05/04/2010 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
MAY 4, 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 were offered.
Motioned by Drake, seconded by Krause to approve the Minutes of the April 6, 2010 regular meeting, and the April 2010 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the April 6, 2010 regular meeting minutes, and the April 2010 Treasurer's Report, Lawver, Schrock, Krause, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Lawver, to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital Financial Reports for March 2010. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Schrock, Krause, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried.
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, Lawver, Krause, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: April Payroll, 18,920.41; Ameritas, 1854.07, fe. 42.31; EFTPS, 4995.55; BVH, su 80.74; Baker & Taylor, su 150.60; Barco Muni Su, su 140.63; Beaver Hardware, su 149.09; Black Hills Energy, se 424.50; Brothers Equip, su 2.48; Burlington Northern, fe 844.14; Central States, su, 18,698.90; Chief Supply, su 158.92; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, 378.54; Crete Lumber, su 255.36; D & D Comm, su 99.00; Discover, su 276.06; EMS, fe 478.73; Eakes, su 59.48; Emergency Medical, su 476.31; Exeter Lumber, su 25.48; Farmers Coop, su & se 1572.50; Friend Sentinel, su 122.06; Galaxy Cable, se 39.95; Gale, su 47.18; Gene’s Electric, se & su 16,256.21; HD Supply, su 2749.83; Stan Houlden, se 970.00; Johnson Pharmacy, su 88.22; Jr Library Guild, su 38.16; Kirkham Michael, fe 3890.00; Konica, fe 73.05; Jackie Larsen, re 4.94; Lynn Peavey, su 23.94; Menards, su 568.43; Mid Plains, se 44.01; Michael Mullally, fe 819.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH, 675.32, Sales & Use Tax, 4893.28; NE Muni Power Pool, se 512.50; NE Public Health Env, se 32.00; NMC, su 2045.48; Nat’l Arbor Day Foundation, fe 15.0; National Radar, se 418.50; NE Environmental Prod, su. 161.75; NE Public Power, se 35,211.19; Norris Public Power, se. 5751.20; Pat Thomas Construction, fe 7375.14; Postmaster, 192.20; Principal Mutual, fe 4285.09; Romans, Wiemer & Assocs, fe 4400.00; Saline County Clerk, fe 12.00; Sargent Drilling, fe 21,010.24; Shell Fleet Plus, su 430.71; Marvin Slepicka, fe 750.00; Statewide EMS Conf, fe 150.00; Mark Stutzman, fe 690.00; The Garbage Co, se 203.07; Verizon, se 449.88; Windstream, se 814.36; Young’s Welding, se 40.00. Total Claims Approved $166,587.69.
The special designated liquor licenses application for the Pour House was withdrawn, therefore proposed resolutions #10-04 through #10-09 were not considered.
Becky Hauffle from Inspro Insurance attended the meeting to present to the Mayor and Council a safety dividend check in the amount of $4389.38. This amount reflects a premium return of 10.4%.
Leaders and members of Boy Scout Troop 270 attended the meeting. Troop leader, Cynthia Cassel, questioned the Mayor and Council about the upcoming schedule for the ballfield for the Fourth of July weekend. Mrs. Cassel said that, in conjunction with the Fourth of July celebration in Friend, the Friend Chamber has contacted her in the past and the Scouts have coordinated the ball tournament and have worked the concessions as a source of one of their main fundraisers. This year the Chamber approved that the girls’ softball team host this tournament. Mrs. Cassel requested the Council consider giving the Scouts priority for this fundraiser and allowing them first choice to host the tournament held during the Fourth of July celebration. The Mayor explained that the Fourth of July celebration and the activities scheduled during this time are coordinated by the Friend Chamber, not the City. After lengthy discussion, motion was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock, to table this issue until representatives from the Chamber and Council have an opportunity to discuss this further. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Krause, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was had relating to a proposed Grant of Easement by and between the City of Friend and USCOC Nebraska/Kansas LLC (for U.S. Cellular). This proposed grant of easement is located on property north of the railroad tracks and plans are to construct a cellular tower at this location. Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock to approve the proposed Grant of Easement by and between the City of Friend and USCOC Nebraska/Kansas LLC (for U.S. Cellular). On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Drake abstained. Motion carried. (Copy of this easement is attached.)
Continued discussion was had relating to the electrical project for the new HRW bin site. At the request of some of the members of the Friend City Council, Eric Milton drafted a plan to propose a method of reimbursement for them, as well as a means of cost sharing to ease the financial burden that could potentially be incurred by the City for this project. Mr. Milton’s proposal included the possibility of Milton’s paying their share of the cost upfront, with a request to receive back 75% of the profit over the next 30-40 years up to the amount of the original investment. This would eliminate the burden to the city of having to outlay money upfront for this infrastructure. After lengthy discussion, as well as discussion on other options relating to this project, no action was taken at this time.
Patrick Gates, Utilities Superintendent, gave his report. Gates requested approval for Progress Estimate No. 4, for the construction of the Friend Municipal Water Well in the amount of $21,010.24 for Sargent Drilling. Motion was made by Lawver, seconded by Drake, to approve and execute Progress Estimate No. 4 in the amount of $21,010.24 payable to Sargent Drilling for the final payment for construction of the Friend Municipal Water Well. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Drake, Krause, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried.
Gates requested approval for Contractor’s Pay Application No. 2 for the construction of the Friend Wastewater Treatment Plant Ultra Violet Disinfection Facility project. Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock to approve and execute Contractor’s Pay Application No. 2 in the amount of $7,375.14 for Pat Thomas Construction for construction of the Friend Wastewater Treatment Plant Ultra Violet Disinfection Facility project, upon completion of putting up the fence. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Drake, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Patrick Gates reported on the status of the Chestnut Street culvert project.
Relating to the pond/trail project, Patrick Gates indicated to the Mayor and Council that he would like to remove the guardrail along the pond located on Cherry Street. Council had no objections, providing the City’s insurance company is contacted to ensure this is acceptable and will not create an avoidable liability issue(s).
Patrick Gates provided a list of applicants for management and guard positions for the swimming pool. Gates said he planned to offer positions to all applicants listed and requested Council approve a $0.25 per hour increase over the previous season wage for returning co-managers and guards. Council approved.
City Attorney, Michael Mullally, provided a copy of correspondence he received from Jeffrey, Hahn, Hemmerling & Zimmerman, P.C., Attorneys at Law representing the Village of Cordova. This correspondence addresses issues relating to the water purchase agreement between Cordova and Friend, specifically the base rate and the additional rate per 1,000 gallons delivered. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that Mayor Vossler and Patrick Gates schedule a meeting with a representative, or representatives, of the Cordova Village Board to discuss this issue prior to any further consideration.
A bid for renovating the entrance of the Community Building has been submitted by Roth and Troyer. The plans include enlarging the entrance as well as bringing the entrance in compliance with ADA standards. Mayor Vossler and Council recommended that plans be obtained from Roth and Troyer and forwarded to Laura Kelly with the Department of Justice prior to further consideration or before proceeding with this project.
Police Chief, Mark McFarland, gave his report for the month of April 2010. (Copy of this report is attached.)
Building Inspector, Mark Stutzman, gave his report. Stutzman informed the Mayor and Council of a request from an individual to operate a repair and auto sales business in a B-1 zoning district along Highway 6. Council discussed and had no objections.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Lawver, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Krause, Schrock, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m
