February 7, 2022

North Platte, Nebraska

 

Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Kent Weems, Micaela Wuehler, Chris Bruns, Jerry Woodruff and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell.  Wuehler offered prayer. Bruns called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.

 

Chairman Bruns 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 Hewgley, seconded by Weems to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on January 31, 2022.  Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, and Bruns voted “aye”.  Nays, none.  Woodruff abstained.

 

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

 

Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Woodruff to receive and order filed the fee report submitted by the County Clerk. Upon roll call vote, Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”.  Nays, none.

 

Motion by Weems, seconded by Wuehler to adopt Resolution No. 2022-04 in support of LB 788 which changes appropriations intent language and matching provision funds under the Nebraska Rural Affairs Act.  Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”.  Nays, none.

 

Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Hewgley to adopt Resolution No. 2022-05 in support of LB 1125 which appropriates federal funds to the Department of Economic Development for new construction of industrial rail yards.  Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff 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 Bruns announced the Open Meeting Act with amendments is posted for public review and the county board will comply with the open meeting requirements.

 

Deputy County Assessor, Pat Collins appeared along with Deputy County Treasurer, Sheri Newton.

 

Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Wuehler to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on January 31, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, and Bruns voted “aye”.  Nays, none.  Woodruff abstained.

 

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

 

Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption application submitted by Riverside Baptist Church.  Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”.  Nays, none.

 

The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:20 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.

 

Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Weems to authorize the Chairman to sign an Underwriting Engagement & Disclosure letter with D. A. Davidson for possible refunding bonds.  Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”.  Nays, none.

 

Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Weems to adopt Resolution No. 2022-06 authorizing the early redemption of the County’s General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2017.  Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”.  Nays, none.

 

Motion by Weems, seconded by Wuehler to adopt Resolution No. 2022-07 authorizing the issuance by the County of its General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2022, in the principal amount not to exceed $4,700,000, for the purpose of refinancing the County’s General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2017 in order to achieve interest cost of savings, and related matters. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”.  Nays, none.

 

Ongoing discussion was held concerning a salt shed for the Lincoln County Road Dept.  The County Board’s previous questions had been addressed by the bidder.  The bidder is willing to split the project over two fiscal years.

 

Commissioner Wuehler reported that if you look at the current structure up close it needs attention.

 

Commissioner Woodruff had a question on salt corrosion.

 

Werblow responded that the beams are hot dipped galvanized steel.

 

Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to utilize Tom Werblow along with legal counsel, Tyler Volkmer, in negotiating and completing the bid from Winston Michael Contracting in the amount of $169,515 for a fabric covered salt shed with payments split between two fiscal years.  Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”.  Nays, none.

 

Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to appoint Lynn S. Frederick to fill the vacancy on the Lincoln County Noxious Weed Board effective immediately to fill the vacancy created by the late Ron Aden.  This term will end January, 2023.  Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”.  Nays, none.

 

Discussed authorizing the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitor’s Bureau to incorporate as a non-profit organization, 501(c) 6, separate and apart from the County of Lincoln, Nebraska.  Executive Director, Lisa Burke, reported they had conducted legal research on how to move this process forward including a letter from the Nebraska Attorney General.  She submitted letters of support from multiple interested parties.

 

Deputy County Attorney, Tyler Volkmer, stated the research centered around can this be done and how to do it.  He recommends proceeding in a strategic manner over a period of time.

 

Commissioner Weems questioned how the County Board would know that the Visitors Bureau current advisory board would stay viable.

 

Burke replied that there are statutory requirements and they have always tried to have a diverse board.  The proposed new Board of Directors, would have one County Commissioner and one City Council Member as voting members.

 

Volkmer interjected that this would be an annual contract.  If the County Board is not happy with the service they can separate.

 

Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Woodruff to authorize the Chairman to take necessary action authorizing the separation of the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitor’s Bureau.  Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”.  Nays, none.

 

Discussed entering into a lease agreement for office equipment and other county property with the non-profit listed above.

 

Volkmer told board members that these items cannot be donated to them due to state statute.

 

Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Wuehler to authorize Vice Chairman Woodruff and Deputy County Attorney, Tyler Volkmer, to work with North Platte/Lincoln County Visitor’s Bureau to develop a lease agreement.  Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”.  Nays, none.

 

Discussed entering into a contract with the non-profit above to provide services to Lincoln County under the Nebraska Visitors Development Act.

 

Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Woodruff to authorize the Chairman, committee representative and legal counsel to work with the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitor’s Bureau to draft a contract and bring it back to the County Board for consideration.  Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”.  Nays, none.

 

Motion by Weems, seconded by Wuehler to go into closed session at 10:26 A.M. to discuss strategy with respect to pending or imminent litigation.  Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”.  Nays, none.

 

Chairman Bruns restated the motion for the closed session.

 

Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to go back into open session at 11:19 A.M.  Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, Bruns and Woodruff voted “aye”.  Nays, none.

 

Hear concerns from Elected Officials, Department Heads or their representative.

 

Approved the following claims as presented for payment:

General:

Acclrtd Recv Sol                               se                       1237.50

Adms Swnsn                                    se                       2089.33

Allo                                                     se                         641.24

Amazon                                             su                         141.13

Am Red Crs                                      se                         140.00

Brkmn Bzta                                       se                         420.00

Blk Hls Stage                                    se                         240.50

Cptl Bus Sys                                     se                         815.22

State of NE                                       contr                    204.30

Cervelle Acadmc                              se                       1092.52

C Farley                                             mi                         252.72

C Durham                                         se                       2280.00

C Bruns                                             mi                         117.00

City of NP                                          su                         195.09

Clk Dist Crt                                        se                       1723.00

Cmnty Conn                                     se                     11729.29

D Ford                                                se                         129.41

D Burby                                             se                         214.00

Eakes                                                 su                       3808.46

EMC                                                   ins                           79.50

Empire Mngd Sol                             su                         495.00

FedEx                                                se                           34.88

Globalstar                                          se                         104.94

GP Health                                         se                       1409.51

Hi-Line Coop                                    se                         200.00

Hometown Lsg                                 rt                           658.74

Rudolph Law                                    se                       1930.00

J Orr                                                    mi                           44.46

K Andrews                                        se                           59.78

K Weems                                           mi                         128.70

LC Crt                                                 se                       3040.00

LC Jail PC                                         su                         659.20

Lindemeier Law                                contr                  9665.33

L Russell                                           mi                           10.44

Malcom, Nelsen                               se                       3522.28

M McKeone                                      se                       4731.00

M Haines                                           ex                           91.61

M Troshynski                                    se                       7012.50

Menards                                            eq                         208.34

Mentzer Oil                                        se                         205.82

Meyer Creative                                 su                         410.84

MIPS                                                  se                       3221.41

NAEM                                                reg                        440.00

NACT                                                 se                         230.00

NE Notary                                          se                         154.00

NE PPD                                             se                         420.00

NP Police                                          contr                10441.87

NWE                                                   se                         553.86

Office Depot                                      su                       1635.24

Pitney Bowes                                    pstg                 15000.00

Region II HS                                     se                     11642.02

Scotts Bluff Cnty Sherf                   se                           29.60

Seevers Auto                                    se                         123.85

Cnty Sherif Fees                              se                       2629.31

LC Sheriff PC                                   se                           30.99

Shred It                                              su                         482.64

Summit Food                                    contr                  4722.69

T Fox                                                  se                         175.75

Transunion Rick                              contr                    125.40

UNL-NP                                             rt                           158.51

Wstfld Flrl                                          su                         100.48

Wm Troshynski                                se                       4500.00

Wood Aitken                                     se                     79111.95

 

Roads:

Allo                                                     se                         159.19

Blk Hls Enrgy                                    se                         752.25

Cptl Bus Sys                                     su                              7.38

Carquest                                            se                       1128.06

Const Rtl                                            su                         141.00

Custom Tarps                                   re                          280.00

Fastenal                                            su                           18.15

Hershey Coop                                  se                           78.62

Home Lmbr                                       su                         113.91

Jannsen                                            re                            33.78

Kohler Trlr                                          re                          296.70

Menards                                            su                         112.15

Midlands                                            su                           90.00

Miller                                                  re                          115.73

Murphy Trctr                                      re                        6351.92

NSG                                                   su                       1722.72

NE Trk Ctr                                         re                     21428.14

NWE                                                   se                         894.77

Scotty’s                                              re                          108.58

TC Engrg                                           se                       5672.87

Troyer Entrp                                      re                            11.59

TV Comm                                          se                           52.06

Vilg Brady                                          se                           88.29

Vlg Hershey                                      se                         129.44

Vlg Wallace                                       se                           25.00

 

P & M Fund:

Eakes                                                 se                         186.30

 

Self-Funded Ins:

Frst Cncrd                                         ins                      3297.89

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 A.M.

 

Advance notice and the agenda for the February 7, 2022 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 February 4, 2022; and was also emailed to the media on February 4, 2022.

 

The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, February 14, 2022 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