02/07/2017 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 7, 2017
Mayor Vossler 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 James Vossler presided and City Clerk Debbie Gilmer recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Harlan Schrock, Stan Krause, Shane Stutzman, and Phyllis Ryan. 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 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 Stutzman, 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, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, and Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Public hearing opened at 7:01 p.m.
Mayor Vossler announced that public comments would be accepted at this time. Mayor Vossler shared with the Council that he had received correspondence from Jim Ryan regarding a study being conducted by the Friend Development Group. The purpose of the study is to obtain input from the citizens of Friend relating to housing in Friend, and the future use of the Friend Manor.
Motioned by Krause, seconded by Ryan, to approve the Minutes of the January 3, 2017 regular meeting, and the January 2017 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the January 3, 2017 regular meeting minutes, and the January 2017 Treasurer's Report, Stutzman, Schrock, Krause, and Ryan. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Schrock, to approve the Friend Community Healthcare System financial statements submitted for the month December 2016. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Krause, Schrock, and Stutzman. Nays none. 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: Dec and Jan Payroll, 23,029.65 & 21,986.10; Ameritas, 3410.88 & 3543.04; EFTPS, 8268.56 & 8579.84; NCSPC, 476.90 & 476.90; Baker & Taylor, su 17.32; Barco, su 3259.37; Beatrice Concrete, su 420.98; Beaver Hardware, su 184.46; Black Hills Energy, fe 909.84; BlueCross, fe 4564.25; Brandt Carpet, fe 783.21; Broad Reach, su 255.32; CAT Financial, fe 3600.00; Central States, su 12,688.89; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, fe 17,249.16; Crete Lumber, su 72.19; Crossroads Awards, su 52.00; Diode, se 45.95; Discover, su 2875.39; Dollar Gen, su 14.54; Dorchester, Coop, se 143.33; Drakes, su 16.20; EMC, fe 1425.00; Farmers Coop, se & su 780.60; First Wireless, su 548.00; Friend Freightways, su 209.00; Galls, su 621.08; Shirley Gautreaux, re 378.08; Paul Gropp, fe 150.00; HD Supply, su 4953.65; IIMC, fe 260.00; Johnsons, su 83.25; Kirkham Michael se 1180.44; Knowbuddy Resources, su 344.44; LONM, fe 750.00; Rosemarie Markus, fe 50.00; Menards, su 485.92; Midwest Labs, se 182.05; Muni Su. su 723.01; NDHHS, fe 40.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 1109.48 & 1201.99, ST 8490.99; NE Public Health, se 78.00; NE Public Power, fe 77,325.54; NEMSA, fe 200.00; NMCA, fe 50.00; Norris Public Power, se 5171.04; Diane Odoski, re 216.79; Office Cash, su 222.70; One Call, se 3.75; Orkin, se 51.00; Pioneer Publ, su 42.00; Platte Valley Comm, su 562.25; Postmaster, fe 251.00; Principal Mutual, fe 114.83; Saline County Clerk, fe 483.17; Saline County Treas, fe 228.00; Sargent Drilling, se 1546.87; Sensus, fe 1838.00; Seward County Independent, fe 54.23; Shell, su 216.57; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; SCC, fe 2074.50; Tim Gill, re 50.19; Verizon Wireless, se 417.92; Waste Conn, se 298.24; White Elec, su 50.46; Windstream, se 970.51. Total Claims Approved $234,658.81.
Librarian, Diane Odoski, provided an annual report of the Gilbert Public Library to the Mayor and Council for their approval. After review and consideration, Council had no objections and approved the submitted report.
Utility Superintendent, Patrick Gates, gave his report. Mr. Gates told the Mayor and Council that an individual who is in the process of starting a business in a residential area has asked if consideration could be given to allow him to be charged residential rates, as opposed to commercial rates, until his business is open. After discussion and consideration, Council had no objections.
Mr. Gates informed the Mayor and Council that bid opening for the Friend Tennis Court Replacement Project was held Thursday, February 2nd. Seven bids were received, ranging from $65,433.00 to $143,793.85. (The estimated budget for the total project was approximately $65,000.) It was recommended by Kirkham Manager, as per Ryan Brandt, P.E. Project Engineer, to award the contract to Troyer Concrete of Milford for their bid of $65,433. Harlan Schrock motioned to accept the recommendation of Kirkham Michael Engineering and to award contract for the Friend Tennis Court Replacement Project to Troyer Concrete of Milford for their bid of $65,433. Motion was seconded by Krause. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Stutzman, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Stan Krause reported on behalf of the Friend Volunteer Fire Department. Krause said the Fire Department’s annual appreciation dinner is scheduled for March 5, 2017.
Mayor Vossler reported on behalf of Friend Community Healthcare System.
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 Ryan, 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 Vossler to sign necessary documentation upon receipt. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Stutzman, Ryan, 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 2016 Year End Financial Reports. (Copies are attached.)
Motion to accept the CRA’s 2016 Year End Financial Reports for Tax Increment Financing was made by Stutzman, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion to accept the CRA’s 2016 Year End Financial Reports for Occupation Taxes from the Enhanced Employment Area was made by Krause, seconded by Ryan. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Stutzman, Krause, Ryan. Nays none. Motion carried.
Harlan Schrock expressed concerns he has relating to the abatement process. It is Schrock’s opinion that the City Attorney be present at meetings if/when abatement proceedings are pursued by the City in the future. Mayor Vossler and Council had no objections.
Mayor Vossler 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 Stutzman, 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, Ryan, Krause, Schrock, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Mayor Vossler read proposed Resolution #17-01.
RESOLUTION #17-01
“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 eighth (7th) day of February, 2017, 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 Krause, seconded by Ryan to approve Resolution #17-01. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Schrock, Krause, Ryan. Nays none. Motion carried. Resolution #17-01 was passed and approved this 7th day of February, 2017.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Stutzman, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.