October 20, 2025 at 5:30 PM - 2nd Council Regular Meeting

1. Mayor Mike Feeken 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 Feeken 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. 5:30 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Feeken opens a Public Hearing regarding the LB840 (Sales Tax) Citizens Advisory Review Committee (CARC) report from the date of Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the St. Paul Civic Center (423 Howard Avenue).

5. 6:30 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Feeken opens a public hearing regarding a Class D liquor license application pertaining to K S Plus, Inc. (Kwik Stop 21), Job Number #124554. A Nebraska Class D liquor license allows a business to sell alcoholic liquor (beer, wine, and distilled spirits) for consumption "off the premises" in the original unbroken package only.

6. Discuss - Approve / Deny Homeplate Market at 222 "O" Street (Blake Schwartz) requesting that the south parking lot be extended an additional five feet (5') into the "O" Street right-of-way.

7. Discuss Nebraska Rural Water Association (Randy Hellbusch) Water and Sewer Rate Study; Ordinance to be considered on Monday, November 3, 2025 (possible action).

8. Discuss - Approve / Deny St. Paul Youth Sports Association, St. Paul High School Softball, and St. Paul High School Baseball requesting to install two (2) 200,000 BTU forced air gas heaters in the City batting cage building. The gas has already been plumbed into the building. The heaters will be professionally installed. This will allow the facility to be used safely and effectively during cold months and provide more opportunities for athletes to train.  The cost of purchasing and installing the heater, as well as the ongoing gas expenses required to operate it, will not be absorbed by the City of St. Paul.  The expenses will be covered by the above organizations. 

9. UNSAFE BUILDINGS: Michael and Elizabeth Rawlings unsafe buildings located in Lots Two (2) and N 2/3 Lot Three (3), Block 100, Original Town, St. Paul, NE.

On August 4, 2025, Chief of Police Dan Howard had several 1st of the month nuisances on the Council agenda, which also included: two (2) unsafe buildings and a shed located at 315 4th Street. On Friday, August 8, 2025, a letter was delivered to 402 Custer Street (Michael & Elizabeth Rawlings) regarding Municipal Code 9-403: Unsafe Buildings; Determination and Notice. No appeal letter was provided to the City Clerk pertaining to a hearing before the Governing Body. The letter stated that the condition must be remedied within sixty (60) days from the date of receipt of the notice (POSSIBLE ACTION).  

10. Discuss - Approve / Deny Consent Agenda Items: (1) Treasurer's Report September 2025; (2) Minutes of October 6, 2025 (regular); and (3) Disbursements of October 20, 2025. 

11. Mayor Feeken opens the public comment period regarding the LB840 (Sales Tax) Citizens Advisory Review Committee report from Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the St. Paul Civic Center (423 Howard Avenue).
a. Mayor Feeken closes the public comment period.
b. Approve / Deny recommendations from the LB840 (Sales Tax) Citizens Advisory Review Committee report from Thursday, September 18, 2025.
 

12. Mayor Feeken opens the comment period regarding K S Plus, Inc. (Kwik Stop 21) Class D Liquor License application.
a. Closes public comment period
b. Approve K S Plus, Inc. (Kwik Stop 21) Class D Liquor License.

13. Discuss - Approve / Deny Diamond Engineering Co. Pay Request #1 pertaining to the St. Paul Tennis and Pickleball Courts (Project #025-0534) in the amount of $161,332.47. The pay request includes: mobilization, 5-inch reinforced concrete court paving, a 10-foot-tall, galvanized chain link fence, and a 6-foot-tall galvanized, chain link fence.  Funds will be disbursed from the General ICS to pay for the Diamond's Drawdown #1, then be reimbursed back by the State of NE through the Park Improvement Grant fund.

14. Discuss - Approve / Deny Resolution 2025-13, whereas the City of St. Paul Council directs the sale of surplus personal property by online bidding through __; there will be no reserve bidding. The City items will be sold November ___, 2025. The Clerk shall cause notice 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 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. 

15. Discuss - Approve / Deny St. Paul Police Officer Matt Sample attending Basic SWAT training at Grey Group, Des Moines, IA.  The cost of the training and related costs has been accounted for in the 2025-2026 Budget in the amount of $4,000.  The next training session is on May 4, 2026.

16. Utilities Superintendent Helzer updates

17. Chief of Police Howard updates:

18. Mayor Mike Feeken updates:
(1) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Letter dated October 8, 2025;
(2) State of NE "Notice of Termination of Lease" at 956 13th Avenue regarding the usage of building by the NE State Patrol;

19. Public Announcements

20. 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

21. Mayor Feeken adjourns City Council meeting.

22. Informational Items:
(1) City Receipts September 2025

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.