May 1, 2023 at 6:30 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 public hearing regarding a new Class K Liquor License application for Seven County Spirits LLC dba Loup River Distilling (K-125457) at 503 Howard Avenue, St. Paul, NE.

5. Discuss - Approve / Deny Addendum to Wholesale Power Contract between Howard Greeley Rural Public Power District (HGRPPD) and City of St. Paul.
HGRPPD has contracted for the generated output of a one (1) megawatt solar facility located on property owned by St. Paul and leased to HGRPPD ("Solar Facility").  St. Paul shall purchase twenty percent (20%) of the generated output of the Solar Facility ("St. Paul Allocation"), so long as, the Contract, and any amendment thereto, remains in full force and effect.

6. Discuss - Approve / Deny purchasing a new laptop for the Electrical Department through COR Managed Services (see two (2) options).

7. Discuss the City of St. Paul's Municipal Code "nuisance" procedures and protocols (per Jerry Thompson).

8. Nuisances hearing regarding (1) 1220 Farnum Street (pictures requested):
The Mayor and City Council will hear testimony of all persons desiring to testify respecting the condition constituting the nuisance.  At the conclusion of the nuisance hearing, the City Council shall, by resolution, declare its findings. If the City Council so concludes, it may declare the condition existing to be a nuisance and direct the person owning the property upon which the nuisance exists to abate the property within a reasonable time after the date of posting on the premises a notice of the adoption of the resolution, and sending the notice as set forth - POSSIBLE ACTION. 
a. Approve / Deny "Notice of Adoption of Resolution 2023-04" regarding 1220 Farnum Street where the City Council did determine that the following constitutes a public nuisance.  The property is more legally described as: Lot Eight (8), Nine (9) and the West 10' feet of Lot Ten (10), Block Five (5), Military Addition, Howard County, St. Paul, NE.  
 

9. 4-314 - NUISANCES; AFFECT OF FAILURE TO ABATE.  NOTICE OF HEARING TO BE DETERMINED EXISTENCE OF PUBLIC NUISANCE AND TO ABATE IN WHOLE OR IN PART: If the nuisance is not abated within the period given in the notice, the City Council may determine to proceed with a second (2nd) notice. The second (2nd) notice shall establish a DATE, TIME AND PLACE at which all interested parties may appear before the City Council and present evidence to determine whether the premises constitute a public nuisance, to be abated.  
Discuss - Approve / Deny sending "Notice of Hearing to be Determined Existence of Public Nuisance" and to abate in whole or in part (see attachments; will have more pictures at meeting):
(1) 1315 Sheridan Street;
(2) 805 7th Street;
(3) 517 Howard Avenue;
(4) 219 4th Street;
(5) 324 Custer Street;
(6) 315 4th Street;
(7) 523 Howard Avenue;
(8) 726 Howard Avenue;
(9) 204 5th Street;
(10) 1221 Paul Street;
(11) 1518 Kendall Street;
(12) 222 6th Street;
(13) 1414 Howard Avenue;
(14) 1218 Grant Street;
(15) 1118 Grant Street.

10. Discuss - Approve / Deny Seven County Spirits LLC dba Loup River Distilling (503 Howard Avenue) Class K Liquor License application (K-125457).

11. Discuss - Approve / Deny Consent Agenda Items: (1) March 2023 Treasurer's Report; (2) April 12, 2023, minutes (special) and April 17, 2023 minutes (regular); (3) zoning permits of April 24, 2023 and (4) May 1, 2023 disbursements.    

12. Discuss the City of Wood River's (Population 1172) FIBER NEBRASKA (1) ordinance granting a Telecommunications Franchise to Fiber Nebraska, LLC.; (2) "Agreement" to furnish telecommunication services to persons residing in Wood River, NE; and (3) "Resolution" approving assignment of the franchise, the lease, and the pole attachment agreement previously issued to FIBER NEBRASKA, LLC. 
a. Approve / Deny the City of St. Paul mirroring the City of Wood River's FIBER NEBRASKA:  (1) Ordinance; (2) Agreement; and (3) Resolution (possible action).
 

13. Discuss - Approve / Deny the League Insurance Government Health Plan (LIGHT) Renewal through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska (BCBSNE).  Starting July 1, 2023, the LIGHT health plan will experience and overall blended premium increase of 4.04% regarding the City of St. Paul's Network Blue proposal.

14. Discuss - Approve / Deny S. Squared Enterprises, LLC (Steve Shoemaker) gifting Outlot A Prairie Falls Subdivision property to the City of St. Paul (see attachment). 

15. Discuss - Approve / Deny Trevor Dugan as a City of St. Paul seasonal hire for the Electrical Dept.;
a. Approve hourly wage.
 

16. Discuss allowing City of St. Paul Police Officers taking Police cruisers out of City limits to their home once the shift has been completed - possible action; 
Discuss - Approve / Deny forming a policy pertaining to the above topic.
NOTE: the League Association of Risk Management opinion regarding subject.

17. Discuss City of St. Paul Police Department staffing - possible action (Bill Peters).

18. Discuss - Approve / Deny the City of St. Paul advertising for a full-time Police Officer effective immediately.

19. Discuss - Approve / Deny the City of St. Paul promoting Police Officer Jon Howard to Police Sergeant;
a. Discuss - Approve hourly wage

20. Discussion regarding the St. Paul Public School Resource Officer (SRO) - possible action.

21. Utilities Superintendent Helzer updates:
(1) City Wide Clean-up results from April 24 - 25, 2023; Twelve (12) trips went to the Loup Central Landfill; six (6) loads of iron and six (6) loads of trees.  This resulted in18,420 lbs; (2) Loup Central Landfill fee were $311 and $362 in fuel cost;

22. Chief of Police Howard updates:

23. Mayor Bergman updates:
(1) Jen Mitteis paid her sons skate park damages in full; damages were $270.11;
(2) Letter to the League of Risk Management from the Department of Insurance (DOI) approving the City of St. Paul's withdrawal from the LARM Pool if so chooses;
(3) See Middle Loup Subdivision two (2) separate amortization schedules; the schedules include a Fifteen (15) year and a Twenty (20) year regarding the $2.5 million public improvement amount;
(4) City of St. Paul Insurance was re-visited by the City Deputy Clerk Berthelsen, Utilities Superintendent Helzer and LARM; this is due to the City going out for insurance bids.  The changes include: (1) vehicles were re-valued; any vehicles valued over $5,000 has full coverage and any vehicles under $5,000 has only liability coverage; (2) all comprehensive and collision carries a $1,000 deductible; (3) City buildings and equipment were re-evaluated by LARM; some of the building premiums went up; some went down; deductibles are at $1,000; (4) Fire Dept. Self Contained Breathing Apparatus SCBA/Tanks/Air-packs were added in the amount of $148,000; (5) two (2) welcome signs were added to insurance; and (6) the street electronic sign and warning light trailer was also added to insurance; 
(5) COR Managed Services (Doug Cramer) has completed documentation regarding a "Cybersecurity" grant; the grant is currently in the waiting stage; 
(6) the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) second (2nd) reporting has been completed by City Clerk Beck;
 

24. Public Announcements

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

26. Mayor Bergman adjourns City Council meeting

27. Informational Items:
a. Receipts March 2023;

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