Mayor Howard Stubbendieck opened the public
hearing regarding an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance at 6:20 p.m.,
delayed from the published notice, due to lack of quorum. Members of
the City Council answering roll were Melody Falcone, Larry Bauers and
Ray Frew. Absent: Bob McCaulley.
Notice of the public hearing and City Council
meeting were given in advance thereof by publication in the March 25,
2004 edition of the Plattsmouth Journal, as well as being posted in
three public places in the city.
Following review of the specific changes proposed to amend the Zoning
Ordinance, review of the Planning Board recommendation and public
input, the public hearing was closed and the regular monthly meeting
was opened with all members of the Council answering roll except
McCaulley.
Minutes of the March 8, and March 29, 2004 meetings were approved as written.
Motion by Bauers seconded by Falcone to accept all proposed changes to
the Zoning Ordinance with the exception that the maximum size of an
accessory building in a Medium Density Residential District and a Low
Density Residential District remain at 1080 square feet except for
parcels of ground consisting of 1.5 acres or more, which would allow
for the maximum size of an accessory building to be 1800 square feet.
It was further agreed to authorize the preparation of an Ordinance
authorizing the amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, to be considered at
the May meeting. Motion carried with Falcone, Bauers and Frew voting
aye. Nays: None. Absent: McCaulley.
Randy Hansen, on behalf of the Library Board, presented an overview of
the Library, noting past and present statistics and accomplishments.
Future goals were outlined, which included a new concrete entryway,
renovation and reorganization of the basement, landscaping and
installation of an outdoor water hydrant, which will continue to be
pursued.
Motion by Frew, seconded by Falcone to approve the application of Ray
Knott to the Fire Department. Motion carried with Frew, Falcone and
Bauers voting aye. Nays: None.
Following discussion of other Fire Department issues, the following
actions were taken: Motion by Bauers, seconded by Frew to approve the
city’s share of costs for six volunteer firemen to attend Fire School
in the amount of $829.70 and to authorize the department to spend up to
$2,000, should necessary equipment be available at the Fire School.
Motion carried with all members of the council present voting aye.
Authorization was given to obtain bids for replacement of the
walk-through door of the Fire Barn, to have the radios received from
the county properly programmed, and to apply rock at the rear access to
the Fire Barn.
Jerry Markham requested the placement of rock in the alley by his
residence. The City Council advised that it is not the city’s policy to
maintain alleys, but that they would attempt to grade the area.
Drew Wiles, who is working toward an Eagle Scout Badge, presented his
proposal for building benches, planting trees and other landscaping for
a specific area near the City Lakes, which met with full council
approval.
Sharon Nickels expressed concerns over someone wanting to move a mobile
home onto one of her trailer park lots and was advised that city zoning
regulations require building permit application for such a venture and
that no pre-owned units may be moved onto said area.
Copies of the Monthly Police Activity Report and the Monthly Water/Wastewater Report were presented for council review.
As a result of the Monthly Health Board Report, the following actions
were taken: M. Tittsworth allowed a thirty day continuance to complete
property cleanup; City Attorney advised that court date for J. Wilson
case set for April 26, but that a continuance to reset the date could
be made if continual progress is made prior to said court date;
certified notice to be sent to W. Meisinger regarding excessive amount
of vehicles still parked on his properties; letters to be sent by the
Clerk to residents regarding requests to removed wrecked or inoperable
vehicles and/or property cleanup; City Attorney to send a reminder
letter to B. Taylor regarding city code compliance terms and a letter
to a resident who is known to be raising chickens in the city limits;
an update of the pending legal action with the Thomas’s was provided,
after which a motion was made by Bauers, seconded by Frew to deny the
tort claim, filed by Gary and Helen Thomas, which was hand delivered to
the City Clerk’s office January 30, 2004. Motion carried with Falcone,
Bauers and Frew voting aye. Nays: None.
Representatives of the Planning Board requested that the council
consider the City Clerk’s attendance at Planning Board meetings and
public hearings, which the council agreed to take under advisement.
Rob Bauers presented the Monthly Maintenance Report noting that the
deck replacement has been completed at swimming pool, grading of the
ground has been completed, sidewalks have been poured and painting of
the pool is scheduled within the week. Rob was authorized to pursue the
most feasible method to seed the pool grounds and over seed the middle
of the football field. City lake improvements completed to date
included the continued draining of the east lake and removal of the
recommended trees. Motion by Bauers, seconded by Falcone to hire Stan
Mogensen to remove the remaining trees around the east lake and drag
all of the downed trees out of the lake area in order to proceed with
the proposed improvements. Motion carried with all members of the
council present voting aye. It was noted that the new bleachers have
been moved to the ballfield and placed on the recently poured concrete
slabs.
Motion by Frew, seconded by Bauers to approve Pay Request 4, 5 and 6
totaling $31,491.13, which represents final payment to Stephens and
Smith Construction for completion of the swimming pool deck replacement
project. Motion carried with all members of council present voting aye.
Upon review of the specifications and other data related to the
Downtown Revitalization Project, which was presented by Ben Day of
Olsson Associates, a motion was made by Falcone, seconded by Frew to
approve the final specs for said project, proceed with the proposed
bidding process, with advertising dates being the 15th, 22nd and 29th
of April, 2004 and bid opening date being May 5th, 2004. Motion carried
with all members of the council present voting aye. Motion by Frew,
seconded by Bauers to approve Drawdown #5, which includes the claim for
Olsson Associates in the amount of $2,359.70. Motion carried with all
members of the council present voting aye.
Motion by Frew, seconded by Falcone to pursue a proposal for street
sweeping services, provided the proposal does not exceed $3,000. Motion
carried with all members of the council present voting aye.
The Clerk provided an update of recent building permit activity, which
included: Misc. Permits: Carolyn Wipf-fence and deck; Marcia Nickels,
Teresa Duncan and Danelle Brown-fences; Building Permits: Gary
Gilmore-addition; Von Oliver-roof over existing deck; Larry
Sorensen-garage.
Members of the Council agreed to pursue a proposal of R & R Welding
of Avoca, NE to construct uniform benches for the business district,
once the main street renovations are completed.
Rescue squad updates included the resignation of James Winslow and the
appointment of Tim Switzer as the squad treasurer, replacing Trent
Hauschild, which met with full council approval.
Motion by Bauers, seconded by Frew to revise the previously approved
wage for Jeff Sorensen from $7.25 per hour to $7.50 per hour. Motion
carried with all members of the council present voting aye. Motion by
Frew, seconded by Bauers to increase the salary of Linda Fleming as
part-time clerical assistant to $7.50 per hour. Motion carried with all
members of the council present voting aye.
Motion by Bauers, seconded by Falcone to support the Ash Grove Cement
Company’s tire burning proposal for waste recycling and submit a letter
reflecting the same to the proper state officials. Motion carried with
all members of the council voting aye.
Motion by Bauers, seconded by Frew to approve the placement of stop
signs at the corner of “G” and Elm Streets and “D” and Randolph
Streets. Motion carried with all members of the council present voting
aye. The City Attorney was advised to contact the proper railroad
officials regarding the need for repairs of the ties in the pedestrian
walkway along the Randolph Street crossing...
Other items addressed were Weeping Water Housing Authority issues, and
receipt of a check from the Weeping Water Community Foundation in the
amount of $264.16, for landscaping improvements.
Motion by Bauers, seconded by Falcone to accept the following claims:
Salaries-5031.00; Stephens & Smith Construction Co., cap
imp-28394.42; All Seasons Pool & Spa, cap imp pmt-1266.67;
Heartland Community Bank, int-433.06; SE Girls’ Softball League, league
fees-380.00; Alltel, util-910.76; Aquila, util-1337.99; OPPD,
util-2581.90; Ameritas, emp ben-514.26; Ash Grove Cement Co., lease
pmt-400.00; EMS Billing, reimb-333.90; Farmers & Merchants Bank,
whlg-1453.06; Lawn Order, maint-1627.92; Nebr. Dept. of Revenue, sls
tx, whlg-979.31; Svoboda & Chebatoris, prof-585.37; The Travelers,
ins endrsmt-18.00; United Healthcare, ins-882.99; CDBG matching funds,
prof-7351.31; PeopleService, prof-9816.00; Cass County Refuse,
reimb-7000.00; Alliance Medical, sup-468.93; A. Carr, maint-524.00; B
& R Wallrock, maint-337.50; Barco, trf cont-110.35; Burgess Seed
& Plant Co., sup-511.05; Cass County Sheriff, prof cont
fee-2711.80; Chamber of Commerce, mtg-12.00; Dale P. Nielsen Inc.,
rep-72.76; Ingram Library System, bks-191.01; Jacobson Helgoth Cons.,
prof,cap imp-2652.33; J. Aronson, mlg-46.50; Keckler Oil Co., fuel,
pstg-385.25; Linweld, sup-128.75; Meeske Hdw., rep/maint-588.89; Meeske
Auto Parts, rep/maint-177.72; Miller Monroe Co., ins pkg pmt-4780.50;
Mobile Communications, rep-349.78; Murray Building & Supply,
maint-18.96; Nebr. U.C. Fund, unemp-9.47; Olsson Associates,
prof-1346.13; P. Nachtigall, rep-45.00; Reliable Office Supply,
sup-30.89; Shaffer Communications, equip-412.40; The Journal,
publ-251.99; WW Express Lane, fuel-148.83; Whiz Repair, rep-184.46;
Great Plains One Call, serv-18.83; Post Office, pstg-74.00; C. Cook,
mlg/mtg-91.50; A. Beckman, reimb-30.00; R. Tipton, reimb-30.00; J.
Nissen, reimb-30.00. Motion carried with all members of the council
present voting aye.
Motion by Bauers seconded by Frew to adjourn. Motion carried with all members of the council voting aye.
_______________________________ _________________________________
Kay Gerdes, City Clerk
Howard Stubbendieck
