Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners New County-City Building Mayor's Conference Room - 2nd Floor Thursday, January 22, 1998 8:30 a.m. AGENDA ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 15, 1998 2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA 3 8:30am EXPANSION OF SERVICES AT THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER George Hanigan, CMHC Director 4 9:00am SPECIAL PERMIT NO. 155, REQUEST FROM RANDALL KUMPOST TO CONVERT BARN INTO VETERINARIAN CLINIC LOCATED AT SW 42ND STREET & NORTH OF WITTSTRUCK ROAD Mike DeKalb, Planning Department 5 9:30am GRANTS FOR TEEN COURT, JUVENILE PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION AND TRACKER PROGRAM Kit Boesch, Human Services Director; Jim Blue, Cedars Youth Services Director; Ann Hobbs, Cedars Youth Services 6 10:00am RUNNER FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGES Honorable Earl Withoff, Honorable Steven Burns 7 10:15am PENDING LITIGATION Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation and Risk Manager 8 10:30am DIRECTOR EVALUATION Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Director 9 ACTION ITEMS a. County Board Committee Assignments b. Recommendation from the Visitors Promotion Committee to Award a $5,000 Contingency Fund Grant to Star City Parade 10 CONSENT ITEMS a. Vacation Request from Dennis Banks for Wednesday, January 21 to Wednesday, January 28, 1998 11 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT a. Review of County Board's Open Meeting Policy b. Survey Regarding Visitors Promotion Committee Retreat 12 PENDING 13 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins b. Juvenile Justice Steering Commission - Steinman c. Technical Committee - Campbell, Steinman d. Visitors Promotion Committee - Svoboda e. District Energy Corporation - Hudkins, Svoboda f. Government Access & Information Committee - Steinman 14 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee Thursday, January 22, 1998, at 12:00 p.m., at Lancaster Manor, Administrative Conference Room - Tussing b. NACO Legislative Committee - Friday, January 23, 1998, at 8:30 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Yankee Hill Room - Hudkins c. Joint Meeting with Douglas and Sarpy County Commissioners and State Senators - Monday, January 26, 1998 at 11:00 a.m., at the State Capitol, Room #1113 All Commissioners d. Mid-Year Budget Retreat - Thursday, January 29, 1998, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Old Federal Building, Aging Department Conference Room, Fourth Floor All Commissioners 15 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS a. Grand Opening of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store - Friday, January 23, 1998, at 8:00 a.m., at 6700 N. 27th Street b. YMCA Annual Meeting - Thursday, February 5, 1998, at 5:00 p.m., at the Nebraska Club 16 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD 17 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD 18 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 27, 1998 19 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board of Commissioners
County-City Building
Mayor's Conference Room - 2nd Floor
Thursday, January 22,1998
8:30 A.M.
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Darlene Tussing
Larry Hudkins
Commissioners Absent: Steve Svoboda
Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
Melissa Koci, County Clerk's Office
Ann Taylor, County Clerk's Office
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING OF
JANUARY 15, 1998
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded approval of the minutes.
On call Hudkins, Tussing, Campbell and Svoboda voted aye. Motion
carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Request to Reschedule the Commons Meeting
b. Sale of Real Property - Executive Session
c. County Board Meeting Schedule
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded the additions to the
agenda. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Campbell and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
3 EXPANSION OF SERVICES AT THE COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER
George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center Director
Jill Rubottom, Program Administrator for the Region V Mental
Health Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Program
George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center Director, provided
a brief update of mid-year budget adjustments and expansion
opportunities for the Community Mental Health Center (Exhibit A).
Jill Rubottom, Program Administrator for the Region V Mental
Health Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Program, reported that the
Governor and Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) support
use of 10 million dollars from last year's allocation for
Community Mental Health Services and from the HHS budget for
development of community mental health services and payment of
the Medicaid Rehab Option.
In response to a question from Steinman, Rubottom stated that one
million dollars in state aid from last year's allocation is
currently available, but distribution has been delayed until
priorities are established.
Hanigan stated that Region V has transferred $500,000 of State
and County funds into Community Support Services. He noted that
the State is then eligible to receive $600,000 in Federal
funding, based on that $500,000 in local requirement funds.
However, until the additional Federal dollars are received, the
Region can only release the State and County funds.
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, suggested that
confirmation of funding the Community Mental Health Center will
receive this year be sent to the Department of Health & Human
Services' Financial Division.
