to regular session at 6:45 p.m. No action was taken.
APPOINTMENTS 09-04-19 - None.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT 09-04-19 - None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS 09-04-19
· Thellman attended the following meetings: At LMH with the Care Advisory Committee and discussed the next layers in Behavioral Health initiatives and Zero Suicide.
·
COMMISSIONERS AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE MISCELLANEOUS 09-04-19
Schedule Items
· Douglas County Suicide Prevention Summit: Saturday, September 14 from 8:30 AM – 12:45 PM a t the Lawrence College and Career Center (2910 Haskell Ave.)
Information Items
· October BOCC Meetings. There are five Wednesdays in the month of October. The Commission cancelled the October 30 meeting.
· Register of Deeds Reports – August. The Register of Deeds Office has provided the Commission Report, Activity Report, and General Ledger for August. (Reports attached to the agenda packet.)
Open Board Appointments
· Douglas County Food Policy Council (Local food system/Ag Producer) - (2) positions open
· JAAA Advisory Council - (1) position open
· JAAA Board of Directors - (1) position open
· Lawrence-Douglas County Advocacy Council on Aging - (10) open positions
· Joint Economic Development Council – (2) positions open
· Public Building Commission – (1) position open
Derusseau adjourned the meeting at 7:03 p.m.
____________________________ ____________________________
Michelle Derusseau, Chair Patrick Kelly, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
__________________________ ____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Nancy Thellman, Member
Time and Date