08/05/2008 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 5, 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.
Jim Ryan was in attendance and asked the Council if any agreement or understanding had been reached between the City and the Gropps relating to property Gropps own adjoining City property located on the 100 block between 1st and 2nd Street. Discussion was had at the previous Council meeting regarding the Gropps considering selling this property for the same price per square foot that the City would sell their property for in the event this opportunity would arise. Discussion was also had of the possibility of the Gropps gifting this property to the City as part of a pending agreement between the Gropps and the City of Friend relating to repairing the wall of a building located on this block that is also owned by the Gropps. No agreement was made and no action was taken relating to this issue at this time.
Motioned by Drake, seconded by Lawver, to approve the Minutes of the July 1, 2008 regular meeting, and the July 2008 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the Minutes of the July 1, 2008 regular meeting, and the July 2008 Treasurer's Report, Schrock, Fricke, Drake, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Fricke, to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital financial reports for June 2008. On roll call voting aye to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital financial reports for June 2008, Drake, Lawver, Fricke, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Drake, seconded by Lawver, 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, Drake. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: July Payroll, 24,953.94; Ameritas, 1608.96; EFTPS, 8114.21; Acco, su. 601.70; Alltel Cellular, se. 454.42; Anderson, Don, re. 237.43; Aquila, se. 172.65; Art on Display, se. 520.00; BVH, su. 2.18; Baker & Taylor, su. 27.22; Beatrice Concrete, su. 865.10; Beaver Hardware, su. 398.84; Blue Blossom, su. 368.82; Bonsall Pool, su. 151.34; Brothers Equip, su. 94.38; Brownells, su. 63.75; Central States Lab., su. 24,835.08; Crete Machine, se. 90.00; Crete True Value, su. 100.47; Lee DeBevoise, se. 404.70; Discover, su. 954.84; Drake Collision, se. 100.00; EMS, 69.29; Eakes, su. 8.28; Exeter Lumber, su. 100.00; Farmer’s Coop, su. 3322.96; Friend Insurance, fe. 200.00; Friend Sentinel, fe. 40.00; Galaxy Cable, se. 39.95; Gale, su. 47.60; Gene’s Electric, se. & su. 17,101.70; Jerry Gill, se. 325.00; Great Plains One-Call, fe. 8.08; Johnson Pharmacy, su. 67.24; Junior Library Guild, su. 74.16; Kirkham Michael, fe. 2984.14; Konica, fe. 73.05; League of NE Muni, fe. 1375.00; Lynn Peavey Co. su. 21.96; Menards, su. 227.14; Midwest Labs, se. 83.13; Mohrhoff Power Equip, se. 281.02; Michael Mullally, fe. 372.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH, 1196.44 & Sales & Use Tax, 4217.63; NE Public Power, su. 63,574.81; NE Vol Firefighters Trust, fe. 1518.69; Natl Geographic, su. 34.00; NE Power Review Board, fe. 85.23; Nick’s Farm Store, se. 166.00; Norris Public Power, se. 3685.60; Pioneer Publishing, fe. 132.54; Postmaster, su. 47.88; Principal Mutual, fe. 2973.92; Railroad Mgmt, fe. 82.50; Rasmussen Stewart, Inc. se. 32.50; Ray Rohrig, re. 353.70; Ross Repair, su. 20.00; Saline County Clerk, fe. 6.00; Sargent Drilling, se. 600.00; Sensus Metering System, 1320.00; Shell, 647.87; Marvin Slepicka, fe. 750.00; Styskal Irrigation, fe. 123.44; Summit Supply, su. 1844.28; TV Svc, se. 255.85; The Garbage Co, se. 1160.01; Warren Memorial Hosp, se. 187.85; Wells Fargo, fe. 400.00; West Bros, se. 247.00; Wingate, fe. 299.85; Windstream, se. 718.71; Yokel’s, su. 63.49; Young’s, se. 191.89. Total Claims Approved $.178,879.41
Mayor Vossler read the following proposed resolution:
RESOLUTION NO. 08-10
WHEREAS, In November, 2007, a motion was adopted by the City Council of Friend, Nebraska which transferred the financial and bookkeeping responsibilities of the Friend Ambulance Service from Warren Memorial Hospital to the City Treasurer of the City of Friend; and
WHEREAS, since the date of adoption of this motion, additional confusion has arisen regarding the appropriate governing body to which the Ambulance Service answers and reports to, whether the Warren Memorial Hospital Board, or the Friend City Council; and,
WHEREAS, it is necessary to clarify this issue in order to provide guidance to the members of the Ambulance Service;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA, that:
The City Council of the City of Friend, Nebraska shall be the appropriate and necessary governing body of the Friend Ambulance Service, who shall be responsible for providing reports as requested from time to time by the City Council with regard to its activities. This resolution is intended to govern the reporting responsibilities of the Ambulance Service retroactive to November, 2007.
After reading proposed Resolution No. 08-10, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Fricke to approve Resolution No. 08-10 relating to the Friend City Council acting as the governing body of the Friend Ambulance Service. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Drake, Fricke, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Resolution No. 08-10 was adopted and dated this 5th day of August, 2008.
Dave Zeilinger attended the meeting to discuss with the Council the possibility of making the alley between 2nd and 3rd Street, and Main and Maple Street into a one-way alley going south. Mr. Zeilinger said the prospective business(es) interested in moving into the building on the east side of this alley on 2nd Street would be interested in utilizing a drive-through window that would be accessible through this alley. Mr. Zeilinger wanted to clarify with the Mayor and Council that there wasn’t an ordinance in effect prohibiting the alley being designated one-way, or prohibiting the use of a drive-through window in this alley before closing a deal with either of these businesses. Concerns were expressed of trucks loading and unloading in this alley and how designating this alley as one-way would affect them. After discussion, it was decided that designating this alley for one-way traffic would not be considered at this time for a drive-through window to be utilized. It was agreed that Mr. Zeilinger and adjoining businesses/business owners be in agreement and work out any details necessary to accommodate businesses/business owners involved in the event drive-through window accessibility is utilized at this location.
Discussion was had regarding repair of the north wall of the Gropp building located at 124 Maple Street. Jeff Hinkeldey of Hinkeldey Construction submitted an estimate for Gropp’s and the City Council’s consideration to shorten the wall, cap the top, repair the corner of the building, and to fix cracks in the wall. Councilman Lawver suggested a proposal be offered by the City to the Gropps to split the cost (50/50) of the submitted bid from Hinkeldey Construction and upon completion of the repair work, release and transfer ownership of the City’s portion of the wall and all liability of the wall to the Gropps. An agreement was not reached at this time between the Gropp’s and the City Council as far as determining the financial responsibility of this necessary repair work. Mr. Hinkeldey was asked to recalculate his submitted bid, which he had broken down to be completed into three separate phases, and return with a bid for the repair (all three phases) to be completed at one time.
Next item on the agenda is discussion of an easement agreement with Tom Klein for placement of a sign for the City of Friend. Plans are to place a “welcome” sign on property Tom Klein owns on the west side of town. No action was taken at this time as no representative was in attendance for discussion on this matter.
Patrick Gates, Utilities Superintendent, gave his report. Gates requested permission to accept sealed bids for the old blue Chevy pickup that the City no longer uses. After discussion, it was decided to donate this truck to the Fire Department to recycle as scrap iron and add the proceeds to the funds for the future purchase of fireworks for the annual Fourth of July celebration.
Patrick Gates said work has been done on patching holes at the City lake. Gates recognized Keith Clouse as doing a great deal in contributing to this project. Gates said the leaks appear to be sealed, however he won’t know for sure until we get rain, or until he manually adds water to the lake.
Gates informed the Mayor and Council that we will incur another increase from NPPD of approximately 7% in January. We absorbed a 12% increase last year, which means that since the last time electrical rates have been adjusted, a total increase of 19% in electrical charges will be passed along to the City. Gates proposed to the Council that a 15% increase in electrical rates be considered to assist in absorbing the City’s increase of 19%. After discussion, all were in agreement that this increase in electrical rates is necessary. Patrick will prepare a proposal for Council’s consideration and action at a future meeting.
Gates reported that the swimming pool will be closing on August 13th. Regarding the status of the slide, Gates said his efforts continue to get the slide approved by the State and ready for use next season.
Plans are to energize the pumping station for the Cordova water system August 12th.
Discussion was had regarding correspondence submitted to John Palky relating to utilities extensions to the Palky subdivision. The correspondence referred to Mr. Palky reimbursing the City for each lot if the lot has not been developed on after a three-year period, as per agreement between Mr. Palky and the City in 2005. After discussion, Patrick Gates was directed by the Council to contact Mr. Palky to address this.
Continued discussion was had relating to the north wall of the Gropp building located at 124 Maple Street. Jeff Hinkeldey recalculated his estimate to do the entire project at one time, as opposed to the bid he submitted earlier, which was a reflection of the project being completed in three different phases. Hinkeldey’s bid was $9,504. Council discussed and verbally extended an offer to Paul Gropp and his Attorney, Scott Gropp, to pay for 50% of this bid. Gropps indicated that they will consider the City’s offer and will prepare an agreement for consideration at the next City Council meeting.
Police Chief, Mark McFarland gave his Police Report for June and July 2008. (Copy of these reports are attached.)
Building Inspector, Mark Stutzman had nothing to report.
Fire Chief, Brent Milton had nothing to report.
Discussion was had relating to audit services for year ending September 30, 2008. Motion was made by Lawver, seconded by Schrock, to approve the Annual Extension of Agreement for Audit Services for Year Ending September 30, 2008 with Romans, Weimer & Associates for a fee of $4,325. On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Schrock, Drake, Lawver. Nays none. Motion carried.
Budget proposals for 2008-2009 were distributed to the Mayor and Council for their consideration. A special meeting to review these proposals was set for August 19th, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.
At 8:05 p.m., motion to enter into executive session to discuss potential legal matters was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Lawver, Drake, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion to return to regular session was made by Schrock, seconded by Fricke. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Lawver, Fricke, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Regular session resumed at 8:40 p,m.
Ray Rohrig, Captain of the Friend Ambulance Squad asked about the property the ambulance garage sets on and questioned if any changes were anticipated (such as the necessity of the squad needing to obtain an easement agreement with the hospital or district) as a result of the recent formation of the Friend Hospital District. Dan Drake informed Mr. Rohrig that to his knowledge there were no plans for any ownership changes for this property at this time.
With no further business to come before the Council, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Drake, seconded by Schrock. On roll call voting aye, Drake, Fricke, Lawver, Schrock. Nays none. Meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
