12/01/2009 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 1, 2009
Mayor Vossler called the regular 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.
Mayor, James Vossler, presided and City Clerk, Debbie Gilmer, recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Stanley Krause, Dale Lawver, and Dan Drake. Harlan Schrock and Attorney Mullally were 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 accepted at this time. Belinda Crompton addressed the Mayor and Council and said she has not yet received records she requested at the City Council meeting held in November. Ms. Crompton had requested copies of police reports and financial disclosure for the time period from 5/26/08 to 5/30/09. Ms. Crompton questioned Mark McFarland about stray dogs and where they were being housed. McFarland responded by saying he thought Officer Brian McFarland had taken a few to the facility in Exeter, but would have to confer with him and get back to Ms. Crompton with this information.
Motioned by Krause, seconded by Lawver to approve the Minutes of the November 3, 2009 regular meeting, and the November 2009 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the November 3, 2009 regular meeting minutes, and the November 2009 Treasurer's Report, Drake, Krause, Lawver. Nays none. Schrock absent. Motion carried.
Motioned by Lawver, seconded by Drake to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital financial report for the month of October. On roll call voting aye to approve the October 2009 Warren Memorial Hospital financial report, Drake, Krause, Lawver. Nays none. Schrock absent. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Drake, seconded by Krause, 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, Krause. Nays none. Schrock absent. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: November Payroll, 17,766.95; Ameritas, 1733.53; EFTPS, 5420.97; BVH, su 403.47; Baker & Taylor, su 237.55; Beatrice Concrete, su 877.57; Black Hills Energy, se 319.71; Central States, su, 13,494.03; City of Friend CDBG Acct, 16,000.00; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; D&D Comm, se 229.30; Danko, su 46.21; Discover, su 505.51; EMS Billing, se 249.98; Eakes, su 47.53; Farmers Coop, su & se 1322.11; Friend Country Club, se 736.00; Friend Insurance, fe 100.00; Friend Sentinel, fe 59.69; Frontier County Ambulance, re 120.40; Galaxy Cable, se 39.95; Gale, su 47.18; Patrick Gates, re 116.36; Gene’s Electric, se & su 6244.85; Great Plains One-Call, se 8.91; Hach, su 81.13; Johnson Pharmacy, su 69.66; Jr Library Guild, su 38.16; Kirkham Michael, fe 5411.00; Konica, fe 73.05; Menards, su 664.38; Midwest Labs, se 97.41; Michael Mullally, fe 612.00; Muni Emergency Svcs, su 305.41; Muni Supply, su 1217.18; NE Dept of Rev, SWH, 704.98, Sales & Use Tax, 5838.00; NE Muni Power Pool, fe 5397.00; NE Public Health Env, se 403.00; NE Public Power, se 44,497.08; NMC, su 360.32; Norris Public Power, se. 3901.95; Office Cash, su 105.02; Principal Mutual, fe 3974.81; Saline County Clerk, fe 5.50; Sargent Drilling, se & fe 591.75 & 24,764.37; Shell Fleet Plus, su 200.96; Marvin Slepicka, fe 750.00; Mark Stutzman, fe 840.00; The Garbage Co, se 203.07; UMB, bond payment 99,457.39; Windstream, se 751.19; Verizon, se 515.68. Total Claims Approved $268,209.21.
Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates, gave his report. Mr. Gates reported that he received notice of settlement from Big Iron Auction stating that the City’s 1970 Motor Grader sold on November 25th for $3,971. The City’s balance due, after deducting Big Iron’s commission is $3,573.90.
Patrick Gates informed the Mayor and Council that he received application for payment from Kirkham Michael for construction of the new water well. After discussion, motion was made by Krause, seconded by Drake, to approve Progress Estimate No. 2 in the amount of $24,764.37 for Sargent Drilling, contractor for construction of the Friend Municipal Water Well. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Drake, Krause. Nays none. Schrock absent. Motion carried.
Mr. Gates updated the Mayor and Council on the status of the wastewater treatment plant ultraviolet disinfection project. Gates also reported on the Chestnut Street culvert project.
Councilman Drake requested Gates follow up on improvements/repairs at the community building.
Police Chief, Mark McFarland submitted his police report to the Council for the month of November 2009. (Copy of this report is attached.)
Building Inspector, Mark Stutzman, informed the Council that he has approached the elevator about the necessity of building permit applications for future building projects. Mr. Stutzman reported of two building permit applications that were approved. One for Friend Freightways, new office and one for Eric Bresson, addition to home.
Nothing reported for the Friend Fire Department.
Nothing reported for the hospital.
A personnel handbook for the City employees and officers was discussed. Mayor Vossler and Council requested employees review the sample handbook that has been proposed by Dale Lawver and offer feedback for consideration at the January, 2010 meeting.
New computer equipment and software for Gilbert Library was discussed briefly. Mayor Vossler and Council suggested member(s) of the Library Board contact Patrick Gates for his input before making any final decisions on this proposed purchase.
Jim Ryan attended the meeting to present to the Mayor and Council a unanimous recommendation from the Friend Industrial Development Corporation that the Friend City Council approve a $25,000 loan from the CDBG recycle loan fund, to Sherry Lawton and Cara Potter, dba “Pour House”. Terms of the loan to be:
- $25,000
- 5 year term
- 3% interest
- monthly payments secured by a 1st lien on inventory and all items not considered leasehold improvements
After discussion, motion was made by Drake, seconded by Krause, to accept the recommendation from the Friend Industrial Development Corporation to approve a $25,000 loan from the CDBG recycle loan fund, to Sherry Lawton and Cara Potter, dba “Pour House” on a 5-year, 3% note with monthly payments secured by a 1st lien on inventory and all items not considered leasehold improvements. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Krause, and Drake. Nays none. (Schrock absent.) Motion carried.
Discussion was had regarding the Friend Volunteer Fire Department purchasing real estate to be used for parking and potential site for a future storage building. A public hearing will be held at a later date to receive comments on this.
Mayor Vossler announced he would now give the Council his recommendations for new appointments to various boards and committees for vacant positions created by expired terms in 2010, as well as annual appointments. The Mayor’s appointments for 2010 are as follows:
(Mayor is member of all standing committees.) Utilities-Drake & Lawver; Finance-Council; Street & Alley-Krause & Lawver; Park-Gates & Council; Police-Schrock & Drake; Chief of Police-McFarland; City Attorney (Civil)-Mullally; Prosecuting Attorney-Eickman; City Engineers-Kirkham Michael; City Clerk-Gilmer; Sewer & Water Commissioner-Gates; Light Commissioner-Gates; Street Commissioner-Gates; Superintendent of Utilities-Gates; Building Inspector-Stutzman; City Physician-Dr. McKeeman; Solid Waste Management Coalition- Mayor Vossler; Housing Authority-Marvin Krause; Health Board-Ray Rohrig; Planning Commission-Max Kellough & Jean Talley; Community Betterment Chairperson-Bill Bode & Les Weber; Fire Inspector-Brent Milton; Cemetery Board-Richard Thompson & Roger Brandt; Library Board-Margo Houlden; Community Redevelopment Authority-Anita Meyer. (A complete list of committees and committee members is available at City Hall for review upon request.)
Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Drake, to accept Mayor Vossler’s presented recommended appointments for 2010. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Drake, Krause. Nays none. Schrock absent. Motion carried.
Mayor Vossler announced that the election of the President of the Council was now in order. Motion was made by Lawver nominating Stanley Krause for President of the City Council. Drake seconded Lawver’s nomination of Stanley Krause for President and motioned that nominations cease. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Lawver, Drake. Nays none. Schrock absent. Motion carried thereby electing Stanley Krause as President of the Council.
Motion to enter into executive session at 5:42 p.m. for discussion relating to City equipment was made by Krause, seconded by Drake. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Krause, Drake. Nays none. Schrock absent. Motion carried.
Motion to return to regular session was made by Lawver, seconded by Drake. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Lawver, Drake. Nays none. Schrock absent. Regular session reconvened at 5:50 p.m.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Krause, seconded by Drake, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Drake, Krause. Nays none. Schrock absent. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:51 p.m.
