04/05/2016 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 5, 2016
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: Stan Krause, Phyllis Ryan, Shane Stutzman 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 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. Comments were received and lengthy discussion was had relating to the Friend Manor closing.
Motioned by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, to approve the Minutes of the March 1, 2016 regular meeting, and the March 2016 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the March 1, 2016 regular meeting minutes, and the March 2016 Treasurer's Report, Ryan, Krause, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
No hospital financial reports were submitted.
A motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Krause, 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, with the exception of the four invoices submitted from Consolidated Management totaling $347.75. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Ryan, Stutzman, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: March Payroll, 20,456.45; Ameritas, 3086.12; EFTPS, 7433.29; BVH, su 5.52; Baker & Taylor, su 72.57; Beaver Hardware, su 54.35; Black Hills Energy, fe 509.19 & 274.14; Blue Cross/Blue Shield, fe 3966.17; Bruning Law, fe 39.00; Central States, su 21,386.93; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, 1498.17 & 1138.96; Culligan, se 108.00; Diode Comm, fe 50.45; Discover, su 874.75; Eakes, su 127.96; EMS, se 324.23; Farmers Coop, su 1700.33; First Wireless, su 1059.50; Follett Sch Solutions, fe 829.00; Susan Fortune, fe 200.00; Galls, su 59.85; Gene’s Electric, se & su 11,034.04; Debbie Gilmer, re 24.30; Goossen, re 126.46; Paul & Gail Gropp, fe 150.00; Jensen, su 333.19; Johnsons, su 129.42; Jr. Library Guild, su 60.48; LONM, fe 160.00; Magazine Line, fe 17.00; Menards, su 258.33 & 574.20; Midwest Labs, se 175.25; Midwest Radar, fe 80.00; Natl Arbor Day, fe 15.00; NCSPC, 576.90; NDHHS, fe 40.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 959.91 & sales tax 6718.85 & 100.00; NE Public Health, se 46.00; NE Public Power, se 64,934.24; NMC, su 366.51; Norris Public Power, se 5124.87; Office Cash, re 300.00; One Call, se 3.78; Postmaster, su 207.35; People, fe 116.07; Principal Mutual, fe 114.83; Mindy Rohrig, re 200.00; Harlan Schrock, re 113.90; Seward County Independent, fe 93.06; Shell, su 254.21 & 194.84; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; Tim Gill Ins, re 59.10; Verizon, se 737.74; Jim Vossler, re 114.95; WMH, fe 450.00; Waste Connections, fe 284.04; Windstream, se 906.72. Total Claims Approved $162,660.47.
Mark McFarland, Police Chief, gave his report. Chief McFarland provided to the Mayor and Council a proposal for their consideration to extend an offer of employment for a full-time Police Officer to Josh Alloway. McFarland also provided his recommendation of a salary and benefit proposal for Alloway. After discussion, motion was made by Krause, seconded by Ryan, to extend an offer of employment for a full-time Police Officer to Josh Alloway, with an annual salary of $36,000, and with the stipulation that Mr. Alloway relocate to Friend within the next nine months. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Schrock, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates, gave his report. Mr. Gates reported on the following items:
- Planting grass or placing sod in park (area where the old clubhouse used to be). Council suggested Patrick have the soil tested and if soil tests ok, to proceed with sodding.
- Status of insurance claim for storm/hail damage of city maintenance building and repair to be completed. (Contractor, Courtney Baugh with Midwest Storm Solutions has been working with EMC Insurance on this claim.)
After discussion, motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Schrock approving Patrick Gates contact Courtney Baugh with Midwest Storm Solutions and direct him to proceed with necessary repair/restoration work to the city maintenance building as outlined in adjuster estimate submitted by EMC Insurance. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Patrick Gates said the Friend Area Fund (park improvement committee) has been discussing replacing the tennis courts at the park. Mr. Gates said engineering would be necessary for this project and that with Council’s direction he would advise them of the need to solicit bids and to check into the cost of engineering services. Council approved to proceed with this.
Mark Stutzman, Building Inspector, reported to the Mayor and Council that Anita Wyatt has purchased a house in an area that is zoned residential and that she plans to remodel the home to utilize it as a tanning salon. Anita provided the Mayor and Council with a copy of her proposed layout for this business, as well as a copy of the business plan. As a business such as a tanning salon does not qualify as a conforming use in this zone, Ms. Wyatt requested the Council consider granting her a special use permit. After discussion, motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Krause, to approve a special use permit that would allow Anita Wyatt to proceed with her proposed plan as submitted to the Council to remodel home located at 610 6th Street to be utilized as a tanning salon. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Schrock, Krause, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Mark Stutzman reported that a revised building permit application had been submitted by Brad Drake, and that he had been approached by an individual inquiring about whether a log cabin type home was allowable within City limits.
Brent Milton and Stanley Krause reported on behalf of the fire department. Chief Milton informed the Mayor and Council of plans that are in progress for building a new fire hall.
After discussion of the city’s contribution for fireworks for this year’s Fourth of July celebration, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, to approve contributing the same amount as last year ($3,000) toward the cost of fireworks for this year’s Fourth of July fireworks display. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Krause, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Craig Vyhnalek from Vyhnalek Insurance Agency attended the meeting. Mr. Vyhnalek proposed to the Mayor and Council that the Friend Volunteer Fire Department and Friend Rescue Squad insurance policies be renewed with Vyhnalek Insurance Agency. Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Schrock, to accept Craig Vyhnalek’s proposal and approve the insurance policies for the Friend Volunteer Department and the Friend Rescue Squad be renewed with Vyhnalek Insurance Agency at the time the current policies are up for renewal. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Krause, Schrock, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
Mayor Vossler reported on behalf of the hospital.
Jim Ryan attended the meeting to request the Council approve a proposed amendment to the Application for Community Redevelopment Authority New Construction Grant. After discussion, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to approve proposed amendment to the Friend Community Redevelopment Authority TIF District Residential New Construction Grant Application to grant $1.00 of grant funds per $12.00 of developer funds up to a maximum amount of $10,000 of grand funds for a dwelling unit. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion to table agenda item regarding the City’s Financial Statements and Supplemental Data (audit for year ending September 30, 2015) was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Stutzman, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
BJ Fictum attended the meeting to request the Mayor and Council consider retaining him as the City’s Community Emergency Management Coordinator. Motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Schrock, to approve BJ Fictum serve as the City’s Community Emergency Management Coordinator at an annual cost of $250 (to include mileage, meetings, annual Emergency Management Conference, etc.). On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Krause, Schrock, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
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 8:45 p.m.