November 9, 2015

North Platte, Nebraska

Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Duane Deterding, Bill Henry, Joe Hewgley and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Henry offered prayer. Chairman Hewgley called the meeting to order at 9:00 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 Deterding, seconded by Henry to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on November 2, 2015. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.    

Motion by Deterding, seconded by Henry to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

Motion by Deterding, seconded by Henry to approve authorizing the Chairman to sign the Revised Budget Summary for the Nebraska Crime Commission for Lincoln County Victim Witness Unit Grant #15-VA-0207. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

Motion by Deterding, seconded by Henry to approve authorizing the Chairman to sign the Contract for Counseling Services concerning the Lincoln County Victim Witness Unit guidelines for 2015 & 2016. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

Motion by Henry, seconded by Deterding to approve the appointment of Carla O’Dell, Lincoln County Highway Superintendent, to the Lincoln County Safety Committee. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

Motion by Henry, seconded by Deterding to receive and order filed the fee reports submitted by the County Clerk, County Court, Clerk of District Court and Register of Deeds. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

Motion by Henry, seconded by Deterding to approve authorizing the Chairman to sign Form 35K for the annual Keno filing to the Nebraska Department of Revenue. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 9:27 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 Henry, seconded by Deterding to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on November 2, 2015. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

No certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor.

The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:28 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.        

Motion by Deterding, seconded by Henry to approve the Labor Agreement between the The county of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #26, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Employee’s Association, Inc., from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2017. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

The following recommendations were made by the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitor’s Bureau concerning the Improvement Grand Funding Requests for 2015:

Taking into account the history of the fund in Lincoln County, the Improvement Fund grant guidelines and the precedence set by nine years of previous recommendations and awards, the Advisory Committee of the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau makes the following funding recommendations to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.

  • David      Fudge and Brad Heisel representing the NEBRASKAland DAYS Foundation      presented an Improvement Fund application for rebuilding the Crow’s Nest,      constructing two mezzanine seating/standing areas on the north and south      ends of the arena, and resurfacing the parking lot at the Wild West Arena.      The total project cost totaled $900,000 and the organization asked for      $675,000 in grant awards. The Advisory Committee considers that      the most visitor benefit in this project is in the construction of the      mezzanine seating/standing areas. Wanting to be fiscally conservative and      awarding this project as much funding as possible while preserving funding      for other agencies in a very competitive application year, the Advisory      Committee recommends awarding this project $50,000 in the 2015/2016 Fiscal      Year, and $50,000 in each of the three succeeding Fiscal Years.
  • Jason      Tonsfeldt representing the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park      presented an Improvement Fund application in the amount of $24,000 for the      construction of a mobile wildlife viewing blind with a total project cost      of $32,000. Deciding that this project falls under the realm of Promotion rather      than Improvement, the Advisory Committee recommends no funding at this      time. The staff is directed to place the item on the agenda for the      November 20, 2015 Advisory Committee meeting for promotional fund      consideration.
  • Wava      Best and Cheri Erickson representing Creativity Unlimited Arts Council      presented an Improvement Fund grant application in the amount of $100,000      for Phase 2 of the renovation of the historic 1913 Federal Building with a      total project cost of $538,475. Congratulating Creativity Unlimited      Arts Council on the accomplishments of the renovation project thus far,      and understanding the incredible asset the Prairie Arts Center will be to      North Platte and the entire west central Nebraska region, the Advisory      Committee recommends funding in the amount of $40,000 for Phase 2 of the      renovation.
  • Tad      Haneborg and Ryan Stearns, representing the D & N Event Center      presented an Improvement Fund application in the amount of $150,999 for a      $239,332 project that includes replacing turf, adding area netting and      installing batting cages, resurfacing the basketball court, installing a      Floor Audio System, installing air conditioning and painting bathrooms and      conference rooms in the D & N Event Center. Sports tourism is becoming      an ever-increasing emphasis for North Platte, and the D & N Event      Center plays an important role in North Platte’s sports tourism. The      Advisory Committee applauds the efforts the D & N Event Center is      making to improve the facility and recommends an award of $10,000 in      Improvement Funds for the field turf.
  • Scott      Carlson and Sara Morris representing the North Platte Community Playhouse      presented an Improvement Fund grant application in the amount of $4999.00      for the replacement of the carpet in the lobby of the Neville Center for      the Performing Arts at a total project cost of $7,721.75. The      Advisory Committee appreciates the efforts of the Playhouse to continually      upgrade the historic Neville Center for the Performing Arts and recommends      $3,000 in funding to assist in replacing the lobby carpet.
  • Kirsten      Parker and Dalene Skates representing the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor      Center presented an Improvement Fund grant application in the amount of      $30,000 for moving and renovating the historic Sutherland UPRR depot on      the grounds of the Golden Spike Tower with a total project cost of      $42,500.00. Keeping the visitor experience fresh at the Golden Spike Tower and      Visitor Center is an ongoing challenge, and the Advisory Committee is      pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the organization by      recommending funding in the amount of $15,000 to assist them with the very      worthwhile project of moving the Sutherland historic depot to the grounds      and restoring it.
  • Jim      Griffin and Willis Roethemeier representing the Lincoln County Historical      Museum presented an Improvement Fund grant application in the amount of      $15,567.30 to connect the Museum to city sewer service, with a total      project cost of $20,756.40. Recognizing that the Lincoln County      Historical Museum is a valuable tourism attraction as well as a cherished      repository for local history and that it faces big challenges to carry out      behind the scenes improvements such as upgrading sewer services, the      Advisory Committee recommends funding in the amount of $15,567.30 for this      project.

The Visitors Bureau Advisory Committee believes that, among all of the 2015 applicants, the above projects represent the greatest return on investment for the lodging tax dollars paid by visitors to our local hotels. Both our community and our visitors will benefit from this further development of our tourism product.

Motion by Deterding, seconded by Henry to approve the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitor’s Bureau Improvement Grant Funding Requests for 2015 as presented. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

Lincoln County Highway Superintendent, Carla O’Dell, discussed the Request for Proposal concerning South River Road project and reported that Mainelli & Wagner is

the consultant that has been selected.

Motion by Deterding, seconded by Henry to set November 30, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. to accept bids for one used five yard truck for the Lincoln County Department of Roads. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

Received the following bid on a pole barn to be located at the Lincoln County Department of Roads:   Wayne Dowhower Construction Inc. for a 30 X 32 unit – $87,600

Motion by Henry, seconded by Deterding, to approve the acceptance of the base bid in the amount of $87,600 from Wayne Dowhower Construction Inc. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

Received the following bid on a sound system for the Lincoln County District Court Room: Yanda’s Pro Audio & Video in the amount of $105,364.42.

Motion by Deterding, seconded by Henry to approve the acceptance of the bid in the amount of $105,364.42 from Yanda’s Pro Audio and Video. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

Recognition of Lincoln County Emergency Management Office for the 2015 Flooding Disaster. The award was accepted by Brandon Myers, Emergency Management Director.

Motion by Deterding, seconded by Henry to approve and adopt Resolution No. 2015-23 amending Resolution No. 2015-22 regarding clarifying the establishment of the Airport Zoning Commission for The county of Lincoln, Nebraska amending the date of the meeting and the location. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

Motion by Deterding, seconded by Hewgley to appoint Bill Henry to conduct the hiring process of the Lincoln County Buildings and Ground Director. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

The following closed session was held in the District Court Jury Room on the third

floor of the Lincoln County Courthouse due to the construction in the Lincoln County

Commissioner’s Room.                                         

Motion by Deterding, seconded by Henry to approve going into closed session at 11:02 A.M. regarding a strategy session concerning pending litigation and to protect attorney client privilege, which is clearly necessary to protect the public interest. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

Chairman Hewgley restated the motion for the closed session.

Motion by Deterding, seconded by Henry to approve going into open session at 11:53 A.M. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.

Approved the following claims as presented for payment:

The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 A.M.

Advance notice and the agenda for the November 9, 2015 board meetings were sent to the county board and all others requesting the same. Advance public notice (includes agenda) of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting was posted at the Lincoln County Courthouse, City Hall and the Lincoln County website on November 6, 2015; and was also emailed to the media on November 6, 2015.

The agenda for the meetings to be held on November 16, 2015 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