COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2007
As per notice in The Red Cloud Chief, the Mayor and City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. held in the Community Center Conference Room. Members present: Mayor Ratzlaff; Council members Schultz, Olson, Sprague; Attorney Garwood; Administrator Hall; Superintendent Wood and Clerk Meline. Councilman Lambrecht was absent.
Mayor Ratzlaff pointed out the “Open Meetings Act” is posted on the wall for public viewing.
The Mayor then opened the One and Six Year Hearing. By law this hearing has to be held open for one hour. As there was no public attendance, Olson made the motion and was seconded by Schultz to approve the One and Six Year Plan as proposed by Resolution #474: Whereas, the City Street Superintendent has prepared and presented a One and Six Year Plan for Street Improvement Program for the City of Red Cloud, Nebraska, and Whereas, a public meeting was held on the 6th day of February, 2007, to present this plan and there were no objections to said plan; Therefore, Be It Resolved by the Mayor and City Council of Red Cloud, Nebraska, that the plans and data as furnished are hereby in all things accepted and adopted.” Motion carried.
Also held was the Liquor License Renewal Hearing for all Non-Class C establishments. As there was no public attendance, Schultz made the motion and was seconded by Olson to approve the renewal of licenses for Valley Bowl, Olson’s, Casey’s, Willa Cather Foundation and Stock Aid. Motion carried.
Sheriff Disney had submitted a written report as he was unable to attend the meeting. Schultz made the motion and was seconded by Olson to approve the report submitted. Motion carried. The council does have some concerns as to the way some delivery vehicles are parking in the downtown business district. Administrator Hall will visit with Sheriff Disney about this issue.
Sprague made the motion and was seconded by Schultz to approve the minutes from the January meeting. Motion carried.
Olson made the motion and was seconded by Schultz to approve the financial reports and the city sales tax report. Motion carried. The tax collected for November was $8,526.40 compared to $7,498.78 for the same period last year.
Olson made the motion and was seconded by Sprague to approve the claims for payment. Motion carried. These will be listed in full at the end of the minutes.
Schultz made the motion and was seconded by Olson to approve the annual State Maintenance Agreement #32. Motion carried.
Next compensation for the Fire Chief was discussed. Mayor Ratzlaff stated he had talked to the President of the Rural Fire District Board about this issue as they pay for half of the compensation. It was their recommendation to increase the compensation $250 or $1,750 annual compensation. After some discussion Olson made the motion and was seconded by Sprague to raise the annual compensation to $1,750 and to review this annually and not to limit it to the every two to four years when the council is considered for an increase in compensation. Motion carried.
Sprague made the motion and was seconded by Schultz to appoint Sharon Amack to the Housing Authority Board to replace Doris Arneson who had submitted her resignation. Motion carried.
Sprague made the motion and was seconded by Olson to appoint Doug Ockinga to the Planning Commission. Motion carried.
Next the council considered whether to change the start time of the council meetings. After some discussion, Sprague made the motion and was seconded by Olson to change the start time of the meetings from 7:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Motion carried. Attorney Garwood will draw up an amendment to the existing ordinance stating the change of time.
The council was presented with plant drawings for the cemetery and park. A $5,000 grant has been awarded for this project as well as the schools and courthouse. The local public entities involved will have a 20% share of the project. The council had some concerns with some of the plantings in the park. After some discussion, Schultz made the motion and was seconded by Olson to obtain an estimate for the project from Terry & Kiley Maudlin of Garden Designs. Motion carried.
Mayor Ratzlaff had received a request to sign a proclamation in honor of “Gambling Awareness Month” during the month of March. Olson made the motion and was seconded by Sprague to approve the proclamation and to post the proclamation at City Hall, Community Center and glass case on south side of Garwood’s Law Office instead of publishing in the newspaper. Motion carried. The council feels the cost to publish proclamations is excessive and will post all proclamations in the future.
Olson made the motion and was seconded by Schultz to move the May 1st meeting to May 8th. Motion carried.
Next Administrator Hall gave a general update and answered some questions about his written report.
Administrator Hall stated he feels the council needs to consider reinstating a Health Board. The council has no problem with reinstating the Health Board.
He then informed the council employment notices will be coming out in the newspaper for pool manager, life guards, summer help and cemetery maintenance. At this time Terry Meyer was in attendance as he has mowed the cemetery for the past four years. He spoke with the council briefly. Administrator Hall will go ahead with the employment notices.
Administrator Hall requested permission from the council to attend a three day planning meeting in Grand Island. The cost is $140 plus a membership fee of $35. Sprague made the motion was seconded by Schultz to allow Administrator Hall to attend the meeting. Motion carried.
Once again the Personnel/Safety Manual was on the agenda. After a brief discussion, Sprague made the motion and was seconded by Olson to approve the manual as presented. Motion carried. Changes may be made to the manual as deemed necessary by the vote of the council.
