Board of Commissioners
Agenda
STAFF MEETING AGENDA
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
County-City Building
Fourth Floor Conference Room
Thursday, October 23, 1997
8:30 a.m.
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF STAFF MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 14, 1997
2 ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
3 8:30am EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAM - Pat Kant, Personnel Coordinator
4 9:00am ADDITIONAL CHAIRS FOR PUBLIC DEFENDER - Dennis Keefe,
Public Defender
5 9:15am PENDING LITIGATION - Mike Thew, Deputy County Attorney;
TORT CLAIM - Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation & Risk Manager;
MARY SMITH'S WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM - Doug Cyr, Deputy
County Attorney; Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation & Risk
Manager
6 ACTION ITEMS
a. Appointment of District Energy Corporation Director for
Two (2) Year Term Commencing January 1, 1998 (Expiring
Term of Larry Hudkins)
b. Registration for Nursing Facility Intergovernmental
Transfer City-County Informational Meetings
c. Lincoln General Hospital Consent to Assignment
d. Ratification of Signing of Letter of Support for Child
Advocacy Center
7 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Set Meeting Date with Douglas and Sarpy Counties for
Tri-County Retreat
8 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER REPORT
9 PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in Princeton
b. South Street Campus
10 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
b. Board of Health - Steinman
c. GAIC - Steinman
d. Visitors Promotion Committee - Svoboda
e. NACO Convention - Campbell, Tussing
11 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Chamber Agricultural Committee - Thursday, October 23,
1997, at 12:00 p.m., location TBA - Hudkins
b. Court Administrator Committee - Thursday, October 23, 1997,
at 12:00 noon, at the County-City Building, Fourth Floor
Conference Room - Campbell, Steinman
c. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, October 23,
1997, at 1:15 p.m., at the County-City Building, Fourth
Floor Conference Room - Hudkins
d. Information Services Policy Committee - Tuesday,
October 28, 1997, at 11:00 a.m., at the County-City
Building, Mayor's Conference Room - Steinman
e. Attention Center Advisory Board - Tuesday,
October 28, 1997, at 7:00 p.m., at the Attention Center
Steinman
12 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Safe Kids Buckle Up Kick Off - Saturday, October 25,
1997 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at DuTeau Chevrolet,
18th & "O" Streets
b. Antelope Valley Major Investment Study Informational
Meetings - Friday, November 7, 1997 at 9:00 a.m. OR
Tuesday, November 11, 1997 at 7:00 p.m., at the Salvation
Army Chapel, 2625 Potter Street
c. University of Nebraska State Museum Annual Open House
Friday, November 14, 1997 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., at
Nebraska Hall, 901 N. 17th Street
d. People's City Mission Stewardship Banquet - Thursday,
November 20, 1997, time TBA, at Pershing Auditorium
13 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
14 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
15 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 28, 1997
16 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
MINUTES
Lancaster County Board Of Commissioners
County-City Building
Fourth Floor Conference Room
Thursday October 23, 1997
8:30 a.m.
Commissioners Present: Linda Steinman, Chair
Kathy Campbell
Steve Svoboda
Darlene Tussing
Larry Hudkins
Others Present: Earleen Ladd, County Clerk's Office
AGENDA ITEM
1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MEETING OF OCTOBER 14, 1997
Steinman requested that the second paragraph of Page 3 of the
minutes be amended to read over $10,000, instead of over $1,000.
The Board also requested that Page 5 of the minutes reflect that
the meeting with Chinn Planning, Inc. will be held on November
4th.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded approval of the minutes
with the those corrections. On call Campbell, Tussing,
Hudkins, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
2 ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Land Re-utilization Committee
b. Information the County Assessor Would Like to Place
on the Internet
c. Report from Hudkins on the Nebraska Association of
County Officials (NACO) Convention
MOTION: Hudkins moved and Campbell seconded to approve the additions to
the agenda. On call Hudkins, Campbell, Tussing, Svoboda and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
3 EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAM - Pat Kant, Personnel Coordinator
Pat Kant, Personnel Coordinator, briefly reported on the City of Lincoln's
Employee Recognition Program, which recognizes one or two City employee's
each month, awarding those employees a $100 savings bond and one day off of
work. In addition, one employee is recognized annually and awarded a $500
savings bond and two days off of work.
