02/02/2010 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 2, 2010
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: Dale Lawver, Stanley Krause, Dan Drake, and Harlan Schrock. Attorney Mullally was not in attendance. 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 it was time to open the public hearing to receive comments for the One and Six Year Plan for City Improvements. Motion was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock to open the public hearing for the purpose of receiving comments relating to the One and Six Year Plan for City Improvements for Friend. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Lawver, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Public hearing opened at 7:02 p.m.
Mayor Vossler announced that it was time to open the public hearing to receive comments relating to application for a Class C Liquor License as made by SOC 153 LLC, dba Pour House. Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Lawver to open the public hearing relating to this application for a Class C Liquor License. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Schrock, Krause, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried. Public hearing opened at 7:04 p.m.
Mayor Vossler announced that public comments would be accepted at this time. No comments offered.
Motioned by Schrock, seconded by Drake to approve the Minutes of the January 4, 2010 regular meeting, and the January 2010 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the January 4, 2010 regular meeting minutes, and the January 2010 Treasurer's Report, Krause, Schrock, Lawver, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock, to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital Financial Reports for November and December 2009. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Schrock, Drake, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Lawver, 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, Drake, Lawver, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: January Payroll, 18,827.89; Ameritas, 1946.42; EFTPS, 5624.86; American Library Assoc, fe 46.00; Baker & Taylor, su 27.06; Beaver Hardware, su 82.30; Black Hills Energy, se 1191.65; Blue Blossom, se 48.00; Boys Life, su 15.00; Central States, su, 15,175.26; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, fe 1111.79; Rob Crumblis, re 20.00; D & D Comm se 207.00; Discover, su 932.12; Dave Domeier, re 101.85; Dorchester Farmers Coop, su 54.00; Eakes, su 217.26; Farmers Coop, su & se 3153.20; Friend Sentinel, su 78.60; FVD, re 180.00; Galaxy Cable, se 45.43; Patrick Gates, re 33.93; Gene’s Electric, se & su 1550.00; Great Plains One Call, fe 3.03; HRW, fe 100.00; Holiday Inn of Kearney, fe 156.85; Deb Hulse, re 20.00; Jensen Lumber, su 392.05; Johnson Pharmacy, su 88.48; Jr Library Guild, su 38.16; Kelly King, re 140.00; Kirkham Michael, fe 1955.00; Konica, fe 73.05; Stanley Krause, re 60.00; Law Enforcement Systems, su 58.95; League of NE Muni, fe 337.00; Midwest Labs, se 185.58; Michael Mullally, fe 403.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH, 814.60 & 326.51, Sales & Use Tax, 5973.43; NE Muni Clerk’s Assoc, fe 25.00; NE Muni Power Pool, fe 2280.00; NE Public Health Env, se 32.00; NE Public Power, se 57,091.74; NE Wastewater Operators Div, fe 20.00; NEMSA, fe 450.00; NMC, su 1501.77; Norris Public Power, se. 5278.00; Mike Paulsen, re 20.00; Postmaster, 192.20; Principal Mutual, fe 3974.81; Mindy Rohrig, re 260.00; Ray Rohrig, re 280.00; Saline County Clerk, fe 6.00; Sargent Drilling, fe 48,448.00; Saturday Eve Post, su 9.98; Susan Schrock, re 60.00; Sioux Sales, su 235.10; Shell Fleet Plus, su 238.09; Marvin Slepicka, fe 750.00; Steve’s Repair, se & su 1752.39; Jared Stutzman, se 80.00; The Garbage Co, se 203.07; Verizon, se 418.90; Barb Votipka, re 20.00; Windstream, se 755.94; Young’s Welding, su 51.27. Total Claims Approved $186,479.57.
Jenny Kellis, agent representing U.S. Cellular, attended the meeting to discuss the possibility of the City waiving the height restriction currently in effect on property east of the Friend City Shop. Ms. Kellis said U.S. Cellular is looking to add coverage to the Friend area and along Highway 6 and is considering constructing a tower in this area, however the proposed tower exceeds the height limits. After discussion, the Mayor and Council directed Ms. Kellis to present her request to the Planning Commission for their consideration. Motion was made by Lawver, seconded by Krause, to approve the request to waive the height restrictions in this area for the proposed U.S. Cellular tower, providing review and approval from the Planning Commission is granted for this requested waiver. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Krause, Lawver. Nays none. Drake abstained. Motion carried.
Librarian, Jackie Larsen and members of the Gilbert Library Board were in attendance to discuss with the Council the computer situation at the Library and their need for an upgrade. They relayed to the Mayor and Council that the current computer at the Library does not meet the system requirements necessary to utilize their Destiny library database software. Lee DeBevoise, Computer Tutor, discussed the situation and gave his recommendation to the Council as to what he feels is necessary to successfully complete the upgrade. After lengthy discussion, Council informed the Library Board that they had approval to purchase necessary hardware, software, support, etc., for this upgrade, providing it does not cause the Library’s expenditures to exceed the amount that the Library has budgeted to spend for the fiscal year. Members in attendance, Bev Krause, Shelley Smith, JoAnne Drake, Margo Houlden, and Mary Kubicek, also requested permission to purchase a new copier when the lease on the current machine expires. Council had no objections.
Patrick Gates, Utilities Superintendent, gave his report. The following items were included in Mr. Gates’ report. (Copy of this report is attached.)
- Pay Request #3 for the Well Project
- Status of on-going ADA Issue(s)
- Status of the Safe Routes to School Project
After discussion, motion was made by Drake, seconded by Krause to approve Progress Estimate No. 3 in the amount of $48,448.00 for Sargent Drilling, contractor for construction of the Friend Municipal Water Well. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Lawver, Krause, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Relating to the Safe Routes to School Project, Patrick Gates explained to the Mayor and Council that a new requirement being mandated for this project is to retain a “RC” (responsible charge) to oversee the project. This RC must be certified by the Nebraska Department of Roads and the requirements to become certified are quite demanding. Mr. Gates was given the names of certified individuals in Nebraska and found that there is a gentleman in Crete that is certified, Tom Ourada, Director of Public Works for Crete. Gates met with Mr. Ourada and he indicated that he would be willing to provide the necessary responsible charge services to the City of Friend. After discussion, Mr. Gates suggested that the Council consider entering into an agreement with the City of Crete to utilize Mr. Ourada’s services. Taking into consideration the changes and new requirements necessary to proceed with the Safe Routes to School Project, motion was made by Krause, seconded by Lawver to authorize Patrick Gates to proceed with developing an inter-local agreement between the City of Friend and Tom Ourada, Director of Public Works from the City of Crete, to utilize Mr. Ourada’s services as a responsible charge for Friend’s Safe Route to School Project, contingent on approval and no objections from the Crete City Council. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Lawver, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Councilman Drake acknowledged to Patrick Gates that he has received many comments from people within the community about the fine job he and his crew have done removing snow and keeping the streets clean.
Police Chief, Mark McFarland submitted his police report to the Council for the month of January 2010. (Copy of this report is attached.)
Building Inspector, Mark Stutzman gave his report.
Stanley Krause reported on behalf of the Friend Fire Department.
Jim Ryan attended the meeting representing the Community Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Ryan presented a financial report for the CRA for year ending 12/31/2009. Discussion was had relating to the financials for the CRA, the frequency the Council would like to review this financial information, and the administration and management of the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) monies. After review and discussion, motion was made by Drake, seconded by Lawver that the financial report for the CRA continue to be prepared by Mr. Ryan and/or Dave Clouse and be presented to the Council semi-annually. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Schrock, Drake, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried.
Mayor Vossler announced that it was time to close the public hearing to receive comments for the One and Six Year Plan for City Improvements. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause to close the public hearing for the purpose of receiving comments relating to the One and Six Year Plan for City Improvements for Friend. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Lawver, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried. Public hearing closed at 8:24 p.m.
Proposed Resolution Number 10-02 was introduced and read by Mayor Vossler.
RESOLUTION #10-02
“WHEREAS, the City Street Superintendent has prepared and presented a One Year and Six Year Plan for Street Improvement Program for the City of Friend, Nebraska, and
WHEREAS, a public meeting was held on the third (2nd) day of February, 2010, to present this plan and there were no objections to said plan;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE City Council of Friend, Nebraska, that the plans and data as furnished are hereby in all things accepted and adopted.”
Motion was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock, to adopt Resolution Number 10-02 for the One and Six Year Plan for Street Improvement Plan. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Lawver, Krause, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried. Resolution Number 10-02 was adopted this 2nd day of February, 2010.
Mayor Vossler announced that it was time to close the public hearing to receive comments relating to application for a Class C Liquor License as made by SOC 153 LLC, dba Pour House. Motion was made by Drake, seconded by Lawver to close the public hearing relating to application for a Class C Liquor License by SOC 153 LLC, dba Pour House. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Drake, Lawver, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Drake to approve recommendation to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission for a Class C Liquor License as applied for by SOC 153 LLC, dba Pour House. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Drake, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
As per Nebraska Revised Statute 51-213 the library board shall, on or before the second Monday in February each year, make a report to the city council or village board or to the county or township board of the condition of its trust on the last day of the prior fiscal year. Such report was provided to the City Council for their consideration by Librarian, Jackie Larsen. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause to accept the Gilbert Public Library Annual Report as prepared and submitted by Librarian, Jackie Larsen. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Lawver, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Mayor Vossler presented his recommended appointments for two vacated positions, one on the Friend Housing Authority and one on the Andrew Cemetery Board. Mayor Vossler recommended Wayne Umstead be appointed to the Friend Housing Authority to replace Marvin Kraus, and recommended Gene Roll be appointed to the Andrew Cemetery Board to replace Virgil Nelsen. Motion to approve Mayor Vossler’s recommended appointments of Wayne Umstead to the Friend Housing Authority and Gene Roll to the Andrew Cemetery Board was made by Schrock, seconded by Drake. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Lawver, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
As Mel Foley has completed six months of full-time employment for the City of Friend, motion was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock to approve an increase in her hourly rate to $10 per hour. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Schrock, Drake, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was had relating to a proposed personnel/employee handbook. A special meeting to discuss this further will be held February 9th at 7:00 p.m.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Krause, seconded by Lawver, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Drake, Lawver, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
