12/03/2013 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 3, 2013
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: Stanley Krause, Phyllis Ryan, and Harlan Schrock. Dan Drake was absent. (Attorney Mullally 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 public comments would be received at this time. No comments offered.
Motioned by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to approve the minutes of the November 5th regular meeting, the November 26th special meeting, and the November 2013 Treasurer’s Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the November 5th regular meeting minutes, the November 26th special meeting minutes, and the November 2013 Treasurer’s Report, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. Drake absent. Nays none. Motion carried.
Financial reports for Warren Memorial Hospital were not submitted.
A motion was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock, 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, Ryan, Schrock, Krause. Drake absent. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: November Payroll, 18,950.73; Ameritas, 2376.44; EFTPS, 6401.70; Aflac, fe 52.78; Baker & Taylor, su 494.97; Barco, su 222.96; Beatrice Concrete, su 315.00; Beaver Hardware, su 98.24; Black Hills Energy, fe 372.08; BlueCross, fe 5714.58 & 5853.71; Brandt Carpet, su 11.70; Leonard Braun, se 189.00; Central NE Bobcat, fe 641.00; Central States, se & su 28,210.58; Chief Supply, su 254.88; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, re 169.52; Cooking Light, fe 24.00; Creative Sites, su 33,717.00; Crete Lumber, su 601.44; D&D, su 3033.00; Diode Comm, fe 50.45; Discover, su 492.36; Eakes, su 82.72; Entenmann-Rovin, su 76.73; EMS, se 5.70; Exeter Lumber, su 53.50; Farmers Coop, se & su 1726.86’ Friend Ins, fe 100.00; Gene’s Electric, se & su 6461.68; General Fire, su 67.00’ Jack’s Uniforms, su 938.00; Johnsons, su 89.45; Jr. Library Guild, su 56.88; Jackie Larsen, re 20.34; Load Mgmt Refunds, 6112.18; Menards, su 491.62; Midwest Labs, se 163.48; Midwest Refuse, se 267.96; Michael Mullally, fe 1002.00; NDEQ, fe 7233.58; NMPP, fe 4740.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 793.96, ST 5588.43; NE Public Health, fe 46.00; NE Public Power, fe 65,406.03; NE Emergency Eq., su 1910.98; NMC, fe 2500.00; Norris Power, se 4980.67; Office Cash, se 955.82; Olathe Ford, 59,834.00; One Call, se 3.70; Plains Power, su 602.37; Principal Mutual, fe 104.92; Seward Cnty Independent, fe 157.95; Shell, fe 447.36; Sid Dillon, se 87.76; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; TV Se. Repair, se 355.97; TechSoup, su 44.00; The Depository Trust, fe 2655.33; Verizon, se 521.70; Windstream, se 930.44; Young’s Welding, se 234.44. Total Claims Approved $287,349.63.
Utility Superintendent, Patrick Gates gave his report. Mr. Gates reported to the Mayor and Council that he had received a request from Kirkham Michael for approval of a Certificate of Substantial Completion of the Friend Paving Improvements, KM-1303220. Motion to approve Certificate of Substantial Completion of the Friend Paving Improvements, KM-1303220 was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Drake absent. Nays none. Motion carried.
Police Report was submitted by Mark McFarland. (Chief McFarland was not in attendance.)
Nothing reported by Building Inspector.
Nothing reported for Friend Volunteer Fire Department.
Mayor Vossler reported on behalf of Warren Memorial Hospital.
Friend Rescue Squad Captain, Ray Rohrig, attended the meeting to discuss agreement with Crete Area Medical Center relating to ALS services. After discussion, motion was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock, to authorize Mayor Vossler sign agreement and to approve Friend Rescue enter into agreement with Crete Area Medical Center for ALS services. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
Mayor Vossler gave his recommendation to the City Council for their consideration of the new City Attorney, as Mike Mullally submitted a letter of resignation as the Friend City Attorney. Mayor Vossler recommended for appointment William Austin from Erickson Sederstrom Law Firm. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to accept Mayor Vossler’s recommendation for appointment of William Austin as Friend City Attorney. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
Mayor Vossler announced he would now give the Council his recommendations for new appointments to various boards and committees for vacant positions created by expired terms and/or resignations, as well as annual appointments for 2014.
Chief of Police-Mark McFarland; City Attorney (Civil)-William Austin; Prosecuting Attorney-Tad Eickman; City Engineers-Kirkham Michael; City Clerk-Debbie Gilmer; Sewer & Water Commissioner, Light Commissioner, and Superintendent of Utilities-Patrick Gates; Building Inspector-Mark Stutzman; City Physician-Dr. McKeeman; Solid Waste Management Coalition-Mayor Vossler; Library Board-Gayle Miller; Planning Commission-Anita Meyer; Board of Adjustments-Wayne Milton; Hospital & Nursing Home Board-Aubrey Paulsen; Cemetery Board-Gene Roll & Jim Taylor; Housing Authority-Sheryl McKeeman; Community Betterment Chairperson-Bill Bode & Les Weber; Fire Inspector-Brent Milton; Community Redevelopment Authority-Bill Voss. (A complete list of committees and committee members is available at City Hall for review upon request.)
Motion to approve Mayor Vossler’s recommended appointments for 2014 was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays, none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
Mayor Vossler announced that election of President was now in order. Motion was made by Ryan, seconded by Krause, nominating Schrock for President of the City Council and that nominations cease. On roll call voting aye, nominating Schrock for President of the City Council and that nominations cease, Schrock, Krause, Ryan. Nays, none. Drake absent. Motion carried electing Harlan Schrock President of the Friend City Council for 2014.
Discussion was had relating to an appreciation bonus for City employees. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Ryan approving $50 be given to City employees as an acknowledgment of appreciation. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
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, Ryan, Schrock. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.