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Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners

1998 Regular Agendas & Minutes



AGENDA For A Meeting Of The Lancaster County Board Of
Commissioners To Be Held Tuesday, September 8, 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
               meetings held on Tuesday, September 1, 1998. (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,
             September 8, 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.

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)   PUBLIC HEARINGS:

     A.   A County Special Permit, requested by Lynn Cunningham
          on behalf of Bernadette Thiel, to place a temporary
          mobile home residence on property located at the
          northeast corner of South 110th Street and
          Stagecoach Road in Lancaster County, Nebraska. (County
          Special Permit 160) (19982012) (19982129)

     B.   A County Special Permit, Country Estates Community Unit
          Plan, requested by Lyle Loth of ESP on behalf of Ron
          and Judeen Oelling, consisting of ten dwelling units on
          ten residential lots, on property located north and
          west of the corner of Southwest 29th Street
          and West Roca Road (Highway 33) in Lancaster County,
          Nebraska. (County Special Permit 155) (19982011)
          (19982128)

     C.   A County Preliminary Plat, Country Estates Addition,
          requested by Lyle Loth of ESP on behalf of Ron and
          Judeen Oelling, consisting of ten dwelling units on ten
          residential lots on property north and west of the
          corner of Southwest 29th Street and West Roca
          Road (Highway 33) in Lancaster County, Nebraska.
          (County Preliminary Plat 98020) (19982021) (19982127)

5)   NEW BUSINESS:

     A.   An application for a Special Permit from Team Kaos
          Cycling Club to hold a bicycle race sanctioned by the
          United States Cycling Federation on roads around
          Branched Oak Lake on Sunday, September 20, 1998
          beginning at 8 a.m. (19981867) (19981934) (19981913)
          (19981894)

     B.   An application for a Special Designated License from
          the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture to have a beer
          garden in connection with the Hartman Llamas of
          Tecumseh show and sale to be held on Saturday,
          September 19, 1998 from Noon to 6 p.m. at State Fair
          Park. (19981918) (19982014) (19982040) (19981993)

     C.   Reconsideration of a motion made on Tuesday, September
          1, 1998 in connection with a County Special Permit,
          Coupe De Ville Heights Community Unit Plan, requested
          by Brian Carstens on behalf of Richard Coupe,
          consisting of 11 three-acre lots, on property located
          north and west of the corner of NW 84th Street
          and Bluff Road in Lancaster County, Nebraska (County
          Special Permit 159) (19982143)

     D.   Reconsideration of a motion made on Tuesday, September
          1, 1998 in connection with a County Preliminary Plat,
          Coupe De Ville Heights, requested by Brian Carstens on
          behalf of Richard Coupe, consisting of 11 lots, on
          property located north and west of the corner of NW
          84th Street and Bluff Road in Lancaster
          County, Nebraska. (County Preliminary Plat 98019)
          (19982143)

     E.   An agreement with the City of Lincoln authorizing the
          County Attorney's office to apply to the Nebraska Crime
          Commission for monies expended by the Lincoln Police
          Department in connection with the investigation and
          prosecution of crimes against children and authorizing
          the Lincoln Police Department to accept reimbursement
          of those funds. (19982133)

     F.   An agreement with the League of Women Voters to assist
          the Election Commissioner with voter registration, at a
          rate of $3.25 per hour, not to exceed a total amount of
          $2,500. (19982134)

     G.   An agreement with Nancy L Thygesen, Registered Records
          Administrator, for consultation services in connection
          with on site medical records located at Lancaster
          Manor, in the amount of $30 per hour.  (19982135)

     H.   An agreement with United of Omaha Life Insurance
          Company (Mutual of Omaha) for billing and collection
          services, under the County's dental plan, in accordance
          with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
          (COBRA), at a rate of 50 cents per month, per employee.
          (19982132)

     I.   Approval of an application for a Corporate Manager
          license for James Michael Ballard in connection with a
          Class Y (Farm Winery) liquor license for James Arthur
          Vineyards, LLC located at 2001 West Raymond Road in
          Lancaster County, Nebraska. (19982130)

     J.   Recommendation from the Purchasing Agent and the County
          Engineer for the following: (19982137)

               Award a bid, considering the total life cycle
               cost, for two motor graders to Nebraska Machinery
               Company, in the amount of $170,930
               Recognition of the vendor's offer of $186,450 in
               connection with a guaranteed buy-back of the motor
               graders after seven years

