08/02/2011 Regular Meeting
FRIEND
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
August 2, 2011
Mayor, Jim Vossler, presided and City Clerk, Debbie Gilmer, recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Harlan Schrock, Dan Drake, Dale Lawver, and Stan Krause. Attorney Mike Mullally was also present. 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. Craig Vyhnalek from First State Insurance thanked the Mayor and Council for their time and consideration in allowing him the opportunity to prepare a bid for the city’s insurance. Mr. Vyhnalek informed them, however, that he was unable to provide a bid as his underwriter found that with the city’s work comp history, they wouldn’t be able to consider Friend as a profitable client at this time. Mr. Vyhnalek indicated to the Mayor and Council that if or when the City may solicit insurance bids in the future he would welcome the opportunity to bid at that time.
Motioned by Drake, seconded by Schrock to approve the Minutes of the July 5, 2011 regular meeting, and the July 2011 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the July 5, 2011 regular meeting minutes, and the July 2011 Treasurer's Report, Lawver, Krause, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Lawver, to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital Financial Statements as submitted for June 2011. On roll call voting aye to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital Financial Statements as submitted for June 2011, Schrock, Drake, Lawver, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Lawver, 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, Drake, Krause, Schrock, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: July Payroll, 26,983.05; Ameritas, 2667.52; EFTPS, 7003.90; American Legal, se 1450.; BVH, su 23.76; Baker & Taylor, su 341.84; Barco, su 86.94; Black Hills Energy, fe 148.71; BCBS of NE, fe 3752.92; Central States Labs, su 23,333.59; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; Computer Tutor, se 150.00; Cooking Light, su 24.00; Demco, su 131.32; Diode Communications, se 39.95; EMS Billing, se 55.47; Eakes, su 136.99; Emergency Med Prod, su 110.88; Family Fun, su 16.95; Farmers Coop, se/su 2181.06; First State Ins, fe 1209.00; Fransyl Equip, su 1729.81; Patrick Gates, re 46.82; Gene’s Electric, se 9105.66; Great Plains, se 16.64; Heiman, Inc. su 2818.00; Don Hill, re 291.33; Johnson Pharmacy, su 105.46; Jackie Larsen, re 7.47; Lynn Peavey Co, su 23.94; Ronald McConnell, se 165.00; Midwest Labs, se 11.54; Michael Mullally, fe 945.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 878.89 & ST 7874.02; NE Municipal Power Pool, se 6693.94; NE Public Health Lab, fe 253.00; NE Power Review Board, fe 98.37; NE Public Power, se 87,635.11; Norris Public Power, se 4710.45; Office Cash su 74.03; Postmaster, 190.00; Principal, Mutual, fe 99.18; Mindy Rohrig, re 145.67; SCAT, fe 1375.00; Sargent Drilling, se 3037.60; Sensus Metering, se 1452.00; Seward Co Independent, fe 118.92; Shell Fleet, su 281.27; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; TV Svc, su 199.00; The Garbage Co, se 227.76; UMB Bank, fe 261.25; Verizon Wireless, se 548.44; Wild Radiator Repair, se 822.90; Windstream, se 885.80; Wingate, fe 255.00. Total Claims Approved $204,482.12.
Proposed Ordinance #11-721 was introduced and read by Mayor Vossler. Councilman Lawver moved that the statutory rule requiring reading on three different days be suspended. Councilman Drake seconded the motion to suspend the rule and upon roll call, voting on the motion was as follows: Krause, Lawver, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. The motion to suspend the rule was adopted by at least three-fourths of the Council and the statutory rule was declared suspended for consideration of the ordinance.
ORDINANCE NO. 11-721
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTIONS 3-1011, 3-1012, 3-1014 AND 3-1015 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA RELATED TO THE MUNICIPAL CEMETERY; TO AMEND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE PLANTING OF TREES AND SHRUBS, GRAVE MARKER FOUNDATIONS, AND VAULTS AND COVERS; TO AMEND PROVISIONS RELATED TO CORNER POSTS AND THOSE RELATED TO CREMAINS AND THEIR GRAVE OPENINGS; TO REPEAL ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, TO PROVIDE FOR THE POSTING OR PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE IN PAMPHLET FORM; AND TO PROVIDE FOR A TIME WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT.
Section 1. Section 3-1011 of the Municipal Code of the City of Friend, Nebraska is amended as follows:
§3-1011 MUNICIPAL CEMETERY; SHRUBS AND TREES. It shall be unlawful to plant, maintain, or suffer to remain on any cemetery lot a shrub or tree attaining a height of more than four (4) feet.
Section 2. Section 3-1012 of the Municipal Code of the City of Friend, Nebraska is amended as follows:
§3-1012 MUNICIPAL CEMETERY; GRAVE MARKER FOUNDATIONS. The foundations for all head stones, foot stones and monuments shall be prepared and made by the monument or marker company with the approval of the Sexton of the cemetery subject to the following rules:
- Cemetery Sexton must be contacted before any marker or monument installation is made.
- Grave space or spaces must be paid for before any memorial can be installed.
- All above ground monuments and markers must set on an approved concrete or granite foundation with a minimum apron on all four sides of four inches.
- Monuments and markers must be a standard granite or marble of any color, or made or bronze.
- Only vases of a permanent type are allowed and must be set in or permanently attached to the concrete or granite foundation on end of the memorial (in line), never in front or behind the memorial.
- Concrete foundations (poured wash around a granite marker) in the north (flush) section of the cemetery must have a minimum depth of four inches. All granite markers (minimum size of 32” x 20” x 4”) do not require a poured wash and will have a minimum of 2” leveling sand under the marker. Markers and monuments whether in the north (flush) section or at any other cemetery location of more than 42” in length will require four (4) 5” x 36” deep concrete anchors, set in two rows on 18 inch centers.
- Surface vaults and covers will not be permitted (curved cement covers covering entire grave). Full grave cover granite ledgers will not be permitted. No graves are permitted to be covered with cement slabs, brick or any material except earth.
Section 3. Section 3-1014 of the Municipal Code of the City of Friend, Nebraska is amended as follows:
§3-1014 MUNICIPAL CEMETERY: CORNER POST PLACEMENT. Corner posts of any lot or plot shall be placed flush with the grave.
Section 4. Section 3-1015 of the Municipal Code of the City of Friend, Nebraska is amended as follows:
§3-1015 MUNICIPAL CEMETERY: BURIAL VAULT REQUIREMENT; DISPOSAL OF REMAINS (ASHES): COST OF GRAVE OPENINGS. No one shall be buried on any lot without the purchase of a rigid outer burial container (burial vault). This container shall surround the casket or coffin and must be made of concrete, galvanized steel or of other heavy-duty materials. The minimum required container shall be a concrete grave liner or sometimes referred to as concrete grave box.
Ashes must be placed in a suitable container, such as an urn, made specifically for the placement of cremated remains. All urns must be suitable for burial. Urns made of non-permanent material, such as wood or glass, must be placed in an urn vault. No scattering of ashes will be allowed on cemetery property. Cremains (ashes) of only one person shall be buried on a 5’ x 10’ space. If requested, and approved by the Board of Cemetery Trustees on a case-by-case basis, the cremains (ashes) of a second person can be buried on that same grave space by purchasing a second burial permit, equal to the current price of a grave space. Absolutely no more than two burials per grave space will be allowed.
Section 5. All ordinances or parts of ordinances passed and approved prior to the passage of this ordinance and which are in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 6. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect after its passage, approval and either posting or publication in pamphlet form as provided by law.
Motion to adopt Ordinance #11-721 was made by Drake, seconded by Krause. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Lawver, Krause, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried. Ordinance #11-721 was passed and approved this 2nd day of August 2011.
Proposed Resolution #11-21 was introduced and read by Mayor Vossler.
RESOLUTION NO. 11-21
WHEREAS Section 3-1002 of the Municipal Code of Friend, Nebraska provides that the Board of Cemetery Trustees shall advise the City Council and Mayor on the appropriate cost of various expenses related to the operation of the municipal cemetery; and,
WHEREAS the Board of Cemetery Trustees has determined that certain costs associated with the municipal cemetery should be changed; and,
WHEREAS the City Council has reviewed the proposed changes and, upon the advice of the Cemetery Board of Trustees, finds such cost changes to be appropriate,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, IT IS RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Friend as follows:
- The cost of lot prices, grave openings and cremation openings are amended as follows:
(from – old price) (to – new price)
Lot $300 $350
Grave Opening (Mon-Fri) $350 $400
Grave Opening (Sat & Sun) $375 $425
Cremation (Mon-Fri) $100 $150
Cremation (Sat & Sun) $125 $175
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these price increases shall be announced to the public through appropriate measure, including but not limited to a publication in the Friend Sentinel.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to approve proposed Resolution #11-21. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Lawver, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried. Resolution #11-21 was passed and approved this 2nd day of August 2011.
Utility Report – none submitted.
Police Report – report provided to Mayor and Council.
Building Inspector Report – Building Inspector, Mark Stutzman, was not present, however Roger Rotschafer attended the meeting to question the Mayor and Council about a recent building permit application he submitted for approval. Mr. Rotschafer informed the Mayor and Council that his attorney has reviewed the city’s building codes along with Rotschafer’s building permit application and it is his interpretation that Mr. Rotschafer’s proposed building is in compliance with the city’s codes. It was decided that further review is necessary before action can be taken on this issue.
Stan Krause reported that the 50th anniversary celebration held for Richard Thompson was a success. Stan also stated that their new boots had been ordered and should be delivered over the next few weeks.
Dan Drake reported on behalf of Warren Memorial Hospital.
Becky Haufle, with Inspro Insurance attended the meeting and provided the Mayor and Council with two competitive quotes, one with the City’s current carrier Employers Mutual Company, and the other with Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies. After Ms. Haufle’s presentation and discussion, motion was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock, to accept Becky Haufle’s recommendation and approve renewal of the City’s insurance through Employers Mutual Company. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Krause, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
The Mayor and Council were provided with a copy of the semi-annual financial report of the Community Redevelopment Authority prepared by Jim Ryan for period ending June 30, 2011. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to accept the semi-annual financial report prepared by Jim Ryan for the Community Redevelopment Authority for period ending June 30, 2011. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Lawver, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Saline County Area Transit submitted their annual allocation request for 2011-2012 of Friend’s share of local matching funds in the amount of $1375. (The request from last year was $627.) Motion was made by Drake, seconded by Lawver to approve the Saline County Area Transit 2011-2012 allocation request of $1375 for Friend’s share of local matching funds. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Lawver, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to approve a 1% increase in the 2010-2011 funds subject to limitation (as allowable by law) for fiscal year 2011-2012. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Lawver, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
It was decided to meet in special session for a budget “workshop” for the purpose of discussing the upcoming budget for 2011-2012 on Monday, August 15th at 7:00 p.m.
BJ Fictum with the Saline County Emergency Management Association attended the meeting to discuss with the Mayor and Council the possibility of placing an antenna/repeater on the Friend water tower. No action taken at this time.
Discussion was had relating to a city sign for Friend. The Friend Chamber has requested permission to place a sign on city property east of the depot (between Chestnut Street and Cherry Street). The Chamber also requested that the Council consider contributing to this project from the Johnson Trust money that the City received. Motion to approve the Chamber’s request to place a Friend city sign on City property east of the depot, between Chestnut Street and Cherry Street, was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Krause, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried. It was decided that the Chamber’s request for the City to contribute from the money they received from the Johnson Trust for this project would be considered at a later date.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Lawver, seconded by Krause, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Drake, Lawver, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.