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, September 11, 1997
8:30 a.m.
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 4, 1997
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:30am CAPITAL REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Administrator
4 9:00am ASSESSOR COMPUTER UPDATES
Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy Assessor; Norm Agena,
County Assessor
5 9:15am DANGEROUS BUILDINGS
Chuck Zimmerman, Building & Safety; Diane Staab,
Deputy County Attorney
6 9:30am PENDING LITIGATION
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney; Alan Wood,
Attorney for Agricultural Society
7 10:00am SALARIES FOR UNCLASSIFIED, UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES,
SHERIFF CAPTAINS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS
8 ACTION ITEMS
a. Appointment of Nona West to Visitor Promotion
Committee
b. Allocation of $3,000 from Inmate Benefit Fund
for Chaplaincy Program
c. Request from Mike Thurber, Corrections Director,
to attend Kansas Correctional Association
Conference on October 5-8, 1997
d. Sign Off on Final Office Design in New
Government Building
e. Set date for Public Hearing for Property Tax
Levy Different Than Preliminary Levy
9 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Proxy for Nationwide Money Market Fund
10 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Function of Visitors Promotion Committee
11 PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in
Princeton
b. South Street Campus
12 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
b. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman
c. Public Building Commission - Campbell, Hudkins
d. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development
Steinman
e. RTSD - Steinman, Svoboda, Tussing
f. Board of Health - Hudkins
g. Advisory Defense Council - Svoboda
13 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday,
September 11, 1997, at 1:15 p.m., at the County
City Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room
Hudkins
b. Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
Thursday, September 11, 1997, at 4:00 p.m., at
the County-City Building, Council Chambers
Tussing
c. Visitors Promotion Committee - Monday,
September 15, 1997, at 8:00 a.m., at the Chamber
of Commerce - Svoboda
d. GA Burial Subcommittee - Tuesday,
September 16, 1997, at 8:00 a.m., at the County
City Building, County Board Office - Campbell,
Tussing
e. Information Services Policy Committee
Tuesday, September 16, 1997, at 11:00 a.m., at
the County-City Building, Mayor's Conference
Room - Steinman
f. City-County Common - Friday, September 19,
1997, at 8:00 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Fourth Floor Conference Room - All Commissioners
14 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Community Policing Conference - September 16-18,
1997, at the Cornhusker Hotel
15 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
16 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
17 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 16,
1997
18 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
Fourth Floor Conference Room
County-City Building
Thursday, September 11, 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 MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 4, 1997
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded approval of the
minutes. On call Tussing, Campbell and Steinman voted
aye. Svoboda abstained from voting. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Renovation at Trabert Hall
b. Region V Meeting
MOTION: Campbell moved and Svoboda seconded approval of the
additions to the agenda. On call Campbell, Svoboda,
Tussing and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
3 CAPITAL REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Administrator
Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Administrator,
briefly reviewed fully depreciated items at Lancaster
Manor and reported a total estimated replacement cost
of $1,258,742 (Exhibit A). He stated that the
Lancaster Manor Management Team had reviewed those
items and recommended replacement of items totaling
$541,500.
Van Hunnik reported that a Renewal and Replacement Fund
Treasury note with a value of $470,000 will reach
maturity due December 31, 1997. He recommended that
replacement of depreciated items not exceed the amount
of this Treasury note, plus interest.
In response to a question from Campbell, Van Hunnik
stated that equipment being replaced will be
transferred to Surplus for auction.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to accept the
recommendation of the Lancaster Manor Administrator on
capital replacement, for an amount not to exceed the
total amount of the Treasury note and interest. On
call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
4 ASSESSOR COMPUTER UPDATES
Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy Assessor
Norm Agena, County Assessor
Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy Assessor, gave a brief
overview of additional microcomputer requests for the
County Assessor's office (Board Information Packet).
Hendricksen noted that the computer upgrades were
needed to equip all the employees with the same
operating software for greater compatibility and more
efficient use of data.
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, noted that all
micro computer requests, including pricing by
Information Services, were to be identified and
prioritized in the department budgets submitted to the
Board.
Hendriksen reported that Item 5, a color laser printer,
was the only item included in the Assessor's budget.
Kroeker inquired what portion of the request was
Geographic Information System (GIS) related.
Hendriksen stated that the ArcPress plotting software,
upgrade of the Sun Sparc 5 and Sparc 20 stations were
for GIS and that the color laser printer would have
shared usage.
Hendriksen noted that items one through five had the
highest priority and the Board agreed to approve those
items, with review of the remaining items at mid-year.
5 DANGEROUS BUILDINGS
Mel Goddard, Building & Safety
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
Campbell reported that the Building & Safety Department
had been working with the owner of a hazardous building
in Holland, Nebraska, but was unable to force
compliance because the County did not had a Dangerous
Building Resolution to address the issue.
Mel Goddard, Building & Safety, gave a brief overview
of the City of Lincoln Dangerous Building policy,
noting a 60 day progression of actions and assessment
of cost to the property owner if the City takes action
to demolish the building. He also stated that property
owners also have the right to appeal action by the City
to a Board of Appeals.
In response to a question from Steinman, Diane Staab,
Deputy County Attorney, stated that the County can not
regulate buildings on farm property over 20 acres in
size.
Campbell asked whether the County could adopt the City
policy.
Staab stated that minor alterations would be required,
including a decision on who to name as the County's
Board of Appeals.
The Board requested that Staab and Goddard check on
whether the City's Board of Appeals would be willing to
hear appeals for the County also and to report back to
the Board in two weeks with a draft Resolution.
6 PENDING LITIGATION
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
Mike Thew, Chief Deputy County Attorney
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to enter Executive
Session at 9:30 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 9:57 a.m. On call Tussing, Svoboda,
Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
7 SALARIES FOR UNCLASSIFIED, UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES, SHERIFF
CAPTAINS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS
Following a brief discussion the Board took the following action:
Bailiff I and Part-time Bailiffs
Accept the recommendation for 3.5 percent increase.
Bailiff II
Accept for recommendation for 4.5 percent increase.
Deputy Sheriff's Captains
Accept recommendation of 3.8 percent increase.
Community Mental Health Center Psychiatrists
No recommendation from the Community Mental Health Center
Director. Board requested State of Nebraska's percent of increase
for comparability.
Attorney I's
Accept recommendations from the County Attorney and Public
Defender.
Attorney II's
Request the County Attorney and Public Defender to review the
salaries of the attorneys in the top salary range and discuss
salaries with the Chair and Vice Chair.
8 ACTION ITEMS
a. Appointment of Nona West to the Visitors Promotion Committee.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Svoboda seconded to appoint Nona
West to the Visitors Promotion Committee, with
ratification of the appointment at the Tuesday,
September 16, 1997 County Board meeting. On call
Campbell, Svoboda, Tussing and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
b. Allocation of $3,000 from the Inmate Benefit Fund for the
Chaplaincy Program
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded
c. Request from Mike Thurber, Corrections Director, to attend the
Kansas Correctional Association Conference on October 5-8, 1997
MOTION: Svoboda moved and Campbell seconded approval. On call
Svoboda, Campbell, Tussing and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
d. Sign-Off on Final Office Design for the New Government Building
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded approval. On call
Tussing, Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
e. Set Date of Public Hearing for Property Tax Levy Different
Than Preliminary Levy.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Svoboda seconded to set September
23, 1997 as the date for the public hearing on the
property tax levy different than preliminary levy.
On call Campbell, Svoboda, Tussing and Steinman voted
aye. Motion carried.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Renovation at Trabert Hall
The Board requested Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer,
to contact Don Killeen, Property Manager, and request that
renovation of offices for the Lincoln/Lancaster Women's
Commission cease, until a walk-through of the offices and
further discussion by the Board of the space issue takes place.
9 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Proxy for Nationwide Money Market Fund
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to empower Kerry
Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, to vote the proxy
for the Nationwide Money Market Fund. On call Campbell,
Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
10 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Function of Visitors Promotion Committee
Steinman and Campbell reported that the Visitors Promotion
Committee (VPC) had requested that the Board relay in writing
their expectations of the VPC for clarification of their role.
Campbell noted that the Visitors Promotion Committee is
advisory to the County Board and that their contract requires
the VPC to review and make recommendations on the budget to
the Board. Campbell stated that a further expectation should
be that the VPC review that budget with the representatives
from the Chamber of Commerce.
Steinman reported that the Visitors Promotion Committee was
concerned about the lack of lodging bookings and vacancies at
the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Campbell suggested that the Visitors Promotion Committee be
notified when the Convention and Visitors Bureau contract
comes up for renewal and be allowed to make comments. She
also suggested that the VPC make suggestions on how to better
communicate with the Board on how the contract is working.
11 PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in Princeton
b. South Street Campus
Eagan reported that John Layman, Appraiser, had notified him
that the appraisal on the South Street Campus would be
delivered to the Board on September 15th.
The Board requested Eagan to notify Lincoln Public Schools
(LPS) that the appraisal is completed and set up a meeting to
discuss sale of the property.
12 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
No report was given.
b. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman
Campbell reported that reports were received on gambling,
regional boundaries, Keno Prevention Grants and domestic
violence.
c. Public Building Commission - Campbell, Hudkins
Campbell reported that use of the "K" Street Building parking
by the Game Day Bar on Saturdays during the University of
Nebraska football games was discussed.
Campbell reported that completion of construction of the new
government building is scheduled for December, 1997. Moving
dates for the various departments will be December 15, 1997
through January 15, 1998.
Campbell also reported that the Public Building Commission
will review whether to extend liability insurance coverage for
the building.
The "F" Street location will be removed from flood insurance
coverage.
d. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development - Steinman
Steinman reported that the new web site, lincoln jobs.com,
for Economic Development was previewed. Steinman reported
that every employer in Lincoln is encouraged to participate.
e. Railroad Transportation Safety District - Steinman, Svoboda,
Tussing
Tussing reported that the Railroad Transportation Safety
District approved their budget and planned to levy for the
full amount this year.
f. Board of Health - Hudkins
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, reported that Mayor
Johannes had requested a delay of execution of the Interlocal
Agreement transferring supervision to the Mayor until the
Board of Health appoints a new Director.
g. Advisory Defense Council - Svoboda
Svoboda reported on local and federal terrorism exercises
conducted in Lincoln.
Svoboda also reported on discussion of possible merger of the
911 Manager and Emergency Services Coordinator positions. He
stated that Les Meyers, Emergency Services Coordinator, had
voiced opposition to any merger.
Brief discussion followed with Board consensus that outside
analysis of both agencies should be conducted to determine
whether a merger would be beneficial.
h. Region V
Tussing reported discussion on the behavioral health redesign
update.
Tussing reported that a letter of intent was approved
confirming that Region V will perform their statutory
obligations and networking.
13 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, September 11, 1997,
at 1:15 p.m., in the County-City Building, Fourth Floor
Conference Room - Hudkins
b. Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee - Thursday, September 11,
1997, at 4:00 p.m., in the County-City Building, Council
Chambers - Tussing
c. Visitors Promotion Committee - Monday, September 15, 1997, at
8 a.m., at the Chamber of Commerce - Svoboda
d. General Assistance Burial Subcommittee - Tuesday, September 16,
1997, at 8 a.m., in the County-City Building, County Board
Office - Campbell, Tussing
e. Information Services Policy Committee - Tuesday, September 16,
1997, at 11 a.m., in the County-City Building, Mayor's
Conference Room - Steinman
f. City-County Common - Friday, September 19, 1997, at 8 a.m., in
the County-City Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room - All
Commissioners
14 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
15 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
16 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
17 AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 16, 1997
18 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
19 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk