07/07/2009 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
JULY 7, 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: Dan Drake, Harlan Schrock, Dale Lawver, and Stanley Krause. City Attorney, Mike 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 received at this time. Dave Nickel was in attendance at the meeting and commended the Friend Fire Department for a great job with the fireworks display this last weekend. A special “thanks” was given to Dale Lawver for his contributions.
Motioned by Lawver, seconded by Drake to approve the Minutes of the June 2, 2009 regular meeting, the June 5, 2009 special meeting, and the June 10, 2009 special meeting, as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the Minutes of the June 2, 2009 regular meeting, the June 5, 2009 special meeting, and the June 10, 2009 special meeting, Schrock, Krause, Lawver, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motioned by Drake, seconded by Krause to approve the June 2009 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the June 2009 Treasurer's Report, Lawver, Drake, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motioned by Krause, seconded by Schrock to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital financial reports for the months of April and May. On roll call voting aye to approve the April and May 2009 Warren Memorial Hospital financial reports, Schrock, Krause, Lawver, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Drake, 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, Drake, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: June Payroll, 18,870.46; ACCO, su 795.40; Ameritas, 1888.58; EFTPS, 5600.72; Alltel Cellular, 433.75; Don Anderson, re 237.43; Awards Unlimited, su 234.01; BVH, su 1.09; Baker & Taylor, su 86.92; Beaver Hardware, su 380.85; Black Hills Energy, fe 127.29; Blue Blossom, 480.98; Bonsall Pool, su 531.05; Boundtree Medical, su 168.88; Leonard Braun, se 416.00; Brothers Eq, su 474.10; Central States Lab., su 11,951.89; Chief Supply, su 48.97; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; Shawn Cole, se 100.00; Computer Tutor, se 250.00; Culligan, se 43.00; Demco, su 76.21; Discover, su 1272.95; EMS Billing, se 154.59; Eakes, su 121.93; Entenmann-Rovin Co, su 95.73; Exeter Lumber, su 170.82; Farmers Coop, su & se 1333.77; Bonnie Felt, re 9.00; Friend Insurance, fe 200.00; Friend Sentinel, fe 40.05; Galaxy Cable, se 39.95; Gale, su 47.18; Gene’s Electric, se & su 7,389.90; Great Plains One-Call, se 19.19; HD Supply, su 5751.00; Hinkeldey Const, se 55.80; Holiday Inn, fe 139.90; Stan Houlden, se 135.00; Johnson Pharmacy, su 88.78; Jr Library Guild, su 38.16; Kirkham Michael, fe 2290.00; Konica, fe 73.05; Jackie Larsen, re 22.97; Menards, su 233.04; Chris Michl, se 436.80; Midwest Labs, se 104.92; Michael Mullally, fe 660.00; Murphy Plumbing, se 73.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH, 1096.00, Sales & Use Tax, 5060.89; NE Public Health, se 75.00; NE Public Power, se 61,775.90; NMC, su 48.00; Natl Arbor Day Foundation, fe 15.00; Natl Geographic, su 34.00; Norris Public Power, se. 3875.85; Principal Mutual, fe 3699.26; Railroad Mgmt, fe 90.75; Rasmussen Stewart, se 157.22; SCAT, fe 2083; Saline County Eldercare, fe 2761.00; Sargent Drilling, fe 13,519.32; Schmader Elect, se 884.50; Shell Fleet Plus, su 267.33; Sioux Sales, su 58.85; Marvin Slepicka, fe 750; SENDD, fe 1575.00; Kathy Spicka, fe 53.78; Sports Supply, su 418.49; The Garbage Co, se 203.07; The Volzke Corp, su 111.40; USA Blue Book, su 438.73; Windstream, se 776.47; Young’s Welding, se 11.00. Total Claims Approved $164,284.87.
Councilman Drake reported that he received complaints on two different properties in town. One of the complaints was about a dead tree that needs to be removed and the other complaint was about a property that needs to be cleaned up (bushes need trimming). Harlan Schrock will contact the property owners and request that these issued be addressed.
Mayor Vossler introduced proposed Resolution No. 09-07, application of the Friend Historical Society for a special designated permit to serve/sell wine during the Riedel Wine Tasting event at 511 2nd Street for the Friend Historical Society’s fundraiser to be held on September 24, 2009.
RESOLUTION #09-07
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, SALINE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION OF THE FRIEND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, FOR A SPECIAL DESIGNATED PERMIT UNDER THE NEBRASKA LIQUOR CONTROL ACT, TO SERVE/SELL WINE DURING THE RIEDEL WINE TASTING EVENT AT 511 2ND STREET, FOR THE FRIEND HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S FUNDRAISER TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2009 IN THE CITY OF FRIEND. THE SAID SPECIAL DESIGNATED PERMIT TO BE LIMITED TO THE INSIDE OF THE BUILDING AT 511 2ND STREET AND TO BE HELD BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 4:00 P.M. AND 12:00 A.M. MIDNIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2009, PURSUANT TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, AND THE NEBRASKA LIQUOR CONTROL ACT.
Motion to adopt Resolution No. 09-07 was made by Drake, seconded by Lawver. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Drake, Lawver, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Resolution No. 09-07 was adopted this 7th day of July, 2009.
Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates, gave his report. Patrick distributed to the Council and Mayor a record of attendance for “Family Night” and “Late Night Swim”, along with a written recommendation submitted to him by Mckenzie Fricke and Korey Goplin, managers from the pool, to change the pool hours of operation. (Copy of this recommendation is attached.) After discussion, Council approved the pool management’s recommendation to change the pool hours of operation as presented.
Mayor Vossler asked Gates about the managers’ hours worked during the last pay period. Mayor Vossler stated that both managers reported over 100 hours, and that it was his understanding that they were not to work over 100 hours. Gates stated there had been some problems with back-washing that required one of the managers to be back-washing three to four times daily (as opposed to once every three or four days). Gates said this problem, combined with a few other issues that have since been resolved, contributed to the need for the managers to work these hours. Although during this particular pay period the need for the excessive hours was unavoidable, Gates did talk to the managers about working over 100 hours and they indicated to him that, until now, they had not been aware of this limit. This should not be an issue in the future.
Bid letting for the new well was held on the 25th of June. Patrick Gates provided to the Council copies of the bid tabulation, along with a letter of recommendation from Kirkham Michael Consulting Engineers relating to the bids. Kirkham Michael’s recommendation was to award the bid to Sargent Drilling on their proposal of $206,849.64. Motion to accept Kirkham Michael’s recommendation and award the bid of $206,849.64 from Sargent Drilling for the municipal water well was made by Krause, seconded by Drake. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Krause, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Drake, seconded by Krause, to authorize Mayor Vossler to sign an agreement between the City of Friend and Kirkham Michael for Kirkham Michael to design the new well house and to submit the design plans for the new well house to the state health department. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Lawver, Schrock, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Bid letting for the wastewater treatment plant ultra violet disinfection facility was held on the 25th of June. Patrick Gates provided to the Council copies of the bid tabulation, along with a letter of recommendation from Kirkham Michael Consulting Engineers relating to the bids. Kirkham Michael’s recommendation was to award the bid to Thomas Construction on their proposal of $64,100.00. After discussion, motion to accept Kirkham Michael’s recommendation and award the bid from Thomas Construction of $64,100.00 for the Friend wastewater treatment plant ultra violet disinfection facility project was made by Lawver, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Schrock, Krause, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Relating to new electrical service for the school addition, discussion was had on what the anticipated cost would be to the City to provide this service. This would be located on the west side of the addition and encompass the entire school, replacing the service that is currently in the alley. The estimated cost of the City’s portion, which includes the transformer, the pad, CTs for metering, the meter socket, new pole, and all accessories to power up the new transformer, is $34,000. From the transformer into the building will be the school’s expense. Further discussion will be had on this project next month.
Mayor Vossler asked Patrick Gates when he was planning to begin repairing streets. Gates said he is ready to begin patching/repairing and tarring streets now, and will prioritize the order in which areas are done at the direction of the Mayor and Council.
Patrick Gates, Mayor Vossler, and the Council had discussion relating to the ballfield and its need for improvements. Mr. Gates informed them that there will be a camp held at the ballfield on the 13th and 14th, but that sometime after the camp, and before high school ball begins, would like to meet with Dale Lawver and Billy Baugh to address these improvement issues. Harlan Schrock stated that the Friend School Board will be discussing this at their next meeting and that there will be an individual out of Omaha attending to present different improvement options to the School Board for their consideration. Mr. Gates indicated that he would try to attend this meeting to find out what proposed options were being offered by this individual and to be available to offer his input.
Police Chief, Mark McFarland submitted his police report to the Council for the month of June. (Copy of this report is attached.) McFarland reported that he has been in contact with an individual regarding a building that was moved into town that has yet to be moved onto a foundation. McFarland said this individual intends to get this taken care of tomorrow.
Newly hired police officer, R.B. (Brian) McFarland, attended the meeting and was administered the oath of office to perform the duties of the office of police officer.
Building Inspector, Mark Stutzman, gave his report. Mr. Stutzman presented to the Council an article relating to building permits and what types of construction/projects require permits in Friend and within 1 mile of Friend. After discussion, it was decided to publish this article in the Sentinel twice a year as a reminder to residents of what is required. Mr. Stutzman also informed the Mayor and Council that he is preparing a procedural list that will be available at City Hall for anyone planning construction project(s).
Renewal of membership for the Southeast Nebraska Development District for July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 was discussed. Discussion was also had relating to a dues support request for membership to a program offered through SENDD for assistance with accessing funds to improve the quality and quantity of housing stock within the corporate boundaries. After consideration, motion was made by Lawver, seconded by Drake, to approve renewal of membership to the Southeast Nebraska Development District for July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009 and to decline, at this time, participating in the program offered for assistance with accessing funds to improve the quality and quantity of housing stock within the corporate boundaries. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Lawver, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was had relating to the Saline County Eldercare Coalition 2009-2010 annual funding request. Amount of request is $2,761. After discussion and consideration, motion was made by Drake, seconded by Krause, to approve the request of $2,761 for the Saline County Eldercare Coalition 2009-2010 annual funding allocation request for Friend. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Lawver, Drake, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Drake to approve the Saline County Area Transit 2009-2010 town allocation request from Friend for $2,083. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Krause, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Discussion was had relating to the City’s contribution toward funding the Fourth of July fireworks. Motion to contribute $2000 to support the Friend Fourth of July fireworks display was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Drake, Schrock. Lawver abstained. Nays none. Motion carried.
Property south of the Nickel building, between Maple and Chestnut, and Highway 6 and 2nd Street, was discussed. Dave Nickel attended the meeting to discuss the issue of people driving through this area. This is Mr. Nickel’s private property and not public property to be used to access the alley in order to utilize the post office box. Measures to prevent individuals from driving through this private property were discussed. No action was taken at this time, however it was suggested that Mr. Nickel post “private property” signs in an attempt to encourage individuals to access the alley from the highway and to make individuals aware that this property is not for public access.
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, Lawver, Drake, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
