10/02/2007 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 2, 2007
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 and Harlan Schrock. Dan Drake was absent. 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.
Motioned by Schrock, seconded by Fricke, to approve the Minutes of the September 4, 2007 regular meeting, and the September 2007 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the Minutes of the September 4, 2007 regular meeting, and the September 4, 2007 Treasurer's Report, Lawver, Fricke, Schrock. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Fricke, seconded by Schrock, to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital financial reports for August 2007. On roll call voting aye to approve the Warren Memorial Hospital financial reports for August 2007, Lawver, Schrock, Fricke. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Lawver, seconded by Schrock, that payroll and claims, including a claim submitted by Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway and Luth for $1321.92, 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, Schrock, Lawver. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: September Payroll, 17,684.39; Ameritas, 1777.99; EFTPS, 5736.68; Alltel Cellular, 394.98; Almquist, Maltzquist, Galloway, Luth, se. 1321.92; Amazon, su. 89.54; Aquila, se. 123.97; BVH, su. 11.32; Baker & Taylor, su. 123.63; Central States Lab., su. 24,546.12; LaRaine, Cihak, re. 25.22; Crete Lumber, su. 182.98; Crete True Value, su. 39.50; Culligan, se. 112.00; Demco, su. 215.44; Eakes, su. 110.73; Farmer’s Coop, su. 1643.04; First Natl, loan pmt, 28,249.99; Galaxy Cable, se. 39.95; Gene’s Electric, se. & su. 2118.95; Debbie Gilmer, re. 29.10; Great Plains One-Call, se. 12.12; Gumdrop Books, su. 524.25; Hanna Keelan, se. 500.00; Hornady, su. 83.68; Jensen Lumber, su. 176.48; Johnson Pharmacy, su. 139.86; Konica, fe. 73.05; Miller-Monroe, se. 771.00; Menards, su. 192.98; Chris Michl, se. 416.00; Midwest Labs, su. 8.45; Michael Mullally, fe. 1086.00; NE Muni Power Pool, fe & su. 521.54; NE Dept of Rev, SWH, 912.20, Sales & Use Tax, 6973.33; NE Public Health, se. 16.00; NE Muni Clerks’ Assoc, fe. 25.00; NE Public Power, 52,658.27; Norris Public Power, se. 3685.60; OMB Police Supply, su. 98.49; Pioneer Publishing, fe. 168.19; Platte Valley Comm, su. 81.00; Postmaster, su. 134.00; Principal Mutual, fe. 4104.60; RDJ Specialties, su. 192.15; Romans, Wiemer & Assocs, se. 1075.00; Ross Repair, se. 11.50; Saline County Clerk, fe. 6.00; Sargent Drilling, se. 600.00; Shell, su. 370.27; Marvin Slepicka, fe. 750.00; Steve’s Repair, se. 245.09; The Depository Trust, fe. 3975.00; The Garbage Co., se. 155.79; TV Svc, fe. 131.98; Warren Memorial Hosp, CDBG, 8000.00; West Bros, se. 1566.00; Windstream, se. 625.05; Young’s Welding, se. 500.00. Total Claims Approved $176,143.36.
Mayor Vossler introduced and read by title the following proposed resolution.
RESOLUTION NO. 07-28
WHEREAS, WARREN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION, has made application for a grant of funds from the CITY OF FRIEND, NEBRASKA in the amount of $8,000.00, the source of these funds being the program income funds held by the City under previous Economic Development Loan projects.
WHEREAS, this application has been previously reviewed and recommended by the Friend Industrial Development Corporation.
WHEREAS, the CDBG Reuse Plan adopted by the City of Friend provides that grants may be made to entities in the event that such grants facilitate and preserve employment for individuals whose income may fall at or below HUD income guidelines for Saline County, Nebraska.
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that it is in the best interests of the City of Friend to facilitate and preserve such employment opportunities.
WHEREAS, the grant money, if approved, would be used to assist in the payment of leases of medical equipment which serves Warren Memorial Hospital.
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that the extension of this grant will assist Warren Memorial Hospital in the preservation of jobs for individuals whose income may fall at or below HUD income guidelines.
WHEREAS, Mr. John Wilson, the Chief Executive Officer of Warren Memorial Hospital, has furnished the City Council with information indicating that only 5 of the 83 employees of Warren Memorial Hospital receive income in excess of the HUD guidelines;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these facts, the City Council takes the following action:
BE IT RESOLVED that the grant to WARREN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION in the amount of $8,000.00 from the program income reuse fund under previous Economic Development loans be and hereby is approved. The Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute all documents necessary for the completion of this transaction on behalf of the City.
Motion to adopt proposed Resolution Number 07-28 was made by Schrock, seconded by Fricke. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Fricke, Schrock. Nays none. Drake absent. Resolution Number 07-28 was passed and approved this 2nd day of October, 2007.
Mayor Vossler introduced and read by title the following proposed resolution.
RESOLUTION # 07-29
APPLICATION TO BECOME DEPOSITORY
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Mayor and the City Council of the City of Friend, Saline County, Nebraska.
WHEREAS; The First National Bank of Friend, Nebraska has filed an application for the privilege of becoming depository for the moneys and funds of the City of Friend, Nebraska for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2007, and
WHEREAS; The First National Bank of Friend, Nebraska has furnished bond for the safekeeping and securing said moneys and funds as required by law in addition to the security given to the City of Friend as a depository by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED; by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Friend, Saline County, Nebraska, that the First National Bank of Friend, Saline County, Nebraska, is hereby selected and approved as depository for the moneys and funds and in compliance with the terms and provisions of the Section 17-607 of the revised statutes for the year 1943 and all amendments hereto.
Motion to adopt proposed Resolution Number 07-29 was made by Fricke, seconded by Lawver. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Lawver, Fricke. Nays none. Drake absent. Resolution Number 07-29 was passed and approved this 2nd day of October, 2007.
Utilities Superintendent, Patrick Gates, gave his utility report. Mr. Gates told the Council that he received proposed “Notice To Contractors” from the City Engineer to publish in The Sentinel for the purpose of receiving sealed proposals for the furnishing of all labor, materials, use of Contractor’s equipment and plant, and all else necessary to properly construct Friend Lake Restoration. With Council’s approval, Gates will submit this notice to The Sentinel for publication on October 10, 17, and 24. Councilman Schrock made a motion to approve the Notice To Contractors to receive sealed proposals relating to the Friend Lake Restoration. Motion was seconded by Lawver. On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Schrock, Lawver. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
Patrick Gates said there was nothing to report at this time on the water purchase agreement between Friend and Cordova.
Patrick Gates discussed with the Council an improvement project he is working on at the Library. Gates said he plans to be installing a watering system to the lawn and would like Council’s approval to replace the grass that is between the sidewalk and the curb with concrete. Discussion was had and Council approved for Gates to proceed with this project.
Patrick Gates discussed the Safe Routes to School Program. Gates said with Council’s approval he will provide a survey to the school, at the recommendation of the Safe Routes to School Coordinator, for student’s to take home for completion. Once the surveys are completed and returned to school, results will be submitted for consideration, along with the application for funds, to the Safe Routes to School Program. Council discussed and granted their approval.
The trail application, which is the second phase of the Pond Restoration Project, was submitted for consideration prior to October 1st. Gates said he will keep the Council informed on the status of this.
Discussion was had regarding adjusting the electrical rates for Warren Memorial Hospital to slightly higher than cost. Gates will research this issue and provide a recommendation to the Council. No action was taken at this time.
Police Chief, Mark McFarland, gave the Police Report for the month of September 2007. (Copy of this report is attached.) McFarland reported that the trailers that were requested be removed from Friend, are now gone.
Building Inspector, Mark Stutzman informed the Council that he would like to make a few changes to his application for a building permit they approved at last month’s meeting. Council discussed and had no objections to these changes.
Discussion was had regarding the Friend Chamber of Commerce placing a Christmas tree at the intersection of 2nd and Main Street for the celebration they are planning to have during the holiday season. After discussing, Council approved.
Ray Rohrig, Captain of the Friend Ambulance Service, attended the meeting to discuss the management of the Friend Ambulance Service financials. Mr. Rohrig explained that the FAS billing is being contracted through a private company, while their other financial responsibilities are being handled by Warren Memorial Hospital. Mr. Rohrig requested that the Council consider giving these financial responsibilities currently being handled by the Hospital to the FAS. After discussion, Council directed Attorney Mullally to review his records regarding this issue and return to Mr. Rohrig and the City Council with clarification on the feasibility of this request.
Jeff Soukup, representing the Lions Club, attended the meeting and shared with the Mayor and Council drawings of their project proposal for the handicap-accessible entrance at the Friend Community Building. Mr. Soukup asked the Mayor and Council if they would object to the Lions Club displaying the drawing(s) and a “thermometer” indicating the Club’s progress of funds raised to complete this project. Council discussed and had no objections.
Mr. Soukup asked the Council if they had any objections to the Lions Club placing their Charter/Banner on the north wall near the restrooms in the Community Building. Council had no objections.
Stanley Krause attended the meeting and asked if there would be a Medical Director appointed prior to Dr. Dailey’s last day. Mayor Vossler assured Mr. Krause that a replacement for Dr. Dailey as the Medical Director will be in place.
Mayor Vossler informed the Council that Karalyn Hoefer resigned her position on the Gilbert Library Board. Mayor Vossler’s recommended appointment to fill the vacancy created by this resignation and to complete Karalyn Hoefer’s term is Shelley Smith. Motion to accept Mayor Vossler’s appointment of Shelley Smith to the Gilbert Library Board was made by Councilman Lawver, seconded by Councilman Fricke. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Lawver, Fricke. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
In regards to the electrical rate for Warren Memorial Hospital that was discussed earlier in the meeting, Patrick Gates informed the Council that there is an established rate, “Rate #9 City Meters”, and that as an entity of the City, the hospital and Zimmer Medical Clinic qualify for this rate. Motion to switch electrical rates for Warren Memorial Hospital and Zimmer Medical Clinic from “Rate #5 Commercial” to “Rate #9 City Meters” was made by Lawver, seconded by Fricke. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Lawver, Fricke. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried.
Motion to enter into executive session to discuss pending negotiations that could entail potential legal action and to discuss possible litigation issues was made by Schrock, seconded by Lawver. On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Lawver, Schrock. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried. Executive session began at 8:00 p.m.
Motion to return to regular session was made by Schrock, seconded by Fricke. On roll call voting aye, Lawver, Schrock, Fricke. Nays none. Drake absent. Motion carried. Regular session reconvened at 8:55 p.m.
Brief discussion was had regarding the wall of the Gropp building. Council requested Attorney Mullally to contact the Gropp family regarding this issue. No action taken at this time.
With no further business to come before the Council, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Schrock, seconded by Lawver. On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Lawver, Schrock. Nays none. Drake absent. Meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