Kant stating that it was important to establish criteria for recognition
and develop a selection process in order for employees to recognize the
validity of the program. She noted that membership of the City's Selection
Committee includes representation from each of the labor unions and one non-
represented employee.
Campbell requested that the Board also set aside one day each year to
recognize all County employees.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded to request the Personnel
Department to form an Employee Recognition Committee, to be
comprised of representation of each of the three labor unions and
two non-represented employees, to develop program criteria and
selection process, with a report to the Board when development is
complete. On call Campbell, Tussing, Hudkins, Svoboda and Steinman
voted aye. Motion carried.
Steinman reported that the County's Professional Development Luncheon will
be held on December 11th at the Auld Recreation Center, 3140 Sumner Street.
Kant noted that the speaker will be Dan Kincaid, who will speak on the topic
of humor in the workplace.
4 ADDITIONAL CHAIRS FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER - Dennis Keefe,
Public Defender
Dennis Keefe, Public Defender, briefly reported on the request for seven
additional office chairs for his staff, for a total cost of $4,371.84.
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, recommended that funding
of the request be through the Building Fund.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Tussing seconded approval. On call Campbell,
Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
5 PENDING LITIGATION - Mike Thew, Deputy County Attorney;
TORT CLAIM - Sue Eckley, Workers Compensation & Risk Manager;
MARY SMITH'S WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIM - Doug Cyr, Deputy
County Attorney, Sue Eckley, Workers' Compensation & Risk Manager
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to enter Executive Session for
the purpose of pending litigation at 9:15 a.m. On call Tussing,
Hudkins, Svoboda, Campbell and Steinman voted aye.
Motion carried.
MOTION: Tussing moved and Hudkins seconded to exit Executive Session at
10:05 a.m. On call Tussing, Hudkins, Svoboda, Campbell and
Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
6 ACTION ITEMS
a. Appointment of District Energy Corporation Director for a Two
(2) Year Term Commencing January 1, 1998
Board consensus to place the item on the agenda for the Tuesday, October
28th County Board of Commissioners meeting.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
a. Land Re-utilization Committee
Campbell reported that a sub-committee on land re-utilization gave a report
at the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) Convention. She
stated that counties may proceed with land re-utilization programs and that
Douglas County has developed a Land Re-utilization Commission to market
their properties. She noted that Douglas County contracts on a percentage
basis, and suggested that Lancaster negotiate a similar contract with
Douglas County's Land Re-utilization Commission.
Campbell suggested that Marty Barnhart, Director of the Land Re-utilization
Commission for Douglas County be scheduled for a Thursday County Board of
Commissioners meeting for discussion of the topic and that Mike Thew and
Doug Cyr, Deputy County Attorneys; Terry Adams, Deputy County Treasurer;
Norm Agena, County Assessor be requested to attend.
ACTION ITEMS
b. Registration for Nursing Facility Intergovernmental Transfer
City-county Informational Meetings
Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Administrator, briefly reported on the
Nebraska Health and Human Services System (HHSS) proposed Intergovernmental
Transfer (IGT) program for city and county owned nursing facilities, which
allows the State to gain additional federal Medicaid matching money from the
federal government.
Tussing inquired how many other governmental nursing home facilities exist
in Nebraska and how they range in size.
Van Hunnik stated that he did not have those numbers available, but that
Lancaster and Douglas County probably have the largest facilities. He also
noted that approximately one third of the funds the State anticipates
receiving from the program would be from the Lancaster Manor facility.
In response to a question from Steinman, Van Hunnik stated that the Board
should probably attempt to negotiate the proposed annual reimbursement
figure of $10,000 for the Manor.
Board consensus to send Larry Van Hunnik, Lancaster Manor Administrator;
Linda Steinman, County Board Chair; Darlene Tussing, County Board liaison
to Lancaster Manor; Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer and Diane Staab,
Deputy County Attorney to the informational meeting to be held in Lincoln
on November 5th to explain the transfer program.
Brief discussion followed on the Board's concern that participation in the
program may not be ethical.
Duane Austria, Deputy County Attorney, reported that Congress allows States
to initiate these types of programs, but that the State must submit a plan
to Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA) for reimbursement under
Medicare/Medicaid.
Campbell asked if the State must provide a determination of what the
reimbursement funds will be used for.
Van Hunnik stated that the first year the funds will be disbursed through
the Nebraska Department on Aging or the Partnership Program to convert
rural nursing facilities to assisted living facilities. He stated that
Lancaster, Douglas and Sarpy would be excluded from the plan, as those
services are already available in those counties.
Campbell suggested that the Board closely monitor use of the funds and
consider lobbying to receive funds to provide ancillary services at
Lancaster Manor.
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, suggested that the issue of how
receipt and disbursement of the funds would flow through the County's budget
should also be addressed at the informational meeting.
c. Lincoln General Hospital Consent to Assignment
Steinman reported that the request from the Attention Center was to transfer
the assignment of medical care from Lincoln General Hospital to Bryan
Memorial Hospital.
MOTION: Campbell moved and Hudkins seconded approval. On call Campbell,
Hudkins, Tussing, Svoboda and Steinman voted aye. Motion carried.
d. Ratification of Signing of a Letter of Support for Child
Advocacy Center
MOTION: Tussing moved and Campbell seconded approval of ratification of
signing of a letter of support for the Child Advocacy Center. On
call Tussing, Campbell, Hudkins and Svoboda voted aye. Steinman
abstained from voting. Motion carried.
Steinman noted, for the record, that she is a member of the Child Advocacy
Center Board of Directors.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
b. Information the County Assessor Would Like to Place on the
Internet
Steinman reported that the County Assessor presented a proposal at the
Government Access & Information Committee (GAIC) to place property
assessment information on the Internet, at no charge to the public. She
stated that currently $15,000 to $20,000 is realized through charges for
access to the information through the Register of Deeds Office. She stated
however, that elimination of the administrative costs would negate the lost
revenue.
Dave Kroeker, Budget & Fiscal Officer, stated that easier accessability and
more information would be available through the Internet, than that which is
currently provided.
Kroeker reported that Information Services had said it might be feasible to
place the Register of Deeds' information on the Internet also.
In response to a question from Campbell, Kroeker reported that the fees are
currently used to defer data processing costs. He suggested that a decision
on whether or not to charge for the service should be made at
implementation.
Board consensus to have Robin Hendricksen, Deputy County Assessor; Dan
Nolte, Register of Deeds; and Doug Thomas, Information Services appear at
the Thursday, October 30th County Board of Commissioners meeting
for further discussion of the issue.
7 CONSENT ITEMS
a. Set Meeting Date with Douglas and Sarpy Counties
for Tri-County Retreat
Board consensus to schedule the Tri-County Retreat for November 20, 1997.
8 PENDING
a. Establishment of Special Improvement District in Princeton
b. South Street Campus
9 DISCUSSION OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Master Plan Steering Committee - Hudkins
No report.
b. Board of Health - Steinman
Steinman reported that four members of the Board of Health will review
eleven nominations to fill a vacancy and make recommendation to the Mayor.
Steinman reported that appointments to the Food Advisory Committee were
discussed, with a decision to select eight representatives from the public
and six representatives from the restaurants.
Steinman also reported that an Environmental Protection Agency grant to
provide indoor air quality assistance to schools, pre-schools and child
care centers and a $15,000 cap on recruitment costs for a new Health
Department Director were discussed.
c. Government Access Information Committee - Steinman
Steinman reported that the County Assessor's proposal to place property
assessment information on the Internet was discussed.
d. Visitors Promotion Committee - Svoboda
Svoboda distributed copies of by-law procedural recommendations proposed by
the Lancaster County Visitors Promotion Committee (Exhibit A).
Svoboda also reported a $39,500 surplus at the beginning of the Visitors
Promotion Committee budget year and noted that lodging taxes are slightly
ahead of last year.
Steinman noted a concern raised by a motel owner regarding the Convention
and Visitors Bureau's introduction of a seven percent charge for the
Housing Bureau. She noted that a similar service is offered by Lincoln
Lodging, a consortium of motels and hotels.
Campbell suggested that Steinman refer the question to Dan Quandt, Visitors
and Convention Bureau Director, in writing, requesting that he raise the
issue with the Visitors Promotion Committee and respond back to the Board.
e. Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) Convention
Hudkins, Campbell, Tussing
Hudkins briefly reported on the Nebraska Association of County Officials
(NACO) Convention, noting that a request was made during the legislative
session for the State to return a higher percentage of the taxes collected
for liquor to the counties for criminal justice costs.
Hudkins also reported that an Agricultural and Horticultural Land Valuation
Board symposium was held to discuss the effectiveness and future direction
of the land valuation boards.
Brief discussion followed on LB 1114, which restricts the amount political
subdivisions can levy.
In response to a question from Steinman, Hudkins reported that the lowest
levy will take effect for political subdivisions that cross county lines.
He stated that legislation is proposed which would allow those political
subdivisions to subdivide.
Campbell briefly reported on the Tax Increment Financing session she
attended, noting concern regarding the impact of LB 1085. She suggested
that Kerry Eagan, Chief Administrative Officer, be directed to write a
report on Lancaster County's efforts to consolidate government functions
and that the Board invite the surrounding counties to a meeting in early
December to discuss the issue.
Campbell noted that other counties are linking to study juvenile detention
issues and joint facilities.
Board consensus to invite representatives of the surrounding counties to a
luncheon meeting for December 4, 1997 to discuss LB 1085.
Campbell also reported that discussion in the General Session focused on
the property tax calendar and the Tax Equalization & Review Commission
(TERC).
Tussing briefly reported on the General Assistance session, which focused
primarily on history and a report from Scotts Bluff County, which
administers its own General Assistance plan.
Tussing also reported that she attended the Juvenile session in which
discussion took place on how to access Crime Commission funds.
10 SCHEDULE OF BOARD MEMBER MEETINGS
a. Chamber Agricultural Committee - Thursday, October
23, 1997, at 12 p.m., Location to be Announced -
Hudkins
b. Court Administrator Committee - Thursday, October
23, 1997, at 12 p.m., at the County-City Building,
Fourth Floor Conference Room - Campbell, Steinman
c. Master Plan Steering Committee - Thursday, October
23, 1997, at 1:15 p.m., at the County-City
Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room - Hudkins
d. Information Services Policy Committee - Tuesday,
October 23, 1997, at 11 a.m., at the County-City
Building, Mayor's Conference Room - Steinman
e. Attention Center Advisory Board - Tuesday, October
23, 1997, at 7 p.m., at the Attention Center -
Steinman
12 INVITATIONS TO BOARD MEMBERS
a. Safe Kids Buckle Up Kick Off - Saturday, October
25, 1997, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at DuTeau
Chevrolet, 18th & O Streets
b. Antelope Valley Major Investment Study
Informational Meetings - Friday, November 7, 1997
at 9 a.m. or Tuesday, November 11, 1997 at 7 p.m.,
at the Salvation Army Chapel, 2625 Potter Street
c. University of Nebraska State Museum Annual Open
House - Friday, November 14, 1997 from 7 to 9 p.m.,
at Nebraska Hall, 901 N 17th Street
d. People's City Mission Stewardship Banquet -
Thursday, November 20, 1997, Time to be Announced,
at Pershing Auditorium
13 CORRESPONDENCE TO THE COUNTY BOARD
14 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE COUNTY BOARD
15 AGENDA ITEMS FOR COUNTY BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 28, 1997
16 EMERGENCY ITEMS AND OTHER BUSINESS
Discussion took place regarding the County's recognition of Tuesday,
November 11th as Veterans Day, which would necessitate rescheduling of
the regularly scheduled Tuesday County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Board consensus to reschedule the following meetings:
a. The Thursday County Board of Commissioners meeting
regularly scheduled for November 6th will be
rescheduled for November 4th from 8:30 a.m. to
10:30 a.m., location to be announced.
b. The Tuesday County Board of Commissioners meeting
regularly scheduled for November 11th will be
rescheduled for Thursday, November 13th at 1:30
p.m. in the Commissioners Hearing Room.
c. The Thursday County Board of Commissioners meeting
regularly scheduled for November 20th will be
rescheduled for Tuesday, November 18th from
9:30 to 11:30 a.m., location to be announced.
d. The Thursday County Board of Commissioners meeting
regularly scheduled for November 27th will be
rescheduled for Tuesday, November 25th from 9
a.m. to 12 p.m., location to be announced.
17 ADJOURNMENT
By direction of the Chair, the meeting was adjourned.
_______________________
Kandra Hahn
Lancaster County Clerk
Board of Commissioners