09/19/2019 Special Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-SPECIAL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 19, 2019, 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Knoke called the special meeting of the City Council to order 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 Acting City Clerk Kim Goossen recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Stan Krause, Shane Stutzman, Phyllis Ryan 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.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to open the public hearing to receive comments relating to the annexation of certain properties into Corporate Limits of the City of Friend. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Stutzman, Krause, and Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Public hearing opened at 7:01 p.m.
Mayor Knoke announced that public comments would be received at this time. Ed Menke spoke on behalf of Farmer’s Union Co-op and their desire not to be annexed into corporate limits due to the increase in tax burden. No other comments were offered.
A motion was made by Krause, seconded by Ryan, that claims be approved by the claims committee, and be allowed, and the Acting Clerk instructed to issue warrants on the respective funds to pay same. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Schrock, Krause, and Ryan. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: Beaver Hardware, su 5.49; Blue Blossom, su 39.00; Brother’s Equipment, su 30.00; Bruning Law, fe 13,803.00; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, 1749.06; Crete Ace Hardware, su 105.49; Discover, su 35.86; EMP, su 95.88; Exeter Lumber, su 10.10; Farmer’s Coop, su 709.42; First Wireless, su 806.00; Kirkham Michael, se 345.00; Norris, se 39.00; One Call, se 15.37; Qwik 6, su 773.25; Remboldt/Ludtke, se 1820.00; Codi Slama, re 10.73; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1250.00; Zito Media, su 21.94. Total Claims Approved $21,914.59.
Mayor Knoke presented for the second of three readings, Ordinance #19-756.
ORDINANCE NO. 19-756
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA, TO ANNEX TERRITORY COMPRISING CONTIGUOUS AND ADJACENT LANDS, LOTS, STREETS, AND HIGHWAYS WHICH ARE URBAN OR SUBURBAN IN CHARACTER IN SUCH DIRECTIONS AS IS DEEMED PROPER TO THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY, THE EXACT BOUNDARIES OF WHICH ARE DISPLAYED AND DESCRIBED IN ATTACHMENTS A AND B; TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF SUCH ANNEXATION.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA:
Section 1. After complying with all procedures required by Nebraska Revised Statute § 17-405.01 and a majority of the members of the City Council having voted in favor of such annexation, the City Council hereby declares the annexation of the territory described in “Exhibit A” to be annexed to the corporate limits of the City of Friend, Nebraska, the limits of which are extended accordingly.
Section 2. 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.
Paul and Carol Johansen were in attendance and also expressed their desire to not be annexed in. Paul brought a question before council about the city providing utilities to the annexed properties and the timeframe and cost involved with that. Mayor Knoke stated that once the properties are voted to be annexed and choose to be hooked up to city services, the city has 12 months in which to provide that service.
Glen and Bonnie Felt attended the meeting and stated they are on a fixed, low income and any increase in tax would be a burden for them.
Comments were received from Brent Milton regarding businesses on the east end of town that are currently contributing to the city by purchasing quite a bit of electricity. Milton does not see a benefit in any way for them to be annexed.
Bill Bruntz brought concern if annexing Co-op would also include bringing in the chemical and ammonia plant and what liability and hazard issues are related with those businesses being in city limits.
Jim Ryan spoke on behalf of the Friend Development Group (FDG) which was started to study and look at funding for local development. The FDG received a grant from the state to the city to loan for the start-up of new business or to finance succession business from older to younger generations. The Friend Development Group has been able to provide funding for over 30 businesses from the 90s to present and will continue to do so. The FDG has been working with the City Council to determine the next step in the developmental plan.
Kristen Milton, representing the Swimming Pool Replacement/Renovation Committee, attended the meeting to report a good response for the Krispy Kreme fundraiser and that the Pool Committee will be presenting at the October 8 Lunch & Learn at Friend Community Healthcare System.
Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock, to close the public hearing to receive comments relating to the property tax request for 2019-2020, and to receive comments relating to the annexation of certain properties into Corporate Limits of the City of Friend. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Ryan, Schrock, and Krause. Nays none. Motion carried. Public hearing closed at 8:05 p.m.
Motion was made by Stuzman, seconded by Schrock to donate the 1992 Dodge Dakota pickup to Warren Memorial Hospital (aka Friend Community Healthcare Systems). On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock, and Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motioned by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to approve the purchase of a utility trailer for the Public Works department. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Stutzman, Krause, and Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was had regarding the purchase of a new Grasshopper mower for Public Works department. Motion to table this purchase to allow the city crew and council to look at local options.
Motioned by Schrock, seconded by Ryan, to approve the addition of Mayor Knoke as an Authorized Manager on the VISA account as well as increasing the credit limit to $25,000 with the addition of two cards. Approval of credit card purchases to be obtained by two (2) councilmembers or the Mayor. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Krause, Ryan and Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to enter into closed/executive session for discussion of personnel matters. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause, and Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Closed/executive session began at 8:22 p.m.
Motion to reconvene regular session was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Ryan, Krause, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried. Regular session reconvened at 9:08 p.m.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan to give $1.50/hour pay increase to Dominic Lombardo as per verbal agreement for moving to the area and graduating the Academy and to give $1.00/hour pay increase to Ryan Yoder, Billy Baugh, Eldon Eklund, Jr., and Kevin Barnard effective October 1, 2019. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, and Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Schrock, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, and Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.