Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
STAFF MEETING AGENDA LANCASTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1997 COUNTY-CITY BUILDING COMMISSIONERS HEARING ROOM 8:30 A.M. AGENDA ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 30, 1997 2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA 3 8:30am REPORT FROM THE SMALL ANIMALS TASK FORCE K.Q. Allen, Wes Tomhave and Bob Downey, Task Force Members 4 9:00am ANTELOPE VALLEY MAJOR IMPROVEMENT STUDY Kent Seacrest, Esq. 5 10:00am POTENTIAL LITIGATION - Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney; Don Marfice, County Property Management 6 10:15am INTRODUCTION OF TROY GAGNER, NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR - Joan Modrell, Director of Lincoln Urban Development Department 7 ACTION ITEMS 8 CONSENT ITEMS 9 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT a. Computers for District Court 10 PENDING a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in Princeton b. South Street Campus 11 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Railroad Transportation Safety District - Steinman, Svoboda, Tussing b. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tussing c. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development - Steinman 12 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Management Team Retreat - Thursday, November 6, 1997, at 8:30 a.m., at the Crooked Creek Golfcourse Clubhouse - All Commissioners b. Joint Budget Committee - Friday, November 7, 1997, at 8:00 a.m., at the County-City Building, Mayor's Conference Room - Campbell, Steinman c. Chamber Infrastructure Committee - Wednesday, November 12, 1997, at 4:00 p.m., at the Chamber of Commerce Board Room - Hudkins d. Advisory Defense Council - Wednesday, November 12, 1997, at 7:30 p.m., at the County-City Building, Emergency Operations Center - Svoboda 13 INVITATIONS TO THE COUNTY BOARD a. Capitol City Footprint Association's Award Dinner and Banquet - Saturday, November 22, 1997, at 6:30 p.m., at Misty's (Havelock) b. 13th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast - Friday, January 16, 1998, at 7:30 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Grand Ballroom 14 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD 15 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD 16 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 13, 1997 17 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES LANCASTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS COUNTY-CITY BUILDING COMMISSIONERS HEARING ROOM TUESDAY NOVEMBER 4, 1997 8:30 A.M. Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair Kathy Campbell Darlene Tussing Steve Svoboda Larry Hudkins Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer Earleen Ladd, County Clerk's Office AGENDA ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING OF OCTOBER 30, 1997 Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, requested that the last paragraph on Page 5 of the minutes be corrected to reflect that the number of tax delinquency properties held by Douglas County was reduced, not the tax delinquency rate. MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded approval of the minutes, with the correction requested by Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer. On call Hudkins, Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Tussing abstained from voting. 2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA There were no additions to the agenda. 3 REPORT FROM THE SMALL ANIMALS TASK FORCE - Bob Downey, Task Force Member Bob Downey, Small Animals Task Force, reported that members of the Task Force had, at the Board's request, examined options available to the County to raise additional revenue to offset a rate increase by the Capital Humane Society for animal control services (Exhibit A), and had recommended that the Board take the following action: a. Immediately establish a $15 impoundment fee b. Immediately establish a rabies vaccination program requiring a $5 deposit for unvaccinated animals c. Delay establishment of a dog licensing program, pending further research of the various issues involved. Downey stated that the Capital Humane Society would follow-up on whether vaccination occurred, and if not, the deposit would be forfeited and the Sheriff's Department notified. Hudkins inquired whether the deposit fee for unvaccinated animals should be raised to provide additional incentive for owners to vaccinate their animals. Downey stated that the Task Force would not be opposed to raising the fee. He also noted that the County will be credited for the impoundment fees and unused rabies vaccination deposits, reducing the amount that the Capital Humane Society bills the County. Hudkins asked what percentage of impounded dogs are determined to have not been vaccinated for rabies. Downey stated that approximately 30-35% of the dogs picked up within the City limits do not have current vaccinations or proof of vaccination. Board consensus to increase the rabies vaccination deposit amount to $10 and to adopt the same impoundment fee schedule as that of the City of Lincoln's, which Downey reported as: $15 Impoundment Fee for First Offense $25 Impoundment Fee for Second Offense $40 Impoundment Fee for Third Offense The Board decided to proceed with scheduling a public hearing on the matter and requested that members of the Small Animal Task Force be present at the hearing to answer questions. MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to accept the report of the Small Animal Task Force and to schedule a public hearing on the matter, at which time the Board will consider adoption of a tiered impoundment fee schedule and whether to increase the amount of the rabies vaccination deposit from $5 to $10. On call Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda, Tussing and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. 4 ANTELOPE VALLEY MAJOR IMPROVEMENT STUDY - Kent Seacrest, Antelope Valley Major Improvement Study Advisory Committee Member Kent Seacrest, Antelope Valley Major Improvement Study Advisory Committee Member and Ted Von Briesen, Project Manager, reported on the Antelope Valley Major Improvement Study which examined stormwater, transportation and community revitalization issues along the Antelope Creek corridor and portions of Salt Creek in Lincoln (Exhibit B), noting the following recommendations: 1. Use of grassy open-channel conveyance as a flood control solution for Antelope Creek, allowing expansion of Trago Park and a continuous bicycle path from Homes Lake to Salt Creek 2. Less direct traffic routing in the 33rd Street area to protect the residential neighborhood 3. Location of an underpass near 29th Street to eliminate delays due to railroad traffic and close existing railroad crossings at 33rd and 35th Streets 4. Westward extension of Huntington Avenue to improve access to a 25 acre Northeast Community Park proposed in the plan 5. Shift proposed road alignments in the area between Cornhusker Highway and Superior Street to avoid rare saline soils and wetland areas 6. Repave Holdrege Street, terminating its eastern segment at 17th Street, and continuing the street south to "Y" Street to avoid the new north-south arterial and conveyance structures 7. Location of an overpass on 17th Street linking the new north-south arterial and Avery Avenue and eliminating removal of historic buildings on the fair grounds 8. Location of a 19th Street arterial that curves around the east side of the University of Nebraska Beadle Center, thereby avoiding major disruption of the Malone neighborhood, preserving the University property cohesiveness and allowing expansion of Trago Park 9. Removal of the 38th Street bridge over Antelope Creek near South Street and lengthening of the South Street bridge over the creek, to eliminate restriction of the flow of water in the creek 10. Create "wrap around" centers, combining several community-oriented services on one single-service property 11. Expansion of the downtown bicycle path system Hudkins suggested that the Committee consider an overpass in the vicinity of Cornhusker Highway and 31st Street, due to the heavy truck traffic turning into Continental Grain. He also noted concern regarding traffic flow at the intersection at 27th Street and Cornhusker Highway. Von Briesen stated that engineering details will be worked out in later phases, but noted that the Committee had recommended placement of the new intersection as far from the 27th Street intersection as possible to enable smooth traffic flow and coordination of the traffic signals sets. Hudkins asked how Holdrege Street would connect into the new elevated interchange. Von Briesen stated that it would not. He stated that the plan downplays Holdrege Street, which is a residential street, in an effort to have traffic utilize the new roadway located to the north of the railroad. Steinman inquired about the State's involvement in the process. Seacrest stated that the Department of Administrative Services and the State environmental agencies have been actively involved with the Advisory Committee. He also noted that the Lieutenant Governor and the State Senators have received briefings. Campbell inquired whether the Committee had considered relocation of the Malone Center into the old Whittier Junior High School building. Von Briesen stated that that flexibility exists, although the Malone Center has not expressed an interest in moving, as yet. He also noted that the University of Nebraska, which currently owns the building, is receptive to ideas regarding its future use. Campbell inquired whether the State had projected a timeframe for a decision on the State Fairgrounds property. Seacrest projected a decision on envisioned use of the property within a year. In response to a question from Campbell, Seacrest estimated the total cost of implementation of the plan as $200,000,000, which would be spread over 15-20 years. Seacrest reported that two Town Hall meetings have been scheduled for November 7th & 8th, at which time public comment on the draft package will be sought. Final recommendation of the Committee will be made to the City Council, County Board, Planning Commission, and representatives of the University of Nebraska and Lower Platte South Natural Resources District at a Super Commons meeting, tentatively scheduled for December 12th. 5 POTENTIAL LITIGATION - Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, Don Marifice, County Property Management MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to enter Executive Session at 10:39 a.m. for the purpose of potential litigation. On call Tussing, Campbell, Svoboda, Hudkins and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to exit Executive Session at 10:50 a.m. On call Campbell, Tussing, Hudkins, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. 6 INTRODUCTION OF TROY GAGNER, NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR FOR THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - Joan Modrell, Director of Lincoln Urban Development Department Joan Modrell, Director of Lincoln Urban Development Department, introduced Troy Gagner, new Economic Development Coordinator for the Urban Development Department. Troy Gagner, Economic Development Coordinator, briefly reported on recommendations for next steps for the Lancaster County Economic Development Loan Program (Exhibit C). The Board requested Gagner to make quarterly reports to the Board on the progress of the County Economic Development Program. 7 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT a. Computers for District Court Eagan reported that questions had been raised as to why authorization for the purchase of a personal computer (PC) had only been received for one of the Court Reporters. Eagan recommended that surplus terminals be made available to all of the Court Reporters, with hookup to the State AS400 System. He noted that this should reduce the County's charge for mainframe entry, as the State Statutes allow for free computation on the AS400, although the means of access is not provided. The Board concurred with Eagan's suggestion, and requested that a letter be sent to the Joe Steele, Supreme Court Administrator, informing him that the District Court Reporters will be accessing the AS400 System and requesting payment for the computer equipment, with copies to Lancaster County Senators. Eagan also reported that several of the District Court Judges had requested that their courtroom benches be wired for computer access. The Board requested Eagan to work with the District Court Judges in setting up computers in the courtrooms. 8 PENDING a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in Princeton b. South Street Campus 9 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Railroad Transportation Safety District - Steinman, Svoboda and Tussing b. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tussing c. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development - Steinman No reports of Board member meetings were given, due to time constraints. 10 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Management Team Retreat - Thursday, November 6, 1997, at 8:30 a.m., at the Crooked Creek Golfcourse Clubhouse - All Commissioners b. Joint Budget Committee - Friday, November 7, 1997, at 8 a.m., in the County-City Building, Mayor's Conference Room - Campbell, Steinman c. Chamber Infrastructure Committee - Wednesday, November 12, 1997, at 4 p.m., at the Chamber of Commerce Board Room - Hudkins d. Advisory Defense Council - Wednesday, November 12, 1997, at 7:30 p.m., in the County-City Building, Emergency Operations Center - Svoboda 11 INVITATIONS TO THE COUNTY BOARD a. Capitol City Footprint Associations's Award Dinner and Banquet - Saturday, November 22, 1997, at 6:30 p.m., at Misty's (Havelock) b. 13th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast - Friday, January 16, 1998, at 7:30 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Grand Ballroom 12 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD 13 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD 14 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 13, 1997 15 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS 16 ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to postpone discussion of the remaining agenda items until the November 13th meeting and to adjourn. On call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.