Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
Thursday, August 27, 1998 - 8:00 a.m.
County-City Building - Meeting Room #113
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 20, 1998
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:00am COMMISSIONERS MEETING REPORTS
4 8:30am HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE; VISION PLAN UPDATE
Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager
5 9:00am SPECIAL PERMIT NO. 160 (TEMPORARY MOBILE HOME AT 110TH &
STAGECOACH ROAD); CHANGE OF ZONE NO. 179, SPECIAL PERMIT
NO. 157, & PRELIMINARY PLAT NO 98005 (YANKEE HILL ACRES);
SPECIAL PERMIT NO. 155 & PRELIMINARY PLAT NO. 98020
(COUNTRY ESTATE, S.W. 29TH & ROCA ROAD)
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department
6 9:30am EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER MODIFICATIONS
Doug Ahlberg, Interim Emergency Services Director
7 9:45am BAILIFF BENEFITS; POST EMPLOYMENT HEALTH PLAN (PEHP) FOR
UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES
John Cripe, Classification & Pay Manager
8 10:15am FEDERAL GRANT FOR PURCHASE OF COMPUTERS FOR RURAL
TRANSIT PROGRAM -
Tim Howell, Rural Transit Director
9 10:30am LABOR NEGOTIATIONS (EXECUTIVE SESSION)
John Cripe, Classification & Pay Manager;
Diane Staab, Chief Deputy County Attorney
10 ACTION ITEMS
a. Registration for Fall Meeting of the Southeast
District Nebraska Association of County Officials
(Thursday, September 10, 1998)
b. Vacancy of Southeast District Representative for
Nebraska Association of County Officials Board of
Directors
11 CONSENT ITEMS
12 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Appointment of Planning Commissioner
b. Special Permits - Mining Operations
c. Chamber of Commerce's Celebrate Business Luncheon
(Wednesday, September 16, 1998)
13 PENDING
14 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Campbell
b. Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
c. Information Services Policy Committee - Steinman
d. District Energy Corporation - Hudkins, Svoboda
e. Budget Monitoring Committee - Campbell, Steinman
f. Community Mental Health Center Advisory Committee -
Svoboda
15 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, August 27,
1998, at 1:00 p.m, at the County-City Building, Room
#106 - Hudkins
b. City-County Super Common - Friday, August 28, 1998, at
8:00 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Yankee Hill II
Room - All Commissioners
c. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tuesday, September 1,
1998, at 7:00 a.m., at the County-City Building, Room
#106 - Campbell, Heier
16 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Professional Development Luncheon - Tuesday, September
22, 1998, at 11:30 p.m., at the Lancaster County
Extension Office Conference Center, 444 Cherrycreek Rd
17 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
18 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
19 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 1, 1998
20 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
County-City Building
Meeting Room #113
Thursday, August 27, 1998
8:00 a.m.
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Larry Hudkins
Commissioners Absent: Steve Svoboda
Bernie Heier
Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
Ann Taylor, County Clerk's Office
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
OF AUGUST 20, 1998.
Campbell requested the following corrections to the minutes:
Page 5, Item 6, Paragraph 7
Campbell indicated the County Board needs to sit down with the
County Attorney, Public Defender and the Personnel Department to
devise comparability criteria for use by the Board when
considering attorneys' salaries.
Page 6, Item 6, Paragraph 1, Line 2
Lacey indicated that he would like to base attorneys' salaries on
those offered by Capital cities comparable in size to Lincoln.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded approval of the minutes,
with those corrections. On call Campbell, Hudkins and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Letter from "Prairie Ridge" Property Owners
Regarding Accuracy of Addresses
b. Nealrene Acres
c. Coupe De Ville Heights
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded approval of the additions
to the agenda. On call Campbell, Hudkins and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
3 COMMISSIONERS MEETING REPORTS (Item 12)
a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Campbell
Campbell reported that a proposal to amend Lancaster Manor's
smoking policy to also prohibit smoking on the facility's grounds
was discussed. Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Administrator,
had opposed total restriction of the right of residents to smoke
in their home environment, suggesting that a portion of the
courtyard, which could be covered, be designated the smoking area
instead of the area in front of the building.
b. Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
Eagan reported that the possibility of an arena football league
team locating in Lincoln was discussed.
Campbell suggested that arena football may be an appropriate use
of the Agricultural Society's Events Center.
Eagan also reported that the County Attorney has determined that
a grant application related to a Jehovah's Witnesses conference
meets the criteria for funding. He noted that the County
Attorney had also indicated that direct rent subsidies may exceed
the authority granted under the Visitors Promotion Act to
generally attract visitors.
c. Information Services Policy Committee - Steinman
Steinman reported the Corrections Department's new Inmate Management
System is projected to be completed by the first of the year.
Steinman also reported that cost overruns totaling approximately
$30,000 are anticipated for the Tesseract County Payroll System.
Completion of the project is estimated for January 1, 1999.
4 HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE; VISION PLAN UPDATE -
Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager; Ron Todd, Personnel Director;
Bill Thoreson, Benefits Specialist;
Steve Hubka, City Budget Officer
Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager, reported that the City unions
have all voted on the proposed City health and dental plan
offered by United HealthCare/Ameritas. Further information on
the results of those votes will be made available next week.
Kostner briefly reviewed the United HealthCare Managed Health Care
Proposal for Lancaster County, noting that all of the Mutual of
Omaha Clinic doctors have been accredited under the new plan. He also
reviewed a handout detailing current and proposed health insurance rates,
Ameritas dental plan rates and benefits, a list of participating dentists
and a copy of a letter from Mutual of Omaha regarding their negotiations
with Bryan/LGH Health System.
Ron Todd, Personnel Director, noted that employees will benefit
from a slight reduction in rates under the new plan.
In response to a question from Steinman, Kostner stated that the
rates offered to the County were not contingent upon the City's
acceptance of the plan offered to their employees.
The Board requested that the Personnel Department and representatives
of United Health/Care present an update on the insurance proposal to
members of the Management Team at a meeting scheduled for Thursday,
September 3rd at 7:30 a.m. in Room #113. A similar meeting
will be scheduled with Union representatives later that day.
In response to a request from Hudkins, Kostner agreed to check
with United Health/Care on whether employees' physicians that are
not currently on the list of providers will receive notification
on how to become accredited under the plan.
Kostner briefly reviewed the Vision Service Plan Plans and
Rates, noting that all of the cost would be borne by the
employees that elect to participate in the plan.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded to authorize the Personnel
Department to proceed with the Vision Service Plan. On call
Hudkins, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
Eagan suggested that the County and City coordinate their Open
Enrollment periods.
Kostner noted that there will be a slight adjustment of rates should the
Board elect to change the time period of coverage to a calendar year.
The Board indicated that would be their preference.
Kostner also reported that employee benefits information will
soon be available on the County and City Internet website.
5 SPECIAL PERMIT NO. 160 (TEMPORARY MOBILE HOME AT 110TH &
STAGECOACH ROAD); CHANGE OF ZONE NO. 179, SPECIAL PERMIT NO. 157
& PRELIMINARY PLAT NO. 98005 (YANKEE HILL ACRES); SPECIAL PERMIT
NO. 155 & PRELIMINARY PLAT NO. 98020 (COUNTRY ESTATES, SW 29TH
& ROCA ROAD) - Mike DeKalb, Planning Department
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department, briefly reviewed Special Permit
No. 160, a request to locate and live temporarily in a second residence
mobile home on a lot located on S 110th Street and Stagecoach Road, for
health related reasons. He noted that initial opposition to the request,
due to previous problems in the area with junkyards and trailer homes, had
diminished somewhat once neighbors were apprised of the health related
nature of the request and the one year renewable terms of the
permit. DeKalb also noted that some of the visual related
concerns have been addressed by the applicant.
Campbell noted concern that the age of the individual requesting the
health care assistance could result in long-term placement of the
mobile home on the property.
DeKalb agreed that permits issued in the past have been for more
critical care needs.
DeKalb reviewed County Special Permit No. 155 and County Preliminary
Plat No. 98020, a request for a Community Unit Plan to develop 10
lots at a location of SW 29th and W Roca Road. He noted that the
County Engineer has requested that property owners relinquish all
access, except the main entrance off the new road, but the owner/
applicant would like to retain farm access to the balance of the
outlot on the north portion of the property.
Campbell suggested that "Sweet Spots", indicating areas the
County Board has deemed suitable for additional acreage development,
be indicated on the Comprehensive Plan maps, after consultation
with the County Engineer, County Sheriff and school districts.
DeKalb also reviewed County Change of Zone 179, Special Permit No. 157
and Preliminary Plat No. 98005 (Yankee Hill Acres), a request to
develop 15 lots, at least five acres in size, next to Yankee Hill Lake.
DeKalb stated that this request would fit within the County
Board's policy of approving acreage development along Denton
Road. He noted, however, that both the County Engineer and
Planning Department would oppose any acreage development in
excess of one half mile north or south of Denton Road, due to the
lack of an adequate road system.
