February 6, 2023 at 7:00 PM - 1st Council Regular Meeting

1. Mayor Bergman calls 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. 

2. Submittal of Request for Future Agenda Items

3. Reserve time to Speak on an Agenda Item

4. Mayor Joel M. Bergman opens two (2) public hearings regarding:
(1) Consider the Preliminary Plat of JET Subdivision (Edward Thompson) located in a part of the Southwest Quarter (SW1/4) of Section 33, Township 15 North, Range 10 West of the 6th P.M. in Howard County, Nebraska.  The property is along Paul Street between Nelson Street and the US Highway 92 intersection; and 
(2) Consider two (2) Liquor License applications for Seven County Spirits LLC dba Loup River Distilling Class C-125456 and Class Z-125457 located at 503 Howard Avenue, St. Paul, Howard County, Nebraska.
 

5. Discuss - Approve / Deny the City of St. Paul's 2021-2022 Financial Statement; Gary Hinrichs with Dana F. Cole & Co., Ord, NE will be in attendance to provide the audit presentation.

6. Discuss - Approve / Deny Rutjens Construction Inc. Pay Request #9 regarding the St. Paul Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Project #020-2586 in the amount of $501,507.56.  The pay request consists of equipment installation at the lift station, equipment, plumbing, and cabinetry at the control building, equipment installation at the SBR structures, and electrical work at the control building.  The percentage of loan expended to date is 74%.  Olsson's have sent the preliminary O & M Manual to the State of NE; they have been approved.  There are no WWTF "Change Orders" to consider.
 

7. Discuss the Middle Loup Subdivision improvements, cost and funding (possible action).

8. Mayor Bergman opens the public comment period regarding the consideration of two (2) Liquor License applications for Seven County Spirits LLC dba Loup River Distilling Class C-125456 and Class Z-125457 located at 503 Howard Avenue, St. Paul, Howard County, Nebraska.
Upon no further discussion, Mayor Bergman close public comment period.

9. Approve / Deny two (2) Liquor License applications for Seven County Spirits LLC dba Loup River Distilling Class C-125456 and Class Z-125457 located at 503 Howard Avenue, St. Paul, Howard County, Nebraska.  The Owner-operators for Seven County Spirits LLC are Terry Rasmussen, Dirk Petersen, and Andrew McCarty.

10. Discuss - Approve / Deny Triple T. Disposal (Travis Tibbetts), Palmer, NE "garbage hauling" permit; all garbage will be deposited at the Loup Central Landfill per Ordinance 993.

11. Discuss - Approve / Deny City of St. Paul Municipal Code 10-302: Garbage Collectors; License Fee.

12. Mayor Bergman opens public comment period regarding the preliminary plat of JET Subdivision (Edward Thompson) located in a part of the Southwest Quarter (SW1/4) of Section 33, Township 15 North, Range 10 West of the 6th P.M. in Howard County, Nebraska.  The property is along Paul Street between Nelson Street and the US Highway 92 intersection.
a.  Close Public Comment Period.

13. Approve / Deny the Preliminary Plat of JET Subdivision (Edward Thompson) more legally described as a part of the Southwest Quarter (SW1/4) of Section 33, Township 15 North, Range 10 West of the 6th P.M. in Howard County, Nebraska.

14. Discuss - Approve / Deny placing the City of St. Paul's 2021-2022 excess Department funds into the Department "Insure Cash Sweep" (ICS) accounts at Citizens Bank & Trust;: (1) Ambulance $18,667; (2) Cemetery $31,663; (3) Library $22,676; and (4) Parks $7,750.  The deposit is to receive the most beneficial interest for the City's money.

15. Discuss - Approve / Deny Consent Agenda Items: (1) January 17, 2023 minutes (regular); and (2) February 6, 2023 disbursements.  

16. Discuss - Introduce Ordinance #1037; amending the St. Paul Municipal Code Section 3-503 of Chapter 3 pertaining to Fire Department membership; to repeal any ordinance, or parts of any ordinance in conflict with this ordinance; to provide for an effective date of such ordinance; and to provide for the publication of this ordinance in pamphlet form.
***INTRODUCE WITH NO SECOND OR ROLL CALL;
***WAIVE READING WITH SECOND AND ROLL CALL; AND
***FINAL PASSAGE WITH SECOND AND ROLL CALL.

17. Discuss - Approve / Deny the City of St. Paul's 2021-2022 Financial Statement Journal Entries from City Auditors Dana F. Cole & Company, Ord, Nebraska.

18. Discuss - Approve / Deny placing City of St. Paul Park seasonal hire in the Phonograph Herald, along with approving an hourly wage (see attached 2022).

19. Discuss - Approve / Deny placing City of St. Paul Swimming Pool seasonal hire ad in the Phonograph Herald, along with approving a Swimming Pool hourly wage (see attached 2022).

20. Discuss - Approve interview committee for Electrical Commissioner, along with hourly wage.

21. INFORMATION ONLY: The second (2nd) City Council meeting in February 2023 will be on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., due to the President's Day holiday.

22. Utilities Superintendent Helzer updates:
(1) On Tuesday, January 24, 2023, the City experienced its 6th water line break (ductile iron pipe) at US Hwy 281 and Grand Street; NE Rural Water came to St. Paul to utilize their Sonar Sound equipment;
(2) Howard Greeley Rural Public Power District (HGRPPD) will have an adjustment in electric rates starting February 2023; the electrical usage will be passed through by Howard Greeley Rural Public Power District (HGRPPD) from the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD).  NPPD has adjusted their rate schedule; the overall is a zero percent (0%) cost adjustment, but there are changes to the charges shifting from the demand to kW charges. The Production Cost Adjustment (PCA) will cease on February 1, 2023;
(3) St. Paul Civic Center has two (2) lights out in the southeast corner of gym; City employees will replace the bulbs to save money;
(4)  Dillon Paczosa, Trae Anderson and Trevor Kowalski will be attending an NDEE Water Grade 4 Class on February 7 - 9, 2023; 
(5) Trae Anderson and Trevor Kowalski will be attending a Sewer Wastewater Treatment Class on March 6 - 8, 2023;

23. Chief of Police Howard updates:
(1) City Nuisances 
a.  1220 Farnum Street 

24. City Council member updates

25. Mayor Bergman updates:
(1) Sales Tax proceed information attached;
(2) Debt Service information;
(3) NPAIT - US Treasury six (6) Month City Investments came due on February 2, 2023; these will not be placed in a term interest rate, but rather a Liquid Interest Rate of 4.50% to 4.75%;
(4) Wastewater Treatment Facility Construction Progress special meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers;
(5) NE Class (Aaron Bos) Opinion regarding the New Fire Station Arbitrage Interest Rate; along with NE CLASS expecting to launch late February 2023; Interest rates to be 4.50% to 5%;
(6) City of St. Paul promoting ACE - Choice Gas Program (Mayor Bergman to voice at meeting); 
(7) Citizens Bank & Trust is raising the interest rate on the City's ICS Accounts to 3.85%
 

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

27. Public Announcements

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

29. Mayor Bergman adjourns City Council meeting

30. Informational Items:

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