Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
Thursday, September 24, 1998 - 8:00 a.m.
County-City Building - Room 113
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 15, 1998
(Review of Phase II Comprehensive Juvenile Justice System
Study) AND SEPTEMBER 17, 1998
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:00am COMMISSIONERS MEETING REPORTS (See Item #12)
4 8:30am WILDERNESS PARK SUBAREA PLAN ISSUE IDENTIFICATION
Betsy Kosier, Lincoln Lancaster Mediation Center;
Kent Morgan, Assistant Planning Director;
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department
5 10:00am HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE
Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager;
Ron Todd, Personnel Director
6 10:30am GRANT FOR VAN - Tim Howell, Rural Transit Director
7 10:45am TRAINING WORKSHOP ON ADOLESCENT FEMALE OFFENDERS;
ADDENDUM TO JUSTICE COUNCIL GRANT FOR COMPREHENSIVE
COMMUNITY JUSTICE PLAN; CONSULTING CONTRACT
Kit Boesch, Human Services Director
8 ACTION ITEMS
a. Engagement Letter for Arbitrage Rebate Work
b. Ballot from Downtown Lincoln Association for
Retention of Board Members
9 CONSENT ITEMS
a. $3,000 from Inmate Benefit Fund for Full-Time
Chaplain from Good News Jail and Prison Ministries
10 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Letter from Jim Hille Regarding Site
Recommendations for Juvenile Detention Facility
b. Salaries for Directors, Attorneys, Sheriff
Captains and Bailiffs
c. Draft Budget Received from Judge Paul Merritt
d. Hog Farm at 142nd Street and Parker Road
e. Tri-County Retreat - November 19, 1998 at Platte
River State Park
11 PENDING
12 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
b. Information Services Policy Committee - Steinman
c. Government Access & Information Committee - Steinman
d. Emergency Services Executive Committee - Hudkins
13 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee -
Thursday, September 24, 1998 at 12:00 p.m., at
Lancaster Manor, Administrative Conference Room -
Campbell
b. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday,
September 24, 1998, at 1:00 p.m., at the County-City
Building, Room 106 - Hudkins
c. Fringe Growth Task Force - Tuesday,
September 29, 1998, at 7:30 a.m., at the County-City
Building, Mayor's Conference Room - Campbell
14 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Lincoln Board of Realtors 79th Inaugural -
Wednesday, October 7, 1998 at 11:30 a.m., at the
Country Club of Lincoln, 3200 S. 24th Street
b. Better Business Bureau Annual Member Lunch -
Monday, October 19, 1989, at 11:30 a.m., at the
Cornhusker Hotel, Grand Ballroom
15 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
16 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
17 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF
SEPTEMBER 29, 1998
18 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
County-City Building
Meeting Room #113
Thursday, September 24, 1998
8 a.m.
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Bernie Heier
Commissioners Absent: Steve Svoboda
Larry Hudkins
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 15, 1998 (A.M. SESSION) AND
SEPTEMBER 17, 1998
MOTION: Heier moved and Campbell seconded approval of the minutes of
September 15, 1998 (A.M. Session) and September 17, 1998. On call
Heier, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Correspondence from Beatty Brasch, Lincoln Action
Program Director
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 11)
b. Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
Eagan reported that the Visitors Promotion Committee is still
actively pursing an indoor football franchise.
c. Information Services Policy Committee - Steinman
Steinman reported that Information Services is assisting the
State of Nebraska in testing interface programs for the District
Court child support system.
Eagan reported that Information Services is conducting an
inventory of existing equipment to determine which PC's have date
sensitive microcomputer chips. He noted that replacement of
equipment will have a significant budget impact over the next two
years.
Campbell requested that an update on the situation be provided to
the Board at the Mid-Year Budget Review.
d. Government Access & Information Committee -
Steinman
Steinman reported that the Government Access & Information
Committee (GAIC) would like to have the ability to add items to
the inventory without having to seek approval of the County Board
and City Council for each item. She explained that the GAIC
would be indicating which cost category would apply, but would
not be setting rates.
Eagan noted that the GAIC would need to develop a written policy
for the Board's approval.
Steinman also reported that a number of County and City
departments have been reluctant to place their permits or forms
on the kiosk or InterLinc website. The County Board and City
Council have been asked to encourage departments to include that
information for easy accessibility by the public.
e. Emergency Services Executive Committee - Hudkins
Eagan reported that copies of State Statutes relating to
Emergency Services were distributed.
Eagan noted that Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation & Risk
Management Manager, is reviewing insurance coverage for
volunteers.
Eagan also reported that volunteers had expressed a strong
preference that Emergency Services remain a County agency.
