11/07/2018 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 7, 2018
Mayor Vossler 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 James Vossler presided, and City Clerk Debbie Gilmer recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Shane Stutzman, Harlan Schrock, Phyllis Ryan 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 Vossler 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 Vossler announced that public comments would be received at this time. Richard Smith attended the meeting to request Council consider having the city crew remove trees that have become overgrown in the church parking area and in the ditch across from the Catholic Church (the north end of the south half of the block and along Main Street between 3rd and 4th Streets). Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates, agreed to meet with Richard regarding this for further discussion and to determine what needs to be done to remedy this problem.
Motioned by Schrock, seconded by Ryan, to approve the minutes of the October 2, 2018 regular meeting and the October 2018 Treasurer’s Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the October 2, 2018 regular meeting minutes and the October 2018 Treasurer’s Report, Stutzman, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Krause to approve the Friend Community Healthcare Systems Financial Statements for September 2018. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Ryan, Krause, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, 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, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: October Payroll, 38,779.30; Ameritas, 6904.17; EFTPS, 13,078.83; Josh Alloway, re 132.46; Baker & Taylor, su 131.75; Beaver Hardware, su 85.11; Black Hills Energy, fe 227.48; Border States Ins, su 4511.79; Bruning Law, fe 2028.00; Center Point, su 88.68; Central NE Bobcat, fe 620.64; Central States, su 20,170.25; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, 553.57 & 1144.82; Consumer Reports, su 20.00; Crete Ace Hardware, su 74.14; Crete Lumber, su 322.80; Culligan, su 50.00; Danko, su 1304.00; Diode Comm, fe 46.45; Discover, su 1230.65; Eakes, su 42.99; EMP, su 110.00; Farmers Coop, su 1809.96; First Wireless, su 125.00; Friend Rotary, re 401.96; Gale, su 45.73; Kim Goossen, re 102.46; Paul & Gail Gropp, fe 225.00; Holiday Inn, fe 584.00; Husker Elec, su 295.00; Johnsons, su 69.87; Seth Knoke, re 50.00; Knowbuddy Resources, su 155.76; LONM, fe 530.00; Lincoln Winwater, su 357.84; Lookout Books, su 167.40; Menards, su 175.42 & 126.46; Midwest Labs, su 370.50; NMPP, fe 75.00; NE Public Health, se 46.00; NSA/POAN, fe 75.00; NE Dept of Rev, ST, 5403.00 & SWH 1961.65; NE Muni Clerks Assoc, fe 70.00; NE Public Power, se 58,307.52; Norris, se 5327.20; Diane Odoski, re 194.03; Office Cash, su 67.29; One Call, se 24.48; Orkin, se 55.85; Kelly Paulsen, re 213.30; Postmaster, su 225.00; Principal Mutual, fe 119.33; Reminisce, su 12.98; Sandry Fire, su 6581.31; Sargent, su 372.75; Schindler, se 162.66; Seward Independent, fe 111.13; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; SECC, fe 2286.00; Southeast Library, fe 10.00; Phyllis Svehla, se 168.00; The Pioneer Woman Mag, su 18.00; The Depository Trust, fe 415.00; USA Blue Book, su 3079.95; Penny Veprovsky, re 50.00; Verizon, fe 237.69; Vyhnalek Ins, fe 3953.00; Waste Connections, se 311.19; Windstream, se 1020.41; Young’s, su 39.56. Total Claims Approved $189,494.52.
Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates gave his report. Patrick Gates requested the Mayor and Council approve the annual agreement between NDOR and the City relative to surface maintenance of Highway 6. Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Ryan, to authorize Mayor Vossler execute by signing Maintenance Agreement Number 69 between the Nebraska Department of Roads and the City of Friend relative to surface maintenance of 2.54 lane miles of Highway 6. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Orv Himmelberg attended the meeting to address the Mayor and Council with concerns/issues he has about semi-truck and trailer parking in residential zones. Mr. Himmelberg reported that there is excessive truck traffic in his neighborhood and that a private lot near his home, which is in a residential zone, is being utilized for truck parking. After lengthy discussion, Mayor Vossler reported that the City’s attorney, as well as the attorney of the owners of this private property and the semi-trucks referenced at this meeting, have reviewed the section of the Friend City Code relating to truck parking, and it is their consensus and interpretation that parking these trucks on this private property in a residential zone is not a violation of the Code.
Building Inspector, Mark Stutzman, reported of a building permit application that he received from Brent and Amy Milton. Mr. Stutzman told the Mayor and Council that he is awaiting receipt of a plat map and a survey for this project, but the contractor would like to get started as soon as possible. After discussion, council agreed to allow work to begin, with the stipulation that the necessary documents (plat map and survey of property) be submitted within the next 30 days.
Discussion was had relating to increasing the umbrella limit to the City’s insurance coverage, at the recommendation of the City’s agent and underwriter. As the City currently has $1,000,000 underlying and a $3,000,000 umbrella, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, to accept recommendation from Inspro Insurance to increase the umbrella limit of the City’s insurance coverage from $3,000,000 to $4,000,000, to meet the Nebraska Tort Claims Act, which basically says the liability as a municipality is capped at a limit of $5,000,000. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Continued discussion was had relating to annual employee salary/wage increases. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to approve increases for eligible employees, as discussed with each employee during October 8 meeting. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Stutzman, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was had relating to scheduling the annual appreciation dinner to be held for employees and elected officials. No decision was made at this time.
Motion to enter into executive session was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock, to discuss potential pending litigation. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Executive session began at 7:47 p.m.
Motion to reconvene regular session was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Regular session reconvened at 8:15 p.m.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.