Regular Meeting
April 20, 2010
The Mayor and Council
of the City of Fairbury met in regular session in the Council Chambers
located at 612 D Street, Fairbury, Nebraska, on the 20th day of
April 2010,
at 7:30 p.m. Mayor
Homer L. Ward 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 was posted in the meeting
room and pointed out by Mayor Ward as required by law.
Roll call found the
following Council Members present: Doug Brown, Ed Friesen, Roger Bailey, Tim
Polson, Shirley Bender, Brad Kuzelka, and Kelly Davis. Absent: Beryl
Lueders.
Mayor Ward called for
the submittal of forms to request future agenda items. No forms were
submitted during the meeting.
Mayor Ward read the
Consent Agenda:
1.
Approval of the minutes of the
regular meeting of April 6, 2010.
2.
Approval of claims.
3.
Approval of the March 2010
Reconciliation Report.
Brown moved to approve
the Consent Agenda. Motion seconded by Bailey. On roll call Brown,
Friesen, Bailey, Polson, Bender, Kuzelka, and Davis voted “yes.” Lueders
absent. Motion carried.
Mayor Ward opened the
Public Hearing regarding Community Input of possible future city projects.
Council member Shirley Bender addressed the Council. Bender stated she had
asked this be on the agenda as a public hearing so people from the community
could give their input and the other Council members would have time to
think about what they would like to go forward with. If we want to continue
to grow as a town and community, we need to be more progressive and
proactive in what we do as a community. Bender displayed posters/pictures
showing some of the things we have to offer in our community. Bender stated
our community has wonderful parks, historic areas, and we have the future
with our children. Some of the projects done in the past were the first
phase of the downtown redevelopment and the trail. We need to decide if we
want to go forward with the second phase of these projects. Bender had the
consulting firm of JEO come down about a month ago ~ she gave them a list of
what she was interested in. JEO gave us a Resource Matrix which shows the
different funding that is available for different projects. JEO could help
us with technical assistance if we would need that help. There is still
funding if we would want to do more at Crystal Springs. Bender commented
how nice Crystal Springs is for ones to come here to camp and spend time in
the community. The Softball Complex is one of the nicest facilities in the
area; about the only one in the area that compares to ours is Tuxedo Park in
Crete. We need to help grow our area with tourism. One funding source is
the Community Development Assistance Act which was created by the Nebraska
Legislature to encourage financial support by businesses to community
betterment organizations in their efforts to implement community service and
development projects. Eligible projects through this program include,
employment training, human and medical services, physical facility (such as
the softball complex) and neighborhood development services, recreational
and educational activities and crime prevention. This program empowers the
Department of Economic Development to distribute a 40% state tax credit to
businesses, corporations, individuals, etc. that make eligible contributions
of cash, services or materials to approved community betterment projects.
It’s a little bit of paper work but easier than applying for a grant.
Bender stated the City has used TIF funding and keno funds for projects.
Bender stated we’re lacking tourism in our community; we need to sell our
town as we do have a lot to offer and she feels as leaders of the community
they need to help promote our community. Bender asked if anyone had any
ideas of what they would like the City to go forward with in our community.
No one else addressed the Council during the public hearing. Mayor Ward
declared the hearing closed.
Bender moved to
approve the recommendation from the Finance & Keno Committee to accept the
bid submitted from Gill Insurance Service Inc. for the various property and
liability insurance coverage for the City of Fairbury. Motion seconded by
Davis. Brown wanted the bids reiterated; Davis stated the bid received from
Gill Insurance Service Inc. was in the amount of $168,128.00 and the bid
from Starr-Buckow Insurance Agency, Inc. was in the amount of $193,599.00; a
difference of $25,471.00. On roll call, Brown, Friesen, Bailey, Polson,
Bender, Kuzelka, and Davis voted “yes.” Lueders absent. Motion carried.
Polson moved to approve
the recommendation from the Public Works Committee to approve the
Professional Services Agreement with Olsson Associates for the Flood &
Drainage Study-Urban Drainage Systems & FEMA Floodplains “Project” in
accordance with the 2008 CDBG Grant Agreement Contract No. 08-DRP-008 and
authorizing Mayor Ward to sign the necessary documents. Motion seconded by
Kuzelka. On roll call, Brown, Friesen, Bailey, Polson, Bender, Kuzelka, and
Davis voted “yes.” Lueders absent. Motion carried.
Friesen moved to
postpone the Maintenance/Management Agreement between the City of Fairbury
and the Fairbury Area Softball Association until the next Council meeting on
May 4, 2010 to give
City Attorney David Bargen a chance to review the original agreement that
was in effect at the time of the last roll over. Motion seconded by Brown.
Friesen stated the contract was automatically renewed. Ed Durfee with the
Softball Association apologized to the Council for the statement he made at
the last Council meeting regarding the amount of money Hebron gives to their
summer ball program; he was wrong in what he said and wants to apologize to
everyone; he didn’t check the facts before he shared the figures with the
Council. On roll call, Brown, Friesen, Bailey, Polson, Bender, Kuzelka, and
Davis voted “yes.” Lueders absent. Motion carried.
Fire Chief Eric Voss
presented the 2009 Annual Fire Department Report.
Bender moved to have
Mayor Ward set up a committee to review and categorize possible future
projects for the City to present to the Council. Motion seconded by Davis.
On roll call, Brown, Friesen, Bailey, Polson, Bender, Kuzelka, and Davis
voted “yes.” Lueders absent. Motion carried.
Bender moved to adopt
Resolution No. 774 making investment fund changes to the City of Fairbury
Employees Pension Plan and the City of Fairbury Section 457 Employees Plan;
to amend and restate the City of Fairbury Employees Pension Plan, the City
of Fairbury Police Retirement Plan and the City of Fairbury Firefighters
Retirement Plan on Unifi Companies Prototype Plan Adoption Agreements for a
fee of $750 per Plan; and the in-service withdrawal provision at age 62 be
added to the City of Fairbury Employees Retirement Plan. Motion seconded by
Davis. Bender stated the Finance Committee recommended adopting this
resolution. On roll call, Brown, Friesen, Bailey, Polson, Bender, Kuzelka,
and Davis voted “yes.” Lueders absent. Motion carried.
Friesen moved to adopt
Resolution No. 775, as amended, authorizing the City to make preparations
for the sale of the 2000 Ford Crown Victoria Interceptor by means of taking
sealed bids; making the bid period from May 1, 2010 through May 18, 2010 at
5:00 p.m. ~ sealed bids to be submitted to the City Clerk and opened that
evening at the Council meeting; setting the minimum bid at $1,000.00; and
having the vehicle displayed at Wheel-N-Deal Auto Sales located at 1832 K
Street where the dealer will represent the vehicle at no cost to the City.
Motion seconded by Bailey. Friesen stated the reason for having the bid
period from May 1 through May 18 would allow them time to remove the
equipment; they want to keep from the vehicle, before it goes out for bid.
Friesen feels having the vehicle on display at Wheel-N-Deal Auto Sales would
have more visibility than in the alley behind the Law Enforcement Center.
The dealer will represent the vehicle; give bid sheets, and direct people to
where they need to submit the bid which he will do at no cost to the City.
On roll call, Brown, Friesen, Bailey, Polson, Bender, Kuzelka, and Davis
voted “yes.” Lueders absent. Motion carried.
Mayor Ward read by
title Ordinance No. 2994: AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH WATER RATES; TO AMEND
ORDINANCE NO. 2970; TO REPEAL CONFLICTING SECTIONS AND TO PROVIDE FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. Brown moved to give 3rd reading to Ordinance No.
2994. Motion seconded by Friesen. On roll call, Brown, Friesen, Bailey,
Polson, Bender, Kuzelka, and Davis voted “yes.” Lueders absent. Motion
carried. Polson moved to give final passage of Ordinance No. 2994. Motion
seconded by Brown. On roll call, Brown, Friesen, Bailey, Polson, Bender,
Kuzelka, and Davis voted “yes.” Lueders absent. Motion carried.
Within the Mayor’s
report, Mayor Ward stated he feels the City-Wide Clean Up is going very well
and hopes that we can do more beyond clean-up week.
Bender stated the
First National Bank will be donating another savings bond for the Swimming
Pool Family Passes.
Bender moved to adjourn
the meeting. Motion seconded by Bailey. On roll call, Brown, Friesen,
Bailey, Polson, Bender, Kuzelka, and Davis voted “yes.” Lueders absent.
Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Homer L.
Ward, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sharyl Preston, City Clerk
