06/03/2008 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 3, 2008
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.
The Mayor, James Vossler, presided and City Clerk, Debbie Gilmer, recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Dan Fricke, Dale Lawver, Dan Drake, and Harlan Schrock. 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.
Motioned by Fricke, seconded by Lawver, to approve the Minutes of the May 6, 2008 regular meeting, and the May 2008 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the Minutes of the May 6, 2008 regular meeting, and the May 2008 Treasurer's Report, Schrock, Fricke, Lawver. Nays none. Drake abstained. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Drake, to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital financial reports for April 2008. On roll call voting aye to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital financial reports for April 2008, Fricke, Schrock, Lawver, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
After questions were addressed regarding claims for the general fund, the Light Department and the Park and Recreation Department, 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, Drake, Schrock, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: May Payroll, 17,972.30; Ameritas, 1591.73; EFTPS, 5976.13; Acco, su. 786.50; Alltel Cellular, se. 472.52; Anderson, Don, re. 285.42; Aquila, se. 204.58; BVH, su. 9.18; Baker & Taylor, su. 207.00; Bauers Trucking, su. 1552.39; Blue Blossom, su. 67.71; Bonsall Pool, su. 103.30; Brothers Equip, su. 11.16; Castle Const, fe. 15,975.52; Central States Lab., su. 11,934.65; Consumer Reports, su. 26.00; Crete Lumber, su. 115.96; D&D Comm, su. 191.27; Discover, su. 954.84; EMS, 294.42; Eakes, su. 34.96; Exeter Lumber, su. 141.64; Farmer’s Coop, su. 1842.92; Fireguard, su. 1548.77; First National Bank, fe. 15.00; Flagworks, su. 59.00; Galaxy Cable, se. 45.43; Gale, su. 47.19; Deborah Gates, se. 25.00; Mechaela Gates, se. 25.00; Gene’s Electric, se. & su. 1742.40; Debbie Gilmer, re. 21.84; Great Plains One-Call, fe. 31.13; Gregg Johnson-Ent., se. 535.50; Johnson Pharmacy, su. 130.59; Knowledge Ind, su. 139.90; Konica, fe. 73.05; Lincoln Winnelson, su. 348.42; Menards, su. 798.73; Michael Mullally, fe. 984.00; Muni Emergency Su., su. 100.00; Muni Su of NE, su. 1401.22; NE Dept of Rev, SWH, 922.15 & Sales & Use Tax, 4217.63; NE Public Health Lab, se. 30.00; NE Crime Comm, su. 7.00; NE Public Power, su. 29,500.80; NE Pump Co., su. 1725.00; NE EMS Conf, fe. 150.00; Nick’s Farm Store, se. 376.44; Norris Public Power, se. 3685.60; Pioneer Publishing, fe. 218.36; Postmaster, su. 47.88; Principal Mutual, fe. 2956.80; Reiman Publ, su. 14.98; Ross Repair, su. 11.00; Saline County Eldercare, fe. 2576.00; Shell, 434.11; Marvin Slepicka, fe. 750.00; The Garbage Co, se. 185.49; The Radar Shop, se. 78.00; Bob Theis, se. 144.23; Windstream, se. 631.53; Yokel’s, su. 141.93; Young’s, se. 196.69. Total Claims Approved $117,825.89.
Kim Buser from the Saline County Eldercare Coalition attended the meeting. Ms. Buser discussed activities and services provided by Saline County Eldercare. To maintain the level of services currently available to Saline County residents, the Saline County Eldercare Coalition is requesting local support. SCEC is requesting each town in the county allocate $6.25 for each elderly citizen residing in their census area, plus a $270 base to fund the toll-free phone line. The County will be asked to allocate the same rate for each rural citizen that resides in the County outside the census areas of the towns. The city of Friend is requested to contribute $2,576. Motion to approve the Saline County Eldercare Coalition Annual Appropriation Request of $2,576 for 2008-2009 was made by Fricke, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Lawver, Schrock, Fricke. Nays none. Motion carried.
Mayor Vossler read the following proposed resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 08-07
RESOLUTION FOR PARTICIPATION IN
ALL-HAZARDS MITIGATION PLANNING
-Villages, Schools and Other Entities-
Whereas a joint All-Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies the vulnerability of public bodies to natural or man-made hazards and the projects that can be implemented to reduce or eliminate vulnerability exposure, and
Whereas FEMA now requires that any public entity must have a current All-Hazards Mitigation Plan in place before they are eligible for Federal funding for hazard mitigation projects and mitigation efforts resulting from natural disaster, and
Whereas the Little Blue and Lower Big Blue Natural Resources Districts are proposing to serve as the coordinating agencies for the development of a multi-jurisdictional All-Hazards Mitigation Plan for their respective Districts and a nine-county area including all of Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Nuckolls, Saline, Thayer, Webster and all associated local governmental entities for which hazard mitigation planning is desirable, and
Whereas the City of Friend desires to participate in the multi-jurisdictional All-Hazards Mitigation Planning process for the benefit of the public we serve, therefore be it
Resolved that the governing board of the City of Friend hereby states its willingness to participate in the proposed All-Hazards Mitigation Planning process described above and will attend necessary meetings and participate in those activities necessary to complete an effective plan for our entity.
Motion to approve proposed Resolution No. 08-07 was made by Schrock, seconded by Drake. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Fricke, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Resolution No. 08-07 was passed and approved June 3, 2008.
Patrick Gates, Utilities Superintendent, gave his report. Gates introduced Brian Claycomb, Construction Manager with JEO Consulting Group, Inc. Mr. Claycomb attended the meeting to present an application for payment from Van Kirk Brothers Contracting, Inc. relating to the Cordova Water Main Project. After discussion, motion to approve the Application for Payment No. 1 from Van Kirk Brothers Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $73,235.32, contingent upon the City’s receipt of payment from the Village of Cordova for the Cordova Water Main Project, was made by Drake, seconded by Lawver. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Drake, Fricke, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Brian Claycomb explained that a change order for the Application for Payment No. 1 for the Cordova Water Main Project will be necessary due to a change in the placement of the pipe. The pipe was placed along the south side of 3rd Street and the original plans were to run the pipe down the north side of 3rd Street. Claycomb requested Council approve Mayor Vossler to sign and execute this change order upon receipt. After discussion, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Fricke to authorize Mayor Vossler to sign this change order upon receipt, providing it does not exceed the original contract amount. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Schrock, Fricke, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried.
Patrick Gates reported to the Council regarding the May 8th meeting he had with Becky Hauffle from Inspro and the underwriter from EMC to review the status of the recent loss control recommendations the City received from Inspro. Gates said they were very pleased with the progress and improvements that have been completed.
Patrick Gates reported that he received the contract with notice to proceed for the Safe Routes to School Program. Gates said he will be meeting with Rick Zubrod from Kirkham Michael Consulting Engineers tomorrow to review this contract.
Relating to the Friend Lake Restoration Project, Gates reported on problems with the retaining wall, as well as a problem of the lake leaking. Mr. Gates said he has discussed the problems relating to the wall with a representative from the company that the wall came from. It was the representative’s suggestion to correct this problem that we get the water level down and seal the seams/joints in the wall with a special caulk/sealant. He informed Mr. Gates that this method has been used before and has proven to be successful. Gates said he would like to try this recommended solution, but with Council’s approval will first confer with the City Engineer for his opinion. After discussion Council advised Mr. Gates to approach the City Engineer regarding this problem and get input on how this problem should be resolved. Gates agreed.
Mr. Gates provided the Mayor and Council a copy of the Contractor’s Progress Estimate Number 3 (Final) for Castle Construction, Inc. for the Friend Lake Restoration Project. This estimate was drafted and submitted by Kirkham Michael Engineers. This final application has been reduced considerably ($24,746) as approximately 4100 yards of dirt is missing and the amount of dirt at the cemetery is approximately 2200 cubic yards less than the amount of dirt they are claiming to have hauled to the cemetery. After discussion, motion was made by Drake to approve the Contractor’s Progress Estimate Number 3 (Final) to Castle Construction, Inc. in the amount of $15,975.52 for completion of the Friend Lake Restoration Project. This motion was seconded by Fricke. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Drake, Lawver, Fricke. Nays none. Motion carried.
The late opening of the swimming pool was delayed due to a few reasons. One reason being the circulation pump was not here in time to fill the pool. Another reason was the pool needed to be repainted due to vandalism that had occurred. There was a considerable amount of vandalism at the park which included the pool being painted, the diving board being painted, the train car being painted, and some street signs were damaged.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services visited the pool and identified issues needing to be addressed, one issue being the depth of the water at the end of the new slide. Gates and the Council discussed possible solutions to this issue. Gates will continue to work with the NDHHS and the engineer(s) on this and will keep the Council current on the status. Further consideration and review on the replacement of the deck was also included in their inspection report.
Police Chief, Mark McFarland gave his Police Report for May 2008. McFarland said there were 49 calls for service for the month of May. (Copy of this report is attached.)
Fire Chief, Brent Milton, said once appropriate permit(s) and paperwork are in place the Fire Department will proceed with burning the old liquor store located on Highway 6. Providing all conditions are favorably, this will be done June 23rd.
Councilman, Dan Drake, reported on the finances for Warren Memorial Hospital. (Copy of the financial report is available at City Hall for viewing.) Mr. Drake stated that the votes relating to the formation of the proposed hospital district have been certified by the County. The process of selecting the board members is now being considered.
Discussion was had regarding property on Second Street, between State and Walnut. This property was deeded to the City by Gary and Linda Gill. After discussion, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Lawver, to authorize Mayor Vossler to sign a Quitclaim Deed deeding the property back to Gary and Linda Gill. On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Drake, Lawver, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Dale Lawver, Captain of the Friend Volunteer Fire Department, requested Council’s approval to purchase fireworks for the City’s annual Fourth of July celebration. Council approved.
At 8:51 p.m., motion to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing a potential business negotiation to rent property for storage was made by Schrock, seconded by Lawver. On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Lawver, Schrock, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion to return to regular session was made by Fricke, seconded by Drake. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Schrock, Fricke, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried. Regular session resumed at 8:59 p,m.
Motion to rent a portion of the old Horner building on Main Street from Keith Clouse for a fee of $250 per month to be used for storage was made by Lawver, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Drake, Schrock, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried.
Councilman Schrock thanked Patrick Gates and Debbie Gilmer for their efforts in compiling information for the correspondence forwarded to the Department of Justice relating to ADA issues.
With no further business to come before the Council, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Schrock, seconded by Drake. On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Lawver, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
