Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
AGENDA for a Meeting of the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners to Be
Held Tuesday, January 6, 1998 at 1:30 p.m. in the County Commissioners
Hearing Room, First Floor, County-City Building.
1) MINUTES: Approval of the minutes of the Board of Commissioners
meeting held on Tuesday, December 16 and December 23, 1997.
(A copy of the minutes is on file in the Office of the
Lancaster County Clerk.)
2) CLAIMS: Approval of all claims processed through Tuesday,
January 6, 1998.
3) ITEMS OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: It is the policy of the Lancaster
County Board of Commissioners to accommodate the public to the greatest
extent possible. Therefore, this agenda has been prepared with items
of greatest public interest at the beginning with more routine items
toward the end as a courtesy to those who wish to speak with the County
Board at this meeting. If you are here to participate on an item and
need special consideration because of a schedule conflict or some other
problem, would you please let us know now so we can try to meet your
needs.
A. Presentation of the County-City Volunteer of the Month
Award to Dr. Keith Parker for his services.
B. Partnership with Lincoln Public Schools to conduct the
Lincoln Safety and Health Fair. (97-580)
COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: Members of the public who
wish to comment on any item on the agenda may come forward at this time.
4) NEW BUSINESS:
A. An interlocal agreement with the University of Nebraska for
cooperative extension services, for $168,634. (97-588) (C-8834)
B. An interlocal agreement with Cass County to house juvenile detainees
at the Attention Center for Youth, for $176.82 per day.
(97-587) (C-8835)
C. An agreement with Western Medical Services, Inc. for temporary
medical personnel for Lancaster Manor on an as needed basis, at
rates as specified in the agreement. (97-586) (C-8836)
D. A federal law enforcement block grant contract, for $1,296.26, from
the Nebraska Crime Commission to the Sheriff's Office for the
purchase of communication equipment. (97-604) (C-8837)
E. Recommendation from Noxious Weed Control and the Purchasing Agent
to award a service agreement for Geographic Information System
support time with Maps Plus, for $4,700 and an hourly rate of $25
for support and consultation. (97-523)
F. Recommendation from Register of Deeds and the Purchasing Agent to
award a bid to JJE, Inc. for a microfilm reader/printer, for
$11,265.50. (98-1)
G. Recommendation from Lancaster Manor and the Purchasing Agent to
award a bid to Aliant Systems for a telephone system, including
installation and training, for $24,583.48. (98-2)
H. A resolution directing the County Engineer to conduct a study for
the vacation of a portion of Wittstruck Road in conjunction with
the construction of the Upper Little Nemaha Natural Resource
District Dam 21. (97-583) (R-5611)
I. A political subdivision tort claim filed against Lancaster County by
Jay Sterns, for $1,262.68, for damage to vehicle. (97-566)
J. A claim filed by Western Sand and Gravel Company requesting payment
for an additional 523 tons of gravel. (97-573)
K. Setting of salary for Reggie L. Ryder, Public Defender's Office, at
an annual rate of $32,000, beginning January 15, 1998. (97-606)
L. Reappointments of the following individuals to the Lincoln-Lancaster
Women's Commission: (97-538)
Name of Individual Expiration of Term
Jody Busse January 1, 2001
Sandy Johnson January 1, 2001
Kim Marsh January 1, 2001
Annette McRoy January 1, 2001
Dianne Myers January 1, 2001
M. Appointment of Marilyn J. Vontz to the Lancaster Manor
Advisory Committee. (97-546)
5) CONSENT ITEMS: These are items of business before the Lancaster
County Board of Commissioners which have been previously supplied to
each Commissioner in writing, which are relatively routine and which
are expected to be adopted without dissent. Any individual item may be
removed for special discussion and consideration by a Commissioner or
by any member of the public without prior notice. Unless there is an
exception, these items will be approved as one with a single vote of
the Board of Commissioners. These items are approval of:
A. Setting of a public hearing for Tuesday, January 20, 1997
at 1:30 p.m. in the Commissioners Hearing Room on the first
floor of the County-City Building for a final plat for
Finigan's 1st Addition, requested by Pearle Finigan,
consisting of eight residential lots on property located at
North 84th Street and Waverly Road in Lancaster County,
Nebraska.
