Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
Lancaster County Board of Commissioners
County-city Building
Meeting Room #113 - Adjacent to Council Chambers
Thursday, April 23, 1998
8:00 a.m.
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 16, 1998
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:00am COMMISSIONERS' MEETING REPORTS
(See Item #13)
4 8:30am PENDING LITIGATION
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
5 9:00am PROTECTION ORDER CENTRAL REGISTRY
Terry Wagner, Lancaster County Sheriff;
Doug Thomas, Information Services Director;
Ron Bowmaster, Intergovernmental Data Processing;
Mike Overton, Crime Commission
6 9:30am PROPOSAL FROM DOCUPHASE REGARDING NEXT PHASE OF COUNTY
RECORDS UPGRADE PROJECT
Kandra Hahn, County Clerk
7 9:45am LANCASTER COUNTY EPC'S HELD AT CORNHUSKER PLACE; UPDATE ON
MEDICAID REHABILITATION OPTION
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer;
George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center Director
8 10:00am SICK LEAVE SURVEY
Ron Todd, Personnel Director;
Steven Sloggett, Employee Advisory Team
9 ACTION ITEMS
a. Set Board of Equalization Hearings Before the County Board
b. Attendance for County Service Awards Ceremony
(See also Item 15c)
c. Approval of Budget Calendar
10 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Vacation Requests from Larry Van Hunnik for:
(1) Tuesday, May 5 through Friday, May 8, 1998;
(2) Friday, May 22, 1998; and
(3) Wednesday, July 29 through Friday, August 7, 1998
b. Proxy from Hartford Regarding Variable Life Insurance
11 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Consolidation Committee Report
b. Invitation from NACO Regarding Restructuring Government
Conference (May 20-21, 1998)
c. District Court Clerk Replacement Process
d. Briefing from Karen Chinn on Phase II of the Juvenile
Justice Needs Assessment (May 18 or May 19)
e. Survey Regarding Highway - Rail Grade Crossings
f. Third Juvenile Court Judge
12 PENDING
13 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
14 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Thursday,
April 23, 1998 at 12:00 p.m., at Lancaster Manor,
Administrative Conference Room - Campbell
b. Chamber Ag Committee - Thursday, April 23, 1998,
at 12:00 p.m., at the Chamber of Commerce, Williamsburg
Room - Hudkins
c. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, April
23, 1998, at 1:00 p.m., at the County-City Building,
Room #106 - Hudkins
d. Growth at the Fringe - Monday, April 27, 1998, at
4:00 p.m., at the County-City Building, Mayor's
Conference Room - Campbell
e. Attention Center Advisory Committee - Tuesday,
April 28, 1998, at 7:00 p.m., at the Attention Center
- Steinman
15 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Citizen Academy Graduation - Thursday, April 30, 1998,
at 7:00 p.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel
b. 22nd Annual School Health Fair Recognition Banquet
- Thursday, May 7, 1998, at 6:30 p.m., at the County
Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Road
c. County Service Award Ceremony - Tuesday, May 19, 1998,
at 12:00 p.m., at the County Extension Office, 444
Cherrycreek Road
16 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
17 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
18 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF MAY 5, 1998
19 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board of Commissioners
County-City Building
Meeting Room #113 - Adjacent to Council Chambers
Thursday, April 23, 1998
8:00 a.m.
Commissioners Present: Kathy Campbell, Vice Chair
Steve Svoboda
Darlene Tussing
Larry Hudkins
Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative
Officer
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
Melissa Koci, County Clerk's Office
Commissioners Absent: Linda Steinman
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING OF
APRIL 16, 1998
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded approval of the minutes. On
call Tussing, Svoboda and Campbell voted aye. Hudkins absent from
voting. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
a. St Francis Chapel Sale Conditions
b. Meeting with Yankee Ridge Neighborhood Association
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded approval of the additions
to the agenda. On call Svoboda, Tussing, and Campbell voted aye.
Hudkins absent from voting. Motion carried.
3 COMMISSIONERS' MEETING REPORTS (See Item #13)
13 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, briefly reviewed the meeting of
the Visitors Promotion Committee. He indicated that there has been a lack
of money in the budget because of cuts that VPC made because of problems of
accumulated practices that led to shortfalls. He also reported that the
committee discussed contingency fund requests.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
c. Midland Group Home
d. Update on Ecological Board
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded to add items c and d as
additions to the agenda. No roll call taken.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
d. Update on Ecological Board
Tussing indicated that she met with Terry Genrich and he indicated that the
Ecological Board discussed the RFQ that went out for the ecological part of
the Wilderness Park Subarea Plan. She also said the $25,000 the Board
allocated might not be enough to cover the costs for the project.
Campbell stated the Board allocated $100,000 for the whole process.
Tussing indicated that Tim Stewart, Planning, proposed four phases of the
study and each phase is 25%.
10 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Vacation Requests from Larry Van Hunnik for:
(1) Tuesday, May 5 through Friday, May 8, 1998;
(2) Friday, May 22, 1998; and
(3) Wednesday, July 29 through Friday, August 7, 1998
b. Proxy from Hartford Regarding Variable Life Insurance
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded approval of the request
from Larry Van Hunnik and to authorize Kerry Eagan to sign the
Hartford proxy. On call Tussing, Svoboda and Campbell voted aye.
Hudkins absent from voting. Motion carried.
Hudkins entered.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
b. Meeting with Yankee Ridge Neighborhood Association
Campbell indicated that 35-40 people appeared from the public and the
Neighborhood Association. She stated the people had questions on the
following issues:
* Maintenance
* Technical questions on roads
* Procedures which the Board may be able to establish which are not in the
statutes, i.e. a public hearing, certified property list of owners
* One type of road surface within a subdivision
Campbell indicated that the County Board has responsibility for all public
roads. She stated that because the statute is silent, it requires a public
hearing if there isn't a temporary Board of Directors. She indicated that
if there is a temporary board the statute is silent.
Staab recommended a public hearing be held regardless of whether there is a
temporary Board of Directors or not.
Campbell indicated that a few people changed their minds after the meeting.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
c. Midland Group Home
Campbell reported that the Midland Group Home, once located in Wahoo, is
buying property in Gage County, south of Firth, right across the county
line. She indicated she received a call from one of the village board
members of Firth asking her to attend the meeting on Thursday, April 23,
1998 at 7 p.m. She said that the Village of Firth is very upset regarding
the purchase. The reason for the move is the old building in Wahoo is too
small.
Hudkins indicated that there were a few troublesome incidents with some kids
at the group home, but that was not the reason for the move.
Campbell stated that Tom Dawson, Juvenile Court Judge, recommended the use
of Midland Group Home highly.
Campbell also indicated that she spoke with Dave Kroeker regarding how much
Lancaster County has been spending. She stated that in Fiscal Year 1997,
Lancaster County paid Midlands $219,000 out of $528,000 which is 41% of the
boarding home expenses. She said this year Lancaster County has paid
$228,000 out of $467,000, which is a major investment for Lancaster County.
Campbell reported that the land is the Old Country Music Place and it will
allow Midland to spread out because there are no zoning regulations in Gage
County.
4 PENDING LITIGATION - Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
Hudkins moved and Tussing seconded to enter into Executive Session for
Pending Litigation at 8:31 a.m. No roll call taken.
Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to exit Executive Session at 9:10 a.m.
On call Hudkins, Svoboda, Tussing and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried.
5 PROTECTION ORDER CENTRAL REGISTRY - Terry Wagner,
Lancaster County Sheriff; Mark Wedding, Information
Services; Ron Bowmaster, Intergovernmental
Data Processing; Mike Overton, Crime Commission; Bruce
Medcalf, Chief Deputy Clerk of District Court
Wagner appeared and distributed copies of the Nebraska Crime Commission
contract.
He indicated that the Crime Commission has been meeting to develop a
statewide Protection Order Registry project so that every law enforcement
officer in the state can access any protection order issued in the state
via the computer system that is now in use. He indicated that the Crime
Commission has received a $200,000 Violence Against Women Act grant to
implement the project.
Ron Bowmaster, Intergovernmental Data Processing, appeared and reported that
the Crime Commission is trying to set up a central registry for protection
orders and the Commission will modify four of the systems across the state
and one of them is the Lancaster County system. He said the Commission would
like to establish an agreement between the State of Nebraska Crime
Commission and the County Board with the help of District Court and County
Sheriff. The plan is to modify the existing system so the documents can be
placed in the central registry and inquiries
can be made against the central registry.
Mike Overton, Crime Commission, appeared and indicated that the Crime
Commission will be using federal, office and state funds for the project.
He reported that the CJIS Advisory Committee is working on projects to try
to enhance data share and data access between state and local agencies.
He indicated that the Commission will pay up to $35,325 for the computer
program modifications needed for Lancaster County to participate in the
statewide protection order registry.
Hudkins asked what the ongoing costs would be?
Overton indicated it would be $20,000 a year.
Bruce Medcalf, Deputy Clerk of District Court, indicated that it
would save the office time and he recommended the project highly.
Campbell stated the contract will be put on Tuesday's County Board agenda.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. St Francis Chapel Sale Conditions
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, appeared and submitted a resolution
regarding St. Francis Chapel Sale Conditions. She indicated that the
resolution is to set the date of the sale of the chapel and to set the
conditions for the sale.
The Board agreed that the minimum bid set for $220,000 was sufficient.
Campbell also questioned item number 9 regarding the chapel being open four
hours per week. She believed the four hours a week was other than services
and thought it could be worded different.
Hudkins questioned the amount of time allotted for the four public events
per year.
Staab indicated that she would change the wording to reflect that the owner
has control of what the commission does by mutual agreement. She also
stated that she would change the wording to say, "open to the public for at
least four hours per week for public viewing."
Campbell stated the public hearing for date of sale and conditions will be
set at Tuesday's board meeting.
Staab reported the County Sheriff suggested the sale be held at St. Francis
Chapel.
6 PROPOSAL FROM DOCUPHASE REGARDING NEXT PHASE OF COUNTY
RECORDS UPGRADE PROJECT - Kandra Hahn, County Clerk
Campbell reported that the Board had a few questions regarding
the Docuphase contract and what the $15,000 was going to cover.
Kandra Hahn, County Clerk, indicated the contract is more like an analysis
and the end goal is to have access to all records in the County Clerk's
Office.
Kroeker stated the County still owed money on the Docuphase project and
after reading the contract it wasn't clear what the contract was stating.
Hahn indicated that only the Clerk's office would be scanning, but the issue
is how do the systems work, how does a person make sure that the
Commissioner's have instant access to the records they need to have in
order to ask questions and to answer questions.
Hahn also stated that she has worked extensively with the County Attorney's
Office with regards to Keyfile. She indicated that an analysis needs to be
done in order to complete the abilities to share and keep work.
Campbell reported that the contract would analyze for the Board how to deal
with documents and how the documents interact. In order to do that an
analysis is needed.
Ken Kuszak, Information Services, appeared and indicated that the storage
space available for Keyfile needs to be upgraded in the next few months.
The cost will be around $7,000 or $8,000 for the next two years.
Campbell indicated that the contract would be on Tuesday's County Board
agenda.
7 LANCASTER COUNTY EPC'S HELD AT CORNHUSKER PLACE;
UPDATE ON MEDICAID REHABILITATION OPTION - Dave
Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer; George Hanigan,
Community Mental Health Center Director
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, appeared and distributed a document
regarding payment for Lancaster County EPC's held at Cornhusker Place.
He indicated that he spoke with James Baird in December regarding the
conversion of care units into $60 a day. Kroeker noted that Baird reflected
back to the record of the minutes of December 18, 1997 that stated, "the
County will need to allocate $15,000 to Cornhusker Place for Lancaster
County's Emergency Protective Custody (EPC) clients if revenue through the
Community Mental Health Center does not become available, as projected."
He noted that the County Board acted on the issue.
George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center Director, appeared and
indicated that Cornhusker Place needs more money either from Lancaster
County or the Community Mental Health Center. Hanigan indicated that if
money was going to be freed up in the Mental Health budget, some could be
transferred to Cornhusker Place so it stays within the emergency system.
He stated that Mental Health will overexpend in personnel by $125,000 based
on the adjustments to the salary schedule. He indicated that the State
guarantees Mental Health will receive $127,000 over what Mental Health
budgeted for revenues, which will cover the costs in personnel. He noted
that nothing should be done until the State takes action on May 4.
Kroeker suggested the Board write a letter to Jill Rubottom, Region V,
indicating to her that the Mental Health Center has been approached by
Cornhusker Place to put additional county dollars in, and that Lancaster
County was under the impression that the services would be covered because
of the match. He indicated that a meeting should be set up with the
Regional Office to sort through the issues.
Campbell stated that a meeting needs to be held between George Hanigan, Dave
Kroeker, Jill Rubottom, Jim Baird and Darlene Tussing to get the letter
clarified. She noted that if Cornhusker Place needs additional
appropriations this year only, the Board should deal with the additional
funds and not the $60. Campbell stated that Mental Health will come back to
the Board in the next 2 or 3 weeks.
8 SICK LEAVE SURVEY - Ron Todd, Personnel Director;
Steven Sloggett, Employee Advisory Team
Steve Sloggett, Employee Advisory Team, appeared and distributed information
from County Employees on Lancaster County's Sick Time Policy. He explained
that the new sick leave policy has been very time consuming for the people
who have to take care of the books. His suggestion was to eliminate both
basic and extended sick leave and make it one policy. The people that don't
use any type of sick leave for 6 months are guaranteed an incentive of 8
hours off with pay to take whenever they choose. It's the people that abuse
the sick leave that are making up for the incentives, so the county doesn't
gain anything.
Ron Todd, Personnel Director, appeared and suggested to the Board to go back
to one policy and get rid of the incentive for the employees who don't use
any sick leave. He indicated that the incentive has been costly to the
County. He also stated that the County's sick usage is low compared to the
City, which means the system must be working, however the County employees
do not like the fact that they only get 40 hours of sick leave to use. He
indicated that in 1994 the City used 6 hours of sick leave per person more,
in 1995 the City used 4 hours per person, in 1996 10 hours person and las
year 17 hours more per person used in the City than the County.
Campbell suggested to review the present sick leave policy and reschedule
the sick leave item for 2 or 3 weeks.
9 ACTION ITEMS
a. Set Board of Equalization Hearings Before the County Board
Hudkins indicated that he will be gone on July 16 & 17.
Campbell stated that Board of Equalization hearings on July 14,
1998 will have to be rescheduled due to budget hearings.
Kandra Hahn suggested and the Board agree to work until 8:00 p.m.
on Tuesday and Thursday, July 21 and 23, respectively.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to approve the revised
schedule of the Board of Equalization hearings. On call Hudkins,
Tussing, Svoboda and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried.
b. Attendance for County Service Awards Ceremony
(See also Item 15c)
Eagan indicated that the awards ceremony is scheduled for May 19. He agreed
to inform Carolyn Peterson in Personnel that all 5 board members will attend.
c. Approval of Budget Calendar
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded approval of the budget
calendar and to change the July 14 budget hearings from 8:00 a.m.
to 12 noon. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Svoboda and Campbell voted
aye. Motion carried.
11 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Consolidation Committee Report
Eagan indicated that the Consolidation Committee report was distributed and
no changes were made. A public hearing needs to be set to discuss any
changes and suggestions. He reported that the recommendations made by the
Consolidation Committee were to merge County Assessor with Register of
Deeds, County Engineer with Public Works, District Court functions should be
assumed by the State and all County Records Management functions should be
identified and consolidated. He reported that LB 1085 talked about
consolidation of 5 county offices, so the Board needs to decide what to do
with the report. A public hearing will have to be held and a resolution
will have to be drawn up. He stated that the consolidation does not take
effect for 4 years.
Hudkins asked if any type of savings would concur.
Eagan indicated that the analysis shows there wouldn't be a great
savings, just a salary of an elected official.
Campbell suggested looking at the consolidation of the offices except for
District Court. She indicated that the Board will talk with Dan Nolte and
Norm Agena at the budget hearings.
b. Invitation from NACO Regarding Restructuring
Government Conference (May 20-21, 1998)
Eagan indicated that a representative from Lancaster County needs
to attend the conference.
Campbell suggested Dave Kroeker.
Eagan stated Campbell, Eagan and Kroeker will attend the meeting
on May 20-21, 1998.
c. District Court Clerk Replacement Process
Eagan reported that Marje Hart's last day is May 1, 1998.
Campbell suggested Wayne Hart as a replacement.
Eagan indicated that the Board needs to talk to the judges
regarding who they are going to select.
Hudkins suggested speaking with Wayne Hart to see if he is
available, tentatively.
Campbell indicated that she would speak with Wayne.
d. Briefing from Karen Chinn on Phase II of the
Juvenile Justice Needs Assessment (May 18 or May 19)
The Board made arrangements to meet with Karen Chinn at 8:00 a.m.
on Tuesday, May 19, 1998.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to amend the budget
hearings on Tuesday morning, May, 1998 to Thursday, May 21, 1998
at 12:30 p.m. On call Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda and Campbell
voted aye. Motion carried.
e. Survey Regarding Highway - Rail Grade Crossings
Eagan indicated he sent the letter to Don Thomas so he could respond.
f. Third Juvenile Court Judge
Eagan suggested to the Board to set up a meeting to discuss
adding a Third Juvenile Court Judge at Trabert Hall.
Campbell suggested leaving an hour for Juvenile Court discussion on Tuesday,
June 9, 1998 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and reschedule the library budget
for another time. The Board agreed to reschedule the library's budget.
12 PENDING
14 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Thursday, April 23, 1998 at
12:00 p.m., at Lancaster Manor, Administrative Conference Room
Campbell
b. Chamber Ag Committee - Thursday, April 23, 1998, at 12:00 p.m.,
at the Chamber of Commerce, Williamsburg Room - Hudkins
c. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, April 23, 1998, at
1:00 p.m., at the County-City Building, Room #106 - Hudkins
d. Growth at the Fringe - Monday, April 27, 1998, at 4:00 p.m., at
the County-City Building, Mayor's Conference Room - Campbell
e. Attention Center Advisory Committee - Tuesday, April 28, 1998,
at 7:00 p.m., at the Attention Center - Steinman
15 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Citizen Academy Graduation - Thursday, April 30, 1998, at
7:00 p.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel
b. 22nd Annual School Health Fair Recognition Banquet
- Thursday, May 7, 1998, at 6:30 p.m., at the County Extension
Office, 444 Cherrycreek Road
c. County Service Award Ceremony - Tuesday, May 19, 1998, at
12:00 p.m., at the County Extension Office, 444 Cherrycreek Road
16 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
17 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
18 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF MAY 5, 1998
By the direction of the Vice-Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk