06/05/2009 Special Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-SPECIAL MEETING
JUNE 5, 2009
Mayor Vossler called the special meeting of the City Council to order at 5:00 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.
The Mayor, James Vossler, presided and City Clerk, Debbie Gilmer, recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Stan Krause, Dale Lawver, Dan Drake, and Harlan Schrock. 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 the public hearing will now open. Motion to open hearing concerning an Engineering Report for construction of a “New Drinking Water Well” as required for State Revolving Loan Funding for the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and other funding Agencies, was made by Councilman Drake, seconded by Councilman Krause. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Drake, Lawver, Krause. Nays none. Public Hearing opened at 5:02 p.m.
Mayor Vossler stated that comments would be received at this time. No comments were offered.
Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates requested Council’s approval to submit a letter to the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services relating to the construction of a new water production well requesting they waive the requirement to complete the total water quality testing on the test well located at the site of the proposed new well. Motion to approve Gates’ request for approval to submit correspondence to the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services requesting the requirement to complete the total water quality testing on the test well be waived and to authorize Mayor Vossler to sign this letter was made by Councilman Schrock, seconded by Councilman Lawver. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Krause, Schrock, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was had relating to the need for the new well, inclusive to the nitrate situation at the pond well.
The type of financing to be used (low rate loan in conjunction with stimulus funding by loan forgiveness or grant) was also discussed.
Patrick Gates said there is a projected savings of $56,250 on this project based on stimulus funding. The projected cost provided to the State was $265,000, which included putting in some water mains. Gates estimated the cost to be closer to $200,000.
The costs of the well project have been incorporated into previous rate studies and will not result in a significant increase in the current user rates. User rates will increase July 15th, which increase is the third in a three part increase from a previously adopted ordinance.
Mayor Vossler announced that if there were no objections or recommendations to be heard regarding the preliminary engineering report and the potential impact to the existing water rates it was now time to close the public hearing. Motion to close the public hearing was made by Councilman Lawver, seconded by Councilman Drake. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Schrock, Krause, Drake. Nays none. Public hearing closed at 5:15 p.m.
With no further business to come before the Council, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Schrock, seconded by Krause. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Lawver, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m.
