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, May 21, 1998
8:00 a.m.
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 12 and MAY 14, 1998
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:00am COMMISSIONER'S MEETING REPORTS - See Item # 17
4 8:30am LOTUS NOTES - Doug Thomas, Information Services Director
5 9:00am REMOVAL OF CULVERT IN ASH HOLLOW DRAINAGE IN WAVERLY
Don Thomas, County Engineer
6 9:15am PENDING LITIGATION - Mike Thew, Chief Deputy County Attorney;
Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorney
7 9:30am YANKEE HILL SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
8 10:00am EMERGENCY PLACEMENT CUSTODY AT CORNHUSKER PLACE
Kit Boesch, Human Services Director
9 10:15am COORDINATOR UPDATE & APPROVAL OF REFEREE FORMS
Wayne Kubert and Tom Kubert, Great Plains Appraisal
10 10:30am COUNTY POLICY RE: SOLICITORS ON COUNTY PROPERTY
Don Killeen, County Property Manager
11 10:45am SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
Dan Nolte, Register of Deeds
12 11:00am 1997 GOALS AND LONG-RANGE STRATEGIC PLANNING
13 ACTION ITEMS
a. NACO Vice Presidency Resignation
14 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Microcomputer Requests:
1. County Engineer, C#98142 for $1,881.90 from County
Engineer's Budget for 2 Pentiums and 1 WordPerfect 8.0
2. Public Defender, C#98143 for $850.12 from Public
Defender's Budget for Used 486, Color Monitor and
Attachmate for Novell for Windows
15 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Records Management Extra Hours for Scanning
b. Junked Cars in the City's 3-Mile Zoning Jurisdiction
c. Juvenile Justice Work Session with Lancaster County
Senators
d. Road Kill Pick-Up Contract
16 PENDING
17 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Tussing
b. Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
c. Government Access & Information Committee - Steinman
d. Chamber Infrastructure Committee - Hudkins
18 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Departmental Budget Hearings - Thursday, May 21, 1998,
beginning at 12:00 p.m., County-City Building, Room #113
- All Commissioners
b. Chamber Agricultural Committee - Thursday, May 21, 1998,
at 12:00 p.m., at Farm Bureau - Hudkins
c. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, May 21, 1998,
at 1:00 p.m., at the County-City Building, Room #106 -
Hudkins
d. Departmental Budget Hearings - Tuesday, May 26, 1998,
at beginning at 8:00 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Room #106 - All Commissioners
e. Information Services Policy Committee - Tuesday, May 26,
1998, at 11:00 a.m., at the County-City Building, Room
#106 - Steinman
f. CMHC Advisory Committee - Wednesday, May 27, 1998,
at 12:00 p.m., at the CMHC, basement conference room -
Svoboda
19 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. LHA/LPS Housing Project Celebration - Thursday, May 28,
1998, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at 3010 "W" Street
b. RSVP 24th Annual Recognition Dinner - Wednesday, June 3,
1998, at 5:30 p.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel
20 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
21 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
22 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF MAY 26, 1998
23 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board of Commissioners
County-City Building
Meeting Room #113
Thursday, May 21, 1998
8:00 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
MAY 12 (SESSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE REGULAR COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS MEETING) AND MAY 14, 1998.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded approval of the minutes of May
12 (Session immediately following the regular County Board of
Commissioners meeting) and May 14, 1998. On call Hudkins, Campbell
and Steinman voted aye. Tussing and Svoboda were absent from voting.
Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Labor Negotiations - Executive Session
b. Additional Budget Appropriations
c. Clerk of the District Court Appointment
d. Sale of Real Property - Executive Session
e. Legislative Proposition
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded approval of the additions to
the agenda. On call Hudkins, Campbell and Steinman voted aye.
Tussing and Svoboda were absent from voting. Motion carried.
3 COMMISSIONERS' MEETING REPORTS (Agenda Item 16)
b. Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
Steinman reported that guidelines for grant applications were discussed.
She noted that this information will soon be placed on the website for the
Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Steinman reported that greater accountability with regards to the
Convention and Visitor's Bureau budget has been realized under the
directorship of Michael Carpenter.
Steinman also noted that the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau has
implemented a reward program for tips that result in conventions locating
in Lincoln.
c. Government Access & Information Committee - Steinman
Steinman reported that Carole Eddins, Urban Development, and Lori Maas
Vidlak, Consultant, reported on the "Heart of Lincoln" program, which
encourages home ownership in older neighborhoods. She noted that creation
of a website, linked to the City's Internet homepage, was suggested to
provide easy marketing accessibility for realty companies.
Tussing arrived.
Steinman reported that several of the towns and villages within the County
have yet to place information on the InterLinc website. She noted that she
had proposed a contest for students to develop that information.
Hudkins suggested that information regarding village celebrations be
included on the Convention and Visitors Bureau's website.
The Board requested Eagan to contact Judy Adams, Lincoln Action Program, and
request her to contact the towns and villages to obtain a schedule of
festivals and celebrations for inclusion in the "News & Briefs" newsletter.
She will also be requested to forward the information to the Convention and
Visitors Bureau for inclusion on their website.
a. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Tussing
Tussing reported that discussion focused on location of the "F" Street
Recreation Center. She noted that the neighborhood has indicated a strong
preference for the recreation center's location and facade to remain intact.
Region V Executive Board - Tussing
Tussing reported that the Executive Board denied a request from Blue Valley
Mental Health to transfer funds from youth treatment to an outpatient
program. She stated that funding will instead be provided to the Child
Guidance Center for crisis services at the Attention Center.
d. Chamber Infrastructure Committee - Hudkins
No report was given.
4 LOTUS NOTES - Doug Thomas, Information Services Director;
Brian Pillard, Records & Information Manager;
Robbin Cihal, Office Automation Specialist in the County Clerk's
Office
Doug Thomas, Information Services Director, appeared to report on the
viability of Lotus Notes as an alternative to SYSM for scheduling and
e-mail services for County employees.
Thomas noted that benefits to conversion to Lotus Notes include:
» Ability to attach documents to e-mail messages
» Document image capability
» Built-in database
» Ability to interface with Microsoft software programs
» Compatibility with existing Keyfile Document Management System
Thomas estimated that a one to two year transition period would be necessary
to ensure a smooth transition from SYSM program.
Thomas also reported that costs for implementation of the Lotus Notes system
were as follows:
» $93 for a two year Desktop License, including maintenance
» $537 for a two year Developer Package, including maintenance
» $1,498 for a one year Server Package
» $6,000 to $10,000 for incident costs, per year
(NOTE: Thomas later clarified this amount to be $10,378)
Thomas noted that SYSM currently costs $5,600 per year in server costs. He
noted that this cost would not be eliminated until full conversion is
completed.
In response to a question from Steinman, Thomas stated that the County Code,
as currently compiled, could be placed on the Lotus Notes system for easy
accessibility.
Robbin Cihal, Office Automation Specialist in the County Clerk's Office,
reported that the County Clerk's Office has been working on scanning the
County Code documents and converting them into Word Perfect documents from
the Keyfile System.
In response to a question from Campbell, Thomas stated that current TIF
imaging and Word Perfect documents could easily be adapted to the Lotus
Notes system.
Thomas stated that Keyfile provides higher level imaging capability, but
that lower level storage and retrieval can be managed on a more cost
effective basis with the Lotus Notes system.
Campbell remarked that universal access to information and short term
document storage is needed.
Svoboda arrived.
Brian Pillard, Records & Information Manager, noted that the issue of
electronic record retention still needs to be addressed.
Campbell noted that the County Board had placed the contract with Docuphase
to provide the County Commissioners and the County Attorney's office
accessibility to documents on file on hold. She asked Thomas to assist
the Board in identifying the software needs of the Commissioners and
building those costs into their budget.
Thomas estimated that installation of Lotus Notes would not occur until
August, 1998.
5 REMOVAL OF CULVERT IN ASH HOLLOW DRAINAGE WAY IN WAVERLY
Don Thomas, County Engineer
Don Thomas, County Engineer, circulated pictures of the erosion and
resulting damage to the culvert in the Ash Hollow Drainage Way in Waverly.
Thomas noted that the County's options are to:
» Repair the damage at an estimated cost of $24,900
» Purchase the right-of-way, at an estimated cost of $3,600,
and install an irrigation well, at a cost of $13,000, to
eliminate an adjacent landowner's access and irrigation problem
Thomas also noted that removal of the culvert from the channel would cost
approximately $9,600.
The Board authorized Thomas to continue to negotiate for the purchase of
the right-of-way.
Hudkins and Svoboda left the meeting.
6 PENDING LITIGATION - Mike Thew, Chief Deputy County Attorney;
Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorney
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to enter Executive Session at
9:05 a.m. for the purpose of pending litigation, labor negotiations
and sale of real property. On call Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda,
Tussing and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to exit Executive Session at
9:50 a.m. On call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins and Steinman
voted
aye. Motion carried.
7 YANKEE HILL SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney; Mike DeKalb, Planning;
Don Thomas, County Engineer
Mike DeKalb, Planning, distributed a map detailing the proposed boundaries
noted in the description submitted with the Yankee Ridge Road Petition.
In response to a question from Steinman, Staab stated that a Special
Improvement District can not take away the Board's authority to supervise
the County roads.
Hudkins returned.
Campbell noted that clarification is needed on which landowners are included
in the proposed Special Improvement District. She noted that several of the
landowners currently outside the proposed boundaries are concerned that the
Board will alter the boundaries, forcing their inclusion.
The Board requested that Staab and Thomas meet with Jim Arter and Tom Wilson,
representatives of the proposed Yankee Hill Special Improvement District, to
discuss proposed boundaries.
Staab outlined the schedule for the Yankee Ridge Road Petition as follows:
» Posting of notices in the proposed district that a May 18th
petition has been filed and that a temporary board
of trustees will be appointed
» Set date for a public hearing regarding the formation May 26th
of the proposed district
» Deadline for filing of objections to the temporary May 28th
board of trustees
» Set date for a public hearing regarding the formation May 26th
of the proposed district
» County Board appoints a temporary board of trustees June 2nd
» Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, & Don Thomas, June 4th
County Engineer, report to Board on boundaries at
the Thursday, County Board of Commissioners meeting
» Public hearing on formation of the proposed district June 9th
Svoboda returned to the meeting.
SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS - Dan Nolte, Register of Deeds
Steinman noted that the Procedures and Policies Related to Forming a
Special Improvement District require that a "Certificate of Ownership",
certifying all registered property owners included in the proposed district,
be filed with a petition for a Special Improvement District. She stated
that objections had been raised at the public hearing on Tuesday, due to
costs charged by title companies to prepare a "Certificate of Ownership".
Steinman asked Dan Nolte, Register of Deeds, if his office could supply the
"Certificate of Ownership", upon request.
Nolte responded that he had liability concerns, but would be willing to
supply an informal list, as long as certification was not required.
Staab distributed copies of the revised Procedures and Policies Related
to Forming a Special Improvement District.
Following a brief discussion, the Board requested the following changes:
» Amend Item III, Sections A4 and B1 to reflect that a list of the names of
all landowners within the proposed district and the parcel of land owned
by them be filed with the petition, rather than a "Certificate of Owner-
ship"
» Amend Item X to reflect that reimbursement of maintenance costs shall
be in the amount of $1 per year.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to request Diane Staab, Deputy
County Attorney, to amend Item III, Section A4 to require
petitioners to provide a list of landowners, with a verification of
those names by the County, if the County Attorney's office
determines that such verification is necessary. On call Campbell,
Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
8 EMERGENCY PLACEMENT CUSTODY AT CORNHUSKER PLACE
Kit Boesch, Human Services Director
Kit Boesch, Human Services Director, reported that as of July 1, 1998,
Bryan/LGH will no longer send Emergency Protective Custody (EPC) clients to
Cornhusker Place. Instead, they will adopt Bryan Memorial Hospital's policy
and refer EPC clients to the Community Mental Health Crisis Center,
following detoxification. She stated that the issue of whether Bryan/LGH
will charge the County or General Assistance for those clients has not been
resolved.
