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, October 9, 1997
8:30 a.m.
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 25 AN
OCTOBER 2, 1997
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:30am EMERGENCY PLACEMENT CUSTODY AT CORNHUSKER PLACE
Kit Boesch, Human Services Director;
Jim Baird, Cornhusker Place Director;
George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center
Director; Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer
4 9:15am UPDATE ON FULL-TIME NURSE AT THE ATTENTION CENTER
Dennis Banks, Attention Center Director
5 9:45am INTERNET FOR COUNTY CLERK STAFF -
Kandra Hahn, County Clerk
6 ACTION ITEMS
a. Purchase of Fax Machine for District Court Probation
7 CONSENT ITEMS
8 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Sale of St. Francis Chapel
b. Dangerous Building Appeal Board
c. First Informational Meeting with Mutual of Omaha
9 PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in
Princeton
b. South Street Campus
10 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
b. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman
c. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tussing
d. District Energy Corporation - Hudkins, Svoboda
11 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Management Team - Thursday, October 9, 1997, at
7:30 a.m., at the County-City Building, Fourth Floor
Conference Room - All Commissioners
b. Luncheon with Lancaster County Senators - Thursday,
October 9, 1997, at 12 noon, at the Cornhusker Hotel,
Heartland Room (connected to The Renaissance) - All
Commissioners
c. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, October 9,
1997, at 1:15 p.m., at the County-City Building,
Fourth Floor Conference Room - Hudkins
d. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Thursday, October
9, 1997, at 4:00 p.m., at the County-City Building,
Commissioners Hearing Room - Tussing
e. Public Building Commission - Tuesday, October 14,
1997, at 10:00 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Fourth Floor Conference Room - Campbell, Hudkins
f. NACO Annual Convention - Tuesday, October 14-16,
1997, at the Holiday Inn, Omaha, NE - Campbell,
Tussing
g. Board of Health - Tuesday, October 14, 1997, at 7:30
p.m., at 3140 "N" Street, Room #236 - Hudkins
12 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Luncheon for Russ Raybould - Monday, October 20,
1997, at 11:30 a.m., at The Cornhusker Hotel
b. "Homelessness in Lincoln & Lancaster County" Brown
Bag Luncheon - Wednesday, October 22, 1997, from
12:00 to 1:00 p.m., at the County Extension Office,
444 Cherrycreek Road
c. United Way/CHAD Report Rally - Wednesday, October 22,
1997, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m, at UNL Morrill Hall,
14th & "U" Street
13 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
14 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
15 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 14, 1997
16 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
County-City Building
Fourth Floor Conference Room
Thursday, October 9, 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
Ann Taylor, County Clerk's Office
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 25 AND OCTOBER 2, 1997
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded approval of the
meeting minutes of September 25 and October 2,
1997. On call Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda, Campbell
and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Court Administrator
b. Potential Litigation
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded approval of the
additions to the agenda. On call Tussing,
Hudkins, Svoboda, Campbell and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
3 EMERGENCY PLACEMENT CUSTODY AT CORNHUSKER PLACE
Kit Boesch, Human Services Director; Jim Baird, Cornhusker Place
Director; George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center Director;
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer
Kit Boesch, Human Services Director, briefly reported on a special meeting
held to discuss Emergency Protective Custody (EPC) services. She
distributed copies of the meeting minutes (Exhibit A) noting revisions to
funding amounts as follows:
a. $498,571 Community Mental Health Center funding from
County Board
b. $154,790 County Contract through the Region
c. $156,553 City Contract
Boesch also reported that the $121,000 figure indicated for Mental Health
Emergencies is actually the County match amount.
Hudkins inquired whether rent for the long term lease of the Cornhusker
Place building was included in the figures.
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, stated that the rent is a recoverable
cost, although the $60,000 the County funded up-front for Cornhusker Place
is not.
Boesch stated that renovation of Cornhusker Place is recommended, at an
estimated cost of $80,000. She suggested that the City of Lincoln and
Lancaster County split this cost, with Keno receipts as a possible funding
mechanism for the County's portion. Boesch stated that the County could
also consider a contract for emergency protective custody, at an estimated
annual cost of $14,000 to $16,000.
Boesch also noted that long-term recommendations include monitoring
legislation, change or shifts in State and/or Federal funding of programs
and creation of a Health Foundation from the proceeds of the sale of
Lincoln General Hospital.
George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center Director, explained that one
objective of the behavioral health redesign process was to combine
substance abuse and mental health programs into one system. He stated that
Region V has identified certain programs and clustered those programs into
"Cornerstone Services".
Hanigan reviewed the program revenue summary portion of the handout, noting
that the Community Mental Health Center provides Emergency Protective
Custody facility, 24-hour emergency care and mental health assessment while
Cornhusker Place provides Detox and Civil Protective Custody programs. He
suggested that the Region budget for these programs on an expenditure basis.
Hanigan also suggested that the County lobby for increased State match of
local funding of EPC programs.
In response to a question from Steinman, Hanigan stated that he did not
foresee closing of Regional Centers, as they provide services, such as
Acute Care, that require hospitalization.
Hudkins asked Jim Baird, Cornhusker Place Director, the amount collected for
County testing fees for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and where the funds
are allocated.
Baird responded that the fee, which is set by the County Court judges, was
recently raised to $85. He stated that this fee is collected by the Court
with payment of the fine and is allocated back to County programs,
although he was unsure of its exact disposition.
Brief discussion followed on the recommendation that the County contract for
approximately 200 EPC clients or $16,000 in 1998, with Campbell suggesting
that the Board review revenue figures for the Community Mental Health Center
at mid-year to avoid shortages.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to accept the four
recommendations for Emergency Protective Services and indicate to
the City Council that the County will be willing to split $80,000 in
renovation costs for Cornhusker Place.
Hanigan and Boesch stressed the importance of Lincoln General Hospital's
role in the provision of mental health services to the community and
suggested that the County provide continual input to the Health Foundation.
The Board requested that Boesch and Hanigan meet with Mayor Johanns and City3
Finance representatives regarding the Cornhusker Place renovation costs and
the role of Lincoln General Hospital, before approaching the City Council
about splitting the costs with the County.
ON CALL: Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda and Tussing voted aye. Motion carried.
Tussing and Hanigan agreed to meet with Jill Rubottom, Region V, regarding
development of a organized plan for mental health services for presentation
to the State.
4 UPDATE ON FULL-TIME NURSE AT THE ATTENTION CENTER
Dennis Banks, Attention Center Director, Michelle Schindler,
Attention Center Deputy Director, Sharon Baker, Public Health Nurse
Sharon Baker, Public Health Nurse, reviewed the Attention Center for Youth
Health Services Quarterly Report (Exhibit B), noting that a program was
developed over the last six months to meet the mental and medical health
needs of youth at the Center. She stated that the following three agencies
were incorporated into this program:
a. Nebraska Health and Human Services System
b. Lincoln General Hospital
c. Lincoln Regional Center
Baker reported that a direct billing system for medical services provided to
State wards and Medicaid eligible youth has been established, as well as for
privately insured placements. She also stated that Nebraska Health and
Human Services will be providing some reimbursement to Child Guidance for
counseling services provided to State wards detained at the Attention
Center.
Baker reported on development of a Transitional Mental Health Team,
comprised of representatives of Child Guidance, Lincoln General Hospital,
Attention Center management staff and the Community Mental Health Center,
to provide case management.
Baker briefly reviewed graphs depicting the type of medications dispensed at
the Attention Center, noting that most were psychotropic, and health
problems addressed by the public health nurse at the Attention Center during
1997. She stated that chronic medical needs were being met at the Attention
Center, rather than the Emergency Room, lowering medical costs
significantly.
Dennis Banks, Attention Center Director, suggested that the Board increase
public awareness of the combined efforts of these agencies in addressing the
mental health needs of youth in the community. He also reported that Sharon
Baker had recently received the Heartland Juvenile Services Training
Institute Employee of the Year Award. The Board requested that Banks and
Baker appear at a Tuesday County Board meeting to recognize her achievement.
5 INTERNET FOR COUNTY CLERK'S STAFF - Kandra Hahn, County Clerk
Item deferred until the County Board meeting scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, October 14, 1997.
6 ACTION ITEMS
a. Purchase of Fax Machine for District Court Probation
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded approval. On call Hudkins,
Tussing, Svoboda, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
Brief discussion took place on the dust problem on SW 23rd Street
due to road construction.
In response to questions from the Board, Diane Staab, Deputy County
Attorney, stated that State Statutes empower the Board to take action
deemed necessary to protect the public's health. She stated that a public
hearing is not necessary, the posting of signs is sufficient public
notification.
The Board requested Eagan to contact the Health Department to request that
air quality tests be conducted before declaring a health hazzard under
similar circumstances in the future.
7 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Sale of St. Francis Chapel
Eagan suggested that the Board set a public hearing and proceed with the
sale of the St. Francis Chapel.
In response to a question from Campbell, Eagan stated that sale of the
soccer field to the Lincoln Public Schools will still need to be negotiated.
Board consensus to proceed with the sale of St. Francis Chapel
b. Dangerous Buildings Appeal Board
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, distributed copies of a memo from the
City Attorney's office recommending that the County appoint its own Board
of Appeals (Exhibit C).
Eagan reported that Don Thomas, County Engineer, had declined the offer to
serve as an ex-officio member of the Board of Appeals, stating a lack of
expertise with regards to dangerous buildings.
Discussion followed with suggestions that a real estate developer, a Rural
Zoning Appeals Board member, or a Lincoln Independent Business Association
(LIBA) member serve on the Board of Appeals.
Board consensus to adopt the Dangerous Building Code at the Tuesday,
October 14th County Board meeting and to delay a decision on Board
of Appeals membership.
c. First Informational Meeting with Mutual of Omaha
Following brief discussion, Board consensus to invite members of the
Management Team to the meeting, noting that this will be the first of a
series informational meetings.
The Board requested that Eagan respond to the letter from Lincoln
pharmacists regarding the limited pharmacy options available to County
employees under the Mutual of Omaha Health Plan.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Court Administrator
Campbell reported that the architect for the Law Enforcement/Hall of Justice
Building had stated that policies and procedures for use of the building
need to be established and agreed with Campbell suggested that a Court
Administrator would be helpful.
Steinman noted that a Court Administrator could also review indigent
requests for counsel.
Board consensus that a committee be formed, consisting of the lead judges
for the County, District and Juvenile Courts; Judith Leech, County Court
Judicial Administrator; Marj Hart, Clerk of the District Court; Gary Lacey,
County Attorney; Dennis Keefe, Public Defender; Joe Steele, State Court
Administrator; Jim Hille or Joanne Kissel, Sinclair Hille and Associates,
Inc.; Linda Steinman, County Board Chair; and Kathy Campbell Board member
liaison to the Public Building Commission, to advise the Board on how to
proceed with establishment of a Court Administrator position. A tentative
meeting date of October 23rd was set.
b. Potential Litigation
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to enter Executive Session at
10:19 a.m. for the purpose of potential litigation. On call
Tussing, Hudkins, Svoboda, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion
carried.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to exit Executive Session at
10:27 a.m. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Svoboda, Campbell and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
8 PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in Princeton
b. South Street Campus
9 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
Hudkins reported that he had reviewed office chair requests with Dave
Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, and had authorized the purchase of
ergonomic chairs for all full-time County employees.
b. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman
Campbell reported that reports on the County Extension office's "Character
Counts" program and the "Anchor" homeless tracking software program were
given.
Campbell also reported that the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) was reviewing
those primary agencies which receive funding in the range of $5,000-
$65,000. She noted that if the JBC decides to cease funding of one of
those agencies, the funding would gradually decrease over a two year period.
c. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tussing
Tussing displayed a Lancaster County Natural Resources Trend Data and
Sustainability Indicator presentation board which will be placed in Pioneer
Park's Nature Center.
Tussing reported that an update of the Beltway Study and the ecological
study of Wilderness Park were also discussed.
Campbell suggested that consideration be given to elevating Old Cheney Road
over Wilderness Park.
d. District Energy Corporation - Hudkins, Svoboda
Hudkins reported on adoption of the District Energy Corporation budget,
reduction of energy costs for the Corrections Department and overhead
location of an energy cooling unit for the State Capitol, State Office
Building and Governor's mansion in the alley behind St. Mary's Catholic
Church, 14th & K Streets.
Campbell briefly reported on a meeting of the Keno Prevention Committee at
which policies were reviewed. She stated that the following revisions were
made:
a. Increase the maximum Keno grant award amount from $5,000 to
$7,000
b. Permit agencies to submit more than one Keno grant application
10 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
c. Luncheon with Lancaster County Senators - Thursday,
October 9, 1997, at 12 p.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel,
Heartland Room - All Commissioners
d. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, October 9,
1997, at 1:15 p.m., in the County-City Building, Fourth
Floor Conference Room - Hudkins
e. Parks & Recreation Advisory board - Thursday, October
9, 1997, at 4 p.m., in the County-City Building,
Commissioners Hearing Room - Tussing
f. Public Building Commission - Tuesday, October 14, 1997,
at 10 a.m., in the County-City Building, Fourth Floor
Conference Room - Campbell, Hudkins
g. National Association of County Officials (NACO) Annual
Convention - Tuesday, October 14-16, 1997, at the
Holiday Inn, Omaha, Nebraska - Hudkins, Campbell, Tussing
h. Board of Health - Tuesday, October 14, 1997, at 7:30
p.m., at 3140 "N" Street, Room #236 - Hudkins
11 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Luncheon for Russ Raybould - Monday, October 20, 1997
at 11:30 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel
b. "Homelessness in Lincoln and Lancaster County" Brown
Bag Luncheon - Wednesday, October 22, 1997, from 12-1
p.m., at the County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Road
c. United Way/CHAD Report Rally - Wednesday, October 22,
1997, from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., at University of Nebraska
Morrill Hall, 14th & "U" Street
12 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
13 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
14 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 14, 1997
15 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
16 ADJOURNMENT
___________________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk