Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
Thursday, September 17, 1998 - 8:00 a.m.
County-City Building - Room 113
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 3 AND
SEPTEMBER 8, 1998
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:00am COMMISSIONERS MEETING REPORTS (See Item #15)
4 8:15am INTRODUCTION OF MICHELLE WAITE, UNL ASSISTANT TO
THE CHANCELLOR FOR COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Lori McClurg, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor
5 8:30am TESSERACT UPDATE
Doug Thomas, Information Services Director;
Ron Brooks, Information Services;
Kandra Hahn, County Clerk;
Tim Genuchi, County Clerk's Office;
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer
6 9:00am COMMUNITIES HELPING IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
PROGRESS (CHIRP) - Kit Boesch, Human Services Director
7 9:30am ORYX
George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center Director
8 9:45am LINCOLN-LANCASTER COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, DIRECTIONAL
GROWTH: SOUTH 1 & 2 - Kent Seacrest, Esq.
9 10:15am WEAVERS UPDATE
Troy Gagner, Economic Development Coordinator
10 10:45am SAFETY OF SIDE-MOUNT MOWERS
Sue Eckley, County Risk Manager
11 ACTION ITEMS
a. Request from Kit Boesch for Additional Contract
Outside of County Government
b. Microcomputer Request for Software from County Clerk
12 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Local Government Financial System (LGFS) Seminar,
Dave Kroeker - October 18 through October 21, 1998
b. Nebraska Tax Application for County Engineer
(Collection of Sales Tax)
13 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Disability Insurance
b. Board Members Holiday Calendars
c. Request from Gerald Zegers for a Road Abandonment on
South
Side of Section 23
d. General Assistance Cremation
e. Salaries for Directors, Attorneys, Sheriff Captains
and Bailiffs
f. Hog Farm at 142nd & Parker Street
g. NACO Representative from County Board
14 PENDING
15 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Region V Governing Board - Steinman
b. General Assistance Monitoring Committee
Campbell, Heier
16 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Chamber Agricultural Committee - Thursday,
September 17, 1998 at 12:00 p.m., at the UNL
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Hudkins
b. Meeting with County Villages re: Update County
Addresses - Thursday, September 17, 1998, at
12:00 p.m., at the County-City Building, Room 113
All Commissioners
c. City-County Super Common - Friday, September
18, 1998, at 8:00 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Room 113 - All Commissioners
d. Visitors Promotion Committee - Monday,
September 21, 1998, at 1:30 p.m., at the Chamber
of Commerce - Steinman
e. Information Services Policy Committee -
Tuesday, September 22, 1998, at 11:00 a.m., at the
County-City Building, Room 106 - Steinman
f. Government Access and Information Committee -
Wednesday, September 23, 1998, at 12:00 p.m., at the
County-City Building, Room 206 - Steinman
g. Emergency Services Executive Committee -
Wednesday, September 23, 1998, at 2:00 p.m., at the
County-City Building, Room 113 - Hudkins
17 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Grand Opening of Sheppard's Business Interiors/
Office Furniture USA - Thursday, September 24, 1998
from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at 8th & "Q" Streets
18 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
19 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
20 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF
SEPTEMBER 22, 1998
21 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
County-city Building
Meeting Room #113
Thursday, September 17, 1998
8 a.m.
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Bernie Heier
Larry Hudkins
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 MEETINGS
OF SEPTEMBER 3 AND SEPTEMBER 8, 1998.
MOTION: Heier moved and Campbell seconded approval of the minutes of
September 3 and 8, 1998. On call Campbell, Heier and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Draft Budget Received from District Court Judge Paul Merritt
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded approval of the addition
to the agenda. On call Campbell, Heier and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
3 COMMISSIONERS MEETING REPORTS (See Item 14)
b. Region V Governing Board - Steinman
No report was given.
c. General Assistance Monitoring Committee - Campbell, Heier
Campbell reported that a report was received from Information Services on
General Assistance billings. Quarterly reports will be made available to
the Board.
