Council Minutes - January 26, 2021
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRANT, NEBRASKA
January 26, 2021
Mayor Lisa Schmitt convened a meeting of the Council of the City of Grant, Nebraska in open and public session on January 26, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Notice of this meeting was given in advance by publication in the Grant Tribune Sentinel, the City’s designated method for giving notice, January 20, 2021, and members of the City Council and a copy of their Acknowledgment of Receipt and the Agenda are attached to these minutes. Availability of the Agenda was communicated in the advance notice and in the notice to the Mayor and Council of this meeting. All proceedings hereafter shown were recorded while said meeting was open to the attendance of the public.
Mayor Lisa Schmitt announced the posting of the Open Meetings Act and Governor’s Executive Order No. 20-36 and its location.
Roll call: Present Council members: Brueggeman, Petersen, Sims and Mayor Schmitt. Present Council members via Zoom videoconference: Bishop, per Governor’s Executive Order No. 20-36.
Others present: City Superintendent Edward Dunn, City Clerk/Treasurer Jessie Faber, City Attorney Tawna Holmstedt, et al.
The motion was made by Brueggeman and seconded by Petersen to approve the agenda as presented.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Petersen to approve the minutes of the January 12, 2021 meeting as presented and waive the reading and seconded by Sims.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS: City Superintendent, Edward Dunn informed the Council of the upcoming board meetings, the CRA board will meet February 5th at noon, the library board will meet February 10th at 7:00 a.m., the economic development advisory board will meet February 12th at noon, the park and rec advisory board will meet on February 17th at 5:30 p.m. Dunn let the Council know that Executive Order 21-02 will be effective through April 2021. Dunn updated the Council on demolition of the old swimming pool and let them know that Torrin Washa was hired at the public works assistant.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Council member, Petersen – none. Council member, Bishop – none. Council member, Brueggeman – gave an update on the tree board meeting and library board meeting. Council member, Sims – gave an update on the CRA board meeting. City Superintendent, Dunn – gave an update on the planning commission board meeting.
FINANCIALS – Acknowledged as received.
PUBLIC COMMENT – Jayson Bishop and Scott Miller.
*7:15 P.M. Public Hearing on Proposed 1 & 6 Year Street Improvement Program*– The hearing was opened by Mayor Schmitt at 7:15 p.m. Tom Werblow with T.C. Engineering presented the 1 & 6 Year Road and Street Improvement Plan and answered any questions the Council or Public had on the plan. Also the hearing was open to public comments.
Mayor Schmitt closed the hearing at 7:40 p.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Action and Discussion on Placing Stop Signs at Intersections of Concern within Grant Corporate Limits – Tom Werblow with T.C. Engineering explained how it should be determined if a stop sign is needed and the process to alleviate liability to the City. Sheriff, Jim Brueggeman via Zoom videoconference was also in attendance and answered any questions that the Council had on the placing of stop signs at intersections of Concern within Grant Corporate limits. No Action Taken.
NEW BUSINESS:
Action and Discussion on Resolution 21-01-03 Adoption of 1 & 6 Year Street Improvement Program – A motion was made by Brueggeman to adopt Resolution 21-01-03 Adoption of 1 & 6 Year Street Improvement Program and seconded by Bishop.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
The Resolution will be published in pamphlet form.
Action and Discussion on Proposed Street Improvements Projects – A motion was made by Petersen to accept the proposed street improvement project and to go to bid for armor coating. Motion died due to lack of second.
Presentation on the Municipal Swimming Pool Progress (Larry Steele, Reed Miller) – Larry Steele with Miller and Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C. presented via Zoom videoconference an update on the Municipal Swimming Pool Progress and answered any questions.
Action and Discussion on Employee Benefits – Health Insurance Renewal & H.S.A. Contributions (Benefit Management) – Dan Duren with Benefit Management presented via Zoom videoconference the 2021 employee health insurance renewal options and answered any questions. Sims move to table the employee benefits health insurance renewal and H.S.A. contributions to the next meeting and seconded by Petersen.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Action and Discussion on Mayoral Appointment for Housing Authority Board (Robin Riggs) – A motion was made by Brueggeman to approve the Mayoral appointment of Robin Riggs to the Housing Authority Board term ending 12/2025 and seconded by Petersen.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Action and Discussion on Resolution 21-01-05 Resolution to approve payment of committed payback funds in the amount of $3,000.00 for GRA #1 as part of West Central Nebraska Development District’s (WCNDD) Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program (OOR) – A motion was made by Brueggeman to approve Resolution 21-01-05 Resolution to approve payment of committed payback funds in the amount of $3,000.00 for GRA #1 as part of West Central Nebraska Development District’s (WCNDD) Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program (OOR) and seconded by Petersen.
RESOLUTION NO. 21-01-05
RESOLUTION TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF COMMITTED PAYBACK FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,000.00 FOR GRA #1 AS PART OF WEST CENTRAL NEBRASKA DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT’S (WCNDD) OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM (OOR)
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
The Resolution will be published in pamphlet form.
The Mayor stated the Council will take a 5 minute recess.
Discussion on Personnel Manual Update (Review Changes in Chapter 1-4) (Focus on Chapters 5-7) – A motion was made by Petersen to go into executive session for employee personnel issues and to include the Council Members, Mayor, City Clerk, City Superintendent and City Attorney and seconded by Sims.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Entered Executive Session at 8:27 pm.
Exited Executive Session at 9:52 pm.
A motion was made by Petersen to move out of executive session and seconded by Sims.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Action on Bills & Claims –AFLAC, employee benefits – 243.04; Black Hills Energy, utilities – 624.97; Blue Cross Blue Shield of NE, employee benefits – 6,735.81; Consolidated Plastics Company, Inc., supplies – 259.50; Faber Signs, supplies – 52.74; Macqueen Equipment Group, capital outlay – 3,066.90; Midwest Electric, Utilities – 461.48; Nebraska Public Health Environmental, lab & well tests – 30.00; NMC, Inc., supplies & repairs– 1,073.86; O’Donnell & Holmstedt, P.C., L.L.O., professional services – 5,975.00; Perkins County Chamber of Commerce, dues – 275.00; ; Pinnacle Bank/Visa, shop supplies, postage, & dues & training – 679.88; Principal Life Insurance Company, employee benefits – 138.30; The Hometown Agency, insurance – 194.00; West Central Nebraska Development District, OOR program match – 3,000.00; American Funds, retirement –1, 222.34; Nebraska Department of Revenue, sales tax – 9,200.08; United States Treasury, federal tax withholding – 3,233.52; Overtime Wages 1/1-1/15 – 282.96. Total Bills and Claims $36,749.38.
The motion was made by Brueggeman and seconded by Sims to approve the Bills and Claims in the amount of $36,749.38.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Brueggeman, Petersen & Sims reviewed the bills and claims prior to the meeting.
Mayor Lisa Schmitt adjourned this meeting of the Grant City Council at 9:56 P.M.
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Lisa Schmitt, Mayor
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Jessie Faber, City Clerk