June 20, 2016 & June 23, 2016
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. Hewgley 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 June 13, 2016. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Deterding 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 and authorize the Chairman to sign the GIS Subscription agreements for the Lincoln County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry 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 Henry, seconded by Deterding to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on June 13, 2016. 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 9:16 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Lincoln County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell, presented a quote to purchase a new DS850 Ballot Scanner from Election Systems & Software in the amount of $103,347.12 with annual fees of $4,100 per year for support and maintenance. The current equipment was purchased by the State of Nebraska in 2002. She has had issues with the ballots feeding through the machine consistently. One item she wanted to make very clear even with the feeding issues is that when she and the Canvassing Board certify the election results they are confident that the machine has counted accurately. She wants to be proactive instead of reactive to insure prompt as well as accurate elections results.
She does have approximately $18,000 that she will be turning back into the General Fund out of the current budget.
County Board authorized the Lincoln County Clerk to put this purchase in her budget request for the 2016/2017 budget year.
A Public hearing was opened at 9:30 A.M. to receive comments concerning
“PROPOSAL AMENDING ARTICLE 11: Amendments” of the “Zoning Regulations of
The county of Lincoln, Nebraska,” which has been recommend by the Lincoln County
Planning Commission.
The proposed changes are only in regards to the Amendments Article (“Article 11:
Amendments”) of the “Zoning Regulations of The county of Lincoln, Nebraska,” for the
purpose of providing clarity in the procedure of considering proposed Amendments, and
most particularly the “Notice of Hearing” process.
Planning Director, Judy Clark and Deputy County Attorney, Joe Wright were present to
explain the purpose of the amendment which was to clarify the process.
Bernice Zeigler stated she had no objection to changing the language but asked why #5
was broken down into three parts.
Wright replied that #5, #6 & #7 were edited and #5 has become three parts and there is
no number 6 or 7.
The public hearing was closed at 9:44 A.M.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Henry to approve the appointment of Amy Johnston
as an Advisory Board Member to the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau for a 4
year term to end in 2020. Also to approve the reappointment of Alan Perlinger to the
North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau Advisory Board for 3 years to finish out his
current term 4 year term which will end 2019 as his reappointment was missed last
year. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Lisa Burke, Executive Director of the Visitor’s Bureau, reported the current storage unit
is costing $1600 per year. The rail containers would be more convenient and save
money over a period of time.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Deterding to approve the purchase ($7800) and permit
fees ($450) for two rail storage containers to be placed behind the North Platte/Lincoln
County Visitors Bureau Office. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted
“aye”. Nays ,none.
Judy Clark, Planning Director read a letter submitted by the Lincoln County Planning
Commission recommending approval of the conservation easement on the property
owned by Fowl Language LLC (Shane Roth).
Todd McWha, legal counsel representing Wetlands America Trust, Inc. commented that
the initial issues with the first application have been cleared up. He commented this
easement does not prevent any agricultural activity.
Shane Roth, property owner, reported that he had watched the surrounding areas
develop and wants to provide a sanctuary for animals.
John Denton, representing Wetlands America Trust, Inc. stated this property is located
in an extremely important area for water fowl and has a restoration project planned.
Commissioner Hewgley expressed concern about creating wetlands and possible
flooding issues in the future.
Denton responded that this restoration project may actually allow for slightly better flood
control and that they avoid areas that will cause problems.
Motion by Deterding, seconded by Henry to approve a conservation easement on property owned by Fowl Language LLC (Shane Roth), the easement would be held by Wetlands America Trust Inc. The conservation easement is located on approximately 219 acres described as Pt of Government Lots 6 and 7 & Accretions in Section 36, Township 14 North, Range 34 West of the 6th P.M., Lincoln County, Nebraska and Pt of Lots 3,4,5,6, & Accretions in Section 31, Township 14, North, Range 33 West of the 6th P.M., Lincoln County Nebraska. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Discussed cash lease agreement lease with State of Nebraska for Craft State Office
Building space used by Department of Health and Human Services. The new lease presented did not contain the 60% reimbursement that has been in place since the 1980’s. The Department of Health & Human Services has requested us to participate in a conference call.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Deterding to continue Item #10 concerning the cash lease agreement with the State of Nebraska to June 23, 2016 at 9:30 A.M. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Henry and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners conducted a quarterly inspection of the Lincoln County Detention Center.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 11:50 A.M. and will reconvene on June 23, 2016 at 9:30 A.M. at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened at 9:30 A.M. on June 23, 2016.
They participated in a conference call with DHHS. The purpose of the call is to discuss Nebraska Revised Statute 68-130 as it related to the payments we have been receiving for the office space we are currently providing to DHHS for the purpose of administering public assistance programs. There were multiple counties participating in the discussion. DHHS reports there is a new methodology being used for reimbursement with federal funding and they can no longer reimburse the counties for this cost.
County Board requested a letter be written to DHHS inquiring how much office space is needed for the North Platte location.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 A.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the June 20, 2016 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 June 17, 2016; and was also emailed to the media on June 17, 2016.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on June 27, 2016 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
