Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA Lancaster County Board of Commissioners New County-City Building Meeting Room #113 - Adjacent to Council Chambers Thursday, March 26, 1998 8:00 a.m. AGENDA ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 19, 1998 2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA 3 8:00am DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS (See Item # 14) 4 8:30am LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant 5 9:00am KEYFILE DEMONSTRATION Kandra Hahn, Lancaster County Clerk 6 9:30am SUBSTANCE ABUSE AWARENESS Jay Conrad, Houses of Hope; Duke Eagle, Independent Center; Kit Boesch, Human Services Director 7 10:00am REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR HUMAN SERVICES NEEDS STUDY Kit Boesch, Human Services Director 8 10:30am DISTRICT COURT RUNNER Don Killeen, County Property Management 9 11:00am SCREENED-IN DECK AT LANCASTER MANOR Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Director 10 ACTION ITEMS a. Request for Fax Machine from Fifteenth Probation District for Use at Intake & Detention Facility Office 11 CONSENT ITEMS a. Microcomputer Requests: 1. County Extension for a Kahlon Pentium 300 Mhz Microcomputer, $2,435 from the Microcomputer Fund 2. Community Mental Health Center for 26 Compaq Deskpro 2000 166 Mhz Microcomputers, $25,600 from Microcomputer Fund, remainder from CMHC Budget 12 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT a. Salary Increase for Christine Peterson, Bailiff for Judge Steven Burns b. Resolution for National Crime Victims' Rights Week c. Excess Flood Insurance d. Invite from City Council to Visit Traffic Signalization Facility, Monday, March 30, 1998, at 9:30 a.m., at 901 N. 6th Street e. Contract with Nebraska State Department of Roads for Traffic Light at Intersection of Highway 77 and Old Cheney Road f. Salary for New Chief Field Deputy Assessor ($50,000) g. Reconsideration of Comprehensive Plan Amendment No. 20 (c) (84th & Van Dorn) by the City Council h. Letter of Support for Johnson County Prison Bid 13 PENDING 14 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Local Emergency Planning Committee -Hudkins b. Information Services Policy Committee - Steinman c. CMHC Advisory Committee - Svoboda d. Board of Health - Hudkins 15 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Thursday, March 26, 1998, at 12:00 p.m., at Lancaster Manor, Administrative Conference Room - Campbell b. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, March 26, 1998, at 1:00 p.m., at the County-City Building, Room #106 - Hudkins c. City-County Common - Friday, March 27, 1998, at 8:00 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Yankee Hill III Room (third floor) - All Commissioners 16 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS a. E. J. Faulkner Lecture Series - Friday, April 17, 1998, at 10:00 a.m., at Kimball Recital Hall, 11th & "R" Street (luncheon at 12:00 p.m., in the Johnny Carson Theater) b. 1998 Spring D.A.R.E. Graduations - Friday, May 1, 1998, at 7:00 p.m., at Bennet School; Tuesday, May 5, 1998, at 7:00 p.m., at Norris High School; Friday, may 8, 1998, at 7:00 p.m., at Malcolm Gymnasium; and Friday, May 15, 1998, at Cheney Grade School 17 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD 18 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD 19 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 31, 1998 20 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners County-City Building Meeting Room #113 Thursday, March 26, 1998 8:00 a.m. Commissioners Present: Kathy Campbell, Vice-Chair Steve Svoboda Darlene Tussing Larry Hudkins Commissioners Absent: Linda Steinman, Chair Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer Ann Taylor, County Clerk's Office AGENDA ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING OF MARCH 19, 1998 Campbell requested that Item 2c of the minutes of the County Board of Commissioners meeting of March 19, 1998 be amended to reflect that the City and County may be, rather than have been, requested to join United Way in contributing funds for support of the Youth Advisory Council. MOTION: Svoboda moved and Tussing seconded approval of the minutes, as amended. On call Svoboda and Campbell voted aye. Tussing abstained from voting. Hudkins was absent from voting. Motion carried. 2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA a. Salary Increases for Law Clerks in the County Attorney's Office b. Request for Proposals (RFP) for Health Insurance Coverage for County Employees c. County's Contribution Towards the Children's Mental Health Juvenile Justice Grant MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded approval of the additions to the agenda. On call Tussing, Svoboda and Campbell voted aye. Hudkins was absent from voting. Motion carried. 