Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
County-City Building
Fourth Floor Conference Room
Thursday, October 30, 1997
8:30 a.m.
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 23, 1997
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:30am BOARD OF CORRECTIONS QUARTERLY MEETING -
Mike Thurber, Corrections Director
4 9:30am OASIS SYSTEM ON THE INTERNET - Norm Agena,
Lancaster County Assessor; Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy
Assessor; Dan Nolte, Register of Deeds; Dick Nuernberger,
Lancaster County Treasurer
5 9:45am TRACKER PROGRAM - Bill Janike, Chief Juvenile
Probation Officer
6 10:00am LAND REUTILIZATION COMMISSION - Marty Barnhart, Director of
the Land Reutilization Commission of Douglas County
7 10:30am PENDING LITIGATION - Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation
and Risk Manager
8 ACTION ITEMS
a. Execution of Remarketing Agent Appointment
9 CONSENT ITEMS
10 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Government Civil Practice Seminar
b. Proposed Amendments of Visitors Promotion Committee (VPC)
Bylaws
c. Authorization for Use of County Engineer Equipment and
Personnel for Storm Clean-Up in the City of Lincoln
11 PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in
Princeton
b. South Street Campus
12 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
b. Information Services Policy Committee - Steinman
c. Attention Center Advisory Board - Steinman
13 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Railroad Transportation Safety District - Monday,
November 3, 1997, at 8:30 a.m., at the County-City
Building, Council Chamber - Steinman, Svoboda, Tussing
b. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tuesday, November 4,
1997, at 7:00 a.m., at the County-City Building, Fourth
Floor Conference Room - Tussing
c. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development -
Tuesday, November 4, 1997, at 7:30 a.m., at NBC, North
Star Room - Steinman
d. Management Team Retreat - Thursday, November 6,
1997, at 8:30 a.m., at Crooked Creek Golfcourse Clubhouse
All Commissioners
e. Joint Budget Committee - Friday, November 7, 1997, at
8:00 a.m., at the County-City Building, Mayor's
Conference Room - Campbell, Steinman
14 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Lincoln-Lancaster County Housing Trust Fund Meeting -
Tuesday, November 4, 1997, at 2:00 p.m., at the Lincoln
Downtown Senior Center, 1005 "O" Street
b. Nebraska Cooperative Extension Association Luncheon -
Tuesday, November 18, 1997 at 11:30 a.m., at the Ramada
Plaza Hotel
15 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
16 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
17 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 4, 1997
a. Appointment of Elected County Official to the Merit
Commission
18 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
County-City Building
Fourth Floor Conference Room
Thursday October 30, 1997
8:30 a.m.
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Steve Svoboda
Larry Hudkins
Commissioners Absent: Darlene Tussing
Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer
Ann Taylor, County Clerk's Office
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MEETING OF OCTOBER 23, 1997
MOTION: Campbell moved and Svoboda seconded approval of the minutes.
On call Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Hudkins
was absent. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Request from Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer,
to attend a Government Audit and Accounting
Financial Management Seminar on November 1, 1997
b. Request from the County Engineer to Initiate a Road
Vacation Proceeding at a Location of SW
58th & W Panama Road
c. Vacation Request from Russ Shultz for November 7-14, 1997
d. Discussion on Junked Cars
e. Mutual of Omaha Health Plans Informational Meeting
MOTION: Campbell moved and Svoboda seconded approval. On
call Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion
carried.
3 BOARD OF CORRECTIONS QUARTERLY MEETING
Mike Thurber, Corrections Director
Separate minutes.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Request from Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer,
to attend a Government Audit and Accounting
Financial Management Seminar on November 1, 1997
MOTION: Campbell moved and Svoboda seconded approval.
On call Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye.
Hudkins was present but not voting. Motion carried.
b. Request from the County Engineer to Initiate a Road
Vacation Proceeding at a Location of SW
58th & W Panama Road
The Board referred the item to the County Attorney's office.
c. Vacation Request from Russ Shultz for November 7-14, 1997
MOTION: Campbell moved and Svoboda seconded approval. On call
Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Hudkins was absent
from voting. Motion carried.
4 OASIS SYSTEM ON THE INTERNET
Norm Agena, Lancaster County Assessor;
Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy Assessor;
Dan Nolte, Register of Deeds;
Dick Nuernberger, Lancaster County Treasurer
Robin Hendricksen, Chief Deputy Assessor, reported on a proposal
that the Assessor's office made to the Government Access
Information Committee (GAIC) to make Oasis System property
assessment data available on the Internet to the public, at no
cost (Exhibit C). He stated that this would enable the public to
access information by property address, Parcel ID number or the
property owner's name, significantly reducing the time the
Assessor's staff currently spends providing information over the
telephone.
In response to a question from Steinman, Hendricksen stated that
each search field would be limited. He also stated that licenses
to allow query searching capability could be set up in the
future, if so desired.
Hudkins asked Dan Nolte, Register of Deeds, what effect the
proposal would have on his office.
Nolte responded that there would be a loss of revenue for
Information Services for providing remote access to the
information through the Register of Deeds office.
Campbell requested the inclusion of telephone numbers to contact
for additional information.
Hendricksen stated that contact information could be enhanced on
the Assessor's Internet home page.
Dick Nuernberger, Lancaster County Treasurer, commented that he
would eventually like to see the ability to collect taxes
electronically made available.
Campbell requested that a brief demonstration of the system for
the public and media be scheduled for the next Tuesday County
Board of Commissioners meeting. The Board concurred with
Campbell's suggestion.
Randy Ober, Information Systems, reported that the loss of
projected annual revenue for his department in the amount of
$18,000 - $20,000 for remote access to the information would be
offset by costs realized for hardware, capacity for dial-in
access and billing services.
Ober also suggested that District Court child support information
be considered for future inclusion on the Internet.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded approval of
the Oasis System on the Internet, as presented. On
call Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda and Steinman voted
aye. Motion carried.
5 TRACKER PROGRAM - Bill Janike, Chief Juvenile
Probation Officer, Petra Smith, Cedars Youth
Service System
Bill Janike, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, reported that a
$58,000 federal grant, which provided the initial funding for the
Tracker Program, assistance for at-risk youth on probation,
expired on June 30, 1997. He stated that the Justice Council had
applied for second year grant funding, but that the Nebraska
Crime Commission had denied the request.
Janike stated that the program was currently operating on match
funding from the County in the amount of $26,371 from last year's
budget and a $10,000 grant from the Cooper Foundation, as well as
$10,000 of in-kind funds provided by Cedars Youth Service System.
He noted that these funds would be depleted in December of this
year, but that an application for another federal grant may be
submitted to the Crime Commission in the spring of 1998.
Janike requested that the Board authorize use of the $26,000
approved in this year's budget for match funding to extend the
program, which currently serves 35 youth, through June of 1998.
Steinman inquired whether the youth in the program would have
been incarcerated if the program had not been available.
Janike stated that some of the youth would have, and that the
program helps keep costs for placement in group homes down.
In response to a question from Hudkins, Janike reported that the
program has been a success for more than 50% of its participants.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to authorize Juvenile
Probation to utilize the $26,000 in County match funds in this
year's budget to continue the Tracker Program.
Hudkins requested that Juvenile Probation be selective in
deciding which youth are eligible for the program and reduce the
number of participants, if necessary.
Campbell requested that review of the juvenile boarding
contracts, the Attention Center, the staff-secure juvenile
facility and the Tracker Program be placed on the schedule for
the Mid-Year Budget Retreat.
ON CALL: Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
6 LAND REUTILIZATION COMMISSION - Marty Barnhart,
Director of the Land Reutilization Commission of
Douglas County
Marty Barnhart, Director of the Land Reutilization Commission of
Douglas County, reported that the Nebraska Legislature passed
legislation in 1973 authorizing counties to create Land
Reutilization Commissions to return tax delinquent real estate to
the tax roles.
Barnhart reported briefly on the success of the Douglas County
Land Reutilization Commission, which significantly reduced the
number of tax delinquency properties held by Douglas County. He
stated that this agency is not supported by tax dollars, but is
self-funded through retention of a percentage of the sale
proceeds of each property sold.
Barnhart distributed a report summarizing the benefits of a Land
Reutilization Commission, which he stated is typically comprised
of three to seven members including representation from the City,
County and School District (Exhibit D). He also reviewed the tax
foreclosure process noting that the Land Reutilization Commission
will pick up properties that did not receive bids at certificate
and Sheriff's sales because they were more than $1,000 delinquent
in taxes, more than one year delinquent in taxes or had special
assessments against the property.
Barnhart also distributed copies of an inventory of foreclosed
property developed by the Douglas County Land Reutilization
Commission to market those properties (Exhibit E).
Barnhart proposed an interlocal agreement for the Douglas County
Land Reutilization Commission to provide management and marketing
services to a Land Reutilization Commission in Lancaster County,
with retention of 90% of the sale proceeds until $25,000 in net
sales are reached or until one year has elapsed. He stated that
the percentage retention rate would be reduced after either of
these marks is reached. He noted that all proceeds of sale would
deposited with the Lancaster County Treasurer and that deeds
would be filed in the Register of Deeds office, with cost of
documentation, title search fees and appraisals paid by the
management agency.
Hudkins asked Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorney, whether there
would be a downside to this proposal.
Cyr stated the tax delinquent properties are not a substantial
problem for Lancaster County. He also stated that the retention
of 90% of the proceeds of the sale of property was a negative
aspect, but noted that the proposal would relieve the County of
the burden of disposing of "trash" property and mobile home
foreclosures.
Terry Adams, Deputy County Treasurer, reported that the City of
Lincoln prefers to handle closing on property which includes
special assessments on its own.
Don Killeen, Property Manager, noted that the City of Lincoln
would be the primary interest in the proposed interlocal
agreement and stated that they may not be interested in the
proposal as the sale of property has been profitable for the
City.
The Board requested Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, to
set up a meeting with Marty Barnhart and City and County
representatives to discuss the proposal.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
f. Hazardous Conditions Near County Owned Buildings
g. Release of an Easement on Property Owned by Lincoln General
Hospital
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded the approval of these
additions to the agenda. On call Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
f. Hazardous Conditions Around County Owned Buildings
The Board asked Don Killeen, Property Manager, what action was
necessary to ensure correction of hazardous ice conditions at the
Motor Vehicle facility on West "O" Street and at the Election
Commissioner's building.
Killeen reported that his staff had devised a solution to the
drainage problem at the Motor Vehicle facility on West "O"
Street, but had not had time to correct the problem before the
heavy snow fall. He also reported that there had been some
confusion on the part of the contractor regarding snow removal at
the Motor Vehicle Services facility at 625 North 46th
Street.
Sue Eckley, Workers Compensation and Risk Manager, reported that
drainage problems exist on both the south and west sides of the
Election Commissioner's Building.
Hudkins suggested that the Killeen consider hiring an outside
contractor to correct the problems so that County is not held
liable for resulting injuries.
The Board requested that Killeen review the conditions discussed
with his staff and report on solutions to Kerry Eagan, Chief
Administrative Officer on a weekly basis until the problems are
corrected.
g. Release of an Easement on Property Owned by Lincoln
General Hospital
Bill Austin, City Attorney, reported that a title search related
to the sale of Lincoln General Hospital had uncovered an easement
enacted in 1963 to allow Lancaster County to construct a
convalescence and medical facility on Lincoln General Hospital's
property.
Austin requested the immediate release of this easement by the
Board to allow the sale of the hospital to proceed on October
31st.
Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorney, recommended that the Board
delay formal action on the request until the November 4th
County Board of Commissioners meeting to ensure compliance with
the Open Meetings Laws.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded to express the
County Board's intent to authorize release of an easement
enacted in 1963 to allow Lancaster County to construct
a convalescence and medical facility on property owned by
Lincoln General Hospital and to place the item on the agenda
for the County Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for
Tuesday, November 4, 1997 for this action, pending legal
review. On call Campbell, Hudkins, Svoboda and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
Cyr requested that the County Clerk's office provide Austin with
a copy of the Board's motion, expressing the Board's intent to
take formal action on the matter at the November 4th
County Board of Commissioner's meeting.
7 PENDING LITIGATION
Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation and Risk Manager
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded to enter
Executive Session for the purpose of pending
litigation at 11:16 a.m. On call Hudkins, Campbell,
Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded to exit
Executive Session at 11:47 a.m. On call Hudkins,
Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion
carried.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
d. Discussion on Junked Cars
Steinman reported on concerns expressed by Wayne Giebelhaus,
Yankee Hill Neighborhood Association, that the Health Department
and City of Lincoln had not been responsive to problems regarding
junked cars in the vicinity of the Yankee Hill neighborhood, even
though a Health Department ordinance requires compliance within
the three mile jurisdiction.
Following brief discussion, the Board requested that Hudkins,
Steinman and Staab meet with representatives of the Health
Department and City Attorney to determine whether the Health
Department ordinance is enforceable within the three mile area
and what criteria and resources are necessary for enforcement.
8 ACTION ITEMS
a. Execution of Remarketing Agent Appointment
MOTION: Campbell moved and Svoboda seconded approval. On call
Campbell, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Hudkins was present,
but not voting. Motion carried.
9 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Government Civil Practice Seminar
Eagan briefly reported on the Government Civil Practice Seminar
that he attended with Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, in San
Francisco, noting that materials from the seminar were available
for the Commissioners' review.
b. Proposed Amendments of Visitors Promotion Committee
(VPC) Bylaws
Campbell suggested that the Board review the original Visitors
Promotion Committee bylaws to see how the recommended changes
apply and schedule further discussion for a future Thursday
County Board of Commissioners meeting.
c. Authorization for Use of County Engineer Equipment
and Personnel for Storm Clean-Up in the City of
Lincoln
Eagan reported that Don Thomas, County Engineer, anticipated
completion of removal of snow from County roads by Friday and had
offered the assistance of the County Engineer's personnel and
equipment to the City of Lincoln in their storm clean-up efforts.
He stated that the Board's authorization was required, as the
work would be taking place outside the County's jurisdiction.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Svoboda seconded to authorize the County
Engineer to provide storm clean-up assistance to the City of
Lincoln, effective October 31, 1997, and to ratify that action at
the County Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Tuesday,
November 4th.
10 PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in Princeton
b. South Street Campus
11 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
Hudkins reported that separate contracts were recommended on the
remodel of the old Federal Building.
Hudkins also reported that the Womens Commission will be moving
into space that Family Service is vacating on the first floor of
Trabert Hall.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
Return to Item c.
c. Authorization for Use of County Engineer Equipment
and Personnel for Storm Clean-Up in the City of
Lincoln
In response to a question from Diane Staab, Deputy County
Attorney, Eagan stated that the work would be performed on a
voluntary basis on regular shift hours, with no overtime
authorized.
Staab noted that the County will then be liable for any injuries
sustained by employees or any damage that might occur.
The Board requested that Staab contact Don Thomas, County
Engineer, for clarification of the work and hours to be
performed.
d. Information Services Policy Committee - Steinman
Steinman reported that the County's Year 2000 projects should be
completed by June of 1998.
Steinman also reported that discussion took place on having City
and County payroll checks issued at the same time. She stated
that having one run of payroll checks would reduce costs and
staff time.
e. Attention Center Advisory Board - Steinman
No report was given.
f. Mutual of Omaha Health Plans Informational Meeting
Steinman reported that the first informational meeting with
Mutual of Omaha Health Plans representatives and department heads
was held. She noted that Mutual of Omaha had reported on
response to employee complaints, payment of claims and the hiring
of additional staff to address membership needs.
Steinman also noted that the Personnel Department would be
providing the Board a list of employee complaints received by
their department regarding Mutual of Omaha.
12 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Railroad Transportation Safety District - Monday,
November 3, 1997, at 8:30 a.m., at the County-City
Building, Council Chamber - Steinman, Svoboda,
Tussing
b. Ecological Advisory Committee - Tuesday, November
4, 1997 at 7 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Fourth Floor Conference Room - Tussing
c. Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development -
Tuesday, November 4, 1997, at 7:30 a.m, at National
Bank of Commerce, North Star Room - Steinman
d. Management Team Retreat - Thursday, November 6,
1997, at 8:30 a.m, at Crooked Creek Golfcourse
Clubhouse - All Commissioners
e. Joint Budget Committee - Friday, November 7, 1997,
at 8 a.m., at the County-City Building, Mayor's
Conference Room - Campbell, Steinman
13 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Lincoln-Lancaster County Housing Trust Fund Meeting
- Tuesday, November 4, 1997, at 2 p.m., at the
Lincoln Downtown Senior Center, 1005 "O" Street
The Board requested that Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer,
and Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator, attend the meeting
on behalf of the Board.
b. Nebraska Cooperative Extension Association Luncheon
- Tuesday, November 18, 1997 at 11:30 a.m., at the
Ramada Plaza Hotel
14 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
15 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
16 AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 4, 1997
a. Appointment of Elected County Official to the
Merit Commission
17 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Administrator, appeared to
report on the emergency plan enacted at Lancaster Manor in
response to the snow storm, noting that 93 staff members put
forth extra time and effort to see that the residents needs were
met.
Van Hunnik stated that he had recognized these individuals with
personal letters, but stated that he would like to provide an
additional monetary gesture of appreciation.
The Board suggested that Van Hunnik consider recognizing the
employees with a pizza party, Special Circumstances awards or by
making notation in their personnel files.
>Steinman reported that she had been contacted by the
Attention Center Director during the storm and had authorized the
transfer of several youth to the Kearney and Wayne Juvenile
Detention facilities and the Lincoln Regional Center, due
to overcrowding.
_________________________________________________________________
Campbell reported that concerns regarding the validity of the
data on salaries had been raised at the Salary Committee
meeting.
She also stated that performance reviews were suggested
in determining salaries.
_________________________________________________________________
Steinman reported that Les Myers, Emergency Services Coordinator,
had reported that snow storm damage in Lancaster County totaled
more than $84,079,976.
Campbell suggested that the Board develop an Emergency Procedure
for County departments to coordinate efforts and inventory of
resources in emergency situations.
Campbell and Steinman agreed to contact elected officials for
suggestions.
Hudkins stated concern regarding the County Engineer's work crews
cease of work at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28th, when
continuation of several hours of snow removal work could have
resulted in the restoration of electricity to many County
residents.
18 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
_______________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk