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, August 14, 1997
8:30 .m.
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 1997
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:30am STREET NAME CHANGE NO. 97003 (PURPLE HEART HIGHWAY),
HIGHWAY 34 BETWEEN HIGHWAY 79 & INTERSTATE 80
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department
4 9:00am 1997-98 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant
5 9:30am PERSONNEL POLICY BOARD
Ron Todd, Personnel Director; Diane Staab,
Deputy County Attorney
6 9:45am HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE
Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager
7 10:00am GENERAL ASSISTANCE BURIAL PLAN
Kathy Smith, Assistant Purchasing Agent
8 10:15am DESIGNATION OF FAIRGROUNDS BY AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY; LEASE AGREEMENT WITH PUBLIC BUILDING
COMMISSION FOR PARKING LOT UNDER THE JAIL
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
9 10:30am PENDING LITIGATION
Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorney
10 ACTION ITEMS
a. NACO Southeast District Fall Meeting - Thursday,
September 11, 1997
b. NACO Annual Convention - Tuesday, October 14 -
Thursday, October 16, 1997
c. Microcomputer Requests:
1. From the County Assessor, C#97227, from the
Microcomputer Budget for $1,385.20 for
Computer, Monitor, Fax/Modem, Software
Upgrade
2. From the County Assessor, C#97228, from the
Microcomputer Budget for $5,342.37 for Compaq
Deskpros, Viewsonics, Microsoft Office
Standards, CD-ROM Drives
11 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Vacation Request from Russ Shultz for Thursday,
August 21 and Friday, August 22, 1997
12 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Field Training Sheriff's Deputy Pay
b. LAP Rent at Trabert Hall
c. Letter to Department of Interior Regarding
Designation of Trust Land for Ponca Indian Tribe
d. ArcView Training (GIS)
13 PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in
Princeton
b. South Street Campus
14 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
b. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development -
Steinman
c. General Assistance Monitoring Committee -
Campbell, Tussing
d. Public Building Commission - Campbell, Hudkins
e. Board of Health - Hudkins
15 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday,
August 14, 1997, at 1:15 p.m., at the County-City
Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room - Hudkins
b. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board -
Thursday, August 14, 1997, at 4:00 p.m., at the
County-City Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room
- Tussing
c. Super Common Meeting - Friday, August 15,
1997, at 8:00 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Grand
Ballroom - All Commissioners
d. Public Building Commission - Tuesday, August
12, 1997, at 10:00 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Fourth Floor Conference Room - Campbell, Hudkins
e. Visitors Promotion Committee - Monday,
August 18, 1997, at 8:00 a.m., at the Chamber of
Commerce Board Room - Svoboda
f. Information Services Policy Committee -
Tuesday, August 19, 1997, at 11:00 a.m., at the
County-City Building, Mayor's Conference Room -
Steinman
16 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Reception for Marcia & Aaron Hilkemann - Tuesday,
August 19, 1997, from 4:00-6:00 p.m., at The Country
Club of Lincoln Ballroom
17 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
18 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
19 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 19, 1997
a. Request from Big Red Keno to Move Two Terminals
From the Grandstand Area to the Beer Garden During
the State Fair, August 22 through September 1, 1997
20 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
Minutes
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
Fourth Floor Conference Room
County-City Building
Thursday, August 14, 1997
8:30 a.m.
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Darlene Tussing
Steve Svoboda
Commissioners Absent: Larry Hudkins
Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative
Officer
Ann Taylor, County Clerk's Office
AGENDA ITEM:
1 APPROVAL OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MINUTES OF
AUGUST 7, 1997
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded
approval of the minutes. On call Campbell,
Tussing and Steinman voted aye. Svoboda
abstained from voting. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Meeting with Jim Blue, Cedars Youth Service
System, Regarding Juvenile Staff-Secure Facility
Costs
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded
approval of the addition to the agenda.
On call Tussing, Campbell, Svoboda and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
3 STREET NAME CHANGE NO. 97003 (PURPLE HEART HIGHWAY),
HIGHWAY 34 BETWEEN HIGHWAY 79 & INTERSTATE 80
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department, briefly reported on
the history of the request to rename the segment of
Highway 34 between Highway 79 and Interstate 80 as
"Purple Heart Highway".
DeKalb reported that the State Highway Commission had
adopted "Military Order of the Purple Heart Highway" as
the name for the segment, but that the shortened
version had been recommended by the Street Name
Committee to comply with signage wording length. He
stated the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the
United States of America had approved the shortened
version.
1997-98 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant
Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant, stated that he
would be attending as many hearings as possible on
Interim Studies to be conducted on issues that the
Board had designated a priority, including one related
to the proposed State takeover of court costs.
