04/04/2017 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 4, 2017
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: Harlan Schrock, Shane Stutzman, 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. No comments were offered.
Motioned by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to approve the Minutes of the March 7, 2017 regular meeting, and the March 2017 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the March 7, 2017 regular meeting minutes, and the March 2017 Treasurer's Report, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Ryan to approve the Friend Community Healthcare System’s financial reports that were submitted for the month of February 2017. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Schrock, Ryan, 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: March Payroll, 21,216.89; Ameritas, 3535.14; EFTPS, 8846.73; Adamson Ind, su 65.90; B & D, su 8400.00; BSN, eq 6099.98; Baker & Taylor, su 335.65; Beatrice Concrete, su 1.31; Beaver Hardware, su 67.28; Birds & Blooms, su 15.00; Black Hills Energy, fe 529.17; Brothers, su 320.39; Central States, su 12,788.54; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, 944.75; Culligan, se 51.00; Danko, su 917.75; Diode Comm, fe 46.45; Eakes, su 34.37; Ekeler Repair, se 831.92; EMP, su 204.97; EPS, fe 916.21; Farmers Coop, su 1733.12; First Wireless, su 33.00; Gale, su 90.71; Debbie Gilmer, re 150.41; Goossen, re 143.38; Paul & Gail Gropp, fe 150.00; Johnsons, su 22.47; Menards, su 1371.10 & 282.00; Metro Chem, su 14,965.50; Chris Michl, se 420.00; Midwest Labs, se 170.25; NCSPC, 476.90; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 1228.07, sales tax 6045.23, Gaming Commission 300.07; NE Muni Power Pool, fe 757.70 NE Public Health, se 30.00; NE Public Power, se 61,125.29; NE Rural Water, fe 750.00; Nick’s, su 246.87; Norris Public Power, se 5654.88; Diane Odoski, su 360.32; One Call, se 7.95; Orkin, se 51.00; Postmaster, su 253.26; Principal Mutual, fe 114.83; Rizzo, su 229.50; Mindy Rohrig, re 335.84; Seward County Independent, fe 174.61; Shell, su 169.23; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; Scholl’s, se 271.32; Phyllis Svehla, se 252.00; TV Svc, su 52.84; Tim Gill Ins, re 30.73; Tricare West, re 85.21; Verizon, se 417.92; Waste Connections, fe 298.24; Wilton, IA fe 15,000.00; Windstream, se 969.44. Total Claims Approved $185,009.30.
Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates, gave his report. Mr. Gates reported on the following items:
- Patrick reported that he has been checking into getting a digital message board to be placed on the south side of City Hall. The CRA may consider contributing to the cost of this utilizing funds collected from the Enhanced Employment Area’s occupation taxes.
- The Arbor Day celebration will be April 28th at the City park. This year there will be two trees planted and dedicated to Phyllis Svehla and Dave Domeier in appreciation of their many years of service to the City of Friend.
- Mr. Gates has been contacted regarding Farmer’s Union Cooperative putting up a new building at their east location. Mr. Gates requested Council approval to compose an agreement between Farmer’s Union Cooperative and the City of Friend that would guarantee costs would be recovered from Farmer’s Union Cooperative and paid to the City to cover costs incurred by the City to supply power to this building. After brief discussion, Council approved.
- Regarding fencing at the ballfield, the fence will not be erected until all water lines are run.
- Kirk Kremer contacted Patrick regarding remaining equipment from Gene’s Electric.
- Mr. Gates informed the Mayor and Council that he planned to be getting a new bucket truck for the City. The price of the truck is $15,000. Council had no objections.
- Patrick informed the Mayor and Council that he would like to consider the possibility of putting up a new building, as the City is in need of additional storage space.
Mark Stutzman, Building Inspector, gave his report.
Stan Krause reported on behalf of the fire department.
Discussion was had relating to the rental fee that is being charged for the Ihde Clubhouse. After discussion and comparison to similar facilities in neighboring communities, it was determined to increase the rental fee from $50 per day to $100 per day. The security deposit shall remain $100. Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Ryan, to set the rental fee at the Ihde Clubhouse to be $100 per day and to continue to charge $100 for a security deposit. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Schrock, Ryan, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Allison Nickel and her husband attended the meeting to get Council’s approval of an application they submitted for a permit to keep chickens within the City limits. The Nickels presented to the Mayor and Council a copy of the application and a document signed by neighbors living within 200 feet of their property, indicating that they have no objections to the Nickels keeping chickens. Council had no objections and approved the application from the Nickels to keep chickens within the City limits.
Jim Ryan attended the meeting to request the Council give him their approval to pursue gathering information on expanding the TIF area to include “scattered housing” TIF zones. Council discussed and had no objections of Mr. Ryan proceeding with researching and obtaining additional information to expand the current TIF area by including “scattered housing” TIF zones.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Krause, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Schrock, Krause, Stutzman. Nays, none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.