Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
Thursday, October 8, 1998 - 8:00 a.m.
County-City Building - Room 113
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1, 1998
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:00am COMMISSIONERS MEETING REPORTS (See Item #10)
4 8:30am PENDING LITIGATION - Mike Thew, Chief Deputy County
Attorney; Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorney
5 9:00am OVERVIEW OF JUVENILE COURT DEFENSE COSTS -
Dennis Keefe, Lancaster County Public Defender
6 ACTION ITEMS
a. Appointment of Kent Morgan, Assistant Planning Director,
as County Representative for Local Update of Census
Addresses (LUCA) Program
b. Appointment of Donna Greenwood and Marcia Thomas
(Unrepresented Class) to Commissioner's Award of
Excellence Selection Committee
c. County Board Representative for Pedestrian Safety Road
Show
d. Declaration of Surplus Personal Property (two chairs
and one sofa) and Sale for $343.00
7 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Request from George Hanigan to Attend Best Practice
Summit from October 21-23, 1998, in Boston, MA
8 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Intergovernmental Transfer Payment Electronic Funds
Transfer
b. Memory Upgrade for County Server ($2,518.38)
c. Responsible Hospitality Council Survey
d. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development,
"Sophomore Career Days"
e. Management Team Retreat Agenda
9 PENDING
10 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman
b. Ecological Advisory Committee - Heier
11 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Thursday,
October 8, 1998 at 4:00 p.m., at the County-City
Building, Commissioners Hearing Room - Heier
b. Public Building Commission - Tuesday, October
13, 1998, at 10:00 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Room 113 - Campbell, Hudkins
c. Board of Health - Tuesday, October 13, 1998, at
6:30 p.m., at 3140 "N" Street, Room 236 - Hudkins
d. County Management Team - Thursday, October 15, 1998,
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Pioneers Park Nature
Center, Malinovski's Auditorium
e. City-County Super Common - Friday, October 16, 1998,
at 7:45 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Room TBA
12 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Welcome Reception for Las Adelitas - Friday, October 9,
1998, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the Lincoln Woman's
Club, 407 S. 14th Street
b. Groundbreaking and Reception for New Embassy Suites
Hotel - Friday, October 16, 1998, at 9:00 a.m., at
Crane River Brewpub & Café, 11th & "P" Streets
c. United Way/CHAD 1998 Campaign Report Rally - Friday,
October 16, 1998, at 12:00 p.m., at the BryanLGH East
Medical Center, Plaza Conference Center, 1600 S.
48th Street
d. Lincoln Action Program's Annual Meeting - Friday,
November 13, 1998 at 11:45 a.m., at the Cornhusker
Hotel
13 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
14 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
15 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 13, 1998
16 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
Thursday, October 8, 1998 - 8:00 a.m.
County-City Building - Room 113
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 1, 1998
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:00am COMMISSIONERS MEETING REPORTS (See Item #10)
4 8:30am PENDING LITIGATION - Mike Thew, Chief Deputy County
Attorney; Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorney
5 9:00am OVERVIEW OF JUVENILE COURT DEFENSE COSTS -
Dennis Keefe, Lancaster County Public Defender
6 ACTION ITEMS
a. Appointment of Kent Morgan, Assistant Planning Director,
as County Representative for Local Update of Census
Addresses (LUCA) Program
b. Appointment of Donna Greenwood and Marcia Thomas
(Unrepresented Class) to Commissioner's Award of
Excellence Selection Committee
c. County Board Representative for Pedestrian Safety Road
Show
d. Declaration of Surplus Personal Property (two chairs
and one sofa) and Sale for $343.00
7 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Request from George Hanigan to Attend Best Practice
Summit from October 21-23, 1998, in Boston, MA
8 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Intergovernmental Transfer Payment Electronic Funds
Transfer
b. Memory Upgrade for County Server ($2,518.38)
c. Responsible Hospitality Council Survey
d. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development,
"Sophomore Career Days"
e. Management Team Retreat Agenda
9 PENDING
10 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman
b. Ecological Advisory Committee - Heier
11 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Thursday,
October 8, 1998 at 4:00 p.m., at the County-City
Building, Commissioners Hearing Room - Heier
b. Public Building Commission - Tuesday, October
13, 1998, at 10:00 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Room 113 - Campbell, Hudkins
c. Board of Health - Tuesday, October 13, 1998, at
6:30 p.m., at 3140 "N" Street, Room 236 - Hudkins
d. County Management Team - Thursday, October 15, 1998,
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Pioneers Park Nature
Center, Malinovski's Auditorium
e. City-County Super Common - Friday, October 16, 1998,
at 7:45 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel, Room TBA
12 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Welcome Reception for Las Adelitas - Friday, October 9,
1998, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the Lincoln Woman's
Club, 407 S. 14th Street
b. Groundbreaking and Reception for New Embassy Suites
Hotel - Friday, October 16, 1998, at 9:00 a.m., at
Crane River Brewpub & Café, 11th & "P" Streets
c. United Way/CHAD 1998 Campaign Report Rally - Friday,
October 16, 1998, at 12:00 p.m., at the BryanLGH East
Medical Center, Plaza Conference Center, 1600 S.
