Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA Lancaster County Board of Commissioners New County-City Building County Board Conference Room Thursday, January 15, 1998 8:30 a.m. AGENDA ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 1998 2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA 3 8:30am HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager; Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney 4 9:00am UPDATE ON PURCHASING WAREHOUSE Vince Mejer, Purchasing Agent; Kathy Smith, Assistant Purchasing Agent 5 9:30am DIRECTOR EVALUATION Russ Shultz, Noxious Weed Supervisor 6 10:00am LEGISLATIVE REPORT Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant 7 10:30am SALE OF ST. FRANCIS CHAPEL Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney; Larry Worrell, County Surveyor; Ed Zimmer, Planning Department 8 11:00am PENDING LITIGATION Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney; Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation and Risk Manager 9 ACTION ITEMS a. Juvenile Court Receptionist 10 CONSENT ITEMS 11 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT a. Runner Services for all County Departments b. Use of Joint County Board-City Council Conference Room c. Agenda for Mid-Year Budget Retreat (1/29/98) 12 PENDING 13 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins b. Public Building Commission - Campbell, Hudkins c. Board of Health - Hudkins d. GA Monitoring Committee - Campbell, Tussing e. Advisory Defense Council - Svoboda 14 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Master Plan Steering Committee -Thursday, January 15, 1998, at 1:00 p.m., at the old County-City Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room - Hudkins b. Juvenile Justice Steering Committee - Thursday, January 15, 1998, at 4:00 p.m., at the Attention Center Steinman c. Technical Committee - Friday, January 16, 1998 at 10:00 a.m., at the Star Tran Offices, Room #2 - Campbell, Steinman d. District Energy Corporation - Wednesday, January 21, 1998, at 12:00 p.m., at Lincoln Electric System, 6th floor Hudkins, Svoboda e. NACO Legislative Committee - Friday, January 23, 1998, at 8:30 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Yankee Hill Room - Hudkins 15 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS 16 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD 17 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD 18 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 20, 1998 19 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES Lancaster County Board of Commissioners County-City Building Commissioners Conference Room Thursday, January 15, 1998 8:30 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 JANUARY 8, 1998 MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded approval of the minutes. On call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Hudkins was absent from voting. Motion carried. 2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA a. Request for a Road Vacation from Henry Sader b. Meeting with Douglas and Sarpy County Commissioners and Senate Delegations c. Microcomputer Request from Election Commissioner, C#98002 for $1,145 from the Election Commissioner's Budget d. Request from Rich Weese, Lloyd Young and Don Miller, Agricultural Society Members, to Meet with the Board to Discuss the Events Center e. Parks & Recreation - Tussing (Board Meetings) Hudkins arrived. MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to approve the additions to the agenda. On call Campbell, Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. 3 HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS - Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager; Ron Todd, Personnel Director; Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager, briefly reviewed an analysis from Arthur Andersen, Consultant, of the County's health and dental plans for 1997 and 1998 and additional insurance options available to the County for the years 1998-1999 (Exhibit A). Kostner reported that cancellation of the County's health and dental care plan by Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BC/BS) after the 1997 plan year resulted in a claims deficit of approximately $71,498, that BC/BS was forced to absorb without recourse to the County. He stated that a rate increase of approximately 19% would have been required to cover this deficit. Kostner also reported that claims for the first quarter of the 1998 Mutual of Omaha plan are running at 96% of their projected levels. He noted that, due to a special premium arrangement with Mutual of Omaha, if the incurred loss ratio is less than 85% for the plan year, the County will receive reimbursement of 7% or less through a lump sum payment or an offset of premiums. Kostner reported that the State of Nebraska, University of Nebraska at Lincoln and the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) were contacted to inquire whether a health insurance partnership could be developed with Lancaster County, with NACO being the only entity to express interest. Kostner reported that NACO pools health insurance for 69 county and 33 non-county groups. He noted that Lancaster and Douglas County are currently precluded by NACO bylaws from joining the insurance pool, however Jack Mills, NACO Executive Director, supported amendment of the bylaws to allow Lancaster County's participation. Kostner reported that the NACO health and dental plan, which offers coverage through Blue Cross/Blue Shield, includes the following: Consultant/Broker services provided by Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Potential $14,000 savings) A set rate for all entities within the insurance pool An option to buy down the rate with excess funds, at the discretion of the health insurance board Stabilization of rates by funding shortfalls on a 50/50 basis from the NACO Trust Fund and BC/BS Rate Stabilization Fund $100,000 per claim stop loss $10,000 term life insurance policies for employees Kostner noted that participation in the NACO plan would require a commitment of at least three years and would limit the County's control over rates. Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, noted that NACO had requested that the Board indicate interest in participating in NACO's plan by the end of January, as rates for the plan need to be set by May 1st. Kostner briefly reported on an analysis by Harry A. Koch Company, property-casualty insurance broker for the County and City of Lincoln, of the possibility of self-insured plans for the two entities. The analysis explored the option of one administrator for both plans, with potential savings of $200,000 per year for administration costs noted. Savings related to stop loss claim deductibles were also projected. Kostner reported that the City and County Attorneys' offices had each issued opinions indicating that the City and County could join to provide payment of premiums or self-insured funding of health and/or dental coverage for their employees through an Interlocal Agreement. They had also indicated that having one administrator of the plan would meet legal requirements, as employee funds would remain separate. Campbell asked if self-insurance was the current trend in government. Kostner noted that there is potential to save more dollars through self-insurance, however, it is difficult to revert to an insured plan once self-insurance is implemented. Ron Todd, Personnel Director, noted that the County has potential for greater success with self-insurance than the City, due to the large pool of County employees currently in one health plan. Campbell requested Kostner to contact Douglas County for information about their health insurance plan. Board consensus to have Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager; Ron Todd, Personnel Director; Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, contact Arthur Andersen, Consultant, to request analysis of the following insurance options for the County: 1. Join with the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) 2. Establish a self-insured plan 3. Stay with the Mutual of Omaha Point of Service (POS) plan 4. Go out on a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Consultant/Broker The Board also requested that Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, review the materials to determine budget impact. 4 UPDATE ON PURCHASING WAREHOUSE - Vince Mejer, Purchasing Agent; Kathy Smith, Assistant Purchasing Agent Vince Mejer, Purchasing Agent, reported that the office supply contract with Boise/Cascade had been canceled, due to numerous problems. He stated that Purchasing would instead be piggy-backing onto the State of Nebraska's contract with Office Depot, effective February 1st. Mejer noted that a training class for City/County employees will be provided and supply orders may be placed by Internet, fax or phone, with desktop delivery. Kathy Smith, Assistant Purchasing Agent, noted that two hour advance notice was necessary if in-stock items were to be picked up at the Lincoln Office Depot retail store. Mejer reported that a survey of warehouse needs had been sent out to all City/County departments, at the City's request. The Board requested Smith to deliver a couple of surplus two-drawer beige metal filing cabinets and wood book shelf units to the Commissioners' office for the Board's review. 5 DIRECTOR EVALUATION - Russ Shultz, Noxious Weed Control Authority Superintendent Russ Shultz, Noxious Weed Control Authority Superintendent, requested that his evaluation take place in Executive Session. MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to enter Executive Session at 9:37 a.m. for the purpose of a personnel evaluation. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to exit Executive Session at 10:05 a.m. On call Campbell, Tussing, Hudkins, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. 6 LEGISLATIVE REPORT - Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant, provided a legislative update (Exhibit B) noting the following bills with potential impact on Lancaster County: LB 1083 Change juvenile commitment, placement and allocation provisions LB 695 Change provisions for the custody and maintenance of prisoners by counties LB 306 Require State approval of certain capital construction projects proposed by political subdivisions and create the Government Efficiency Commission LB 990 Authorize certain County Boards to appoint Election Commissioners LB 376 Change provisions relating to liability insurance procurement by County Boards Kissel noted that Senator Wesely would like to meet with representatives of Lancaster, Douglas and Sarpy counties and the Department of Health and Human Services at 11:30 on January 21st to discuss LB 1083. He noted that a hearing on the bill is scheduled for that afternoon. Steinman noted concern regarding possible higher costs for counties if the bill's funding provisions are extended to State youth facilities in Geneva and Kearney. Campbell requested an analysis of LB 989, which would reinstate budget limits, by Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer. She also requested Kissel to research LB 1120, which changes provisions relating to fire protection districts, to determine its relation to LB 1114, which changes the limits on property tax levies for governmental subdivisions. 7 SALE OF ST. FRANCIS CHAPEL Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney; Larry Worrell, County Surveyor; Ed Zimmer, Historic Preservation Planner; Lynn Senkbeil, St. Francis Chapel Foundation, St. Francis Chapel Foundation Ed Zimmer, Historic Preservation Planner, briefly reviewed the landmark designation and the preservation guidelines established for the St. Francis Chapel (Exhibit C). He noted that there were two unique characteristics to the landmark designation: The property was owned by a governmental entity and was not subject to City zoning regulations The landmark restrictions were primarily related to the interior of the chapel Zimmer noted that consultation with the Historic Preservation Commission is required prior to alterations to the Chapel as a condition of the landmark designation. He noted that a waiting period of 90-180 days is initiated following denial by the Commission. A denial may be appealed to the City Council or alterations may take place after the waiting period expires. Zimmer suggested that the Board impose a condition that a Certificate of Appropriateness must be obtained from Historic Preservation Commission before alterations to the Chapel can take place. Zimmer also suggested that potential buyers be apprised of the Chapel's landmark designation and that the Preservation chapter of the Zoning Ordinance be cited. Discussion took place on how to ensure public viewing accessibility, with a suggestion from Zimmer that the Board include a condition in the sale that the Historic Preservation Commission be permitted to schedule a certain number of events each year in the Chapel. Steinman noted that John Layman, Appraiser, had reported that he had new information regarding assessment of personal property such as statuary in the Chapel which could significantly affect the value of the property. Lynn Senkbeil, St. Francis Chapel Foundation, noted that several of the statues in the Chapel are the property of the St. Francis Chapel Foundation, although it was their intent to have them remain permanent fixtures. Eagan stated that those statutes would need to be addressed in the sale. Discussion took place on events which have been scheduled to take place in the Chapel. Delaying the sale until expiration of the lease with the St. Francis Chapel Foundation and requiring the Foundation to cease making reservations were suggested. Senkbeil noted the deposits for wedding ceremony bookings are an integral part of the Foundation's income and an order to cease acceptance of reservations would create a significant hardship for the Foundation. The Board directed Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, to prepare a list of conditions for sale of the St. Francis Chapel with the assistance of Ed Zimmer, Historic Preservation Planner. An additional public hearing on the sale will be held, at which time the Board will present its conditions, noting their possible effect on the fair market value of the property. Larry Worrell, County Surveyor, noted that there is limited parking available for St. Francis Chapel, and suggested that a separate agreement be filed with the property deed designating that public access to the County's parking lot be restricted to after 5 p.m. on weekdays and weekends. 8 PENDING LITIGATION - Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney; Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation & Risk Manager MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to enter Executive Session at 11:24 for the purpose of pending litigation. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded to exit Executive Session at 11:30 a.m. On call Hudkins, Tussing, Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. 9 ACTION ITEMS a. Juvenile Court Receptionist Eagan reported that the Probation Office and Juvenile Court would be located separately when relocated to the Justice and Law Enforcement Center and that an additional receptionist was needed for Juvenile Court. MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to authorize Juvenile Court to proceed with hiring of a receptionist. On call Campbell, Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA a. Request for a Street Vacation from Henry Sader Eagan reported that Sader would like to purchase Railroad Street, Alexander Street and the alley which runs between them from the County (Exhibit E). The Board requested Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, to prepare a resolution directing the County Engineer to conduct a study on the request. b. Meeting with Douglas and Sarpy County Commissioners and Senate Delegations The Board directed Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, to send a revised notice of the luncheon meeting time to the Lancaster, Douglas and Sarpy County Senate delegations. c. Microcomputer Request from Election Commissioner, C#98002 for $1,145 from the Election Commissioner's Budget Eagan reported that Patty Hansen, Election Commissioner, had requested the ArcView software to prepare maps for the upcoming Primary Election (Exhibit F). MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded approval of the request. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried. d. Request from Rich Weese, Lloyd Young and Don Miller, Agricultural Society Members, to Meet with the Board to Discuss the Events Center The Board directed Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, to notify Charles Willnerd, Lancaster County Agricultural Society Building Committee Chair, of their request and to inquire when his next report to the Board would take place. Board consensus to notify Weese, Young and Miller when Willnerd would be reporting to the Board, and if the report is not scheduled for the near future, to schedule a discussion with Weese, Young and Miller on a Thursday, County Board of Commissioners meeting agenda. 10 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT a. Runner Services for all County Departments Board consensus to have Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, conduct a survey of County departments to determine needs and interest in runner services. Campbell suggested that the City may wish to join the County in presenting a request for runner services to the Public Building Commission at their February meeting. b. Use of Joint County Board - City Council Conference Room Eagan reported that Cori Zavodny, Administrative Secretary to the County Board, is developing a schedule, in conjunction with the City Council, for use of the City Council Conference Room. c. Agenda for Mid-Year Budget Retreat Scheduled for January 29, 1998 Board consensus to include the following items on the agenda for the Mid-Year Budget Retreat: Overview of juvenile issues Request for additional Internet licenses for the County Clerk's office Update on the South Street campus Review of Keno Fund list Review of mid-year microcomputer requests Legislative update Goals and accomplishments 11 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins Hudkins reported that departments have been requested to make lists of details that still need to be addressed within their areas. b. Public Building Commission - Campbell, Hudkins Campbell reported that the Public Building Commission has signed a five year contract with Valentino's for food service in the new County-City Building and that an inventory of surplus furniture and equipment was authorized. Campbell also reported that a location is being sought for the two-story sculpture in the old County-City Building. c. Board of Health - Hudkins Hudkins reported on the Board of Health's annual meeting. Campbell noted that she has materials available from the session she attended on Building Effective Health Policy. d. General Assistance Monitoring Committee - Campbell, Tussing Tussing stated that a report was received on the Anchor Program for tracking of the homeless population. Campbell noted that program start-up funding and training costs are anticipated to be approximately $100,000. Campbell also reported that a plan for redefining the standards for medically necessary procedures are being developed and will be presented to the Board in the future e. Advisory Defense Council - Svoboda Svoboda reported that the air sirens currently in use are being phased out and one or two new sirens will need to be purchased each year. Eagan reported that there may be grants available for upgrades of radio systems for the rural fire districts. f. Parks & Recreation - Tussing Tussing reported that discussion focused on the "Eddie Eagle" gun safety program for youth. She stated that representatives of Nebraskans for Peace appeared to oppose the program, as it allowed youth to fire B-B guns at targets. She noted, however, that competitive shooting is part of the Parks & Recreation program. 12 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, January 15, 1998, at 1 p.m., at the old County-City Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room - Hudkins b. Juvenile Justice Steering Committee - Thursday, January 15, 1998, at 4 p.m., at the Attention Center - Steinman c. Technical Committee - Friday, January 16, 1998 at 10 a.m., at the Star Tran Offices, Room #2 - Campbell, Steinman d. District Energy Corporation - Wednesday, January 21, 1998, at 12 p.m., at Lincoln Electric System, 6th Floor Hudkins, Svoboda e. Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) Legislative Committee - Friday, January 23, 1998, at 8:30 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Yankee Hill Room Hudkins 13 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS 14 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD 15 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD 16 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 20, 1998 a. Board Committee Assignments 17 EMERGENCY ITEMS & OTHER BUSINESS 18 ADJOURNMENT By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned. ______________________ Kandra Hahn Lancaster County Clerk