Campbell also reported that Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal
Officer, presented a overview of budget expenditures.
4 INTRODUCTION OF MICHELLE WAITE, UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA - LINCOLN
(UNL) ASSISTANT TO THE CHANCELLOR FOR COMMUNITY RELATIONS -
Lori McClurg, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor
Michelle Waite, Assistant to the Chancellor for Community Relations, stated
that her job duties will include special events planning and serving as a
liaison to City and County government and the State Legislature.
Hudkins arrived at the meeting.
5 TESSERACT PAYROLL SYSTEM UPDATE -
Doug Thomas, Information Services Director;
Ron Brooks, Information Services; Kandra Hahn, County Clerk;
Tim Genuchi, County Clerk's Office;
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer
Kandra Hahn, County Clerk, briefly reviewed the following documents:
Exhibit A of the Interlocal Agreement between Lancaster
County and the City of Lincoln for implementation of the
Tesseract Payroll System (Exhibit A)
A spreadsheet comparison of Information Services' billings
and estimates for the Tesseract Payroll System (Exhibit B),
Hahn reported that the total anticipated cost for development and
implementation by Information Services was $86,432. She indicated
that there is a deficit of $39,438.75 in the Parallel Processing
category at the five month point of the eight month project.
Hahn recommended that the County negotiate to amend the contract, for
completion of the project, with continued tracking by billing categories.
Doug Thomas, Information Services Director, presented a summary of Tesseract
Development Costs (Exhibit C), reporting that cost overruns were due to loss
of in-house computer programers to the private sector, an hourly rate change
for contracted programers, and MSA data conversion problems. The County's
proposed cost share is $44,242, which includes a credit of $25,000 for
contracted programmer costs. Thomas indicated that $25,000 in savings due
to a State Technology grant, in-kind funds for the project in the amount of
$12,000 from Aliant Communications and $7,000 in savings in the Geographic
Information System (GIS) budget could also be used to offset County costs.
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, noted that $13,000 of the $25,000
State Technology grant amount is dedicated to schools in Lancaster County
rural communities for their work on the InterLinc Project.
Ron Brooks, Information Services, noted that in return, the students would
be developing programs that would otherwise be assigned to Information
Services' staff.
Thomas also reported that the project is anticipated to be completed by
January, 1999, two months ahead of schedule.
Board members noted the following concerns:
The County was bearing the cost of a learning curve for
computer programmers assigned to the project
The increase in programming costs were partially due to
prolonged delays of the project by Information Services
Problems may have been identified if a more comprehensive
feasibility study had been conducted
Hahn suggested that, in the future, the County could negotiate change terms
in project development contracts, lock in hourly rates and provide an
incentive for early completion of projects.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to request the County Clerk
to negotiate an amendment to the contract, and request tracking by
billing contract categories. On call Campbell, Hudkins, Heier and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
ACTION ITEMS
b. Microcomputer Request for Software from County Clerk
Kandra Hahn, County Clerk, distributed a comparison showing the number of
marriage licenses issued for the years 1993 through 1998 (Exhibit D). She
explained that the requested software will permit each staff member in the
Records Division to issue marriage licenses from their desks, thereby
eliminating delays during peak periods (Exhibit E).
MOTION: Heier moved and Hudkins seconded approval of the request. On call
Heier, Hudkins, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
6 COMMUNITIES HELPING IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES PROGRESS (CHIRP)
Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator;
Steve Beal, Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department
Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator, briefly reviewed a proposal for
the Communities Helping Immigrants and Refugees Progress (CHIRP) Project,
which would establish local language lines to provide non-English speaking
communities a means to access to health and human services (Exhibit F).
She noted that financial partners include the Lincoln Medical Education
Foundation, local hospitals, Aliant Communications and the Health
& Human Services Office of Minority Health.
