August 19, 2024 at 6:30 PM - 2nd Council Regular Meeting

1. Notice is hereby given that a regular meeting and public hearing of the Mayor and City Council of the City of St. Paul, Nebraska, will be held at 6:30 p.m., Monday, August 19, 2024, at City Hall at 704 6th Street, at which the meeting will be open to the public.  The public hearing will be to hear input on the City of St. Paul's 2024-2025 Budget.  An agenda for such a meeting, kept continually current, is available for public inspection at the office of the City Clerk at the City Utilities Office.    
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Mayor Mike Feeken calls the 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. 6:30 P.M.  -  CITY OF ST. PAUL'S PROPOSED 2024-2025 BUDGET PUBLIC INPUT HEARING REGARDING ALL DEPARTMENTS.
Mayor Feeken opens Public Comment period regarding the proposed City of St. Paul's 2024-2025 Budget;
a. Discuss  the Preliminary City's 2024-2025 Budget (See attached for changes);
b.  Mayor Feeken closes Public Comment period;
c.  Approve / Deny the Street Dept. purchasing a Loader Mount Snow Blower (the current snow blower is a 1964). The Street Dept. is requesting to place $24,000 as a down payment from 2023-2024 budget excess funds; the remaining amount will be paid in 2024-2025 from General reserves funds to avoid a Financial Institution interest rate.  The Street Dept. will pay back the general funds in five (5) year installment payments until paid.  Street Commissioner Klanecky will provide quotes on Monday.
c. Approve / Deny proposed changes to the City of St. Paul 2024-2025 Budget. 

5. Discussion regarding the Howard County Sheriff's Office (Michael Hoff) providing police services for the City of St. Paul, NE (see attached proposal): Possible Action.

6. Discuss - Approve / Deny "The Den" (Jewell Howell) Rural Economic Development Loan Grant (REDLG) application regarding a breakfast and lunch diner in St. Paul, NE.  The loan amount is $30,000 for seven (7) years at an interest rate of 4.50%.
Approve / Deny Jewell Howell (The Den) Loan Agreement; Promissory Note and Commercial Security Agreement documents.

7. At the City Council meeting on Monday, August 5, 2024, Blake Schwartz (St. Paul Grocery Store) requested to open and pave vacated 3rd Street north of "O" Street.  Mr. Schwartz stated that he would pay for half (1/2) of the paving if the City would absorb the other half (1/2). Therefore, Utilities Superintendent Helzer obtained the estimated split out costs from Olsson regarding the storm sewer (City obligation) and street paving.  

Discuss - Approve / Deny the City absorbing the vacated 3rd street paving improvement estimated cost, along with discussion about whether the City will pass the cost to potential buyers purchasing the lots in the northern subdivision. 

8. Discuss - Approve / Deny Bierman Contracting, Inc. two (2) Pay Requests:  (1) Pay Request #1 in the amount of $76,607.05 pertaining to bonds, insurance, submittal exchange costs and (2) Pay Request #2 in the amount of $43,582.20 regarding site grading, general conditions / site supervision costs.

a. Approve / Deny City Clerk Beck transferring $300,000 from the Fire Station Construction NPAIT #23251-201 to the Fire Station Construction checking account to absorb the cost of construction.

9. At the City Council meeting on Monday, August 5, 2024, Council approved a $2.00 base rate increase in all electrical rate classes and a 2.5% increase in all electrical usage rate classes; this will be effective October 1, 2024.

Discussion - Introduction of Ordinance 1051; amending Article 322 to Chapter 3 of the Municipal Code of the City of St. Paul, NE; providing for the rates; customers of the Municipal Electrical System shall be charged; repealing all ordinances or parts thereof in conflict with this ordinance; and providing for the time this ordinance shall be in full force and take effect.  
Introduction, with no second; no roll call;
Waive 3 readings, with second and roll call;
Final Passage, with second and roll call.
 

10. Discuss - Approve / Deny Consent Agenda Items: (1) Treasurer's Report July 2024; (2) Minutes regarding August 5, 2024 (special); August 5, 2024 (regular); and August 15, 2024 (special); (3) Disbursements August 19, 2024; (4) Transfer of City funds in the amount of $250,000 from Heritage Bank (Utility) #411025 to Checking #100027 to pay disbursements; and (5) St. Paul Rescue Squad EMT's Nekita Powell and Briana Powell. 

11. Discuss - Approve / Deny Resolution 2024-13; the City of St. Paul directs the sale of police surplus personal property as listed in the resolution.  The sale will be by on-line bidding through PURPLE WAVE; there will be no reserve bidding.  The Clerk shall cause notice of the sale and terms of the sale to be posted pursuant to Neb Rev Stat 17-503.02.  It has been determined that the fair market value of such property is less than $5,000; and the notice of the sale of property will be posted in three (3) prominent places within the City for a period of not less than seven (7) days prior to the sale in accordance with Neb Rev Stat 17-503.01.
Note: Controller donated to St. Paul Fire Dept.

12. Discuss - Approve / Deny advertising lots and determining lot prices in the Middle Loup River Subdivision (Parker Klinginsmith).

13. Police Chief Howard: Discussion regarding "Unsafe Building" at 108 Howard Avenue, St. Paul, NE owned by Todd and Michelle Padrnos.  The 60 day "Determination and Notice" process came due on Monday, August 12, 2024 - (Possible Action).

14. Utilities Superintendent Helzer updates

15. Chief of Police Howard updates: 
 

16. Mayor Mike Feeken updates:

17. Public Announcements

18. 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

19. Mayor Feeken adjourns City Council meeting.

20. Informational Items:
(1) Receipts July 2024;

21. 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.