     K.   Request from the Personnel Policy Board for the
          following: (19982144)

               Change of pay range for the Mental Health Program
               Supervisor from $34,946.08-$46,067.84 to
               $36,564.32-$48,270.56

               Amend Personnel Rule 17.20 - Weekend Differential Pay
               Amend Personnel Rule 18.1 - Compensation for absence
               on holidays

               Create Personnel Rule 17.23 - Post Employment
               Health Plan

     L.   Approval of a disbursement from the Lancaster County
          Leasing Corporation, 1992 Construction Fund to Pegler &
          Sysco Food Services Company, in the amount of $3,548,
          for a milk dispenser for Lancaster Manor. (19982140)

     M.   Appointment of Gerry A Krieser to the City-County
          Planning Commission, term to expire on August 24, 2001.
          (19982142)

6)   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 the following public hearings for Tuesday,
          September 15, 1998 at 1:30 p.m. in the County
          Commissioners/City County Chambers, Room 112, on the
          first floor of the County-City:

          1.  Final tax request for Lancaster County and the
          Rural Library.

          2.  Adoption of a revised Government Access and
          Information Committee Public Access Policy and Fee
          Schedule for City-County Geographic Information System
          data files. (19982131)

     B.   Contracts relating to road improvements with Retzlaff
          Farms, Inc. near North 84th Street on Fletcher
          Avenue, in the amount of $1,610.  (2 contracts)
          (19982099) (19982100)

7)   ANNOUNCEMENTS:

     A.   The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners will not
          hold a meeting on Thursday, September 10, 1998, instead
          a meeting will be held at Noon, Tuesday, September 8,
          1998 in the conference room located immediately west of
          the County Commissioners Chambers, Room 113, on the
          first floor of the County-City Building.

     B.   Public hearings will be held on Tuesday, September 15,
          1998 at 1:30 p.m. in the City Council/County
          Commissioners Chambers, Room 112, on the first floor of
          the County-City Building regarding the following:

          1.  A County Change of Zone, from AG Agricultural to
          AGR Agricultural Residential, requested by J. Michael
          Rierden on behalf of Merle Jahde, on property located
          at the southwest corner of Southwest 56th
          Street and West Denton Road in Lancaster County,
          Nebraska. (County Change of Zone 179) (19982013)

          2.  A County Special Permit, Yankee Lake Acres, for
          authority to develop 15 residential lots within 1,320
          feet of Yankee Hill Lake, located one-quarter mile
          south of the corner of Southwest 56th Street
          and West Denton Road in Lancaster County, Nebraska.
          (County Special Permit 157) (19982023)

          3.  A County Preliminary Plat, Yankee Lake Acres, for
          15 single family lots, requested by Jack Tuma of ESP on
          behalf of Pendel, Inc. on property located at the
          southwest corner of Southwest 56th street and
          West Denton Road in Lancaster County, Nebraska. (County
          Preliminary Plat 98005) (19982022)

     C.   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.

8)   EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS:

9)   PENDING:

     A.   Comprehensive Plan Amendment Number 27b, pursuant to
          the  1998 Comprehensive Plan Annual Review, requested
          by Peter Katt on behalf of Steve Champoux, to revise
          the Land Use Plan to change 124 acres from Agricultural
          to Low Density Residential at the northwest corner of
          134th and "A" Streets in Lancaster County,
          Nebraska.  (1998937)
          (Scheduled for further discussion on November 17, 1998.)

     B.   A County Change of Zone, from AG Agricultural to AGR
          Agricultural Residential, requested by Peter Katt on
          behalf of Steve Champoux, on property located at the
          northwest corner of 134th and "A" Streets in
          Lancaster County, Nebraska  (County Change of 147)
          (1998938)
          (Scheduled for further discussion on November 17, 1998.)

     C.   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 October 6, 1998.)

10) 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.  Reports for the following:

          County Clerk (19982118)

          Records and Information Management (19982141)


AGENDA For A Meeting Of The Lancaster County Board Of Equalization To Be Held Tuesday, September 8, 1998 At 1:30 p.m. In The County Commissioners Chambers, Room 112, First Floor, County-City Building. 1) MINUTES: Approval of the minutes of the Board of Equalization meeting held on Tuesday, September 1, 1998. (A copy of these minutes is on file in the Office of the Lancaster County Clerk.) 2) ADDITIONS AND DEDUCTIONS: Approval of 88 additions and deductions to the tax assessment rolls per Exhibit A. (19982057) (19982136) 3) MOTOR VEHICLE TAX EXEMPTIONS: Alan VanErt Ministries Congregation of Mary Queen Developmental Services of Nebraska, Inc. Lincoln Lancaster County Child Guidance Center Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital Sacred Heart Church Tabitha Inc. 4) APPEAL FILED ON REAL ESTATE: Judith Trackwell 5) APPEAL FILED ON A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION: Victor Glover (19981941) 6) REMOVAL OF 1998 REAL ESTATE TAX EXEMPTION: Garden View Church Assembly of God Lincoln Habitat for Humanity (2 exemptions) 7) ADJOURNMENT:


                           MINUTES
            Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
                      County-City Building
                       Meeting Room #113
                   Tuesday, September 8, 1998
                         12 P.M.   

     Commissioners Present:  Linda Steinman, Chair
                             Kathy Campbell
                             Bernie Heier

     Commissioners Absent:   Steve Svoboda
                             Larry Hudkins

           Others Present:   Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer
                             Ann Taylor, County Clerk's Office

AGENDA ITEM

   1   SALARY & BENEFITS FOR BAILIFFS
       District Court Judge Earl J. Witthoff;
       Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney

Benefits for Bailiffs

Judge Witthoff reported that bailiffs' duties include transcription of
court decrees and orders, scheduling of the daily court agenda, conducting
pre-trial conferences with attorneys and processing of protection orders.
He noted that the bailiff position is full-time, with frequent late work
hours, such as when juries are in deliberations.

In response to a question from Campbell, Judge Witthoff stated that a
bailiff's vacation leave must coincide with that of the judge the bailiff
serves.  He estimated that their vacation leave averages four weeks per
year, with six weeks the maximum allowed.

Judge Witthoff indicated that other absences of short duration are approved
at the discretion of the affected judge.  He noted that the extended
maternity leave requested by the Child Support Referee's Bailiff was
unusual, in that it necessitated hiring of a replacement.

Steinman asked Judge Witthoff whether he thought bailiffs might
be willing to share receptionist and Court Administrator duties,
which include determination of indigency, in the new Hall of
Justice and Law Enforcement Center in exchange for regulated sick
and vacation leave benefits.

Judge Witthoff noted that bailiffs serve in an at-will capacity
and the District Court Judges have been reluctant to initiate any
changes in policy that would treat bailiffs as vested County employees.

Campbell noted that the make-up of the Board is subject to change
and it may be to the bailiffs' advantage to have a policy in
place that clearly defines leave benefits.

In response to a question from Heier, Judge Witthoff stated that
the Douglas County Court Administrator's office performs many of
the scheduling functions assigned to bailiffs in Lancaster County.

Steinman suggested that alternative solutions may be to hire an
additional bailiff to cover absences and perform receptionist
duties for the District, County and Juvenile Courts or to request
that judges share bailiffs if scheduling and technology duties
are assigned to a Court Administrator position.

Campbell suggested that bailiff positions could also become part-time,
with commensurate salary.

The Board requested that Judge Witthoff discuss a regulated leave
policy and expanded job duty issues with the other District Court
Judges and report back to the Board.

Judge Witthoff agreed and stated that he would forward a copy of
the written job description for bailiffs and a pamphlet prepared
by Judge Merritt to the Board.

Eagan noted that a review of State Statutes, for applicable law
with regards to bailiffs, will also be necessary.

Campbell suggested that the County seek legislative change which
would shift responsibility for bailiffs to the State.

Salary for Bailiffs

Eagan noted that the District Court Judges recommended a 1.5 percent
merit and a 3.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment for the bailiffs.

Board consensus to approve a 3.5 percent salary increase and Post
Employment Health Care Plan (PEHP) benefit for the bailiffs,
retroactive to August 27, 1998.  The Board agreed to continue to
explore the issues of expansion of duties and providing sick
leave and vacation benefits for the bailiffs.

      2     ACTION ITEMS

          a.   Microcomputer Request from Corrections, C#98239,
               for $10,588.23 from Corrections Budget for Six (6)
               Compaq Deskpros, Six (6) Monitors, Three (3)
               Printers and One (1) Scanner
          b.   Microcomputer Request from Corrections, C#98238,
               for $2,700.55 from Corrections-Inmate Benefit
               Budget for Two (2) of Each of the Following:
               Compaq Deskpros, Monitors, CD-ROM Drives, Sound
               Cards, Speakers, Surge Strips, Mousepads

MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded to approve Action Items
        a and b, from the Corrections and Corrections-Inmate Benefit
        Budgets.  On call Campbell, Heier and Steinman voted aye.  Motion
        carried.

      3     ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT

          a.   Hall of Justice and Law Enforcement Center Change
               Order for District Court

Eagan noted that the change order request will be delayed until
further information regarding the results of a meeting held by
the District Court Judges is made available.

      4     DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS

          a.   Joint Budget Committee - Campbell

Campbell reported that the City and County will each be required
to provide $5,000, for each of the next two years, in support of
a Communities Helping Immigrants and Refugees Progress (CHIRP)
grant, which provides a system for accessing health and human
services.  She noted that this item was not included in the budget.

Campbell reported that a response had been received from Jessie
Rasmussen, State Health & Human Services Director, in which she
indicated that Lancaster County was not envisioned as a separate
Network Management Service Area.

Campbell also reported that:

     Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator, has recommended
     that the County apply for an additional $5,000 Community
     Correction Grant for planning purposes

     Joan Modrell, Urban Development Director, has suggested that one
     District Court Judge be assigned, for a one year term, any case
     involving environmental issues, such as illegal dumping

     Region V has received an additional FYI grant, which will allow
     them to provide case management for an additional ten youth

          b.   Ecological Advisory Committee - Campbell, Heier

Campbell stated that a status report on the Wilderness Park
survey was received and Betsy Kosier, Lincoln Lancaster Mediation
Center, provided an overview of the Wilderness Park Subarea Study
- Issue Identification Process.

Campbell also reported that a request to form a Greenbelt
Subcommittee to look at ways to create an area of green around
the City of Lincoln was placed on hold until reports are received
from Parks & Recreation and the Planning Department on what is
currently being done to provide parks and green space.

          c.   Railroad Transportation Safety District - Heier,
               Steinman, Svoboda

Steinman reported that the Railroad Transportation Safety
District (RTSD) operating budget will need to be extended out to
pay for existing projects, while maintaining necessary reserves.

Steinman also reported that the University of Nebraska and the
railroads have agreed to reallocate $200,000 in additional costs
associated with the engineering amendment for the "X" Street Project.

          d.   Public Building Commission - Campbell

Campbell reported that asbestos removal has been completed in the
Hall of Justice and Law Enforcement Center.

Campbell also reported that the Arts Council has proposed that a
Citizens Committee be formed to develop criteria for art
donations for the City/County Government Complex.

      5     SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS

          a.   Board of Health- Tuesday, September 8, 1998, at 7 p.m.,
               at 3119 "O" Street - Hudkins
          b.   Southeast District Nebraska Association of County
               Officials (NACO) Meeting - Thursday, September 10, 1998,
               at 9 a.m., at the Villager Motor Inn - Campbell, Steinman
          c.   Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday,
               September 10, 1998, at 1 p.m., at the County-City
               Building, Room #106 - Hudkins
          d.   Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Thursday,
               September 10, 1998, at 4 p.m., at the County-City
               Building, Commissioners Hearing Room - Heier
          e.   General Assistance Monitoring Committee - Tuesday,
               September 15, 1998, at 8 a.m., at the County-City
               Building, Room #106 - Campbell, Heier
          f.   Government Access & Information Committee -
               Wednesday, September 23, 1998, at 12 p.m., at the
               County-City Building, Room #206 - Steinman
          g.   City-County Common - Friday, September 18, 1998,
               at 8 a.m., at the County-City Building, Room #113
               - All Commissioners

      6   CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD

      7   CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD

      8   AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 15, 1998

      9   EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS

     10   ADJOURNMENT

By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.

_____________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk

Past Agendas
1998 Agenda History