The Commission meeting room in the Douglas County Courthouse is scheduled for renovation and preservation work in 2024.

Commission meeting room to undergo preservation, renovation work in 2024

The Commission meeting room on the second floor of the historic County Courthouse in downtown Lawrence will be renovated in 2024. The renovation includes fitting the room to accommodate five commissioners beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and repairing water damage that occurred in October 2022 from a fire sprinkler system flood. The Courthouse was built in 1904, and the goal of the project is to preserve the integrity of the room’s historic features while equipping it with modern technologies.

Among the highlights of the renovation project:

• The layout of the room will be restored to its original configuration, based on a 1913 photo (below). The dais, where the commissioners sit, will be relocated to the south wall, and will face the main entrance. It will be expanded to fit five commissioners, and it will be made accessible to comply with ADA standards.

• The benches will be relocated to the north wall so the entrance will be at the back of the room, and padding will be added to the benches. 

• Woodwork will be removed, restored, and repositioned inside the room, including the dias, benches and railings. The back board and railings on the small jury box are historic and will be preserved; however, the jury box platform is not historic and will not be reinstalled. A new chandelier will be replicated to match the original one, and there will be sconce lighting on the east and south walls to complement the chandelier.

• A small meeting room will be added on the south side of the room under the balcony.

During construction, the County plans to use the conference room at the Zoning & Codes and Public Works building, 3755 E. 25^th St., for commission meetings.

A photo of the Commission meeting room in 1913

This is a rendering of what the Commission meeting room will look like after the renovation and preservation work is complete. (Image provided by TreanorHL Architects)

Commissioners, staff studying Judicial and Law Enforcement Center renovation and addition project

Douglas County staff have been studying space and security needs in the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center (JLEC) for about five years. The building was constructed in 1974 and the last addition was completed 23 years ago in 2000.

The JLEC houses the Seventh Judicial District, District Attorney’s Office, Emergency Communications Center, Emergency Management, Sheriff’s Office, Information Technology, and Building and Maintenance management staff.

During the past year, Commissioners and staff have been working with TreanorHL Architects on design plans and estimated costs for a renovation and addition project that would improve operational efficiency, improve security for all users and enhance technology availability.

The existing building has a total of 100,369 square feet of space. According to a study, the County needs a total 157,183 square feet of space to meet the current needs in the JLEC based on best practices. That space need is expected to grow to 185,185 square feet in five years and increase twofold in the next 20 years to 206,045 square feet.

In mid-December, Commissioners directed TreanorHL staff to bring back more developed design plans and estimated costs for an option that would include a 52,200-square-foot addition to the JLEC and potentially move the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management and Emergency Communications Center to a new building on county-owned land near the Correctional Facility at a cost not to exceed $70 million. Commissioners have expressed that they do not want to raise taxes to pay for the project.

TreanorHL staff expects to have those plans and cost estimates available in February.

Sheriff's Officer Kyle Appleby graduates from intensive LGBTQ community liaison program

Officer Kyle Appleby in the Sheriff’s Office Training Division and the agency’s LGBTQ liaison recently graduated from the intensive LGBT Law Enforcement Community Liaison Program along with 50 other law enforcement officers across the country. 

The program's goal is to build trust between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community by providing a point of contact and increasing access and communication with law enforcement. Appleby said he aims to be the key connection between the Sheriff’s Office and the LGBTQ community. 

“Our goal and responsibility is to build bridges and cement bonds between the agency and the community and my liaison position is one of those initiatives,” he said. “My goal is to educate our officers and deputies on issues facing the LGBTQ community and to make sure our policies are in line with what the community expects from their Sheriff’s Office. We will also be a welcoming place for recruitment, as we want anyone of any background interested in a career in law enforcement in Douglas County to feel that they are in a safe, inclusive working environment.”

Deputy Alexya Davis and Corrections Officer Brook Harper received a Life-Saving Award from the Sheriff's Office for rescuing a person in custody on Nov. 7 who was experiencing effects of an overdose. They are pictured with Undersheriff Stacy Simmons, left, and Sheriff Jay Armbrister.

Sheriff's Office, Emergency Communications recognizes staff during Winter Awards event

Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister and Undersheriff Stacy Simmons presented awards and commendations as part of the third annual DGSO Winter Awards event in December at Abe and Jake’s Landing. 

“These awards are a chance to recognize people of the Sheriff’s Office and our partners for their heroic actions in jobs that most can’t or won’t do,” Armbrister said. “It was also a great night to thank the people of our agency who impress me each and every day and are true heroes for sure.” 

Congratulations to this year’s recipients: 

• DGSO Legacy award – Sgt. Lorelei Springer 
• Civilian Employee of the Year – John Sickels, administrative training officer 
• Corrections Supervisor of the Year – Lt. Andrew Burgen 
• Operations Supervisor of the Year – Sgt. Chad Robertson 
• Corrections Deputy of the Year – Deputy Melissa Farve 
• Operations Deputy of the Year – Deputy Austin Abram 
• Corrections Officer of the Year – Officer Matthew Schultz 
• Teamwork Award – Deputy Leo Souders and Deputy Jack Cross 
• Contract Employee of the Year – Paul Leffingwell, of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center 
• Peer to Peer Award – Detective Sgt. John Hanson 
• Sheriff’s Award of Excellence – Deputy Lyle Hagenbuch, Deputy Randy Cheek, Deputy Carson Rhoades, Major Gary Bunting 
• Life-Saving Award – Stephanie Radke-Pence, a registered nurse, Deputy Alexya Davis, Corrections Officer Brook Harper, Deputy Kevin Weiss, Deputy Claire Sweeney, Master Deputy Troy Miller, Corrections Officer Aaron Lathrom, Kari Wempe, Brenna Wulfkuhle 
• Medal of Bravery – Lt. Mark Mehrer, Master Deputy Tyler Jackson, Capt. Josh Kellerman, Sgt. Chad Robertson, Deputy Dylan Harnish, Deputy Tyree Clark, Deputy Kevin Weiss 

Emergency Communications Center Deputy Director Sonya Baeza, left, and Director Tony Foster, right, presented Communications Officer II Jenni Primo and Administrative Supervisor Betsy Anderson with the Distinguished Service Award.

Emergency Communications Director Tony Foster and Deputy Director Sonya Baeza also presented awards. Congratulations to the recipients:

• Telecommunicator of the Year – Bailey Ngnatat 
• Communications Officer II of the Year – Andi Kent 
• Supervisor of the Year – Jeremy Kohler 
• Administrative Employee of the Year – Marj Hedden 
• Teamwork Award – Darren Johnson and Tim Reisbig 
• Spirit of the ECC Award – Andrew Miller, Kaitlin Schulz and Dakota Wehmeyer 
• Distinguished Service Award – Betsy Anderson and Jennifer Primo 
• Unit Citation Award Training Team - Kathleen Haehl, Andi Kent, Andrew Miller, Jennifer Primo, Kaitlin Schulz and Jacob Russell  
• Unit Citation Award – Edna Brubaker, Jeremy Kohler, Emily Bannister, Andrew Miller and Jacob Russell

About your Board of County Commissioners

Chair Patrick Kelly

Vice Chair Karen Willey

Shannon Reid

The Douglas County Commission typically meets at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts Street, on the second floor in the Commission meeting room. Meetings are also available on Zoom. They will not meet on Wednesday, Jan. 3.

County Commissioners took the following action on regular business agenda items in December. They unanimously approved:

• a contract with J.E. Dunn Construction in the amount of $60,000 for pre-construction services in support of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center remodel and addition project.
• drawings and an estimated project budget for the County Commission meeting room remodel project in the amount of $1.3 million and issuing a request for proposals for construction work. The project includes fitting the room to accommodate five commissioners beginning in Jan. 1, 2025, and to repair water damages that occurred in October 2022 from a fire sprinkler system flood. Full story
• a grant agreement between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Douglas County for $321,000 for a term of 15 months, beginning Jan. 1, 2024. The grant would be used to provide rental assistance and supportive services for chronically homeless individuals.
• 2024 legislative statement.
• directed staff to move forward with the process for forming a Treatment & Recovery Center advisory group.
• the 2024 Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant program guidelines and application.

