Antelope County Courthouse limits access due to COVID-19 concerns

Antelope County Commissioners approved a motion during an emergency meeting, March 18, to limit access to the courthouse.

Beginning March 19, individuals needing to conduct business with local officials will be required to make an appointment with a specific office. The change will be in effect until April 7, or as deemed necessary by Centers for Disease Control and/or state officials.

A list of office phone numbers and email addresses will appear on all courthouse doors. Visitors will be met at and enter through the south entrance double doors. The adjoining parking lot will be reserved for visitors. Any payments may be mailed to the courthouse or placed in the drop box, located near the south entryway.

Officials suggest using online services whenever possible, including the county's website, http://www.antelopecounty.nebraska.gov; motor vehicle and driver's license renewals, https://dmv.nebraska.gov; and real estate and personal property tax payments, https://nebraskataxesonline.us/.

The decision came after nearly an hour of discussion, with county officials weighing in. Commissioner Charlie Henery asked for their input during the 4:30 p.m., meeting.

Nebraska Extension - Antelope County employees explained how the university is handling business.

Brittany Spieker, extension educator, said other counties are limiting contact with the public.

"We're limiting the amount of people coming in and really encouraging people to do stuff online, contact us via email, do Zoom meetings for the teleconferencing piece and call in if they need help, so really encouraging people to stay at home, if possible. If they do need assistance, we can do it from the electronic standpoint," Spieker said.

Lisa Welding, extension office manager, said they would like to be open, but with precautions.

A lot of county business can be conducted online, according to Antelope County Treasurer Deb Branstiter, but some business requires face-to-face interaction.

Kelly Mueller-Oltjenbruns, county assessor, reinforced that some business can also be conducted via email.

"It doesn't mean we absolutely wouldn't see anyone, but we want to follow what other counties are doing and getting ahead of this," she said.

Branstiter said traffic in the courthouse on Wednesday may have been more extreme than normal, since Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles licensing examiners were on site.

She expressed concern that with other counties limiting services, "We're going to start seeing other counties (residents) come here, so we're bringing in more potential exposure."

Several courthouse employees referenced a busload of 27 individuals from Holt County who visited Antelope County DMV office, Wednesday.

Commissioner Dean Smith said he was under the impression that DMV had limited hours at the current time.

Branstiter said DMV is not conducting driving tests presently, but personnel were allowing one person in at a time for renewals and testing. She noted people filled the hallway all day.

The officials discussed how other counties are conducting business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

County Clerk Lisa Payne said she believes all officials want to keep offices open.

"But I think we want to limit exposure to 27 people from out of the area coming," she said.

"People still have to come here and do their business. We understand that, but we've got to restrict or limit how many's here at a time," Henery said. "It's not an easy thing to decide."

Payne suggested setting appointments as a good starting point.

"We can't live in a glass bubble," she said.

Instituting measures would limit traffic in the courthouse, according to Mueller-Oltjenbruns.

Henery asked if there was any concern about too many appointments being scheduled at one time, increasing the number of people in the courthouse.

Mueller-Oltjenbruns suggested one appointment at a time per office.

Judy Cole, clerk of the district court, said more individuals, such as a family, might come in if they are filing passport papers, but she did not anticipate more than 10 at a time.

County and district court will continue, with a limit placed on number of people in the courtroom, according to assistant clerk of the district court Angie Mortensen.

"What the judge is going to try to do is have 10 people at a time in the courtroom, including counsel and defendants. No extra people. No family. No friends. He said he cannot force them not to come in, but he is strongly suggesting, because of the 10 people rule," she said.

The next five defendants and counsel will be asked to return at a prescribed time, with the process continuing throughout the day.

"They're not to loiter around the courthouse. They're not to hang out and wait. They are to leave the facility and come back at the time they are told," Mortensen added.

Antelope County Court Clerk Magistrate Linda Mitchell urged individuals to call before reporting to court.

"We'll tell you what we, or you, can expect," she said.

Forms will be handed to attorneys when they check in.

Henery asked fellow commissioners if they are comfortable limiting entry.

Smith said he wanted to be sure all phone numbers would be posted on each door.

"I'm not going to have someone drive from the other side of the county and get here and not be able to do what they need to do."

Smith suggested having the limit in effect until April 7, when commissioners are scheduled to meet next.

"I'm fine with that," Henery said.

The motion passed 4-0. Commissioner Eli Jacob was absent.

Commissioners also discussed leave policies, future public meetings and employee precautions.

"You've probably been practicing that already," Henery said.

Payne asked what precautions will be taken if an employee tests positive.

Henery said he would need to consult with a medical doctor. Smith said once a positive test is reported, "it's out of our hands."

"I think North Central Health ... would come in. Whatever they say, we'd have to do," Smith said.

Payne replied that would mean a 14-day quarantine.

"That means the courthouse closes for 14 days," she said.

Henery asked if employees would be paid in this instance.

Smith said that decision would be made if it happens and another emergency meeting would be necessary.

Future meetings for commissioners were discussed.

Henery asked if the county has the ability to use teleconferencing.

Commissioner Regina Krebs suggested investigating Zoom.

Spieker said the extension office has access to Zoom technology, if commissioners wish to use it.

Public access to meetings via technology would be available. A link or login is assigned to each meeting, giving the public the ability to listen to discussion.

Henery said a decision whether the governing body would meet in person or via technology would be made soon, depending on what happens in the next two weeks.

Supply stocks were also a topic of discussion.

According to Henery, road superintendent Aaron Boggs requested hand sanitizer for each county barn, but could not find any.

Marlene Schindler, custodian, said she has been using bleach to clean, where permitted.

Branstiter called discussion about limiting people in the courthouse "sad," and asked if there were enough supplies.

Toilet paper and disinfectant spray have been taken from restrooms in the courthouse.

Schindler removed extra rolls of toilet paper and cans of disinfectant from restrooms.

Schindler said supplies, including sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, are low. Supplies were ordered Monday and were scheduled to be delivered Tuesday.

"We haven't seen him yet (as of Wednesday)," Schindler said. "I even went to Norfolk and can't even get them there."