Boesch recommended that:
» George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center Director, verify the
number of Crisis Center clients, referred by Lincoln General Hospital,
that were eligible for General Assistance
» Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, review Emergency Room billings
submitted by Bryan Hospital for detox services
» A representative of the County Board meet with Bryan/LGH
representatives to discuss their commitment to provide indigent care
expressed in the contract of sale for Lincoln General Hospital
» County Board delay signing contract to provide $40,000 to Cornhusker
Place for EPC services
The Board concurred with Boesch's recommendations.
Campbell suggested that Cornhusker Place may need to increase the fees it
charges other counties for EPC services to pay for renovation costs.
9 COORDINATOR UPDATE & APPROVAL OF REFEREE FORMS
Wayne Kubert and Tom Kubert, Great Plains Appraisal Company
Tom Kubert, Great Plains Appraisal Company, briefly reviewed the property
valuation protest forms (Commissioners Information Packet) noting that the
forms will be made available to the public prior to the referee hearings
this year, with the intent of reducing the amount of appeals to the Board
of Equalization.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Svoboda seconded to approve the property
valuation protest forms and to place the property valuation protest
information sheet on County Board stationary. On call Campbell,
Svoboda, Hudkins, Tussing and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
Wayne Kubert, Great Plains Appraisal Company, suggested that the property
valuation protest information sheet be included in the notice of hearing
mailing.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded to direct the County Clerk to
include the property valuation protest information sheet with the
notice of hearing mailing. On call Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins,
Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
W. Kubert reported that time slots for 7,500 property valuation protests are
planned. He suggested that a press release, detailing the process, would be
beneficial.
The Board concurred with Kubert's suggestion and requested him to schedule
a press conference for 1 p.m. on June 2nd, prior to the County
Board of Commissioners meeting. All Commissioners will be present at the
press conference.
T. Kubert stated that he will review and disseminate copies of the property
valuation protest information sheet at the press conference.
10 COUNTY POLICY REGARDING SOLICITORS ON COUNTY PROPERTY
Don Killeen, County Property Manager;
Captain Byford Bruce, Sheriff's Department
Don Killeen, County Property Manager, reported on a situation at the Motor
Vehicle Licensing facility in which petition circulators were interfering
with traffic and customers in the parking lot area and at the door to the
facility. He suggested that the County adopt a solicitors policy similar
to that of the Public Building Commission's, which governs the County-City
Building complex.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to request the County Attorney
to develop a County policy with regards to solicitors, using the
policy of the Public Building Commission as a model. On call
Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
Campbell reported that a letter had been received from Judith Leech, County
Court Judicial Administrator, indicating that there was confusion in the Old
Federal Building during the recent tornado warning.
Killeen stated that he would be meeting with Les Myers, Emergency Services
Coordinator, and department representatives in the Old Federal Building on
Tuesday, May 26th.
Campbell requested that other departments and agencies that have been
temporarily relocated be included in the meeting.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
b. Additional Budget Appropriations
Eagan noted that this item will be on the agenda for the Tuesday, May 26th,
County Board of Commissioners meeting.
c. Clerk of the District Court Appointment
Eagan reported that he and Steinman had interviewed Beth Tallon, leading
candidate for the Clerk of the District Court appointment. He noted that
the District Court Judges had requested that a slate of three candidates
be interviewed for the position, and had elected not to participate
in the interview process for only one candidate.
The Board decided to meet with Tallon at 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26th,
prior to the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners meeting. Consideration
of her appointment to the position of Clerk of the District Court is
scheduled as an item of business for the Board meeting.
e. Legislative Proposition
Eagan reported that Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant, had contacted him
to inquire whether the County Board would support a legislation proposition
to make County Board positions non-partisan.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to indicated to the
Legislature that the County Board is in favor of non-partisan
elections for all County offices and to suggest that discussion
take place on the issue of whether all County offices should be
elected positions. On call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins
and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
11 SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS - Dan Nolte, Register of Deeds
Item moved forward on the agenda.
12 1997 GOALS AND LONG-RANGE STRATEGIC PLANNING
This item was deferred, due to time constraints.
13 ACTION ITEMS
a. Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) Vice-Presidency
Resignation
Hudkins reported that Alan Wohlfarth, Cass County Clerk, had resigned his
position and that of Vice-President of the Nebraska Association of County
Officials (NACO) Executive Board to accept a position in the private sector.
