February 11, 2013
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Duane Deterding, Willis Roethemeyer and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Deterding offered prayer. Chairman Hewgley called the meeting to order at 9:05 A.M.
Chairman Hewgley announced the Open Meeting Act with amendments is posted for public review and the county board will comply with the open meeting requirements.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Deterding to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on February 4, 2013. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Deterding to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Roethemeyer to remove Maggie Houpt and Dean Sparks from the HIPAA Steering Committee. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Deterding to appoint Rollie Kramer to the HIPAA Steering Committee as the Vice-Chairman and to appoint Deb Beckmann to the HIPAA Steering Committee. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Deterding to approve and authorize the chairman to sign the right of way permit submitted by Dawson Public Power District. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Roethemeyer to approve and authorize the chairman to sign the right of way permit submitted by Craig Smith. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Roethemeyer to receive and order filed the fee reports submitted by County Sheriff, Clerk of District Court and County Clerk. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 9:15 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization convened.
Chairman Hewgley announced the Open Meeting Act with amendments is posted for public review and the county board will comply with the open meeting requirements.
County Assessor, Julie Stenger appeared.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Deterding to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on February 4, 2013. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Deterding to approve and authorize the chairman to sign the certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Roethemeyer to approve the review by the County Assessor of Statement of Reaffirmation of Tax Exemption for Community of Christ Church (O.T. Lots 5, 6, 7 & 8, Block 21). Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:20 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
A public hearing was opened at 10:00 A.M. to receive comments on the One & Six Year Road Plan of Lincoln County, Nebraska.
County Highway Supt., Jerry Hitchcock, gave a brief report on the projects completed last year and then gave a summary of the current One & Six Year Road Plan.
Mike Kelly of Sutherland expressed his concerns about the Sutherland North River Bridge project. He cited functionality issues, safety issues and the distance they have to go to detour due to the weight limit constraints on the current bridge.
Commissioner Roethemeyer stated the county is accumulating soft match funds. The county will need matching funds to build this bridge due to the cost of the project.
Hitchcock reported that the cost is estimated from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 for this bridge project.
Michael Cook is a resident that lives on Eugene Avenue. He commented that Eugene is getting more traffic with heavier loads and the asphalt is showing degradation. He suggested an overcoat as part of the 6 year plan.
Dan Mauk of DEVCO spoke about South River Road. He feels that it will get higher usage due to the re-decking of the river bridges on the one ways this year. He would like to see South River Road become a project and suggested they begin to plan for a possible west interchange in the future.
Eric Seacrest reiterated that South River Road is increasing in importance to the county. He feels that paving it would have great benefits to the convention center, tourism, college and would be a detour while the South Platte River bridges are being re-decked. He was disappointed to see that this project is not on the plan to be paved and feels this area is being neglected. The City of North Platte has expressed some interest in participating with the county on this possible project.
Commissioner Deterding asked why the public would want to go west from that area.
Lisa Burke, Executive Director of the North Platte/Lincoln County Convention & Visitors Bureau, responded they go to Buffalo Bill Ranch, Golden Spike and the Lincoln County Historical Museum and do use this road.
Commissioner Deterding questioned why we would not route thru the downtown business area.
Burke replied that they do train front line staff to route them thru downtown but that does not always happen and the GPS units tell them the shortest route which may be down South River Road.
Marcus Garstecki of Mid Plains Community College told board members that he does get comments about South River Road from students and faculty. They have safety concerns about the wash boarding and visibility at times. It is a great convenience that is why they use it.
Les O’Donnell congratulated Jerry Hitchcock on the work he has done with the road department. Birdwood Crossing is finally started and will be a great improvement to the community. He suggested that the plans might still be salvageable for the Sutherland Bridge Project. The South River Road has been enhanced by the county but suggested progressing to a dust less surface with millings and an armor coat. He also agreed that the traffic on Eugene Avenue had increased.
Dick Hasenauer stated that the Hershey Dickens Road is landlocked for 22 miles. He suggested putting a project on the books and that it is a safety issue. He suggested that Lone Star Road could possibly go down the NRD line to connect to Miller Road. It would take 4 ¼ miles of road to connect to Fredrick rather than Miller Road.
The public hearing was closed at 11:28 A.M.
Commissioner Hewgley asked Hitchcock to look at working toward enhancing South River Road and to work with Les O’Donnell in salvaging Sutherland North Bridge project.
Hitchcock will look into cost and availability of millings using staged construction since the sub-grade is there.
Commissioner Hewgley asked if we should look at substituting the South River Road in place of another project in the One Year Plan.
Hitchcock recommended that we add the South River Road to the 6 Year Plan and look at putting it in the One Year Plan next year.
Commissioner Roethemeyer asked about future maintenance if we do the millings and armor coat.
Hitchcock thought it work well but reminded them that millings are more difficult obtain. He also commented that he would look at Eugene Avenue and the possibility of having shoulders built.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Deterding to approve and add a South River Road Project to the 6 Year Plan to improve the South River Road in stages starting with a millings and armor coat project. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Roethemeyer to approve the One Year Plan as presented. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
The meeting was adjourned at 12:35 P.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the February 11, 2013 board meetings were sent to members of the County Board, County Attorney and all others requesting the same. Notice was posted at the Lincoln County Courthouse, City Hall and on the county website.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 will be kept continually current and open for inspection at the office of the Lincoln County Clerk. The regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners will be at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at 9:00 A.M. The regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Equalization will be at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room at 9:15 A.M.
Rebecca J. Rossell
Lincoln County Clerk