Administrator Hall informed the council there is a move to develop a section in the northwest part of town for possible housing and/or assisted living. This will be discussed more at the next meeting.
Next Attorney Garwood stated he was checking into ways to collect delinquent bills. One solution is filing a lien on the property for the collection of the unpaid utility bills. There would need to be a “Landlord Agreement” in place for rental properties. Basically this would make the owner of the property responsible for their tenant’s unpaid utility bills. There would also be a need of an ordinance establishing a Board of Equalization. The council would like Attorney Garwood to proceed with this.
Superintendent Wood stated there was only one power outage on the edge of town during the ice storm. He reported there was also an outage on February 1st on North Franklin Street. Superintendent Wood and Administrator Hall both felt the snow removal went well. The council agreed the crew had done a very good job.
Clerk Meline informed the council that 322 key fobs have been issued to date for exercising at the Community Center. Fourteen were issued in January and seven have been already issued in February.
Attorney Garwood informed the council that two nuisance properties were in the process of being sold.
Schultz made the motion and was seconded by Sprague to enter into executive session at 9:17 p.m. for the sole purpose of an employee evaluation. Motion carried.
As per the “Open Meetings Act”, Mayor Ratzlaff stated the executive session was for an employee evaluation only.
Schultz made the motion and was seconded by Sprague to resume the meeting at 9:25 p.m. Motion carried.
Once again as per the “Open Meetings Act”, Mayor Ratzlaff stated that the executive session pertained only to an employee evaluation.
Schultz made the motion and was seconded by Olson to approve a raise for a power plant operator. Motion carried.
As there was no further business to be had and done by the Mayor and City Council, Olson made the motion and was seconded by Schultz to adjourn said meeting at 9:28 p.m. Motion carried.
The following is a list of claims approved for payment:
381 Albert Wood, salary 1,221.87
382 Jay Hall, salary 1,300.23
383 Mark Simon, salary 980.66
384 Jim Glenn, salary 614.27
385 Nick Blankenbaker, salary 625.95
386 Mark Kriley, salary 497.70
387 Arnold Merrill, salary 596.39
388 Hayes McDole, salary 564.60
389 Leo Goebel, salary 69.26
390 Sue Meline, salary 865.07
391 Debra Albers, salary 430.05
392 Sam Deisley, salary 595.87
393 Pat Long, salary 687.82
394 Verlin Paul, salary 83.70
395 Donna Lammers, salary 155.84
396 Joyce Beckman, salary 36.55
397 Marie Kugler, salary 23.64
398 Virginia Welty, salary 240.12
462 Albert Wood, salary 1,224.36
463 Jay Hall, salary 1,311.27
464 Mark Simon, salary 1,104.08
465 Jim Glenn, salary 614.69
466 Nick Blankenbaker, salary 626.38
467 Mark Kriley, salary 210.32
468 Hayes McDole, salary 564.94
469 Arnold Merrill, salary 596.83
470 Leo Goebel, salary 346.31
471 Sue Meline, salary 867.17
472 Debra Albers, salary 474.41
473 Sam Deisley, salary 700.21
474 Pat Long, salary 789.10
475 Verlin Paul, salary 103.78
476 Donna Lammers, salary 174.54
477 Joyce Beckman, salary 52.06
478 Marie Kugler, salary 11.82
479 Ameritas, retirement contribution 1,097.50
480 NE Child Support Payment Center, garnishment 94.00
481 Medicare, transfer for 1/16 payroll 360.16
482 Withholding, transfer for 1/16 payroll 807.11
483 Social Security, transfer for 1/16 payroll 1,539.98
484 Continental General Insurance Co., supplemental health insurance 161.44
485 Red Cloud Chief, legal printing 234.33
486 Olson Auto Tech & Tire, fuel for power plant 9,003.40
487 ALLTEL, cell phones 233.16
488 Presto X, exterminating services 180.13
489 AT & T, toll charges 68.06
490 MEAN, purchased power for December 36,140.48
491 Garwood Law Office, professional services 350.00
492 Starmark, health/life insurance 5,902.59
493 Great Plains Comm., telephones only 559.08
494 Kim Danehey-Nibbe, January contract labor 800.00
495 Postmaster, utility bill postage 123.32
512 NE Child Support Payment Center, garnishment 94.00
513 Medicare, transfer for 2/1 payroll 376.30
514 Social Security, transfer for 2/1 payroll 1,609.00
515 Withholding, transfer for 2/1 payroll 866.54
516 Ameritas, 2/1 retirement contribution 1,146.67
517 Petty Cash, extra postage, supplies, etc. 134.82
518 Webster Co. Sheriff, January contract payment 3,463.00
519 Electric, February tr. to cash management 1,661.70
520 Various, February tr. to officer’s salary 650.00
521 Various, February tr. to Administrator fund 2,125.28
522 General, February tr. to police fund 1,347.47
523 Various, business insurance tr. for February 3,670.85
524 Mid Rivers 911, February 911 user fee 200.00
525 Kucera Disposal, trash hauling 215.50
526 City Sales Tax, February transfer to CC reserve 408.34
527 Water, February transfer to cash management water reserve 625.00
528 Sewer, February transfer to cash management sewer reserve 625.00
529 Bond & Interest, February transfer to bond & interest 1,320.00
530 AFLAC Insurance, payroll deducted 431.42
531 Principal, dental insurance 500.94
532 Business World Products, consumer checks 77.50
533 Webster County Clerk, election expenses 345.68
534 SCEDD, 2006 membership dues 600.00
535 Gary Thompson Agency, increased insurance bathhouse/hangar 364.00
536 Corporate Image Design, letterhead 162.25
537 Visionaries, ads in newsletter 35.00
538 Baylor, Evnen, Curtiss, Grimit & Witt LLP, professional services 720.00
539 American Hotel Register Company, floor mats for Community Center 215.01
540 Eakes, office supplies 216.14
541 Fremont National Bank, interest payment on water bonds 1,065.00
542 Baker & Taylor, books 384.70
543 Chief Electric, electrical work at Fire Hall 1,365.51
544 NE Dept. of Revenue, January state income tax 637.03
545 Donna Lammers, mileage to Hastings library 38.80
546 Palace, fire/rescue annual recognition dinner 692.25
547 Pinpoint, cable TV 45.03
548 Plank’s Lumber & Hardware, cord & end 47.08
549 Allesco, fuel filters 673.89
550 State of NE HHS Lab, water analysis 35.00
551 Platte Valley Communications, bracket & antenna 14.56
552 Old Field Industries, ground sterilant 425.70
553 Jared’s Auto Expert, diesel fuel leak on line truck 370.59
554 Crescent Electric, bulbs & wire 843.92
555 Fairbanks Morse, freight on pump 94.08
556 Village Pharmacy, office supplies 118.40
557 Catherland Auto Parts, parts & supplies 335.02
557A Temple Display LTD, Christmas decorations 1,753.45
558 Red Cloud Hardware, supplies 490.44
559 Lower Republican NRD, orange flags 7.46
560 Farm Plan, parts 158.50
561 Red Cloud Chief, legal advertising 440.39
562 Viaero, cell phone for administrator 48.52
563 WAPA, purchased power for January 5,069.78
564 NE Statewide Arboretum, professional services 915.82
565 Auld Public Library, reimbursement on registration fees 25.00
566 The Library Store, office supplies 32.07
567 Mayo Clinic Health Letter, 1 yr. subscription renewal 27.00
568 AT & T, toll charges 64.54
569 Kinder Morgan, natural gas service 1,231.00
570 Continental General Insurance Co., supplemental health insurance 180.63
571 Farmers Coop, fuel 831.97
572 Larry Deisley, made 3 trash cans 150.00
573 McDole Welding, metal & rod 58.13
574 Canning Truck Service Inc., freight on pump 147.36
575 Omaha Paper Stock, wire for cardboard bundles 149.80
576 Jim’s OK Tire Store Inc., tire repair 145.00
577 Olson Auto Tech & Tire, fuel 279.64
578 Kenny’s Lumber Center, lumber & supplies 762.59
579 Kriz Davis, bulbs & line supplies 2,188.90
580 Quality Inn & Suites, lodging 74.05
581 Kohmetscher Feed, salt for water softener 42.00
582 Western Uniform & Towel, towels & mops 208.95
583 omitted by accident
584 Municipal Supply Inc., valves & water fittings 593.28
585 Island Supply Welding, cylinder rent 7.54
586 Fancy Stitching, uniforms 161.50
587 Kinder Morgan, natural gas service 1,844.79
588 Cornhusker Cleaning, janitorial supplies 51.43
TOTAL EXPENSES $126,552.10
_______________________________
Gary Ratzlaff, Mayor
ATTEST:_________________________________
Sue Meline, City Clerk/Treasurer
I, Sue Meline, City Clerk/Treasurer of Red Cloud, Nebraska, do hereby certify the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the proceedings had and done by the City Council on Tuesday, February 6th, 2007; that all subjects included in the foregoing proceedings were contained in the agenda kept continually current and available for public inspection at the office of the Clerk; that at least one copy of reproducible material discussed at the meeting was available at the meeting for examination and copying by members of the public; that said minutes were in written form and available for public inspection within ten working days and prior to the next meeting of said body; that news media requesting notification concerning meetings of said body were provided notification of the time and place of said meeting and the subjects to be discussed at said meeting.
______________________________
Sue Meline, City Clerk