December 4, 2023 at 6:30 PM - 1st Council Regular Meeting

1. MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2023 (6:30 P.M.) CITY HALL REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

2. 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. 

3. Submittal of Request for Future Agenda Items

4. Reserve time to Speak on an Agenda Item

5. Mayor Joel M. Bergman voices his 2023-2024 City of St. Paul Appointments.
Discuss - Approve retaining Council member Feeken as Council President per Mayor Bergman. 
a.  Approval of Mayor Bergman's 2023-2024 City Appointments.

6. Discuss - Approve / Deny Howard County Medical Center utilizing the United States Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) "Rural Economic Development Loan Grant" (REDLG) program through an Intermediary Sponsorship.  The Howard County Medical Center is requesting $300,000 regarding a Behavioral Health Area remodel.

7. Discuss - Approve / Deny Howard County Medical Center paving the south half of "M" Street between Sheridan Street and Jackson Street.  Howard County Medical Center will absorb the cost of the paving.

8. Discuss - Approve / Deny Jubilee Events & Catering Inc. (Melanie Boden - 1528 L. Street, Ord, NE) Special Designated Liquor (SDL) application regarding a Howard County Medical Center 2024 Gala.  The event will be held at the St. Paul Civic Center (423 Howard Avenue) on Saturday, February 10, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

9. SECOND (2ND) NOTICE OF HEARING TO BE DETERMINED EXISTENCE OF PUBLIC NUISANCE AND TO ABATE IN WHOLE OR IN PART.   THE COUNCIL MEMBERS SHALL HEAR TESTIMONY OF ALL COMPETENT PERSONS DESIRING TO TESTIFY RESPECTING THE CONDITION CONSTITUTING THE NUISANCE.
Open Nuisance hearing regarding 304 8th Street, more legally described as Lots Five (5) and Six (6), Block 103, Original Town, St. Paul, Nebraska.  The alleged violations consist of the following: An old unlicensed car in the driveway, loose branches and large tree branch, hedge needs to be trimmed, all trees in the garden area need to be trimmed and weeds around all areas of the garage, tall weeds northeast of the house, junk lumber, and tree pieces between the garage and house.
Close Nuisance Hearing.
Discuss - Approve / Deny Resolution 2023-10, determining that the following property constitutes a public nuisance and that the Council members granted ____ days from the date of the "Notice" to abate said nuisance.  Failure to abate nuisance shall result in the nuisance being abated by the City of St. Paul and the cost of abatement shall be assessed upon the premises and constitute a lien upon the premise until paid.

10. Discuss - Approve / Deny Resolution 2023-11; whereas by the State of Nebraska Statutes, Section 39-2302, and 39-2511 through 39-2515 details the requirements that must be met in order for a municipality to qualify for an annual Incentive Payment; and whereas the State Dept. of Transportation (NDOT) requires that each incorporated municipality must annually certify (by December 31st of each year) the appointment of the City Street Superintendent to the NDOT using the "Year End Certification of City Street Superintendent" form (attach meeting minutes to paperwork, along with the 2023–2024 Appointments). 

11. Discuss - Approve / Deny Mayor Bergman signing the "Year End Certification of City Street Superintendent" for determining Incentive Payment from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023.  Jeff Palik will be the City of St. Paul's City Street Superintendent, License No. S-1269, Class A.

12. Discuss - Approve / Deny Consent Agenda Items:
(1) Council minutes regarding November 20, 2023 (regular); 
(2) Zoning permits November 27, 2023; and
(3) Disbursements December 4, 2023.   

13. Discuss - Approve / Deny Meter Based Surge Protection Device for municipal customers, along with the "Hold Harmless Agreement" pertaining to the installation and/or operations of surge protection devices.  The device will stop surges right at the electric meter, before it can enter the home or business; it comes with a 15-year warranty.  The "Hold Harmless Agreement" has been reviewed and approved by City Attorney White.

14. Discuss Municipal Code regarding dog attacks (see attached Municipal Code)  Possible Action.

15. FORMAL APPROVAL OBLIGATING AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) FUNDS
Discuss - Approve / Deny the OBLIGATION of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
The ARPA funds must be OBLIGATED by December 31, 2023, and be EXPENDED by December 31, 2026.

16. Utilities Superintendent Helzer updates:
(1) Obsolete City Property;
(2) ARPA will not support electrical work; not a qualification;
(3) Middle Loup Subdivision (Vacate the Entire Subdivision, due to the shifting of lot lines off of Adams Street (this is an extension of Adams Street);

17. Chief of Police Howard updates:

18. Mayor Bergman updates

19. Public Announcements

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

21. Mayor Bergman adjourns City Council meeting

22. Informational Items:
(1) Library Board minutes RE: November 15, 2023;

23. 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.