February 28, 2011
North Platte, Nebraska
Meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners. Present were Commissioners Joe Hewgley, Duane Deterding, Willis Roethemeyer, County Clerk, Rebecca Rossell and Deputy County Attorney, Joe Wright. 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 minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting held on February 22, 2011. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer 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 Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to approve and authorize the chairman to sign a contract with CH2M Hill, Inc. to do the NEPA documentation for Project BR-1480(11), Control No. 61414, Maxwell Southwest. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 9:15 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Equalization convened.
County Treasurer, Sue Fleck and County Assessor, Julie Stenger appeared.
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 Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to approve the minutes regarding the Lincoln County Board of Equalization meeting held on February 22, 2011. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
No certificates of correction or refund were submitted by the County Assessor.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption applications submitted by First Baptist Church – North Platte and Salvation Army as recommended for approval by the County Treasurer. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to approve the motor vehicle tax exemption application submitted by Community Action Partnership of Nebraska as recommended for approval by the County Treasurer. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
The Lincoln County Board of Equalization adjourned at 9:19 A.M. and the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners reconvened.
Christina McIntire, Executive Director for the Dawson/Gosper CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for children) made a presentation to educate the county board on the program as they would like to get one started here in Lincoln County.
Jessica Hilderbrand, gave a personal story on how the CASA program made an impact on her life.
Dean Kugler, Dawson County Commissioner, urged the county board to consider adoption of the CASA program.
Linda Benjamin, Dawson County CASA volunteer, viewed a court proceeding concerning a child, and was convinced that this program was needed. She also encouraged county board members to support a Lincoln County CASA program.
Christina McIntire, requested three items of Lincoln County: 1) Consider approval of a grant application to begin a CASA program in Lincoln County beginning July 1, 2011 2) A $7000 commitment to fund the program 3) office space.
Commissioner Hewgley asked if the CASA program would eliminate or reduce hours for guardian ad litem fees.
Christina replied that it does not eliminate the guardian ad litem but it does help reduce the hours.
Commissioner Deterding questioned how the court system handled the CASA program.
Christina responded that the CASA program was covered by Nebraska State Statute.
Jessica Hilderbrand commented that a guardian ad litem has multiple cases while a CASA volunteer has one child.
The Commissioners were presented letters of support by County Judge, Kent Turnbull, County Attorney, Rebecca Harling and Health & Human Services.
Patrick Burford asked what type of training was required for the volunteers.
Christina stated there are 30 hours of training and 12 hours of in-service training each year.
Commissioner Roethemeyer questioned how the child would be matched up with a volunteer.
Christina commented that the volunteers must pass a background check and they state a preference of children they want to serve.
Commissioner Hewgley requested the number of children that Dawson County is currently serving.
Christina replied that they have 32 volunteers serving 39 children currently.
Burford asked when the training would take place if the program was established in Lincoln County.
Christina responded the time line would be recruiting in August, 2011 and training in October, 2011. The actual program would start in 2012.
Dave Homan commented that he has seen different groups come and go in the system such as ICCU that were ineffective because they did not have access to information.
Christina expressed that the CASA volunteer is court appointed and has a court order and access to the file.
Bruce Kennedy, CASA volunteer, stated that the CASA volunteers do make a difference.
Ella Ochoa asked the Lincoln County Board of Commissioner to consider the CASA program.
The agenda item was slated for a presentation and not as an action item.
Linda Benjamin requested that they needed to know the intent of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners as the grant application was due March 1, 2011. If it is not submitted it will delay the program a whole year.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to amend the agenda to allow consideration to submit the grant application by CASA. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to authorize CASA to apply for a grant in the amount of $37,377 on behalf of Lincoln County, NE. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Representatives of the Lincoln County Ag Society appeared to discuss the special designated liquor application submitted for an event on July 23, 2011 during the county fair. One change from previous years is that minors will be allowed in designated areas this year. They will have 2-3 off duty officers to do security.
An email from Sheriff Kramer was read stating that he had no objections to the application.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to approve the special designated liquor application submitted by the Lincoln County Ag Society for an event on July 23, 2011 at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Kirk Nichols (Construction Project Manager/Owners Representative) and Dan Rowe of Treanor Architects (appearing by phone) gave an update on the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners recessed at 10:56 A.M. and reconvened at 11:00 A.M.
Motion by Hewgley, seconded by Roethemeyer to go into closed session at 11:01 A.M. concerning strategy regarding potential litigation and to protect attorney-client privilege, which is clearly necessary to protect the public interest. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Chairman Deterding restated the reason for the closed session.
Motion by Roethemeyer, seconded by Hewgley to go into open session at 11:23 A.M. Upon roll call vote Hewgley, Roethemeyer and Deterding voted “aye”. Nays, none.
Approved the following claims presented for payment:
The meeting was adjourned at 11:56 A.M.
Advance notice and the agenda for the February 28, 2011 board meetings were sent to members of the county board, county attorney 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 7, 2011 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 held at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioner’s Room at 9:00 A.M. The regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Equalization will be held at the Lincoln County Courthouse in the Commissioner’s Room at 9:15 A.M.
Rebecca J. Rossell
Lincoln County Clerk
