Commissioners appoint advisory board for Blackjack Battlefield and confirm several reappointments

The Douglas County Commission on Feb. 18 approved a slate of appointments and reappointments, including three advisory members for Blackjack Battlefield Nature Park and several reappointments across county boards.

Caitlin (county staff) briefed the commission on Blackjack Battlefield, saying Douglas County is a co-owner of the park with Baldwin City and that the advisory board, more like a short-term task force, will deliver strategic recommendations on visioning and management. The county received 24 applications for three county slots and sought nominees to fill gaps in tourism/economic development, park management and public engagement.

Commissioners Willie and Anderson recommended three nominees: Kimberly Anspach, executive director of Explore Lawrence; Caitlin Klepper, public engagement librarian at Kenneth Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas; and Sheena Parsons, station manager at the University of Kansas Field Station. The commission approved the three nominations unanimously.

The commission also confirmed multiple reappointments: Grace McMillan to the District 2 non-lawyer seat on the Judicial Nominating Commission (four-year term beginning March 8); Mackie Moore to the Food Policy Council (full term following an unfinished term); Lindsey Hoover to the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority; Dan Affalter to the Property Crimes Compensation Board; and Caleb Morris to the Heritage Conservation Council. Several commissioners encouraged continued engagement from the broader pool of applicants.

Chair noted the Food Policy Council still has one open seat the council hoped to fill with a nominee from the Lecompton area and said a nomination would be circulated for consideration next week. All appointment votes recorded in the meeting were by voice vote and carried as announced.