February 9, 2022 at 5:00 PM - Council Meeting Agenda

Discussion:  Council Member and Civic Center Board Member, Larry Soderberg informed the Council of the recent meeting of the Civic Center Board.   City staff attended and discussed the financials.  Chad Mackling discussed his vision for the Civic Center.    Mackling has received concrete and asphalt bids regarding the parking lot paving.  Sales Tax has pledged $150K for the project.  The board told Mackling to do some more research on concrete vs asphalt paving. Mackling is also researching the possibility of the City holding the liquor license for the Civic Center instead of contracting with Countylines.  Krista Roeber has been hired as custodian for the Civic Center.  Tammie Mogus has resigned her position as manager but will stay on to assist the Center until it is decided what direction the Board wants to go.    


 

Discussion: 
 

Discussion:  City Utility Foreman Mogus gave a verbal report. Well #4 repairs done and ready to be running.  Decent snow cover is needed for the City burn pile.  The Fire Department is scheduled to tour the light plant on Monday, February 14, 2022, in preparation of an emergency.  Council member Bard noted that the Streets and Alleys subcommittee met prior to Council Meeting and Mogus was in attendance and was able to show how the new GPS software is being used to find and then fix sewer main issues.  Mogus also showed the subcommittee pictures of problem areas within the community which will help determine priority issues.  

 

Discussion:  As mentioned earlier the Street and Alley subcommittee met prior to the Council Meeting.  Those issues needing immediate attention are as follows:  Sixth and Main Streets, the intersection of 2nd and Highland Streets, and 4th and Highland intersection.  The subcommittee proposes that these projects come out of this fiscal year's budget.  Other future projects could include the following:  survey for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for third street area around the care center and Ash street, half block of West Sixth Street to cometary, and repairing/replacing storm sewer covers.

 

Discussion:  The public hearing for the City's Comprehensive Plan Update opened at 5:51pm.  Council member Hansen asked that the names of the current Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) and Planning and Zoning Committee (P& Z) members be added to the plan.  Council Member Bard would like to see the survey responses that were mentioned in the appendix of the plan.  She is waiting to hear back from Hanna:Keelan for those responses. 
 

Discussion:  3-2022

Discussion:  Ordinance 1-2022
Motion to Waive the 3rd reading 

Discussion:  Nate Wing with Olsson would like to begin advertising for bid on the Ninth Street Paving Project from Cottonwood to Birch. Olssons usually publishes notice for bids for three weeks then opens the bids before the monthly council meeting.  Therefore, bid advertisements will be published February 17, February 24, and March 3.  Opening of bids will be Monday, March 7 prior to the March 9 City Council meeting.  

 

Discussion:   Norm Slam   a has applied for an LB840 loan with the City.  Slama is requesting $25,000 for expansion to Oak Street Market.  The loan would be for ten years with yearly payments.  Collateral is still being decided; however, there will be a lien on something.  

 

Discussion:  Norm Slama has applied for an LB840 loan with the City.  Slama is requesting $25,000 for expansion to Oak Street Market.  The loan would be for ten years with yearly payments.  Collateral is still being decided; however, there will be a lien on something. 


 

Discussion:  The IRS standard mileage rate is $.585 effective January 1, 2022.  The Council would like per diem rates set for all full-time employees for meal while at conventions/training.  The daily per diem rates according to the US General Services Administration is $59 per day for the state of Nebraska with a meal/incidentals breakdown.  Meals that are provided as part of a convention/training will not be reimbursed by the City.  City clerk/treasurer Vander Veen would like full time employees to continue submitting their receipts for meal reimbursement.  
 

Discussion:  Adam Goos, on behalf of Wakefield Community Club, updated the Council on WakeFest to be held Saturday, August 20, 2022.  Last year's event was well attended with at least 600-700 people in attendance.  This year the organizers are hoping for even larger numbers.  Three bands have been added with Tara Vaughan as the headliner.  The group is trying to improve logistics including increasing security and offering two entrances.  Goos is requesting that Main Street from First Street to the Post Office and side streets be closed for the event.

Discussion:  Mackling presented a written list of city-owned items to be sold. He would like to see these items sold to purchase other equipment; however, City Attorney Miner noted that the monies from the sale of these items would go into the City's General Account.  Terms for the sale of the equipment were discussed, and Council asked that a resolution to sell the equipment be presented at March's Council meeting.
 

Discussion:  The City is looking for direction regarding the 203 Michener lot.  Discussion was held on how to sell the property including auction, sealed bids, and regular sale.  Council inquired about CRA's requirements for other properties and decided to have Mackling work with the City Attorney Miner to come up with a proposal for the sale of the property for the March council meeting.

Discussion:  Currently City code requires the height of a new building be no more than 30 feet.  The proposed apartment complexes need at least 45 feet exceeding City code.  The builders are requesting an amendment to City code at a recommended 50 feet.  

 

Discussion:  Gerald Muller and Bill Heimann have agreed to serve on the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA).  Alan Johnson and Jason Thiel consented to serve on the Wakefield Planning Commission.  Park Board members retained from last year include Mike Clay, Scott Hansen, and Teresa Soderberg.  AJ Johnson has been contacted to serve on the Park Board as well.  Mayor Eaton appointed himself to Park Board and would like the Council to consider changing the term of office for the Park Board from one to three years to allow for continuity.  By Ordinance the Civic Center Board is to be made up of nine members.  Mayor Eaton would like to reduce this number to 5-7 depending on who is willing to serve on the Board.  Ordinance also allows for two people from outside City limits but within the Wakefield School District to serve on the Board.  He would like to see more rural members on the Board.  Because Jon McQuistan was appointed to another term on the CRA in December, he will need to resign from his position, to become the Financial Advisor for the group.  

Discussion:  Clerk Vander Veen asked to table the approval of bonding the new City Administrator and Council President until more information is gathered from EMC insurance and the Nebraska League of Municipalities.  

Discussion:  City Administrative Coordinator Decker shared Mackling's report with the Council.  Items discussed included building regulations and covenants, Civic Center vision, and the enforcement/towing of inoperable/unlicensed vehicles.  

Discussion:  Extra mileage will only be paid when Mackling is required to come to Wakefield from class at UNO or when he is attending a conference and driving from home.  Seventy-five dollars will be paid for Mackling's phone whether he's part- or full-time  

Discussion:  The City still has an offer of $19,000 on the table for the 109 and 111 West Third Street property.  However, the owner has yet to empty the property of its contents.  Council discussed decreasing the offer to purchase the property at a rate of $500 less the first month, and $1000 less the remaining months. Litchfield will contact the owner.   The cut-off date is May 1, 2022, and will be on the May Council Meeting Agenda for update and further direction.  This should give the owner enough time to get his items out.