05/05/2020 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
May 5, 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 Kim Goossen recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Shane Stutzman, Phyllis Ryan, Stan Krause, and Harlan Schrock. 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. Kelly Paulsen with Friend Rescue Squad reported on the replacement of medical director.
Motioned by Krause, seconded by Stutzman, to approve with corrections the minutes April 7, 2020 regular meeting, and the April 2020 Treasurer’s Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the April 7, 2020 regular meeting minutes, and the April 2020 Treasurer’s Report, Ryan, Schrock, Stutzman, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan, to approve Friend Community Healthcare Systems Financial Report for March 2020. On roll call voting aye to approve March 2020 hospital financials Krause, Stutzman, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Krause, 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, Schrock, Ryan, Krause, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: April Payroll, 42,279.05; Ameritas, 3,537.70; EFTPS, 12,785.49; NE Dept of Rev SWH, 2,150.53; AKRS Equipment, su 10.94; BNSF Railway Company, fe 1,134.45; Baker & Taylor, su 151.67; Barco Municipal Products, su 594.74; Beaver Hardware, su 629.68; Black Hills Energy, fe 357.77; BlueCross BlueShield, fe 6,312.84; Bruning Law Group, fe 6,073.50; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; Coast to Coast, su 219.53; Community Redevelopment Authority, fe 7,037.07; Consumer Reports, su 26.00; Country Sampler, su 25.00; Country Woman, su 12.98; Culligan Water Service, su 147.75; Diode, se 46.45; Dollar General, su 25.56; Eakes, su 304.99; Farmer’s Union Cooperative, su 627.45; Gale, su 45.73; Paul & Gail Gropp, fe 450.00; Lamp Rynearson, se 3,900.00; NE Public Health Environmental Lab, se 102.00; NE Public Power, se 51,613.32; Nick’s Farm Store Co, su 64.80; Norris Power, se 5,581.72; Diane Odoski, re 191.79; One Call, se 8.45; Kelly Paulsen, re 485.80; Kevin Paulsen, se 1,260.00; Principal Mutual Life Ins. Co, fe 133.31; Quick Med Claims, se 81.41; Recycling Enterprises, se 440.00; Bob Robinson, se 2800.00; Saline County Clerk, fe 22.00; Schindler Elevator Corporation, se 173.40; Sensus USA Inc, se 1949.94; Seward Co Independent, fe 141.89; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1,250.00; The Depository Trust, fe 20,305.00; Verizon Wireless, se 94.56; Waste Connections, se 310.16; White Electric Supply Co, su 354.00; Total Claims Approved $176,500.42.
A motion was made by Ryan, seconded by Stutzman to approve Resolution No. 20-02, Employee Handbook. On roll call voting aye to approve Resolution 20-02, Krause, Schrock, Stutzman, Ryan. Nays none. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 20-02
WHEREAS, the City of Friend desires a comprehensive set of general guidelines and policies governing all personnel matters for all city employees, including employee conduct, workplace conditions, drug and alcohol policies, policies implementing state and federal employment laws, and other aspects of public employment and city service; and
WHEREAS, the City Council had previously adopted an Employee Handbook; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed and considered the proposed changes to the previous handbook incorporated into the Employee Handbook attached hereto as Exhibit A,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA AS FOLLOWS:
- Any previous versions of the Employee Handbook are hereby declared null and voice as upon passage of this resolution.
- The attached Employee Handbook is adopted as the City’s personnel policies and shall be applicable to all employees unless preempted by state or federal law or in conflict with an existing employment contract or collective bargaining agreement.
- Use of the attached Employee Handbook shall be effective upon passage of this resolution.
- The Mayor has the authority to make changes, adjustments, or interpretations to the attached Employee handbook that are necessary to effectively and efficiently manage the daily operations of the City.
Council Member Schrock introduced Ordinance No. 20-764 entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 20-764
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 71.08 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA, RELATED TO THE USE AND OPERATION OF GOLF CARS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS; TO DEFINE THE HOURS AND CONDITIONS OF OPERATION; THE MINIMUM AGE OF DRIVERS OF GOLF CARTS; TO REPEAL ALL PRIOR ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
and moved that the statutory rule requiring reading on three different days be suspended. Council Member Stutzman seconded the motion to suspend the rule and upon roll call vote on the motion the following Council Members voted aye: Ryan, Krause, Stutzman, Schrock. The following voted nay: none. The motion to suspend the rule was adopted by three-fourths of the Council and the statutory rule was declared suspended for consideration of said ordinance.
Said ordinance was then read by title and thereafter Council Member Schrock moved for final passage of the ordinance, which motion was seconded by Council Member Krause. The Mayor then stated the question “Shall Ordinance No. 20-764 be passed and adopted?” Upon roll call vote, the following Council Members voted aye: Stutzman, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. The following voted nay: none. The passage and adoption of said ordinance having been concurred in by a majority of all members of the Council, the Mayor declared the ordinance adopted and the Mayor in the presence of the Council signed and approved the ordinance and the Clerk attested the passage and approval of the same and affixed her signature thereto and ordered the Ordinance to be published in pamphlet form as provided therein. A true, correct and complete copy of said ordinance is published in pamphlet and is available for review at City Hall.
A motion was made by Krause, seconded by Ryan to set annual application fee of $25. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
WHEREAS, The Municipal Code of the City of Friend currently regulates the operation of golf carts upon the public streets of the City of Friend, Nebraska pursuant to Section 71.08 et seq; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Mayor and City Council to amend and update the regulation and operation of golf carts within certain areas of the municipality, including updates to statutory references and expansion and clarification of requirements and other limitations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That Section 71.08 is hereby amended to read as attached in Exhibit A.
Section 2. That all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby specifically repealed.
Section 3. Should any section, paragraph, sentence, or word of this Ordinance hereby adopted be declared for any reason to be invalid, it is the intent of the Mayor and Council of the City of Friend, Nebraska, that it would have passed all other portions of this Ordinance independent of the elimination hereof of any such portion as may be declared invalid.
Section 4. This ordinance shall take full force and effect beginning on, and continuing thereafter, the date of its passage, approval, and publication or posting as required by law.
A motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Krause to approve a General Development Plan for the City of Friend. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Schrock, Krause, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 20-03
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA APPROVING A GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE OF THE CITY PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 19 OF THE REISSUE REVISED STATUTES OF NEBRASKA, AS AMENDED AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT LAW, CHAPTER 18, ARTICLE 21, REISSUE REVISED STATUES OF NEBRASKA, AS AMENDED.
WHEREAS, it is necessary, desirable, advisable, and in the best interests of the City of Friend, Nebraska (the “City”), for the City to plan and accommodate anticipated long-range future growth based on documented population and economic projections;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 19-901 of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, as amended, the City has adopted a Comprehensive Development Plan which includes a general development plan for the City within the meaning of Section 18-2110 of the Community Development Law (“Act”);
WHEREAS, the Friend Development Group, Inc. has submitted to the City a General Development Plan for the City’s consideration and adoption, which plan is intended to supplement, but not replace any general development plan which currently exists as part of the City’s Comprehensive Development Plan;
WHEREAS, the General Development Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Attachment 1, is being consider as a supplement to the City’s existing plans for purposes of future proceedings under the Act;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The General Development Plan submitted by the Friend Development Group, Inc. is accepted by the City to serve as a supplement to the City’s existing “general plan for development” within the meaning of Section 18-2110 of the Act and furthered to Planning Commission for a written recommendation.
Section 2. This Resolution shall be published and shall take effect as provided by law
A motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan to accept and submit to the Planning Commission the question of Redevelopment Area #2 to be declared Blighted and Substandard.
On roll call voting aye Stutzman, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 20-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA TO SUBMIT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION THE QUESTION OF WHETHER REDEVELOPMENT AREA #2 IS TO BE DECLARED BLIGHTED AND SUBSTANDARD AND IN NEED OF REDEVELOPMENT PURSUANT TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LAW
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council of the City of Friend, Nebraska (the “City”) has received a Blight/Substandard Determination Study prepared by Marvin Planning Consultants for Redevelopment Area #2 (“Blight Study”), a copy of which is attached hereto as Attachment 1;
WHEREAS, on May 5, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., a regular meeting of the City was held at the Friend City Hall, 235 Maple Street in the City during which the City considered whether to submit to the Planning
Commission the question of whether Redevelopment Area #2 as set forth in the Blight Study should be declared substandard and blighted pursuant to the Community Development Law (“Act”;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City hereby submits to the Planning Commission the question of whether Redevelopment Area #2 as set forth in the Blight Study should be declared substandard and blighted pursuant to the Act;
Section 2. The Planning Commission shall submit its written recommendations in response to this Resolution within 30 days as required by the Act;
Section 3. This Resolution shall be published and shall take effect as provided by law.
Kristen Milton reported on behalf of the pool committee. A motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman for the city to commit 0.3% of the current 1% city sales tax to pool bond. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. A motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Schrock to set the monetary amount of bond at $2.5 million. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Stanley Krause reported on behalf of Friend Volunteer Fire Department. Krause reported that the wind farm calls are being paged out as a multiple squad page as there are no 911 addresses assigned to the wind mills.
Police Chief Shawn Gray reported on behalf of Friend Police Department. Chief Gray reported they have three times the amount of calls as this time last year, with a total of 143 calls to date. Chief Gray reported the police department is starting to send out ordinance violation letters and this will take several weeks. Chief Gray reported they ordered the new police truck the 2nd week in March. Gray reported they had a Fillmore County Deputy ride along with them and said the deputy is possibly interested in part-time employment.
Discussion was had on employee timeclock system and is table until June meeting.
A motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Krause to approve Brian Arp and art students at Friend Public School to paint a mural at the pond. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Schrock, Krause, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Billy Baugh reported on behalf of the Public Works department. Baugh reported the pond committee has three volunteers and consist of Ann Bruntz, Chris Effken, and Lorri Milton. Baugh reported he is looking into putting up solarized lamps at the pond. A brief discussion was had about a possible dog park. Request was made to have handicap access on the east side of pond. Baugh reported he has been in contact with Gretta Stutzman about getting planters in front of city hall and it was decided to leave those decisions up to city hall workers and Gretta. Baugh requested the hire of two seasonal workers and a motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan to hire Clare Stutzman as full-time seasonal and Brooke Baugh as part-time seasonal help. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Stutzman abstained. Motion carried. A motion was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock to proceed with Crowl Tree Service to do tree trimming around town. Baugh reported the Nickel building is for sale and a discussion was had regarding the possibility to purchase the building. A motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman to proceed with the tower well repairs. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Krause requested clean-up of Highway 6 corridor be looked into.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Ryan, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman. Nays, none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:16 p.m.