4 WILDERNESS PARK SUBAREA PLAN ISSUE IDENTIFICATION
Betty Kosier, Lincoln Lancaster Mediation Center;
Sheryl Schrepf, Lincoln Lancaster Mediation Center;
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department;
Nicole Fleck-Tooze, Planning Department;
Terry Genrich, Parks & Recreation
Mike DeKalb, Planning Department, provided a brief overview of
the Wilderness Park Subarea Study and timeline for completion,
referring to the following documents:
Wilderness Park Subarea Study: Process Overview (Exhibit A)
Wilderness Park Subarea Study: Floodway & Floodplain
(Exhibit B)
DeKalb also indicated Wilderness Park and areas of development on
the following maps:
Wilderness Park Subarea Study Ariel Perspective
Lincoln's Land Use Plan
South Lincoln Urban Planning Zones S-1 and S-2
Betty Kosier, Lincoln Lancaster Mediation Center, provided a
brief overview of the public participation process and
distributed the following documents:
Fact Sheet: What is Lincoln/Lancaster Mediation Center
(Exhibit C)
Interest-Based Group Facilitation (Exhibit D)
Role of the Facilitator (Exhibit E)
Group Facilitation Process Steps (Exhibit F)
In response to questions from Sheryl Schrepf, Lincoln Lancaster
Mediation Center Facilitator, Board members identified the
following issues and concerns that they would like to see
addressed in the study group process:
Important for people to know that County Board is looking at
the whole park and the whole impetus for this project
started with a focus specifically on Wilderness Park- from
tip to bottom, long term and short term
Seems to be expectation that Wilderness Park boundaries are
movable and that there should be move control over property
around the park - an issue of development and public control
Conflict regarding concern over effect of development on
Wilderness Park versus no development
All need some education on what the role of Wilderness Park
was originally and how it evolved, now and in the future
Park and adjacent neighbors need to come to some level of
co-existence, which may be different than original intent;
mixed up among original intent and beliefs about Wilderness
Park
If original intent was flood control, then that always needs
to be considered
Flood plain issue is a critical concern
Need to determine most southern boundary of Wilderness Park,
especially in relation to any consideration of land purchase
Real opportunity to designate areas for usage.
As we grow development, let's grow the Park, too
Think visionary, even if it takes more land
Historical view of city views growth as inevitable; have
growth continue in a concentric way
Want to help people understand that development and growth
will happen
Earlier decisions need to be part of overall considerations;
put it in context
Need to identify land uses and types of land uses that are
compatible to park boundaries and function as a flood plain
Park has posed problems itself: deer population impact on
roads and auto accidents (West Bypass)
Park is not in a vacuum
There already is development in the Park - homes, roads
Misperception that park is "pristine" and should remain so
Identify a list of criteria for conditional land uses for
property around Wilderness Park, such as a special use
permit system
Different parts of Wilderness Park can be identified
differently - no "one size fits all"
Consider economic value
Park has ecological, recreational, and economic values;
public/private should invest to enhance values;
responsibility to help preserve values
Particular emphasis needs to be on what is inside the Park
Transportation and traffic are huge issues; major roads go
through it now
Would closure of roads protect Wilderness Park? - Look at it
What is the traffic count? Is it increasing on Pioneers,
Old Cheney, Yankee Hill?
Residential is intrusive; much worse than industrial - more
concrete, more chemical, etc.
What does State envision for Highway 77? During
construction, silting was not being managed and it was going
into Park: protection important
Partner with West side - State owns land abutting Park
Need to include utility companies (Gas line people, Lincoln
Electric System (LES), etc.)
Contact Hickman - flood control, natural stream, etc.
Interest in land on East side of Park; stand of Bur Oaks
across from Acreage, financial concerns, easement potential
Some tree protection in Park and South is critical; that's
why contacting Hickman is critical
Want less time arguing, more time being visionary
Lincoln has a long history of valuing and developing parks
withing the context of evolving park function
Wilderness Park has been neglected - no grand design since
original intent; more involvement of people in original
design, which was very people-use oriented
Concern about accommodating multiple user perspectives
Should we be looking at "flavor" of the Park North to South,
ie. how Park varies?
Natural forces in Wilderness Park are constantly changing
the Park
Does Wilderness Park mean "wilderness", does wilderness mean
"neglect", or does park mean "maintained"?
Not very much investment in the Park in the past
Need chronology of Wilderness Park and how history relates
to what is happening now and in the future
Kosier suggested that the County Board and City Council each
appoint direct representation to serve as members of the Study
Working Group.
5 HEALTH INSURANCE UPDATE - Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager;
Ron Todd, Personnel Director;
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
Bill Kostner, City Risk Manager, briefly reviewed the following
documents (Exhibit G):
Lancaster County Health and Dental Insurance Rates - Mutual
of Omaha Health & Dental; United HealthCare/Ameritas
Vision Service Plan - Plans and Rates
Employee Benefit Information Available on the InterLinc Website
Kostner noted that Mutual of Omaha's proposed rates are
drastically higher than current rates, which would significantly
increase contributions for both employees and the County.
Kostner recommended acceptance of the United HealthCare/Ameritas
plan, noting that rates differ slightly for coverage periods.
The Board indicated a preference for the calendar year plan.
Ron Todd, Personnel Director, reported that the three unions that
represent County employees and the Employees Advisory Team
support acceptance of the United HealthCare/Ameritas plan.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded to authorize the Personnel
Department and Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney, to begin the
process to change health insurance coverage for County employees to
United HealthCare/Ameritas effective January 1, 1999 and to notify
Mutual of Omaha of the Board's decision. On call Campbell, Heier
and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
Kostner stated that the Vision Plan will be available to
employees at the time of open enrollment.
Eagan suggested that information regarding the change in health
insurance coverage be provided to employees on the back of their
next paychecks and in the County Newsletter. He also suggested
that the Board indicate that the County will continue to explore
joint purchase of health and disability insurance coverage.
Board consensus to send a letter to department heads notifying
them of the Board's decision.
Kostner also reported that additional information with regards to
the health plan and participating physicians will be made
available on the InterLinc website. He encouraged employees to
check the listing of physicians and dentists and encourage their
providers to seek accreditation under the plan, if they are not
currently listed.
6 GRANT FOR VAN PURCHASE- Tim Howell, Rural Transit Director
Tim Howell, Rural Transit Director, reported on a grant offered
through the State Department of Roads Capital Program which
provides funds for the purchase of vehicles for use in Rural
Transit programs. Federal dollars will provide 60% of the
funding, with a 40% County match required.
Brief discussion took place on which size of van to purchase.
MOTION: Heier moved and Campbell seconded to authorize purchase of a
15 passenger van, with American Disabilities Act (ADA) lift
equipment, for the Rural Transit Program. On call Heier, Campbell
and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
7 TRAINING WORKSHOP ON ADOLESCENT FEMALE OFFENDERS;
ADDENDUM TO JUSTICE COUNCIL GRANT FOR
COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY JUSTICE PLAN; CONSULTING
CONTRACT - Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator
Training Workshop on Adolescent Female Offenders
Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator, requested authorization
to submit her application for selection to participate in a
seminar on services and programs for adolescent female offenders,
scheduled to be held on March 1-5, 1999 in Longmont, Colorado.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded to authorize Kit Boesch,
Human Services Administrator, to submit an application to
participate in the seminar, with the stipulation that if selected,
Boesch will attend the seminar. On call Campbell, Heier and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
Consulting Contract
Boesch stated that she was unsure of the time commitment involved
should she be permitted to accept consultant work developing
juvenile justice plans or community corrections plans, similar to
those developed in Lancaster County, for other communities in
Nebraska. She requested authorization to accept one contract to
perform consultant work for one community, and track the amount
of time required, with report to the Board.
The Board indicated that no County resources could be used for
the contracted work.
MOTION: Heier moved and Campbell seconded approval of one consulting
contract for Kit Boesch, Human Services Administrator. On call
Heier, Campbell and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
Addendum to Justice Council Grant for Comprehensive Community
Justice Plan
Boesch briefly reported on a recommendation from the Justice
Council for an addendum request, in the amount of $5,000, for a
research component that focuses on the needs of women leaving the
Nebraska Correctional Center for Women in York, for possible
inclusion in the Comprehensive Community Justice Plan.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded to submit the revised
addendum to the Justice Council Grant. On call Campbell, Heier and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
8 ACTION ITEMS
a. Engagement Letter for Arbitrage Rebate Services
Pursuant to Contract with Berens-Tate Consulting
Group for Lancaster County Leasing Corporation
$7,765,000 Tax Supported Lease-Rental Refunding
Bonds (Lancaster Manor Project) Series 1988
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, reported that if positive
earnings are realized, then the County will need to rebate the
difference.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded to authorize the Chair to
execute the agreement with Berens-Tate Consulting Group. On call
Campbell, Heier and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
b. Ballot from Downtown Lincoln Association for
Retention of Board Members During Transitional
Period
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded to authorize Kerry Eagan,
Chief Administrative Officer, to return the ballot in affirmation of
retention of Board members. On call Campbell, Hudkins and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
Board consensus to refrain from answering questionnaire.
9 CONSENT ITEMS
$3,000 from Inmate Benefit Fund for a Full-Time
Chaplain from Good News Jail and Prison Ministries
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded approval of the Consent Item.
On call Campbell, Heier and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
10 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Letter from Jim Hille, Sinclair Hille & Associates
Inc., Regarding Site Recommendations for Juvenile
Detention Facility
Eagan reported that Jim Hille, Sinclair Hille & Associates Inc.
recommended that no further consideration be given to the SW
12th & Rokeby Road site (Site #2) or the NW 12th
& Cornhusker Highway site (Site #3), due to access and floodplain
issues (Commissioners' Information Packet).
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded to accept the
recommendation of Jim Hille, Sinclair Hille & Associates Inc.,
and notify the two property owners that the Board will not be giving
further consideration to their site. On call Campbell, Heier and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
b. Salaries for Directors, Attorneys, Sheriff
Captains and Bailiffs
MOTION: Campbell moved and Heier seconded to place approval of salaries
for Attorneys, Sheriff Captains and Bailiffs on the agenda for the
Tuesday, September 29th County Board of Commissioners meeting.
On call Campbell, Heier and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
The Board requested Eagan to send a letter to District Court
Judge Paul Merritt indicating that the Board will continue to
work on issues of benefits for Bailiffs during the coming year.
Following a brief review of current salaries for directors
(Exhibit H) and comparable salary information prepared by the
Personnel Department (Exhibit I), the following salaries were
proposed:
Veterans Services Officer $36,800
Assistant Veterans Services Officer $27,100
Lancaster Manor Administrator $83,500
Community Mental Health Center Director $65,500
Attention Center Director $55,000
Attention Center Assistant Director $44,000
Chief Administrative Officer $72,700
Budget & Fiscal Officer $66,000
County Property Manager $70,000
Human Services Administrator $51,500
Corrections Director $66,500
Noxious Weed Control Authority Superintendent $41,000
Board consensus to freeze the salaries of the Emergency Services
Director and Assistant Director, as those positions are currently
vacant and under review.
c. Draft Budget Received from District Court Judge
Paul Merritt
Steinman explained that the document is a proposed budget for
technology needs for the Courts in the Hall of Justice and Law
Enforcement Center (Commissioners' Information Packet).
d. Hog Farms at 142nd Street and Parker Road
Steinman noted that area of the proposed hog operation falls
within Crete's zoning jurisdiction.
The Board requested that Mike DeKalb, Planning Department, gather
information with regards to the proposed hog operation and brief
the Board at the Thursday, October 1st County Board of
Commissioners meeting.
The Board also requested a copy of minutes of the Crete Planning
Commission meeting scheduled to be held Wednesday, October
7th. The Board will review action taken by the Crete
Planning Commission on the matter before sending a letter, noting
the Board's concerns, to the Crete City Council.
e. Tri-County Retreat - November 19, 1998 at Platte
River State Park
Eagan reported that November 19th has been selected as
the date for the Tri-County Retreat, which is a joint meeting of
the Lancaster, Douglas and Sarpy County Boards.
Steinman requested that the Management Team Retreat, scheduled
for October 15th, be held at a location within Lancaster
County, rather than the Platte River State Park.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Correspondence from Beatty Brasch, Lincoln Action
Program Director
This item was dropped from the agenda at the request of the Chair.
11 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Visitors Promotion Committee - Steinman
b. Information Services Policy Committee - Steinman
c. Government Access & Information Committee -
Steinman
d. Emergency Services Executive Committee - Hudkins
Items a-d were moved forward on the agenda.
12 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Lancaster Manor Advisory Committee - Thursday,
September 24, 1998 at 12 p.m., at Lancaster Manor,
Administrative Conference Room - Campbell
b. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday,
September 24, 1998, at 1 p.m., at the County-City
Building, Room 106 - Hudkins
c. Fringe Growth Task Force - Tuesday, September 29,
1998, at 7:30 a.m., at the County-City Building,
Mayor's Conference Room - Campbell
d. Budget Monitoring Committee - Tuesday, September
29, 1998, 12 p.m., at the Attention Center -
Campbell, Steinman, Heier
13 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Lincoln Board of Realtors 79th Inaugural
- Wednesday, October 7, 1998 at 11:30 a.m., at the
Country Club of Lincoln, 3200 S 24th
Street
b. Better Business Bureau Annual Member Lunch -
Monday, October 19, 1998, at 11:30 a.m., at the
Cornhusker Hotel, Grand Ballroom
14 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
15 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
16 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 29, 1998
17 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
18 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk