Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
LANCASTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1998 - 8:00 A.M.
COUNTY-CITY BUILDING - MEETING ROOM #113
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 9, 1998
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:00am COMMISSIONER MEETING REPORTS
4 8:30am BUDGET WORKING SESSION
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer
5 9:30am COUNTY EMPLOYEES AWARDS PROGRAM
Pat Kant, Personnel Coordinator
6 9:45am COLLABORATION PROPOSAL BETWEEN COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH
CENTER AND REGIONAL CENTER RE: ORGANIZED UNITS OF
RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAM (OUR)
George Hanigan, CMHC Director
7 10:00am ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN FOR BANNER HOUSE FABRICS/BOBBLES &
BEADS
Troy Gagner, Economic Development Coordinator
8 10:30am SPECIAL PERMIT NO. 151, CROOKED CREEK COMMUNITY UNIT PLAN,
AND PRELIMINARY PLAT NO. 97024, LOCATED AT 134TH & "O"
STREET - Mike DeKalb, Planning Department
9 11:00am EXECUTIVE SESSION (PERSONNEL MATTER)
10 ACTION ITEMS
a. Authorization for Election Commissioner to
Convert Half-Time Position to Full-Time Position
11 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Execution of Closing Documents for Lincoln
Public Schools (St. Francis Addition, Lot 3) &
Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (St. Francis
Addition, Lot 2)
b. Microcomputer Requests:
1. District Court, C#98185 for $461.28 from
Microcomputer Fund for Lexmark Optra E+
Laser Printer
2. Juvenile Court, C#98187 for $2,158.48 from
Microcomputer Fund for 2 Compaq Deskpros
and Software
12 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Juvenile Justice Comprehensive Plan Policy
Meeting with Karen Chinn
13 PENDING
14 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Advisory Defense Council - Svoboda
b. Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee - Tussing
c. Growth at the Fringe - Campbell
d. Public Building Commission - Campbell, Hudkins
e. Board of Health - Hudkins
f. Government Access & Information Committee - Steinman
15 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Budget Monitoring Committee - Tuesday, July 21, 1998,
at 12:00 at the County-City Building, Room #113 -
Campbell, Tussing
16 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Governor's Reception for Cornhusker State Games
- Friday, July 17, 1998, at 6:00 p.m., at the
Governor's Mansion, 1425 "H" Street
b. Opening Ceremonies for Cornhusker State Games -
Friday, July 17, 1998, at 8:30 p.m., at Seacrest
Field, 7600 "A" Street
c. Reception Following Opening Ceremonies for
Cornhusker State Games - Friday, July 17, 1998,
at 10:00 p.m., at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, Grand
Ballroom
d. Chamber of Commerce VIP Appreciation Luncheon -
Thursday, July 30, 1998, at 12:00 p.m., at
State Fair Park
17 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
18 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
19 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF JULY 21, 1998
20 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
LANCASTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY-CITY BUILDING
MEETING ROOM #113
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 1998
8:00 A.M.
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Steve Svoboda
Darlene Tussing
Commissioners Absent: Larry Hudkins
Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
Melissa Koci, County Clerk's Office
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
OF JULY 9, 1998.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded approval of the minutes. On
call Tussing, Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Hudkins was
absent. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Notice to Board of Michael Thurber's Absence on July 16 & 17
b. Letter from Lincoln General Hospital Regarding the
Contract with Mutual of Omaha
c. Southeast Community College Appreciation Letter
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded approval of the
additions to the agenda. On call Campbell, Tussing,
Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
3 COMMISSIONER MEETING REPORTS
14 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Advisory Defense Council - Svoboda
Svoboda reported Les Myers, Civil Defense, indicated there have
been record amounts of storm activity for the year. Svoboda said
on September 24, 1998 there will be a full scale airport exercise
for training which will involve 45 victims and will concentrate
on media relations, morgue action and stress debriefing.
b. Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee - Tussing
Tussing reported at the Parks & Recreation meeting she visited
several Lincoln parks which included Edenton Park, Murdock Trail,
Bethany Park, Densmore Park and the park on Superior Street.
c. Growth at the Fringe - Campbell
Campbell indicated the meeting was held the same time as the
budget meeting so she was unable to attend.
d. Public Building Commission - Campbell, Hudkins
Campbell reported the committee approved some payments to the
contractors and builders for work done and they also discussed
the security contract and it being over budget. She reported the
committee refinanced the bonds on the whole project and the bond
issue needs to go on the agenda and be approved by the County
Board. Campbell stated the committee took around $650,000 out of
the Building Commission to finish the "K" Street Project so the
committee refinanced the bonds to replace the money at a better
rate.
