08/02/2016 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 2, 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: Harlan Schrock, Phyllis Ryan, and Stanley Krause. Shane Stutzman was absent. 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 5, 2016 regular meeting, and the July 2016 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the July 5, 2016 regular meeting minutes, and the July 2016 Treasurer's Report, Schrock, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan, to approve the Friend Community Healthcare System’s financial statements submitted for the month of June 2016. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, 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, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: July Payroll, 29,281.00; Ameritas, 3086.05; EFTPS, 10,150.19; NCSPC, 476.90; Acco, su 912.12; BHV, su 3.18; Baker & Taylor, su 81.39; Beaver Hardware, su 774.04; Black Hills Energy, fe 169.34; Central States, su 28,459.98; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, 201.99; Culligan, se & su 108.50; Diode, se 46.45; EMS, se 186.62; Farmers Coop, se & su 861.84; Finke Gardens, fe 3939.81; Fireguard, su 747.10; Fransyl, su 1532.70; Paul & Gail Gropp, fe 150.00; Hach, fe 60.89; Holiday Inn, fe 399.80; Hydraulic Equip, se 455.39; Johnsons, su 104.53; Jr Library Guild, su 782.40; LONM, fe 794.00 & 1747.00; Midwest Labs, su 432.03; Natl Geographic, fe 39.00; NE Power Review, fe 132.58; NE Public Health, se 326.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 1341.72; NE Public Power, se 87,466.19; Norris Power, se 5171.04; Diane Odoski, re 231.04; One Call, se 78.78; Principal Mutual, fe 114.83; Alison Riley, re 11.80; Ray Rohrig, re 254.56; Sargent Drilling, se 675.00; SCAT, fe 1656.00; SCAS, fe 2496.00; Seward County Independent, fe 71.22; Shell Fleet Plus, su 160.77; Sid Dillon, se 195.20; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; Tim Gill Ins, re 15.36; Vyhnalek Ins, fe 3102.00; Verizon Wireless, se 560.91; Waste Connections, se 299.94; Windstream, se 1019.07; Zeilinger Keno, fe 1000.00. Total Claims Approved $188,513.67.
Ryan Brandt with Kirkham Michael Consulting Engineers attended the meeting to introduce himself and to report to the Mayor and Council, the status of the tennis court project at the City park.
Patrick Gates gave his report. Mr. Gates discussed with the Council purchasing the fire department’s portion of the Friend City Hall building. After discussion, it was decided that additional information was needed for further consideration. No action taken at this time.
Mark McFarland, Chief of Police, was not in attendance.
Mark Stutzman, Building Inspector, gave his report.
Stan Krause reported on behalf of the Friend Fire Department and the Friend Rescue Squad. Krause requested Council’s approval for the Friend Rescue Squad to purchase a new blood pressure machine for the ambulance. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan, to approve the Friend Rescue Squad purchase a blood pressure machine for the ambulance. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
Continued discussion was had relating to the pond area. Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock, to approve tree planting (12 trees) by Finke Gardens & Nursery at the Spreeman/Ach Memorial Pond. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
Jim Ryan attended the meeting to discuss the collection process of the occupation tax for a certain business in the Enhanced Employment Area. Mr. Ryan suspects their taxable sales are not being reported accurately. The Mayor and Council recommended a letter be drafted and forwarded to the business outlining any concerns and/or discrepancies there may be relating to the taxable sales reported and the occupation tax(es) submitted. Mr. Ryan agreed to produce a letter and forward on to this business.
Saline County Area Transit submitted their annual allocation request for 2016-2017 of Friend’s share of local matching funds in the amount of $1656. (The request from last year was $1459.) Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan to approve the Saline County Area Transit 2016-2017 allocation request of $1656 for Friend’s share of local matching funds. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
The annual report for Saline County Aging Services (formerly Saline County Eldercare Coalition) was provided to the Mayor and Council for their review and consideration. The amount of funding Saline County Aging Services is requesting for their 2016-2017 fiscal year is $2496. Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Ryan, to approve the request from Saline County Aging Services to allocate $2496 for financial support for their fiscal year 2016-2017. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan, to approve a 1% increase in the 2015-2016 funds subject to limitation (as allowable by law) for fiscal year 2016-2017. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.