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, April 9, 1998
8:30 a.m.
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Steve Svoboda
Darlene Tussing
Larry Hudkins
Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer
Ann Taylor, County Clerk's Office
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 2, 1998
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
3 8:30am NATURAL GAS PURCHASE CONSORTIUM
Joel Peterson, Assistant City Attorney;
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
4 8:45am PROPOSAL FROM ARTHUR ANDERSEN CONSULTING REGARDING MEDICAL
AND DENTAL PLANS - Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
5 9:00am REVIEW OF BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MAILING COSTS
Norm Agena, County Assessor;
Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy County Assessor
6 9:30am RURAL/METRO MEDICAL SERVICES
Doug Wyatt, Director; Paul Edwards
7 10:00am INSURANCE BROKER REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP); PENDING
LITIGATION
Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorney;
Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation and Risk Manager
8 10:15am NAME CHANGE NO. 97011, RENAMING OF PRIVATE ROADS IN PRAIRIE
LAKE ESTATES, EAST OF S 54TH STREET, NORTH OF GAGE ROAD
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department
9 ACTION ITEMS
10 CONSENT ITEMS
11 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS REPORT
a. Titles to County Motor Vehicles
b. ESU #18 Superintendent Services
c. Recycling Site at Trabert Hall
12 PENDING
13 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
a. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman
b. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tussing
c. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development - Steinman
14. SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETING
a. Management Team - Thrusday, April 9, 1998 at 7:30 p.m.,
at the County-City Buildign, Room #113 - All commissioners
b. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, April 9, 1998, at
1:00p.m., at the County-City Building, Room #106 - Hudkins
c. Ag Land Valuation Board - Thursday, April 9, 1998,
at 1:30 p.m., at the Blair Courthouse - Hudkins
d. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Thursday, April 9, 1998,
at 4:00 p.m., at the County-City Building, Chambers
Tussing
e. District Energy Corporation - Tuesday, April 14, 1998, at
12:00 p.m, at the Lincoln Electric System Boardroom
Hudkins, Svoboda
f. Board of Health - Tuesday, April 14, 1998, at 7:30 p.m., at
3119 "O" Street - Hudkins
g. Government Access & Information Committee - Wednesday,
April 15, 1998, at 12:00 p.m., at the County-City Building,
Room #206 - Steinman
15 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Nebraska Meeting Planners Reception/Trade Show - Thursday,
April 16, 1998, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Nebraska
Center, 33rd & Holdrege Street
b. Open House and Tour of Technology Development Center -
Friday, April 24, 1998, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., at 4701
Innovation Drive
c. Good Neighbor Community Center Volunteer Recognition
Banquet - Thursday, April 30, 1998, at 6:00 p.m., at College
View Seventh Day Adventist Church, 4910 S. 49th Street
d. 1998 Star Tran Celebrity Bus Roadeo - Friday, May 8, 1998,
from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at State Fair Park
16 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
17 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
18 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 14, 1998
19 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
20 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board of Commissioners
County-City Building
Meeting Room #113
Thursday, April 9, 1998
8:30 a.m.
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Steve Svoboda
Darlene Tussing
Larry Hudkins
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 APRIL 2, 1998
Steinman requested that Item 4, Paragraph 7 of the minutes of the
County Board of Commissioners meeting of April 2nd be expanded
to provide further definition of the responsibilities of the
Planning Department's 3-Mile Zoning Committee and the County's
Junked Car Ordinance Committee.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded approval of the minutes with
the noted clarification. On call Hudkins, Campbell, Tussing,
Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Executive Session - Sale of Real Estate
b. Review Of 1997 Goals and Accomplishments and 1998 Goals
c. Report from the Elected Officials Consolidation Committee
d. Court Administrator
e. Firth Viaduct Meeting
f. Report on Meeting with Information Services and Register of
Deeds
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded approval of the additions to
the agenda. On call Tussing, Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
3 NATURAL GAS PURCHASE CONSORTIUM
Joel Pedersen, Assistant City Attorney;
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
Joel Pedersen, Assistant City Attorney, stated that in 1997, a Gas
Consortium, comprised of the City of Lincoln, Lancaster County,
Public Building Commission, Lincoln Public Schools, District Energy
Corporation and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, conducted
competitive procurement of natural gas to meet their aggregated
needs. He noted that the resulting contract with MidCon Gas Services
resulted in a rate 20 cents less than the market price, although
that fixed rate is currently more per unit than the market.
Pedersen noted that Dahlen, Berg & Company, Consultant, has
submitted a proposal for assisting the Gas Consortium in continuing
the aggregated purchasing of natural gas for another year, beginning
September 1, 1998 (Commissioners Information Packet). He noted that
the advantage to continuing aggregated purchasing is the willingness
of more suppliers to participate in the bidding process and insured
protection against price spikes.
Pedersen also reported that Peoples Natural Gas has indicated that
they will make different pricing options available in November,
including a fixed price contract, but no outside service suppliers
would be permitted under the plan.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to authorize the County
Attorney's Office to continue work on the Gas Consortium on behalf
of the County Board.
In response to a question from Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer,
Pedersen stated that he does not foresee any of the other members of the
Gas Consortium leaving.
ROLL CALL: Hudkins, Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
4 PROPOSAL FROM ARTHUR ANDERSEN CONSULTING REGARDING
MEDICAL AND DENTAL PLANS
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
Eagan stated that a proposal had been received from Arthur Anderson
Consulting, in response to a request from the County, to expand the
services described in their existing contract with the County, to
include evaluation of the option of self-funding the current medical
and dental plans that are insured with Mutual of Omaha.
In response to a question from Campbell, Diane Staab, Deputy County
Attorney, stated that Arthur Anderson Consulting's proposed fee of
$9,000, exclusive of travel-related costs, did not appear to be
unreasonable.
Steinman noted concern regarding travel costs and availability of
the Consultant, due to their out-of-state location.
Campbell suggested that the Board consider the Consultant issue
after decisions on self-funding and whether to change to a calendar
plan year have been made.
The Board will take action on this item at the County Board of
Commissioners meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 14th.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Executive Session - Sale of Real Estate
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to enter Executive
Session at 8:56 a.m. for the purpose of real estate purchase or
sale. On call Tussing, Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to exit Executive Session
at 9:25 a.m. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Campbell, Svoboda and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
5 REVIEW OF BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MAILING COSTS
Norm Agena, County Assessor;
Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy County Assessor
Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy County Assessor, reported that
the County Assessor's office will be mailing approximately
65,000 notices of valuation change to property owners on May
29th, for an estimated cost of $32,300 (Exhibit A). He noted
that a list of comparables used by the Assessor's office will
be included in the mailing.
Campbell reported that Rob Ogden, Property Valuation Protest
Referee, had indicated that the Board of Equalization could
begin hearings the week of July 13th. He estimated that
approximately seven days of 8 a.m to 5 p.m. time blocks were
needed to conduct the hearings, with completion of the hearings
by July 25th.
Hendricksen suggested that the Board of Equalization clearly
indicate in their policy that, if property owners do not submit
evidence with their protest that their valuation is out-of-line
in relation to the market, the referees will limit their
review.
Campbell suggested that an insert, on colored paper, be
included in the initial mailing to property owners noting that
policy statement.
The Board concurred with Campbell's suggestion.
6 RURAL/METRO MEDICAL SERVICES
Doug Wyatt, Rural/Metro Medical Services Director;
Paul Edwards, Rural/Metro Medical Services Communication Center
Manager
Doug Wyatt, Rural/Metro Medical Services Director, briefly
reviewed a list of common Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
definitions and indicated the primary transport response areas
on a colored map (Exhibits B & C).
Wyatt reported that the Southwest Rural Eire District recently
purchased an ambulance and located it at a station on West
Pioneers Boulevard. He stated that the ambulance currently
provides Basic Life Support (BLS), but an upgrade to Advanced
Life Support (ALS) is planned.
Wyatt reported that Rural/Metro currently provides Advanced
Life Support service into the Southwest Rural Fire District
area off a simultaneous dispatch system, with the Rural/Metro
ambulance frequently arriving at the scene first.
Hudkins asked which squad would transport a patient, if there
was a dual dispatch of BLS and ALS ambulances.
Wyatt responded that the Southwest Rural Fire District has
requested that they provide the primary transport on dual
response calls. He noted that this is not always practical in
terms of patient care.
In response to a question from Hudkins, Wyatt stated that if
ALS support is needed, Rural/Metro technicians will board the
transporting ambulance, rather than reloading the patient into
the ALS ambulance.
Paul Edwards, Rural/Metro Medical Services Communication Center
Manager, noted the value of volunteer response to emergency
calls, but stated that there is inconsistency and frequent
delays in dispatch procedures within the rural response areas.
In response to a question from Campbell, Wyatt stated that
Rural/Metro Medical Services only has an agreement within the
Mutual Aid Association to provide services to the surrounding
rural districts.
In response to a question from Campbell, Wyatt stated that
billing practices are varied throughout the rural districts.
He stated that in Rural/Metro's case, rates are set by the
City Council, through the Emergency Medical Services Board.
Wyatt reported those rates as follows:
Basic Life Support
City $379.04
County $411.00
Advanced Life Support
City $487.74
County $519.70
In addition, a patient loaded mile fee of $4.87 is assessed.
In response to a question from Steinman, Wyatt noted that
Medicaid will pay 80% of Rural/Metro's Basic Life Support
rate, with the same amount paid for Advanced Life Support. He
stated that if the patient also has co-insurance coverage, the
entire amount should be paid. Wyatt noted, however, that
Rural/Metro is required to write off costs for Medicaid
patients when providing tiered Advanced Life Support service
to the rural districts. He noted that they are able to bill
for private pay patients or those covered by insurance.
Wyatt stated that Rural/Metro Medical Services is willing to
assist rural districts in establishing a basic level charge
and billing for services. This would result in one bill being
submitted to the patient in cases of dual response. He noted
that charges for basic life support services could be used to
offset training costs for the rural districts.
7 INSURANCE BROKER REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP); PENDING LITIGATION
Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorney;
Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation and Risk Manager
Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation and Risk Manager, reported
that the County is in the third year of a three year contract
with Harry A. Koch Company for insurance broker services. She
noted that the contract has a two year renewal option.
Eckley stated that, due to the number of options available on
the market, her recommendation is that the Board reject the
renewal option and proceed with an Request for Proposals (RFP)
for broker services.
The Board concurred with Eckley's recommendation and authorized
Eckley and Kathy Smith, Assistant Purchasing Agent, to proceed
with development of an REP for broker services.
The Board also approved a Selection Committee to review the
RFP's, comprised of Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation and Risk
Manager; Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer; Kerry Eagan,
Chief Administrative Officer; Larry Pelan, Nebraska Association
of County Officials (NACO) Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk
Management Association (NIRMA) Risk Manager; and a
representative of the County Attorney's Office.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded to enter Executive
Session at 10:27 a.m. for the purpose of pending litigation.
On call Hudkins, Tussing, Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Svoboda seconded to exit Executive Session
at 10:47 a.m. On call Campbell, Svoboda, Hudkins, Tussing, and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
8 NAME CHANGE NO. 97011, RENAMING OF PRIVATE ROADS IN PRAIRIE LAKE
ESTATES, EAST OF S 54TH STREET, NORTH OF GAGE ROAD
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department, reported briefly on Street Name
Change No. 97011, a request from Marvin Renner to rename private
roadways in Prairie Lake Estates, located east of S 54th
Street and north of Gage Road (Exhibit D). He stated that, if
approved, Prairie Lane will be renamed Prairie Lake Drive and
Prairie Lake Drive will be renamed Prairie Lake Bay.
DeKalb noted that the request was in response to a duplication of
street names in the City.
9 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
b. Titles to County Motor Vehicles
Eagan stated that a uniform system for maintaining the titles for
County motor vehicle titles needs to be established.
Ann Taylor, County Clerk's Office, distributed a list of motor
vehicle titles for County vehicles currently held in the Clerk's
office (Exhibit E).
The Board requested that County agencies submit titles for motor
vehicles currently held in their offices with their budgets and
that a file with all County motor vehicle titles be maintained in
the County Treasurer's office.
c. Educational Service Units (ESU) #18 Superintendent Service
Eagan reported that Educational Service Unit (ESU) #18 has
offered to continue its contract with the County for the
operation of the Lancaster County School Superintendent's office
at a cost of $40,000.