3 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS (Agenda Item 13) b. Information Services Policy Committee - Steinman No report was given. c. Community Mental Health Center Advisory Committee - Svoboda Svoboda reported that an update was received on the Strategic Goals for Fiscal Year 1997-98. He stated that these include: Improving Accessibility of Services Increasing Case Management Services Improving Emergency Services 4 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant, briefly reviewed his legislative update, noting that State Senators are reluctant to jeopardize passage of LB 695, which changes provisions for the custody and maintenance of prisoners by counties, by seeking amendment of the date of implementation. Kissel reported that Senator Will is still negotiating with the Governor's office on language related to "budgeted" and "actual" costs in LB 512, which changes placement and transportation cost provisions relating to juveniles and limits the responsibility of counties for post adjudication boarding costs, but remains confident that the Governor will sign the bill. Kissel recommended that the County Board submit a letter to the Legislature, noting concern with regards to the refund provisions in LB 1142, which establishes a limit on real property tax valuation increases. Hudkins arrived. MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to send a letter from the County Board to the Legislature opposing LB 1142, noting a fallback position of distributing the burden of property tax refunds among the political subdivisions. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Svoboda and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried. Kissel also reported that: The Legislature passed LB 1108, which provides for deficit appropriations for State agencies The Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) amended LB 989, which changes budget limits for political subdivisions, to exempt lease-purchase agreements In response to a question from Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, Kissel stated that he does not anticipate inclusion of LB 1120, which changes provisions relating to fire protection districts, in the County aid package. 5 KEYFILE DEMONSTRATION - Kandra Hahn, County Clerk The Board briefly recessed the meeting to attend a demonstration of the Keyfile document management system in the County Clerk's Office. Robbin Cihal, Office Automation Specialist in the County Clerk's office, provided a brief demonstration of scanning, indexing and retrieval of documents on the Keyfile system. Michael Vogel, Docuphase, explained that the County Records System is comprised of four software programs: Keyfile, scanning of documents Microsoft Access, database Word Scan Plus, converts the optical image to text Folio Views, searches for document by key words Kandra Hahn, County Clerk, stated that the next step will be to equip members of the Board with laptop computers and modems so that they can access the data from any location. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA c. County's Contribution Towards the Children's Mental Health Juvenile Justice Grant The Board requested Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator, to contact Jill Rubottom, Program Administrator for the Region V Mental Health Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Program, for clarification on how much of a cash and in-kind funds contribution is needed from the County for the Children's Mental Health Juvenile Justice Grant. The Board pledged use of approximately $40,000 in funds, initially allocated to Cedars Youth Services for development of a juvenile staff-secure facility, as a cash contribution for the grant. 6 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AWARENESS - Jay Conrad, Houses of Hope; Duke Engel, Independent Center; Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator Duke Engel, Independent Center, reported briefly on the goals and programs of the Southeast Nebraska Substance Abuse Service Providers (SENSASP). Engel also reported on a five-part television series, hosted by Bill Moyers, which is scheduled to air on Nebraska ETV Network March 29, 30 and 31, that will focus on substance abuse prevention, treatment and policy issues. In response to a question from Hudkins, Engel stated that the Independence Center plans to videotape the television series and has received permission from Nebraska ETV Network to use the videocassettes for public education for one year. He agreed to make the videocassettes available to the Board through Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator. 7 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR HUMAN SERVICES NEEDSSTUDY Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator, presented a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for a human services needs assessment, which was developed with input from funders of human services and Vince Mejer, Purchasing Agent. Boesch stated that the due date of March 31, 1998 on the RFP will need to be revised to provide sufficient response time, noting that a completed product will not be available until the next budget allocation cycle. Boesch reported that it had been suggested that the hospitals be asked to assist in funding of the human services needs assessment, but stated that she believed they would be more inclined to participate when a finished product is available. The Board concurred with her assessment. Boesch reported that United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County, the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County have approximately $75,000 to $100,000 collectively remaining from the planning process