08/04/2009 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 4, 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, Dan Drake, and Harlan Schrock. (Councilmember Dale Lawver was not yet present.) City Attorney, Mike Mullally was not 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.
Motioned by Drake, seconded by Krause to approve the Minutes of the July 7, 2009 regular meeting, and the July 2009 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the July 7 2009 regular meeting minutes and the July 2009 Treasurer's Report, Schrock, Krause, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Councilman Dale Lawver now present at 7:04 p.m.
Motioned by Schrock, seconded by Krause to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital financial report for the month of June. On roll call voting aye to approve the June 2009 Warren Memorial Hospital financial report, Lawver, Drake, Krause, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Drake, 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, Krause, Schrock, Lawver, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: July Payroll, 25,860.95; ACCO, su 1371.00; Alltel Cellular, 443.72; Ameritas, 1934.79; EFTPS, 8034.63; Don Anderson, re 237.43; BVH, su 11.73; Baker & Taylor, su 130.80; Barco Muni Su, su 623.02; Beatrice Concrete, su 277.20; Black Hills Energy, fe 119.19; Blue Blossom, 44.73; Bonsall Pool, su 116.68; Central States Lab., su 23,259.73; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; Crete True Value, su 27.55; Culligan, se 83.00; Discover, su 2593.74; EMS Billing, se 288.04; Eakes, su 3.79; Exeter Lumber, su 14.90; Farmers Coop, su & se 2134.47; Fireguard, su 28.00; Frank Eret Const, fe 3700.00; Friend Park & Rec, su 130.00; Friend Sentinel, fe 187.11; FVFD, re 2100.00; Galaxy Cable, se 45.43; Gale, su 47.18; Gene’s Electric, se & su 5895.00; Highsmith, su 41.99; Hinkeldey Const, se 1060.00; Johnson Hardware, su 248.00; Johnson Pharmacy, su 75.82; Jr Library Guild, su 38.16; Kirkham Michael, fe 3540.00; Konica, fe 73.05; Jackie Larsen, re 4.49; Menards, su 24.75; Michael Mullally, fe 492.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH, 1129.86, Sales & Use Tax, 5531.09; NE Public Health, se 12.00; NE Public Power, se 65,818.41; NE Envir Prod, su 1974.37; Nick’s Farm Store, su 33.63; Norris Public Power, se. 3901.95; Pioneer Publ, su 101.00; Principal Mutual, fe 3699.26; Ross Repair, se 32.00; Shell Fleet Plus, su 210.90; Marvin Slepicka, fe 750.00; TV Svc, su 34.99; The Garbage Co, se 203.07; Windstream, se 782.78; Wingate Inn, 197.92; Young’s Welding, se 660.48. Total Claims Approved $170,665.78.
Debbie Gilmer informed the Mayor and Council that The Garbage Company will no longer be offering the “orange bag” garbage pick up service to their customers. After discussion, the Mayor and Council requested that the two companies currently providing garbage service to the community be contacted to see if they would consider any alternative to replace the “orange bag” pick up service. Debbie Gilmer will contact The Garbage Company and Ron’s Refuse to see if any alternative options are available.
Jim Ryan attended the meeting on behalf of the Friend Industrial Development Corporation. Darwin Schluter also attended the meeting representing Friend Freightways. Mr. Schluter explained to the Council that Friend Freightways has applied for a CDBG Reuse Loan for construction of a new office building. Mr. Ryan informed the Council that the Friend Industrial Development Corporation voted unanimously to recommend approval to the Friend City Council of a loan from the CDBG Reuse Loan Fund to Friend Freightways, in the amount not to exceed $40,000 for the construction of a new office building. After discussion, motion was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock, to accept the Friend Industrial Development Corporation’s recommendation to approve a loan to Friend Freightways in the amount not to exceed $40,000 for the construction of a new office building. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Lawver, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Jim Ryan informed the Mayor and Council that the Friend Industrial Development Corporation voted to recommend approval to the Friend City Council of a request by Jerry and Teresa Boeck (Therizo, Inc.) to refinance and expand their operation and change subordinate position to the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Milligan. After discussion, motion was made by Lawver, seconded by Krause, to accept the recommendation of the Friend Industrial Development Corporation to approve request by Jerry and Teresa Boeck (Therizo, Inc.) to refinance and expand their operation and change subordinate position to the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Milligan. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Schrock, Lawver, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates, gave his report. The following items were included in Gates’ report.
- Sanitary survey of the drinking water system.
- Status of wastewater treatment facility following violation notice.
- Agreement of understanding with Friend Public Schools for use of the ball field.
- Contracts for engineering services for the construction phase services for the new water well ($12,400), and for engineering services in connection with the construction phase of the proposed wastewater treatment upgrade project ($7,900).
- Issues with the well at the shop.
- Recent storm damage and status of clean up.
- Street repairs.
- Budget preparation for 2009/2010.
After discussion, Schrock motioned to approve Mayor Vossler to sign “Agreement of Understanding” with Friend Public School for use of the Friend Ballfield from August 1, 2009 to October 31, 2009 in accordance with the requirements and information regarding the terms for requested usage contained in this “Agreement”. This motion was seconded by Lawver. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Lawver, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried. (Copy of this agreement attached.)
Motion was made by Drake to approve contract with Kirkham Michael to provide professional engineering services for the construction phase services for construction of the water well and building foundation for a lump sum fee of twelve thousand four hundred dollars ($12,400), and to approve contract with Kirkham Michael to provide professional engineering services in connection with the construction phase of the proposed Ultraviolet Light Disinfection Unit at the wastewater treatment plant for a lump sum fee of seven thousand nine hundred dollars ($7,900). This motion was seconded by Lawver. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Lawver, Drake, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
During discussion relating to street repairs, Gates requested Council’s permission to temporarily lease a jackhammer for the skid loader. Council approved.
Friend Public Schools submitted a request to the City Council for an easement for a fireline on the west side of the schoolhouse. This easement would allow the current building project plans to relocate the fireline and service approximately 9 feet west of the current location. Motion was made by Drake, seconded by Krause to approve the school’s request for an easement for the fireline to be moved west of the current location, and that proper legal description is provided for this easement, and that all expenses incurred relating to this be paid by Friend Public Schools. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Krause, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Police Chief, Mark McFarland submitted his police report to the Council for the month of July. (Copy of this report is attached.)
Fire Chief, Brent Milton, reported on behalf of the Friend Volunteer Fire Department. Chief Milton said there are two houses the Department will be burning when conditions allow. One house is located across from the United Methodist Church and the other house is located along Highway 6.
Ray Rohrig, Captain of the Friend Rescue Squad, reported for the Squad. Captain Rohrig presented to the Mayor and Council proposed rate changes he received from EMS Billing Services, Inc. (Copy of this proposal is attached.) Rohrig informed the Mayor and Council that it was the recommendation of the Friend Rescue Squad to accept the proposed rate changes as presented. Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Lawver, to approve Friend Rescue Squad’s recommendation and accept the proposed rate changes for rescue services as presented. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Krause, Lawver, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Schrock, to approve a 1% increase in the 2008-2009 funds subject to limitation (as allowable by law) for fiscal year 2009-2010. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Schrock, Drake, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
It was decided to meet in special session for a budget “workshop” for the purpose of discussing the upcoming budget for 2009-2010 on Monday, August 17th at 7:00 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, Lawver, Schrock, Drake, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
