February 7, 2022 at 7:00 PM - 1st Council Regular Meeting

1. Mayor Bergman calls meeting to order, with the "Pledge of Allegiance" and the "Open Meeting Statement" as required by NE State Statutes 84-1407 through 84-1414; Mayor Bergman also states that the City Council may vote to go into Closed Session on any agenda item as allowed by NE State Statute 84-1410. 

2. Submittal of Request for Future Agenda Items

3. Reserve time to Speak on an Agenda Item

4. Todd Padrnos Nuisance at 108 Howard Avenue: City concerns are with the structural integrity of the steel staircases, decking and support beams.
Per an agreement from the City Council on Monday, December 20, 2021, Mr. Padrnos will have until Monday, February 7, 2022 to repair the key structure of the apartments.  Chief of Police Howard and Utilities Superintendent Helzer will give Mr. Padrnos a courtesy call to inspect the project.  Mayor Bergman stated that the City is willing to work with Mr. Padrnos concerning the matter. 

NUISANCE: Failure to Abate: If nuisance is not abated and Council determines to proceed, Council will give a second "Notice" with date, time and place for interested party to appear before the City Council and present evidence that the property is a public nuisance and needs to be abated.  
Discuss - Approve / Deny giving a second "Notice" to the party; a NOTICE OF HEARING TO BE DETERMINED EXISTENCE OF PUBLIC NUISANCE AND TO ABATE IN WHOLE OR PART.  
***City Council to set date, time and place at which all interested parties may appear before the City Council and present evidence that the property is not a nuisance (possible action). 

5. NUISANCE: Failure to Abate: If nuisance is not abated and Council determines to proceed, Council will give a second "Notice" with date, time and place for interested party to appear before the City Council and present evidence that the property is a public nuisance and needs to be abated.  
Discuss - Approve / Deny giving a second "Notice" to which party or parties; a NOTICE OF HEARING TO BE DETERMINED EXISTENCE OF PUBLIC NUISANCE AND TO ABATE IN WHOLE OR PART.  
***City Council to set date, time and place at which all interested parties may appear before the City Council and present evidence that the property is not a nuisance (possible action).

6. Discuss - Approve / Deny Bootlegger Inc. (Tiffany Fousek) Special Designated Liquor (SDL) application (1108 2nd Street) #CK124534 on Saturday, March 26, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.  The event will be held at the St. Paul Civic Center (423 Howard Avenue) regarding a St. Paul Chamber of Commerce awards banquet.

7. Discuss - Approve / Deny Consent Agenda Items: (1) January 18, 2022 Council minutes; (2) January 31, 2022 zoning permits; and (3) February 7, 2022 disbursements.  

8. Discuss - Approve / Deny the Howard County Medical Center placing a portable "Clinic in a Can" on the west side of the hospital's north parking lot.  The clinic would be utilized for Covid testing and medical assessments relating to possible Covid exposures; this would only be for a period of six (6) months and then be revisited.  

9. Discuss - Approve / Deny City of St. Paul Covid-19 employee sick leave.

10. Discuss - Approve / Deny St. Paul Development Corp. (SPDC) requesting American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in the amount of $20,000 for two (2) "Welcome" signs to be constructed on US Hwy 281 (North and South Corporate Limits).   Per City Attorney White on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, he stated that the City does NOT need to bid out the "Welcome Signs"; this is per NE State Statute 17-568.01.  Attorney White also stated that if the City wants to bid out the project, then the City needs to accept the lowest responsible bid.

11. Discuss - Approve / Deny accepting St. Paul Police Officer Matt Costello's employment resignation, with regret.  Mayor Bergman thanked Officer Costello for his dedicated service to the City of St. Paul.

12. Discuss - Approve / Deny advertising for a City of St. Paul Police Officer to fulfill Officer Costello's position.  The City will advertise in the (1) Phonograph Herald; (2) Law Enforcement Training Center; (3) City Website; (4) City and Police Dept. Facebook; and (5) the Grand Island Independent.

13. Discuss - Approve / Deny Chief of Police Dan Howard purchasing five (5) Accredited Security Taser's in the approximate amount of $4,995.  Per Chief of Police Howard half the Police Departments tasers aren't functioning.

14. Discuss - Approve / Deny purchasing new swimming pool circulating pump; has approximately 50,000 hours of run time.
a. Approve / Deny purchasing swimming pool over-head net above logs (Utility Superintendent Helzer is having difficulty finding the specialty item).

15. INFORMATION ONLY: The second (2nd) City Council meeting in February 2022 will be on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., due to the President's Day holiday.

16. Utility Superintendent Helzer updates:
(1) John Danforth with the NE Dept. Environment & Energy (NDEE) has received all the necessary City of St. Paul Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) documents and authorizes the award of the construction contract for Rutjens Construction Inc.; REIMBURSEMENT can begin.

17. Chief of Police Howard updates:
(1) Nuisances: 1st Phase; Letters Sent; 
(2) Stop Sticks from Blackhill's Energy.

18. City Council member updates

19. Mayor Bergman updates: 
(1) NE League of Municipalities Midwinter Conference (February 28 to March 1, 2022) attendance: Mayor Bergman, City Clerk/Deputy Treasurer Beck, Council member Kowalski, and Council member Schmid;
(2) Notice of Special meeting on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. regarding a Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Pre-Construction meeting;
(3) Notice of Special meeting on Monday, March 14, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. regarding an IBEW 1597 Union Negotiation workshop;
(4) St. Paul Civic Center balance of Loan #50353;
(5) The Housing Authority of the City of St. Paul, NE submitted their Financial Statements and Independent Auditor's Report as of June 30, 2021; visit the City to review;
(6) LARM Safety Grant

20. Public Comment Period - restricted to items on the agenda

21. Public Announcements

22. Closed Session: Possible Litigation / Possible IBEW 1597 Union Litigation:

Pending Litigation; Strategy Session with respect to real estate purchase; and prevent needless injury to the reputation of an individual

23. Mayor Bergman adjourns City Council meeting

24. Informational Items:

25. This agenda, including supporting documentation, is available for public viewing during normal business hours at the City Office, 704 6th Street, St. Paul, Nebraska.