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, OCTOBER 23, 2019
4:00 p.m. TRAINING SESSION
-Commissioner training on iCompass agenda software.
5:30 p.m. BUSINESS MEETING
-Proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (Will Averill)
-Volunteer Recognition for Emergency Management (Robert Bieniecki, Jillian Rodrigue)
CONSENT AGENDA
(1) (a) Consider approval of Commission Orders;
(b) Consider approval of a Provider Agreement between Douglas County and Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center to provide supplemental medical and behavioral health support services (Jill Jolicoeur);
(c) Consider authorizing Public Works Director to approve purchase of a 20’ span, precast reinforced concrete frame structure from Forterra for $159,245.00, and a 10’ span, reinforced concrete box structure from Pretech for $58,356.00 to replace Structure Nos. 10.40N-22.00E and 10.57N-22.00E. (Keith Browning); and
(d) Consider approval of accounts payable.
REGULAR AGENDA
(2) Discuss graffiti issues on underpasses at Baker Wetlands Trail and consider studying the feasibility of adding murals to the underpasses (Sarah Plinsky, Keith Browning)
(3) Discuss NAACP Community Remembrance Project Coalition (Kerry Altenbernd)
(4) Consider approval of the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and total project cost of 4.1 million for Transitions & Cottages behavioral health housing projects at the Treatment & Recovery Campus of Douglas County. (Jill Jolicoeur)
(5) 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.
(6) Committee Reports
(7) Commissioner and/or Administrator Miscellaneous
(8) Adjourn
October 23, 2019
Derusseau called the Training Session to order at 4:03 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 with all Commissioners present.
TRAINING SESSION 10-23-19
Amy Barnes, Information Technology, conducted a presentation to the Board on the progress of the new iCompass software for the agenda packet, which will go live for the November 6 agenda.
RECESS 10-23-19
At 4:35 p.m., the Board recessed until the 5:30 p.m. meeting.
RECONVENE 10-23-19
At 5:30 p.m., the Board returned to regular session.
PROCLAMATION 10-23-19
Kelly read a proclamation declaring October 2019 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Megan Stuke and Will Averill, Willow Domestic Violence Center, promoted a series of workshops and events called #ArtHeals scheduled for October 25 and 26 at the Lawrence Art Center.
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 10-23-19
Robert Bieniecki, Director of Emergency Management; and Jillian Rodrigue, Assistant Emergency Management Director, recognized the following members of the community who assisted with the May 28 tornado and other Douglas County emergencies in 2019.
The Award Winners were:
2019 Outstanding Skywarn Member: Lisa Miller
2019 Outstanding ACT Member: Bill Roach
2019 Outstanding CERT Member: Lori Greenfield
2019 Outstanding Volunteer: Shelley Gehrke
PROCLAMATION 10-23-19
Thellman read a proclamation recognizing the Watkins Museum of History for receiving the Museum for America Grant. Steve Nowak, Kathryn Tuttle and Mike Delaney discussed the grant received from the Institute for Museum and Library Service to support the completion of the museum’s third floor exhibits.
CONSENT AGENDA 10-23-19
Kelly moved approval of the following Consent Agenda:
► Commission Order Nos.19-044 and 19-045 on file in the office of the County Clerk;
► Provider Agreement between Douglas County and Bert Nash Community Health Center to provide supplemental medical and behavioral health support services as outlined in the contract;
► Authorized the Public Works Director to approve purchase of a 20’ span, precast reinforced concrete frame structure from Forterra for $159,245.00, and a 10’ span, reinforced concrete box structure from Pretect for $58,356.00 to replace Structure Nos.10.40N-22.00E and 10.57N-22.000E; and
► Accounts payable in the amount of $214,861.68 to be paid on 10/24/19 and $1,283.87 paid on 10/18/19.
The motion was seconded by Thellman and carried 3-0.
PUBLIC WORKS/GRAFFITI AT BAKER WETLANDS TRAIL 10-23-19
The Board discussed graffiti issues on underpasses at the Baker Wetlands Trail and considered studying the feasibility of adding murals to the underpasses. Sarah Plinsky, County Administrator; and Keith Browning, Public Works Director, presented the item.
Browning stated he oversaw the cleaning of the County’s bridge underpass. The other two bridges are owned by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). He asked the Commission what they thought about adding murals.
Plinsky stated research shows public art tends to have less graffiti. There would be a cost to the County for the murals. She will work with Public Works staff on a cost proposal and determine if there are any legal issues involved. Staff is willing to have conversations with KDOT regarding murals for their bridges though the County has no control.
Browning stated KDOT cited a KSA rule that art is not allowed on public highways, though Wichita has a similar project and he will look into it. There shouldn’t be a problem with the 31st Street Bridge as long as the art does not inhibit maintenance on the bridge.
There was a consensus of the Board that they like the idea of a mural to discourage graffiti on the underpass.
Derusseau opened the item for public comment.
Cheryl Lester, 808 E 27th Terrace, thanked the Commissioners for responding to her concern and thinking forward on not just painting over the graffiti, but to consider replacing what was there with art. She said she understands the complexities so if a mural is not possible, then maybe something else.
Thellman stated Dave Lowenstein is a local expert on murals and has offered his expertise on public art.
It was the consensus of the Board to direct staff to investigate and research the possibility of a mural and/or art option and bring back a recommendation to the Board.
NAACP COMMUNITY REMEMBERANCE PROJECT COALITION 10-23-19
Kerry Altenbernd, Lawrence Branch NAACP History Committee, stated the Lawrence Branch is working on a project to bring both a monument and a historical marker to Lawrence to commemorate the lynching of three black men from the Kaw River Bridge on June 10, 1882. The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) opened the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, AL and will allow Douglas County to claim duplicates of the memorial columns to put on display.
Once the guidelines for claiming the monuments are released, the coalition will begin working towards getting the monuments shipped and installed. Alternbernd provided several possible locations for the history marker in downtown Lawrence near the Kaw River Bridge. The City Hall site is the preferred location of the coalition.
The coalition is looking at a soft deadline to unveil the marking in June 2020.
The Commission directed Sarah Plinsky, County Administrator, to represent the County at the coalition meetings and update the Commission on the progress.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH 10-23-19
The Board considered the approval of the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) and total project cost of 4 million for Transitions and The Cottages behavioral health housing projects at the Treatment and Recovery Campus of Douglas County. Jill Jolicoeur, Assistant County Administrator, introduced the item.
Chris Cunningham, Treanor HL, provided an update on the Transitions (Tier 2) and The Cottages facilities (Tier 3). Matthew Funk, Bert Nash, discussed staffing and average length of stay for Transitions as 10-12 months. Jay Zimmerschied, Director of Capital Projects, discussed the building cost per square footage, and the building design requiring a higher level of durability.
Regarding the total project cost, Mar Lan Construction, Construction Manager at Risk (CMR), developed a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) cost proposal in accordance with their contractual obligations related to this project. The proposal included a scope of work, project timeline and any applicable exclusions.
Construction costs associated with the Transitions project are currently estimated at $1,824,089 including the cost for construction and required site work. The construction costs associated with the The Cottages includes three separate buildings with single units to serve individual clients. Construction are currently estimated at $1,815,012, which includes the cost of construction and required site work. Support funding for these costs total $895,000 for Tier 2 and $2,140,000 for Tier 3.
After discussion, Thellman moved to approve the total project cost of $4,134,588 for the Tier 2 and Tier 3 Behavioral Health Housing Projects, which includes Mar Lan Construction’s Guaranteed Maximum Price of $3,639,101. Motion was seconded by Kelly and carried 3-0.
APPOINTMENTS 10-23-19 – None.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT 10-23-19 - None
COMMITTEE REPORTS 10-23-19 - None
COMMISSIONERS AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE MISCELLANEOUS 10-23-19
Commissioners Calendar Events:
· The Ground Breaking for the Behavioral Health Projects, October 30, 2019 at noon at the Behavioral Health Campus.
· Judges Luncheon scheduled for Friday, November 1 at noon in the Judicial Law Enforcement Building;
· Reception for Scott McCullough, Friday, November 1, 3:00 p.m. at City Hall;
· Chocolate and Tea, Sunday November 3; 2-5 p.m. at the Lawrence Country Club;
· Regional Stakeholders Meeting on State Economic Development Strategic Plan at Lied Center Pavilion, November 7, 8-10 a.m.
Derusseau adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m.
____________________________ ____________________________
Michelle Derusseau, Chair Patrick Kelly, Vice-Chair
ATTEST:
__________________________ ____________________________
Jamie Shew, County Clerk Nancy Thellman, Member
Time and Date
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