In response to a question from Kroeker, Rubottom stated that
elimination of the Community Support waiting list has been deemed
a priority.
Rubottom also noted that Emergency Cornerstone funds will be used
to support the mobile crisis outreach, to provide psychologist
time to perform Emergency Protective Custody (EPC) on-site
evaluations at Cornhusker Place and to upgrade staff at
Cornhusker Place.
In response to a question from Campbell, Hanigan and Rubottom
stated that the mobile crisis outreach will be available to all
age groups, however the State has not yet identified an emergency
mental health facility for youth as a priority issue.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to authorize the
Community Mental Health Center to undertake the expansion
opportunities contingent upon Region V's proposal being fully
funded. On call Campbell, Tussing, Hudkins and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
Board consensus to schedule further discussion of issues relating
to emergency mental health services for juveniles for a Thursday
County Board of Commissioners meeting.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to add discussion of LB
1083 to the agenda. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Campbell and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
Eagan reviewed a draft of a letter from the Board to Senator
Brashear, Judiciary Committee Chair, urging rejection of LB 1083,
which changes juvenile commitment, placement and expense
allocation provisions (Exhibit B).
Eagan noted that he had participated in a discussion of the post-
adjudicated costs in LB 1083 with Senators Wesely and Will; Dave
Babcock, Department of Health & Human Services; and the Douglas
County Board. He noted a misunderstanding on the scheduled time
of a hearing on LB 1083 before the Judiciary Committee, and
consequently, no testimony in opposition to the bill was received
from the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) or the
Lancaster and Douglas County Boards.
In response to a question from Campbell, Eagan stated that
Douglas County is strongly opposed to LB 1083.
Eagan also reported that a veto of LB 512, which changes
placement and transportation cost provisions relating to
juveniles, is anticipated.
The Board approved the draft with the following revisions:
* Add a paragraph, noting in bold type, that the County is
being required to cover ever-increasing costs for post-
adjudication treatment of juveniles, which is a State
function
* Change "staff-secure facility" to "a third facility" in the
Paragraph 3 on Page 1
* Change "traditionally" to "should be" in Paragraph 2 on
Page 2
* Change the print type on the first sentence of Paragraph 1
on Page 3 to bold
4 SPECIAL PERMIT NO. 155, REQUEST FROM RANDALL KUMPOST TO CONVERT
BARN INTO VETERINARIAN CLINIC, LOCATED AT SW 42ND STREET &
NORTH OF WITTSTRUCK ROAD - Mike DeKalb, Planning Department
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department, briefly reviewed, Special
Permit No. 155, a request from Randall Kumpost to operate a
veterinary clinic in an existing barn (Exhibit C).
Hudkins asked why treatment of cattle and hogs at the facility is
prohibited.
DeKalb responded that the limitation was included at the
applicant's request, although the Planning Department would not
be opposed to some adjustment.
Hudkins requested DeKalb to contact the applicant and inquire if
he would be willing to accept an amended limitation of 2-4 head
of cattle or hogs. DeKalb was also requested to report back on
how many animals will be boarded at the clinic.
5 GRANTS FOR TEEN COURT, JUVENILE PRE-TRIAL DIVERSION AND TRACKER
PROGRAM - Kit Boesch, Human Services Director; Jim Blue, Cedars
Youth Services Director; Ann Hobbs, Cedars Youth Services
Kit Boesch, Human Services Director, provided a brief summary of
the grant applications the County will be forwarding to the
Nebraska Crime Commission. They are as follows:
Area I
* Pre-Trial Diversion $ 41,460
* Staff Secure Facility $100,000
* Tracker Program $ 50,000
* Youth Alternatives to Violence $ 40,000
(Lincoln Action Program)
Area II
* Teen Court $ 10,296
Jim Blue, Cedars Youth Services Director, reported that 35 youth
have participated in the Teen Court program to date. He also
noted that there are more than 500 active cases in the Juvenile
Diversion Services program.
In response to a question from Tussing, Blue stated that youth
pay a fee of $60 to participate in the Pre-Trial Diversion
program.
Boesch reported that a $20,000 match is required for the Tracker
Program.
Campbell noted that the Board will need to decide at the Mid-Year
Budget Review where to allocate the $20,000 required for match
this year, as well as the $20,000 match required for next year,
if the grant is approved.
Steinman noted, for the record, that the State is statutorily
required to assume the cost for post-adjudicated youth
participating in the Tracker Program.
Boesch reported that Lincoln Action Program (LAP) would like to
submit, through the County, four grant applications for funding
of their Youth Alternatives to Violence program in the area of
juvenile services. She suggested that the County submit a letter
to the Justice Council clearly identifying priority programs.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded that the Board be
prepared to sign the grant applications for the Teen Court,
Staff-Secure and Tracker diversion programs. On call Campbell,
Hudkins, Tussing and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded that if the Justice
Council approves a fourth priority program, that the Board will
sign off on Lincoln Action Program's Youth Alternatives to Violence
program. On call Hudkins, Tussing, Campbell and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
Campbell reported that the Building & Codes Department has
decided to require a sprinkler system for the juvenile staff-
secure facility located in Trabert Hall.
Hudkins requested Blue to provide documentation to Eagan of
similar problems Cedars Youth Services encountered with the
Building & Codes Department in development of The Learning
Center.
6 RUNNER FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGES
Judge Earl Withoff, Judge Steven Burns
Judge Earl Withoff and Judge Steven Burns reported on the request
from the District Court Judges for a runner to retrieve court
files from the Clerk of the District Court's office for
distribution to the various District Courtrooms. They noted that
currently the District Court Bailiffs must lock their offices and
walk three blocks to retrieve the files from storage.
Steinman asked if court files could be identified and retrieved
the day prior to the court hearing.
The Judges responded that in most cases they could.
Campbell suggested that the Public Building Commission develop a
matrix for runner services for all departments expressing a need.
Eagan suggested that, as another option, the Board consider
adding a temporary position to the Clerk of the District Court's
staff to help relieve the workload in the District Court Clerk's
office, in addition to providing runner services.
Judge Withoff stated that the District Court Judges would review
their court calendars and report an estimate of file numbers to
Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer.
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, noted that a number of
County departments are contracting for mail delivery services.
Board consensus to schedule a discussion of runner services with
Don Killeen, County Property Manager, on the agenda for the
January 27th County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Eagan briefly reported on the LOIS CD Rom product for researching
Nebraska law suggested by the District Court Judges (Exhibit D).
He agreed to investigate the product further, noting that the
upgrade may be necessary, as the Premise system currently
utilized by the County does not include the Nebraska Supreme
Court opinions.
7 PENDING LITIGATION - Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation & Risk Manager
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to enter Executive
Session at 10:30 a.m. for the purpose of pending litigation and
real property sale. On call Tussing, Campbell, Hudkins and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to exit Executive Session
at 10:43 a.m. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Campbell and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
8 DIRECTOR EVALUATION - Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Director
Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Director, requested that his
evaluation take place in Executive Session.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to enter Executive Session
at 10:44 a.m. for the purpose of a personnel evaluation. On call
Tussing, Hudkins, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to exit Executive Session
at 11:18 a.m. On call Tussing, Campbell, Hudkins and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Request to Reschedule the Commons Meeting
Eagan reported that the City Council had requested that the
Commons meeting be rescheduled from February 20th to
February 27th.
The Board requested Eagan to respond that the requested meeting
date will conflict with Board of Health Director interviews and
suggested the alternative date of March 13th.
c. County Board Meeting Schedule
Board consensus to move the meeting time for Thursday County
Board of Commissioners meetings to 8 a.m., rather than 8:30 a.m.
The Thursday County Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for
February 12th was rescheduled to February 10th,
from 8 a.m. to 10 am.
The Board briefly reviewed their calendars and requested that
Commissioner Svoboda be present at the County Board of
Commissioners meetings on Thursday, February 5th and
Tuesday February 17th to ensure that a quorum of the
Board is present.
9 ACTION ITEMS
a. County Board Committee Assignments
Following a brief discussion, the following additions and
revisions to the County Board Committee Assignments (Exhibit E)
were made:
* Steering Committee - Hudkins
* Keno Prevention Advisory Board - Campbell
* Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
* City-County Common - Tussing, Chair
* Board of Corrections - Tussing, Chair; Svoboda, Vice-Chair
* Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Campbell
b. Recommendation from the Visitors Promotion
Committee (VPC) to Award a $5,000 Contingency Fund
Grant to the Star City Parade
Campbell stated that she would not be participating in discussion
or a vote on the matter as she is a member of the Star City
Festival Board of Directors.
