July 5, 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. PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Bergman opens a public hearing regarding the consideration and approval of a Preliminary Plat of PAUL'S NORTH SUBDIVISION (Troy Lukasiewicz) located in a part of the Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of Section 34, Township 15 North, Range 10 West of the 6th P.M. in Howard County, Nebraska.  Publication was printed in the Phonograph Herald on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
Note: The St. Paul Planning Commission had public hearing on Monday, June 26, 2023.

5. St. Paul Fire Chief Mike Becker will be present to discuss "Address Number Placement" on every home in St. Paul, NE. This is to help Emergency Responders protect you and your family in the event of an emergency; every second counts.  By making sure your address is visible, you will allow Emergency Responders to locate you quicker.  This will give your home identification. By properly posting your address in the correct place, you also allow delivery and postal services and utility service providers to find you quicker.  Without your address properly posted, they may not be able to find you (possible action).  A resolution will be considered at the Council meeting on Monday, July 17, 2023.

6. Discuss - Approve / Deny Rutjens Construction Inc. Pay Request #11 regarding the St. Paul Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Project #020-2586 in the amount of $439,809.57.  The pay request was for completing the concrete paving around the site (stairs, sidewalk, driveways, etc.), finishing the installation of the valves that the City has been waiting for and the remainder of the piping associated with the valves, and some electrical work. The percentage of loan expended to date is 92%.  There is no WWTF "Change Orders" to consider.

7. Discuss - Approve / Deny Dustin Anderson's property improvement project to demolish an old house at 807 Farnum Street; the St. Paul Development Corp. (SPDC) stands by their recommendation from September 2023 in paying Mr. Anderson $1,000. This is due to the home being residential and not a business.

8. Discuss - Approve / Deny Consent Agenda Items:
(1) June 19, 2023 (regular) Council minutes;
(2) June 26, 2023, zoning permits;
(3) July 5, 2023, disbursements;
(4) Two (2) private well permits: Steve Bonczynski 811 "O" Street and Thomas             and Alice Davis 1121 2nd Street;
(5) St. Paul Rescue Squad members: Kerrigan Burk (420 Jay Street - 3B);      Brenden Powell (919 Grant Street); and Adam Powell (919 Grant Street).

9. Mayor Bergman opens the public comment period regarding the consideration and approval of the Preliminary Plat of PAUL'S NORTH SUBDIVISION (Troy Lukasiewicz) located in a part of the Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of Section 34, Township 15 North, Range 10 West of the 6th P.M. in Howard County, Nebraska.  
a.  Closes Public Comment period;
b.  Approve / Deny the Preliminary Plat of PAUL'S NORTH SUBDIVISION (Troy Lukasiewicz) located in a part of the Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of Section 34, Township 15 North, Range 10 West of the 6th P.M. in Howard County, Nebraska. 

10. Discuss - Approve / Deny repairing or replacing the St. Paul Civic Center electronic sign.
a.  Disbursement of funds from which account. 

11. Discuss - Approve / Deny eliminating the easement restriction that is part of Eighth Street from "N" Street to "O" Street (Original Town).  This street is not traveled by the public.  An ordinance will be considered at the Monday, July 17, 2023, Council meeting.

12. Discussion regarding (1) mini-bikes; moped's; motor scooters; electric bikes; and electric scooters (Possible Action):
a. Allowable Uses;
b. Definition of (1) mini-bikes; moped's; motor scooters; electric bikes; and electric scooters;
c. Ages, equipment, sizes, registration;
d. Enforcement, promote satisfactory usage.

13. Discuss - Approve / Deny paying $21,500 Downey Drilling, Lexington, NE invoice regarding the domestic well testing out at the City Recycling Center from which City account.

14. Discuss / Set a 2023-2024 Budget Workshop date (possible action).

15. Utilities Superintendent Helzer updates

16. Chief of Police Howard updates:

17. Mayor Bergman updates:
(1) St. Paul Fire and EMS Roster (6/28/23);
(2) Transfer of $75,000 from the Sale Tax Money Market account to the Sales Tax Checking account; funds will cover the transfer of the: Street -Motor Vehicle Tax; 25% Infrastructure; and Sales Tax Fire Station 1/2 cent.

18. Public Announcements

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

20. Mayor Bergman adjourns City Council meeting

21. Informational Items:

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

The City of St. Paul abides by the Nebraska Open Meetings Act in conducting business.  A copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is on display in the meeting room as required by Nebraska State Law.
The Mayor and City Council reserve the right to enter into an Executive Session at any time during the meeting, in accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, even though the closed session may not be indicated on the Agenda.
It is the intention of the Mayor and City Council to take up the items on the agenda in sequential order.  However, the Mayor and City Council reserves the right to take up matters in a different order to accommodate the schedules of the City Council members, person(s) having items on the agenda, and the public.  The City of St. Paul reserves the right to adjust the order of items on the agenda.
Anyone wishing to speak may be limited to three (3) to five (5) minutes per person.  Please utilize the podium and clearly state your name and address for the record and the agenda topic you wish to speak upon in a professional manner.