for the project. Campbell noted that the Joint Budget Committee has already recommended approval of the project. She suggested that Boesch report the Board's approval of the RFP draft to Lori McClurg, Administrative Assistant to Mayor Johanns, and seek how to proceed on the City's side. Eagan stated that the expectations of the three funding sources need to be clearly delineated in the contract, and suggested that a legal review of the RFP was needed, since public entities and funds were involved. Boesch noted that Vince Mejer, Purchasing Agent, had indicated that additional legal language may be needed to meet City and County Purchasing Statutes requirements. She noted concern that confusing legal language may limit the number of proposals. The Board requested that Kathy Smith, Assistant Purchasing Agent, be assigned to assist with the Request for Proposals (RFP). MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded to authorize Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator, and Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, to proceed with the Request for Proposals (RFP), in consultation with the County Attorney and the Purchasing Department. On call Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried. 8 DISTRICT COURT RUNNER - Don Killeen, County Property Manager; Richard Diegel, Cleaning and Security Manager Richard Diegel, Cleaning and Security Manager, reported that District Court Judges Burns and Witthoff estimate that they will require 30-40 hours of runner services each week for retrieval of court files. He noted District Court Judge Merritt's suggestion that a position be shared with the Clerk of the District Court's office. Diegel stated that the Clerk of the District Court's office has a part-time Clerk I position that has not yet been filled. He suggested that the position be expanded to full-time, with half of the position allocated to the District Court. Diegel noted that the position could revert to part- time status when court file retrieval is no longer required. Diegel reported that Bonnie DeWitt, Accounting Supervisor in the Clerk of the District Court's office, was willing to flex the employee's hours of work to meet the demand in the District Court. Diegel also reported that volunteers may be available through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) on a part-time basis to help meet the need of the Court. MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to expand the part-time Clerk I position in the Clerk of the District Court to full-time, to be shared with the District Court, following consultation with the Clerk of the District Court and Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer. On Call Tussing, Hudkins, Svoboda and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried. Don Killeen, County Property Manager, reported briefly on the worker injury that occurred in a dumb-waiter shaft during renovation of the old County- City Building. He reported that the Contractor, SPIRCO Services, Inc., had conducted a safety inspection of the shaft prior to the incident, and would be responsible for any liability. The Board requested Killeen to: Provide additional signage in the lobby of the County-City Building directing the public to offices Request that Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers keep the Information Desk staffed during business hours Investigate the cost of placing a tinted film on the exterior windows in Kerry Eagan's office 9 SCREENED-IN DECK AT LANCASTER MANOR Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Director Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Director, reported on a request from the Lancaster Manor Resident Council to add a screened-in deck off the second floor lounge in the Manor, at an estimated cost of $15,000. He stated that the renovation would require a small section of the brick facade to be removed, which will be replaced with a stucco surface. Van Hunnik also reported that Bernard Rempe, one of the original architects involved in the design of Lancaster Manor, had agreed to assist with the project and to donate the majority of his fee for architectural services on behalf of the residents. A brief discussion followed on how to fund the renovation project, with a suggestion from Van Hunnik that the Board consider using the $10,000 the County will receive in the Intergovernmental Transfer Program as a possible funding source. The Board directed Van Hunnik to contact Bernard Rempe to request that he outline the scope of his proposed architectural services. MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to proceed with the screened-in porch renovation on the second floor of Lancaster Manor, using the $10,000 the County will receive from the Intergovernmental Transfer Program and $5,000 from Lancaster Manor's Budget, or the Keno Fund, as the funding sources for the project. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Svoboda and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried. 2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA b. Request for Proposals (RFP) for Health Insurance Coverage for County Employees - Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney; Ron Todd, Personnel Director; Bill Kostner, Risk Manager; Bill Thoreson, Benefits Specialist, Vince Mejer, Purchasing Agent Eagan reported that Arthur Anderson Consulting has submitted a proposal to provide a Request for Proposals (RFP) for health insurance coverage for County employees, for a fee of approximately $19,000. Bill Kostner, Risk Manager, reported that he had contacted Arthur Anderson Consulting and had requested further review of the RFP pricing. Eagan noted that Arthur Anderson Consulting had developed a similar Request for Proposals (RFP) for the City, which they maintain is a proprietary product, although their contract does not denote it as such. He stated that the Purchasing Department could probably develop a RFP for the County, using the City's RFP as a model, although the development would delay the process. Eagan questioned the cost benefit of developing an RFP for health insurance at this time, noting that the issue of self-insurance has still not been raised with Mutual of Omaha. Ron Todd, Personnel Director, stated that self-insurance of the health insurance plan appears to be the optimal solution for the County. He suggested that the Board request Arthur Anderson Consulting to open communications with Mutual of Omaha with regards to continuing the existing plan on a self-insured basis. Todd also noted that there is pending legislation which would allow the City and County to combine for the purpose of self-funding their health insurance plan. In response to a question from Hudkins, Bill Thoreson, Benefits Specialist, stated that employees still had a number of concerns regarding prescriptions and Mutual of Omaha's limited number of pharmacies. MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to authorize Scott Blackard, Arthur Anderson Consulting, to open communications with Mutual of Omaha with regards to self-insurance of the existing health insurance plan and issues regarding prescriptions and the limited number of pharmacies, and to continue his monitoring of the existing plan. On call Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried. Vince Mejer, Purchasing Agent, suggested that, if the Board decides to proceed with an RFP for the health insurance plan, that Arthur Anderson Consulting be requested to review the RFP's, as the Purchasing Department lacks expertise in that area. MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded to place the Request for Proposals (RFP) offered by Arthur Anderson Consulting for the County's health insurance plan on hold and request the Purchasing Department to review the Request for Proposals (RFP) process. On call Svoboda, Hudkins, Tussing and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried. 10 ACTION ITEMS a. Request for Fax Machine from Fifteenth Probation District for Use at Intake & Detention Facility Office MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded to deny the request and directed Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, to contact District Court Probation and County Court Probation and request that they share office equipment. On call Svoboda, Tussing and Campbell voted aye. Hudkins was absent from voting. Motion carried. 11 CONSENT ITEMS a. Microcomputer Requests: 1. County Extension for a Kahlon Pentium 300 MHZ Microcomputer, $2,435 from the Microcomputer Fund 2. Community Mental Health Center for 26 Compaq Deskpro 2000 166 MHZ Microcomputers, $25,600 from Microcomputer Fund, with the Remainder from the Community Mental Health Center Budget MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded approval of the Consent Items. On call Tussing, Svoboda and Campbell voted aye. Hudkins was absent from voting. Motion carried. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA a. Salary Increases for Law Clerks in the County Attorney's Office Eagan reported on the request from the County Attorney's Office to raise the salaries of their law clerks to the Step 6 level of the E09 pay scale. He noted that the Personnel Department recommended approval of the request. The Board will take formal action on this item at the Tuesday,March 31st County Board of Commissioners meeting. 12 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT a. Salary Increase for Christine Peterson, Bailiff for Judge Steven Burns Eagan reported that a review of Peterson's salary did not occur at the end of six months of service, as initially intended, and that Judge Burns has requested that Peterson receive a salary increase. The Board will take formal action on the salary increase for Peterson from Bailiff I to Bailiff II, at the Tuesday, March 31st County Board of Commissioners meeting. b. Resolution for National Crime Victims' Rights Week Eagan reported that consideration of this item will be scheduled for the Tuesday, April 7th, County Board of Commissioners meeting. c. Excess Flood Insurance Eagan reported that both Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation & Risk Management Manager, and Don Thomas, County Engineer, recommended against purchase of the excess flood insurance coverage. The Board concurred with their recommendations and declined the insurance coverage. d. Invitation from City Council to Visit Traffic Signalization Facility, Monday, March 30, 1998, at 9:30 a.m., at 901 N 6th Street Eagan reported