Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
STAFF MEETING Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners County-City Building Fourth Floor Conference Room Thursday, November 13, 1997 8:30 a.m. AGENDA ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 4, 1997 2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA 3 8:30am COUNTY VETERANS' SERVICES QUARTERLY REPORT Gary Chalupa, County Veterans Services Officer 4 9:00am LB 1114 COMPLIANCE Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer 5 9:30am EXECUTIVE SESSION-PERSONNEL MATTER 6 10:00am DIRECTOR EVALUATION AND REPORT George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center Executive Director 7 ACTION ITEMS 8 CONSENT ITEMS 9 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT a. Date for Move of County Board Offices to New Building (December 22-23, 1997) b. County Board Meeting with Karen Chinn (December 16, 1997, at 11:00 a.m.) 10 PENDING a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in Princeton b. South Street Campus 11 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Nursing Facility Intergovernmental Transfer Meeting Steinman, Tussing b. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman c. Chamber Infrastructure Committee - Hudkins d. Advisory Defense Council - Svoboda 12 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Public Building Commission - Thursday, November 13, 1997, at 12:00 p.m., at the County-City Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room - Campbell, Hudkins b. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, November 13, 1997, at 1:15 p.m., at the County-City Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room - Hudkins c. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Thursday, November 13, 1997, at 4:00 p.m., at the County-City Building, Commissioners Hearing Room - Tussing d. Visitors Promotion Committee - Monday, November 17, 1997, at 8:00 a.m., at the Chamber of Commerce - Svoboda e. GA Monitoring Committee - Tuesday, November 18, 1997, at 8:00 a.m., at the County-City Building, Personnel Conference Room - Campbell, Tussing 13 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS a. Lincoln-Lancaster County Housing Trust Fund Meeting - Wednesday, November 19, 1997, at 5:30 p.m., at the City of Lincoln Urban Development Offices Conference Room b. United Way/CHAD 1997 Community Campaign Finale Friday, November 21, 1997 at 11:45 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel c. Honor Farm Family Recognition Lunch - Tuesday, November 25, 1997, at 12:00 p.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel d. Cedars' 50th Anniversary - Sunday, December 7, 1997, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., at 6420 Winding Ridge Circle 14 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD 15 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD 16 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 18, 1997 17 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners County-City Building Fourth Floor Conference Room Thursday, November 13, 1997 8:30 a.m. Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair Kathy Campbell, Vice-Chair Darlene Tussing Steve Svoboda Larry Hudkins Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer Ann Taylor, County Clerk's Office AGENDA ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING OF NOVEMBER 4, 1997 MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded approval. On call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Hudkins was absent. Motion carried. 2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA a. District Court Computers b. Wyuka General Assistance Burial Fees c. Executive Session - Potential Litigation d. Board Member Meeting Reports Continued from the November 4th Meeting Railroad Transportation Safety District - Steinman, Svoboda and Tussing Ecological Advisory Committee - Tussing Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development - Steinman MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded approval of the additions to the agenda. On call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Hudkins was absent. Motion carried. 3 COUNTY VETERANS' SERVICES QUARTERLY REPORT - Gary Chalupa, County Veterans Services Officer Gary Chalupa, County Veterans Services Officer, asked if the Board had any questions regarding the County Veterans' Services Quarterly Report (Commissioners Information Packet). Brief discussion took place regarding the homeless population in Lincoln, as reported in the Lincoln Journal-Star newspaper, with Chalupa reporting that approximately 60-70% of the homeless are veterans. He also stated that it is difficult for the County Veterans Services Office to provide assistance to homeless veterans, due to the residency requirements of the County Veterans Aid (CVA) and Nebraska Veterans Aid (NVA) Funds. He stated that General Assistance and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Veterans Assistance Fund may be assistance options. Hudkins arrived. Chalupa briefly reviewed his goals and objectives for the upcoming year (Exhibit A), noting the following headings for the columns shown in 2a: Column 2 County Veterans Aid (CVA) Budget Column 3 Actual Expenditures Column 4 Nebraska Veterans Aid (NVA) Financial Assistance Column 5 Total Assistance Chalupa noted that it is the policy of the Veterans Services' Office to apply for NVA funds, when applicable, and to assist veterans in seeking permanent solutions for on-going needs. 