B. Requests from Lory Pasold and Bruce Prenda, employees of the
County Attorney's Office, to voluntarily participate in the
county retirement plan. (97-584) (97-585)
C. An agreement with KJ Express for pickup and delivery of mail
for the Clerk of the District Court, for $175 per month.
(97-605) (C-8838)
D. Renewal of the following service/maintenance agreements:
Agency Vendor Amount
Cooperative Extension Pitney Bowes $193.50
(98-3) (C-8839)
Records & Information Microfilm $2,715
(3 agreements) Imaging System
(98-4 through 98-6)
(C-8840 through C-8842)
Attention Center for Solutions $776.52
Youth (98-7) (C-8843)
6) ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A. The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners will hold meetings on
Tuesday, January 6, 1998 at 10:30 a.m. and on Thursday, January 8,
1998 at 8:30 a.m. in the County Commissioners conference room in
the County-City Building.
B. The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners meeting which is
broadcast live at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays will be re-broadcast at
6:30 p.m. on Cablevision Channel 5.
7) EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS:
8) PENDING:
A. Change of Zone Number 147, from AG Agricultural to AGR Agricultural
Residential, requested by Peter W. Katt on behalf of Steve Champoux,
on property located at the northwest corner of 134th and "A" Streets
in Lancaster County, Nebraska.
B. Change of Zone from Ag Agricultural to AGR Agricultural Residential,
requested by Harry Muhlbach, on property located west of North 56th
Street (Highway 77) between Mill Road and Raymond Road in Lancaster
County, Nebraska (Change of Zone 165). (97-26) (Scheduled for
further discussion on April 7, 1998.)
9) ADJOURNMENT:
This agenda, which is kept continually current, is available for inspection
in the Office of the County Clerk in Lancaster County, Nebraska.
NOTE: Interpreters for the hearing impaired are available at meetings
of the County Board upon request. Please contact the County Clerk's Office
at 441-6336 and ask for Susan Starcher or Kandra Hahn at least 48 hours
prior to the meeting if this accommodation is required, or if you have any
other special communication needs requiring assistance.
REPORTS AND INFORMATIONAL FILINGS: The following items which may be
of interest to residents of Lancaster County are among those which have been
filed this week in the County Clerk's Office:
A. Monthly reports for the following:
Clerk of the District Court (97-531)
Lincoln City Libraries (97-532)
AGENDA for a Meeting of the Lancaster County Board of Equalization to Be
Held Tuesday, January 6, 1998 at 1:30 p.m. in the County Commissioners
Hearing Room, First Floor, County-City Building.
1) MINUTES: Approval of the minutes of the Board of Equalization
meeting held on Tuesday, December 16, 1997. (A copy of these minutes
is on file in the Office of the Lancaster County Clerk.)
2) ADDITIONS AND DEDUCTIONS:
Approval of 62 additions and deductions to the tax assessment rolls per
Exhibit "A".
3) APPROVAL OF MOTOR VEHICLE TAX EXEMPTIONS:
Christian Church in Nebraska
Christian Heritage
First Church of the Nazarene
The Living Word Singers
Nebraska SPF Swine Accrediting Agency, Inc.
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
Rosemont Alliance Church
Saint Elizabeth Community Health Center
Saint Joseph's Church & School of Lincoln
Saint Monica's
Sesostris Shrine Temple
Sisters of St. Francis
Temple Baptist Church
Youth Men's Christian Association of Lincoln
4) SETTING OF A PUBLIC HEARING:
Setting of a public hearing for Tuesday, January 20, 1998 at 2:30 p.m.
for notice of valuation change for omitted or undervalued property for
Union College.
MINUTES Lancaster County Board of Commissioners County-City Building County Board Conference Room Tuesday, January 6, 1998 10:30 a.m. Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair Steve Svoboda Kathy Campbell Darlene Tussing Larry Hudkins Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney Ann Taylor, County Clerk's Office AGENDA ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING OF DECEMBER 18, 1997 MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded approval. On call Hudkins, Tussing, Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. 2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA a. Tri-County Meeting with State Legislators b. Antenna on the Old County-City Building c. Letter to the District Court Judges with Regards to the Arraignment Court MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded the additions to the agenda. On call Hudkins, Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. 3 DIRECTOR EVALUATION - Mike Thurber, Corrections Director Mike Thurber, Corrections Director, requested that his evaluation take place in Executive Session. MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to enter Executive Session at 10:40 a.m. for the purpose of a personnel evaluation. On call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to exit Executive Session at 11:20 a.m. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. 4 CAR PRICE QUOTES - Norm Agena, County Assessor, Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy County Assessor Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy County Assessor, reported the following bids for new vehicles for the Assessor's Office received through the State of Nebraska contract: Ford Taurus LX $13,880 Anderson Ford Plymouth Breeze $11,808 Baxter Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Stratus $12,333 Lincoln Dodge Hendricksen recommended that the County purchase three of the Ford Taurus vehicles from Anderson Ford. He noted that funds had been transferred from the Assessor's budget into the County Commissioner's General Fund for this purpose. MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to accept the County Assessor's recommendation and to purchase three additional vehicles under the bid that they received. On call Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda, Tussing and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. 5 SALE OF ST. FRANCIS CHAPEL Eagan stated that the Board is required to schedule sale of St. Francis Chapel within 60 days of the date of the public hearing which was held on December 9, 1997. He reported that an active lease with the St. Francis Chapel Foundation still exists and will need to be addressed in the sale of the property. Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, noted that any purchaser will need to comply with the limitations placed on the Chapel, due to its Historic Preservation designation. Discussion took place on additional restrictions that the Board may wish to place on the sale of the Chapel with the following suggestions: Setback and landscaping restrictions Requiring retention of the Chapel's statuary, artwork and fixtures Access for viewing by the public Continued community use of St. Francis Chapel Tussing noted concern regarding the limited parking available and stated that it may also restrict the use of the property. Steinman noted that the County had a significant investment in the development of St. Francis Chapel and suggested that the Board has a continuing obligation to provide the community access and use of the property. Eagan noted that the additional value of statuary and artwork can be considered in setting the fair market value for sale of the property. The Board requested that Ed Zimmer, Historic Preservation Planner, and Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, appear at the County Board's January 15th meeting to report on what Historic Preservation limitations have been placed on St. Francis Chapel and to discuss what restrictions can be placed on use of the property without limiting the field of prospective buyers. The Board also requested that a member of the Planning Department appear to discuss whether conditions exist with regards to parking, access, setbacks and landscaping. Lynn Senkbeil, St. Francis Chapel Foundation, stated that the Foundation would like to see the Chapel remain a community center that is open to the public at any time. He also noted that Chapel wedding ceremonies have been scheduled through January of 1999 and requested that any purchaser honor those obligations. Senkbeil stated that the St. Francis Chapel Foundation would prefer that the sale of the chapel proceed, rather than delaying sale until expiration of the lease. Campbell requested Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, to provide the Board with copies of the original lease with the St. Francis Chapel Foundation, for review of conditions. 6 ACTION ITEMS a. Request from Juvenile Court for Additional Clerk/Receptionist Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Director, appeared at the Board's request and agreed to research whether the position was included in the Juvenile Court's budget request. The Board deferred the item for one week to allow Kroeker sufficient time to contact Juvenile Judge Tom Dawson, Jim Hille, Sinclair Hille & Associates Inc., and Don Killeen, County Property Manager, to see if the requested position was included in the Juvenile Court budget and in the plans for the Justice and Law Enforcement Center. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA a. Tri-County Meeting with State Legislators Eagan reported that 5:30 p.m. on January 21st was the only date reported available for the Douglas, Sarpy and Lancaster County Boards to meet with their respective Legislative delegations to discuss juvenile boarding contract issues. He noted that Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant, would not be available on that date. Eagan stated that Kathy Kelly, Assistant Administrator to the Douglas County Board, had suggested that the Boards host a reception or cocktail hour for the Senators. Board consensus that those were not appropriate formats for presentation of information and discussion of legislative issues. Hudkins suggested that Jack Mills, Executive Director of the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO), involvement be requested. The Board requested Eagan to seek an alternative date with the least schedule conflict for the Senators and Kissel. b. Antenna on the Old County-City Building Eagan reported that Larry Bare, City Finance Director, had requested that the County contribute to an inventory of the communications equipment on the antenna located on the old County-City Building. The Board agreed to share the $1,000 cost of the inventory, with the understanding that ownership and responsibility for the antenna has not been determined. c. Letter to the District Court Judges with Regards to the Arraignment Court Board consensus to send a letter to the District Court Judges commending them for their use of the Arraignment Court in the Jail. 7 CONSENT ITEMS a. Request from Kit Boesch to Attend a Criminal Justice Conference in Washington D. C., March 8-10, 1998 MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded approval. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. b. Microcomputer Request, C#99355, from District Court Probation for $709 for a Used 485 Computer from the Microcomputer Fund MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded approval. On call Campbell, Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. 8 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT a. Letter from the Nebraska Accountability & Disclosure Commission Regarding Cellular Phone Rates for County Employees Eagan reported that the opinion from the Nebraska Accountability & Disclosure Commission indicates the potential for violation of the Nebraska Political Accountability & Disclosure Act in acceptance of anything of value by a public official or employee. Eagan stated, however, that the discounted cellular phone rate offered to the County by Aliant Communications is applicable to all of the private companies and governmental entities that it serves and does not appear to be a violation. b. Review of Visitors Promotion Committee (VPC) Bylaws Board deferred item for discussion at the Visitors Promotion Committee quarterly meeting. c. Request from Western Sand and Gravel for Addition of Over Run to Original Purchase Order for Surfacing Gravel, Lancaster County Projects 98-16H & 98-16P Eagan reported that Don Thomas, County Engineer, had indicated that the Engineering department would be able to make use of the excess gravel. He also noted that the price was competitive. Board will take action on this item at the Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for 1:30 p.m. d. Letter from County Board Regarding Smoking Policy Board consensus to approve the draft letter (Commissioners' Information Packet) after striking Paragraph 2. The Board also requested Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, to research whether or not violation of the policy could result in criminal charges. e. Microcomputer for Chief Administrative Officer Board consensus to approve the microcomputer upgrade, with input from Information Services. 9 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Visitors Promotion Committee - Svoboda Svoboda stated that Michael Carpenter, Convention & Visitors Bureau Director, reported on his background and qualifications. b. Information Services Policy Committee - Steinman No report was given. Hudkins reported that Karen Chinn, Chinn Planning Inc., will be addressing County Commissioners attending the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) workshop scheduled for February 11-13, 1998. Board consensus to reschedule the Thursday, February 12th Board of Commissioners meeting to Tuesday, February 10th at 8 a.m. to allow workshop attendance. 10 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tuesday, January 6, 1998, at 7 a.m. in the County-City Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room - Tussing b. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development - Tuesday, January 6, 1998 at 7:30 p.m., at National Bank of Commerce, North Star Room - Steinman c. Board of Health Selection Committee - Tuesday, January 6, 1998, at 5:30 p.m., at Dr. Schotteger's Office, 13th & A Street - Hudkins d. Wilderness Park Subcommittee - Wednesday, January 7, 1998, at 10 a.m., at the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District (NRD), 3125 Portia Street - Tussing 11 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS a. Lincoln Chamber of Commerce/ Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development Annual Meeting - Tuesday, January 13, 1998, at 12 p.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Grand Ballroom b. Board of Health Annual Meeting - Tuesday, January 13, 1998, at 6:30 p.m., at the University of Nebraska East Campus Union, Great Plains Room c. Board of Health Luncheon Meeting - Wednesday, January 14, 1998, at 11:45 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel The Board requested Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, to contact Paul McCue, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, to inquire whether payment for Board attendance at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce/ Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development Annual Meeting is included in the contract with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce or should be paid for out of the County Commissioners' budget. 12 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD 13 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD 14 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 13, 1998 The Board requested that the January 13th meeting be scheduled for 2 p.m., rather than 1:30 p.m. 15 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS 16 ADJOURNMENT By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned. ______________________ Kandra Hahn Lancaster County Clerk