Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
LANCASTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY-CITY BUILDING
FOURTH FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1997
8:30 a.m.
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 17, 1997
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:30am LEADERSHIP LINK PROGRAMS
Sue Eckley, Safety & Training Officer; Barb
Boggs, Employment Technician
4 9:00am LAND REUTILIZATION COMMITTEE
Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorney; Terry
Adams, Deputy Treasurer
5 9:15am EXECUTIVE SESSION (PENDING LITIGATION)
Mike Thew, Chief Deputy County Attorney
6 9:30am EXECUTIVE SESSION (LABOR NEGOTIATIONS)
John Cripe, Classification and Pay Manager
7 9:45am 1997 MICROCOMPUTER REQUESTS
Ken Kuszak, Information Services; Doug
Thomas, Information Services Director;
and Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer
8 ACTION ITEMS
a. Request from Wildlife Rescue for Road-Kill
Deer
b. Request from Convention and Visitors Bureau
for $25,000 from Contingency Fund for 1996
High School Football Championships
c. Sign Request from the YMCA
d. Paving of Streets Within the Unincorporated
Village of Kramer
9 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Vacation Request from Mike Thurber for
Monday, August 11 through Monday, August 18,
1997
10 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Review of Goals from 1997 Mid-Year Budget Retreat
11 PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District
in Princeton
b. South Street Campus
12 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
13 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee -
Thursday, July 24, 1997, at 12:00 p.m., at
Lancaster Manor Conference Room - Tussing
b. Master Plan Steering Committee -
Thursday, July 24, 1997, at 1:15 p.m., at the
County-City Building, Fourth Floor Conference
Room - Hudkins
c. Officials Committee - Tuesday, July
29, 1997, at 10:00 a.m., at the County-City
Building, Mayor's Conference Room - Campbell,
Steinman
d. Attention Center Advisory Committee -
Tuesday, July 29, 1997, at 7:00 p.m., at the
Attention Center - Steinman
14 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Leadership Link Monthly Meeting - Tuesday,
August 5, 1997, at 11:45 a.m., at
Valentino's, 35th & Holdrege
15 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
16 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
17 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF JULY 29, 1997
18 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
County-City Building
Fourth Floor Conference Room
Thursday, July 24 1997
8:30 a.m.
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Larry Hudkins
Steve Svoboda
Darlene Tussing
Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer
Susan Starcher, County Clerk's Office
AGENDA ITEM
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY 17, 1997
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded approval of the
minutes of July 17, 1997. The Board voted unanimous
approval.
2. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
a. Microcomputer Request, C#97209, in the amount of $215, for
Windows 95 for the County Court
b. Request from District Court for two Pentiums for usage by law
clerks
c. Correspondence from Health and Human Services regarding service
areas
d. Overview of Citizens Advisory Committee for the Beltway
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded approval of the
additions to the agenda. The Board voted unanimous
approval.
3 LEADERSHIP LINK PROGRAMS - Sue Eckley, Safety & Training
Officer; Barb Boggs, Employment Technician; Deb Nerud, City Libraries
Sue Eckley, Safety and Training Officer, disseminated information
regarding Leadership Link's Professional Development Seminar entitled
"Diversity in the Workplace" to be presented on August 12, 1997
(attachment (a)). Also distributed and briefly discussed was
information pertaining to the goals and purpose of the National
Management Association (attachment (2)).
Eckley explained they are charged with appearing before the County
Board and all City Directors as an advisory committee to request input
for future training sessions.
Deb Nerud, City Libraries, said it was her understanding that the
County Board, as well as the City Directors, would act as an advisory
board to Leadership Link. She explained she had contacted the State
and was informed that each department makes up the advisory board who
then advises the chapter on the training they would like to see their
employees receive.
Campbell said she would like to see the Management Team act as an
advisory board because those individuals work with the employees on
a day to day basis.
The Board agreed.
Eckley said by having the Management Team act as an advisory board, it
would give them a broader overview.
4 LAND REUTILIZATION COMMITTEE - Doug Cyr, Deputy County
Attorney; Terry Adams, Deputy Treasurer Doug Cyr, Deputy County
Attorney, appeared and explained that the Land Reutilization Committee
is a vehicle for selling properties which are foreclosed on in tax
foreclosure proceedings rather than the County going through the sale
process. He said the Reutilization Authority would take care of the
sale of the property and then charge a commission based upon the sale
of the land. Cyr said the committee wouldn't have an auction like the
County's; it would be more of a negotiated sale rather than a forced
tax foreclosure sale.
Hudkins said he was reluctant to set up another bureaucracy, however,
he feels the County isn't doing a good job of describing for the
public foreclosed properties offered for sale by the County. He asked
Cyr if he felt the reutilization committee would allow the County more
time to market the property.
Cyr stated it would allow more time and that the reutilization
committee would specialize in that area.
Hudkins asked for clarification regarding the lien method versus the
certificate method.
Terry Adams, Deputy County Treasurer, explained that a certificate is
issued after two years using the certificate method. There is then
a three year waiting period after which the property is sold or
foreclosed on. After two years, using the lien method, the property
is foreclosed on and whoever forecloses must wait three years before
they can take ownership.
In response to a question asked by Campbell, Adams said they don't
dispose of the parcels of property that don't sell; the County
continues to foreclose on them.
Cyr explained the County has no way of giving the property away, even
though it would be in the best financial interest of the County. He
said it would be very beneficial to the County to be able to be more
flexible on some of the tax properties which are offered for sale a
number of different times and won't sell because there is no value.
Cyr said he didn't know if the County would be able to have those
taxes written off after a set number of years. It currently takes 15
years.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to authorize Kerry
Eagan to complete the Land Reutilization survey with Linda
Steinman, Chair of the County Board, and return to the Land
Reutilization Commission of Douglas County indicating an
interest on the part of Lancaster County. The Board voted
unanimous approval.
5. EXECUTIVE SESSION (PENDING LITIGATION) - Mike Thew, Chief
Deputy County Attorney
MOTION: At 9:20 a.m. Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded
to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of
discussing pending litigation (Agenda Item 5) and labor
negotiations (Agenda Item 6).
The Board voted unanimous approval.
MOTION: At 9:46 a.m. Campbell moved and Tussing
seconded to exit Executive Session.
The Board voted unanimous approval.
6. EXECUTIVE SESSION (LABOR NEGOTIATIONS) - John Cripe,
Classification and Pay Manager
See Agenda Item 5.
7. 1997 MICROCOMPUTER REQUESTS - Ken Kuszak, Information
Services; Doug Thomas, Information Services Director; and Dave
Kroeker, Budget and Fiscal Officer
Dave Kroeker, Budget and Fiscal Officer, distributed
documentation regarding microcomputer purchases for
Fiscal Years, 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994 (attachment
(3)). Also distributed was documentation regarding
microcomputer requests for Fiscal Year 1998 (attachment (4)).
Steinman noted a discrepancy in figures on the
microcomputer request for the Public Defender. She
explained the documentation shows an expenditure of
$23,236, however, it was her understanding from the July
17th meeting the amount would be $25,736.
Doug Thomas, Information Services Director, stated the
$25,736 includes the amount of the scanner.
Register of Deeds
Campbell stated her motion from last week was to grant
four Pentium retrieval stations immediately and hold the
remaining four until the Mid-Year Budget Review.
She noted it was requested that the 19-inch monitor
versus the 21-inch be reviewed because the 19-inch
monitors are now available.
Dan Nolte, Register of Deeds, stated placing three
retrieval stations on hold until the Mid-Year Budget
Review would not be a problem. He expressed his
concern about the 19-inch monitor versus the 21-inch and
said they had tried the 19-inch, however, the 21-inch
monitor for the large images is preferable.
Thomas said he had reviewed the monitor issue. Part of
the problem, he said, is that they are dealing with
larger documents.
Also discussed was the request for a reader printer and
whether the reader printer in the Clerk's Office could
be shared in a common space.
Campbell asked if anyone had spoken with the Clerk.
Hudkins stated he would like to know if joint usage can
be accomplished between the Clerk's Office and Register
of Deeds without impairing either office.
Campbell said the money is authorized and is in the budget,
but the question is whether joint usage can be accomplished.
Nolte said they would be willing to look into joint usage.
It was the consensus of the Board to request the Chair
of the County Board and Dave Kroeker to speak with
Kandra Hahn, County Clerk, and Dan Nolte, Register of
Deeds, regarding the reader printer and whether joint
usage can be accomplished.
Public Defender
It was the consensus of the Board to authorize $15,000
with the remaining $10,000 to be reviewed at mid-year.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Request from District Court for two Pentiums for usage by law
clerks
Eagan submitted a letter from the Honorable Judge Merritt
requesting two Pentiums for usage by the law clerks (attachment (5)).
Eagan stated he would contact Ken Kuszak, Information
Services, regarding a cost estimate, noting the request
for a printer has been pre-approved if it is determined it is needed.
It was the consensus of the Board to approve two Pentiums and a
printer if needed.
RETURNING TO AGENDA ITEM 7
Records Management
Kroeker said Records Management is requesting a second scanner.
Thomas stated it was a personal computer and a scanning workstation.
Consensus was to leave the expenditure in the budget and
request Dave Kroeker to speak with Brian Pillard,
Records Manager, regarding the need for a second
scanning workstation and advise the Board.
Sheriff
Consensus was to proceed with the request for the
portable crime scene workstation, one general usage
patrol accident reconstruction workstation and a laser
printer and computer upgrades.
County Attorney
It was the consensus of the Board to proceed with the
request for four Pentiums and one printer.
Adult Probation
Kuszak said he would contact Adult Probation and review
their needs. If used 486 computers will fill their
needs they will proceed with those. Otherwise, they
will proceed with the Pentiums.
Attention Center
It was the consensus of the Board to proceed with the
installation of a T1 circuit for both facilities,
workstation activities floor, a printer conference room,
Internet access for Dennis Banks, Director, and Judy
Foote, Administrative Aide, less the phone line for T1
line included in Fiscal Year 1998 budget request and to
delete the laptop for meetings.
Extension Service
Consensus was to leave the request for $9,450 in the
budget and to request more detailed information.
ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
a. Microcomputer Request, C#97209, in the amount of
$215, for Windows 95 for the County Court
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded approval of
Microcomputer Request C#97209. The Board voted
unanimous approval.
b. Request from District Court for two Pentiums for usage by law
clerks
Acted on previously.
c. Correspondence from Health and Human Services regarding
service areas
Steinman said they would like to obtain information from
Douglas and Sarpy counties regarding their response to the meeting
held by Health and Human Services in connection with service areas
and whether they had developed a region.
Campbell suggested they place the item on a Thursday
agenda. She also suggested they request George Hanigan,
Community Mental Health Center and Kit Boesch, Human
Services attend the meeting.
Other individuals suggested were Linda Thomsen, Social
Services; Dave Merrill and Jill Rubottom, Region V; Reba
Schafer, Aging; Dennis Banks, Attention Center and
Jessie Rasmussen, Health and Human Services.
d. Overview of Citizens Advisory Committee for the Beltway
Steinman reported she had received a letter from the
Citizens Advisory Committee requesting comments about
the beltway, in writing, by August 1, 1997.
8. ACTIONS ITEMS
a. Request from Wildlife Rescue for Road-Kill Deer
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded approval of
a request from Wildlife Rescue for road-kill
deer. The Board voted unanimous approval.
b. Request from Convention and Visitors Bureau for
$25,000 from Contingency Fund for 1996 High School
Football Championships
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded approval of
the request from the Convention and Visitors
Bureau for $25,000 from the Contingency Fund
for the 1996 High School Football Championships.
The Board voted unanimous approval.
c. Sign Request from the Young Men's Christian Association
Campbell suggested authorizing the first two signs and
to request Don Thomas, County Engineer, obtain and
install the signs with funding to come from his budget.
She said if there is a shortfall at the end of the year
they could make it up out of the Contingency Fund.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded
authorization of informational signage for
westbound traffic on Pioneers Boulevard and for
northbound traffic on Folsom Street with funding
to come from the County Engineer's budget.
The Board voted unanimous approval.
d. Paving of Streets within the Unincorporated Village of Kramer
Eagan stated they should send a response indicating the
Board has reviewed the request. He added they should
indicate it is not in the One and Six Year Plan and
traffic counts do not justify the paving of streets.
9. CONSENT ITEMS
a. Vacation Request from Mike Thurber for Monday, August 11
through Monday, August 18, 1997
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded approval of
the Consent Item. The Board voted unanimous approval.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Review of Goals from 1997 Mid-Year Budget Retreat
Eagan explained that this was a check to see where the
Board is on their goals.
It was noted that the Board had begun working on the
formation of an Elected Officials Salary Committee.
Individuals suggested to serve on the committee were Jan
Gauger, Ron Ecklund, Jerry Diamond, Personnel Director
at Ameritas and the Personnel Director for Union Bank.
Kerry Eagan would act as the facilitator.
Campbell said they need to decide what to do with
Legislative Bill 1085 recommendations and suggested
discussion take place in October.
She also suggested they meet with commissioners of
surrounding counties to discuss LB 1085 in late
September or early October.
Campbell said she would like to focus on activity based
costing under Item 10 of their goals (function analysis
by department).
Steinman suggested beginning with activity based costing
for Records and Information Management.
Hudkins stated he would like to discuss privatization of
a court administrator.
11. PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in Princeton
b. South Street Campus
Eagan reported the administrative subdivision has been
recommended for approval, however, it does require the
planting of a certain amount of trees on the boulevard.
OTHER BUSINESS
Hudkins reported they opened the bids for asbestos
removal with the low bid being from a firm in St. Louis
for $1,300,000. He said the first three bids were over
$3,000,000 and three others were between $2,100,000 and
$2,400,000.
Campbell reported she attended the opening of the First
State Bank located at 4915 Old Cheney.
Hudkins suggested sending a congratulatory letter to
them on their opening.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded developing
a congratulatory letter for opening businesses
with the first letter to be sent to First State
Bank. The Board voted unanimous approval.
At the direction of the Chair the meeting was adjourned.
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk