Lancaster County
Board of Commissioners
Board of Commissioners
lancaster.ne.gov
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
Thursday, November 12, 1998 - 8:30 a.m.
County-City Building - Room 113
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 3 & 5, 1998
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:30am HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES NETWORK -
Cathy Anderson, SE Area Director; Reba
Schafer, Lincoln Area Agency on Aging
Director; Carol Douglas, Health Department
4 9:30am BENEFITS FOR UNCLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES
John Cripe, Classification and Pay Manager;
Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
5 10:00am POSITION PAPERS ON REORGANIZATION ON NEBRASKA HEALTH
& HUMAN SERVICES & JUVENILE SERVICES
Kit Boesch, Human Services Director
6 ACTION ITEMS
a. Letter of Support for Lincoln Action Program (LAP)
building project at 3rd & "O" Street in
Lincoln, Nebraska
7 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Letter to Denny Macomber, Chief of Jail Standards
Division, Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement
regarding Attention Center Official Corrective
Action Plan
8 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Staff Meeting on Tuesday, November 24, 1998
9 PENDING
10 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
b. Community Based Human Services Needs Assessment &
Comprehensive Plan - Campbell, Steinman
c. Emergency Services Executive Committee - Hudkins
d. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman
e. Public Building Commission - Campbell, Hudkins
f. Board of Health - Hudkins
g. Chamber Agricultural Committee - Hudkins
11 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Register of Deeds Technological
Committee - Thursday, November 12, 1998 at
1:30 p.m., at the County-City Building, Room 206 -
Heier, Hudkins
b. Parks and Recreation Advisory Board -
Thursday, November 12, 1998 at 4:00 p.m., at
the City Council Chambers, Room 112 - Heier
c. Visitors Promotion Committee - Monday,
November 16, 1998, at 1:30 p.m., Chamber of
Commerce - Steinman
d. General Assistance Monitoring
Committee - Tuesday, November 17, 1998 at
the County-City Building, Room 113 - Campbell, Heier
12 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Midland Recycling Open House - Friday, November
13, 1998, 4:00-6:00 p.m., 530 West "P" Street
b. US Bank Reception - Thursday, November 19, 1998,
4:30-6:30 p.m., at 233 South 13th Street,
20th Floor
c. People's City Mission's Annual Banquet - Thursday,
November 19, 1998, 6:30 p.m., at Pershing Auditorium
d. 1998 Star Tran Holiday Light Tours - December 9,
11, 15, 18, 22, 1998; for reservations call 441-8469
13 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
14 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
15 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 17, 1998
16 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
LANCASTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY-CITY BUILDING
MEETING ROOM #113
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1998
8:30 A.M.
Commissioners Present: Kathy Campbell, Vice-Chair
Larry Hudkins
Bernie Heier
Commissioners Absent: Linda Steinman, Chair
Steve Svoboda
Others Present: Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer
Ann Taylor, County Clerk's Office
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MEETINGS OF NOVEMBER 3 AND NOVEMBER 5, 1998.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Heier seconded approval of the
minutes of the County Board of Commissioners
meetings of November 3 and November 5, 1998. On
call Hudkins, Heier and Campbell voted aye.
Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. County Board Fiduciary Responsibilities
b. Additional Agenda Items for Tri-County Retreat
with Representatives of the Douglas and Sarpy
County Boards
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Heier seconded approval of
the additions to the agenda. On call Hudkins,
Heier and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried.
3 HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES NETWORK - Cathy
Anderson, Southeast Area Director; Reba Schafer,
Lincoln Area Agency on Aging Director; Carol
Douglas, Lincoln/Lancaster County Health
Department; George Hanigan, Community Mental
Health Center Director
Reba Schafer, Lincoln Area Agency on Aging Director, reported on
the progress of the Organizational Development Committee, which
is one of five committees working on extension of the
reorganization of the State Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) to the regional level.
Cathy Anderson, Southeast Area Director, briefly reviewed the
Southeast Service Area Network Management Entity
Organizational Development Sub-Group Guiding Principles and
flow chart of the Southeast Service Area Network Management
Entity (Exhibit A) and a list of Southeast Service Area -
Network Management Entity Membership Organizations - Definitions
(Exhibit B).
Anderson indicated that membership in the Southeast Nebraska
Health and Human Services Membership Organization, indicated on
the flow chart, is open to individuals, as well as organizations
and governmental entities. She noted that a nominal membership
fee structure may be instituted to offset operational costs,
ranging from $1 for individuals to $100 for larger organizations.
Anderson explained that the Membership Organization will elect a
Board of Directors which will provide a governance structure and
conduct business and the Corporate Board of Directors will
contract with service providers and specialty networks and
perform other administrative functions.
Heier asked whether an outside evaluation of the Southeast
Service Area Network Management Entity is planned.
Anderson stated there will be a performance-based contract
between the Corporate Board of Directors and the State Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS). This contract will
incorporate the goals set forth in a five year plan, which the
Network Management Entity is required to submit to the State.
She noted that a unit from within the Finance and Support
Division of HHS will conduct the evaluation of performance of the
contract.
Carol Douglas, Lincoln/Lancaster County Health Department,
indicated that a request for an outside evaluation would need to
come from the Membership Organization, rather than the Corporate
Board of Directors, noting that the proposed configuration was
designed to eliminate influence in terms of the stream of
funding.
Heier noted concern with the evaluation process, suggesting that
an outside evaluator, with no vested interest in the outcome, be
selected and that the service be voluntary, not paid.
In response to a question from Campbell, Schafer stated that
elected officials and regional governing boards will be allowed
to participate in the Membership Organization. She noted that
the bylaws for the Corporate Board of Directors could be
structured to require that a certain number of seats be filled by
elected officials.
Hudkins suggested that the Nebraska Association of County
Officials (NACO) also have representation on the Corporate Board
of Directors.
Eagan noted that Lancaster County, the City of Lincoln and the
United Way of Lincoln-Lancaster County are currently involved in
a comprehensive human services needs assessment. He suggested
that a sharing of information with the Network Management Entity
could be beneficial.
In response to a question from Campbell, Anderson stated that
Corporate Boards could be structured differently in each service
area, although State and Federal mandates for funding will remain
consistent throughout the State.
Campbell asked if the County would be expected to place any of
its present health and human services dollars into any of the
categories.
Anderson indicated it would not.
Campbell expressed concern that if decisions made at the
Corporate Board level with regards to State funding of services
do not mesh with priorities set at the local level, then the
County's General Assistance costs will increase.
Anderson stated there will still be mandatory populations and
services. She noted that the Corporate Board will seek funding
efficiencies, rather than elimination of services.
Campbell stated that counties oppose the plan for State employees
to be absorbed at the contract regional level, with no control
over their benefits, salary, grievance procedure or liability.
Campbell also stated that is difficult to understand how the
regional governing boards will fit into the proposed structure,
given their responsibilities.
Anderson explained that funds that are statutorily directed, such
as Mental Health and Aging, will still flow to the directly to
the regional governing boards.
Campbell questioned why Lincoln and Lancaster County is not
considered a separate service area.
Anderson explained that the Health and Human Services Policy
Cabinet made service area decisions based on "natural shopping
areas", those urban areas from which services emanate.
In response to a question from Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal
Officer, Anderson stated that use of the State's Management
Information System, as a bill paying mechanism, is recommended.
4 BENEFITS FOR UNCLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES -
John Cripe, Classification & Pay Manager; Ron Todd,
Personnel Director; Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney
John Cripe, Classification & Pay Manager, reported that the
County has been granting benefits to unclassified employees
(Appointed Directors, Elected Officials' Deputies, Deputy County
Attorneys, Deputy Public Defenders, Sheriff Captains and
Bailiffs), without a formal resolution granting authority to do
so. (NOTE: A memorandum outlining the content of a
proposed benefits package for unclassified employees is included
in the Commissioners' Information Packet.)
Eagan suggested review of the Fair Labor Standards Act in
determining benefits.
In response to a question from Campbell, Ron Todd, Personnel
Director, stated that benefits for appointed directors and
elected officials' deputies could be separated from the rest of
the class.
Todd also indicated that establishment of a separate retirement
plan, which provides full vesting upon hire, will require
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) approval.
The Board requested that further discussion of a benefits package
be scheduled for the Thursday, November 24th County
Board of Commissioners meeting.
5 POSITION PAPERS ON REORGANIZATION OF NEBRASKA
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES AND JUVENILE SERVICES
- Kit Boesch, Human Services Director
Kit Boesch, Human Services Director, reviewed two position paper
drafts (Commissioners' Information Packet), prepared at the
request of the Board. These position papers will be presented,
following revisions, to the new Governor.
Following a brief discussion, the following changes to the drafts
were made:
Position Paper - Nebraska Juvenile Services and Their Impact
on Lancaster County, Nebraska
Background Information - Lancaster County
Change "attendance" to "population" in Paragraph 1, Sentence 3
Background Information - Nebraska Juvenile Services
Add "as well as Douglas County" behind "Lancaster County" in
Paragraph 4, Sentence 2
Current Situation - Lancaster County
Add the phrase "as have a number of counties across the
State" in Paragraph 1, Sentence 1
Change "11 million" to "14 million" in Paragraph 1, Sentence 2
Change "We" to "The State" in Paragraph 1, Sentence 5
Add a sentence that reads "The Nebraska Association of
County Officials (NACO) will build off Lancaster County
research and conduct a statewide needs assessment, also
employing the services of Chinn Associates, Inc."
Recommendations to the Governor's Office
Reword Recommendation 1 to read "We request a restatement of
the policy and role of the State and their vision of
juvenile services for the next five years and we recommend
that the Governor's office support adequate levels of
funding for the plan to operate effectively"
Combine language in Recommendations 2 and 5 to be more
general, eliminating specific committee names
Change "recommend" to "invite", add "to" behind "Services" and add
"and Assessment Center" behind "Facilities" in Recommendation 4
The Board requested that a copy of the executive summary of the
Chinn report and a copy of Juvenile Services Comprehensive Plan
be attached to the document.
Position Paper - Reorganization of Nebraska Health & Human
Services and Its Impact on City-County Governments
False Start #1
Add "and the Mayor's Office" behind "City and County
Officials" in Paragraph 2, Sentence 2
Current Status
Add a sentence that reads "There was not one local elected
official involved in development of the process and
structure for the Southeast Management Network Entity" in
Paragraph 8
Request for Action from the Governor's Office
Add a third paragraph to read "This issue has been an
ongoing agenda item of meetings between elected officials
from Douglas, Sarpy and Lancaster Counties and they would
welcome a meeting with the Governor on this issue. The
Executive Director of the Nebraska Association of County
Officials (NACO) has been involved in those meetings and has
shared those concerns with the NACO Board."
Eagan agreed to work with Boesch on other minor revisions of the
documents. The Board will review the revisions at the County
Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on
November 17th.
6 ACTION ITEMS
a. Letter of Support for Lincoln Action Program (LAP)
Building Project at 3rd & "O" Streets in
Lincoln, Nebraska
Eagan reported that Lincoln Action Program is applying for a
waiver to be able to use Community Development Block Grant funds
to pay off a bond for construction of a new facility. Proof of
community support and need for the project are required for the
waiver.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Heier seconded approval and
authorized the Vice-Chair to sign a letter of
support for Lincoln Action Program. On call
Hudkins, Heier and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried.
7 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Letter to Denny Macomber, Chief of Jail Standards
Division, Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement
Regarding Attention Center Official Corrective
Action Plan
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Heier seconded approval and
authorized the Vice-Chair to sign the letter to
Denny Macomber, Chief of Jail Standards Division,
Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement. On call
Hudkins, Heier and Campbell voted aye. Motion
carried.
8 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
a. Staff Meeting on Tuesday, November 24, 1998
The Board set the following meeting schedule:
Tuesday November 17 Room 113 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday November 24 Room 113 Immediately Following the
Regularly Scheduled Meeting
Tuesday December 1 Room 113 8:00 a.m.
The Board will not hold a meeting on Thursday, December 3, as
members of the Board will be in attendance at the Nebraska
Association of County Officials (NACO) conference.
Board consensus to hold the swearing-in ceremony for newly
elected officials on Thursday, January 7, at 9 a.m. in the City
Council/County Commissioners Hearing Room, with a reception
immediately following in Room 113. The County Board of
Commissioners meeting scheduled for that date will be held at
10 a.m. in Room 113.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. County Board Fiduciary Responsibilities
Heier explained that he had some concerns with regards to how the
cost of a cross-walk study for the Waverly High School was
determined, noting that it was substantially more than the actual
labor. Heier also noted concern with regards to a lack of
communication with representatives of the City of Waverly and
Waverly Public Schools, noting there are indications that the
City of Waverly plans to install a sidewalk, which will dictate
placement of the crosswalk. He suggested that better
organization and coordination between entities is needed, prior
to submission of a funding request.
The Board requested that Diane Staab, Deputy County Attorney;
Kathy Smith, Assistant Purchasing Agent; Don Thomas, County
Engineer; and Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, appear at a
County Board "Staff" meeting to explain contracts and how
contractual amounts are determined.
Heier also questioned the County's return of investment with
regards to the Rural Housing Rehabilitation Program.
Eagan explained that initial funding of the program was
provided through a Community Development Block Grant. He stated
that the County's current policy dictates that liens granted
through the program are forgiven on an incremental basis over a
five year period.
Board consensus that a review of that policy is needed.
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Heier seconded to request Beatty
Brasch, Lincoln Action Program Director, and Judy
Adams, Lincoln Action Program Rural Coordinator,
to appear at a County Board "Staff" meeting to
discuss the history, criteria and operation of the
Rural Housing Rehabilitation Program. On call
Hudkins, Heier and Campbell voted aye. Motion carried.
b. Additional Agenda Items for Tri-County Retreat with
Representatives of the Douglas and Sarpy County Boards
Hudkins requested that discussion of a proposed occupational tax
for counties, which could be used to offset law enforcement and
emergency response costs incurred at public events, be included.
9 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
Hudkins indicated that this report would be combined with his
report on the Public Building Commission.
b. Community Based Human Services Needs Assessment &
Comprehensive Plan - Campbell, Steinman
Campbell reported that a matrix of issues and agencies for the
second community meeting were discussed.
c. Emergency Services Executive Committee - Hudkins
Hudkins reported an affirmative vote was taken recommending that
Emergency Services remain a County stand-alone agency and that an
interlocal agreement be entered into with the City making the 911
Director the back-up Emergency Management Director.
Eagan reported that shared use of resources, establishment of an
Emergency Services Management Users Committee, review of the
Advisory Committee's role and membership and interlocal
agreements with villages and cities that have separate emergency
services programs were included in the motion.
Eagan noted that Melba Scott, who was appointed to serve in
advisory capacity, appeared and indicated that she had not
received any notice of the meetings or proceedings.
Eagan suggested that the Emergency Services Executive Committee
hold a final meeting to allow members of the Advisory Committee
an opportunity to review the recommendations and provide additional
input, with public notice through the County Clerk's office.
Campbell suggested that a letter be sent to department heads and
elected officials reminding them of public meeting requirements.
Eagan recommended establishment of a policy dictating that any
advisory committee of the County Board work in conjunction with
the County Clerk's office to ensure that notices and agendas are
published in accordance with the "Open Meetings" laws.
d. Joint Budget Committee - Campbell, Steinman
Campbell reported that Region V is working on development of a
report on the emergency services system.
Additional topics of discussion included:
A report on homeless teenagers
Ways to use $15,000 in funds initially set aside from the
Consortium for the Youth Council
Human Services Planning
Whether to freeze Joint Budget Committee (JBC) allocations
in 1999 to coordinate with the United Way of
Lincoln/Lancaster County
Public Building Commission - Campbell, Hudkins
Hudkins reported that carpet for the Hall of Justice and Law
Enforcement Center was discussed, with one carpet selected for
the entire building. He also noted that technical equipment
costs for that building were reported to be $346,000, which may
result in a decrease to the furniture budget.
Campbell reported that additional discussion took place on long
term parking solutions and strategic planning for County
buildings and agencies.
e. Board of Health - Hudkins
Hudkins reported that Leon Vinci, the new Lincoln/Lancaster County
Health Department Director, will take office on December 7th.
Hudkins noted that topics of discussion included proposed City
"barking dog" ordinance and Air Pollution Standards shortfall.
f. Chamber Agricultural Committee - Hudkins
The Board requested that this item be dropped from future agendas.
10 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
g. Register of Deeds Technology Committee - Thursday,
November 12, 1998 at 1:30 p.m., at the County-City
Building, Room 206 - Heier, Hudkins
h. Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - Thursday,
November 12, 1998 at 4 p.m., at the City Council
Chambers, Room 112 - Heier
i. Visitors Promotion Committee - Monday, November
16, 1998, at 1:30 p.m., Chamber of Commerce -
Steinman
j. General Assistance Monitoring Committee - Tuesday,
November 17, 1998 at the County-City Building,
Room 113 - Campbell, Heier
11 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Midland Recycling Open House - Friday, November
13, 1998, 4-6 p.m., 530 West "P" Street
b. US Bank Reception - Thursday, November 19, 1998,
4:30-6:30 p.m., at 233 S 13th Street,
20th Floor
c. People's City Mission Annual Banquet - Thursday,
November 19, 1998, 6:30 p.m., at Pershing
Auditorium
d. 1998 Star Tran Holiday Light Tours - December 9,
11, 15, 18,22, 1998, for Reservations Call 441-8469
12 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
13 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
14 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF NOVEMBER 17, 1998
Announcements
The County Board will not hold meetings on the following dates:
Tuesday December 22
Thursday December 24
Tuesday December 29
Thursday December 31
15 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
The Board directed Kit Boesch, Human Services Director, to
request a copy of plans for the juvenile detention facility and
assessment center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Brief discussion took place on concerns that Beltway Option
discussions are taking place with out-dated data and maps.
16 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
______________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk