September 6, 2022 at 7:00 PM - 1st Council Regular Meeting

1. The City of St. Paul Council will hold two (2) meetings on Tuesday, September 6, 2022; the 1st Council meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. regarding: (1) City of St. Paul's 2022-2023 Budget AND Budget Statement public hearing; and (2) the 2nd Council meeting will commence immediately upon adjournment of the budget hearing. 

2. Per Nebraska State Statute 13-506(1), as amended by LB148 (2020): Each governing body shall each year conduct a public hearing on its proposed budget statement.  Such hearing shall be held separately from any regular scheduled meeting of the governing body and shall not be limited by time.  After such hearing, the proposed budget statement shall be adopted, or amended and adopted as amended at a separate and distinct meeting, and a written record shall be kept of such hearing.

Public Hearing regarding the City of St. Paul's proposed 2022-2023 Budget Statement
a.  Mayor Bergman opens the public comment period regarding the City of St. Paul's proposed 2022-2023 Budget Statement.
b.  Mayor Bergman closed the public comment period.

3. Mayor Bergman adjourns the public hearing regarding the proposed City of St. Paul's 2022-2023 Budget and Budget Statement.

4. Mayor Bergman calls the 2nd City Council 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. 

5. Submittal of Request for Future Agenda Items

6. Reserve time to Speak on an Agenda Item

7. Brad Slaughter, Piper Sandler Senior Vice President will be in attendance to discuss the new Fire Station interest rates for the issuance of bonds and also to discuss the parameters' ordinance (possible action).

Discuss - Introduce Ordinance #1031; an ordinance authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Municipal Building bonds, Series 2022, of the City of St. Paul, Nebraska, in the principal amount of not to exceed Two Million, Forty Thousand Dollars ($2,040,000) issued for the purpose of constructing a municipal building in and for the City; prescribing the form of said bonds; providing for a sinking fund and for the collection of taxes to pay said bonds; providing for the sale of the bonds; authorizing the delivery of the bonds to the purchaser; providing for the disposition of the bond proceeds and ordering the ordinance published in pamphlet form.
a. Introduce Ordinance; NO second; NO roll call;
b. Waive Reading of Ordinance; with second; and roll call; 
c. Final Passage of Ordinance; with second; and roll call.

8. Discuss - Approve / Deny City Council consideration to deed City of St. Paul land to the Howard County Medical Center 1113 Sherman Street (PO Box 406), St. Paul, NE regarding the expansion of a Therapy and Wellness Center.  The property is more legally described as a Tract of Land 22' x 132' located in the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 4, Township 14 North, Range 10, West of the 6th P.M., St. Paul, Howard County, Nebraska. See attached Howard County resolution where Howard County owns the Howard County Medical Center.

9. Discuss - Approve / Deny Howard County Medical Center (HCMC) hosting a Jack O' Lantern Jog or Walk (5K run / 1-mile) on Saturday, October 22, 2022, along with requesting the approval to paint arrows along the race route.  Volunteers will monitor traffic during the event.  The proceeds will go towards the Howard County Medical Center Therapy and Wellness Center.  A current Certificate of Insurance has been provided to the City. 

10. Discuss - Approve / Deny the City reimbursing the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce $600 for the general liability insurance premium regarding the St. Paul Chamber annual events, along with (1) Weebly (website domain) $74.80 and (2) Steven Neal (website maintenance) $100.

11. Discuss - Approve / Deny the Royal Coachmen's car show burn-out contest on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 5:30 p.m.; consideration of location.  The City will also need to possess a Certificate of Insurance prior to the event.  

12. Discuss - Approve / Deny the City of St. Paul pursuing a "Community Needs Survey" whether it's through the South Central Economic Development District (SCEDD) or through the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) via Survey Monkey.
(1) Approve / Deny Resolution 2022-16, whereas the City is requesting the South Central Economic Development District (SCEDD) conduct a "Community Needs Assessment Survey" in the amount of $8,000, along with approving a funding source.

13. The City of St. Paul Leadership Certification is up for renewal before or on December 1, 2022.  The Leadership Certification will provide leadership efforts to promote ongoing economic development opportunities regarding St. Paul.
  
Discuss - Approve / Deny Resolution 2022-11; whereas, the City of St. Paul continues to provide leadership and efforts to promote ongoing economic development opportunities, and hereby declares its intent to renew its "Leadership Certified Community" designation.

14. Discuss - Approve / Deny the NE Dept. of Economic Development ARPA funding for the Rural Workforce Housing Land Development program.
(1) Discuss - Approve Resolution 2022-15; whereas, the City of St. Paul is requesting grant assistance from the South Central Economic Development District (SCEDD) regarding the Rural Workforce Housing - Land Development application.  SCEDD will provide this service for no fee to members.

15. Discuss - Approve / Deny Transfers for Fiscal Year End 2021-2022 = $311,528.98:
Light to Police $140,000 (operating); Light to Park $66,800 (operating); Light to General $18,710 (US Wage); Water to General $18,710 (US Wage); Sewer to General $18,710 (US Wage); Landfill to Park $10,000 (operating); Street to General $18,710 (US Wage); and Street to VP Bond $19,888.98 (assessments).

16. Discuss - Approve / Deny the proposed 2022 - 2023 Budget and Budget Statement.

17. Discuss - Approve / Deny the 2022-2023 Budget's ADDITIONAL one percent (1%) increase regarding the total allowable restricted fund authority. 

18. Discuss - Approve / Deny Resolution #2022-14, whereas the 2022-2023 property tax requests be set at $684,376.00 for the General Fund and $161,600.00 for the Bond Fund.  The total assessed value of property differs from last year's total assessed value by 16.36 percent.  The tax rate which would levy the same amount of property taxes as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of property would be 0.507516 per $100 of assessed value.  The City of St. Paul proposes to adopt a property tax request that will cause its tax rate to be 0.50691 per $100 of assessed value.  Based on the proposed property tax request and changes in other revenue, the total operating budget of the City will increase last year's budget by 9.25 percent.  A copy of the resolution will be certified and forwarded to the Howard County Clerk on or before Saturday, October 15, 2022.

19. Discuss - Introduce "Annual Appropriation Bill" Ordinance #1030 for the operation of the General and Utility funds of the City of St. Paul, in Howard County, NE, appropriating the sums of money deemed necessary to defray all expenses and liabilities for the fiscal year commencing on the first day of October 2022 and ending the last day of September 2023.  The following sums are hereby appropriated to defray the necessary expenses and liabilities of the City during the fiscal period commencing October 1, 2022, and ending September 30, 2023, to wit: (1) Operating Expenses $5,629,783; (2) Capital Improvements $4,406,451; (3) $531,950; (4) Debt Service $1,719,210; and (5) $455,898 of which $845,976 is to be raised by property taxation. 
***Introduce Ordinance, with NO second or roll call
***Waive three (3) readings of Ordinance, with a second and roll call
*** Final Passage of Ordinance, with a second and roll call

20. Discuss - Approve / Deny Consent Agenda Items: (1) August 15, 2022 minutes; (2) August 29, 2022 zoning permits, which includes Dave and Debra Scheer's application for Subdivision Replat; and September 6, 2022 disbursements.   

21. Discuss - Approve / Deny Resolution 2022-17; whereas the Mayor and City Council desire to establish fees for various City permits, services, goods, and use of equipment; with the adopted effective date October 1, 2022.

22. Discuss - Approve / Deny Resolution 2022-18; whereas, the Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 77-27,142 provides that any incorporated municipality is authorized to impose a sales and use tax after an election on said issue is held, and the sales tax issue is approved by majority vote of the electors voting at such election.
The City desires to propose to the qualified electors at the next General Election (Tuesday, November 8, 2022) to increase the City's sales and used tax rate by an additional one-half of one percent (1/2%) from one percent (1%) to one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) for a limited period of time. The ballot shall read: "Shall the governing body of the incorporated municipality - the City of St. Paul, Nebraska - increase the local sales and use tax rate by an additional one-half of one percent (1/2%) from the current rate of one percent (1%) to a rate of one and one-half (1-1/2%) and impose a sales and use tax at the increased rate, upon the same transactions within such municipality on which the State of Nebraska is authorized to impose tax, for a period of time running from the date of its imposition and continuing until the earlier of: (a)the first date on or after January 1, 2025, when there is no unpaid indebtedness (bonds or notes) outstanding which has been issued by the City for the construction of a new fire station in and for the City; or (b) the expiration of twenty (20) year?"

23. Discuss - Approve / Deny the "Agreement between the City of St. Paul Fire and Rescue (Owner) and JEO Consulting Group, Inc. (Engineer) for Professional Services".  The consultant will assist the St. Paul Fire and Rescue Squad in developing public information materials to help create awareness and understanding of the proposed project and proposed sales tax increase.  The consultant will develop a (1) Fact Sheet; (2) Video; and (3) Information boards and posters.  The consultant will provide the services described for an hourly, not to exceed amount of $5,000; the funds will be absorbed by the St. Paul Fire Department and St. Paul Rescue Squad.

24. Discuss - Approve / Deny City Clerk Beck transferring $250,000 from the Heritage Bank City utility billing fund and depositing it in the Homestead Bank City General fund.  This is due to paying City disbursements. 

25. Discuss - Approve / Deny designating City Clerk Connie Jo Beck as the City of St. Paul municipal official to represent the City of St. Paul at the Annual Members meeting of the League Insurance Government Health Team (LIGHT) on Friday, September 16, 2022.  This is pursuant to the LIGHT's Bylaws (Article IV, Section 6). Per Lynn Rex email, Mayor Bergman cannot be the designee, due to being on the LIGHT Board of Directors.

26. Note: Tri City Sign Co. has completed the City Welcome signs and is requesting a 50% down payment.  Tri City Sign Co. did not know that the final placement of sign hasn't been approved by the City Council.  The St. Paul Development Corp. (SPDC) is inquiring on the project and does not know what to do.

Discuss - Approve / Deny placement of the north and south City Welcome signs.

Discuss - Approve / deny the 50% down payment in the amount of $17,500 to Tri City Sign Company regarding the City Welcome signs. 

27. Discuss - Approve / Deny setting a City of St. Paul Fall Clean-up date, along with utilizing City Keno funds to absorb the cost of the project.

28. Discuss - Approve / Deny performing interviews for a Water Operator; Sewer Wastewater Operator and possibly for an Electrical Lineman; and approve date(s) for interviews. 
(a) Discuss - Approve interview committee

29. The resolution below is to update the SAM's Registration through the Federal government for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds that was awarded to the City of St. Paul. The Federal government is eliminating the DUN's number and issuing a Unique Entity Identification number (UEI). 

SAM is a web-based, government-wide application that collects, validates, stores, and disseminates business information about the federal government's trading partners in support the contract awards, grants, and electronic payment processes.

Discuss - Approve / Deny Resolution No. 2022-19, whereas the City of Saint Paul, Nebraska is a City of a Second Class recognized by Nebraska Revised Statute, 17-501, as a Municipal Corporation of the State of Nebraska, and 
Whereas, no historical document exists to establish when the City of Saint Paul, Nebraska was officially incorporated, and 
Whereas, the date of May 9, 1871 has been recognized by the City of Saint Paul 704 6th Street, Saint Paul, Nebraska historically as the date of the official incorporation by the City of Saint Paul, Nebraska as a municipal corporation of the State of Nebraska.

30. Discussion regarding the Broadband programs provided by the Federal government - PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED (possible action)
a.  Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD);
b.  Digital Equity; and
c.  the Middle Mile
 

31. Utilities Superintendent Helzer updates

32. Chief of Police Howard updates:

33. City Council member updates

34. Mayor Bergman updates:
(1) City of St. Paul Deputy Clerk Laura Berthelsen will serve on the South Central Economic Development District (SCEDD) Board of Directors in 2022;
(2) Council member Chuck Schmid will be absent at the City Council meeting on Monday, September 19, 2022 (need quorum);
(3) Dream Solko has accepted the position of St. Paul Development Corp. (SPDC) Economic Development Executive Director; 
(4) City of St. Paul's Low to Moderate Income percentage is 47.28%;

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

36. Public Announcements

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

38. Mayor Bergman adjourns City Council meeting

39. Informational Items:

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