Kissel stated that it was the intent of the Revenue
Committee to have the State takeover other areas of
cost to the counties, such as court costs, to balance
the loss of revenue due to passage of bills such asLB
271 (change motor vehicle taxation and fee provisions).
Discussion followed on the need to continue to
cultivate relationships with other large counties with
regards to legislative issues and to meet with
Lancaster County Senators prior to the start of the
legislative session.
In response to question from Campbell regarding the
regional behavioral health issue, Kissel stated that a
legal battle with regards to the State takeover of
developmental disabilities was anticipated.
Tussing reported that the regional governing boards had
been requested to sign Letters of Intent with the State
establishing network management by an August 31st
deadline.
Following a brief discussion, the Board tentatively
scheduled a luncheon meeting with Kissel and the
Lancaster Senate delegation on October 9th to discuss
legislative priorities.
5 PERSONNEL POLICY BOARD
Ron Todd, Personnel Director;Diane Staab, Deputy County
Attorney
Steinman stated that the Board was concerned with the
cancellation of four consecutive meetings of the
Personnel Policy Board scheduled to consider approval
of job classification changes. She suggested that if
members of the Personnel Policy Board were unable to
attend the scheduled meetings, perhaps a change in the
appointed membership was needed.
Ron Todd, Personnel Director, noted for the record that
only one meeting, not four consecutive meetings, had
been canceled. He stated that the Board Chairman had
elected not to call a meeting in the other instances.
Todd also stated that the Personnel Policy Board is
only required to meet quarterly, not on a monthly
basis.
In response to a question from Steinman, Todd suggested
that the Board consider exceptional circumstance awards
to make up the difference in salary for the two
employees in the Election Commissioner's office whose
job reclassifications were delayed.
Patty Hansen, Election Commissioner, distributed a
timeline for the job audit and reclassification of the
two aforementioned employees in her department (Exhibit A).
A brief discussion followed on ways to avoid future
delays, with Todd agreeing to phone members of the
Personnel Policy Board calling a meeting when items are
scheduled, regardless of the issue.
6 HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE
Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager
Ron Todd, Personnel Director, requested that the Board
enter Executive Session.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded
to enter Executive Session at 9:43 a.m.
for discussion of Personnel policy
(identified by Kerry Eagan, Chief
Administrative Officer, as meaning labor
negotiations). On call Tussing,
Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted
aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded to
exit Executive Session at 9:50 a.m. On
call Tussing, Svoboda, Campbell and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager, briefly reviewed the
planning time line for health insurance requested by
the Board (County Board Information Packet).
Kostner reported that the City of Lincoln, State of
Nebraska, National Association of County Officials
(NACO) and the University of Nebraska had been
contacted to explore whether the County could join
their health insurance programs.
Tussing reported that she had been contacted with
concerns regarding the limited number of pharmacies
available to Mutual of Omaha members and the problem
Mutual of Omaha seems to be experiencing with retaining
pharmacists in their pharmacies.
Kostner stated that a report to the Board on possible
alternative affiliations for health insurance is
scheduled for December, with recommendations on whether
to request proposals for health insurance or to combine
with another group scheduled for January, 1998.
Kostner also stated that the issue of requesting bid
proposals for a Health Insurance Consultant could be
explored in October, if the Board so desired.
Eagan stated that the consultant issue needs to be
looked at earlier to prevent work on the next planyear
from being performed by the current consultant.
In response to a question from Campbell, Todd stated
that the City health insurance affiliations had
remained the same.
7 GENERAL ASSISTANCE BURIAL PLAN
Kathy Smith, Assistant Purchasing Agent
Kathy Smith, Assistant Purchasing Agent, distributed a
Summary of the Review Process for General Assistance
for County Burials (Exhibit B).
Tussing expressed concern that none of the burial
providers may agree to sign the burial plan contract.
Smith stated that was a possibility.
Steinman reported that the County has a County cemetery
which could be used for general assistance burials and
inquired whether C & G Caskets could provide full
burial service.
Smith stated that a licensed mortician is required to
perform embalming. She stated that C & G Caskets had
indicated that a licensed mortician had agreed to
provide her services to them on a part-time basis. She
stated however, that C & G Caskets was experiencing
financial difficulties and would probably not be able
expand their business to provide full burial service.
Campbell stated that the General Assistance Burial
Subcommittee had discussed a single bid for provider of
burial service, but had decided that an individual's
right to choose a provider should not be eliminated due
to financial need. She stated that if one provider was
desired, bids for the service would need to be sought.
Campbell also noted that the County does not administer
the burial plan, the Department of Social Services
does, and that it was important to have their input on
the matter.
Campbell stated that the Burial Subcommittee believed
that the County Cemetery was the answer for the
disposition of cremains.
Eagan stated that a "hold harmless" statute with
regards to cremation should be a legislative priority.
Smith distributed and reviewed the County Burial Fee
Schedule and statistics regarding County burials and
comparisons to other counties (Exhibits C & D),noting
that a flat fee for the provision of burialservices was
used to discourage increases for separate services.
Smith also reported that a cost of living increase of
approximately 3.5% was included in the 3 year contract,
effective the first year of the contract.Discussion
took place regarding alternatives if burial providers
refuse to sign the proposed burial contract.
The Board requested the Burial Subcommittee to proceed
as follows:
a. Send a letter to the burial providers informing
them of a delay to allow sufficient time to
address the issues raised by the burial providers,
to receive the County Attorney's opinion with
regards to cremations and to review the language
of the Burial Plan, with input from the
representative of the Department of Social
Services that administers the plan.
b. Contact C & G Caskets to inquire whether they
would be capable of providing full burial service.
c. Revise the Burial Plan language to reflect that
unclaimed cremains will be taken to the County
Cemetery.
d. Rewrite section 4.102 of the Burial Plan to
delineate provisions for grave liners with regards
to burial and cremains.
8. DESIGNATION OF FAIRGROUNDS BY THE AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY; LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE PUBLIC BUILDING
COMMISSION FOR PARKING LOT UNDER THE JAIL
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, reported that the
Agricultural Society plans to adopt resolutions at
their August 21st meeting formally designating the 152
acre tract of land at 112th and Adams Streets as the
Lancaster County Fairgrounds, in addition to the one
located at State Fair Park.
Staab stated that General Levy funds could be used for
the lease or purchase of the fairgrounds property and
that the Capital Construction Levy could only be used
for capital improvements on the County Fairgrounds.
Campbell requested that the County Attorney research
the statutes for clarification on the use of levy funds
with regards to location of the County Fairgrounds.
Staab reported that she had received a memo from Bill
Austin, City Attorney, suggesting that the County
consider leasing the parking lot located under the
County Corrections Facility to the Public Building
Commission. This would allow the Public Building
Commission to expend its funds on improvements to the
parking facility and to regulate and enforce parking
regulations there.
The Board concurred with the City Attorney's
suggestion.
9 PENDING LITIGATION
Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorney
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded
to enter Executive Session at 10:50 a.m.
for the purpose of pending litigation.
On call Tussing, Campbell, Svoboda and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded
to exit Executive Session at 11:15 a.m.
On call Tussing, Svoboda, Campbell and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
10 ACTION ITEMS
a. Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO)
Southeast District Fall Meeting - Thursday,
September 11, 1997
Steinman reported that she had been asked to
extend a welcome greeting to participants at the
Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO)
Southeast District Fall Meeting luncheon. She
stated that she would be unable to attend and
inquired whether any of the other Board members
would like to attend and extend a welcome in her
place.
Campbell suggested that Hudkins might like to, as
he also serves as a member of the Nebraska
Association of County Officials (NACO) Board.
Board consensus to seek further information
regarding scheduled topics of discussion before
deciding on whether to register and attend the
workshop sessions.
b. Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO)
Annual Convention - Tuesday, October 14 -
Thursday, October 16, 1997
Board consensus to submit registrations for
Campbell and Tussing to attend the convention.
c. Microcomputer Requests:
1. County Assessor, C#97227, from the
Microcomputer Budget for $1,385.20 for
Computer, Monitor, Fax/Modem, Software
Upgrade
2. County Assessor, C#97228, from the
Microcomputer Budget for $5,342.37 for Compaq
Deskpros, Viewsonics, Microsoft Office
Standards, CD-ROM Drives
In response to question from Campbell, Norm Agena,
County Assessor, reported that funding of this
request was included in the Microcomputer Fund.
Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy County Assessor,
reported that $447.78 for the Microsoft Office
Standard could be deleted from the request.
Hendricksen also stated that delivery of one of
the Compaq Deskpros could be delayed until the
move into the new building.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to approve the
microcomputer requests and to request that Robin
Hendricksen, Chief Deputy County Assessor, work
with Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer,
regarding the timing of delivery. On call Campbell,
Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Meeting with Jim Blue, Cedars Youth Service
System, Regarding Juvenile Staff-Secure Facility
Costs
Steinman reported that she and Campbell had met
with Jim Blue and Connie Yost, Cedars Youth
Service System, and Kit Boesch, Human Services
Administrator, regarding juvenile staff-secure
facility costs.
Steinman reported that Blue estimated the cost of
renovation of the fourth floor of Trabert Hall as
a juvenile staff-secure facility to be a maximum
of $87,000. He also indicated that $20,000 -
$25,000 in funds may be available to him from the
State to offset equipment costs. Steinman stated
that the County has $70,000 in funds through the
Crime Commission for the Assessment Center which
could possibly be used for administration costs.
Steinman also reported Blue had indicted that the
County would only be charged per juvenile
placement, after renovation costs. She stated
that Blue was confident that the other slots could
be filled through referrals from other counties
and entities.