** Recordings of the meetings can be found on the Douglas County YouTube channel.

Work sessions

County Commissioners also have work sessions to study and discuss various topics throughout the year. No action is taken during work sessions. If there's a work session, they are held at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays before the business meeting. Here’s the schedule for work sessions in January; however, it may change. So, please check the agenda before attending.

• Jan. 24 — Supportive housing overview

The Treasurer's Office south satellite location is at 2000 W. 31st St.

Treasurer's Office moving to $3 service fee at all locations for motor vehicle transactions

Beginning January 1, 2024, the Treasurer’s Office will move to a $3 service fee at all locations. There currently is a $5 fee to use the two satellite locations and no fee at the downtown Courthouse location. The fees help cover costs for personnel and equipment.

The fees only apply to motor vehicle transactions such as getting a title, renewing registration and adding a lienholder. There will be no fees for lien releases, disabled placards or for mailed in transactions. Customers can renew their vehicle registrations online at https://ikan.ks.gov.

County, Bert Nash Center seeking individuals to serve on TRC advisory board

Douglas County and Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center are seeking community members to serve on the Treatment & Recovery Center (TRC) of Douglas County advisory board.

They are seeking community members who represent the following sectors:

• physician/clinical expertise
• community advocates
• lived experience with mental illness, substance use disorders, suicidality and/or housing insecurity
• first responders or justice system representatives
• organizational management, human services or legal representatives

The TRC provides assessment, treatment and coordination of care for people experiencing a mental health, substance use or co-occurring disorder. It provides immediate access to care and connects people to community resources. 

The deadline for applications is Jan. 15, 2024.

• More info: http://dgcoks.org/121523news
• To apply: http://dgcoks.org/boardapplication

Be aware of 'purchase agreement' for property scam

A few Douglas County residents recently reported to the Treasurer’s Office and Sheriff’s Office that they received an unsolicited letter titled "Purchase Agreement" for property, including covering any "outstanding property taxes." Other counties and agencies in the state have reported similar land purchase scams this year.

It's likely the person behind this letter is trying to gain personal or financial information, which you should not disclose to anyone unless it is in a protected and legitimate business transaction.

It is best to discard the letter without giving any of your own information, and you can contact the Kansas Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection: https://ag.ks.gov/in-your-corner-kansas

Deadline to sign up for Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is Feb. 2

Douglas County is seeking applications for the Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge! The event will be 8:30 a.m.-noon Friday, Feb. 16, at The Dwayne Peaslee Technical Training Center, 2920 Haskell Avenue, in Lawrence.

The competition is open to students who are in grades 6 through 12 and reside in Douglas County. The event consists of preparing an executive summary, giving an elevator speech and formal presentation, and having a trade show display. Students compete for $3,000 in prize money. The deadline to submit an application is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2.

This will be the sixth year for the Douglas County event. During past competitions, students have pitched businesses that offer swimming lessons, resale clothing, jewelry, baked goods, pet sitting, and more.

The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is sponsored by Network Kansas, Douglas County, and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the Douglas County YEC, please contact Assistant County Administrator Jill Jolicoeur at jjolicoeur@douglascountyks.org or call 785-330-2890.

A construction project is underway on the exterior of the County Courthouse. The project is to waterproof the existing foundation of the building.

Would you like to be informed about projects coming up for bid with Douglas County?

All vendors are invited to create an account and register their businesses as a vendor with the Douglas County’s third-party online bidding platform. To create an account, visit: Bids & Tenders registration.

Once you have registered, you will receive notifications for all new bid opportunities that match your products and services. Douglas County seeks bids for a wide variety of services and products such as construction, equipment, uniforms, furniture, janitorial, financial and consulting.

If you have questions, please contact Purchasing Analyst Cyndi Phillips at cphillips@douglascountyks.org or (785) 832-5286.

County offices closed New Year's Day

Douglas County Government offices and District Court will be closed Monday, Jan. 1, for New Year's Day. There will be no County Commission meeting on Jan. 3.

Judicial and Law Enforcement Center:

111 East 11th Street

Lawrence, KS 66044