09/02/2014 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 2, 2014
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, Dan Drake, 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.
Motion was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock, to open the public hearing to receive comments relating to the property tax request for 2014-2015, and to receive comments relating to the proposed 2014-2015 budget. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Schrock, Krause, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried. Public hearing opened at 7:01 p.m.
Mayor Vossler announced that public comments would be received at this time. No comments were offered.
Motioned by Krause, seconded by Ryan, to approve the minutes of the August 5, 2014 regular meeting and the August 2014 Treasurer’s Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the August 5, 2014 regular meeting minutes and the August 2014 Treasurer’s Report , Drake, Schrock, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan to approve the WMH Financial Statements for July 2014. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Drake, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Drake, 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. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Ryan, Krause, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Laura Sears representing the Saline County Drug Abuse Prevention Coalition attended the meeting. The Coalition is working with communities in Saline County to promote the responsible use of alcohol and the opposition to the illegal use of alcohol and other drugs. Mrs. Sears spoke about Red Ribbon Week and asked the Council to make a proclamation signifying its stand against drug abuse and to show their support to this cause. The following proclamation was read by Mayor Vossler.
2014 Red Ribbon Week
-PROCLAMATION-
October 23-31, 2014
WHEREAS, alcohol and drug abuse in this Nation have reached epidemic stages; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that visible, unified prevention education efforts by community members be launched to eliminate the demand for drugs; and
WHEREAS, the National Red Ribbon Campaign offers citizens the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to drug-free lifestyles (no use of illegal drugs, no illegal use of legal drugs, no irresponsible use of alcohol); and
WHEREAS, business, government, parents, law enforcement, media, medical institutions, religious institutions, schools, senior citizens, service organizations, and youth will demonstrate their commitment to healthy, drug-free lifestyles by wearing and displaying red ribbons during this week-long campaign; and
WHEREAS, the City of Friend further commits its resources to ensure the success of the Red Ribbon Campaign:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the City of Friend does hereby proclaim October 23-31, 2014 as RED RIBBON WEEK, and encourages its citizens to participate in drug prevention education activities, not only during Red Ribbon Week, but all year long, making a visible statement that together we are committed to Saline County being drug-free.
To signify their stand against drug abuse and to show support of the 2014 Red Ribbon Week event, Council approved Mayor Vossler to place his signature on this Proclamation.
The claims approved were as follows: August Payroll, 23,314.03; Ameritas, 3083.66; EFTPS, 7612.07; Aflac Insurance, 52.78; Acco, su 828.00; Alamar, su 73.29; BVH, su 32.92; Baker & Taylor, su 372.97; Baylor Evnen Curtiss Grimit & Witt, fe 58.50; Beaver Hardware, su 52.70; Black Hills Energy, fe 155.87; Leonard Braun, se 144.00; Brothers Equip, su 3.45; Central States, se & su 605.83; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA 424.91; Country, su 14.98; Country Truss, se 2733.72; Crete True Value, se 108.52; Culligan, se & su 111.00; Danko, su 163.01; Lee Debevoise, se 150.00; Diode Comm, fe 50.45; Discover, fe 1506.98; Eakes, su 173.76; Emblem Ent, su 160.29; Farmer’s Coop, se/su 2550.41; Galls, su 247.59; Gene’s Electric, se & su 2796.55; Good Housekeeping, su 24.97; Paul & Gail Gropp, fe 150.00; Johnsons, su 107.04; Jr. Library Guild, su 59.76; Jackie Larsen, re 19.96; Menards, su 519.79; Midwest Labs, se 309.11; NE Crime Comm, fe 7.50; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 883.66, fe 25.00; NE Public Health, se 283.00; NE Public Power, se 83,363.08; Norris Public Power, se 4911.14; Thomas Paris, se 330.00; Pioneer Publ, su 17.04; Police Officers Assoc, fe 95.00; Principal Mutual, fe 108.14; Romans, Wiemer & Assocs, se 1200.00; Saline County Clerk, fe 10.00; Phillip Scott, se 150.00; Seward Independent, fe 251.15; Shell, su 246.09; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; Upstart, su 76.33; Verizon, se 573.72; Waste Connections, se 267.96; Windstream, se 940.09; Youngs, se 597.39; Zito, se 49.94. Total Claims Approved $144,409.10.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Drake, to close the public hearing to receive comments relating to the property tax request for 2014-2015, and the proposed 2014-2015 budget. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Proposed Resolution #14-13 was introduced and read by Mayor Vossler.
RESOLUTION NO. 14-13
WHEREAS, Nebraska Revised Statute 77-1601.02 provides that the property tax request for the prior year shall be the property tax request for the current year for purposes of the levy set by the County Board of Equalization unless the Governing Body of the City of Friend passes by a majority vote a resolution or ordinance setting the tax request at a different amount; and
WHEREAS, a special public hearing was held as required by law to hear and consider comments concerning the property tax request; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City of Friend that the property tax request for the current year be a different amount than the property tax request for the prior year.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Governing Body of the City of Friend, by a majority vote, resolves that:
1. The 2014-20154 property tax request be set at $311,970.71.
2. A copy of this resolution be certified and forwarded to the County Clerk on or before October 13, 2014.
Motion was made by Ryan, seconded by Drake to approve Resolution #14-13 relating to the 2014-2015 property tax request of $311,970.71. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Krause, Drake, Ryan. Nays none. Resolution #14-13 was passed and approved this 2nd day of September, 2014.
Proposed Ordinance #14-738 was read by Mayor Vossler. Councilman Schrock moved that the statutory rule requiring reading on three different days be suspended. Councilman Ryan seconded the motion to suspend the rules and upon roll call, voting on the motion was as follows: Members voting aye, Drake, Krause, Schrock, Ryan. Members voting nay, none. The motion to suspend the rules was adopted by at least three-fourths of the Council and the statutory rule was declared suspended for consideration of the ordinance.
ORDINANCE NO. 14-738
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE BUDGET STATEMENT TO BE TERMED THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR
Section 1.
That after complying with all procedures required by law, the budget presented and set forth in the budget statement is hereby approved as the Annual Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015. All sums of money contained in the budget statement are hereby appropriated for the necessary expenses and liabilities of the City of
Section 2.
This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage, approval, and publication or posting as required by law.
Councilman Schrock moved for final passage of Ordinance Number 14-738, which motion was seconded by Councilman Drake. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Krause, Drake, Schrock. Voting nay, none. The passage and adoption of said ordinance, having been concurred and by a majority of all Members of the City Council, Ordinance Number 14-738 was adopted this 2nd day of September, 2014.
Resolution #14-14 was introduced and read by Mayor Vossler.
RESOLUTION # 14-14
APPLICATION TO BECOME DEPOSITORIES
Come now the following financial institutions and herewith respectfully petition and make application to serve as depositories of monies and funds of the City of Friend, Nebraska, for coming fiscal year beginning October 1, 2014.
- Citizens State Bank (of Friend)
- Farmers and Merchants Bank of Milligan
- Bank of Friend
- Generations Bank of Exeter
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Mayor and the City Council of the City of Friend, Saline County, Nebraska.
WHEREAS; the aforementioned financial institutions have each filed application for the privilege of becoming a depository for monies and funds of the City of Friend, Nebraska for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2014, and
WHEREAS; the aforementioned financial institutions have furnished bond for the safekeeping and securing said monies and funds as required by law in addition to the security given to the City of Friend as a depository by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED; by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Friend, Saline County, Nebraska, that the Citizens State Bank, the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Milligan, the Bank of Friend, and Generations Bank of Exeter are hereby approved as depositories for monies and funds and in compliance with the terms and provisions of the Section 17-607 of the revised statutes for the year 1943 and all amendments hereto. (Passed and approved this 2nd day of September 2014.)
Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock, to accept and adopt proposed Resolution #14-14 approving application of Citizens State Bank, Farmers and Merchants Bank of Milligan, Bank of Friend, and Generations Bank of Exeter to become depositories for monies and funds for the City of Friend. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Drake, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates gave his report. Patrick Gates reported that he received a request for permission from Windstream Nebraska to place communications lines, trenched approximately 30 inches in depth north of the railroad tracks, in the right-of-way on A Street. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan, to approve Mayor Vossler sign agreement with Windstream authorizing Windstream Nebraska, Inc. to place buried communications lines on the public right-of-way on A Street. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Official Oath of Office for the position of Police Officer was read by Officer William Findlay.
Continued discussion was had relating to the building located at 202 Maple Street. Motion was made by Drake, seconded by Ryan, to approve of the City purchasing the building located at 202 Maple Street for $7,500. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Krause, Ryan, Drake.
Motion to table consideration of employee salary increases until the October meeting was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion to enter into executive session at 7:30 p.m. for discussion of employee salary increases was made by Schrock, seconded by Drake. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Drake, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion to reconvene regular session of the Friend City Council meeting was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Krause, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Regular session resumed at 8:06 p.m.
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, Krause, Drake, Ryan, Schrock. Nays, none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.