The Board agreed to continue the contract.
d. Recycling Site at Trabert Hall
Eagan reported that plans to locate a recycling site at Trabert
Hall are proceeding.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
b. Review Of 1997 Goals and Accomplishments and 1998 Goals
The Board requested that this items be scheduled for discussion
at a Thursday, County Board of Commissioners meeting.
c. Report from the Elected Officials Consolidation Committee
The Board requested that further discussion of the report from
the Elected Officials Consolidation Committee be scheduled for a
Thursday, County Board of Commissioners meeting.
d. Court Administrator
Campbell reported that Jim Hille, Sinclair Hille & Associates
Inc., had recommended that a contact person be named to work with
the architect in the remodel of the Hall of Justice and Law
Enforcement Center Building. She stated that Judith Leech, County
Court Judicial Administrator, had been suggested as the liaison.
Eagan suggested that the issue be raised with the Technology
Operations Review Committee.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to authorize Linda Steinman,
County Board Chair, and Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer,
to meet with Judith Leech, County Court Judicial Administrator, to
determine whether she would be willing to serve as a temporary
liaison, on behalf of the County Board, between the Courts and the
architect in the remodel of the Hall of Justice and Law Enforcement
Center Building. On call Campbell, Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
e. Firth Viaduct Meeting
Campbell reported that Don Thomas, County Engineer, had reported
at the meeting that work on the Firth viaduct project
would not take place in 1999.
Campbell reported that in response to a suggestion from the Firth
Village Board, the viaduct will be extended slightly. This will
require realignment of 82nd Street and a property owner's driveway.
Additional issues discussed were:
Temporary road for rescue squads
School bus access
Campbell also reported that Don Thomas, County Engineer, had
expressed concern regarding the depletion of the Engineering
Department's rock supplies with the recent rain storms.
Board consensus to continue to monitor the situation.
f. Report on Meeting with Information Services
and Register of Deeds
Steinman reported that she and Hudkins had met with the Register
of Deeds and Information Services representatives to discuss
whether the Register of Deeds office should move from a stand alone
system to the mainframe. She stated that issues of concern
discussed were cost stability and loss of copying revenue.
Hudkins noted that costs should decline as the number of
mainframe users increases.
10 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman
Campbell reported that the Joint Budget Committee decided to
proceed with a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a needs
assessment, comprehensive plan and evaluation tool for
human services.
b. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tussing
Tussing reported that the Wilderness Park study was discussed.
She noted that only one bid, in the amount of $160,000
was received in response to the Request for Proposals
(RFP).
c. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development
Steinman
Steinman reported that Mayor Johanns provided an update on the
beltway, noting that federal funds would be used for a
portion of the study of the South Beltway option. He
also noted that the East Middle and East Far options
are still being considered.
Additional topics of discussion were:
- Library sites in North and South Lincoln
- Grant writing workshop hosted by Technology Development Council
- Airline update
Eagan reported that a proxy request had been received from
Ameritas Mutual Insurance Company.
The Board authorized Eagan to complete the proxy statement on
behalf of the Board.
11 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Management Team - Thursday, April 9, 1998, at 7:30 a.m., at
the County-City Building, Room #113 - All Commissioners
b. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, April 9, 1998, at
1 p.m., at the County-City Building, Room #106 - Hudkins
c. Ag Land Valuation Board - Thursday, April 9, 1998, at
1:30 p.m., at the Blair Courthouse - Hudkins
d. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Thursday, April 9, 1998,
at 4 p.m., at the County-City Building, Chambers - Tussing
e. District Energy Corporation - Tuesday, April 14, 1998, at
12 p.m., at the Lincoln Electric System Boardroom - Hudkins,
Svoboda
f. Board of Health - Tuesday, April 14, 1998, at 7:30 p.m., at
3119 "O" Street - Hudkins
g. Government Access & Information Committee - Wednesday, April
15, 1998, at 12 p.m., at the County-City Building, Room #206
Steinman
12 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Nebraska Meeting Planners Reception/Trade Show - Thursday,
April 16, 1998, from 5-8 p.m., at the Nebraska Center,
33rd & Holdrege Street
b. Open House and Tour of Technology Development Center - Friday
April 24, 1998, from 2-4 p.m., at 4701 Innovation Drive
c. Good Neighbor Community Center Volunteer Recognition Banquet
Thursday, April 30, 1998, at 6 p.m., at College View Seventh
Day Adventist Church, 4910 S 49th Street
d. 1998 Star Tran Celebrity Bus Rodeo - Friday, May 8, 1998,
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at State Fair Park
13 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
14 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
15 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 14, 1998
16 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
17 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk