03/03/2015 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 3, 2015
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: Phyllis Ryan, Harlan Schrock, Stan Krause. Shane Stutzman was unable to attend. 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 relating to the application for a Retail Class C Liquor License and K Catering License as applied for by Pourhouse LLC, dba Pourhouse, and to receive comments relating to the application for a Class B Liquor License as applied for by Western Oil II, LLC, dba Speedee Mart 2716. Motion to open this public hearing was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Public hearing opened at 7:01 p.m.
Mayor Vossler announced that public comments would be accepted at this time.
Motioned by Krause, seconded by Schrock, to approve the Minutes of the February 3, 2015 regular meeting, and the February 2015 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the February 3, 2015 regular meeting minutes, and the February 2015 Treasurer's Report, Ryan, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Ryan, to approve the WMH financial statements submitted for the month of January 2015. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, 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. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: February Payroll, 19,649.33; Ameritas, 3115.82; EFTPS, 7348.53 BSBC, fe 3840.07; BVH, su 19.44; Baker & Taylor, su 358.41; Beaver Hardware, su 204.62; Black Hills Energy, fe 900.78; Central State, su 23,407.00; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, fe 599.23; Crete True Value, su 84.23; Culligan, se 16.00; Danko, su 91.59; Demco, su 90.68; Diode, se 50.45; Discover, su 471.24; EMS, se 226.55; Eakes, su 155.72; Farmers Coop, se & su 1822.89; Follett School Solutions, se 829.00; Friend Country Club, 747.25 Patrick Gates, re 175.38; Gene’s Electric, se & su 3824.52; Debbie Gilmer, re 133.40; Kim Goossen, re 133.40; Paul Gropp, fe 150.00; Jensen Lumber, su 619.40; Johnsons, su 114.25; Jr Library Guild, su 59.76; Kirkham Michael, fe 2000.00; Jackie Larsen, re 16.99; League of NE Muni, fe 75.00; Linc Winwater, su 65.87; Menards, su 717.22; Midwest Labs, se 152.34; NCSPC, fe 731.14; NDHHS, fe 40.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 983.93 & ST 6665.06; NE Neon Sign, se 3000.00; NE Public Health, se 300.00; NE Public Power, se 71,078.71; NEMSA, fe 225.00; Natl Arbor Day, fe 15.00; NE Env Prod, su 418.86; Norris Public Power, se 5201.74; Overhead Door, se 494.60; Kevin Paulsen, re 405.00; Postmaster, fe 244.50; Principal Mutual, fe 95.29; Mindy Rohrig, re 30.00; SECC, fe 3314.50; Seward County Independent, fe 104.18; Shell Fleet Plus, su 369.37; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; Tim Gill Ins, re 58.41; UNO, fe 616.00; Verizon, se 539.94; Jim Vossler, re 65.75; Waste Connections, se 284.04; Windstream, se 965.15. Total Claims Approved $169,762.53.
Patrick Gates, Utilities Superintendent, gave his report. Mr. Gates shared with the Mayor and Council correspondence he received from Norris Public Power District. NPPD is planning to build two miles of three phase, 34.5 kV overhead electric line in Saline County. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan, to authorize Mayor Vossler to sign letter to the Nebraska Power Review Board indicating that the City of Friend has no objections to Norris Public Power District’s construction of two miles of three-phase, 34.5 kV overhead transmission line in Saline County, as show on Exhibit “A”. (Copy of Exhibit “A” attached.) On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
Mark McFarland, Chief of Police gave his report. Discussion was had relating to the placement of “No Truck Traffic” signs along 3rd Street, west of State Street. No action taken at this time.
The Mayor and Council were provided copies of the Friend Planning Commission meeting minutes from their March 2, 2015 meeting. The minutes reflected the Planning Commission’s approval and recommendation to the Friend City Council for their approval, of a subdivision request that was submitted by Ray Sueper. The proposed subdivision request is for a tract of land located south of Friend, outside the City limits, but within the City’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. (Copy of the subdivision plat is attached.) Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock, to accept the recommendation from the Planning Commission and to approve the Sueper Subdivision Minor Subdivision – Final Plat, located in the NE ¼ of Section 26, T8N, R1E, Saline County, Nebraska. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
Stan Krause reported on behalf of the Friend Volunteer Fire Department.
Discussion was had relating to a motion that was made, seconded, and passed at the February 3, 2015 council meeting regarding a trade of City property. Jim Ryan informed the Mayor and Council that as plans have changed, those parties involved were no longer interested in this transaction. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to rescind/revoke motion approved at the February 3, 2015 Friend City Council meeting “to accept proposed property trade (illustration of property trade proposal and Memorandum of Understanding are attached), contingent on approval from Patrick Gates, and to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Brad Drake and the City of Friend relating to this property trade” (two parcels of property along 3rd Street west of State Street). On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried to rescind this motion that was adopted at the February 3, 2015 meeting.
Jim Ryan attended the meeting to report on the status of various projects that the Community Redevelopment Authority is involved in, including the implementation of an occupation tax in the Enhanced Employment Area, and the completion of asbestos removal from two properties that are soon to be demolished. After questions and discussion relating to the 1% occupation tax implemented to qualifying businesses within the Enhanced Employment Area, and other revenues and expenditures of the CRA, Council requested that Mr. Ryan provide a detailed report/statement of the finances of the Community Redevelopment Authority to the Mayor and Council for their review monthly.
Mayor Vossler requested City Council consider his recommendation of Katie Spohn as Friend City Attorney, as William Austin submitted his letter of resignation. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan, to accept Mayor Vossler’s recommendation for appointment of Katie Spohn as Friend City Attorney. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Stutzman absent. Motion carried.
Mayor Vossler announced that it was time to close the public hearing to receive comments relating to the application for a Retail Class C Liquor License and K Catering License as applied for by Pourhouse LLC, dba Pourhouse, and to receive comments relating to the application for a Class B Liquor License as applied for by Western Oil II, LLC, dba Speedee Mart 2716. Motion to close this public hearing was made by Krause, seconded by Ryan. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Stutzman absent.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause to approve recommendation to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission for a Retail Class C Liquor License and K Catering License as applied for by Pourhouse LLC, dba Pourhouse, and for a Class B Liquor License as applied for by Western Oil II, LLC, dba Speedee Mart 2716. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Krause, 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.