Boesch requested that the County contribute $5,000, for each of two years,
to the project, noting that the City was being asked to make a like donation.
Steve Beal, Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department, briefly reviewed
charges incurred by the Health Department for usage of the long distance
AT&T language lines, which cost $4.60 to $6.50 per minute.
Heier noted concern that the County may be asked to continue to
fund the project after the two year pilot expires.
Boesch stated that the ultimate goal of pilot project is to build language
translation infrastructure in the community so that the need for a local
language line is eliminated. If that is not possible, and a continuing need
for a local language line is identified, then those agencies utilizing the
service should provide the financial support for its continued existence.
MOTION: Heier moved and Hudkins seconded to approve $5,000 for the
Communities Helping Immigrants and Refugees Progress (CHIRP)
Project, for each of two years, with the stipulation that Dave
Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, determine the appropriate budget
category for the expenditure. On call Heier, Hudkins, Campbell and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
7 ORYX PROGRAM- George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center
Director; Denise Bulling, Community Mental Health Crisis Center
George Hanigan, Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) Director, reported
that CMHC is required to have a third party review of quality of care in
order to receive Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care
Organizations (JACHO) accreditation (Exhibit G). The Crisis Center is the
first entity within the Community Mental Health Center to require the
review, as it provides 24 hour care.
Hanigan reported that McLean Hospital, which is associated with Harvard
University, has been selected as the vendor to administer the review using
the Basis-32 plus Performance Measurement System instrument.
Denise Bulling, Community Mental Health Crisis Center, stated that McLean
will also provide scoring of the instrument, reporting of results to JACHO,
technical support and quarterly reports to the Crisis Center and JACHO.
Bulling noted that the estimated annual cost of patient sampling for the
Crisis Center is $5,670, with a ten percent sign-on payment required.
In response to a question from Heier, Bulling stated that the first data
submission to JACHO is required during the third quarter of 1999.
Hanigan indicated that the quarterly reports will also be shared with the
Board.
MOTION: Heier moved and Hudkins seconded approval of selection of McLean
Hospital as the vendor to administer the performance measurement
review of the Crisis Center. On call Heier, Hudkins, Campbell and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
(NOTE: Formal approval of the contract with McLean Hospital
will be at a Tuesday, County Board of Commissioners meeting.)
8 LINCOLN-LANCASTER COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, DIRECTIONAL GROWTH:
SOUTH 1 & 2 - Kent Seacrest, Attorney
Kent Seacrest, Attorney representing developer interests in the S-1 and
S-2 areas of the Comprehensive Plan, displayed the following:
A Map of Figure 65, Anticipated Lincoln Service Limit and
Phasing Plan; Lincoln/Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan
A Map of South Lincoln Urban Planning Zones S-1 and S-2;
Working Draft
A Chart Detailing Single Family Lot Availability December, 1997;
14th Street to 70th Street and Highway 2 South to Yankee Hill Road
A Map Detailing the Proposed Areas of Development in South Lincoln
Seacrest reported that the private interests that he represents have agreed,
following negotiations with Public Works and the County Engineer, to pay for
placement of a sewer line along the railroad tracks abutting Wilderness Park
over to 40th Street in exchange for the completion of asphalt surfacing on
Yankee Hill Road.
Seacrest stated that the Planning Department will be reporting on his
clients' application for annexation and change of zone at the next Commons
meeting. He requested that the Board allow the application to proceed to
the public hearing stage, at which time citizens will have an opportunity
to voice concerns.
Seacrest briefly described proposed areas of development, noting that a golf
course, which would abut Wilderness Park, will include a lake system to
recycle water for removal of any chemicals used on the course. Additional
areas are targeted for an office complex, a neighborhood shopping area, a
Catholic church and school, residential development, apartments, and a
Lincoln Housing Authority project.
In response to a question from Steinman, Seacrest stated that he believes
that the Yankee Hill Road access and hydrology issues should be decided at
the time the Preliminary Plan and use permits are submitted for approval.
Hudkins indicated that he would not support development of an office
complex, which is below 1,200 feet elevation, in close proximity to
Wilderness Park until hydrology studies, conducted as part of the
Wilderness Park Study, have been completed.
In response to a question from Heier, Seacrest stated that if the
hydrology study indicated areas of concern, those problems could
be addressed with fill or additional detention.
Seacrest cautioned the Board that if a moratorium is placed on
development in South Lincoln, it could severely impact the
ability of the owners of a new shopping center located at
27th Street and Pine Lake Road to lease tenant space. He
also stated that a moratorium on development would contradict the
message the County Board and City Council sent to developers when
they designated the area suitable for development in the
Comprehensive Plan.
Campbell stated that Wilderness Park needs to evolve to meet the
changing needs and desires of the public and the Wilderness Park
Study should help provide long-term solutions that recognize that
development has already impacted the park. She suggested that
Keno Fund dollars be used for the purchase of land to further
expand the park to the south.
Seacrest suggested that a public/private sector committee be
formed to raise funds to purchase additional land for expansion
of Wilderness Park.
Steinman noted concern that short-term decisions were needed that
may not be compatible with the long-term vision of the park.
Heier suggested that the plan could proceed with less controversy
if the O-3 designation for the office complex were excluded.
Campbell recommended that the Board request the City, which has
jurisdiction control over the proposed development, to hold each
developer accountable with regards to hydrology issues.
9 WEAVERS UPDATE - Troy Gagner, Economic Development Coordinator
Troy Gagner, Economic Development Coordinator, reported that A.J.
Cheesman has assumed ownership of Weaver's Potato Chip Company
and plans to take the company out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy
(Exhibit H). He noted that it is unlikely that the County will
receive any repayment of funds through the bankruptcy, due to its
position in the proceedings.
Gagner reported that Weavers currently owes the City and County
$750,000. The new owner has requested the assistance of the City
and County in raising an additional $250,000 to remain in
operation.
Gagner noted that the County's initial loan to Weavers, provided
through a Community Development Block Grant, was based on
retention of 108 jobs. He stated that since current employment
is at the level of 45 jobs, the County would not be justified in
loaning any additional funds to Weavers.
In response to a question from Hudkins, Gagner stated that the
State is prohibited from providing direct funding to Weavers, as
it exists within an entitlement area.
Gagner stated that the Board could provide assistance by:
Deferring loan payments
Reducing interest rates on the loan
Forgiving the interest on the loan
In response to a question from Steinman, Heier stated that, if
production goals are reached, employment should exceed the level
of 100 employees within the next 24 months.
Campbell suggested that forgiveness of interest be graduated,
dependent on the retention or addition of jobs.
The Board deferred action, pending consultation with Doug Cyr,
Deputy County Attorney, who represented the County in the
bankruptcy proceedings.
10 SAFETY OF SIDE-MOUNT MOWERS - Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation
& Risk Management Manager; Don Thomas, County Engineer
Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation & Risk Management Manager,
reported that she had investigated, with Dave Morgan, Extension
Safety Engineer, operator protection from flying debris for side-mount
mowers, in response to a request from Jack Gleason, American Federation
of State, County & Municipal Employees (Exhibit I). She stated that
both she and Morgan had concluded that existing shields which are mounted
between the operator's platform and the deck provide sufficient protection
and that the issue appeared to be a comfort, rather than a safety, issue.
Don Thomas, County Engineer, stated that supervisors in the Engineering
Department had indicated that there had not been any injury reports filed
that indicated injuries to operators due to flying debris.
In response to a question from Hudkins, Thomas indicated that
employees had not been polled.
Hudkins questioned why cabbing of the mowers was not recommended,
as cabbed mowers may retain a greater value.
Thomas indicated that cost is a prohibitive factor.
Brief discussion took place on whether to contract for mowing
or lease side-mount mowers, with Heier suggesting that farmers be
paid for mowing roadsides on a per mile basis.
Eckley recommended the following:
Operators review safety practices
Operators wear protective eyewear when operating the mowers
Engineering Department improve reporting of injuries
The Board requested that the County Engineering Department
initiate those practices and that Thomas and Eckley continue to
monitor injury reports.
The Board also requested that Thomas investigate the cost of
contracting for the service.
11 ACTION ITEMS
a. Request from Kit Boesch, Human Services
Administrator, for Additional Contract Outside of
County Government
Board consensus to request additional information with regards to
the scope of work requested and the time commitment required.
The Board stipulated that, if approved, Boesch would be
prohibited from engaging in telephone conversations, discussions
or Fax and E-Mail transmissions related to contracted work during
County business hours and that no secretarial support would be
provided.
b. Microcomputer Request for Software from County
Clerk
Item b was moved forward on the agenda.
12 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Local Government Financial System (LGFS) Seminar,
Dave Kroeker - October 18 through 21, 1998
b. Nebraska Tax Application for County Engineer
(Collection of Sales Tax)
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded approval of the Consent
Items. On call Campbell, Heier, Hudkins and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
13 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Disability Insurance
Eagan reported that reduced rates and added services had been
negotiated with CNA Insurance, the current disability insurance
carrier, in response to the Request for Proposals (RFP) process.
He noted that John Cripe, Compensation Manager recommended
approval of the two-year agreement with CNA Insurance.
The Board will take formal action on this proposal at the Tuesday,
September 22nd County Board of Commissioners meeting.
b. Board Members Holiday Calendars
Board consensus to not hold meetings on December 22, 24, 29 or 31st.
c. Request from Gerald Zegers for a Road Abandonment
Board consensus to forward the request to the County Engineer for
informal review.
d. General Assistance Cremation
Eagan reported on the first general assistance cremation under
the new General Assistance Burial Plan.
The Board discussed the need for a permanent burial site for
remains cremated under the plan.
Board consensus to request the County Clerk to keep a permanent
record of General Assistance Cremations.
e. Salaries for Directors, Attorneys, Sheriff
Captains and Bailiffs
Item deferred, due to time constraints.
f. Hog Farm at Southwest 142nd Street & Parker Road
Item deferred, due to time constraints.
g. Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO)
Representative from County Board
Board consensus to re-appoint Larry Hudkins to serve as the
Board s representative on the Nebraska Association of County
Officials (NACO) Board of Directors.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Draft Budget Received from District Court Judge Paul Merritt
Item deferred, due to time constraints.
14 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Region V Governing Board - Steinman
b. General Assistance Monitoring Committee - Campbell, Heier
Items a and b were moved forward on the agenda.
15 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Chamber Agricultural Committee - Thursday, September 17, 1998
at 12 p.m., at the UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural
Resources - Hudkins
b. Meeting with County Villages Regarding Update on
County Addresses - Thursday, September 17, 1998,
at 12 p.m., at the County-City Building, Room 113
- All Commissioners
c. City-County Super Common - Friday, September 18,
1998, at 8 a.m., at the County-City Building, Room
113 - All Commissioners
d. Visitors Promotion Committee - Monday, September
21, 1998 at 1:30 p.m., at the Chamber of Commerce - Steinman
e. Information Services Policy Committee - Tuesday,
September 22, 1998, at 11 a.m., at the County-City
Building, Room 106 - Steinman
f. Government Access and Information Committee -
Wednesday, September 23, 1998, at 12 p.m., at the
County-City Building, Room 206 - Steinman
g. Emergency Services Executive Committee -
Wednesday, September 23, 1998, at 2 p.m., at the
County-City Building, Room 113 - Hudkins
16 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Grand Opening of Sheppard's Business
Interiors/Office Furniture USA - Thursday,
September 24, 1998 from 4 to 6 p.m., at
8th & "Q" Streets
17 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
18 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
19 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 22, 1998
20 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
21 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk