03/03/2009 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 3, 2009
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. City 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. Stan Houlden discussed with the Council his building permit application for a carport he would like to construct at his place of business on Race Street. Houlden said the building will be 16 X 50, and the piers will be 18 inches across by 3 to 3-1/2 feet, placed every 10 feet. After discussion, Council had no objections to Mr. Houlden’s building permit application for this carport, providing the piers and reinforcements meet all applicable codes and specifications.
Motioned by Drake, seconded by Lawver, to approve the Minutes of the February 3, 2009 regular meeting, and the February 2009 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the Minutes of the February 3, 2009 regular meeting, and the February 2009 Treasurer's Report, Schrock, Krause, Lawver, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Councilman Dan Drake reported on behalf of the Warren Memorial Hospital.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause, to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital financial reports for December 2008 and January 2009. On roll call voting aye to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital financial reports for December 2008 and January 2009, Lawver, Drake, Schrock, Krause. 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, Drake, Krause, Lawver, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: February Payroll, 17,346.18; Ameritas, 1665.20; EFTPS, 5797.94; Alltel Cellular, 429.05; Don Anderson, re 237.43; Black Hills Energy, se 666.69; BVH, su 8.16; Baker & Taylor, su 77.02; Barco, su 178.13; Beatrice Concrete, su 360.25; Beaver Hardware, su 52.50; Blue Blossom, se 53.25; Central States Lab., su 8365.63; Chief Supply, su 154.93; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; Crete Lumber, su 616.97; Discover, su 3628.04; EMS Billing, se 449.36; Eakes, su 5.98; Erdkamp-Ekeler, fe 258.64; Erickson/Sederstrom, fe 702.00; Exeter Lumber, su 139.00; Farmer’s Coop, su 798.75; Follett Software, fe 829.00; Galaxy Cable, se 39.95; Gale, su 47.18; Patrick Gates, re 287.20; Gene’s Electric, se & su 3884.70; Gerhold, su 309.00; Debbie Gilmer, re 231.00; Good Word, su 96.00; Great Plains One-Call, se 12.59; Heiman, su 185.45; Hornady, su 42.08; Jensen Lumber, su 635.59; Johnson Pharmacy, su 25.18; Jr Library Guild, su 38.16; Kirkham Michael, fe 6412.00; Konica, fe 73.05; Jackie Larsen, re 35.00; League of NE Munic, fe 130.00; Lynn Peavey, su 47.40; Mark McFarland, re 96.32; Menards, su 439.42; Midwest Labs, se 59.50; Michael Mullally, fe 535.50; Municipal Supply, su 3153.00; NDHHS, fe 40.00; NE Public Health, Env Lab, se 20.00; NE Public Power, su 41,577.58; NE Dept of Rev, SWH, 935.00, Sales & Use Tax, 5680.23; NMC, su 32.93; Norris Public Power, se. 3635.28; Pioneer Publishing, fe 228.07; Postmaster, fe 183.50; Principal Mutual, fe 3027.83; Reeves Co, su 21.24; Saline County Clerk, fe 219.81; Shell, su 269.47; Marvin Slepicka, fe 750.00; Sports Ill., su 77.84; Mark Stutzman, fe 630.00; TV Svc, su 42.97; The Garbage Co, se 203.07; The Penworthy Co, su 118.94; Sara Thomsen, re 219.90; Univ of NE, fe 300.00; Yokels, su 48.34; Young’s Welding, se 2.35; Windstream, se 715.69. Total Claims Approved $118,865.41.
Councilman Dale Lawver reported to the Mayor and Council that Vickie Himmelberg has informed him that the date for the annual City-wide cleanup coordinated by the Friend Chamber of Commerce is planned for May 2nd.
Councilman Stan Krause reported that the siren truck will be in town Thursday at 2:30 p.m. for testing in the southeast part of town to determine the best location for an additional warning siren.
Mayor Vossler introduced proposed Resolution No. 09-04 relating to the frequency of meetings of the Board of Cemetery Trustees of the City.
RESOLUTION NO. 09-04
WHEREAS, Section 2-206 of the Municipal Code of the City of Friend, Nebraska provides that the City Council may designate the frequency of meetings of the Board of Cemetery Trustees of the City; and
WHEREAS, that Board has determined and advised the City Council that it is unnecessary to meet on a monthly basis as is now the case due to the lack of agenda items at some of their meetings; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to designate an alternative and appropriate meeting schedule for the Board, giving the discretion to the Board as to the frequency of their regular meetings;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA as follows:
The Board of Cemetery Trustees of the City of Friend is hereby authorized to hold their regular meetings of the Board on the following basis either bi-monthly or quarterly, as may be determined by the Board in their discretion.
Motion to adopt Resolution No. 09-04 was made by Lawver, seconded by Drake. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Krause, Drake, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried. Resolution No. 09-04 was adopted this 3rd day of March, 2009.
Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates, gave his report. Gates reported that he recently attended a training session regarding the trail grant. At the session he was informed that the next step for this project is to retain an engineer. Gates said letters requesting bids will be sent to a minimum of three different engineering firms and notice for request for bids will need to be published in a newspaper of general circulation.
The Department of Environmental Quality has approved the design plan for the ultraviolet process at the wastewater treatment facility.
The water well is in the final stage of design. Gates said there is a strong possibility that we may qualify for and receive stimulus money for this project.
Patrick Gates said a meeting is scheduled for Thursday afternoon between himself, Mayor Vossler, our representing attorney, the City’s engineer, and representatives for Castle Construction. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss a dispute that Castle Construction has with the final payment received from Friend for work performed for the Friend Lake Restoration Project. As discussed at last month’s meeting, Castle Construction feels that $25,000 is still due to them. The City is in disagreement with this as some of the work they claim to have done was not done.
Patrick Gates said with Council’s approval he plans to solicit bids for a new park mower in March. Patrick said bid letting will be held prior to the next Council meeting.
Mike Timmerman reported he was experiencing sewer problems on 2nd and State Street. Patrick Gates said when the ditch was dug for the Cordova water project the sewer line in this area was damaged. A portion of the line was removed. Gates said Timmerman and the City have both incurred expenses to find the source of this problem and he intends to pass these bills along to JEO, the engineering firm responsible for and overseeing this project.
Gates informed the Mayor and Council he plans to take the red and white dodge pickup to Saline Center for the March 15th sale.
Mayor Vossler asked Patrick Gates about the status of the slide at the pool. Gates said he intends to send a letter requesting an appeal for reconsideration to Jack Daniels, Administrator from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health. Gates will keep the Council informed of any response he receives.
Building Inspector, Mark Stutzman, reported to the Council regarding building permit applications submitted to him. Discussion was had regarding applications submitted by Dave Bruntz, Robert Milton, and Dan Lorenz. Council had no objections of Mr. Stutzman issuing these requested permits. Mark informed the Council that he had been contacted by Cellular One regarding the possibility of constructing a tower.
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 Councilman Schrock, seconded by Councilman Drake. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Lawver, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Debbie Gilmer informed the Mayor and Council that she had applied for and received a scholarship for the 2009 Municipal Clerk Academy to be held March 18th through March 20th and that with their approval plans to attend this continued educational training. Council had no objections.
Motion to enter into executive session at 8:10 p.m. to discuss personnel was made by Drake, seconded by Krause. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Krause, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion to reconvene to regular session was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Krause, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Regular session reconvened at 8:35 p.m.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Drake to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Drake, Schrock, Lawver. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
