01/07/2020 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 7, 2020
Mayor Knoke called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall. Advanced notice of the meeting was given by publication in The Sentinel, the appointed method for giving advanced notice. All proceedings shown were taken while the meeting was open to the attendance of the public.
Mayor Judith Knoke presided and City Clerk Kimberly Goossen recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Stan Krause, Shane Stutzman, and Harlan Schrock. Phyllis Ryan was absent. A quorum being present and the meeting duly convened, the following proceedings were had and done.
As required by the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, Mayor Knoke announced that a copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act has been posted on the south door of the City Hall meeting room for all in attendance to review.
Mayor Knoke announced that public comments would be received at this time.
Liz Cody with SENDD (Southeast Nebraska Development District) attended the meeting to provide Council information on grants that are available and the timelines to apply for those. One of the grants being discussed is the Community & Civic Center Financing Fund (CCCFF) grant. To proceed with this a letter of intent must be submitted by January 15 with a full application by February 15. The maximum amount available to apply for is $562,000 which would be applied to construction costs. Ms. Cody feels this would be a good fit for our community. Another grant option is the Land & Water Conservation Fund which a federally funded grant. Liz does not recommend the Council and Pool Committee pursue this option as there could be potential delays to the project. Ms. Cody feels confident in the application and approval of the CCCFF Grant.
Kristen Milton, representing the Swimming Pool Replacement/Renovation Committee, reported they have been looking into setting up a website for the pool to give one specific location for construction updates and a possible option for donations. Kate Vossler with Friend Area Fund has set up a Pool Project account for any donations that go toward the $15,000 matching fund. Kristen reported they will be working on several fundraising options for this spring. The Council will take consideration at the next meeting to determine the possibility of the pool status for this summer. The Pool Committee would like to offer the community another Open House to receive feedback and ideas. The Committee will also discuss options for donor name placards. There was also question regarding when the increase in sales tax goes into effect. Kristen states that will be April 1, 2020. This will be coordinated with the Nebraska Department of Revenue.
Motioned by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, to approve the minutes of the December 3 regular meeting and the December 18 special meeting and the December 2019 Treasurer’s Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the December 3 and 18, 2019 meeting minutes and the December 2019 Treasurer’s Report, Krause, Stutzman, Schrock. Ryan absent. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, to table the Friend Community Healthcare System’s financial statements submitted for the month of November 2019. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Stutzman, Schrock. Ryan absent. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Schrock, that payroll and claims be approved by the claims committee, and be allowed, and the Clerk instructed to issue warrants on the respective funds to pay same. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Schrock, Stutzman. Ryan absent. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: December Payroll, 22,237.18; Ameritas, 2523.98; EFTPS, 7556.62; Baker & Taylor, su 85.26; Barco Municipal Products, su 202.52; Kevin Barnard, re 55.00; Beaver Hardware, su 323.39; Black Hills Energy, fe 682.72; Blue Valley Door, se 140.50; Bruning Law, fe 1305.00; Caterpillar Financial, fe 7438.75; Center Point, su 88.68; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; Coast to Coast, su 2926.79; Country Sampler, su 20.00; Creative Product Source, su 1004.82; Culligan, se 57.00; Diode, se 46.45; Dollar General, su 25.03; Eakes, su 703.94; EMS Billing, se 635.48; Exeter Lumber, su 26.00 Farmers Coop, su 300.20; Gale, su 46.48; Paul & Gail Gropp, fe 450.00; Stan Houlden, se 1797.00; Johnson Pharmacy, su 22.92; Dale Lawver, se 150.00; LifeGuard MD, su 4268.70; Magnolia Journal, su 20.00; Chris Michl, se 436.80; MidAmerica Books, su 379.00; Kristen Milton, re 110.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 2105.28; NE Public Health, se & fe 205.00; Norris Power, se 5560.16; Diane Odoski, re 305.84; One Call, se 2.31; Orkin, se 60.32; Principal Mutual, fe 119.33; Qwik, 6, su 1003.90; Radiology Associates, se 35.00; Saline County Clerk, se 4082.31; Seward Cnty Independent, fe 755.94; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1250.00; Steve’s Repair, se 674.83; Verizon, fe 138.32; Waste Connections, se 232.62; Youngs Welding, se 321.08. Total Claims Approved $73,168.45.
Discussion was held regarding an email received from Windstream with plans for a project they are planning to build in the Friend area. This project involves placing aerial and buried fiber cable in order to provide high speed internet. The Council will continue this discussion at the February meeting.
Mayor Knoke read a memo received from the Nebraska Attorney General regarding the Tobacco 21 Act. This memo states that as of January 1, 2020, Nebraska law provides that the legal minimum age for use or purchase of tobacco products will become 19 years of age. As a result, the Nebraska Attorney’s General Office is advising Nebraska law enforcement and pertinent state agencies that enforcement shall be limited to enforcement of the state law, unless the Nebraska Legislature changes the minimum age from 19 to 21 as suggested by the federal “Tobacco 21 Act.”
Billy Baugh gave the Public Works report. He stated the new dump truck has been painted and is ready to be put to use. Baugh reported they will be working to get radio reads on water meters for Route 2 and uptown businesses.
Chief Gray gave the Police report. Gray reported they have ended 2019 with 420 calls for service over 240 calls in 2018. Gray reported that Paul and Gail Gropp have put the building on the market for sale. Mayor Knoke stated she had been contacted by the real estate agent asking if the city would be interested in purchasing that building. Council will revisit this at the February meeting.
Building Inspector Mark Stutzman stated he had nothing to report at this time.
Stanley Krause reported on behalf of the Friend Volunteer Fire Department. They are trying to schedule to burn the house for the school as well as the tree pile out on West Third Street.
Mayor Knoke gave the hospital report. Knoke reported they are still working on implementing the new programs for Mental Health and Cardiac Rehab and getting those up and running. There was no December meeting.
Mayor Knoke asked to table the decision on Document Management with Eakes until Council has time to review the information provided. Knoke would also like to have discussion if this is approved, to allow the purchase of tablets for Council use. Motion by Schrock, seconded by Krause to table the Eakes discussion until the February meeting. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Krause, Schrock. Ryan absent. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman to allow the Mayor to sign and execute the Order of Termination for Patrick Gates and Debbie Gilmer. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman to approve the request the use of our facility for the upcoming elections to be held May 12, 2020 (Primary) and November 3, 2020 (General). On roll call voting aye, Krause, Stutzman, Schrock. Ryan absent. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion by Schrock, seconded by Krause to approve the Mayor to sign the contract and letter of intent with Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) to work on grants and applications. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Krause, Schrock. Ryan absent. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion by Stutzman, seconded by Krause to approve renewal of Maintenance Agreement w/Nebraska Department of Roads for Snow Removal & Surface Maintenance of Highway 6. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Krause, Stutzman. Ryan absent. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman to approve the Mayor to sign contract with Lamp Rynearson for Pool Engineering Services. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Stutzman, Schrock. Ryan absent. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion made by Schrock, seconded by Krause to approve the time and date of Friend City Council Regular meetings as the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Krause, Schrock. Ryan absent. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion to enter into executive session for personnel matters was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Krause, Schrock. Ryan absent. Nays, none. Motion carried. Executive session convened at 7:46 p.m.
Motion to reconvene regular session was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Schrock, Krause. Ryan absent. Nays, none. Motion carried.
Regular session reconvened at 8:03 p.m. Motion made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman to approve the hiring and starting wages for the following: Kelly Paulsen (Deputy Clerk) at $14 per hour; Dennis Haakenson (Sewer/Wastewater Operator) at $19 per hour; and Douglas Welch (General Maintenance) at $17 per hour. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Stutzman, Schrock. Ryan absent. Nays none. Motion carried.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Krause, seconded by Stutzman to adjourn the meeting. On roll call, voting aye, Schrock, Stutzman, Krause. Ryan absent. Nays, none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.