Eagan reported that the Visitors Promotion Committee (VPC) had a
commitment to provide funding support in the amount of $5,000 to
the Star City Festival for the 1997 Star City Parade. He noted
that, due to a shortfall of approximately $100,000 in the VPC's
operating budget, the Board was requested to approve use of
reserve lodging tax funds to cover the commitment (Exhibit F).
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to approve the
recommendation of the Visitors Promotion Committee to award the
$5,000 Contingency Fund Grant to the Star City Parade. On call
Tussing, Hudkins and Steinman voted aye. Campbell abstained
from voting. Motion carried.
10 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Vacation Request from Dennis Banks, Attention
Center Director, for Wednesday, January 21 to
Wednesday January 28, 1998
Eagan reported that the notice from Dennis Banks, Attention
Center Director, was of a conference attendance, not a vacation
request.
11 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Review of County Board's Open Meeting Policy
Brief discussion took place on how to revise the Board's Open
Meeting Policy with regards to public participation.
Eagan suggested a sign-up list for individuals wishing to address
or provide information to the Board.
Campbell stated that sign-up lists are disruptive, must be
frequently checked for additions and can be intimidating for the
public.
In response to a question from Steinman, Campbell stated that the
City Council allows comment on an agenda item when that item is
called.
Campbell suggested that Agenda Item Number 3: ITEMS OF PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION be read by the Clerk, with a statement noting
the location of meeting agendas and copies of Guidelines for
Public Participation at Meetings of the Lancaster County Board of
Commissioners. She also suggested that the public be
instructed that, if their comments are to a specific item, to
please raise their hand when that item is called.
Discussion followed with the following suggestions:
* Only allow public comment at the beginning of the meeting
* Schedule Public Comment on the agenda following any scheduled public
hearings
* Prohibit public comment once Board discussion of an item is
initiated (Response to questions posed by the Board excluded)
* Announce a five minute time limit at the beginning of the meeting
Further discussion was tabled, due to time constraints.
b. Survey Regarding Visitors Promotion Committee (VPC)
Retreat
Board consensus to provide pertinent information to the Chair by
Tuesday, January 27th so that she can complete the
survey.
12 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
Hudkins reported that a food service contract was awarded to
Valentino's for the new County-City Building.
b. Juvenile Justice Steering Commission - Steinman
Steinman reported that discussion focused on the Assessment
Center and where to designate authority to recommend placements.
c. Technical Committee - Campbell, Steinman
No report was given.
d. Visitors Promotion Committee - Svoboda
Eagan reported that the following items were discussed:
* Budget
* Visitors Promotion Committee Retreat
* Star City Parade Request for Funds
* Contingency Fund
e. District Energy Corporation - Hudkins, Svoboda
Hudkins reported that the District Energy Corporation authorized
four million dollars worth of bonds to finance District Energy
for the State Office Building and State Capitol Building. He
noted that an interest rate of 4.89 is anticipated.
Hudkins also reported that a District Energy study was
commissioned for the area of the Old Federal Building, Lincoln
Journal-Star Newspaper and Block 35.
f. Government Access & Information Committee - Steinman
Steinman reported that discussion focused on what information
available through the Election Commissioner's office will be made
accessible through the Internet, with a decision to provide
information by subscription only on a one year trial basis.
Steinman also reported that Information Services will be
responsible for taking minutes at the Government Access &
Information Committee meetings.
Campbell suggested that each Commissioner be responsible for
making sure that minutes are taken at the meetings of Committees
on which they serve.
13 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Thursday, January 22, 1998,
at 12 p.m., at Lancaster Manor, Administrative Conference Room
Tussing
b. 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
c. Joint Meeting with Douglas and Sarpy County Commissioners and
State Senators - Monday, January 26, 1998, at 11 a.m., at the
State Capitol, Room #1113 - All Commissioners
d. Mid-Year Budget Retreat - Thursday, January 29, 1998, from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m., at the Old Federal Building, Aging Department
Conference Room, Fourth Floor - All Commissioners
14 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Grand Opening of the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store - Friday,
January 23, 1998, at 8 a.m., at 6700 N 27th Street
b. YMCA Annual Meeting - Thursday, February 5, 1998, at 5 p.m., at
the Nebraska Club
15 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
16 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
17 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF JANUARY 27, 1998
18 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
19 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk