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08/08/2006 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

AUGUST 8, 2006

Mayor Horner 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, Roger Horner, presided and City Clerk, Debbie Gilmer, recorded the proceedings.  The following Councilmembers were present:  Dan Fricke, Gary Tuttle, Dustin Weber and Harlan Schrock.  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 Horner 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 July 3, 2006 regular meeting, and the July 2006 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same.  On roll call voting aye to approve the Minutes of the July 3, 2006 regular meeting, and the July 2006 Treasurer's Report, Weber, Fricke, Tuttle, Schrock.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Tuttle, seconded by Fricke, to approve the June 2006 Warren Memorial Hospital Financial Reports (including the June 2006 Friend Ambulance Financial Reports) as presented and file same.  On roll call voting aye to approve the June 2006 Warren Memorial Hospital Financial Reports (including the June 2006 Friend Ambulance Financial Reports) as presented and file same, Schrock, Tuttle, Weber, Fricke.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Tuttle, seconded by Weber, 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, Schrock, Weber, Tuttle.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

The claims approved were as follows:  July Payroll, 20,351.48; Ameritas, 1,124.54; 1^st Natl, 6,683.36; Acco, su. 286.60; Alltel Cellular, 620.15; Aquila, se. 223.80; BVH, su. 1.09; Baker & Taylor, su. 75.51; Blue Blossom, 342.99; Bonsall Pool & Spa, su. 215.60; Brandenburgh Disp, se. 198.36 Brothers Equip, su. 6.63; Central States Lab., su. 14,922.99; LaRaine Cihak, re. 99.03; Crete True Value, su. 33.03; Culligan, se. 42.00; Danko, se. 38.03; Drake Refrigeration, se. 50.00; Eakes, su. 222.25; Exeter Lumber, su. 158.00; Farmer’s Coop, su. 1074.39; First Natl, loan pmt. 17,000.00; Friend Insurance, fe. 200.00; Friend Sentinel, su. 48.00; Galaxy Cable, se. 39.95; Patrick Gates, re. 207.00; Gene’s Electric, se. 3902.25; Great Plains One-Call, se. 15.98; Gumdrop Books, su. 248.95 Hometown Leasing, se. 50.83; Johnson Pharmacy, su. 17.47; Kirkham Michael, se. 1125.00; Konica, fe. 88.05; Koreworks, se. 400.00; Candis Kurpgeweit, se. 300.00; League of NE Munic, fe. 1728.00; Leichty Excavating, se. 45,978.93; London Fog, su. 316.70; Miller Monroe, fe. 36,047.00; Midwest Labs, se. 55.00; Michael Mullally, fe. 778.50; Murphy Plumbing & Heating, se. 61.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH, 1032.62; NE Dept of Rev, Sales & Use Tax, 5476.52; NE Public Power, 60,089.38; NE Vol Firefighters Trust, fe. 1826.96; NE Power Review Board, fe. 77.23; Norris Public Power, se. 3867.75; Shalon Nuss, se. 45.00; Office Cash, re. 63.52; Pioneer Publishing, fe. 137.15; Postmaster, su. 171.00; Principal Mutual, fe. 3742.85; Public Safety Center, su. 444.70; Ross Repair, se. 39.00; Saline County Clerk, fe. 20.50; Sensus Metering System, fe. 1000.00; Marvin Slepicka, fe. 750.00; State of NE HHS, se. 16.00; Texaco, se. 73.16; The Garbage Co., se. 145.59; Thomson Gale, su. 17.50; Wells Fargo, fe. 400.00; Windstream NE, se. 658.27 Yokels, su. 89.93; Young’s Welding, se. 1581.00. Total Claims Approved $237,144.07. 

Mayor Horner introduced the following resolution.

RESOLUTION #06-09

WHEREAS, the City of Friend,  Nebraska in Saline County is an eligible unit of general government authorized to participate in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Programs through the State of Nebraska Department of Economic Development (NDED); and,

WHEREAS, our community and surrounding area has a strong need for business development services and we agree that our community is part of a REAP-CDBG service area in Nebraska; and,

WHEREAS, our community would like the services of REAP to be available for start-up and existing entrepreneurs, as needed; and,

WHEREAS, the work of the REAP Program is consistent with local and area-wide strategic plans for community and economic development and will be coordinated with other economic development activities in the project area; and,

WHEREAS, working together will create more opportunities for entrepreneurs and will further enhance the overall effectiveness of all program partners;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Friend, Nebraska supports the provision of services by the Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) in the City and surrounding area.

Motion to approve Resolution #06-09 supporting the provision of services by the Rural Enterprise Assistance Project (REAP) in the City and surrounding area was made by Tuttle, seconded by Schrock.  On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Weber, Schrock, Tuttle.  Nays none.  Passed and approved by the City Council of Friend, Nebraska, this 8^th day of August, 2006.

Discussion was had regarding the Maple Street fire cleanup project.  The condition of the common wall standing at the south end of the property damaged by the fire was discussed.  Attorney Mullally said he has been in contact with Attorney Scott Gropp regarding this issue.

Council members received copies of two invoices submitted by Leichty Excavating, Inc. for demolition, hauling, and dump fees related to the Maple Street fire.  One invoice was for $12,516 and the second was for $33,462.93.  Motion was made by Fricke, seconded by Weber to approve payment of these invoices submitted by Leichty Excavating, Inc., totaling $45,978.93.  On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Weber, Tuttle, Fricke.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

The Friend Industrial Development Corporation submitted to the Council their recommendation that CDBG reuse funds be used for the Maple Street fire cleanup project and that the funds used for this project be repaid to the CDBG account over a five year period starting January 1, 2007, or sooner if possible.  Motion to approve and accept this recommendation was made by Weber, seconded by Fricke.  On roll call voting aye, Tuttle, Weber, Fricke, Schrock.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

Patrick Gates, Utilities Superintendent, gave his report.  Mr. Gates reported that the lift station at Palky’s Addition is complete and working properly.  He recommended to the Council that a fence be put around the lift station.  Council discussed and agreed.  Gates also said there is severe cracking in the paving at Palky’s Addition. 

Gates said there has been a decline in water production from the north well.  After an inspection and cleaning, it has been recommended that a new liner be installed to prevent the well from collapsing, as well as replacing the pump bowl assembly.  With Council’s approval, Gates said he will make arrangements to get this work done as soon as possible.  Council discussed and approved that Pat proceed with this.

Discussion was had regarding the Cordova water project.

Complaints have been received about horse manure throughout town and at the park.  Mark McFarland said he has been contacted about this issue and has talked to the responsible party.  McFarland said there should be no more problems with this as the individual told Mark he will ride elsewhere and refrain from riding the horse(s) in town and the park area.

Mr. Gates said the swimming pool will be closing next week.  Gates said the employees have done a good job operating the pool and, with the Council’s permission, would like to have a pizza party for them.  Council discussed and approved.

Pat Gates told the Council he would like to get started on the cement work as soon as possible for the new concession stand that the baseball committee approached the Council about.  There is approximately $16,000 available in the 2005-2006 park budget for capital improvements.  Gates said with Council’s approval he would include an additional $15,000 in the 2006-2007 budget to complete this project.  The plan is to use the proposed design submitted to the Council by the baseball committee.

Regarding the proposed pond project information that Keith Clouse submitted to the Council, Pat Gates met with Mr. Clouse and Nebraska Game and Parks.  They strongly recommended that the City consult with their engineer for the pond improvement grant application and the design for this project. Pat talked to the City Engineer, Rich Robinson, regarding this and Mr. Robinson offered to provide services for the pre-application process, as well as start the design work at no charge until we have successfully obtained a grant.  Mr. Gates requested Council’s permission to proceed with this project.  Council discussed and approved.

NMPP has conducted a light rate study and will be at the September Council meeting to review their recommendations with the Council.

The water and sewer rate study should be complete shortly after the 2005-2006 data is submitted to the engineers.

Mr. Gates told the Council that the radiator and the motor mount in the grey dodge need to be replaced.  Estimated cost to replace these two items is between $400 and $500.  Gates asked the Council if they wanted to consider putting more money into this truck, or if they were interested in approving a new pickup in the 2006-2007 budget.  Discussion was had.  Council agreed that this truck needs to be replaced.  With Council’s approval, Gates will pursue this further.

Discussion was had regarding the status of cleaning and painting the water tower.  Also discussed trimming and cutting trees.

Police Chief, Mark McFarland gave the Police Report for the month of July 2006.   (Copy of this report is attached.) 

Miller-Monroe-Farrell Insurance Agency submitted a proposal to renew the City insurance package for 2006-2007.  After renewal premiums were discussed, motion to approve the insurance package renewal for 2006-2007 as submitted by Miller-Monroe-Farrell Insurance Agency was made by Tuttle, seconded by Weber.  On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Tuttle, Fricke, Weber.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

The Saline County Area Transit Budget Summary for fiscal year 2007 as approved by the Nebraska Department of Roads was submitted to the Council for their consideration.  Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Fricke to approve the $3,654 request for Friend’s share of matching funds for Saline County Area Transit Budget for fiscal year 2007.  On roll call voting aye, Tuttle, Schrock, Fricke, Weber.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

Motion to approve renewal of Bookkeeper Bond for Don Anderson, City of Friend Bookkeeper, for September 16, 2006 through September 16, 2007 was made by Fricke, seconded by Schrock.  On roll call voting aye, Weber, Fricke, Schrock, Tuttle.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

Motion to approve renewal of City Clerk/Treasurer Bond for Debbie Gilmer, City Clerk/Treasurer for the City of Friend, for September 16, 2006 through September 16, 2007 was made by Schrock, seconded by Weber.  On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Tuttle, Weber, Schrock.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

With no further business to come before the Council, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Tuttle, seconded by Fricke.  On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Fricke, Weber, Tuttle.  Nays none.  Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.