Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
Thursday, August 6, 1998 - 8:00 a.m.
County-City Building - Meeting Room #113
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 30, 1998
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:00am COUNTY BOARD ORIENTATION FOR BERNIE HEIER
4 8:30am HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE - Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager
5 9:00am FIRE DISTRICT BUDGETS; COUNTY BUDGET
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer
6 9:30am REVIEW OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
Cpt. Doug Ahlberg, Interim Emergency Services Director
7 10:15am PROPOSED CONTRACT FOR SERVICES & SITE REVIEW FOR
NEW ATTENTION CENTER - Jim Hille, Sinclair Hille
8 10:45am SPEED LIMIT SIGNS IN COUNTY
Don Thomas, Lancaster County Engineer
9 ACTION ITEMS
a. Reimbursement of Reynolds Davis for Purchase of Radio
Transmitter, $264.99
b. Request from Big Red Keno to Move Two (2) Terminals
from the Grandstand to the Beer Garden from August 28
to September 7, 1998
10 CONSENT ITEMS
11 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Request from Marilyn Gorhman to Use Jail Crew for
Children's Museum
b. Planning Commissioner Appointment
12 PENDING
13 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Ecological Advisory Committee - Campbell
14 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Technology Committee - Thursday, August 6, 1998, at
12:00 p.m., at the Old Federal Building, Judge
Cheuvront's Jury Room - Steinman
b. Public Building Committee - Monday, August 10, 1998, at
6:00 p.m., at County-City Building, Room #113 - Campbell,
Hudkins
c. Public Hearing re: Budget - Tuesday, August 11, 1998, at
7:00 a.m., at the County-City Building, Commissioners
Hearing Room - All Commissioners
d. Board of Health - Tuesday, August 11, 1998, at 7:30 p.m.,
at 3119 "O" Street - Hudkins
15 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
16 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
17 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
18 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 11, 1998
19 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
County-City Building
Meeting Room #113
Thursday, August 6, 1998
8:30 a.m.
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Larry Hudkins
Bernie Heier
Commissioners Absent: Steve Svoboda
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 JULY 30, 1998.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded approval of the minutes.
Campbell requested that the corrections be made to Item 13b in the minutes.
Change Sentence 2 to read:
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.
Change Sentence 5 to read:
She said the question is whether there needs to be more inventory
and how to service the inventory with infrastructure.
ROLL CALL: Hudkins, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Heier abstained from
voting. Motion passed.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Vacation Request from Dennis Banks, Attention
Center Director, for August 5 - 20
b. Request from the Nebraska Association of County
Officials (NACO) for Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal
Officer, to Serve on a Committee Analyzing the
Potential Impact of a Proposed Tax Limitation
Constitutional Amendment
c. Executive Session - Labor Negotiations
d. Community Based Human Services Meeting (Board
Member Meetings)
e. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (Board
Member Meetings)
f. Letter Concerning Conditions on 84th Street
g. Update on Complaints Made at the Board of
Equalization Hearings with Regards to Junked Cars
h. General Assistance Changes
i. Agricultural Society Events Center Location
MOTION: Campbell and Hudkins seconded to approve the
additions to the agenda. On call Campbell,
Hudkins, Heier and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
3 COUNTY BOARD ORIENTATION FOR BERNIE HEIER
The Board invited Heier to visit informally with members of the
County Board and their staff during lunch on September 15th.
Board consensus to schedule tours of County facilities and
briefings by each of the elected officials and directors after
the first of the year.
4 HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE - Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager;
Ron Todd, Personnel Director; Bill Thoreson, Benefits Specialist
Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager, reported that representatives of
Bryan/LGH and Mutual of Omaha will be meeting later in the day to
discuss a number issues, including payment of claims. The
City/County Insurance Committee will also be meeting in the
afternoon with representatives of Arthur Anderson Consulting, to
discuss the Request for Proposals (RFP) results. Kostner stated
that he will report on those meetings at the Thursday, August
13th County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Kostner reported that informational meetings are scheduled to be
held in Meeting Room #113 on:
August 31st 2-3 p.m.
October 28th 2-3 p.m.
December 28th 2-3 p.m.
The Board requested Eagan to draft a letter from the County Board
that can be sent in response to complaints received from
employees with regards to Mutual of Omaha, noting that their
letters will be forwarded to the Personnel Department for tracking.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
c. Executive Session - Labor Negotiations - Ron Todd,
Personnel Director; John Cripe, Compensation
Manager
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded to
enter Executive Session at 8:35 a.m. for
the purpose of labor negotiations. On call
Hudkins, Campbell, Heier and Steinman voted
aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded to exit
Executive Session at 9:23 a.m. On call Hudkins,
Campbell, Heier and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
5 FIRE DISTRICT BUDGETS, COUNTY BUDGET -
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, briefly reviewed
Lancaster County Allocation of Levy, FY 98 Tax & Levy
Information on Lancaster County Fire Districts and
Budget Analysis - FY99 Preliminary Budget for the Bennet,
Hallam, Hickman, Highland, Malcolm, Raymond, Southeast, Southwest
and Waverly Fire Districts (Exhibit A), noting that the maximum
levy allocation that will be available to the Fire Districts is
.095 cents. He noted that the Malcolm, Raymond and Southeast
Fire Districts will exceed that allocation.
In response to a question from Hudkins, Kroeker stated that
he has encouraged the fire districts to include their debt
service in their budgets.
Kroeker suggested that the County Board meet with
representatives of the Malcolm, Raymond and Southeast Fire
Districts to discuss their budgets.
Board consensus to schedule a meeting with those fire
districts and boards on Tuesday, August 11th at 9 a.m.
in Meeting Room #113.
Kroeker also reported that Moody's Standards & Poors had
indicated in a phone conversation that LB 1114, which changes
limits on property tax levies for governmental subdivisions,
could have an impact on the County's bond rating.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to send a
memorandum to the Lancaster Senate Delegation
outlining the conversation with Moody's Standards &
Poors in which potential problems with the County's
bond rating were discussed, due to the effects of
LB 1114. On call Campbell, Hudkins, Heier and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
Kroeker distributed copies of the Lancaster County Agricultural Society
Budget (Exhibit B) for the Board's review.
Board consensus to also meet with representatives of Agricultural
Society on Tuesday, August 11th at 9 a.m. in Meeting Room #113.
Kroeker presented a draft of a Notice of Special Hearing
to Set Final Tax Request for Lancaster County and
Notice of Special Hearing to Set Final Tax Request for the
Lancaster County Rural Library (Exhibit C). He projected that
figures will be finalized by September 1, once the final property
value has been determined. He suggested that the public hearing
on the final tax request be scheduled at that time, with adoption
the following week.
The Board concurred with Kroeker's suggestion.
Kroeker distributed copies of a letter received from Juvenile
Court Judge Tom Dawson regarding reductions in the Juvenile Court
Budget in the categories of attorney fees and boarding home
contracts (Exhibit D).
Board consensus to review the allocations for those categories at
the Mid Year Budget Review.
Steinman read a separate letter received from Judge Dawson which
detailed the number and type of Juvenile Court filings through
June, 1998.
Heier requested that clarification of filing codes be provided on
future documents.
Campbell suggested that copies of Judge Dawson's letter and
minutes of the meeting held with the Juvenile Court Judges be
made available at the Juvenile Justice Comprehensive Plan Policy
meeting scheduled with Karen Chinn, Chinn Planning, Inc., on
August 26th.
Kroeker also distributed a handout of the Lancaster County
1998-99 Proposed Budget; Lancaster County FY99 Proposed
Budget Total Expenditure Allocation; Lancaster County FY99
Proposed Budget Allocation of Restricted Revenues & Inheritance
Tax and Lancaster County FY99 Proposed Receipts &
Expenditures for Judicial/Public Safety, General Government,
Human Services and Public Works (Exhibit E).
6 REVIEW OF EMERGENCY SERVICES - Police Captain Doug
Ahlberg, Interim Emergency Services Director;
Larry Bare, City Finance Director; Reynolds
Davis, County Storm Spotters
Brief discussion took place on formation of an Executive
Committee to review the operation, organization and staffing of
Emergency Services and make recommendations to the County Board,
City Council and the Mayor of Lincoln.
Executive Committee membership will be composed of
representatives of the following:
Lincoln Police Department
Lincoln Fire Department
911 Center
Public Works
City Council/City Administration
City Attorney
County Sheriff
County Engineering Department
Mutual Aid
County Attorney
County Board
Ham Radio Operator Volunteers/Storm Spotters
Emergency Services Advisory Committee
The Board requested that a representative of the Nebraska
Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) serve in an ex-officio
capacity on the Executive Committee and that Police Captain Doug
Ahlberg, Interim Emergency Services Director, serve as facilitator.
Representatives of the following were also requested to serve
in an advisory capacity:
Lincoln Electric System (LES)
Natural Resources District (NRD)
Nebraska State Patrol
Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department
Building & Safety Department
Parks & Recreation Department
Citizens Information Center
Lincoln Area Agency on Aging
Community Mental Health Center
Rural/Metro Medical Services
American Red Cross
Salvation Army Social Services/United Way (Volunteer Coordinators)
National Guard
National Weather Services
Emergency Preparedness Committee
Lincoln Airport Authority
Lincoln Area Hospitals
The Board also requested that individuals who have expressed
interest in serving or providing assistance to the committee be
placed on the distribution list for meeting notices, agendas and minutes.
Police Captain Doug Ahlberg, Interim Emergency Services
Director, noted that he will also be meeting with the
groups that those individuals represent to seek their collective
input, which he will in turn relay to the Executive Committee.
The Board requested Eagan to send a letter from the Board to the
aforementioned parties initiating formation of the Executive Committee.
Campbell noted that Rural/Metro Medical Services has indicated
interest in making a proposal to privatize 911/Emergency Services.
Larry Bare, City Finance Director, stated that the City of
Lincoln would oppose any efforts to relinquish control of City
Emergency Services resources to a private entity.
Eagan noted that State and Federal laws may prohibit
privatization of those services.
ACTION ITEMS
a. Reimbursement of Reynolds Davis, County Storm
Spotters, for Purchase of Radio Transmitter,
$264.99
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded approval.
On call Hudkins, Campbell, Heier and Steinman voted
aye. Motion carried.
7 PROPOSED CONTRACT FOR SERVICES & SITE REVIEW FOR
NEW ATTENTION CENTER - Jim Hille, Sinclair
Hille & Associates Inc.; Dennis Banks, Attention
Center; Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
Site Selection
Jim Hille, Sinclair Hille & Associates Inc., reported that a
letter was mailed on June 1st to prospective realtors
indicating that the County Board was considering construction of
a new Juvenile Detention Facility and acquisition of a track of
land, at least 15 acres in size, for location of the facility
(Exhibits F & G). He reported that two parties had responded to
the letter, suggesting the following sites:
26 acres on W Rokeby Road
98 acres on NW 12th Street
Hille noted that distance from Lincoln is a key issue with
regards to the W Rokeby Road site and cost is a prohibitive
factor for acquisition of the NW 12th Street site.
In response to a question from Heier, Hille stated that the
majority of youth that will be housed in the facility are either
pre-adjudicated or will be serving out fines. He noted that
location in close proximity to Lincoln is desired for easy
accessibility to the courts, legal counsel, law enforcement,
families, volunteers and community services. Hille indicated
that consideration is also being given to the holding of Juvenile
Court arraignments and establishment of an Assessment Center
within the facility.
Hille recommended that the Board request the Public Works
Department to assess the feasibility of utility services for the
initial site option, 25 acres owned by Lincoln Public Schools in
the Yankee Hill region.
Hille suggested that he be allowed to request, on behalf of the
County Board, the Public Works Department to make a cost
determination for a potential assessment district for providing
sewers to the Lincoln Public Schools' site, as part of the
evaluation process.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Heier seconded to authorize Jim Hille,
Sinclair Hille & Associates Inc., to make that request of
the Public Works Department, on behalf of the County Board, and
to authorize Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, to
draft a letter of accompaniment from the County Board, if required.
On call Hudkins, Heier, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion
carried.
Campbell suggested that if the site is deemed feasible following
the assessment of the sewer situation, the Yankee Hill
Neighborhood Association should be apprised of the possible
location of the Attention Center on that site.
Eagan noted that the water and sewage system in the Yankee Hill
area has been problematic and suggested that the Yankee Hill
Neighborhood Association may be willing to assist in finding a
solution that is beneficial to everyone.
Architectural/Engineering Contract
Hille briefly reported on contract negotiations to proceed with
Phase III of the Juvenile Justice System Three Phase Needs
Assessment Study (Exhibit F). He noted that responsibility for
specialty consultants is included in the basic services contract.
Hille recommended the selection of Farris Engineering, Inc. of
Omaha, as project engineer, due to their expertise in
construction of correctional facilities.
In response to a question from Hudkins, Hille noted that
engineering costs for correctional work are traditionally higher,
due to liability issues.
Hille noted that discussions have been based on the assumption
that the Phase II - Operational & Architectural Program is the
basis of the scope of the work and establishes a maximum budget
for the project and that the secure detention and staff-secure
facilities are to be co-located on one site.
Dennis Banks, Attention Center Director, stated that location of
the secure detention and staff-secure facilities on one campus
would create efficiencies in operation and staffing and would
provide greater adaptability for the future needs.
Campbell stated that the possibility of renovating the existing
facility to serve as a staff-secure facility was included in
recent discussions and further clarification of the budget is
needed by Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, before the Board
can offer direction on how to proceed.
Steinman noted that a decision has not yet been made on whether
or not to contract out for the administration of the staff-secure
facility, which is also a cost consideration.
Board consensus to schedule a work session on September 15th,
from 9 to 11 a.m. with Hille, Banks and Kroeker to review Phase
II costs and clarify the budget.
Hille proposed selection of Greg Pettibone, Property Management,
to represent the interests of the Attention Center, provide daily
on-site representation and to serve as the "Owner's Project
Manager" through the process. He noted this will require a
re-allocation of Pettibone's time, which is an additional cost
consideration.
8 SPEED LIMIT SIGNS IN THE COUNTY -
Don Thomas, Lancaster County Engineer
Don Thomas, Lancaster County Engineer, appeared, at the Board's
request, to provide further clarification on proposed removal of
eight and installation of forty additional "55 Mile Per Hour"
speed limit signs at locations within the County (19981770).
Thomas explained that the State Legislature passed legislation in
1996 creating elevated speed limits on non-state highways. In
response to that legislation, the County established a policy
that requires posting of "55 Mile Per Hour" speed limit signs on
county roads where legal speed resumes, such as leaving a
village, and where traffic enters a county road from a state highway.
In response to a question from Hudkins, Thomas stated leaving the
eight signs proposed for removal in place would not be in
compliance with County policy and could be a liability concern.
Thomas noted that the State's policy on speed limit signs and
state route markers requires placement at four to seven mile
intervals. He indicated that motorists turning off of a state
highway should continue to travel at 55 mph until a different
posted limit is indicated.
Hudkins inquired whether the County will still be in compliance
with that policy if the County proceeds with removal of the eight
speed limits signs as proposed by the Engineering Department.
Thomas stated no, that removal of the signage on North
14th Street would exceed the State's policy. He
suggested that the County may wish to expand its policy to
include an interval requirement.
The Board requested Thomas to reassess the following locations
and report to the Board at the Tuesday, August 11th
County Board of Commissioners meeting:
North 14th Street north of McKelvie Road for northbound traffic
North 14th Street south of McKelvie Road for southbound traffic
North 14th Street north of Alvo Road for northbound traffic
North 14th Street south of Alvo Road for southbound traffic
9 ACTION ITEMS
a. Reimbursement of Reynolds Davis, County Storm
Spotters, for Purchase of Radio Transmitter, $264.99
Item moved forward on the agenda.
b. Request from Big Red Keno to Move Two (2) Terminals
at the State Fairgrounds from the Grandstand to the
Beer Garden from August 28 to September 7, 1998
MOTION: Heier moved and Hudkins seconded approval. On call Heier,
Hudkins, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
10 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Request from Marilyn Gorhman, Lincoln Children's
Museum Executive Director, to Use Jail Crew for the
Children's Museum
Eagan reported that the County Attorney is reviewing the request.
b. Planning Commission Appointment
Board consensus to forward Gary Krieser's name for consideration.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Vacation Request from Dennis Banks, Attention
Center Director, for August 5 - 20
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded approval.
On call Hudkins, Campbell, Heier and Steinman voted
aye. Motion carried.
b. Request from the Nebraska Association of County
Officials (NACO) for Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal
Officer, to Serve on the Tax Limitation
Constitutional Amendment Budget Committee
Brief discussion took place on the request from Nebraska
Association of County Officials (NACO) for Dave Kroeker, Budget &
Fiscal Officer, to serve on the Tax Limitation Constitutional
Amendment Budget Committee, with Board consensus to authorize
Kroeker to provide information to the Committee with regards to
the impact of the proposed constitutional amendment on Lancaster
County, rather than serve in an official capacity (Exhibit H).
Hudkins reported that the Nebraska Association of County
Officials (NACO) Board of Directors approved a resolution in
opposition to the proposed tax limitation constitutional
amendment and approved NACO's participation in and a $10,000
contribution, received through dues funds, to the "Nebraskans for
the Good Life" coalition which was formed to oppose the amendment
(Exhibit I).
f. Letter Concerning Conditions on 84th Street
The Board requested that a letter from June Simpson, citizen,
regarding conditions on 84th Street be referred to the
Public Works Department for a response.
g. Update on Complaints Made at the Board of
Equalization Hearings with Regards to Junked Cars
Campbell reported that the City of Lincoln has sent a 30 day
clean-up notice to the owner of property on Euclid Street and
will follow-up on a report of junked cars stored at a Harwood
Street address in response to complaints noted at the Board of
Equalization Hearings.
Campbell also reported that Urban Development has closed their
file on property located at 1850 Harwood Street.
h. General Assistance Changes
Campbell reported that the August meeting of the General
Assistance Monitoring Committee was re-scheduled for September
15th. She noted that General Assistance changes will be
discussed at that time.
11 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Ecological Advisory Committee - Campbell
Campbell reported that David Sands, Audubon Nebraska Executive
Director, presented information on plans by the Audubon Nebraska
to develop a prairie education and research center on the O'Brien
Ranch property near Denton, Nebraska.
Campbell also reported that a preliminary report on the Wilderness
Park Ecological Study report was received, noting that four rare
species of birds were reported to be nesting in the park.
b. Community Based Human Services Meeting - Steinman
Steinman reported that Executive Committee membership, scope of
services and a time line for the Steering Committee were discussed.
c. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development - Steinman
Steinman reported that items of discussion included:
City Budget
City Libraries
South 70th Street Project
Internet Website for Lincoln Jobs
12 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Technology Committee - Thursday, August 6, 1998, at
12 p.m., at the Old Federal Building, Judge
Cheuvront's Jury Room - Steinman
b. Public Building Committee - Monday, August 10,
1998, at 6 p.m., at the County-City Building, Room
#113 - Campbell, Hudkins
c. Public Hearing Regarding the Budget - Tuesday,
August 11, 1998, at 7 p.m., at the County-City
Building, Commissioners Hearing Room - All
Commissioners
d. Board of Health - Tuesday, August 11, 1998, at 7:30
p.m., at 3119 "O" Street - Hudkins
13 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
14 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
15 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
16 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 11, 1998
17 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
18 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk