April 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM - City of Seward - City Council Meeting
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CALL TO ORDER
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
Discussion:
Mayor Eickmeier announced that a copy of the Agenda for this meeting is posted on the north wall of the Municipal Building and copies are available on the north wall where a copy of the Open Meetings Act is also posted for public inspection. He also noted that any citizen wishing to address the Council should come to the podium, state their name and address and limit their comments to five minutes. All remarks should be directed to the Mayor/Chairperson, who will then determine who will make any appropriate response. The City of Seward reserves the right to adjust the order of items on this agenda if necessary and may elect to take action on any of the items listed.
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DISCLOSURE OF OPEN MEETINGS ACT & OTHER NOTIFICATIONS
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
Rationale:
This is an Open Meeting of the Seward Nebraska Governing Body. The City of Seward abides by the Nebraska Open Meetings Act in conducting business. A copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is displayed on the north wall of this meeting room facility as required. Disclosure of meeting recording processes is posted in the Meeting Room. A participant sign-in sheet is available for use by any Citizen addressing the Council. Presenters shall approach the podium, state their name & address for the Clerk’s record and are asked to limit remarks to five minutes. All remarks shall be directed to the Mayor who shall determine by whom any appropriate response shall be made. The City of Seward reserves the right to adjust the order of items on this Agenda if necessary and may elect to take action on any of the items listed.
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ROLL CALL
Agenda Item Type:
Procedural Item
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CONSENT AGENDA
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Consent Agenda
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1. City Codes Director Report
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
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2. City Treasurer Report
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
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3. Claims & Payables Reports
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
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4. Police Department Report
Agenda Item Type:
Consent Item
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5. Draft Minutes of April 4, 2023, City Council Meeting
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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1. Seward Foundation Application:
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Discussion:
As in past years, the Seward Foundation will consider applications during the spring and fall cycle. A representative from the Seward Arts Council will be present to provide an overview and to answer any questions related to the application.
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1.A. Seward Arts Council - Summer Music Series - $9,300 Requested
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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2. Consideration of a Request from the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission on Behalf of H&H Recreation, Inc. (SpareTime) to Allow for an Addition to the Existing Liquor License to Include Renovated Outdoor Area - City Clerk Bargmann
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Discussion:
The request will be to amend the liquor license of H & H Recreation, Inc (SpareTime) to allow for the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages within their newly renovated outdoor area. If approved, the State will be notified.
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3. Consideration of a Resolution to Adjust Burn Site Fees to Possess a Key, Effective Immediately for New Users and January 1, 2024 for Current Holders - City Administrator Butcher
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Discussion:
As per direction given at the April 4th Council meeting, a draft resolution affixing the annual burnsite fee to $500 for commercial users is presented. The previous daily use fees were approximately 1/5 of the annual fee; therefore, they have been adjusted accordingly. Additionally, the language of Resolution 26-12 has been closely reviewed and altered to reflect the current permitting process and terms. If approved, the fees will be implemented immediately for new applicants and on January 1, 2024 for renewal applicants.
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4. Consideration of a Resolution Directing the Conveyance of Real Property, Legally Described as Lot 1, Summit Addition, City of Seward, Seward County, Nebraska to Summit Contracting, Inc - City Administrator Butcher
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Discussion:
The City was approached by Summit Contracting, Inc. about the conveyance of a small piece of property owned by the City. After consultation with City Administration and the City Attorney, the City feels it is in the best interest to authorize the sale as presented in the purchase agreement and resolution.
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5. Items Related to the Construction of the South Water Tower - City Engineer Oneby
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Discussion:
As the bids for construction of the South Water Tower have now been awarded, the City is negotiating agreements to begin work. Presented tonight is a construction contract with General Excavating for Utilities & Site Work. Additionally, an amendment to the agreement is presented for professional engineering services related to the oversight of the South Water Tower Construction.
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5.A. Consideration of a Construction Contract with General Excavating for Utilties/Site Work and Authorization for Mayor to Sign All Documents
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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5.B. Amendment #3 to the Professional Services Agreement for Engineering Services with Olsson, Inc.
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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6. Items Related to City Personnel:
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Discussion:
Due to the impending departure of Nicholas Wolf, Finance Director/Treasurer, effective on May 15th, the HR Director has reviewed the job description in consultation with City Administrator Butcher. The proposed changes are denoted in the redline version.
As was noted by City Administrator Butcher in Fall 2022, the wages for electric lineman continue to lag behind comparable communities and we continue to see pressure from direct labor market competitors like LES, NPPD, and Norris Public Power. To continue to be competitive in the current labor market Administration is recommending an immediate adjustment to wages to assist in retention and recruitment. The ordinance proposed here increases wages $5.00/hr for all linemen positions, line crew chief, and electric superintendent, which equates to an increase in approximately $85k in salary/benefits against the budget. This is a starting point for discussion with the Council. The current high wage for lineman in our comparable array is $49.00/hr (Schuyler) and we continue to lose workers to LES $50.37/hr. Administration will have additional data available at the meeting on Tuesday. |
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6.A. Update to the Finance Director/Treasurer Job Description - City Clerk Bargmann
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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6.B. Consideration of an Ordinance to Amend the 'Electric Lineman, Journeyman Lineman, Electric Line Crew Chief, Electric Superintendent' Pay Lines - City Administrator Butcher
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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7. Update on the Wastewater Treatment Plant, Presentation by Project Engineer SEH Engineering - City Engineer Oneby
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
Discussion:
The Project Engineer, SEH Engineering, will provide an approximately 30 minute presentation about the current status of the Wastewater Treatment Plan Construction project and current projected costs.
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8. Update on the Wellness Center - City Administrator Butcher
Agenda Item Type:
Unit Report Item
Discussion:
City Administrator Butcher will provide an update on the progress of the Seward Wellness Center project. The City has hired Joel Brase to serve in the position of Executive Director Wellness Center. Presented is the construction manager at risk agreement with Sampson Construction as previously mentioned. Many items are still expected in May.
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8.A. Consideration of an Agreement with Sampson Construction for Construction-Manager-At-Risk Services
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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CITY ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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FUTURE REQUESTS FOR COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS OR ADMINSTRATIVE ACTION
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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ANNOUNCEMENT OF UPCOMING EVENTS
Agenda Item Type:
Information Item
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STRATEGY SESSION
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Action Item
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1. Strategy Session with City Attorney Regarding Real Estate Interests - City Attorney Hoffschneider
Agenda Item Type:
Action Item
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MOTION TO ADJOURN
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Action Item
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