August 23, 2021
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Bill Henry, Kent Weems, Chris Bruns, Jerry Woodruff and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Woodruff offered prayer. Weems called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. Commissioner Hewgley was absent.
Chairman Weems 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 Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on August 16, 2021. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Bruns to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to receive and order filed the fee report submitted by the County Sheriff in the amount of $4,362.45. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Woodruff to authorize the Chairman to sign the special designated liquor permit submitted by GL Concepts dba Good Life on the Bricks for a wedding reception at Harbor Lights on September 4, 2021 pending payment. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 9:15 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization convened.
Chairman Weems 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 Woodruff, seconded by Henry to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on August 16, 2021. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
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.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Henry to approve exceeding the budget limit by an additional one percent (1%) for the 2021-2022 fiscal year Lincoln County, Nebraska budget.
Board members discussed budget cuts for all departments. Commissioner Henry spoke on the increase in the budget due to the Covid funds and using the additional 1% to help set the base for next year with the anticipated higher cost of living adjustment that is being predicted. Commissioner Woodruff commented that his first thought was to oppose the additional 1% but with budget cuts he may not be opposed.
Upon roll call vote Henry voted “aye”. Weems and Bruns voted “nay”. Woodruff abstained. Hewgley absent. Motion failed.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to set September 13, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. for public hearing to receive comments on the proposed 2021-2022 fiscal year Lincoln County, Nebraska budget. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Henry, to set September 13, 2021 immediately following the close of the budget hearing for the purpose of receiving comments relating to setting the final tax request at a different amount than the prior year. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
Planning Administrator, Judy Clark appeared on the vacation of Maloney Highlands Administrative Subdivision. Planning staff had no objections.
Motion by Henry, seconded by Bruns to approve the application by Terry and Janet Tinney to vacate Maloney Highlands Administrative Subdivision located on Highlands Drive and Charlotte Lane in an R-2 Urban Density Residential District described as Lots 3 and Lot 6, Block 2, Maloney Highlands 2nd Subdivision, Lincoln County, Nebraska. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Henry to reappointment Brad Stickleman, Chuck Boden and Marlene Flaming to the Planning Commission for 3 year terms. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
The applicant appeared on the special designated liquor permit submitted by Creative Printers, LLC. They do have a catering and off sale liquor license. They have done some events in Stapleton.
Chief Deputy Kramer stated he had visited with the applicant and had no objections.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to authorize the Chairman to sign the special designated liquor application submitted by Creative Printers, LLC, Stapleton, NE for a wedding reception to be held on September 11, 2021 at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to appoint Rebecca Rossell as Account Administrator and Brandon Myers as the Point of Contact for Reporting and Authorized Representative for Reporting for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
County Clerk Rossell stated that in conversation with Brandon they discussed his assistant, Joanna LeMoine, being designated as well for these two roles.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to amend the motion to designate these individuals to serve as the following: 1) Account Administrator –Rebecca Rossell, Lincoln County Clerk, 2) Point of Contact for Reporting – Brandon Myers and Joanna LeMoine – Region 51 EMA and 3) Authorized Representative for Reporting – Brandon Myers and Joanna LeMoine – Region 51 EMA for the Coronavirus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
The hosts for the special designated liquor permit submitted by Hitchin Post Saloon LLC, appeared at the meeting and the applicant was contacted by telephone. The applicant reported that his bar tenders have been through the training. They will check ID’s and use wrist bands. He will tour the facility at Harbor Lights prior to the event.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Henty to authorize the Chairman to sign the special designated liquor application submitted by Hitchin Post Saloon LLC, Brady, NE for a wedding reception to be held on September 18, 2021 at Harbor Lights with the condition that they will view egress doors before the event and have that under control. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
A discussion was held concerning Covid 19 protocol. Commissioner Woodruff explained how the virus can exist in the upper respiratory with no symptoms in order to further explain why they need to be cautious if exposed. He would like to re-instate the former policy retroactive from August 19, 2021 to February 28, 2022.
Commissioner Henry commented that this is a pro-active move to cover the county as we were prior.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Bruns to adopt Resolution No. 2021-22 a temporary modification to the Lincoln County Employee Policy Handbook concerning covid related illness. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Henry to go into closed session at 10:54 A.M. concerning strategy session regarding imminent litigation and to protect attorney client privilege, which is clearly necessary to protect the public interest. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
Chairman Weems restated the motion for closed session.
Motion by Bruns, seconded by Woodruff to go into open session at 11:17 A.M. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley absent.
Hear concerns from Elected Officials, Department Heads and their representative.
The County Board conducted a 2021-2022 Lincoln County budget work session.
Approved the claims as presented for payment.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 P.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the August 23, 2021 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 August 20, 2021; and was also emailed to the media on August 20, 2021.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, August 30, 2021 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
