06/03/2014 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 3, 2014
Mayor Vossler called the regular meeting of the City Council to order 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: Dan Drake, Phyllis Ryan, Harlan Schrock, 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 accepted at this time. Leonard and April Braun attended the meeting with their daughter Danielle Neugebauer. Danielle was recently in a roll-over motor vehicle accident on May 16th and suffered serious injuries, including a broken neck. Mrs. Braun extended a very special thank you to the EMTs and firefighters and to Warren Memorial Hospital staff. Mrs. Braun stated that without their help and care Danielle would probably not be alive. Mrs. Braun wanted to recognize the entire volunteer staff. She said all were prepared, organized, and very well trained. She extended her gratitude to the EMTs that responded, which were Kathy Spicka, Susan Schrock, and Stanley Krause, along with the responding firefighters, Ben Paulsen, Alen Bruntz and Kevin Spicka. Members of the WMH staff that assisted were Ashley Bordovsky and Teresa Roth. Mrs. Braun commended Teresa for her role in the emergency room and continued by stating the control Teresa took in the emergency room was very comforting. Dr. McKeeman was there right away and took excellent care of Danielle. Mrs. Braun thanked radiologist, Brett Boller for the care he gave Danielle as he was the one to discover and confirm that her neck was broken.
Motioned by Drake, seconded by Ryan, to approve the Minutes of the May 5, 2014 regular meeting, and the May 2014 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the May 5, 2014 regular meeting minutes, and the May 2014 Treasurer's Report, Schrock, Krause, Ryan, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to approve the WMH financial statements submitted for the month of April 2014. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Drake, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. 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, Drake, Ryan, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: May Payroll, 18,911.30; Ameritas, 2810.98; EFTPS, 6301.82; Aflac Insurance, 52.78; ACCO, su 832.50; Art on Display, fe 360.00; Baker & Taylor, su 490.76; Baylor Evnen Curtiss Grimit & Witt, se 273.00; Beaver Hardware, su 25.80; Black Hills Energy, fe 224.26; Bonsall Pool, su 106.65; Brothers, su 33.31; Central States, su 21,276.85; Chief Supply, su 289.34; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, fe 5976.29; Country, su 14.98; Culligan, se 103.50; Danko, su 170.00; Diode, se 50.45; Discover, su 1691.99; EMS, se 239.80; Eakes, su 999.79; Eletech, fe 275.00; Energy Pioneer, re 1375.47; Fireguard, su 135.00; Farmers Coop, se & su 1485.91; First State Ins, fe 2300.00; Galls, su 20.75;Patrick Gates, re 72.18; Gene’s Electric, se 17,281.75; Paul & Gail Gropp, fe 150.00; Johnsons, su 49.57; Jr. Library Guild, su 85.32; LONM, fe 510.00; Ronald McConnell, fe 315.00; Menards, su 1155.14; Mid America Books, su 33.90; Midwest Labs, se 558.27; NDEQ, fe 7211.03; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 759.31 & ST 5304.67; NE Public Health, se 30.00; NE Life, su 24.00; NE Public Power, se 63,901.40; NEMSA, fe 700.00; NE Power Review Board, fe 127.06; Norris Public Power, se 4865.51; Office Cash, su 98.00; One-Call, se 27.60; Pioneer Publ, su 385.26; Principal Mutual, fe 112.42; Reeves Co, su 26.09; Judith Riley, re 15.00; Schmader Elect, se 2635.50; Seward Independent, fe 324.80; Sid Dillon, se 44.74; Shell Fleet Plus, su 329.10; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; Streichers, su 251.97; Taste of Home, su 14.98; Verizon Wireless, se 582.13; Waste Connections, se 267.12; Windstream, se 898.84. Total Claims Approved $177,225.94.
Mark McFarland gave his report for the Friend Police Department.
Mark Stutzman, Building Inspector, gave his report.
Stan Krause reported on behalf of the Friend Volunteer Fire Department. Krause said the department will have a controlled burn of a house on 5th Street on June 23rd, weather permitting. He reported that there are asbestos inspections scheduled this week for two more homes, one on Maple and one on Main Street.
Dan Drake reported on behalf of Warren Memorial Hospital.
Natalie Geis, owner of Sidewaze Bar and Grill, attended the meeting and asked for Council’s consideration to place Keno on the November 2014 election ballot. After discussion, motion was made by Drake, seconded by Ryan to proceed with the steps necessary to place Keno on the November 2014 election ballot as requested by Natalie Geis for Sidewaze Bar and Grill. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Krause, Ryan, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried. City Clerk, Debbie Gilmer, will contact City Attorney William Austin for direction on this issue.
Jim Ryan attended the meeting to report on behalf of the Community Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Ryan gave a brief update on the development of a dollar store in Friend to be located on the north side of Highway 6. The CRA has been discussing and considering the possibility of creating an enhanced employment area that would allow for a tax to be put on selected types of businesses within that area. The money generated would be used to promote our community, to help clean up the highway 6 corridor, and to promote other businesses in the enhanced employment area.
Carey Potter attended the meeting to introduce to the Mayor and Council a program called “Little Free Library”, which is a worldwide project intended to promote literacy. As part of the program, a small model of a library, approximately 16” x 19” x 23” is placed somewhere in the community and filled with books for people to take to read and/or exchange with books for others to read. Discussion was had on possible locations to place this model, either in the courtyard at Gilbert Library, or in front of the San Carlo Room.
Stan Krause reported that for the 4th of July fireworks display $1800 was raised through the annual fundraising dinner, $800 is being donated by the Friend Chamber, $500 is being donated by Farmer’s Union Coop, and there should be approximately $1000 from recycling collected iron.
Larry Eberhardt attended the meeting to share with the Council plans he has for garage units to be built in the parking lot area of his apartment complex along Highway 6.
Patrick Gates, Utilities Superintendent, gave his report. Mr. Gates’ report included, but was not limited to, information regarding the street project/seeding, water main issues, swimming pool status, storm damage, and electric/light rate study.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Drake, seconded by Krause, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.