February 24, 2014
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Duane Deterding, Willis Roethemeyer, Joe Hewgley and County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell. Hewgley offered prayer. Chairman Deterding called the meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
Chairman Deterding 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 Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on February 18, 2014. Upon roll call vote Roethemeyer, Hewgley and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to receive and order filed the treasurer’s receipts. Upon roll call vote Deterding, Roethemeyer and Hewgley voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to approve and authorize the chairman to sign the agreement between Lincoln County, Nebraska and NEBCON for the HVAC Replacement Phase I production well for the design and construction of a groundwater extraction and injection well. Upon roll call vote Roethemeyer, Hewgley and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to accept Daniel H. Guenthner’s, Lincoln County Emergency Management Director, resignation, but not under the pretenses of a constructive discharge, effective February 28, 2014. Upon roll call vote Roethemeyer, Hewgley and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Commissioner Hewgley suggested that these items be addressed prior to the appointment of an interim Lincoln County Emergency Management Director: wages, hours, and advertising for a full time position.
Commissioner Roethemeyer asked Tammy Dugger if she would be available for more hours per week and if she would also be available as needed for emergencies.
Dugger replied yes to both questions on availability.
Commissioner Hewgley also questioned if she would be willing to take comp time for over 40 hours per week.
Dugger responded that she had no problem with comp time after 40 hours per week. She commented that to run that office efficiently it needs to be a 40 hours per week position.
Commissioner Hewgley stated there would need to be clarification about what will happen with employee benefits such as insurance and retirement.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to approve the appointment of Tammy Dugger as interim Lincoln County Emergency Management Director as specified: 40 hour week, comp time for over 40 hours per week, $12.00 per hour, and benefits that would come with full time position. Board will evaluate position on an on- going basis. Upon roll call vote Roethemeyer, Hewgley and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to approve the withdrawal of securities by NebraskaLand National Bank as pledged to the Lincoln County Clerk. Upon roll call vote Roethemeyer, Hewgley and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 9:25 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization convened.
Chairman Deterding 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 Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on February 18, 2014. Upon roll call vote Roethemeyer, Hewgley and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to approve and authorize the chairman to sign the certificates of correction or refund submitted by the County Assessor. Upon roll call vote Roethemeyer, Hewgley and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to go into closed session at 9:26 A.M. concerning strategy regarding pending litigation and to protect attorney client privilege, which is clearly necessary to protect the public interest. Upon roll call vote Roethemeyer, Hewgley and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Chairman Deterding restated the motion for the closed session.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to go back into open session at 9:39 A.M. Upon roll call vote Roethemeyer, Hewgley and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization recessed at 9:40 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
A public hearing was opened at 10:00 A.M. to receive comments on the One & Six year Road Plan of Lincoln County, Nebraska.
Highway Superintendent, Jerry Hitchcock, gave a brief summary of the road plans.
Hitchcock and Commissioner Hewgley both spoke briefly about the work done by Lincoln County to resolve some of the issues concerning Project 1311 – Bridge Replacement over the North Platte River north of Sutherland to get it put back on the plan to be eligible for state funding.
Mike Kelly questioned if the projects were listed in order of importance. His concern is the Sutherland North bridge and research that he had done indicates the bridge is 100 years old.
Hitchcock replied that they are not listed in any order of importance on the summary sheet. The project for the Sutherland North bridge started 15 plus years ago. The rules changed in the middle of the project. An underwater inspection report has allowed the county to be able to put this back on for federal funding. It is now a 2.5 to 3 million dollar project. His department monitors elevation readings at each pier.
Kelly strongly urged prioritizing this bridge as it has been on the 6 year plan for at least 28 years.
Commissioner Hewgley replied the county wanted to get the project completed as well but need state/federal funding to do it.
Dan Keiser, Sutherland Schools Superintendent, also expressed his concern about the Sutherland North bridge and commented that teachers and students both cross that bridge daily.
Ken Kennedy reported that he has farm ground north of the bridge and it is a safety issue. He said that on some days you cannot see the other end of the bridge.
Eric Seacrest complimented the county on some of the current projects that are in construction or on the One & Six Year Road Plan such as the Birdwood viaduct, Front Street, South River Road and Sutherland North bridge.
The public hearing was closed at 10:46 A.M.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to accept the One & Six Year Road Plan as submitted. Upon roll call vote Roethemeyer, Hewgley and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to go into closed session at 11:06 A.M. concerning strategy regarding pending litigation and to protect attorney client privilege, which is clearly necessary to protect the public interest. Upon roll call vote Roethemeyer, Hewgley and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Chairman Deterding restated the motion for the closed session.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to go into open session at 11:37 A.M. Upon roll call vote Roethemeyer, Hewgley and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Approved the following claims as presented for payment:
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 P.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the February 24, 2014 were sent to the county board and all others requesting the same. Notice was posted at the Lincoln County Courthouse, City Hall and on the county website.
The agenda for the meetings to be held on Monday, March 3, 2014 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
