April 17th, 2007

The Holdrege City Council met in regular session Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 7:30 PM in the City Council Chambers 502 East Ave with Mark M Rona presiding. Council members present were Doug Young, Chad Rupe, Ron Dick, Larry Gibbons, Doug Stevenson, Dane Jensen, and Randy Aldrich. Council member Jeff Nantkes was absent. City Staff also present were Rod Osborn, Larry Duval, Mark Schultz, Dennis DaMoude, Bob Rager, Mary Magill and Sheryl McClymont. Media present was from Holdrege Daily Citizen.

Sheryl McClymont, City Clerk read "State Law requires this body to announce at this time a copy of the current open meetings act is posted at the back of the room where it is accessible to the public."

Mayor Rona, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM followed by a moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance. Notice of the meeting was given in advance by publication, the City's designated method for giving notice and by announcement from KUVR. Notice was given in advance to the Mayor and Council members.

Motion by Council member Rupe, second by Council member Stevenson with all present voting aye to approve agenda for this meeting of April 17, 2007 and the minutes for the April 3, 2007 regular meeting. Motion carried

Motion by Council member Young, second by Council member Gibbons with all present voting aye to approve the March 2007 Treasurers report. Motion carried.

Mayor Rona presented the ACE door hanger checks to Polly, Grey and Del Pearson from Holcomb Church for public forum.

At 7:34 PM Mayor Rona said it was the time and place for a public hearing with the Council to serve as a Board of Equalization & Adjustment recording assessment fees for cost incurred by the City for Mowing & Litter Cleanup. There being no one present for the public hearing the Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:34 PM.

Motion by Council member Aldrich, second by Council member Jensen with all present voting aye to approve Resolution 2007-04 providing for special assessments of properties for mowing and property cleanup. Motion carried. See attached.

At 7:36 PM, Mayor Rona said it was the time and place for a public hearing to hear comment considering the application from Scott Brendel dba Upper Room located at 307 East Ave. Mike Klein, Attorney, Scott and Cherie Brendel were present to answer any questions the Council may have. Mike Klein explained some details of the new business that is opening April 18, 2007 at 307 East Ave. There being no further comments the Mayor closed the public hearing at 7:40 PM.

Motion by Council Aldrich, second by Council member Gibbons with all present voting aye to approve a Class I Liquor License for Scott Brendel dba the Upper Room located at 307 East Ave. Motion carried.

Scott Brendel and Sharon Johnson were both present asking for a loading zone parking stall for wheelchair clients that will be patronizing the businesses at the south end of the 300 block of East Ave to use. Discussion was had about a handicap stall and the loading zone stall and the additional traffic that the 5 new businesses will add to the area. Motion by Council member Young, second by Council member Jensen with all present voting aye to refer the loading zone and handicap parking stall to the Public Safety Committee for their recommendation. Motion carried.

Council member Jensen asked the Council if they would like to see any part of the West Caldwell Ordinance on property cleanup incorporated with the present Ordinance that Holdrege has on property cleanup. It was decided that Rod Osborn, City Attorney will read the Wes Caldwell Ordinance and report back to the Council.

Motion by Council member Young, second by Council member Rupe to approve Tina Kring as new manager for Casey's Retail Company dba Casey's General Store #1606, located at 1206 North Burlington Street. Motion carried.

Motion by Council member Young, second by Council member Rupe to approve Tina Kring as new manager for Casey's Retail Company dba Casey's General Store #1800, located at 420 West 4th Ave. Motion carried.

Kara Mueller, Executive Vice President for the Holdrege Chamber of Commerce was present to explain to the Council the many activities/events scheduled for Swedish Days, June 15-17. They will need several streets blocked off and the use of the North Park for the events. There was much discussion again on the outcome of the Legislature on the Recreation Liability Act. Motion by Council member Stevenson, second by Council member Jensen to approve the request from the Holdrege Chamber of Commerce pending favorable ruling from the Legislature. Roll call aye-Rupe, Dick, Gibbons, Stevenson, Jensen and Aldrich. Abstain-Young. Motion carried.

Kara Mueller, Executive Vice President of the Holdrege Chamber of Commerce also asked the City to consider giving financial support to the Swedish Day celebration. The money would be used to develop television ads on NTV, as well as radio ads in Holdrege, Kearney and Lexington, and newspaper ads in Holdrege and Kearney. The Council referred this back to the City Treasurer and City Administrator.

Michele High from the Holdrege Housing Task Force was present to give the Council an update on the DED New Neighborhood Initiative Grant that Holdrege has been selected to receive. The $500,000 grant will be used for workforce housing.

Doug Stevenson, from Stevenson Land Surveying was present to ask the Council to consider a final plat for a Subdivision for Soneson Land & Cattle Co. LTD in a tract of land located in the NE ¼ of Section 26, T6N, R18W of the 6th PM in Phelps County. This property is located just north of the Airport. Motion by Council member Young, second by Council member Dick to approve the final plat for a Subdivision for Soneson Land & Cattle Co LTD in a tract of land located in the NE ¼ of Section 26, T6N, R18W of the 6th PM in Phelps County. Roll call aye-Young, Rupe, Dick, Gibbons, Jensen and Aldrich. Abstain-Stevenson. Motion carried.

Larry Duval, Municipal Service Director explained to the Council that bids had been received from 3 dealers for a new Loader. The low bid was from Nebraska Machinery for a Cat 924G for $92,298 with a trade in. Motion by Council member Rupe, second by Council member Jensen with all present to approve the Nebraska Machinery bid for a Cat 924G for $92,298 Loader. Motion carried.

Motion by Council member Gibbons, second by Council member Stevenson with all present voting aye to approve Brad Roggie as the newest member of the Holdrege Volunteer Fire Department. Motion carried.

Motion by Council member Young, second by Council member Rupe with all present voting aye to approve the claims on file. Motion carried.

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION-$3,877.61
FIRE-$745.88
HEALTH & SANITATION-$547.88
COMM. DEVELOP/PROMOTION-$19.61
PUBLIC BUILDINGS-$1,478.70
AUDITORIUM-$1,534.75
PARK-$450.99
POOL-$19.38
LIBRARY-$.00
EMERGENCY COMM.-$12,530.10
POLICE-$2,625.07
STREET-$7,010.31
BOND FUND-$.00
EQUIP. MAINT. & REPLACEMENT-$11,899.82
TOTAL-$42,740.10
PRAIRIE HILL LANDFILL-$6,640.65
SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS-$.00
ENTERPRISE
ELECTRIC-$360,525.64
WATER-$951.51
SEWER-$1,044.17
TOTAL ENTERPRISE-$362,521.32
ECON DEVEL REVOLVING-$859.64
TOTAL CLAIMS-$412,761.71

There being no further business the Council adjourned at 8:22 PM.

The next meeting will be May 1, 2007 at 7:30 PM in the City Council Chambers, 502 East Ave. An agenda is kept constantly current on file at the office of the City Clerk.