May 18, 2020
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Bill Henry, Kent Weems, Walt Johnson, Jerry Woodruff and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Henry offered prayer. Henry called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
Chairman Henry 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 Woodruff to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on May 11, 2020. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Johnson to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Johnson to authorize the Chairman to sign the 2020 Blue Cross/Blue Shield subgroup application for health and dental insurance. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Hewgley to adopt Resolution No. 2020-16 to continue the cash-in-lieu option on group medical insurance for 20202. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Johnson to receive and order filed the fee report submitted by the Register of Deeds. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson 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 Henry 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 Woodruff to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on May 11, 2020. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Johnson to approve and 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, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:19 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Carla O’Dell, Lincoln County Highway Supt., provided two informal quotes for a copier for the road department. One quote was from Eakes in the amount of $5998 and the other quote was from Capitol Business Systems in the amount of $3589.40.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to approve the purchase of a copier for Lincoln County Dept. of Roads from Capitol Business Systems in the amount of $3589.40. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
COVID-19 update by West Central District Health Department Director, Shannon Vanderheiden.
Judy Clark, Lincoln County Planning Director, appeared and stated that planning staff had no objections to the application for Lindekugel Administrative Subdivision.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to approve the application submitted by Joseph Bourge for Lindekugel Administrative Subdivision located at the intersection of East Marker Road and South Marker Road. The property is described as part of Gov’t Lot 3, Section 14, Township 12 North, Range 28 West of the 6th P.M., Lincoln County, Nebraska.
Commissioner Johnson clarified that the driveways will be at the approval of the Lincoln County Highway Supt. and the at the property owner’s expense.
Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Commissioner Hewgley was excused from the next two agenda items dealing with the Lincoln County Detention Center due to a conflict of interest.
Sheriff Kramer explained that they are applying for two grants due to the Coronavirus. The U.S. Dept. of Justice grant is for $500,000 and the NE Crime Commission grant is for $58,000. This money would add some upgraded ventilation for negative air flow in the detention center which would give them quarantine cells and/or cell blocks for isolation. The booking area cells would also have negative air flow.
Commissioner Weems asked if this would affect the cost of the project.
Kramer replied yes but in a positive way. There are no matching funds.
Motion by Weems, seconded by Woodruff to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Dept. of Justice Fiscal Year 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Program Funding grant application. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley abstained.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Weems to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the NE Crime Commission Fiscal Year 2020 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Program Funding grant application. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley abstained.
Final review of construction documents for the Lincoln County Detention Center addition and remodel project.
Andrew Pitt of TreanorHL and Ryan Stearns of Joseph R. Hewgley & Associates Inc. appeared to present the final construction documents. Pitt explained that the storage area items would be done first. Discussion was held concerning liquidated damages and a project time line.
Deputy County Attorney, Joe Wright, will review final construction documents and contact the county insurance carrier for information. These documents will be put back on the next County Board agenda.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Weems to set June 29, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. to accept bids for the Lincoln County Detention Center addition and remodel project. Upon roll call vote Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none. Hewgley abstained.
County Court Clerk Magistrate, Kerry Sides, appeared to discuss the County Court remodel projects being proposed. They had received informal quotes. The County Court is willing to pay for some of the project out their budget. Phase I would be a restroom addition in the amount of $8530 and Phase II would involve walls and closing off part of the hallway in the amount of $13,962.
Motion by Woodruff, seconded by Weems to approve the restroom addition in the amount of $8530 for Phase I. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Weems, Henry, Johnson and Woodruff voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Discussed the Board of Equalization property valuation protest process for 2020. County Assessor, Julie Stenger, reported that the Dept. of Revenue had put out guidelines. Marcia Trego is willing to act as the referee for the county again this year in any capacity that is needed. We can encourage telephonic and virtual appointments with the consent of the taxpayer. The County Assessor will put out a press release with helpful tips.
Hear concerns from Elected Officials, Department Heads and their representative.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
The meeting was adjourned at 12:16 P.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the May 18, 2020 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 May 15, 2020; and was also emailed to the media on May 15, 2020.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 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