Hudkins stated that he would like to seek appointment to the NACO Vice-
Presidency, and asked for the Board's support.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to support Larry Hudkins,
County Commissioner, in his candidacy for the position of Vice-
President of the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO)
Executive Board. On call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda, and Steinman
voted aye. Hudkins abstained from voting.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded to send a letter supporting
Larry Hudkins' candidacy to the Nebraska Association of County
Officials (NACO) Executive Board. On call Tussing, Svoboda,
Hudkins, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
14 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Microcomputer Requests
1. County Engineer, C#98142 for $1,881.90 from County
Engineer's Budget for 2 Pentiums and 1 WordPerfect 8.0
2. Public Defender, C#98143 for $850.12 from Public
Defender's Budget for Used 486, Color Monitor and
Attachmate for Novell for Windows
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded approval. On call Campbell,
Tussing, Svoboda, Hudkins and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
15 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Records Management Extra Hours for Scanning
Eagan reported that Brian Pillard, Records and Information Manager, had
submitted a request for authorization to have his department's part-time
stores clerk work up to 28 additional hours to complete a scanning project
for the City Traffic Engineering Department. The clerk's rate of pay
is $9.039 per hour.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded approval of the request. On
call Hudkins, Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
b. Junked Cars in the City's 3-Mile Zoning Jurisdiction
Eagan reported that Mike DeKalb, Planning, had assembled a packet of
information on how other jurisdictions are responding to the junked car
issue, in response to a request from the Board.
MOTION:Campbell moved and Svoboda seconded to send a letter to the
City Council requesting their consideration of inclusion of the
County's 3-Mile Zoning Jurisdiction in the City's "Junked Car
Resolution". On call Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda, Tussing and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
Campbell suggested that lack of statutory authority to effect enforcement
outside the County's 3-Mile Zoning Jurisdiction be raised with the Lancaster
County Senate delegation and the Douglas County Board.
Steinman reported that the Douglas County Board had asked the Board to join
them at the Platte River State Park for a two hour discussion of issues of
mutual interest during the morning of Wednesday, June 10th. She
stated that items of discussion would include spending initiatives, county
fairs and the 1998-99 budgets.
Tussing suggested appointment of certain county official positions as an
additional topic of discussion.
c. Juvenile Justice Work Session with Lancaster County Senators
The Board requested Eagan to coordinate a date for the Juvenile Justice
Work Session with the Lancaster Senate delegation.
Steinman will report on the Governor's Task Force for Juvenile Justice June
17th meeting at the Thursday, June 18th, County Board
of Commissioners meeting. The Board will finalize the structure of the work
session following that report.
d. Road Kill Pick-Up Contract
Eagan noted that the contract with Industrial Services for road kill
disposal is up for renewal. He stated that he would contact the County
Sheriff's Department to see if their office had logged any complaints with
regards to the service.
16 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Tussing
b. Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
c. Government Access & Information Committee - Steinman
d. Chamber Infrastructure Committee - Hudkins
Items a-d were moved forward on the agenda.
17 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Departmental Budget Hearings - Thursday, May 21, 1998, beginning
at 12:30 p.m., County-City Building, Room #113 - All Commissioners
b. Chamber Agricultural Committee - Thursday, May 21, 1998, at 12p.m.,
at Farm Bureau - Hudkins
c. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, May 21, 1998, at 1p.m.,
at the County-City Building, Room #106 - Hudkins
d. Departmental Budget Hearings - Tuesday, May 26, 1998, beginning at
8 a.m., at the County-City Building, Room #106 - All Commissioners
e. Information Services Policy Committee - Tuesday, May 26, 1998, at
11 a.m., at the County-City Building, Room #106 - Steinman
f. Community Mental Health Center Advisory Committee - Wednesday,
May 27, 1998, at 12 p.m., at the Community Mental Health Center,
Basement Conference Room - Svoboda
18 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Lincoln Housing Authority/Lincoln Public Schools Housing Project
Celebration - Thursday, May 28, 1998, from 4 to 6 p.m., at 3010
W Street
b. Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) 24th Annual
Recognition Dinner - Wednesday, June 3, 1998, at 5:30 p.m., at the
Cornhusker Hotel
19 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
20 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
21 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF MAY 26, 1998
22 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
23 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk