Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
Thursday, July 30, 1998 - 8:00 A.m.
County-city Building - Meeting Room #113
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 23, 1998
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:00am COMMISSIONER MEETING REPORTS
4 8:30am HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE - Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager
5 9:00am VETERANS SERVICES QUARTERLY REPORT
Gary Chalupa, Veterans Services Officer
6 9:15am COUNTY EXTENSION COMPUTERS
Gary Bergman, County Extension
7 9:30am LINCOLN DOWNTOWN SENIOR CENTER -
Reba Schafer, Lincoln Area Agency on Aging Director;
Don Killeen, County Property Manager
8 9:45am EXECUTIVE SESSION (PERSONNEL MATTER)
9 ACTION ITEMS
a. Appointment of Two County Representatives to the
Vision Plan Services RFP Committee
b. Purchase of FAX Machine for County Board ($1,600)
c. Interior Design Services by All Makes Office Equipment
for Reconfiguration of County Motor Vehicles ($1,430)
d. Request from U.S. Postal Service to Place a
Directional Sign for Walton Post Office on NE & NW
Corners of 112th Street and "A" Street
e. County Board Representative for NACO's Health & Human
Services Committee
f. Response to FEMA's Request for Information Regarding
5-year Map Update for Flood Insurance Maps
10 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Vacation Request from Dave Kroeker for Monday,
August 3, 1998
11 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Reappointment of Kathy Campbell to Public Building
Commission
b. Letter to Michael Carpenter from George W. Neubert,
Director of Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery & Sculpture
Garden re: Hotel Tax
12 PENDING
13 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Campbell
b. Growth at the Fringe - Campbell
c. Chamber Agricultural Committee - Hudkins
d. Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
e. Information Services Policy Committee - Steinman
f. Attention Center Advisory Board - Steinman
14 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Chamber Agricultural Committee - Thursday, July 30,
1998, at 12:00 p.m., at State Fair Park, Beef Pit
Hudkins
b. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, July 30,
1998, at 1:00 p.m., at County-City Building, Room #106
Hudkins
c. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tuesday, August 4,
1998, at 7:00 a.m., at the County-City Building, Room
#106 - ?
d. Justice Operations - Wednesday, August 5, 1998, at
12:00 p.m., at the County-City Building, Room #106
Campbell
15 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
16 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
a. Letter from State Department of Roads re:
Widening of Highway 34 (from 8th Street to Eagle)
17 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
18 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 1998
a. Appointment of Andrew Strotman, Peter Katt and
Sean Brennan to Indigent Defense Advisory Committee
19 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
STAFF MEETING MINUTES
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
County-City Building
Meeting Room #113
Thursday, July 30, 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
Melissa Koci, County Clerk's Office
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS MEETING OF JULY 23, 1998
Steinman requested that the following correction be made on page 14 of
the minutes:
* Steinman reported juveniles who have been adjudicated
in Juvenile Court are not being accepted by the State,
similar to what is occurring with Mental Health
patients at the Crisis Center.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded approval of the
minutes with the change. On call Tussing, Svoboda, Campbell
and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Meeting with Chinn Planning
b. Mike Thurber in Kansas
c. Microcomputer Request from County Attorney
d. Card for Colleen Seng
e. Item Regarding Commissioner Tussing
f. Bernie Heier's First Staff Meeting
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded approval of the
additions to the agenda. On call Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda
and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
3 COMMISSIONER MEETING REPORTS
13 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Campbell
Campbell indicated she did not attend the meeting due to Property
Valuation Protest hearings.
b. Growth at the Fringe - Campbell
Campbell indicated the committee received a report from Public
Works on sewer and water and what is in the capital improvements
plan for projects. She stated the Planning Department gave an
updated report on the land inventory and the homebuilders feel
there is not enough lots in an inventory situation even though
the number of lots and units have grown. Campbell indicated the
concern is that the builders buy and retain the lots so the lots
are not in an open inventory. Campbell stated the homebuilders
are going to bring in some of the numbers that they had looked at
over a period of years to the next meeting. She said the
question is whether there needs to be more inventory and how to
service the inventory with infrastructure.
c. Chamber Agricultural Committee - Hudkins
Hudkins was absent.
d. Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
Steinman reported the committee discussed the financial statement
and noted all the bills have been paid. Steinman indicated the
Visitors Bureau at the Lincoln Station is currently renting their
space for $350 and the Lincoln Station will keep the rent at the
same rate as long as the Visitors Bureau signs a 5-year lease,
with review for future years at raising the rent. Steinman also
said the committee discussed the Watchtower Group (Jehovah's
Witnesses) and noted that in the past the VPC has paid for a
portion of the groups expenses at the Bob Devaney and then the
other money is used for religious purposes.
Campbell asked about the Star City Festival Parade Board and
whether it would go under the Convention & Visitors Bureau. She
stated Michael Carpenter, who sits on the Festival Parade Board
said it would not.
e. Information Services Policy Committee - Steinman
Steinman reported she did not attend the meeting because she had
an Official's meeting on transportation.
f. Attention Center Advisory Board - Steinman
Steinman indicated Dennis Banks gave a report on what has been
happening at the Attention Center indicating the daily low in
April was 43 and the Attention Center is at capacity at 40.
Steinman noted Banks discussed the contingency plans for
overcrowding and one of the contingency plans that he has is for
kids who are charged in adult court for serious felonies, that
the County should not discard putting them in the adult jail.
Steinman said the County Board will not go that way and he needs
to consider other options.
Steinman also reported Banks visited the new Wayne facility in
Madison and indicated there are some problems with the facility
with regards to the beds and them causing suicide risks. Also,
the lavatories are porcelain with some configuration that would
allow kids to possibly hang themselves.
Campbell indicated the Board needs to visit Douglas County to
tour their facility.
g. Region V - Tussing
Tussing reported the short term residential provider in Hastings
will be closing on October 1 and Region V has to provide 10 beds.
Two of the beds will go to St. Monica's for Women and the other 8
have to be contracted. Tussing indicated the committee made the
decision to go with a Lincoln General proposal as opposed to
Houses of Hope and Centerpoint. The reason is because there
wouldn't be startup costs and they liked the configuration that
it was all at one central location; however, the committee found
out there will be startup costs and the State will not pay for
additional items because Lincoln General wants to be sure of the
payment. Tussing stated as of the end of August, agencies will
not have money to pay the payroll, but if a letter of intent is
drawn up they should be able to pay anyway, even though there are
stipulations in LB1354 that says they have to give a report to
the Legislature as to when they are closing down any facility.
4 HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE - Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager
Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager, appeared and reported Mutual of
Omaha and Bryan LGH spoke at the Pre-Council before the City
Council on Monday regarding the health insurance.
Tussing asked if the City Council clarified the issues regarding
the bids on the clinic and the bill paying the County Board were
concerned about.
Kostner indicated it was not clear to him what the final facts
were regarding those two issues. Kostner reported both entities
were meeting today and agreed that they would keep him posted as
to any results. Kostner also reported he met with the State of
Nebraska and University of Nebraska who indicated the City and
County have done a very good job at informing employees about the
changes. He said the State of Nebraska currently has a 2-year
contract with Mutual of Omaha as their HMO.
Bill Thoreson appeared and stated August 6 will be the first
deduction for medical insurance.
Kostner stated he would meet with the Board after he meets with
Mutual of Omaha and Bryan LGH to keep them updated on any new
information.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Meeting with Chinn Planning
Eagan indicated the meeting with Chinn Planning has been set for
August 26, 1998 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
b. Mike Thurber in Kansas
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded approval of Mike
Thurber's absence. On call Svoboda, Tussing, Campbell and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
c. Microcomputer Request from County Attorney
Eagan indicated he would speak with Gary Lacey to find out why he
needs three 17" monitors and a mouse.
d. Card for Colleen Seng
Campbell stated a card needs to be sent to Colleen Seng because
she fell and broke her ankle.
f. Bernie Heier's First Staff Meeting
Campbell suggested to allow some time for the County
Commissioners, Dave Kroeker, Cathy Marsh and Cori Zavodny to
spend a few minutes talking about themselves.
The Board agreed to meet with Bernie at 8:00 a.m. next Thursday
before the County Board staff meeting.
9 ACTION ITEM
a. Appointment of Two County Representatives to the
Vision Plan Services RFP Committee
Eagan indicated the Board needs a selection committee to evaluate
the vision proposal.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to appoint Dave
Kroeker and Sue Eckley to the Vision Plan Services RFP Committee.
On call Svoboda, Tussing, Campbell and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
5 VETERANS SERVICES QUARTERLY AND ANNUAL REPORT -
Gary Chalupa, Veterans Services Officer
Gary Chalupa, Veterans Services Officer, appeared and submitted
documentation regarding the Veterans Services Quarterly and
Annual Report (Exhibits A & B).
Chalupa reported the monthly numbers of benefits from the
Veterans Administration have increased $1,900,000 over the last
year because more people are being found. He stated his office
has found 30 people that previously were not using the Veterans
Administration.
Campbell asked Bergman if he has been working with veterans with
regards to the Veterans Hospital.
Bergman indicated the patient census is down and the hospital is
planning on closing the in-patient care, but the outpatient will
stay. Bergman said he hopes to turn the 3rd and
4th floor of the hospital into a Veterans Home. He also
indicated the numbers for CVA are down as far as expenditures for
the County Veterans Aid Fund.
Kroeker reported there is not a tax requested in the budget for
next year for the Veterans' Service Center.
Campbell asked about the grave markers.
Chalupa indicated he has gone through a lot more grave markers
and is ordering them at least once a quarter.
Steinman asked Chalupa to update the Board on the cost of a grave
marker.
Chalupa indicated the Veterans' Center has not yet had to pay for
a grave marker, but when a grave marker will be set, it will be
through Wyuka at Soldier Circle and the cost is around $110 for a
granite marker.
10 CONSENT ITEM
a. Vacation Request from Dave Kroeker for Monday, August 3, 1998
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded approval of the
consent item. On call Svoboda, Campbell, Tussing and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
6 COUNTY EXTENSION COMPUTERS - Gary Bergman, County Extension
Gary Bergman, County Extension, appeared and discussed
documentation regarding office meetings and their purpose,
accomplishments and philosophy as submitted (Exhibit C).
Campbell asked about the County Extension's microcomputer
request.
Ken Kuszak, Information Services, appeared and asked Bergman what
his plans are for the five computers.
Bergman indicated the computers will be for upgrades and to
replace old computers.
Kuszak asked Bergman if he knew which five would be surplused.
Bergman could not answer and stated some of the computers have
been purchased because of interlocal agreements and funds
provided for the personnel.
Kuszak asked if the five computers would go back to the State.
Bergman indicated they will stay in his office or be surplused,
but he wasn't for sure. He stated he has two interns who will be
working this summer that need computers, two who are working with
the University on a summer project and another two at Americorp.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to proceed
with the request from the County Extension and ask
that if any extra computers are not attached to an
agency that they come back to the County and to plan
for the future. On call Svoboda, Tussing, Campbell
and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
7 LINCOLN DOWNTOWN SENIOR CENTER - Reba Schafer,
Lincoln Area Agency on Aging Director; Don Killeen,
County Property Manager
Dave Kroeker indicated the Lincoln Downtown Senior Center has
$20,000 from the County and $20,000 from the City for the
purchase of skywalk access and for the year 2000 and 2001 they
have budgeted $72,500 apiece for a skywalk connector. Kroeker
indicated in the past year's budget they have $18,800 apiece. He
asked Don Killeen, County Property Manager, to explain the
acoustical wall treatment for $12,400 apiece.
Don Killeen, Public Building Commission, appeared and indicated
the items in the current budget is on the front facade of the
Senior Center and to clean up the front of the building, replace
the windows and take out old signs. Killeen also indicated they
want to put in a movable wall partition in the big meeting room.
Kroeker asked if the estimated cost of half of $37,600 from the
County was adequate.
Killeen agreed and also reported the Urban Development Department
tried to move forward with the skywalk this past year, but the
Building & Safety Department identified some problems with one of
the buildings.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to keep the amount
that was budgeted in the capital improvement for the Downtown
Senior Center until it is needed. On call Campbell, Tussing,
Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
9 ACTION ITEMS
b. Purchase of Fax Machine for County Board ($1,600)
Eagan indicated the County Commissioner's fax machine needs a
new drum and the machine has been repaired twice.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded approval of the
purchase of a Fax Machine for the County Board with the
condition that Eagan work on funding the service. On
call Svoboda, Tussing, Campbell and Steinman voted
aye. Motion carried.
c. Interior Design Services by All Makes Office
Equipment for Reconfiguration of County Motor
Vehicles ($1,430)
Eagan indicated this item was already approved for the remodel
and All Makes needs a signature for the reconfiguration services.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to authorize the
Chair to sign for the interior design services. On call
Tussing, Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
d. Request from U.S. Postal Service to Place a
Directional Sign for Walton Post Office on NE & NW
Corners of 112th Street and "A" Street
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded approval of the
request from the U.S. Postal Service to place a directional
sign for the Walton Post Office on the NE & NW corners of
112th Street and "A" Street.
Campbell asked if Don Thomas, County Engineer, needed to review the request.
Eagan indicated the County Engineer had some concerns with
regards to the intersection. Eagan suggested to the County Board
to respond to the letter from the Post Office and ask them to
provide any information the County Engineer had requested.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to modify the
motion and request that the U.S. Postal Service provide
any information the County Engineer has requested
regarding the intersection. On call Tussing, Svoboda,
Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
e. County Board Representative for NACO's Health &
Human Services Committee
Steinman indicated the Board needs to wait until it is determined
who will be on the Region V Board.
Tussing reported the next meeting will be the first Thursday in September.
f. Response to FEMA's Request for Information
Regarding 5-year Map Update for Flood Insurance Maps
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to ratify the
response to FEMA's request for information regarding 5-year
map update for flood insurance maps. On call Campbell,
Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
11 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Reappointment of Kathy Campbell to Public Building
Commission
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded to reappoint Kathy
Campbell to the Public Building Commission. On call Tussing,
Svoboda, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
b. Letter to Michael Carpenter from George W. Neubert,
Director of Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery &
Sculpture Garden
Steinman indicated George Neubert read the Omaha World Herald
regarding the Douglas County Board's recent distribution of
hotel/motel tax revenue.
Eagan stated the extra money is for capital improvements and the
money went to the Symphony Hall, which Lincoln does not have. He
indicated he would speak with Michael Carpenter and tell him the
County Board is not interested in a hotel/motel tax.
Campbell indicated to ask the Visitors & Promotions Committee,
enlight of Mr. Neubert's question and the article from the World
Herald, to look into the Legislation and give the County Board
some advice because the last time the issue arose the lodging
people were not in favor of it.
8 EXECUTIVE SESSION (PERSONNEL MATTER)
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to enter into
Executive Session at 10:03 a.m. for discussion of a
personnel matter. On call Svoboda, Campbell, Tussing
and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to exit Executive
Session at 10:44 a.m. On call Campbell, Svoboda, Tussing and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
19 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
Steinman indicated a statement would like to be given on behalf
of the Lancaster County Board regarding the resignations of Les
Myers and Carol Witfoth. "The Board has monitored Emergency
Services over a long period of time and as a result of our
review, we have determined there were serious problems with the
leadership of Emergency Services. The County Board lost
confidence in the ability of the Director and the Deputy Director
to lead this agency effectively and therefore we ask for their
resignations. In agreement with the City of Lincoln, Julie
Ryder, Director of Emergency Communications, assumed
responsibility for Emergency Services when the resignations
became effective. At the County Board meeting on Tuesday, August
4, 1998, the Board will formally appoint Captain Doug Ahlberg of
the Lincoln Police Department pursuant to an agreement with the
City as interim director of Emergency Services. The County Board
will convene a committee to look at the long-term structure and
operations of Emergency Services."
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded to accept the
resignation of Les Myers and ratify the letter of acceptance
with one month's severance or 160 hours and the County share
of three months of health and dental premiums beginning
August 1, 1998. On call Tussing, Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
Eagan indicated Carol Witfoth is of retirement age and if she
chooses to exercise her retirement rights it would be implicit in
the motion that she would be entitled to any benefits.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Svoboda seconded to accept the
resignation of Carol Witfoth and ratify the letter of
acceptance with the understanding that she may exercise
her county retirement rights. On call Tussing, Svoboda,
Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
2 ADDITION TO THE AGENDA
e. Item Regarding Commissioner Tussing
Campbell indicated the County Management Team gave a gift to
Darlene Tussing to buy something for herself.
14 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Chamber Agricultural Committee - Thursday, July 30,
1998, at 12:00 p.m., at State Fair Park, Beef Pit -
Hudkins
b. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, July 30,
1998, at 1:00 p.m., at the County-City Building,
Room #106 - Hudkins
c. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tuesday, August 4,
1998, at 7:00 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Room #106 - ?
d. Justice Operations - Wednesday, August 5, 1998, at
12:00 p.m., at the County-City Building, Room #106
- Campbell
15 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
16 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
a. Letter from State Department of Roads re: Widening
of Highway 34 (from 8th Street to Eagle)
17 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
18 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 4,1998
a. Appointment of Andrew Strotman, Peter Katt and Sean
Brennan to Indigent Defense Advisory Committee
20 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