4 LB 1114 COMPLIANCE Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, briefly reviewed a handout detailing the LB 1114 Allocation based on the 1997-98 tax rate of the various political subdivisions in Lancaster County; the amount of rural taxes collected by the subdivisions under LB 1114; Lancaster County property tax rates and the 1997-2007 Capital Improvement Program for the Railroad Transportation Safety District (Exhibit B). Kroeker suggested that interlocal agreements may be a solution for fire districts that are over the levy amount. He noted that interlocal agreements would allow the fire districts to tap into the extra nickel of the levy set aside for that purpose. Campbell asked if the fire districts support the Mutual Aid through their budgets. Hudkins stated that he believed the participating fire districts pay the expenses of their Mutual Aid representatives. Kroeker reported that the Malcolm, Raymond and Southeast Fire Districts will need to adjust their levies to comply with LB 1114. Hudkins noted that the Malcolm Fire District must respond to rescue calls at Pawnee, Branched Oak and Conestoga Lakes and the Raymond Fire District answers calls at Branched Oak Lake as well. He stated that those fire districts occasionally receive federal funds because Pawnee and Branched Oak Lakes are Corp of Engineer lakes. He asked if that would qualify as an interlocal agreement. Eagan agreed to research the issue. Kroeker distributed copies of a report titled LB 1114: Upcoming Levy Limits and Discussion of Government Restructuring that was presented by George Kilpatrick, Nebraska Legislature Revenue Committee Legal Counsel, at the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO)Convention (Exhibit C). Kroeker reported that levy requests must be made to the Board no later than September 30th of each year, with final levies to be set by the County no later than October 31. He noted that the report suggests that the Board and representatives of the subdivisions meet prior to that to determine the allocation. Campbell stated that the Board needs to determine the County's priorities and fund those accordingly and that full funding of those miscellaneous subdivisions is not required, even if the ability to do so exists. Kroeker suggested that the Agricultural Society, Railroad Transportation Safety District and Library discuss their budgets with the Board, separate from the Fire Districts. The Board concurred, and requested that Don Thomas, County Engineer, and Roger Figard, City Engineer, both be present for the RTSD budget discussion. In response to a question from Hudkins, Kroeker stated that the City of Lincoln may be able to levy for RTSD projects located within their jurisdiction. The Board requested that current information on pension plans, insurance, pay and fringe benefits for the fire districts be provided to the Board. The Board also requested that Kroeker contact Jack Mills, Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO), and George Kilpatrick, Nebraska Legislature Revenue Committee Legal Counsel, and ask for recommendations on a resource person who could advise the Board on how fire districts should be funded. 5 EXECUTIVE SESSION - PERSONNEL MATTER MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to enter Executive Session for the purpose of a personnel matter at 9:37 a.m. On call Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda, Tussing and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to exit Executive Session at 10:17 a.m. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Svoboda, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. 6 DIRECTOR EVALUATION AND REPORT George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center Executive Director George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center Executive Director, requested that his evaluation take place in Executive Session. MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded to enter Executive Session for the purpose of a director evaluation at 10:17 a.m. On call Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to exit Executive Session at 10:47 a.m. On call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. 7 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT e. Date for Move of County Board Offices to New Building (December 22-23, 1997) Board consensus to approve the proposed moving dates. f. County Board Meeting with Karen Chinn (December 16, 1997, at 11 a.m.) Board consensus to hold the meeting in the County Commissioners' Office. 8 PENDING a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in Princeton b. South Street Campus 9 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Nursing Facility Intergovernmental Transfer Meeting Steinman, Tussing Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Administrator, reported on the Nursing Facility Intergovernmental Transfer Meeting and presented the Board a draft of testimony in response to the State's Intergovernmental Transfer Proposal for presentation at a public hearing scheduled for November 20, 1997 (Exhibit D). Campbell requested the following language changes to the draft: Substitute the phrase "recognizes the" for the phrase "in favor of" in Paragraph 2 Substitute the phrase "is willing to participate" for the phrase "in favor of participating" in Paragraph 3 Strike the word "legitimate" in Paragraph 3 Substitute the word "philosophical" for "ethical" in Paragraph 3 Van Hunnik suggested that the Board include the fact that the County was not reimbursed for approximately $7,000 of the $268,000 Central Office expense, which put the County over the limit, and that the amount of non-reimbursable expense may increase this year. The Board concurred with Van Hunnik's suggestion. The Board requested that Van Hunnik, Duane Austria, Deputy County Attorney, and Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, attend the November 20th public hearing and that Van Hunnik provide testimony on the Board's behalf. MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to refer the draft of testimony to the County Attorney's office for review and to authorize Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Administrator, to represent Lancaster County in providing testimony at the public hearing scheduled for November 20, 1997. On call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator, appeared and gave a brief report on the City of Lincoln/Lancaster County Housing Trust Fund meeting held on November 4th. Boesch reported that approximately $24,000,000 in housing funds will be allocated to nine regions within Nebraska over the next six years, and that Lancaster County has been designated as one of those nine regions. Boesch noted that 50% of the overall figure must be used towards providing home ownership. Boesch reported that a plan for distribution of the first year's allocation of approximately $350,000 - $400,000 must be presented to the State Department of Economic Development by January 14, 1998. Boesch recommended that the priority plan include criteria for determining which entities are qualified to carry out the proposals. In response to a question from Steinman, Boesch stated that the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) will be providing match funds, although she was unsure of the amount. Board consensus to recommend that rural communities be provided an equal opportunity to access the housing funds. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA a. District Court Computers Eagan reported that the Supreme Court Administrator had authorized word processing for the District Court Reporters on the State's AS400 System. He noted that cabling and terminal costs would be the responsibility of the County. Eagan recommended that the cabling be included in the bids for the Old Federal Building and that the County explore the option of leasing terminals for the District Court Reporters. Eagan also reported that four of the District Court Judges had expressed interest in having their courtroom benches wired for computer access. MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded approval of the request for the cabling in the Old Federal Building and to continue to explore the issue of computer terminals for the District Court Reporters. On call Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. b. Wyuka General Assistance Burial Fees Campbell reported that Wyuka Cemetery had requested reimbursement of burial expenses at the new County Burial Plan rate, retroactive to July 1, 1997. She stated that although the final burial rates were not approved until October 7, 1997, that portion of the rates had already been negotiated. MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to authorize Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, to finalize a rate with Wyuka Cemetery retroactive to July 1, 1997. On call Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda, Tussing and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. c. Executive Session - Potential Litigation (NOTE: Executive Session did not take place due to time constraints.) d. Board Member Meeting Reports Continued from the November 4th Meeting Railroad Transportation Safety District (RTSD) Steinman, Svoboda and Tussing Tussing reported that concern regarding the cost overrun on the "X" Street corridor was discussed. She also noted that the University of Nebraska and the Union Pacific Railroad both want an abandonment between 9th and 19th Streets and may make some funds available for that purpose. Campbell requested that Roger Figard, City Engineer, also provide an update of RTSD projects at the meeting to be scheduled for discussion of LB 1114. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development Steinman Steinman reported that the website for job opportunities in the community, the State Unemployment Trust Fund and a Technological Instrument Testing Center were discussed. Steinman left and Campbell assumed direction of the meeting. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tussing Tussing reported that the Wilderness Study Group had requested input from the Board on expectations with regards to the study. Campbell requested that the Wilderness Study Group make recommendations with regards to buffering Wilderness Park from development and whether to restrict uses inside the park. Tussing also noted discussion on the expansion of Wilderness Park, as noted in the Comprehensive Plan, with a suggestion that letters be sent to adjacent landowners regarding conservation easements. b. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman Report was postponed due to time constraints. c. Chamber Infrastructure Committee - Hudkins Hudkins reported that the Chamber Infrastructure Committee would like the Antelope Valley Major Improvement Study to move forward, with the suggestion that the Agricultural Society Events Center be located back on the fairgrounds. Hudkins also reported that the Agricultural Society had reported the possibility of a new site between Waverly and Lincoln for the Events Center. d. Advisory Defense Council - Svoboda No report was given. 10 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Public Building Commission - Thursday, November 13, 1997 at 12 p.m., in the County-City Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room - Campbell, Hudkins b. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, November 13, 1997, at 1:15 p.m., in the County-City Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room - Hudkins c. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Thursday, November 13, 1997, at 4 p.m., in the County-City Building, Commissioners Hearing Room- Tussing d. Visitors Promotion Committee - Monday, November 17, 1997, at 8 a.m., at the Chamber of Commerce - Svoboda e. General Assistance Monitoring Committee - Tuesday, November 18, 1997, at 8 a.m., in the County-City Building, Personnel Conference Room - Campbell, Tussing 11 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS a. Lincoln-Lancaster County Housing Trust Fund Meeting - Wednesday, November 19, 1997, at 5:30 p.m., at the City of Lincoln Urban Development Offices Conference Room b. United Way/CHAD 1997 Community Campaign Finale - Friday, November 21, 1997 at 11:45 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel c. Honor Farm Family Recognition Lunch - Tuesday, November 25, 1997, at 12 p.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel d. Cedars' 50th Anniversary - Sunday, December 7, 1997, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at 6420 Winding Ridge Circle 12 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD 13 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD 14 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 18, 1997 15 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS 16 ADJOURNMENT By direction of the Vice-Chair, the meeting was adjourned. ______________________ Kandra Hahn Lancaster County Clerk