03/02/2010 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 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: Stanley Krause, Dale Lawver, Dan Drake, and Harlan Schrock. Attorney Mullally was also 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 public comments would be accepted at this time. No comments offered.
Motioned by Drake, seconded by Schrock to approve the Minutes of the February 2, 2010 regular meeting, and the February 2010 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the February 2, 2010 regular meeting minutes, and the February 2010 Treasurer's Report, Lawver, Krause, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital Financial Reports for January 2010. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Drake, Schrock, Krause. 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, Schrock, Drake, Krause, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: February Payroll, 16,964.40; Ameritas, 1698.87; EFTPS, 4860.26; American Legion, su 25.00; Baker & Taylor, su 119.29; Barco Muni Supply, su 2126.04; Beaver Hardware, su 18.00; Black Hills Ammunition, su 189.50; Black Hills Energy, se 869.80; Central States, su, 8196.11; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, fe 947.91; Crete True Value, su 49.67; Culligan, se & su 66.25; Danko, su 21.96; Demco, su 71.10; Discover, su 188.26; Eakes, su 39.99; Farmers Coop, su & se 2662.46; Farmers & Merchants Bank, inv. 41,000.00; Friend Freightways, CDBG 40,000; Friend Insurance, fe 20.00; Friend Sentinel, fe 226.41; Galaxy Cable, se 39.95; Gale, su 47.18; Gene’s Electric, se & su 4821.18; Debbie Gilmer, re 251.33; Great Plains One Call, fe 1.04; Stan Houlden, se 341.00; Johnson Pharmacy, su 38.73; Jr Library Guild, su 38.16; Kirkham Michael, fe 1500.00; Konica, fe 73.05; League of NE Muni, fe 130.00; Michael Mullally, fe 130.00; NMC, su 310.00; NE Dept of HHS, fe 40.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH, 674.68, Sales & Use Tax, 6860.43; NE Public Health Env, se. 20.00; NE Public Power, se 49,591.03; Norris Public Power, se. 5751.20; Postmaster, 192.20; Principal Mutual, fe 4285.09; QTC, equip 4980.00; Rasmussen Stewart, Inc. se 702.37; Sensus Metering System, se 145.00; Shell Fleet Plus, su 295.74; Marvin Slepicka, fe 750.00; Steve’s Repair, se & su 66.65; Jared Stutzman, se 110.00; The Garbage Co, se 203.07; Sara Thomsen, re 154.00; Tuttle, Inc. re 4650.00; Upstart, su 96.50; Verizon, se 412.09; Jim Vossler, re 100.27; Warren Memorial Hosp, su 52.36; Windstream, se 864.44. Total Claims Approved $209,330.02.
Patrick Gates, Utilities Superintendent, gave his report. Relating to the interlocal agreement with Crete for a responsible charge for the Safe Routes to School project, Gates reported that he and Mayor Vossler met with Tom Ourada, Crete Director of Public Works to discuss the possibility of Mr. Ourada acting as the responsible charge for Friend’s project. Since this meeting, Mr. Ourada has contacted Gates and informed him that in a conversation with one of the County Commissioners, he found that Bruce Filipi and Bill Slezak are also certified to act as a responsible charge for the Safe Routes to School project. Considering that Mr. Slezak resides in Friend, Mr. Ourada suggested we contact him to serve as the responsible charge for Friend’s project. Gates said all three individuals are willing to accept the responsible charge position, and that at this point we are just waiting for a decision from them as to which one it will be.
Police Chief, Mark McFarland submitted his police report to the Council for the month of February 2010. (Copy of this report is attached.) McFarland said he began issuing warnings throughout the community for junk cars. He reported that individuals receiving these warnings have 30 days to comply, and if compliance is not met citations will then be issued.
Mayor Vossler said that Building Inspector, Mark. Stutzman has indicated to him that he would possibly be doing some construction projects in the near future. After discussion, Mayor Vossler suggested that a building inspector from another community be contacted to perform the necessary inspections for Stutzman’s project(s).
Fire Chief, Brent Milton requested Council’s approval to accept a quote for insurance from Fire Pack Insurance for the fire department. Motion was made by Lawver, seconded by Schrock to authorize Brent Milton, on behalf of the Friend Volunteer Fire Department, to accept a quote for insurance from Fire Pack Insurance, providing there is no commitment to accept this quote. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Lawver, Schrock. Nays none. Krause abstained. Motion carried.
Dan Drake reported on behalf of Warren Memorial Hospital. Mr. Drake encouraged all to stop by the hospital and see improvements that have been made. Some of these improvements include a whirlpool tub, new windows, and new carpet in the hallway.
Discussion was had regarding the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with rural fire protection districts of the State of Nebraska to create a mutual finance organization as authorized by the Nebraska Municipal Finance Assistance Act. This mutual finance organization shall be known as the Saline County Rural Fire Protection Mutual Finance Organization. Motion to enter into this agreement by authorizing Mayor Vossler to sign necessary documentation was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Schrock, Drake, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Patrick Gates requested Council’s approval to submit a rebate check for $2585 to HRW for their recent lighting conversion. Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Drake, to approve Gate’s request to submit a rebate check for $2585 to HRW for their recent lighting conversion. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Schrock, Krause, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was had regarding child safety zones within the community. Harlan Schrock said the school currently has restrictions in place relating to this. Schrock provided Council with some examples for their consideration of child safety zone policies that other communities have adopted. After lengthy discussion of child safety zones, measures to protect children from molesters, and the possibility of implementing proactive educational and awareness programs for the children as well as the community, Attorney Mullally advised the Mayor and Council that he would visit the staff attorneys with the League of Nebraska Municipalities to find out what other municipalities have considered and/or have implemented relating to this issue.
Issues regarding parking and traffic problems at the school were brought to the Mayor and Council’s attention. After discussion, it was decided that in an effort to alleviate some of these problems, Patrick Gates will make sure the snow is removed from the area where the buses park, load and unload.
Continued discussion was had relating to the proposed personnel/employee handbook. Issues discussed included vacation time, sick leave, comp time with a 16-hour maximum to be carried beyond the current pay period, and utilizing any accumulated comp time prior to using vacation earned. Dale Lawver will incorporated changes into the proposed handbook and distribute for consideration at a later meeting. No action taken 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, Krause, Schrock, Drake, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m.
