May 2, 2023 at 7:00 PM - City of Seward - City Council Meeting

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.

Discussion:  The agreement for consideration is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and Seward Arts Council to specify each party's responsibility to establish a Creative District. Jeanne Wiemer of the Seward Arts Council will be present to answer any questions.

Discussion:  Seward County E911 Director, Spencer Conradt, will be present to discuss the proposed 2023/2024 budget. The contribution expected from the City of Seward will increase by approximately 33%, for a total of $305,675.31.

Discussion:  Comments provided by Mr. Jank:
The City of Seward Downtown Revitalization Plan which was approved in 2017 calls for additional signage to highlight the various assets of the historic district. Therefore, our organization in partnership with the City of Seward and First Impressions Working Group presented various sign concepts to the Seward City Council and they gave us verbal approval to proceed with the project (we also presented the sign concepts that directly impact the courthouse lawn to the Seward County Commissioners on Tuesday, February 14 and received positive feedback). See attached for our slide deck discussing the downtown signage project we presented to the Seward City Council on Tuesday, March 21. We will be presenting again to the Seward City Council on Tuesday, May 2 to get final approval for new downtown street signs and entrance signs into the historic district. See attached for these designs. I also attached an updated draft of the wayfinding sign which is proposed to be located on the northeast corner of the courthouse lawn.

Discussion:  As was previously awarded, the City has concluded negotiations for water tank construction and water tower demolition. Presented for consideration are the agreements with Maguire Iron for water tower construction and Iseler Demolition for water tank demolition. The City Engineer is recommending approval of these agreements as presented.

Discussion:  The City of Seward, in consultation with Schemmer Associates (Project Engineer), conducted a bid opening for the above referenced projects on March 28, 2023. The apparent low bidder, NL & L Concrete, was unable to produce sufficient experience to provide confidence they could complete the proposed work with the quality expected. As such, the recommendation is to award the second lowest bidder for both projects, which is General Excavating. The City Engineer will describe in more detail the steps taken to reach this conclusion.

Discussion:  Due to the strong storms during the June 14, 2022, event, many city properties sustained significant roofing damage. Upon consultation with all department heads, a number of locations are requested to have a full roofing replacement. The City is seeking a qualified contractor to complete these restorations by the end of the summer.

Discussion:  In consultation with Golf Shop Manager, Cody Herald, City Administration is recommending the creation of a 'Clubhouse Short Order Cook' position. The objective would be to provide limited food service during the golf season.

Additionally, as was mentioned during the April 18th Council Meeting, Administration has been consulting with Electric Superintendent Ruether in revising the steps progression system for apprentice linemen. Essentially, an apprentice could progress a step every 6 months as they complete the four-year program. At the conclusion of the program, the employee would be a qualified Journeyman who would be placed at Step 9 on that pay line. Attached, are revisions to the job descriptions for the Lineman and Journeyman that will be revised if this is enacted. Furthermore, if enacted, Administration will work with Superintendent Ruether to determine the current status of the personnel and revise their placement on the steps based on their progression through the program.

Discussion:  With Finance Director Wolf leaving his position on May 15th, the City will need to designate an additional signatory to City accounts. Administration is suggesting City Clerk Bargmann be added into this role temporarily until the new Finance Director/Treasurer is added.

Discussion:  The City of Seward was approached in 2017 about transferring our PURPA (Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978) certified projects obligations to NPPD. At that time the City did not want to remove negotiation ability with incoming PURPA certified renewable energy projects and transfer all power to NPPD without choice. Numerous other utilities including Norris Public Power District did not sign on.  Since that time regulations have changed and numerous utilities that did not sign in 2017 approached NPPD to transfer the obligation. Under new regulatory laws, the City would not be required to transfer to NPPD our obligation to negotiate and take power from a PURPA certified project, but rather we could transfer the project should we choose to based on our own needs and economic analysis. Norris along with almost all others have signed the transfer in Spring of 2023.  This gives the City a safety net to avoid being forced by a PURPA certified project to take energy at an economic disadvantage or stress to our system.

Discussion:  City Administrator Butcher will provide an update on the progress of the Seward Wellness Center project. Presentation items are expected to occur at the May 16th Council meeting.