Campbell stated that a per diem rate of $105 -
$115 is anticipated, which includes lease costs.
Campbell also reported that Dennis Banks,
Attention Center Director, was unable to attend
the meeting, but that his input on costs was also
needed.
11 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Vacation Request from Russ Shultz for Thursday,
August 21 and Friday, August 22, 1997
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded approval of
the vacation request. On call Tussing, Campbell,
Svoboda and Steinman voted aye Motion carried.
12 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Field Training Sheriff's Deputy Pay
Eagan reported on a memo from Kandra Hahn, County
Clerk, regarding Field Training Officer pay for
Sheriff's deputies (Board Information Packet).
Campbell reported that Hahn suggested issuing
payment in the amount of $300, after withholding,
as in the past, but that the issue be brought
forth in future labor negotiations.
Campbell stated that withholding is deducted from
the amount awarded to County employees for
Exceptional Circumstance Awards, but that payment
is governed by policy, whereas this pay falls
under the Union contract.
The Board concurred with Hahn's suggestion and
requested Eagan to contact Terry Wagner, County
Sheriff and John Cripe, Classification and Pay
Manager regarding introduction of the issue in
future contract negotiations.
b. Lincoln Action Program (LAP) Rent at Trabert Hall
Eagan reported that, at his request, Don Killeen,
County Property Manager, had prepared a contract
specifying space and rent for the Lincoln Action
Program (LAP) at Trabert Hall in accordance with
the letter from Killeen dated August 8, 1997.
c. Letter to the Department of Interior Regarding
Designation of Trust Land for Ponca Indian Tribe
Eagan reported that a response to the letter from
the Department of Interior regarding designation
of trust land for the Ponca Indian Tribe was
required by August 22nd.
Eagan stated that the property in question was
actually within the City of Lincoln's zoning
jurisdiction and he agreed to contact Bill Austin,
City Attorney, to verify that the City was
apprised of the request.
Eagan informed the Board that once designation of
trust land is approved for an Indian tribe, they
are no longer subject to local governing rules and
regulations, including zoning. He stated however,
that State gambling laws would still apply.
d. ArcView Training (Geographic Information System)
Campbell requested clarification on whether the
training was primarily designed for daily users of
the software.
Board consensus to have Eagan attend the ArcView
training.
13 PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in
Princeton
b. South Street Campus
14 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee
Hudkins
No report was given.
b. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development
Steinman
Steinman reported that the effect of beltways on
other communities and identification of
Industrial-3 (I-3) zoning areas were discussed.
Steinman also reported that a website is being
developed for the Chamber of Commerce and Lincoln
businesses to recruit employees to the Lincoln
community. She stated that a database of
available jobs, information about Lincoln
businesses and career information will be
available. Steinman noted that the new website
will also provide access to Lincoln businesses
with existing websites.
Steinman also reported on the retailing plan for
27th & Pine Lake Road and plans for office
development in that area.
Campbell suggested that Steinman remind the the
group that the County has an Economic Development
Fund for businesses wishing to locate in Lancaster
County.
c. General Assistance Monitoring Committee
Campbell, Tussing
Campbell reported that the Urban Indian Center had
inquired about direct County reimbursement for a
primary health care center.
Campbell also reported discussion on burials,
computer project development and crisis calls for
the Homeless.
d. Public Building Commission
Campbell, Hudkins
Campbell briefly reviewed actions taken by the
Steering Committee since July 15, 1997 (Board
Information Packet).
Campbell reported that tenants requesting changes
to the new building plans will be responsible for
payment for those changes.
Campbell also reported that the new building is
required to have a different street address to
comply with codes.
e. Board of Health
Hudkins
No report was given.
15 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, August
14, 1997, at 1:15 p.m., in the County-City
Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room
Hudkins
b. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Thursday,
August 14, 1997, at 4 p.m., in the County-City
Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room
Tussing
c. Super Common Meeting - Friday, August 15, 1997, at
8 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Grand Ballroom
All Commissioners
d. Public Building Commission - Tuesday, August 12,
1997, at 10 a.m., in the County-City Building,
Fourth Floor Conference Room - Campbell, Hudkins
e. Visitors Promotion Committee - Monday, August 18,
1997, at 8 a.m., at the Chamber of Commerce Board
Room
Svoboda
f. Information Services Policy Committee - Tuesday,
August 19, 1997, at 11 a.m., in the County-City
Building, Mayor's Conference Room
Steinman
16 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Reception for Marcia & Aaron Hikemann - Tuesday,
August 19, 1997, from 4-6 p.m., at the Country
Club of Lincoln Ballroom
17 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
18 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
19 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 19,1997
20 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
21 ADJOURNMENT
At the direction of the Chair, the meeting was
adjourned.
_______________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk