05/06/2008 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
MAY 6, 2008
Mayor Vossler called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:04 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: Dan Fricke, Dale Lawver, and Harlan Schrock. Dan Drake was absent. 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 accepted at this time. No comments were offered.
Motioned by Schrock, seconded by Fricke, to approve the Minutes of the April 8, 2008 regular meeting, and the April 2008 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the Minutes of the April 8, 2008 regular meeting, and the April 2008 Treasurer's Report, Lawver, Schrock, Fricke. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Fricke, seconded by Lawver, to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital financial reports for March 2008. On roll call voting aye to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital financial reports for March 2008, Schrock, Fricke, Lawver. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Lawver, 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, Fricke, Lawver, Schrock. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: April Payroll, 23,813.25; Ameritas, 2361.01; EFTPS, 7917.54; Alltel Cellular, se. 471.56; Ameritas, bond int & princ, 13,995.00; Anderson, Don, re. 255.19; Aquila, se. 394.87; BVH, su. 19.61; Baker & Taylor, su. 155.24; Beatrice Concrete, su. 1174.32; Blue Blossom, 34.08; Brandenburgh Disposal, se. 555.04; Brock Enterprises, fe. 21,027.00; Brothers Equip, su. 2.72; Burlington Northern, fe. 795.68; Central States Lab., su. 15,605.11; Crete Lumber, su. 641.67; Culligan, se. 72.00; Demco, su. 34.80; Discover, su. 2521.10; EMC Ins, 138.00; Exeter Lumber, su. 52.80; Farmer’s Coop, su. 1941.66; Friend VFD, re. 328.00; Friend Medical Center, fe. 304.00; Friend Public School, 25.00; Galaxy Cable, se. 45.43; Patrick Gates, re. 29.54; Gene’s Electric, se. & su. 23,491.35; Great Plains One-Call, fe. 18.00; Jack Keef Motors, se. 58.49; Johnson Pharmacy, su. 113.73; Jr Library Guild, su. 37.50; Konica, fe. 73.05; Jackie Larsen, re. 13.72; Menards, su. 2376.19; Midwest Labs, su. 7.78; Michael Mullally, fe. 807.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH, 1257.68 & Sales & Use Tax, 4869.06; NE Public Health Lab, se. 543.00; NE Public Power, su. 33,003.13; Norris Public Power, se. 3685.60; OMB Police Supply, su. 54.49; Office Cash, su. 97.40; Pioneer Publishing, fe. 173.88; Postmaster, su. 42.50; Principal Mutual, fe. 3627.16; Roman Wiemer & Assocs, fe. 4285.00; Ross Repair, su. 11.00; Saline Cnty Treas, su. 62.25; Shell, 361.27; Marvin Slepicka, fe. 750.00; SCC, fe. 15.00; Steve’s Repair, se. 51.45; The Depository Trust, bond int. pmt, 8680.00; The Garbage Co, se. 185.49; United Seeds, su. 1755.00; Anthony Whitmore, re. 2348.46; Windstream, se. 531.84; Young’s, se. 2993.18. Total Claims Approved $186,222.81.
Mayor Vossler shared with the Council a card of thanks from the family of Olive Anderson (Bookkeeper, Don Anderson’s mother) for the memorial sent at the time of her death.
B.J. Fictum, Coordinator from Saline County Emergency Management Association, was in attendance to extend an invitation to anyone interested in attending a meeting at the Saline Center on May 21st dealing with Hazard Mitigation planning efforts in this area and how area communities and organizations are involved.
Patrick Gates, Utilities Superintendent, gave his report. Gates discussed with the Council legislative bill, LB245, relating to fluoridation. The bill requires fluoridation of the human drinking water supply of any city and village with a population of 1,000 or more persons unless the city or village has sufficient amounts of naturally occurring fluoride in its water supply. LB245 provides that the voters of the city may adopt an ordinance to prohibit the adding of fluoride to the water supply of the City. The ordinance may be placed on the ballot by a majority vote of the governing body of the city. (This must be done prior to June of 2010.) After discussing, Gates requested Council’s permission to gather and publish information relating to the impact this may have on the citizens of Friend. Gates also requested approval from the Council to proceed with any action(s) necessary to get this issue on the election ballot in November. Council approved.
Mr. Gates said the portion of the work to be done in Friend relating to the Cordova water project has begun at 4th and State Streets. Gates said the project plan shows the main being placed on the north side of 4th Street, however due to gas lines, existing water lines, trees, etc. on the north, he recommends the trenching and placement of the main be relocated to the south side. With this change, tubing will be required for two driveways. After discussing, Council approved of relocating the main to the south side of 4th Street, and the City providing tubing for the two affected driveways.
Mr. Gates reported on the progress of the lake restoration project. The lake area has been seeded. Discussion was had regarding the trails. Gates said he contacted Consolidated Sand and Gravel and they suggested the use of a crushed rock by-product. This type of material will work well in making the trail useable now, and will be suitable to pour concrete over when the project reaches that phase. After discussion, Council approved the purchase of the rock by-product to be used for the trail around the lake.
Mr. Gates presented to the Council a proposal for wages for the 2008 Friend Swimming Pool staff. After review and discussion, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Lawver to approve the wages as proposed by Patrick Gates for the 2008 Friend Swimming Pool staff. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Lawver. Nays none. Fricke abstained. Drake absent. Motion carried.
Police Chief, Mark McFarland gave his Police Report for April 2008. McFarland said there were 23 calls for service for the month of April. He reported that the Friend Police Department received a grant from the Office of Highway Safety for a radar unit and that matching funding was received from the Norris Public Power Goodwill Fund program.
Anthony Whitmore was introduced as the new Police Officer for the City of Friend. Officer Whitmore read and signed the Police Officer Oath of Office, which was attested and signed by Mayor Vossler.
Building Inspector, Mark Stutzman attended the meeting and reported that he had received an application for a building permit for a car port. Mr. Stutzman said he could find nothing relating to carports in the Friend City Code and asked the Council for their input. Although no objections were made, it was suggested that footings be required and, if the structure is metal, that it be painted.
At last month’s meeting, Stanley Krause informed the Council that he had been in contact with Greg Ricenbaw about the main conference room table and asked that Mr. Ricenbaw provide an estimate of the cost to replace/repair the veneer. An estimate of approximately $800 was received from Mr. Ricenbaw. No action was taken at this time.
On behalf of the Lion’s Club, Mark Stutzman reported to the Council on the status of the project they have been planning for the entrance of the Community Building. Mr. Stutzman said one reason progress on this project has been delayed is due to the cost. Discussion was had regarding utilizing volunteers to help with the labor and construction in an effort to reduce the cost(s). Eliminating the steps from the redesign plans and replacing them with a 5-foot wide concrete walkway/ramp was also discussed as a way to reduce the overall cost of this project.
Discussion was had regarding property on Second Street, between State and Walnut. The owner, Gary Gill, has contacted a Councilmember about the possibility of gifting this property to the City. After discussion and consideration, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Lawver to not accept the offer of gifting this property to the City of Friend. On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Lawver, Schrock. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
Mayor Vossler informed the Council that Bill Sand requested a replacement for his position on the Friend Housing Authority. Mayor Vossler recommended to the Council that they accept his appointment of Marvin Kraus to fulfill the remainder of Mr. Sand’s term on this Board. Motion to approve Mayor Vossler’s recommended appointment of Marvin Kraus to fulfill the remainder of Bill Sand’s term to expire in 2009 on the Friend Housing Authority was made by Fricke, seconded by Lawver. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Fricke, Lawver. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
With no further business to come before the Council, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Fricke, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Schrock, Fricke. Nays none. Drake absent. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