that the Board had initially planned to tour the traffic signalization facility with the City Council prior to the Council's scheduled briefing on the Lancaster County Comprehensive Juvenile Justice System Study by Karen Chinn, Chinn Planning, Inc., at the Pre-Council meeting. He noted, however, that travel schedule conflicts have resulted in cancellation of Chinn's briefing. e. Contract with Nebraska State Department of Roads for Traffic Light at Intersection of Highway 77 and Old Cheney Road Eagan explained that a traffic light was needed at the intersection of Highway 77 and Old Cheney Road, due to the proposed location of soccer fields by the Seroptimists Club. Since the State Department of Roads is required to contract directly with a political subdivision, rather than a private organization, the County agreed to serve in that capacity in the contract for the traffic light. The State Department of Roads has since placed a number of conditions on the traffic light installation, including maintenance at the County's expense, with escalation of costs from $25,000 to $65,000. The Board requested that Eagan meet with representatives of the State Department of Roads, Planning Commission, Planning Department, County Attorney, County Engineer, Seroptimists Club, and Y.M.C.A. to explain the situation and seek solutions. f. Salary for New Chief Field Deputy Assessor ($50,000) Eagan reported that Norm Agena, County Assessor, has hired Wayne Cole to fill the position of Chief Field Deputy. The Board will take formal action on Cole's salary at the Tuesday, March 31st County Board of Commissioners meeting. g. Reconsideration of Comprehensive Plan Amendment No. 20 (c) (84th & Van Dorn) by the City Council Eagan reported that the City Council is scheduled to reconsider Comprehensive Plan Amendment No. 20 (c) at the Monday, March 30th City Council meeting. Hudkins noted that the Board and City Council had requested the Planning Department to prepare a subarea plan for this area and should delay further development until that is received. Board consensus to convey the County Board's opposition to reconsideration of Comprehensive Plan Amendment No. 20 (c) to members of the City Council at the City-County Common meeting on Friday, March 27th. h. Letter of Support for Johnson County's Prison Bid Campbell reported that the Johnson County Board of Commissioners has requested the Lancaster County Board's support of their bid for selection as the site for the new prison. MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to send a letter of support for Johnson County's prison bid, noting the need for additional regional collaboration efforts, particularly in the area of juvenile detention. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Svoboda and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried. 13 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Local Emergency Planning Committee - Hudkins Hudkins reported that re-certification training for storm spotters was held. Hudkins also reported that Emergency Services is working with the 911 Center to apply for State grants for a 800 megahertz radio system for volunteers. b. Information Services Policy Committee - Steinman c. Community Mental Health Center Advisory Committee - Svoboda d. Board of Health - Hudkins Hudkins reported that there was a consensus by the Board of Health to recommend that the City Council and County Board ratify and proceed with the Interlocal agreement. He noted that implementation will require the reorganization and reappointment of Board of Health members. He cautioned, however, that some members of the Board of Health may refuse reappointment. Hudkins also reported that Gregg Wright's interim appointment as the Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department Director will end on April 15th. If a new director has not been appointed by that time Dr. Richard Morin may be asked to assume the Interim Director position. Items b and c were moved forward on the agenda. 14 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Thursday, March 26, 1998, at 12 p.m., at Lancaster Manor - Campbell b. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, March 26, 1998, at 1 p.m., at the County-City Building, Room #106 - Hudkins c. City-County Common - Friday, March 27, 1998, at 8 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Yankee Hill III Room - All Commissioners 15 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS a. E. J. Faulkner Lecture Series - Friday, April 17, 1998, at 10 a.m., at Kimball Recital Hall, 11th & "R" Street (Luncheon at 12 p.m., in the Johnny Carson Theater) b. 1998 Spring D.A.R.E. Graduations - Friday, May 1, 1998, at 7 p.m., at Bennet School; Tuesday, May 5, 1998, at 7 p.m., at Norris High School; Friday, May 8, 1998, at 7 p.m., at Malcolm Gymnasium; and Friday, May 15, 1998, at 7 p.m., at Cheney Grade School 16 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD 17 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD 18 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 31, 1998 19 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS 20 ADJOURNMENT By direction of the Vice-Chair, the meeting was adjourned. _______________________ Kandra Hahn Lancaster County Clerk