02/05/2019 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 5, 2019
Mayor Knoke called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. at Friend 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 Debbie Gilmer recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Shane Stutzman, Phyllis Ryan, Harlan Schrock, and Stan Krause. 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 it was time to open the public hearing to receive comments for the One and Six Year Road and Street Plan for Friend. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to open the public hearing for the purpose of receiving comments relating to the One and Six Year Road and Street Plan for Friend. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause, and Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Public hearing opened at 7:01 p.m.
Mayor Knoke announced that public comments would be accepted at this time. Kristen Milton attended the meeting representing the swimming pool renovation/replacement committee to report on the status of responses to a survey the committee recently sent to residents.
Jim Ryan announced that he will be resigning from his position on the Community Redevelopment Authority in the near future. He assured the Mayor and council that his plans are to work closely with his replacement and ensure that the individual is comfortable and familiar with the position before resigning. He relayed to them that upon his resignation he would be available for any consultation and direction the Authority may request of him.
Motioned by Stutzman, seconded by Ryan, to approve the Minutes of the January 8, 2019 regular meeting, the January 16, 2019 special meeting, and the January 2019 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the January 8, 2019 regular meeting minutes, the January 16, 2019 special meeting minutes, and the January 2019 Treasurer's Report, Krause, Schrock, Ryan, and Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, to approve the Friend Community Healthcare System financial statements submitted for November and December 2018. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Voting nay, Krause. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, seconded by Ryan, that claims, and payroll 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, Stutzman, Schrock, Ryan, and Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: Jan Payroll, 26,008.75; Ameritas, 4126.39; EFTPS, 9053.82; Baker & Taylor, su 49.75; Beaver Hardware, su 66.93; Big Shots Indoor Range, su 591.26; Birds & Blooms, su 10.00; ; Black Hills Energy, fe 960.07; Blue Blossom, fe 40.00; Border State Ind, su 176.80; Brandts, su 32.99; Center Point, su 88.68; Central States, su 14,630.04; Classen Arms, su 1645.65; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, fe 4578.93; Danko, se 611.07; Diode, se 46.45; Dollar Gen, su 3.04; Drakes, se 48.60; EMS, se 81.24; Eakes, su 151.32; Entenmann-Rovin, su 125.25; Farmers Coop, se & su 2078.64; GT Ind, su 702.50; Gale, su 44.98; Gall’s, 1181.73 & 39.69; Paul Gropp, fe 225.00; HD Arms, su 234.30; IIMC, fe 330.00; Johnsons, su 30.92; Kirkham Michael se 1250.00; LONM, fe 377.00; Magnolia, su 20.00; Matt Friend Truck Eq, su 40.00; Menards, su 489.96; Midwest Labs, se 19.25; Kristen Milton, su 104.03; Muni Su, su 2145.13; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 1435.32, ST 6386.79; NMPP, su 589.82; NE Public Health, se 338.90; NE Public Power, fe 75,464.09; NE Rural Water, fe 175.00; Norris Public Power, se 5430.20; Diane Odoski, re 202.26; One Call, se 8.46; Orkin, se 55.85; Postmaster, fe 131.09; Principal Mutual, fe 119.33; Reminisce, su 11.00; Saline Cnty Clerk, fe 327.77; Sargent Drilling, se 840.29; Schindler, se 162.66; Seward Independent, fe 239.08; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1250.00; Targets Online, su 193.80; Verizon Wireless, se 427.96; Waste Connections, se 310.16; White Elec, su 484.00; Young’s, se 15.30. Total Claims Approved $167,289.29.
Utility Superintendent, Patrick Gates, gave his report. Mr. Gates reported that, along with regular responsibilities, the city crew has been busy moving snow, repairing street signs, and cleaning at the city shop. Mr. Gates reported that Gary Tuttle has contacted him regarding a street issue where the concrete is bulging/heaving on Edward Street, and that Mr. Tuttle has offered to fund the cost to repair this.
Patrick Gates reported to the Mayor and Council of a 30-foot-tall oak tree that is currently in an alley that will soon need to be cut down (or trimmed extensively) to keep it out of the power lines. Mr. Gates said he checked into the feasibility and cost of relocating the tree (approximately $500) and asked if Council had any objections of him having the tree relocated to the city park. Council had no objections.
Police Chief, Shawn Gray, reported on behalf of the Friend Police Department. Discussion was had relating to increasing the hourly pay for part-time police officers. No action was taken at this time and it was decided to continue discussion of this at the regular scheduled council meeting on March 5th.
Building Inspector, Mark Stutzman, gave his report.
Mayor Knoke reported on behalf of Friend Community Healthcare System.
Debbie Gilmer reported that Ryan Brandt, Engineer with Kirkham Michael Consulting Engineers, has been provided with updated descriptions of the proposed properties to be annexed into Friend corporate limits, in order that Kirkham Michael facilitate completion of a plat map, which is required by state law to be attached to an ordinance declaring the annexation.
Discussion was had regarding an interlocal agreement to create a mutual finance organization as authorized by the Nebraska Municipal Finance Assistance Act. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, to enter into agreement by and between certain cities, villages and rural fire protection districts of the State of Nebraska to create a mutual finance organization, known as the Saline County Rural Fire Protection Mutual Finance Organization, as authorized by the Nebraska Municipal Finance Assistance Act by authorizing Mayor Knoke to sign necessary documentation upon receipt. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Krause, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
On behalf of the Friend Community Redevelopment Authority, Jim Ryan attended the meeting to present to the Mayor and Council the CRA’s 2018 Year End Financial Reports. (Copies are attached.)
Motion to accept the CRA’s 2018 Year End Financial Reports for Tax Increment Financing was made by Stutzman, seconded by Ryan. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion to accept the CRA’s 2018 Year End Financial Reports for Occupation Taxes from the Enhanced Employment Area was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Jim Ryan informed the Mayor and Council that he had received an inquiry from an interested party about purchasing the City’s property on the corner lot of Maple Street and Highway 6. Brief discussion was had, no action taken at this time.
A request was received from Friend resident, Rodney Brejcha, for Council to consider releasing a parking ban that is in place on the west side of Pine Street, between 2nd and 3rd Streets. No action was taken at this time. Council will revisit this request at the March 5th meeting.
Review and discussion of wage adjustments for city employees was next on the meeting agenda. Mayor Knoke had requested information be gathered from other communities regarding their employee compensation practices. Mayor Knoke requested this information so that she and the council could compare wages of Friend employees to other municipal employees with similar job responsibilities and to consider adjusting Friend’s employee pay to a level competitive with municipal employees from other communities.
Mayor Knoke announced that it was time to close the public hearing to receive comments for the six year road and street plan. Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock to close the public hearing for the purpose of receiving comments relating to the One and Six Year Plan for City Improvements for Friend. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Ryan, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried. Public hearing closed at 8:20 p.m.
Mayor Knoke read proposed Resolution #19-01.
RESOLUTION #19-01
“WHEREAS, the City Street Superintendent has prepared a One Year and Six Year Plan for Street Improvement Program for the City of Friend, Nebraska, and
WHEREAS, a public meeting was held on the sixth (6th) day of February 2018, to present this plan and there were no objections to said plan;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE City Council of Friend, Nebraska, that the plans and data as furnished are hereby in all things accepted and adopted.”
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman to approve Resolution #19-01. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Resolution #19-01 was passed and approved this 5th day of February 2019.
Mayor Knoke requested motion be made to enter into closed/executive session for discussion of strategy and invited Jim Vossler and Jen Stutzman to join in the strategy session. Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Schrock, to enter into executive session for the purpose of a strategy session. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Krause, Schrock, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried. Closed/executive session began at 8:23 p.m.
Motion to reconvene regular session was made Ryan, seconded by Stutzman. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Krause, Stutzman, Ryan. Nays none. Motion carried. Regular session reconvened at 9:40 p.m.
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, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:41 p.m.