Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
LANCASTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1998
8:00 A.M.
COUNTY-CITY BUILDING - ROOM 113
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 24, 1998
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:00 a.m. JUVENILE DIVERSION EXPANSION & IMPROVEMENT OPTIONS
Gary Lacey, Lancaster County Attorney;
Jim Blue, Cedars Youth Services Director;
Betsy Kosier, Lincoln Lancaster Mediation Center
4 8:30 a.m. BENEFITS FOR UNCLASSIFIED, UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES
John Cripe, Classification & Pay Manager;
Ron Todd, Lincoln Lancaster County Personnel Director
5 9:30 am REGISTER OF DEEDS STAFFING -
Dan Nolte, Register of Deeds
6 9:45 a.m. STREET NAME CHANGE NO. 98009 (FOLSOM ST. TO SOUTH FOLSOM
COURT AND FOLSOM BYPASS) -
Mike Dekalb, Planning Department
7 ACTION ITEMS
8 CONSENT ITEMS
9 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
10 PENDING
11 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
12 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
13 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
14 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 8, 1998
15 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
County-City Building
Meeting Room #113
Tuesday, December 1, 1998
8 a.m.
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Larry Hudkins
Bernie Heier
Commissioners Absent: Steve Svoboda
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 HELD IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE
REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING ON NOVEMBER 24, 1998.
The minutes were not available.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Lancaster Manor Update
b. Invitation to Participate in a Planning Session on
Census 2000 Complete Count Committee
c. Aerial Photo Update
d. Lancaster County Extension Board Appointments
e. Attention Center Community Advisory Committee
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded approval of the
additions to the agenda. On call Hudkins, Campbell,
Heier and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
3 JUVENILE DIVERSION EXPANSION & IMPROVEMENT OPTIONS -
Gary Lacey, Lancaster County Attorney; Linda
Porter, Deputy County Attorney in the Juvenile
Division; Jim Blue, Cedars Youth Services Director;
Sandra Miller, Cedars Youth Services; Betsy Kosier,
Lincoln-Lancaster Mediation Center
Gary Lacey, Lancaster County Attorney, briefly reviewed the
Restorative Justice Proposal (Exhibit A), a request for
approximately $100,000 in funds for a pilot program for Cedars
Juvenile Diversion Services and the Lincoln-Lancaster Mediation
Center (LLMC) to further develop a victim-offender mediation
program in Lancaster County. He also commented briefly on an
Amnesty International Report on Juvenile Justice in the United
States, November 1998, included in Exhibit A.
Steinman reported that the Juvenile Justice Task Force had looked
at the issue of restorative justice and how it can be
incorporated into the State's approach to juvenile justice. She
noted concern that not everyone is receptive to mediation and
suggested that other options also be made available.
Lacey responded that participation in the mediation process will
be strictly voluntary.
Linda Porter, Deputy County Attorney in the Juvenile Division,
reported that she has discussed the issue with Margene Timm,
Deputy Public Defender in the Juvenile Division, and they may
approach the Juvenile Court Judges in the future about jointly
moving for mediation, following adjudication. She stated
juvenile offenders may be more willing to participate in the
mediation process if they perceive that the Court will view their
participation in a favorable manner when setting the terms of
probation. She noted that Cedars Juvenile Diversion Services
could also consider mediation participation when establishing
terms of restitution or community service.
Campbell indicated that Board members need additional time to
review the proposal and determine funding priority. She
recommended that it also be shared with the juvenile justice
system stakeholders and Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer.
Betsy Kosier, Lincoln-Lancaster Mediation Center (LLMC),
explained that LLMC contributed approximately $10,000 in
mediation services to the County last year, noting that
infrastructure was provided through an Office of Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Grant. Funding of the
proposal would allow those efforts to continue. She also
remarked that it is crucial that the project be approached in a
victim sensitive manner to prevent re-victimizing individuals.
Kosier indicated that additional resources are needed to insure
that "best practices" are met in treating offenders and victims
and reaching solutions that are both productive and effective.
Campbell asked whether matching funds were available.
Lacey stated that Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block
Grant Funds may be an option.
Board members indicated support for the proposal and agreed to
forward the proposal to the juvenile justice system stakeholders
and to schedule a meeting to discuss how funds targeted for
juvenile justice can be spent most effectively.
4 BENEFITS FOR UNCLASSIFIED, UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES -
John Cripe, Classification & Pay Manager;
Terry Wagner, Lancaster County Sheriff
John Cripe, Classification & Pay Manager, briefly reviewed a list
of benefits decided upon at the November 24th County
Board of Commissioners "Staff" meeting (Exhibit B) and a draft
resolution covering unclassified employee benefits (Exhibit C).
Cripe indicated that he had researched the Nebraska Revised
Statutes and could not locate any reference that granted the
Merit Commission the authority to grant or administer benefits
such as longevity, vacation and sick leave for the Sheriff's
Chief Deputy and Captains. He noted there is a contradiction in
Statute language governing the Merit Commission and the County
Personnel Rules with regards to Sheriff's deputies that still
needs to be addressed.
Holidays
Cripe reported that the number of authorized holidays versus
personal holidays differs slightly for Sheriff's deputies,
although the total number of days remains the same.
Longevity
Cripe noted that the Board had previously indicated that
longevity would only be considered for the Sheriff Captains,
which are covered by the Merit Commission.
Sick Leave
Cripe reported there is a difference in total accrual for the
unrepresented group and employees represented by the American
Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) versus
those represented by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). He
noted that AFSCME and unrepresented employees can accrue up to
1,872 hours of sick leave and FOP employees can accumulate up to
1,976 hours, although the total number of hours earned each year
is the same. He also noted that AFSCME employees receive a 50%
payout of accrual while the unrepresented group and FOP employees
receive a 30% payout. Cripe recommended a 30% payout of sick
leave accrual for unrepresented employees, noting that the
resolution could be adjusted later on, if necessary. He also
recommended a sick leave accrual rate of 104 hours per year for
the unrepresented class, except the elected officials and their
deputies. He noted this is the same rate earned by other County
employees.
In response to a question from Campbell, Cripe indicated that
appointed department heads currently accrue sick leave.
Steinman questioned whether department heads in the private
sector would receive this benefit.
Cripe indicated that they probably would not, but noted that
there is more flexibility in terms of employment in the private
sector. He stated that the City of Lincoln does not grant this
benefit to department heads, rather time off is approved by the
mayor.
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, also noted that denial of
accrual for appointed directors would deny them the opportunity
afforded other employees to transfer accrual to the Post
Employment Health Plan (PEHP) upon termination of
employment.
Board consensus to approve 104 hours sick leave accrual per year,
for the unclassified group, with a maximum accrual of 1,872 hours
allowed.
Vacation
Cripe reported that vacation benefits for appointed personnel,
excluding Department Heads, Chief Deputies and Bailiffs, is
accrued as follows:
Hours Accumulated Years of Service
80 hours Less than 5 years
120 hours After 5 years
152 hours After 10 years
168 hours After 15 years
184 hours After 20 years
Cripe noted that vacation benefits for the Sheriff's Chief Deputy
and Captains, covered by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)
contract, are accrued on a slightly different basis:
Hours Accumulated Years of Service
80 hours Less than 5 years
120 hours After 5 years
148 hours After 10 years
168 hours After 15 years
198 hours After 20 years
Terry Wagner, Lancaster County Sheriff, noted that Bill Jarrett,
Chief Deputy Sheriff, is in a unique situation among the Chief
Deputies in that he is able to revert back to his previous rank,
should he no longer serve in that position. The longevity issue
is of greater importance in his situation.
Cripe suggested that a "grandfather clause" could be added to the
resolution to permit employees currently receiving the benefit to
continue accruing vacation leave and longevity at the current
rate. This rate would be frozen for the length of their
employment. New hires will accrue benefits at rates specified in
the resolution.
Board consensus to include the "grandfather clause".
Brief discussion took place on vacation benefits for appointed
directors, with the Board requesting language in the resolution
that would allow the Board the flexibility to offer up-front
vacation leave as an incentive in employment negotiations.
In response to a question from Campbell, Staab stated that
retirement benefits could be probably be made available to the
unclassified employee group from date of hire, with an amendment
to the existing retirement plan.
Hudkins left the meeting.
Bailiffs
Brief discussion on whether to extend benefits to Bailiffs.
Campbell remarked that further input is needed from the judiciary.
Cripe noted that Bailiffs are salaried, rather than hourly wage
employees. He indicated that they receive their salary,
regardless of absences for vacation, sick leave or holidays, and
further benefits would not need to be extended.
Board consensus to only extend health insurance, disability
insurance, retirement and the Post Employment Health Plan (PEHP)
benefits to the Bailiffs.
5 REGISTER OF DEEDS STAFFING - Dan Nolte, Register
of Deeds, Maura Tolzin, Deputy Register of Deeds
Dan Nolte, Register of Deeds, reviewed the following graphs and
table detailing the number of filings and fees generated by the
Register of Deeds Office:
Total Documents Filed (1989-1998)
Total Dollars County Portion (1989-1998)
Yearly Comparison Table
Nolte requested authorization to add one full-time administrative
level position to his staff. He indicated this individual would
be responsible for testing of computer software and the mainframe
application and training of staff. Additional projects include
coordinating interconnectivity of computer applications with
other departments, scanning of existing plat maps, and conversion
of backfile documents.
In response to a question from Eagan, Nolte indicated that
overtime is necessary to meet the workload demand.
Campbell suggested hiring of temporary personnel to relieve the workload.
The Board requested Nolte to work with the Personnel Department
in development of a job description and salary for the requested
position.
The Board agreed to review this personnel request at the Mid
Year Budget Review.
6 STREET NAME CHANGE NO. 98009 (FOLSOM STREET TO SOUTH
FOLSOM COURT AND FOLSOM BYPASS) - Mike DeKalb,
Planning Department; Larry Worrell, County Surveyor
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department, briefly reported on a request
from the County Surveyor to rename Folsom Street south from South
Street as "South Folsom Court" and to rename Folsom Bypass as
"South Folsom Street" to eliminate confusion and the need for
additional signage for directions (Exhibit G).
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Lancaster Manor Update
Campbell reported that the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department
is conducting an annual health survey at Lancaster Manor.
b. Invitation to Participate in a Planning Session on
Census 2000 Complete Count Committee
Eagan reported that Kent Morgan, Planning Department Interim
Director, will serve as the County's representative (Exhibit H).
c. Aerial Photo Update
Eagan reported that additional aerial photos of fringe
development areas will be taken, using previously appropriated,
but unused, funds. He noted that the photo area will not include
the three-mile jurisdiction.
d. Lancaster County Extension Board Appointments
Eagan distributed documentation regarding recommendations from
the Lancaster County Extension Board for three year appointments
to their board (Exhibit J).
e. Attention Center Community Advisory Committee
Eagan distributed information on individuals nominated to serve
on the Attention Center Community Advisory Committee (Exhibit K).
MOTION: Campbell moved and Steinman seconded to add a
vacation request and a microcomputer request to the
agenda. On call Campbell, Steinman and Heier voted
aye. Hudkins was absent from voting. Motion carried.
f. Vacation Request from Kerry Eagan, Chief
Administrative Officer, for December 10th & 11th
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded approval. On
call Campbell, Heier and Steinman voted aye. Hudkins
was absent from voting. Motion carried.
g. Microcomputer Request from Records & Information
Management for Monitor and Installation, in the
Amount of $489 (Exhibit L)
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded approval. On
call Campbell, Heier and Steinman voted aye.
Hudkins was absent from voting. Motion carried.
7 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
8 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
9 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF DECEMBER 8, 1998
a. Lancaster County Extension Board Appointments
b. Attention Center Community Advisory Committee Appointments
10 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
11 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk