October 16, 2023 at 6:30 PM - 2nd 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 Requests for Future Agenda Items

3. Reserve Time to Speak on an Agenda Item

4. Discuss - Approve / Deny the Electrical Rate Study from:
(1) JK Energy Consulting LLC (JKEC) Cost of Service and Rate Design Study Letter Agreement.  The "Agreement" consists of: (1) Qualifications; (2) Scope of Services: Data Collection, Calculate Revenue Requirements and Operating Results, Prepare Cost of Service Analysis, Rate Design, Present Results; (3) Schedule; (4) Fee Proposal (lump sum of $9,000); (5) Meetings; (6) Deliverables; (7) Study Update; (8) City Responsibilities; and (9) Additional Services; AND
(2) Utility Financial Solutions LLC proposed Electric Cost of Service, Financial Projection, and Rate Design Study for the City of St. Paul.  The "Study" consists of: (1) Cash Reserve Policies; (2) Development of Long-Term Financial Projections; (3) Cost of Service Study; (4) Customer Rate Designs; (5) Review of Cost Adjustment; (6) Presentation to Staff and Governing Body; and (7) Reports. The total project fees for Scope of Services are $20,000; this does not include out of pocket travel expenses or travel time.  

5. Discuss - Approve / Deny ratifying all actions of Connie Jo Beck, the City of St. Paul's League Association of Risk Management (LARM) representative, identified in the minutes of the Annual Members' Meeting of the League Association of Risk Management (LARM) on September 27, 2023, including the election of nominees to the LARM Board of Directors.

6. Discuss - Approve / Deny ratifying all actions, including the election of nominees to the League Insurance Government Health Team (LIGHT) Board of Directors, of Joel M. Bergman, the City of St. Paul's LIGHT representative, identified in the minutes of the Annual Members' Meeting of the League Insurance Government Health Team (LIGHT) on September 29, 2023.

7. Discuss - Approve / Deny Consent Agenda Items: (1) Treasurer's Report September 2023; (2) October 2, 2023 (regular) Council minutes; (3) October 16, 2023, disbursements; and (4) Lisa M Woodgate (1133 Hwy 92) as a St. Paul Rescue Squad member and Kyle Woodgate (1133 Hwy 92) as a St. Paul Fire and Rescue Department driver.

8. Discuss - Approve / Deny the St. Paul Public Library employees receiving a three percent (3%) increase in the hourly wages effective immediately.  This is per the Library Board minutes of Monday, July 17, 2023.

9. Introduce Ordinance 1040; setting the compensation of the Officers and Employees of the City of St. Paul, Nebraska, and to provide for an effective date (Publish October 25, 2023).
***Introduce Ordinance 1040, with no second or roll call;
***Waive three (3) readings at three (3) different occasions, with second and roll call;
***Final Passage, with second and roll call.

10. Utilities Superintendent Helzer updates

11. Chief of Police Howard updates: 
(1) Nuisance & Incident Report;

12. Mayor Bergman updates:
(1) Current interest rates on City investments:  Insured Cash Sweep (ICS) is 4.40%; NPAIT is 5.34%; and Nebraska Class is 5.55%;
(2) The September 2022-2023 Revenue and Expenditure Guideline can be reviewed at the City Office;
(3) Howard County Resolution 2023-30 is setting the City of St. Paul's levy for the 2023-2024 Budget Fiscal Year; the levy has been reviewed and is correct;
(4) City of St. Paul is accepting sealed bids on a used bucket truck.  All bids must be received by Tuesday, November 14, 2023, by 4:00 p.m. Central Time.  Bids will be considered at the Monday, November 20, 2023, Council meeting starting at 6:30 p.m.  All bids may be rejected for any reason. Publication in the Phonograph Herald: Wednesday, October 18, 2023, and Wednesday, October 25, 2023.

13. Public Announcements

14. Closed Session: The City of St. Paul reserves the right to go into Closed Session when it is clearly necessary to protect the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual; or pending litigation

15. Mayor Bergman adjourns City Council meeting.

16. Informational Items:
(1) Certificates of Deposits September 2023;
(2) Receipts September 2023;
 

17. 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.