08/01/2017 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 1, 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 Stanley 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 accepted at this time. No comments were offered.
Motioned by Krause, seconded by Ryan, to approve the Minutes of the July 3, 2017 regular meeting, and the July 2017 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the July 3, 2017 regular meeting minutes, and the July 2017 Treasurer's Report, Stutzman, Schrock, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, to approve the Friend Community Healthcare System’s financial statements submitted for the month of June 2017. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Schrock, 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, Ryan, Krause, Schrock, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: July Payroll, 31,116.89; Ameritas, 3458.05; EFTPS, 11,106.18; NCSPC, 238.45; Acco, su 1521.44; American Fence, su 348.69; Axon Enterprise, su 60.89; Baker & Taylor, su 48.61; Beatrice Concrete, fe 3.03; Beaver Hardware, su 75.40; Black Hills Energy, fe 125.33 & 49.95; Blue Blossom, fe 45.00; Brothers, su 5.92; Bruning Law, fe 2086.50 & 721.50; Center Point Books, su 44.34; Central States, su 21,882.90; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, 1891.23 & 1411.26; Crete Lumber, su 111.95; Danko, su 42.95; Diode, se 46.45; Discover, su 1028.88; Dollar General, su 62.32; Drakes, se 165.00; EMS, se 419.88; Eakes, su 37.99; Eletech, se 900.00; Exeter Lumber, su 243.20; Fairfield Inn, fe 209.90; First Wireless, se & su 7040.00; Freightliner, se 1530.33; Friend Chamber, re 64.80; FVFD, re 3000.00; Paul & Gail Gropp, fe 150.00; HD Supply, se & su 13,155.60; Holiday Inn, fe 299.85; Johnsons, su 56.17; Kirkham Michael, fe 1566.21; Kriz Davis, su 177.91; LaQuinta Inn, fe 1073.85; LONM, fe 2002.00; Rosemarie Markus, se 50.00; Menards, su 892.62 & 406.15; Metro Chemical, su 9061.37; Midwest Labs, su 191.03; NE Public Health, se 60.00; NMC, su 193.40; NE Power Review, fe 151.13; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 1492.76 & ST, 11,376.38; NE Public Power, se 86,229.95; Norris Power, se 5628.70; Diane Odoski, re 256.61; One Call, se 29.94; Orkin, se 51.00; Postmaster, fe 253.26; Principal Mutual, fe 114.83; Rizzo, su 319.82; Sargent Drilling, se 321.88 & 900.00; Tom Schiffern, se 250.00; Schmader, se 650.00; Seward County Independent, fe 12.08; Shell Fleet Plus, su 189.29; Sid Dillon, se 862.90; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; Steve’s Repair, se 95.18; Terracon, se & su 1956.00; Troyer Concrete, su 62,700.00; UMB, fe 265.00; Jackie Vossler, re 50.00; Vyhnalek Ins, fe 1334.00; Verizon Wireless, se 798.94; Waste Connections, se 298.24; Windstream, se 1038.30; White Elect, se 499.56. Total Claims Approved $299,857.13.
Mayor Vossler shared with the Council that we received notification from the Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts confirming they received and accepted the audit report for the City of Friend and that any highway allocation funds due to the City from the State Treasurer will be released.
Discussion was had relating to correspondence received from David McClatchey in regards to the window of time allowed to discharge fireworks. Mr. McClatchey requested Council consider narrowing the time from 10 days to 5 days. Mr. McClatchey also shared concerns he had relating to two houses that he feels need attention due to trash being on the porch and in the yard, as well as the yards not being mowed or taken care of. No action was taken at this time.
Jim Ryan attended the meeting to review with the Mayor and Council the results of the recent housing needs assessment study that was conducted earlier this year. No action was taken at this time.
Patrick Gates gave his report. Mr. Gates reported on the status the following:
-new benches are here and need to be assembled
-water lines have been laid at the pond and the ballfield
-new electronic sign to be installed at City Hall has been delivered but came with no stand
-painting of the tennis court
-condition of the swimming pool
-consider getting rid of train car at the park
-assembling and installing bleachers for ballfield
Mark McFarland, Chief of Police, gave his report. McFarland’s report included status of 308 Maple Street and discussion and consideration of resolution #17-02 declaring this property to be a nuisance and for the City to proceed to remedy the nuisance and to levy and assess the costs to the property owner. Motion was made to adopt resolution #17-02, yet did not pass due to the lack of a second to the motion.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan to grant Mary Jo Weber, owner of real estate at 308 Maple, a 60-day period of time to remedy nuisance issues, or to at least have a plan in place to remedy nuisance issues (including any necessary contracts, agreements, legal documents, etc) for real estate at 308 Maple Street. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Stutzman, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
On behalf of the Friend Volunteer Fire Department, Stan Krause reported that the Department has an opportunity to apply for a grant to assist in the construction costs of a new fire hall. The grant is non-repayable, it is not a matching grant, and the grant amount may be dependent upon what the applicant is able to commit to the total project cost. For this grant, there is a $1500 fee to include with the application. Of this $1500, $250 is a non-refundable fee that will pay for the process of determining whether the project is eligible for the grant, or basically whether the Department will or will not be awarded the grant. The remaining $1250 will go toward the grant application process itself. The estimated cost of the project is $650,000. Krause reported to the Mayor and Council that the Rural Fire District Board has committed to contributing $100,000.
Plans are that the building will be 9600 square feet (approximately $67/sq ft) and will include the possibility for expansion if it is ever determined that the ambulances and/or police cruisers be located in this building as well.
After discussion, motion was made by Councilmember Schrock, seconded by Councilmember Stutzman, that the City contribute $250,000 (that may need to be acquired through a bond issue, either partially or entirely), toward the fire hall construction project, providing the Department is awarded this grant. The City would then utilize the existing fire hall for the City Maintenance Department. In addition, should the cost of the project be less than projected and/or should City employees perform any work that may realize a cost saving to the Department for the project, the City’s financial contribution shall be adjusted accordingly. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Krause abstained. Nays none. Motion carried.
Shyanne Scholl reported on behalf of Friend Community Healthcare Systems.
Tom Clouse of Friend Insurance Center and Craig Vyhnalek of Vyhnalek Insurance Agency attended the meeting to present to the Mayor and Council an insurance proposal for the City’s insurance coverage. No action was taken at this time.
Continued discussion was had relating to property annexation and the effect it may have on owners. No action was taken at this time.
Jim Ryan presented to the Mayor and Council the mid-year financial report for cash received and disbursed from Tax Increment Financing. (See attached report/statement.) Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Ryan, to accept and approve the mid-year financial report and cash statement submitted by the Community Redevelopment Authority as presented for Tax Increment Financing. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Saline County Area Transit submitted their annual allocation request for 2017-2018 of Friend’s share of local matching funds in the amount of $1944. (The request from last year was $1656.) Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause to approve the Saline County Area Transit 2017-2018 allocation request of $1944 for Friend’s share of local matching funds. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was had regarding the annual report for Saline County Aging Services (formerly Saline County Eldercare Coalition). Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Ryan, to approve upon receipt, request from Saline County Aging Services to allocate $2496 for financial support for their fiscal year 2017-2018. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Schrock, Ryan, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock, to approve a 1% increase in the 2016-2017 funds subject to limitation (as allowable by law) for fiscal year 2017-2018. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was had in support of the Friend Historical Society obtaining state tax credits for restoration of the historical Warren Opera House through the Community Development Assistance Act. After consideration, motion was made by Councilmember Stutzman, seconded by Councilmember Ryan, to approve and support the Friend Historical Society obtain Nebraska state tax credits to assist in fundraising for restoration of the Historical Warren Opera House through the Community Development Assistance Act and approve Friend Historical Society’s application to the CDAA. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Schrock, Ryan, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Ryan, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.