Campbell noted the committee is required to do some work on the
underground tanks at the Old Federal Building, which is used for
alternative fuel storage, and that was authorized. The committee
also discussed the purchase of the "H" Street parking lot and
indicated there was some discussion regarding the dedication
plaque for the new County-City Building.
e. Board of Health - Hudkins
Hudkins was absent.
f. Government Access & Information Committee - Steinman
Steinman reported Aliant is going to continue to subsidize the
cost of the lines which will reduce the County's incoming cost or
match by 50%. Steinman indicated she spoke with Terry Loos,
Information Services and Kerry Eagan regarding sending a support
letter to Aliant from the Commissioners.
Steinman stated the Interlinc website is at an all time high
because of the tax protests and also reported the Lincoln Police
Department put their annual report on Interlinc.
Campbell discussed the privacy issue with regards to the
Friendship Home and said Friendship Home read Gary Lacey's
opinion and was advised to create a trust that would have
everything forwarded to one place. Campbell stated Friendship
Home would not pursue the issue of being removed from the
Assessor's on-line records,
Steinman indicated the committee discussed putting the new GIS
files out available for sale. She stated the topographical maps
and aerial maps are going to be available for the one time buyer
and not available for resale.
4 BUDGET WORKING SESSION - Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal
Officer
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, appeared and submitted
documentation regarding Microcomputer requests for FY99 (Exhibit A).
Kroeker stated Don Thomas, County Engineer, indicated he wanted
approval of $8,607.87 from the Bridge and Road Fund for
engineering technology. He also reported the County put $13,277
out of keno money for the Sheriff for Mobile Data Terminals last
year and this year another $15,000 will be added for a total
amount of around $120,000.
Campbell asked about the additional $13,000 for Corrections.
Doug Thomas, Information Services, appeared and indicated
Correction's personal computers are very old and Information
Services set aside 10 Falco computers that will connect with the
CJIS system.
REGISTER OF DEEDS
Steinman asked about the Register of Deeds Compaq Storage System.
Thomas indicated it is for imaging.
The Board agreed to accept the Register of Deeds request.
COUNTY ASSESSOR
Kroeker reported the County Assessor received $37,131 last year
from the Microcomputer Fund.
Thomas stated the County Assessor's office is phasing out the
dumb terminals and moving to personal computers.
Campbell asked if the Board agreed to accept the Assessor's
request and consider what they received last year, would the
Assessor be close to being done.
Kroeker stated the County Assessor is requesting Interlinc on
each computer to be able to use their access to the database.
Campbell indicated Information Services needs to meet with the
County Assessor to discuss what is left to purchase.
Thomas stated the amounts on Exhibit A are going to be less
because prices were higher than they are currently.
The Board agreed to have Information Services and the County
Assessor attend the Thursday Staff Meeting on July 23, 1998.
JUVENILE COURT
Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, indicated the request
was already approved by the County Board.
Kroeker stated it will be taken out of this year's budget.
CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT
Kroeker said he believed the County should get some reimbursement
from the billing of the child support and alimony system and he
will check on how much the reimbursement will be.
Campbell indicated to have Clerk of District Court attend the
Thursday meeting on July 23, 1998 at 8:30 A.M.
PUBLIC DEFENDER
Kroeker stated around 5 years ago the County spent $150,000
between the Public Defender and the County Attorney for the
County's new word processing system.
Thomas indicated Information Services only spent $45,000 because
they added used PC's and upgraded old equipment.
Kroeker noted the microcomputer purchases for the Attorney
Network has been budgeted the same amount in 1994, 1995, 1996 and
the upgrade was in 1997. Kroeker stated Dennis Keefe, Public
Defender, is requesting an upgrade to his entire staff and
requesting new staff to have comparable equipment to the rest of
the staff and for each employee to have the same type of word
processing software.
Campbell asked if the Public Defender would be requesting the
same amount next year.
Thomas indicated he would speak with the Public Defender
regarding the 13 computers and the request in the microcomputer
fund.
Campbell noted the Board will review the plan for the Public
Defender when Information Services is prepared.
EXTENSION OFFICE
Ken Kuszak, Information Services, reported he has not had any
experience with the Extension Office except for in the past year.
Kroeker stated the Extension's Office Extension Board could ask
up to a certain amount of money and the Board usually agreed. He
reported the Legislature has changed and the Extension Office is
now under the Board's control.
Campbell asked if the Extension Office was a University agency.
Kroeker reported the University pays for the Extension agents and
this year the State Legislation picked up more of the Extension
agents, but the rest of the costs the County has to pay.
Campbell requested to hold the Extension Office and request an
inventory of their system by Information Services and then the
Board will figure out what they need.
RECORDS & INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Thomas indicated Brian Pillard's $7,185 request is for three new
computers and upgrading two existing computers.
Kroeker stated he would speak with Brian Pillard regarding the
image capture workstation to see if he needs the item this year.
The Board agreed to accept the upgrade of Windows 95 on three
computers.
SHERIFF
Eagan asked if the Sheriff preferred the Gateway 2000 because of
the CAD system.
Kuszak indicated he didn't ask her why.
Thomas stated he would speak with the 911 Center, where the
maintenance is bought through, and the Sheriff to find out what
they need.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
Eagan stated there are 7 new attorneys and all of them need
computers.
Eagan also indicated the laptop was approved last week.
ATTENTION CENTER
The Board agreed on the Attention Center's microcomputer request.
VETERANS SERVICE CENTER
The Board agreed on the Veterans Service Center's microcomputer request.
Thomas stated he would revise some of the numbers to update the list.
Eagan stated the County Commissioner's staff needs an upgrade to
their computers. Eagan said two PC's need to be replaced with
two new 17" computers and Soundcard.
Kroeker stated Eagan received a request from the County Engineer
for $8,607.87 out of the Bridge & Road Fund.
Campbell indicated to approve the request as long as Jim Langtry
talks to Kroeker and Thomas.
Campbell asked about the $1,000 for weeds.
Thomas stated the Noxious Weed Control has agreed to take less
history over onto the new system.
Kroeker reported the hardware is for a Newton Message Pad and a
field worker. He stated the hardware will allow for digital
entry of inspection, eliminate manual entry in the field and
digital entry in the office which will reduce an annual cost of $5,000.
Kroeker indicated the Board decided to take $4,000 out of the
Noxious Weed Control's budget and put $30,000 into the Data
Processing budget.
The Board decided to move the $1,000 for the Weed Control into
the microcomputer fund.
Kroeker indicated he received a sysm from Ron Brooks saying the
Election Commissioner is requesting an upgrade for the election
system. He stated Patty Hansen, Election Commissioner, phoned
him and indicated she wants the upgrade for FY99. Kroeker stated
Elections wants to use ARC View for the redistricting and put
more information on the Web.
Steinman said it should go through GAIC.
The Board agreed to move the ballot counter for the Election
Commissioner to general fund miscellaneous.
5 COUNTY EMPLOYEES AWARDS PROGRAM - Pat Kant, Personnel
Coordinator
Pat Kant, Personnel Coordinator, appeared and submitted
documentation regarding the Commissioners' Award of Excellence
(Exhibit B).
Kant indicated all employees are eligible except Department Heads
and elected officials. She said individuals or teams of
employees are eligible for monthly or annual awards. Kant
reported it is up to the Board to decide if they want to include
teams or not.
The Board agreed to give an individual award and not a team
award, unless specifically requested.
Kant also noted there are less represented groups in the county
than the city and she would like to see the committee have more
than four people.
Tussing suggested two representatives from each area for a total
of 8 and the Board agreed.
Kant asked if the Board wanted the flag logo and the Board agreed.
20 OTHER BUSINESS
Kerry Eagan indicated to the Board they need to decide whether
they want to sign with Day Watch or not.
Kit Boesch, Human Services Administration, appeared and submitted
documentation regarding the Day Watch recommendation (Exhibit C).
Boesch indicated Day Watch is not the only agency taking
applications for the HUD Homeless Program for individuals and
families and that Day Watch is not the only agency to serve
breakfast and lunch. Boesch also stated it is inaccurate to
infer that the City and County do not support Day Watch.
Although the Joint Budget Committee has not funded them in the
past, the City has chosen to do so.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to deny the appeal
and go with the original recommendation of the Joint
Budget Committee. On call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda
and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
7 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN FOR BANNER HOUSE
FABRICS/BOBBLES & BEADS - Troy Gagner, Economic
Development Coordinator
Troy Gagner, Economic Development Coordinator, appeared and
submitted documentation regarding the Economic Development Loan
for Banner House Fabrics/Bobbles & Beads (Exhibits D & E).
Eagan indicated the contract will go on the County Board agenda
for Tuesday for formal approval.
Gagner stated the only change was the Loan Committee went from a
5-year amortization on the loan to a 7-year. Gagner indicated
Donna McCoy, applicant, is waiting to hear from Economic
Development before she begins her inventory.
The Board asked Gagner to see if Donna McCoy can attend the Board
meeting on Tuesday.
Gagner also submitted and discussed briefly a contract for
professional services between the County of Lancaster and the
Center of Rural Affairs (Exhibit F).
Eagan stated the only concern the County Attorney raised was
whether the contract should guarantee continuance beyond the 2-
year contract period. He stated the County Attorney recommended
a clause stating that at the end of the 2-year term the parties
may reconsider.
6 COLLABORATION PROPOSAL BETWEEN COMMUNITY MENTAL
HEALTH
CENTER AND REGIONAL CENTER RE: ORGANIZED UNITS OF
RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAM (OUR) - George Hanigan, CMHC Director
George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center Director, appeared
and submitted documentation regarding a proposal for the
development of a residential support team (Exhibit G).
Hanigan stated the proposal is with OUR Homes and the Lincoln
Regional Center and the proposal deals with the Crisis Center
overload and having to temporarily place people at the Regional
Center. He reported the proposal would expand the amount of
high-intensity residential services by 12 slots so that people
can move out of the Regional Center into a slot. Hanigan
reported three of the positions will be funded from the Lincoln
Regional Center's budget and three of the positions will be
funded out of Region V's budget.
Campbell indicated the contract should go on the County Board
agenda and a representative from the Regional Center needs to
appear because people need to know that the collaborative effort
is a great proposal.
Hanigan stated he would keep the Board informed.
8 SPECIAL PERMIT NO 151, CROOKED CREEK COMMUNITY UNIT
PLAN, AND PRELIMINARY PLAT NO 97024, LOCATED AT
134TH &
"O" STREET - Mike DeKalb, Planning Department
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department, appeared and submitted
documentation regarding the revised Crooked Creek Preliminary
Plat and Community Unit Plan (Exhibit H).
DeKalb indicated the Board recently put the Change of Zone and
the Comprehensive Plan on long term pending and the applicant
asked for a 30-day deferral on the Special Permit. DeKalb noted
the revision reduces the total number of lots by 31, from 97 to
66 units. He stated the Community Unit Plan clusters the lots
and transfers 17 units from the existing AGR Agriculture
Residential zoning on the north to the AG Agriculture zoned area
on the south.
DeKalb indicated to the Board they can recommend approval with
conditions what the applicant is asking for, deny it or amend it.
DeKalb stated the County Engineer suggested street lighting be
required in the subdivision in addition to the street lights on
South 134th Street. The street lights should be a
minimum of five feet from the edge of the pavement and shall be maintained
by the homeowners association. DeKalb noted Larry Worrell,
County Surveyor, also indicated pavement on South 134th
Street shall extend to "A" Street.
Campbell also questioned the AG and AGR stated in the permit.
Peter Katt, Attorney for the applicant, appeared and stated the
applicant does not agree with the 17 units being placed in the AG
Agriculture zone area on the south. He noted other issues raised
concerned the development of the zone and taking advantage of the
existing infrastructure. Katt stated the benefits of rezoning
the area to AGR is it adds an additional 31 units and if the
units are put on AG land, that's 620 acres of other ground that
is currently out in the County.
Tussing asked if the Special Permit was in the 3-mile jurisdiction.
DeKalb said yes.
Katt indicated to the Board the question is where the 17 lots are
going to be placed.
Campbell stated the options would be to amend what the applicant
has done, deny or place it on pending with the other two issues.
She also stated she had concern regarding the high density and
what the plan had to do with the north part.
Katt noted the new request does not include any change of zones.
Campbell asked if the 122.3 acres is on the south.
DeKalb indicated there is 125.51 acres on the south and the north
includes 171.32 acres.
Campbell stated the item could be placed on pending so the
applicant can provide an alternate plan.
DeKalb indicated the item will go on Tuesday's agenda.
Campbell said she does not prefer all the units be put on the north.
9 EXECUTIVE SESSION (PERSONNEL MATTER)
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to enter Executive
Session at 11:25 a.m. for discussion of a personnel
matter. On call Tussing, Campbell, Svoboda and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to exit Executive
Session at 11:35 a.m. On call Campbell, Tussing,
Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
b. Letter from Lincoln General Hospital Regarding
Mutual of Omaha Contract
Bill Kostner, Risk Manager, appeared and submitted documentation
regarding the contract with Mutual of Omaha (Exhibit I).
Kostner reported he received a letter from Lincoln General
Hospital stating Mutual of Omaha's contract is not going to be
renewed and the Bryan Memorial Hospital contract will expire on
December 31, 1998, and the contract at Lincoln General will
expire on May 31, 1999. He also stated the hospitals have had
difficulties with Mutual of Omaha paying their bills. Kostner
also stated he spoke with the Chairmen of Bryan Memorial and
Lincoln General and neither have received an answer from Mutual
of Omaha regarding an assurance that the County will still have
services. Kostner indicated the hospitals are expecting an
answer and a change may occur depending on the response.
Kostner also noted the last meeting for open enrollment was today
and Mutual of Omaha was chosen for health care.
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, asked if Arthur Andersen had
any reason to believe the problem had anything to do with the
financial status of Mutual of Omaha.
Kostner said there wasn't any concern.
Staab suggested getting some reassurance that Mutual of Omaha
will be the County's provider for another year.
Steinman asked what kind of effect it would have on the County.
Kostner said the first contract expires on December 31, 1998 with
Bryan Memorial Hospital and according to the network guide it
covers cardiac and neurological services only. If another
hospital is chosen, the employee would have to pay 20%.
Campbell indicated Kostner needs to keep the Board updated on
Mutual of Omaha's answer to the hospitals.
10 ACTION ITEMS
a. Authorization for Election Commissioner to Convert
Half-Time Position to Full-Time Position
Eagan stated he phoned Patty Hansen, Election Commissioner,
regarding the position and indicated it is in the budget and
needs approval.
Eagan also indicated he received an email from Brian Pillard,
Records & Information Management, regarding the imaging of the
voter registration records and the upgrade of the part-time
employee.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to authorize the
Election Commissioner to convert a half-time position
to full-time position and proceed unless it has to do
with imaging services from Records Management. On call
Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted approval.
Motion carried.
11 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Execution of Closing Documents for Lincoln Public
Schools (St. Francis Addition, Lot 3) & Priestly
Fraternity of St. Peter (St. Francis Addition, Lot
2)
b. Microcomputer Requests:
1. District Court, C#98185 for $461.28 from
Microcomputer Fund for Lexmark Optra E+ Laser
Printer
2. Juvenile Court, C#98187 for $2,158.48 from
Microcomputer Fund for 2 Compaq Deskpros and
Software
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded approval of the
Consent Items. On call Tussing, Campbell, Svoboda and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
Eagan reported Lancaster County received $339,452.50 for the
soccer field and will receive $220,000 for the sale of St.
Francis Chapel.
12 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Juvenile Justice Comprehensive Plan Policy Meeting
with Karen Chinn
Eagan stated the tentative date is set for August 20, 1998.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
c. Southeast Community College Appreciation Letter
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to send a letter of
appreciation from the Board of Equalization signed by
all members thanking Southeast Community College for
their cooperation with the referee system.
Tussing noted the Board should ask if any specific damages were done.
ROLL CALL: On call Campbell, Svoboda, Tussing and Steinman voted
aye. Motion carried.
15 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Budget Monitoring Committee - Tuesday, July 21,
1998, at 12:00 at the County-City Building, Room
#113 - Campbell, Tussing
16 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
17 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
18 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
19 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF JULY 21, 1998
21 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to adjourn the meeting. On
call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion
carried.
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk