11/01/2011 Regular Meeting
FRIEND
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
November 1, 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 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. No comments offered.
Motioned by Drake, seconded by Krause to approve the Minutes of the October 4, 2011 regular meeting and the October 2011 Treasurer’s Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the Minutes of the October 4, 2011 regular meeting and the October 2011 Treasurer’s Report as presented and file same, Lawver, Schrock, Krause, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Drake to approve the August and September 2011 Warren Memorial Hospital financial reports. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Lawver, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, seconded by Lawver, 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, Schrock, Lawver, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: October Payroll, 19,764.32; Aflac, fe 153.42; Ameritas, 2650.06; EFTPS, 5479.09; BVH, su 5.94; Baker & Taylor, su 1118.38; Black Hills Energy, fe 321.69; BCBS of NE, fe 3752.92;Blue Blossom, 37.28; Central States Labs, su 14,146.19; City of Friend CDBG, fe 16,000.00; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, 7049.73; Culligan, se 50.00; D&D Comm, su 158.00; Lee DeBevoise, se 155.00; Diode Communications, se 23.54; Discover, su 1040.92; Electronic Engineering, su 586.50; EMS Billing, se 216.71; Farmers Coop, se & su 3321.83; Viola Foley, re 102.68; Gene’s Electric, se 20,415.54; General Fire & Safety, se 283.00; Great Plains, se 35.36; Heiman, Inc. su 30.25; J.P. Cooke, su 48.87; Johnson Pharmacy, su 59.46; Ronald McConnell, se 85.00; Mike Mullally, fe 1410.00; NDEQ, fe 150.00; NE Dept of Regs, fe 345.00; NE Dept of Rev, 744.42 & sales tax 5454.98; NE Law Enforcement Training Cntr, fe 50.00; NE Muni Power Pool, fe 275.00; NE Public Health Lab, fe 221.00; Natl Geographic, fe 34.00; Natl Pen Co, su 88.90; NE Public Power, fe 51,645.87; Norris Public Power, se 4775.55; Postmaster, su 195.52; Principal, Mutual, fe 99.18; Quartermaster, su 235.01; RR Mgmt Co, fe 120.79; Seward County Independent, fe 60.30; Shell, su 1007.53; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; Southeast Library, fe 15.00; Steve’s Repair, se 755.33; Stutzman Digging, se 3810.91; Taste of Home, fe 14.98; The Depository Trust, fe 3192.00; The Garbage Co, se 227.76; Troyer Concrete, se 7717.00; UMB, bond pmt $112,619.50; Deb Vernon, fe 40.00; Verizon Wireless, se 799.47; Windstream, se 809.36. Total Claims Approved $295,256.04.
No action was taken on agenda item “Ordinance 11-724” as proposed ordinance was not presented at this time.
Motioned by Krause, seconded by Schrock, to approve Resolution 11-33 for a special designated liquor license for the American Legion’s November 11 mountain oyster fry. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Lawver, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motioned by Drake, seconded by Lawver, to approve Resolution 11-36 through Resolution 11-42 for special designated licenses for Soc153, LLC dba Pour House events to be held December 1, 10, 15, 17, 27 and 31, 2011. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Krause, Lawver, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Patrick Gates reported to the Mayor and Council that the elevator is putting up another concrete silo south and west of the existing ones. There is a four-inch water main that runs down this street that currently is not in use. They have requested that the Council consider abandoning this. Mr. Gates indicated that he had no problem granting this request, but said the City should have an easement in place so that in the event there is development in the future this water line can be extended to that potential development. Attorney Mullally will prepare an ordinance authorizing this abandonment for Council’s consideration and approval at the next meeting.
Mr. Gates informed the Mayor and Council that Norris Public Power reported to him on two recent power outages. The first outage was caused by an underground failure south of Friend. The second was the result of a repair splice between Cordova and Exeter.
Patrick Gates requested Council’s approval for renewal of Maintenance Agreement No. 69 between the Nebraska Department of Roads and the City of Friend. This agreement is relative to surface maintenance of 2.54 lane miles of the highway and by entering into this agreement the City will receive $1,993.90 for this maintenance. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Drake, to authorize Mayor Vossler to execute by signing Maintenance Agreement No. 69 between the Nebraska Department of Roads and the City of Friend relative to surface maintenance of 2.54 lane miles of Highway 6. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Lawver, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Patrick Gates requested Council’s approval to enter into a contract with Kirkham Michael for Street Superintendent services. Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Lawver to approve contract between the City of Friend and Kirkham Michael for professional engineering services relative to the completion of all Street Superintendent Services as required by the Nebraska Board of Classifications and Standards. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Schrock, Lawver, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Patrick Gates reported that he received a signed agreement from Friend Public School relating to their use of the ballfield. Along with the agreement was a letter requesting that in the future, they be given earlier notification of the agreement (in July), and that they have the opportunity of negotiating the cost.
Mr. Gates said the issues continue on Maple Street with water pressure. Approximately six more locations were dealt with in the last month.
Police report was given by Mark McFarland. Chief McFarland reported that after receiving and reviewing several applications an offer of employment was extended to Robert Coffey for the police officer position. Chief McFarland informed the Mayor and Council that this offer is contingent upon Mr. Coffey’s successful completion of and graduation from law enforcement training on December 8th.
Mark McFarland reported that a new police car was purchased last week.
Mr. McFarland informed the Mayor and Council that there is a window needing repair at the police station. He will pursue getting this fixed with Council’s approval. Council had no objections.
On behalf of the Friend Fire Department Stan Krause reported that the Department looked at a new truck last week and are considering replacing their equipment truck.
Dan Drake reported on behalf of Warren Memorial Hospital. Mr. Drake said they recently purchased a bus. Funds used to purchase the bus included an anonymous donation that had been given for this specific purpose. Mr. Drake said this anonymous donor is the same party that contributed to the new windows and he expressed their appreciation and gratitude for this extremely generous gift.
Mayor Vossler informed the Council that no new information was available concerning the Friend welcome sign discussed at a previous meeting; therefore no action was taken at this time.
Compensation time for City employees was discussed. After lengthy discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that this employee benefit be revoked and that any necessary overtime be compensated in the form of pay at time and a half. To eliminate the benefit of employees being granted compensation time in lieu of paid overtime, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause to amend Section 525 of the City of Friend Employee Handbook by removing the paragraphs of Section 525 that relate to granting compensation time in lieu of paid overtime. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Krause, Schrock, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was had relating to the date and time of the annual employee appreciation dinner. Nothing determined at this time.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Lawver, seconded by Drake, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Drake, Krause, Lawver. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.