Minutes of May Blue Hill City Council Meeting

CITY OF BLUE HILL REGULAR MEETING MAY 12, 2009 A meeting of the City Council of Blue Hill, Nebraska was held on May 12, 2009 at 7:30 PM at City Hall. Notices of the meeting were given in advance to the Mayor and City Council members. Availability of the agenda was given in advance. All proceedings were taken while the meeting was open to the public. Notices were posted at the Post Office, City Hall and the Community Senior Center. Mayor Keri Schunk called the meeting to order and informed all present that a current copy of the Open Meeting Act is posted on the west wall as you enter the meeting room. On Roll Call: Mayor Keri Schunk, President Mark Petska, John Schwab, Jesse Alber, Andy Alber and Doris Hartman. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present. Mayor Schunk welcomed the visitors to the meeting. It was moved by J.Alber to approve the minutes of the April 14, 2009 regular City Council meeting as submitted and published with the following correction: in the NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION on the new employment application, the words sexual orientation is the only part to omit from the original submitted copy. This was seconded by Schwab. Voting Roll Call: Ayes; Hartman, Petska, Schwab and J.Alber. Abstain: A.Alber. The treasurer’s report for April 2009 was reviewed by the Council. It was moved by J. Alber, seconded by Schwab to place the report on file for audit. Voting Roll Call: Ayes; A. Alber, Petska, Schwab, J.Alber and Hartman. The bills were presented to the Council for review and approval. Motion was made by Hartman, seconded by Petska to pay bills as presented. Voting Roll Call: Ayes; A.Alber, Petska, Hartman, Schwab and J.Alber. BILLS General Fund Great Plains One-Call 11.94, Seiler & Parker 370.00, L/C (4-09) 257.01 Street Fund Century Lumber 13.08, City of Blue Hill 145.41, Cooperative Producers, Inc 20.75, Fairfield CO-OP Fertilizer 28.34, Farmers Coop Association 98.67, Gary Thompson Agency 1128.60, Gene’s Repair & Sales 58.98, Ken & Al’s Service 91.25, South Central State Bank 48222.94, Thramer’s 9.38, PR & Ins. (4-09) 3204.89 Water Fund City of Blue Hill 1398.20, Cooperative Producers, Inc. 20.75, Dutton’s 53.25, Farmers Coop Association 33.82, Gary Thompson Agency 1663.20, Hawkins 150.02, Ken & Al’s Service 91.25, Municipal Supply 2485.38, NE Public Health Laboratory 25.00, Petty Cash 10.46, PR & Ins. (4-09) 2514.58 Electric Fund Blue Hill Leader 57.00, Brandon Meyer 146.13, Carey’s Pest Control 47.92, Century Lumber 9.14, City of Blue Hill 2135.86, Cooperative Producers, Inc. 20.75, Crescent Electric Supply 248.54, Dutton’s 512.05, Farmers Coop Association 101.47, Gary Thompson Agency 2679.20, GTMC 323.99, Karen Kumke 82.03, Ken & Al’s 91.25, Kriz Davis Co. 796.62, League of Nebraska 350.00, MEAN 18826.31, Municipal Supply 994.33, Paramount 167.57, Petty Cash 151.20, Reliable Office Supplies 97.69, Source Gas 91.93, Thramer’s 3.50, Dept. of Energy (WAPA) 8009.92, PR & Ins. (4-09) 8358.41, Dept. of Revenue (EFT) 2956.36, City of BH-Expense Acct. 1000.00 Sewer Fund City of Blue Hill 297.14, Cooperative Producers, Inc. 20.75, Farmers Coop Association 33.82, Gary Thompson Agency 178.20, Ken & Al’s Service 91.25, Thramer’s 6.97, PR & Ins. (4-09) 926.27 Disposal Service Fund Woodward’s Disposal 5273.25 Recreation and Amusement Fund Blue Hill Leader 7.00, Century Lumber Center 4.89, City of Blue Hill 33.74, Fairfield CO-OP Fertilizer 44.61, Gary Thompson Agency 237.60, Petty Cash 1.51, USA Blue Book 61.03, DHHS 100.00, PR & Ins. (4-09) 768.33 Parks Fund Century Lumber Center 44.65, City of Blue Hill 65.92, Gary Thompson Agency 118.80, Spring Ranch Tree Farm 940.00, PR & Ins. (4-09) 535.17 Rental Fund Carey’s Pest Control 28.50, Century Lumber Center 169.97, City of Blue Hill 699.70, Gary Thompson Agency 59.40, GTMC 55.65, Paramount 208.20, Thramer’s 15.79, PR (4-09) 291.30 Golf Course Fund Carey’s Pest control 90.00, Century Lumber Center 43.01, Farmers Coop Association 8.22 Payroll Fund Aflac 66.34, Ameritas Life insurance 228.30, Assurant Health 3559.69, Cemetery Fund Earl May 50.33, Farmers Coop Association 20.82, Karen Kumke 38.23, Paul Kral 62.50, Petty Cash 27.10, Spring Ranch Tree Farm 480.00 A number of residents were present for discussion on the proposed project Bobcat Trail. Questions were raised concerning liability, responsibility of moving sprinklers, safety and maintenance of the trail. Following review of feed-back received and discussion from residents and the City Council, motion was made by J.Alber, seconded by Petska to have City Clerk, Karen Kumke, contact Sinclair Hille Architects to decline the grant opportunity. Voting Roll Call: Ayes; Hartman, A.Alber, Petska, Schwab, J.Alber. Ron Willnerd of Countryman & Associates of Hastings, Nebraska, was present to present the Audit Report for Fiscal Year ending 9-30-08. It was moved by Schwab and seconded by Petska to accept the audit report as presented. Voting Roll Call: Ayes; A.Alber, Petska, Schwab, J.Alber and Hartman. City Clerk Karen Kumke submitted two delinquent utility bills to be written off. It was moved by J.Alber, seconded by Hartman to authorize the auditor to write off the bills in the amount of $145.15. Voting Roll Call: Ayes; A.Alber, Petska, Hartman, J.Alber and Schwab. Because of negative balances, discussion was held on the adjustment of balances of utility funds. As advised by Ron Willnerd and approved by the City Council, as Certificates of Deposits mature, they will be placed in the water and electric funds until a positive balance is reached. Because Jeff Kennedy could not be present, Mayor Schunk moved the agenda item involving discussion of local law enforcement to this point as suggested by Councilmember J.Alber. City Attorney Michelle Oldham reported on the process and feasibility of prosecuting ticketed violations. Councilmembers were given the opportunity to report comments received from the public on the topic of local law enforcement as well as those present for the meeting. Suggestions made were a Neighborhood Watch Program and placement of more surveillance cameras. It was concluded to have Mayor Schunk invite Webster County Sheriff Troy Schmitz to the next City Council meeting to answer questions from Councilmembers and residents. Due to a disturbance at Klancy’s Kafe on April 17, 2009, Councilmember A.Alber read information from the Nebraska Liquor Commission regarding responsibilities of owners of establishments concerning the sale of alcohol to an incapacitated person. Kevin Kort, owner of Klancy’s, reported that since this incident, he has visited with Nebraska Liquor Commission regarding his responsibility as owner and has taken action. Because of a job opportunity, Molly Coffey chose to turn down the position of Assistant Manager. Motion was made by J.Alber, seconded by A.Alber to hire Mara Gilbert as a second assistant manager of Blue Hill Swimming Pool and to have four lifeguards on duty daily, one of which must be a manager or assistant manager. This may be increased when necessary at the discretion of the Manager. Voting Roll Call: Ayes; Petska, Schwab, J.Alber, Hartman, and A.Alber. Following discussion on a request from Carla Weiler-DBA Blue Hill Tavern, for an addition of BEER GARDEN 26’ X 21’ to Liquor License #CK-36019, it was moved by Schwab and seconded by Petska to recommend to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission to approve the addition of ‘Beer Garden’ to Liquor License #CK-36019 upon approval of the State Liquor Commission and State Fire Marshall. Voting Roll Call: Ayes; Hartman, Petska, Schwab, and A. Alber. Abstain: J.Alber. Deputy Clerk, Christina Fowler, presented information regarding a South Central State Bank debit card to be used by City of Blue Hill employees in place of a reimbursement system. Motion was made by A.Alber, seconded by Petska to open an expense account in the amount of $1,000.00 at SCSB of Blue Hill and authorize the following City Employees use of the account: Gary Stertz, Mark Kumke, Larry Edgar and Karen Kumke. Voting Roll Call: Ayes; A.Alber, Schwab, Petska, J.Alber, and Hartman. Discussion was held on several items concerning the Community Senior Center. Motion was made by Schwab, seconded by Hartman to allocate $1,000.00 towards the purchase of tables and chairs for the C/S/C. Estimation was made that approximately 25-30 chairs and 5 tables could be purchased with this money. Voting Roll Call: Ayes; Hartman, A.Alber, Petska, Schwab and J.Alber. Items of repair discussed will be handled by the City Employees. Future maintenance for the floor in the multi-purpose room will be addressed at budget time. It was decided to leave the phone on at C/S/C. Mayor Schunk furnished flyers about the Clean Air Act of 2008 and it was decided to place one in all City owned buildings. Jeff Kennedy, owner of property at 413 West Lancaster Street in Blue Hill, could not be present because of illness to discuss the condition of his property. The Council requested his presence at the June regular city council meeting. The City Council would like to thank St. Paul Parish Activities Team of Holstein, Nebraska for their donation to the Community Senior Center. In the absence of City Manager Gary Stertz, Utility Foreman Mark Kumke reported on the following items: 1) A list of vehicles in violation of City Code 72.09 was provided for review -motion was made by Schwab, seconded by Petska to have City Clerk, Karen Kumke send a letter to these residents and allow them ten days to correct the violation. Voting Roll Call: Ayes; J.Alber, Schwab, Petska, A.Alber, Hartman. 2) Ditch work by Tim Eiseman residence is completed. 3) Street project on Otoe Street is progressing – upon completion, City Council would like to meet with Vontz Paving to discuss remainder of Street Project. 4) A push mower is being purchased to allow better access for mowing in certain locations. It was moved by J.Alber and seconded by Schwab to adjourn until the next regular meeting scheduled for June 9, 2009. Voting Roll Call: Ayes; Hartman, Schwab, J.Alber, Petska, and A.Alber.