48th Street
d. Lincoln Action Program's Annual Meeting - Friday,
November 13, 1998 at 11:45 a.m., at the Cornhusker
Hotel
13 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
14 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
15 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 13, 1998
16 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
County-City Building
Meeting Room #113
Thursday, October 8, 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 MEETING OF OCTOBER 1, 1998.
MOTION: Heier moved and Campbell seconded approval of the
minutes. On call Heier, Campbell and Steinman voted
aye. Hudkins was absent from voting. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. National Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Conference,
December 10-12, 1998, in Washington, D.C.
b. Update on Lancaster Manor Screened-In Porch
Addition
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded approval
of the additions to the agenda. On call Campbell,
Hudkins, Heier and Steinman voted aye. Motion
carried.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. National Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Conference,
December 10-12, 1998, in Washington, D.C.
Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator, provided a brief
overview of the juvenile justice topics that will be addressed in
the conference workshops (Exhibit A). She suggested that the
County Board pay expenses to send a team, comprised of an
attorney in the County Attorney's Office, the Attention Center
Director, the head of Pre-Trial Diversion Services, a Juvenile
Judge and a policy/planner, to the conference, for an estimated
cost of $3,000.
Board consensus to also send a member of the County Board and Kit
Boesch, Human Services Administrator, to the conference.
The following were also encouraged to attend the conference, at
their own expense:
* Lincoln Police Department Representative
* Probation Office Representative
* Suzanne Cain, Region V
* Becky Wild, Lincoln Public Schools Student Services Director
* Jeff Hart, Nebraska Crime Commission Juvenile Justice
Specialist
Board consensus to assist Region V with the cost of sending a
representative, if necessary, as part of the County's match funds
to Region V for a Child Mental Health Initiative grant.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to authorize
the expenditure to send a team, as outlined by Kit
Boesch, Human Services Administrator, to the
National Office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Conference and to
request Boesch to follow-up on the suggestions
made, on behalf of the Board. On call Campbell,
Hudkins, Heier and Steinman voted aye. Motion
carried.
b. Update on Lancaster Manor Screened-In Porch
Addition
Campbell reported that the lowest bid returned on the second
floor, screened-in porch addition to Lancaster Manor was
approximately $5,000 over the architect's initial estimate. She
noted that it is the recommendation of Larry Van Hunnik,
Lancaster Manor Administrator, and the architect that the project
be re-bid in the spring, when construction costs may be lower.
(NOTE: The Board will take formal action on the bids at a
Tuesday, County Board of Commissioners meeting.)
3 COMMISSIONERS MEETING REPORTS (See Item 9)
a. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman
Campbell reported that the community's emergency mental health
system was discussed, noting that the number of detox admissions
at Cornhusker Place has decreased significantly.
Campbell indicated that the Needs Assessment is progressing, with
32 individuals from within the community participating on the
Steering Committee. She noted that Kit Boesch, Human Services
Administrator, is working with focus groups on development of
potential leadership for youth, to replace the Youth Council.
Campbell also reported that Region V has received a Child Mental
Health Initiative grant, through the Center for Mental Health
Services, to work with youth with severe emotional disturbances
who are at risk of entering the juvenile justice system.
b. Ecological Advisory Committee - Heier
Heier reported that Betsy Kosier, Lincoln Lancaster Mediation
Center, provided an overview of Wilderness Park Subarea Study
public participation process and committee members identified
issues and concerns that they would like to see addressed in the
study group process.
c. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development
Steinman reported that "Sophomore Career Days" and the Internet
website for job opportunities in Lincoln were discussed.
Steinman noted that local businesses have been encouraged to
utilize University of Nebraska College of Business interns,
orienting them to businesses within the community and future
employment opportunities.
4 PENDING LITIGATION - Doug Cyr, Deputy County
Attorney
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Heier seconded to enter
Executive Session at 8:45 a.m. for the purpose of
pending litigation. On call Hudkins, Heier,
Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded to exit
Executive Session at 9:20 a.m. On call Campbell,
Heier and Steinman voted aye. Hudkins was absent
from voting. Motion carried.
5 OVERVIEW OF JUVENILE COURT DEFENSE COSTS -
Dennis Keefe, Lancaster County Public Defender
Dennis Keefe, Lancaster County Public Defender, provided a
brief update on Juvenile Court appointments (Exhibit B), noting
that there are three types of cases filed:
* Law Violations
* Status Cases (Truancy and Uncontrolled)
* Abuse and Neglect
Keefe reported that Orton, Thomas, Peterson & O'Connell,
under contract with the Public Defender's Office to provide
legal representation in abuse and neglect cases, has reached
their maximum of 50 new cases for 1998. Their pending caseload
is currently 109 cases, with a maximum of 120 pending cases
allowed.
In response to a question from Heier, Keefe stated that activity
does not cease once a disposition is entered in an abuse and
neglect case. In addition to preparing for a six month review of
the case by the Court, there is on-going contact with parents
that are receiving representation.
Steinman suggested that implementation of the Court Appointed
Special Advocate (CASA) program, in which volunteers work with
families, could possibly reduce contract costs and the amount of
time spent on cases.
Heier inquired whether parents receiving representation from
Orton, Thomas, Peterson & O'Connell in abuse and neglect cases
are required to provide reimbursement to Juvenile Court for legal
fees.
Keefe stated that the Judges will order reimbursement if they
discover that the parents do not qualify as indigents. He also
noted that a guardian at litem is appointed by the Court for the
child, regardless of the parents' income.
Steinman suggested that a Court Administrator could assist in
determining indigency.
Keefe noted that each abuse and neglect case filed can generate
several counsel appointments. Additional contracts could help
reduce the cost of private assigned counsel.
Keefe also reviewed Juvenile Court filings (Exhibit B), noting
that law violation filings are currently 15% ahead of those filed
last year, which was a record setting year. He also noted
that, although the number of 3A (Abuse and Neglect) case filings
has decreased slightly, termination of parental rights
cases are increasing.
Keefe reviewed third quarter figures noting the following:
* A 7% Increase in Felony Cases (Legislature created new types
of felony crimes and felony arrests have increased)
* A 20% Increase in Misdemeanor Filings (Courts and County
Attorney are treating driving on suspended license offenses
in a more serious manner)
* A 27% Increase in Overall Juvenile Case Filings and a 14%
Increase in Law Violation Filings (Filings are increasing at
a rate greater than the number of arrests. Diversion
Program referring more youth into the juvenile justice
system)
6 ACTION ITEMS
a. Appointment of Kent Morgan, Assistant Planning
Director, as County Representative of Local Update
of Census Addresses (LUCA) Program
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded approval. On
call Campbell, Hudkins, Heier and Steinman voted
aye. Motion carried.
b. Appointment of Donna Garwood, Public Defender's
Office, and Marcia Thomas, County Attorney's
Office, (Unrepresented Class) to Commissioners'
Award of Excellence Selection Committee
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded approval. On
call Campbell, Hudkins, Heier and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
(NOTE: The Board will approve establishment of the
Commissioners' Award of Excellence Selection
Committee at the Tuesday, October 13th,
County Board of Commissioners meeting.)
c. County Board Representative for Pedestrian
Safety Road Show
Heier will serve as the Board's representative.
d. Declaration of Surplus Personal Property (Two
Chairs and One Sofa) and Sale for $343.00
Eagan reported that Chief Justice John Hendry would like to
retain his furniture, which he brought to County Court for his
use when he served as a judge and which was refurbished at the
County's expense.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded to declare the
personal property surplus and accept $343.00 as
reimbursement. On call Campbell, Heier, Hudkins and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
7 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Request from George Hanigan, Community Mental
Health Center Executive Director, to Attend the
Best Practice Summit from October 21-23, 1998, in
Boston, Massachusetts
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded approval.
On call Campbell, Hudkins, Heier and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
8 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Intergovernmental Transfer Payment Electronic
Funds Transfer
Eagan reported that there is no interest accrual for the County
on the funds transfer.
b. Memory Upgrade for County Server ($2,518.38)
Eagan reported that he had authorized the purchase of an external
hard drive storage system from the Microcomputer Fund, as disk
space on the County WordProcessing server was depleted.
c. Responsible Hospitality Council Survey
Board consensus to decline participation in the survey.
d. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development
"Sophomore Career Days"
Pat Kant, Personnel Coordinator, reported that the objective of
"Sophomore Career Days" is to provide information to
10th grade students on career choices and educational
requirements.
Kant stated that she will be coordinating the distribution of
information on career opportunities in City and County government
at the two day event scheduled for November 17-18, 1998.
The Board suggested that representatives of the Corrections
Department, Lancaster Manor and the County Engineer attend the
event and provide information regarding job opportunities in
their respective fields.
e. Management Team Retreat Agenda
Eagan briefly reviewed the agenda for the Management Team Retreat
(Exhibit C).
The Board requested that Gordon Kissel, Legislative Consultant,
provide a brief update on interim studies and issues facing the
Legislature this session.
9 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman
b. Ecological Advisory Committee - Heier
c. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development -
Steinman
Items a-c were moved forward on the agenda.
10 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Thursday,
October 8, 1998, at 4 p.m., at the County-City
Building, Commissioners Hearing Room - Heier
b. Public Building Commission - Tuesday, October 13,
1998, at 10 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Room 113 - Campbell, Hudkins
c. Board of Health - Tuesday, October 13, 1998, at
6:30 p.m., at 3140 "N" Street, Room 236 - Hudkins
d. County Management Team - Thursday, October 15,
1998, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Pioneers Park
Nature Center, Malinovski's Auditorium
e. City-County Super Common - Friday, October 16,
1998, at 7:45 a.m., at the Cornhusker Hotel - All
Commissioners
f. Meeting with Juvenile Consultant Regarding the
Assessment Center - Monday, October 26, 1998, 9
a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Room 113 - All Commissioners
g. General Assistance Committee - Wednesday, October
28, 1998, at 8 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Room 106 - Campbell and Heier
11 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Welcome Reception for Las Adelitas - Friday,
October 9, 1998, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Lincoln
Women's Club, 407 S 14th Street
b. Groundbreaking and Reception for New Embassy
Suites Hotel - Friday, October 16, 1998, at 9
a.m., at Crane River Brewpub & Café, 11th
& "P" Streets
c. United Way/CHAD 1998 Campaign Report Rally -
Friday, October 16, 1998, at 12 p.m., at the
Bryan/LGH East Medical Center, Plaza Conference
Center, 1600 S 48th Street
d. Lincoln Action Program's Annual Meeting - Friday,
November 13, 1998, at 11:45 a.m., at the
Cornhusker Hotel
12 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
13 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
14 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 13, 1998
15 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
16 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk