January 31, 2022
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Kent Weems, Micaela Wuehler, Chris Bruns and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Hewgley offered prayer. Bruns called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M. Commissioner Woodruff was absent, but was an observer by phone.
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 Weems, seconded by Wuehler to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on January 24, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, and Bruns voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Wuehler to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, and Bruns voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Hewgley to authorize the Chairman to sign a proposal from Nebraska Fire & Safety Equipment for security equipment. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler and Bruns voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Motion by Wuehler, seconded by Weems to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the special designated liquor permit submitted by Skyline Liquor, LLC for a fundraiser to be held on February 18, 2022 at Harbor Lights by North Platte Business and Professional Women. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler and Bruns voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
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.
County Assessor, Julie Stenger appeared.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Hewgley to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on January 24, 2022. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler, and Bruns voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Wuehler to authorize the Chairman to sign the certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor on real property. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler and Bruns voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:18 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Discussion was held concerning the application by Wesley and Kelly Kudera for Kudera Administrative Subdivision located at the intersection of Highway 83 and Suburban Road in a TA-1 Transitional Agricultural District. The property is described as part of the NW ¼ of Section 15; Township 14 North; Range 30 West of the 6th P.M., Lincoln County, Nebraska.
Planning Director, Judy Clark, reported that planning staff had no objections to the application.
Commissioner Weems commented that he had concerns with the traffic turning left off of Highway 83.
Commissioner Bruns also expressed the same concern, but understands there is a housing shortage.
Clark asked them to keep in mind that this whole area is all zoned as transitional agriculture.
Commissioner Wuehler is also concerned about safety but realizes there are other areas in the county with the same issues.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Wuehler to approve the application by Wesley and Kelly Kudera for Kudera Administrative Subdivision located at the intersection of Highway 83 and Suburban Road in a TA-1 Transitional Agricultural District. The property is described as part of the NW ¼ of Section 15; Township 14 North; Range 30 West of the 6th P.M., Lincoln County, Nebraska.
Commissioner Hewgley stated he heard the valid concerns from the other Commissioners but is glad the applicant is maintaining the existing zoning.
Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Wuehler and Bruns voted “aye”. Weems voted “nay”. Woodruff absent. Motion carried.
Tom Werblow, reported that he had been negotiating with Winston Michael Contracting,
Inc. for a salt shed for Lincoln County Department of Roads. The original bid was $210,000 and was rejected. During negotiations the contractor looked at local suppliers and they also now have a contract with the State of Nebraska in this area. The negotiated bid is now $169,515 which includes approach slabs. There would be some maintenance with a fabric structure. The proposed structure would be 5X larger than the current storage area. Another option for the county might be a wood structure rather than the fabric. He also suggested the cost could be split between two budget years.
Commissioner Wuehler told board members that the current structure is in bad condition. The county needs to do some maintenance to the current structure or tear it down and put up a new structure.
Tom Werblow reminded the County Board that this is a negotiation and they can counter offer.
The County Board tabled this item.
Quarterly report for the quarter ending December 31, 2021 by Region 51 Emergency Management Director, Brandon Myers.
Discussion was held concerning appointment of an interim highway superintendent.
Commissioner Bruns reported that not many individuals have a Class A Highway Supt. license. He suggested that the county consider entering into an interlocal agreement with the City of North Platte to use the City Supt.
Commissioner Hewgley asked if Brian Glos, the current construction manager at the road department, has a Class A license.
Deputy County Attorney, Tyler Volkmer, replied in the affirmative. However, this would elevate him to interim Highway Supt. and that is not what he would suggest at this time.
Commissioner Wuehler stated she was in favor of an interlocal agreement.
Planning Director, Judy Clark, asked who she should contact for addresses and land use permits.
Commissioner Wuehler replied that the foremen will sign off on permits and furnish addresses.
Volkmer added that day to day operations will continue as always.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Wuehler to authorize the Deputy County Attorney to negotiate an interlocal agreement with the City of North Platte for statutory requirements regarding licensed Class A engineers. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler and Bruns voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Weems to publish/post the highway superintendent position in the county’s legal publication.
Hewgley clarified his motion was not limited to that means of publishing and posting.
Volkmer informed board members that the Highway Supt. job description could be revised at this time if they choose to do so.
Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler and Bruns voted “aye”. Nays, none. Woodruff absent.
Discussed entering into an agreement with Brent & Kara Reeder for a temporary construction easement and purchase of real property.
Deputy County Attorney, Tyler Volkmer, stated that the easement items on the agenda are part of the Sutherland Bridge Project. There is no fee for the temporary easement. The land owner is requesting $9000 for the 2.8 acres for the permanent easement and is also asking to be an additional insured.
Commissioner Bruns asked where the county was on this project.
Volkmer responded that the county has one set of easements that we have not acquired.
Lyle Minshull, reported that he had obtained an attorney and is going for adverse possession on part of this property that is being discussed today and asked the County Board to table the matter.
Volkmer does not want to slow the project down and the county will need this property no matter what for the project, but this item could be tabled until this issue is addressed. He also suggested having the County Surveyor go out and look at this area and give her opinion.
The County Board tabled this item.
Paul Grieger of D.A. Davidson & Co. was present to discuss refinancing of the 2017 series bonds. As of today the county could save $120,000 by refinancing. The county could do the paperwork to set the stage without any obligation. If the bond market is still in the county’s favor they could proceed.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Weems to authorize D.A. Davidson to start the process for refinancing the 2017 series bonds and report back to the County Board. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Wuehler and Bruns voted “aye”. Nays, none Woodruff absent.
The following Lincoln County Employees were recognized for their service to Lincoln County: Neil Speer – 15 Years; Cindy Korf – 10 Years and Shelly Deppen – 5 Years.
Hear concerns from Elected Officials, Department Heads or their representative.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
General:
Adv Med Img se 500.00
A Coleburn se 63.00
A VanVelson se 110.00
A Power reb 27.81
Berreckman & Bazata se 3,080.00
B Davis se 686.00
Brouillette, Dgn, Trshnski se 7,461.98
BTS se 100.00
Capital Bus Systems se 557.86
Capital One su 64.51
Central NE Cremation se 2,758.00
CenturyLink se 351.02
Cervelle Acdmc Consltg se 602.23
Charter su 144.97
C Shaw se 50.30
Comm Inv Svcs rt 375.00
DAS St Acctg rt 3,727.08
Dawson Co Sheriff se 20.63
Dell Mktg eq 4,920.48
Dr Scrubs ex 43.19
Douglas Co Sheriff se 20.13
Dundy Co Treasurer se 1,437.06
Eakes su 1,569.05
Election Systems & Software su 420.00
Fairfield Inn & Suites ldg 288.00
First Concord Benefits ins 172.50
First Natl Bank se 588.00
Hall Co Dist Ct se 6.50
Hitchcock Co Treasurer se 1,407.06
Insight Pub Sector su 82.48
J Rudolph se 1,365.00
J Bethell reb 65.02
Johnson Controls se 337.70
Knobel Ref se 110.00
LCSO Jail Petty Cash su 96.13
Logan Co Sheriff Office se 18.50
MacGill Discount Med se 358.80
Menards se 183.13
Meyer Creative se 238.74
Mi6 Pizza su 27.75
M L & W se 12,012.70
NACO dues 40.00
NE Inst of Forensic Science se 2,000.00
NE Law Enf Trng Cntr se 216.00
NE Pub Hlth Enviro Lab se 30.97
NP Animal Shelter se 80.00
NP Telegraph se 3,342.89
Perkins Co Sheriff se 24.15
Phelps Co Sheriff se 18.00
Pitney Bowes se 1,031.61
Recog Unlimited se 167.70
St Louis University se 235.50
Scotts Bluff Co Sheriff se 6.00
Staples su 147.47
Summit Food Svcs contr 4,606.42
T Stasser reb 21.00
T Hetherington se 2,097.00
T Fox se 435.75
Title Svcs of the Plains se 195.00
U.S. Cellular se 1,087.64
Ultra-Chem se 288.97
Verizon Wireless se 2,050.18
Viaero Wireless se 183.46
York Co Sheriff se 29.36
Building Fund:
Schemmer se 285.00
Roads:
AT&T se 100.80
Bomgaars su 440.78
B Rotert reb 31.00
Consolidated se 610.23
DPPD se 132.85
Kelly Supply su 75.33
Menards su 47.86
Mentzer Oil su 124.47
Mun L & W se 667.95
Murphy Tractor eq 395.00
Newman Signs se 1,855.97
NSG su 1,806.87
RS Hydraulic Slyns se 112.64
Inheritance Tax:
Snell Svcs se 7,378.66
Juvenile Fac:
Brouillette, Dgn, Trshnski se 800.58
Self-Funded Ins:
First Concord Benefits ins 2,390.22
January Payroll $848,749.73
The meeting was adjourned at 11:22 A.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the January 31, 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 January 28, 2022; and was also emailed to the media on January 28, 2022.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, February 7, 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