Campbell suggested that the County Board share information at a
Commons meeting with the City Council on issues that were raised
when the Board when considered acreage development around County
lakes and the resulting conditions imposed on development to
prepare them for when jurisdictions involving those areas change.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
c. Coupe De Ville Heights
DeKalb reported that the application has been revised to include
roads in the north and south sections of the property, eliminate
one lot, increase the size of the remaining lots to more than
five acres, and reduce the number of outlots to one in the
northwest corner. He noted that the County Engineer is currently
reviewing road grading plans submitted in the revision.
6 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER MODIFICATIONS
Doug Ahlberg, Interim Emergency Services Director
Doug Ahlberg, Interim Emergency Services Director,
distributed an excerpt of the minutes of the August 6th
County Board of Commissioners meeting, on which he had added
suggestions of representatives to serve on the Executive
Committee or in an advisory capacity.
Following a brief discussion, the Board requested that Melba
Scott, Harland Johnson, Richard Semm and Scott Young be asked to
serve in an advisory capacity as representatives of the community
and that Darrell Podany, United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster
County, serve as a volunteer representative. The Board also
requested that Bill Pugsley, Assistant Chief for
Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department Environmental Health
Division, serve directly on the Executive Committee.
Discussion followed on whether a member of the County Board
and a member of the City Council should serve directly on the
Executive Committee. Hudkins supported direct or ex-officio
representation, noting that the those representatives
could then report directly to their respective bodies. Campbell
disagreed, stating that since the County Board and City Council
will ultimately be responsible for making decisions that impact
Wilderness Park, they should refrain from direct participation in
the recommendation process.
The Board requested that minutes of the meetings of the Executive
Committee be made available to the two bodies and agreed that
each body could name representatives to serve on the Executive
Committee. Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, and Dave
Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, were suggested to serve as the
Board's representatives and Larry Bare, City Finance
Director, as a representative of the City Council and Mayor.
The Board also approved a draft of a letter initiating
formation of the Executive Committee.
Ahlberg requested authorization to purchase a conference table with
telephone jacks from Contemporary Woods at the 1996 bid price of $751.00.
Kroeker stated that the sufficient funds were available in the
budget, due to salary savings resulting from the resignation of
the Emergency Services Assistant Director.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to authorize the expenditure
of funds for a conference table and other expenditures for
Emergency Services, with the concurrence of Kerry Eagan, Chief
Administrative Officer, and Dave Kroeker, Budget &
Fiscal Officer. On call Campbell, Hudkins
and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
Ahlberg also reported on the design of a logo patch for volunteers and
computer software and touchpad to increase efficiency of storm reporting.
7 BAILIFF BENEFITS; POST EMPLOYMENT HEALTH PLAN (PEHP)
FOR UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES - John Cripe,
Classification & Pay Manager; Diane Staab,
Deputy County Attorney
John Cripe, Classification & Pay Manager, stated that past
practice has been to exclude bailiffs from a benefits structure,
as they receive time off work comparable to the judges they
serve. Pay for any additional time missed from work of short
duration has been at the judges' discretion.
Cripe noted, however, that a situation has arisen where the
the District Court Referee's bailiff will be taking an extended
maternity leave and a temporary replacement will need to be
hired, with a two week overlap of schedules to allow for
training. He recommended that County grant the bailiff the six
weeks of paid maternity leave afforded to other County employees
and authorize hiring of a temporary replacement.
Steinman suggested that discussions regarding benefits for bailiffs
include proposed expansion of duties for at least one of the
bailiffs to perform Court Administrator and receptionist functions.
Cripe noted that bailiffs are defined as unclassified employees
in the State Statutes and expanding the scope of their duties
could be difficult, although it could be a point of negotiation
in discussions regarding a benefits package.
In response to a question from Hudkins, Cripe stated that the
County currently prorates benefits for employees that work more
than 20 hours per week.
Cripe suggested that the County draft a resolution clearly
defining which benefits directors and other appointed positions
may accrue and may be paid upon termination of employment. He
noted that the policy could provide the County with the
flexibility to grant new appointees benefits greater than an
accrual basis as incentive to employment.
The Board requested that Personnel conduct further study of
the number of hours worked by bailiffs.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to accept the
recommendation of the Personnel Department with regards
to six weeks of paid maternity leave for Shari Lampe,
Bailiff I, and hiring of a temporary employee, allowing
a two week overlap for training purposes. On call
Campbell, Hudkins and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
8 FEDERAL GRANT FOR PURCHASE OF COMPUTERS FOR RURAL
TRANSIT PROGRAM - Tim Howell, Rural Transit Director
Tim Howell, Rural Transit Director, reported that the Rural
Transit System has an opportunity to purchase a computer and
printer through the Nebraska Department of Roads Capital Program.
The State will fund 80 percent of the cost and the County will be
required provide a 20 percent match in the amount of $406.40.
Howell noted that participation in the program will provide
statewide accessibility of reports and statistical information.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to accept
the offer to participate in the Nebraska Department
of Roads Capital Program, to authorize the County's
portion of funding in the amount of $406.40 and to
authorize the Chair to sign the application for
public transportation assistance. On call Campbell,
Hudkins and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Letter from "Prairie Ridge" Property Owners
Regarding Accuracy of Addresses
Larry Worrell, County Surveyor, reported on a request from the
owners of 20 acre tracts of land on N 1st Street to deed
the half mile driveway leading to their properties to the County
and rename it "Prairie Ridge Lane", thereby providing individual
addresses for the property owners. He noted that construction
has only been initiated on one of the properties.
Worrell recommended denial of the request until such time as the
area has been platted and a private roadway created with a public
access easement.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to authorize
Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, in consultation
with Larry Worrell, County Surveyor, to respond to the letter
from the property owners, noting that the Board has denied
their request and stipulating the conditions under which the
County would accept deed to the road. On call Campbell,
Hudkins and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
b. Special Permits - Mining (Excavating) Operations
Larry Worrell, County Surveyor, reported briefly on a situation
in which dirt was being excavated and hauled for commercial use
from a dairy farm on S 1st Street and W Pioneers
Boulevard, resulting in damage to the road. He suggested that
zoning regulations be amended to include a Special Permit that
would regulate commercial soil excavation within the County and
the three mile zoning jurisdiction.
The Board requested that Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney;
Mike DeKalb, Planning; and Larry Worrell, County Surveyor work
together to draft the amendment.
9 LABOR NEGOTIATIONS (EXECUTIVE SESSION) -
John Cripe, Classification & Pay Manager;
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to enter
Executive Session at 10:50 a.m. for the purpose of
labor negotiations. On call Campbell, Hudkins and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to exit
Executive Session at 11:25 a.m. On call Campbell,
Hudkins and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
10 ACTION ITEMS
a. Registration for Fall Meeting of the Southeast
District Nebraska Association of County Officials
(NACO), Thursday, September 10, 1998
Steinman and Campbell indicated that they will be attending the meeting.
b. Vacancy of Southeast District Representative for
Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO)
Board of Directors
Hudkins stated that selection is traditionally from one of the outlying
counties, as Lancaster County retains a permanent seat on the
Nebraska Association of County Officials NACO Board of Directors.
11 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Appointment of Planning Commissioner
Hudkins reported that Burdette Piening had declined appointment
to the Planning Commission.
The Board requested Eagan to notify the Mayor that the Board does
not have any additional names to submit for his consideration.
b. Special Permits - Mining (Excavating) Operations
This item was moved forward on the agenda.
c. Chamber of Commerce's Celebrate Business Luncheon,
Wednesday, September 16, 1998
Steinman, Campbell and Hudkins indicated that they would attend
the luncheon.
Board consensus to review, in January, 1999, a list of official
events that County Board members attend to establish a policy
dictating which events should be paid for from the budget and
which should be paid for on an individual basis.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Nealrene Acres
Campbell reported that a paving request has been received from
property owners in Nealrene Acres.
The Board requested that Don Thomas, County Engineer, appear at
the Thursday, September 3rd County Board of
Commissioners meeting to present background information with
regards to the request.
12 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Campbell
b. Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
c. Information Services Policy Committee -
Steinman
Items a-c were moved forward on the agenda.
d. District Energy Corporation - Hudkins, Svoboda
Hudkins reported the final resolution and bids to supply the
State Office Building and Capital with heating and air
conditioning were approved. An interest rate of 4.945 percent
was received to finance the project.
e. Budget Monitoring Committee - Campbell, Steinman
Campbell reported that Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer,
presented information with regards to the levy for rural fire districts.
Campbell indicated that the Chamber of Commerce should be
contacted regarding representation on the Committee.
Campbell noted that the next meeting, which will include a tour
of the Attention Center for Youth, will be held on Tuesday,
September 29th at 12 p.m.
f. Community Mental Health Center Advisory Committee -
Svoboda
No report was given.
13 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, August
27, 1998, at 1 p.m., at the County-City Building,
Room #106 - Hudkins
b. City-County Super Common - Friday, August 28,
1998, at 8 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Yankee
Hill II Room - All Commissioners
c. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tuesday, September
1, 1998, at 7 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Room #106 - Campbell, Heier
14 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Professional Development Luncheon - Tuesday,
September 22, 1998, at 11:30 p.m., at the
Lancaster County Extension Office Conference
Center, 444 Cherrycreek Road
15 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
16 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
17 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 1, 1998
18 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
19 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk