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09/05/2006 Regular Meeting

FRIEND CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING

SEPTEMBER 5, 2006

Mayor Horner called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:05 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, Harlan Schrock and Dustin Weber.  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 Fricke, seconded by Schrock to approve the Minutes of the August 8, 2006 regular meeting, the August 15, 2006 special meeting, and the August 2006 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same.  On roll call voting aye to approve the Minutes of the August 8, 2006 regular meeting, the August 15, 2006 special meeting, and the August 2006 Treasurer's Report, Tuttle, Weber, Fricke, Schrock.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

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

The claims approved were as follows:  August Payroll, 19,752.31; Ameritas, 1,140.50; 1^st Natl, 6,454.62; Alltel Cellular, 379.03; Aquila, su. 177.12; BVH, su. 11.81; Baker & Taylor, su. 43.81; Bonsall Pool & Spa, su. 135.83; Brothers Equip, su. 25.46; Central States Lab., su. 19,385.89; LaRaine Cihak, re. 33.63; Condon & Skelly, fe. 158.00; Danko, se. 128.65; Farmer’s Coop, su. 3059.68; Fireguard, su. 122.86; Friend Ballfield Committee, 15,000.00; Friend Insurance, fe. 338.25; Galaxy Cable, se. 39.95; Patrick Gates, re. 319.91; Gene’s Electric, se. 9942.11; General Fire & Safety, su. 24.75; Great Plains One-Call, se. 25.72; Hometown Leasing, se. 50.83; Johnson Pharmacy, su. 37.95; Konica, fe. 73.05; Candis Kurpgeweit, se. 100.00; London Fog, su. 23.12; Midwest Labs, se. 55.00; Michael Mullally, fe. 306.00; NE Dept of Rev, SWH, 1004.54, Sales & Use Tax, 6335.33; NMPP, fe. 3518.92; NE Library Assoc, fe. 190.00; NE Public Power, 58,318.51; Norris Public Power, se. 3983.85; Office Cash, re. 66.34; Pioneer Publishing, fe., su. 372.75; Postmaster, su. 171.80; Principal Mutual, fe. 3742.85; Public Safety Center, su. 105.63; RDJ Specialties, su. 104.28; Ross Repair, se. 38.00; Saline County Treasurer, fe. 2348.00; Sargent Drilling, se.8767.65; Marvin Slepicka, fe. 750.00; State of NE HHS, se. 16.00; Texaco, se. 396.51; The Garbage Co., se. 948.84; Thomson Gale, su. 67.40; Windstream NE, se. 683.12 Yokels, su. 46.95. Total Claims Approved $169,323.11. 

Discussion was had regarding the exposed wall on the Gropp building south of the Maple Street fire site.  Also discussed the status of the backfilling of this site.

Amy Fish attended the meeting to present her hospital report to the Council.  In attendance with Mrs. Fish was Warren Memorial Hospital Board Member, Jim Nemeier.  Mr. Nemeier introduced a resolution to the Council for their consideration that would authorize the Warren Memorial Hospital to pursue acquiring a borrowing note up to $250,000 for various expenses, and a note for $120,000 to cover the cost of miscellaneous attorney fees.  Mr. Nemeier provided a copy of this resolution to Attorney Mullally for his review and advisement prior to the Council considering the adoption of this resolution.  No action was taken at this time.  This resolution will be considered at the upcoming special meeting to be held on September 14^th at 5:30 p.m.

Patrick Gates, Utilities Superintendent, gave his report.  Mr. Gates told the Council that he expects to have bids on the cleaning and painting of the water tower soon.  As per Council’s advisement, Mr. Gates checked out a few trucks from the Nebraska State Surplus Center.  Gates said there were two 2001 Dodge trucks for $8,250 each that were in excellent condition.  After discussion, motion was made by Councilman Weber, seconded by Councilman Schrock to authorize Patrick Gates to purchase these two 2001 Dodge pickup trucks from the Nebraska State Surplus Center for $8,250 each.  On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Tuttle, Weber, Schrock.  Nays none.  Motion carried.  

John Krajewski, Manager of Planning & Engineering with MEAN (Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska), attended the meeting to give a Cost of Service and Rate Design Study presentation to the Council regarding electrical rates.  Mr. Krajewski recommended that the Council consider adopting the rate schedule that he provided in his presentation.  This proposed rate change would be an overall rate increase of 2.5% in October 2006 and an overall rate increase of 3.1% in October 2007.  It was discussed that this increase is considerably lower than the suggested increase from the City’s accountant, Terry Galloway, Certified Public Accountant from Shonsey & Associates.  After further discussion, Council agreed to review the proposed rate increases and to include this in ordinance form for consideration and adoption at the upcoming special meeting to be held September 14^th at 5:30 p.m.

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

Councilman Fricke asked McFarland if there have been any letters sent to property owners about controlling weeds and cutting their grass.  Fricke said several properties needing to be cleaned up have been brought to his attention.  McFarland said some letters have been sent with no response, and that some of the property owners he has tried to contact are out of state.  McFarland will continue to work on this issue.

Mark Stutzman, Building Inspector talked to the Council about electrical permits and inspections.  Discussion was had as to whether or not electrical permits were required.  Council discussed and requested that Mark Stutzman look into this further.  Mr. Stutzman said he will contact the State Electrical Inspector and relay his findings and recommendations to the Council at the next regular meeting.

Mark Stutzman informed the Council that he had been contacted by Ralph Drake with questions regarding a replacement well north of town.  It was discussed that Mr. Drake will need to acquire a permit from the State prior to drilling a new well.  No problems were foreseen with this at this time.

Stan Krause, 2^nd Assistant Fire Chief, attended the meeting.  Krause said he had nothing new to report on the status of the new truck and there was no additional information to report on the status of the grant.  Will keep the Council informed as information is received.

Karalyn Hoefer, Gilbert Library Board Member, attended the meeting to discuss long term goals for improvements and repairs that the Library Board is proposing over the next three to five years.  Mrs. Hoefer informed the Council of the following items included in their long term plan:

• The bathrooms in the basement are in need of major renovation.
• There is a concern about the north basement wall.
• The air conditioning units are old.
• The carpet is in need of replacement.
• The steps will be replaced.
• The landscaping will be done.

Mrs. Hoefer explained to the Council that it was the intent of the Gilbert Library Board  to make the Council aware of these improvements and repairs so the Council can consider these additional expenditures when preparing future budgets.  Mayor Horner thanked Mrs. Hoefer and Librarian, LaRaine Cihak for bringing this to the Council and for the efforts they have made to improve the Library.

Citizen, Rodney Brecka attended the meeting to discuss sidewalk issues that he felt the Council needed to address.  Mr. Brecka told the Council that he came to them with concerns about sidewalks one year ago and nothing has been done to date.  Mr. Brecka’s four year old daughter will begin school next year and he is requesting that the Council consider making the route from his house to the school handicapped accessible.  This would entail cutting curbs and putting in sidewalks.  After lengthy discussion, which included public sidewalks as well as access to public buildings, Attorney Mullally requested that Mr. Brecka submit a list of immediate needs and concerns for Council’s consideration.  Mr. Brecka will compile a list and present to Debbie Gilmer, who will forward to Council members for their consideration at a future meeting.

Mayor Horner reminded the Council of the special meeting that will be held September 14, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. to consider and adopt the proposed budget for 2006-2007.

Mayor Horner proposed to the Council that the Police Chief receive a five percent wage increase and that full-time City employees receive a three percent wage increase.  Councilman Weber made motion to approve a wage increase of five percent for the Police Chief and a wage increase of three percent for full-time City employees.  This motion was seconded by Councilman Tuttle.  On roll call voting aye, Fricke, Tuttle, Schrock, Weber.  Nays none.  Motion carried.

Discussion was had regarding the possibility of rescheduling the October 3, 2006 meeting date, as the Mayor will be unavailable during that week.  It was agreed upon by the Council that the meeting date should remain October 3, 2006.

With no further business to come before the Council, motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Tuttle, seconded by Weber.  On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Tuttle, Fricke, Weber.  Nays none.  Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.