Regular Meeting
January 2, 2007
The
Mayor and Council of the City of Fairbury met in regular session in the
Council Chambers, 612 D Street, Fairbury, Nebraska, on the 2nd
day of January, 2007, at 7:30 p.m. Mayor E.M. Mueller called the meeting to
order.
Notice
of meeting was given in advance thereof by publication in the Fairbury
Journal News, Fairbury, Nebraska, the designated method of giving notice, as
shown by affidavit of publication. The Open Meetings Act is posted in the
Council Chambers as required by law.
Roll
call found the following Council Members present: Brown, Phillips, Trimm,
Nelson, Bender, Fry, and Polson. Absent: Byrd.
Mayor Mueller
read the Consent Agenda. (1) Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting
of December 19, 2006. (2) Approval of claims. Phillips made a motion to
approve the Consent Agenda. Motion seconded by Nelson. On roll call,
Brown, Phillips, Trimm, Nelson, Bender, Fry, and Polson voted “yes.” Byrd
absent. Motion carried.
The
Council considered a request for permission for Mayor Mueller to sign an
Addendum for Fairbury Central Business District Parking Landscaping
project. Mayor Mueller stated this extends the contract with Finke Nursery
for landscaping of the nodes constructed in the Downtown Improvements
Project. Trimm made a motion to approve the request. Motion seconded by
Fry. On roll call, Brown, Phillips, Trimm, Nelson, Bender, Fry, and Polson
voted “yes.” Byrd absent. Motion carried.
A
request was made for permission to have American Legal provide statutory
update services for the Fairbury Municipal Code at a cost of $550. City
Attorney Tim Noerrlinger stated American Legal will review laws passed by
the state legislature and make necessary updates to the City’s code book.
Phillips made a motion to approve the request. Motion seconded by Nelson.
On roll call, Brown, Phillips, Trimm, Nelson, Bender, Fry, and Polson voted
“yes.” Byrd absent. Motion carried.
The
Council considered approval of the Certificate of Substantial Completion for
the Fairbury Central Business District Improvements Project. City
Administrator Jim Ferneau stated a 10% retainage is being held until the
punch list of unfinished items is completed. Brown made a motion to approve
the Certificate of Substantial Completion. Motion seconded by Phillips. On
roll call, Brown, Phillips, Trimm, Nelson, Bender, Fry, and Polson voted
“yes.” Byrd absent. Motion carried.
Jenne
Rodriguez of the Department of Economic Development presented results of the
Jefferson County Business Retention and Expansion Survey taken in late
November 2006. Rodriguez reported statistics on survey participation,
business climate, business advantages and disadvantages within Jefferson
County, employment numbers, area wages, employee turnover, employee
recruiting methods and needs, business and industry challenges, business
expansion plans, and various economic development needs. Rodriguez provided
a population profile for Jefferson County as well.
Phillips made a motion to approve the appointment of Jamie Swanda to the
Citizens Advisory Review Committee, term to expire December 2011. Motion
seconded by Polson. On roll call, Brown, Phillips, Trimm, Nelson, Bender,
Fry, and Polson voted “yes.” Byrd absent. Motion carried.
Ferneau reported on the progress of the council room sound system, stating
some of the equipment is on backorder until mid-February. Ferneau also
informed the Council that the large HSA Contributions listed in the claims
represents six months worth of City contributions front-loaded to employees’
accounts; regular monthly contributions begin in July 2007. Ferneau
announced a Fairbury Steaks MOU negotiating committee meeting would be held
Thursday, January 4, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. Ferneau informed the Council that
Mayor Mueller would be meeting with Rick Carmichael on January 4, 2007, at
1:00 p.m. to conduct the Loudermill hearing. Ferneau reported the Council
Planning Retreat is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. in
the lower level of Union Bank & Trust. Ferneau also advised the Council
needed to consider redoing the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Ferneau provided
the Council with information on Conflict of Interest and defined what a
Conflict of Interest is according to the Nebraska Accountability and
Disclosure Commission.
Polson made a
motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Nelson.
On roll call, Brown,
Phillips, Trimm, Nelson, Bender, Fry, and Polson voted “yes.” Byrd absent.
Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
E. M. Mueller, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tami Arnold, City Clerk
