A regular meeting of the Mayor and the City Council of O'Neill was held at the City Hall in said City on the 8th day of February, 2010 at 7:30 P.M.

 

     Present:  Mayor Bill Price, City Attorney Boyd Strope, City Clerk/Treasurer Nikki Johnston, Council President Kevin Shelhamer and Council members; Susie Kramer, Terri Krysl, Scott Menish, Tim Gleason, Vicki Cork and Don Baker.  Absent:  Council member Tim Schneider.

 

     Notice of this meeting was given in advance thereof according to Section 84-1408 of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska.  Notice of the meeting was given to the Mayor and all members of the Council and a copy of the acknowledgement of receipt of notice and the agenda is attached to the minutes.  Availability of the agenda was communicated in the advance notice. 

All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while convened meeting was open to the attendance of the public.

 

     The meeting was called to order by Mayor Price.

 

Mayor Price informed the public of the location of the Open Meetings Act poster.

 

Moved by Krysl, second by Cork to waive the reading of the minutes of the January 20th meeting and approve them as if read.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     Moved by Baker, second by Cork to open the Blight Determination public hearing for the Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital project.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     The public hearing is to determine whether the proposed project providing for additions and improvements to and equipment for the existing hospital facilities of Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital is located within a blighted area and whether the proposed project is within the City’s development plan or plans for such area.

 

     There was no public comment made.

 

     Moved by Menish, second by Kramer to close the public hearing.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     Council member Kramer introduced and moved to adopt Resolution No. 10-06, which is on file with the City Clerk.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 10-06

 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF O’NEILL,

NEBRASKA, as follows:

 

Section 1. The Mayor and Council of the City of O’Neill, Nebraska, hereby find and determine:

 

A. Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital, a Nebraska nonprofit corporation,

desires to finance the costs of additions and improvements to and equipment for its existing hospital facilities located at Second and Adams Streets (300 North Second Street), O’Neill, Nebraska, (the “2010 Project”), in keeping with the City’s redevelopment plan for an area previously determined to be blighted and substandard, and the City has previously taken or expects to take action to authorize development revenue financing for such project in accordance with the provisions of

Sections 13-1101 to 13-1110, R.R.S. Neb. 2007, as amended, (the “Act”).

 

B. In connection with the providing of such financing for the 2010

Project, a public hearing by the Mayor and Council as required by Section 13-1105(3) of the Act has been held on this 8th day of February, 2010 at the City Hall, in O’Neill, Nebraska, pursuant to notice published in the Holt County Independent on January 21, January 28, and February 4, 2010 and based upon the information provided at such hearing the determinations set forth in this subsection 1B are

hereby made:

 

1. The real estate on which the 2010 Project is to be

located is within an area which has been previously determined to be blighted and substandard by the Mayor and Council of the City of O’Neill.

 

2. The 2010 Project as described in the notice and at the

hearing is within the development plan of the City for such area.

Section 2. The City Clerk is hereby authorized to execute and deliver any and all certifications as may be deemed necessary in connection with such financing.

 

Section 3. This resolution shall be in force and effect upon its passage and approval as required by law.

 

PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 8TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2010.

 

 

                                     

Mayor

Attest:

 

_________________________________

City Clerk

 

     Second by Baker to adopt Resolution No. 10-06.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     Moved by Baker, second Kramer to open the public hearing for the proposed issuance of development revenue bonds for Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     The public hearing is on the proposed issuance of development revenue bonds by the City in a principal amount not to exceed $15,000,000 to provide assistance to Avera St. Anthony’s for hospital additions and improvements and equipment to be located at 300 North Second Street.

 

     There was no public comment made.

 

     Moved by Cork, second by Gleason to close the public hearing.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     Council member Gleason introduced and moved to adopt Resolution No. 10-07, which is on file with the City Clerk.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 10-07

 

BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the City of O’Neill, Nebraska, as follows:

 

Section 1. The Mayor and Council hereby find and determine that notice of public hearing has been published in the Holt County Independent on January 21, January 28, and February 4, 2010 and that a public hearing pursuant to said notice has been conducted by the Mayor and

Council and pursuant to such public hearing the Mayor and Council hereby approve issuance by the City of its revenue bonds in accordance with the following information:

 

(a) The proceeds of said bonds are to be applied to pay the

costs of additions and improvements to and equipment for the existing

hospital facilities of Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital, a Nebraska nonprofit corporation (the “Hospital”) located in the City of O’Neill, Nebraska (said additions, improvements and equipment are hereinafter referred to as the “2010 Project”).

 

(b) The maximum aggregate face amount of obligations to be

issued in connection with such 2010 Project is $15,000,000 (with

$14,665,000 the anticipated amount to be issued as of the date of this

resolution).

 

(c) The initial and present owner and operator of the Project being

financed is the Hospital.

 

(d) All property to be financed by such bonds will be located at

Second and Adams Streets (300 North Second Street), all within the City of O’Neill, Nebraska.

 

Section 2. The approval provided for in this resolution is for purposes

of Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and is not intended nor should it be construed to be any review of or approval by the City of O’Neill, Nebraska, of the credit of the Borrower nor any type of guaranty or other pecuniary commitment by the City of O’Neill, in the State of Nebraska, with respect to repayment of the revenue bonds to be issued by such City.

 

Section 3. The Mayor and City Clerk (or either one of them) acting for

and on behalf of the City are hereby authorized to execute and deliver any further documents deemed by them necessary or appropriate for or on behalf of the City to reflect the approval of the issuance of said bonds.

 

PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 8TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2010.

 

                                     

Mayor

Attest:

 

_________________________________

City Clerk

 

Second by Menish to adopt Resolution No. 10-07.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     Council President Shelhamer introduced Ordinance No. 1303, which is on file with the City Clerk.

 

City Attorney Strope read Ordinance No. 1303 by title and number.

 

ORDINANCE NO. 1303

 

     “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF O’NEILL, NEBRASKA, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF A $14,665,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT REVENUE BOND (AVERA ST. ANTHONY’S HOSPITAL PROJECT), SERIES 2010; APPROVING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND AVERA ST. ANTHONY’S HOSPITAL, A NEBRASKA NONPROFIT CORPORATION, AND A FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE FREMONT NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE; MAKING CERTAIN DETERMINATIONS; APPROVING OTHER RELATED AGREEMENTS; PRESCRIBING THE FORM OF SAID BOND; PROVIDING FOR THE PLEDGING OF REVENUES RELATED TO A SPECIFIC PROJECT, AS PAYABLE UNDER THE LOAN AGREEMENT AMENDED BY SAID FIRST AMENDMENT AND PURSUANT TO A TRUST INDENTURE AS SUPPLEMENTED BY SAID FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF RELATED DOCUMENTS; DETERMINING THAT SAID BONDS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE NOR GIVE RISE TO ANY PECUNIARY LIABILITY OF THE CITY OR A CHARGE AGAINST ITS GENERAL CREDIT OR TAXING POWERS; AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE AND ITS EFFECTIVENESS.”

 

Moved by Shelhamer, second by Menish to introduce Ordinance No. 1303 and waive the three readings.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Moved by Baker, second by Shelhamer to adopt Ordinance No. 1303.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Moved by Gleason, second by Krysl to add Jefferson Street from Douglas Street to Benton Street to the emergency snow route.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     Terri Krysl and Scott Menish will work with Larry Wanamaker and Larry Peters on revising the emergency snow route map.

 

     Council member Tim Schneider entered the meeting at 7:47 P.M.

 

     Library Board President Sue Baker presented the Annual Library Report to the Council.

 

The library staff would like to thank Mayor Price and Library Board President Sue Baker for their interest in and avid use of the library, and the city council and the library board for their continued support of the library and its patrons.

 

This past year the library board and O’Neill Friends of the Library began working to refurbish the library’s lower level. Three original 1914 Carnegie shelves were restored and three smaller shelving units were built to match; the lower level received new paint and carpeting as well. This renovation enabled part of the adult collection on the main floor to be moved downstairs, providing room for growth of the adult collection. In 2009, 56,897 adult materials were circulated, compared to 49,041 in 2008. Junior materials circulated in 2009 48,507, compared to 48,300 in 2008.

 

Circulation Statistics

The total circulation for 2009 was 105,404, an increase of 8,063, from the 97,341 in 2008. The library loaned 352 items to other libraries in Nebraska and outside of our state. Holds were placed on library materials 1203 times last year (969 were placed in 2007, 1062 in 2008).

 Patrons used the library computers 6,124 times last year, compared to 6,255 in 2008.  This statistic reflects the usage of the desktop computers in the computer lab only, not use of laptops to connect to the library’s Internet connection. After hours users access the wireless connection from outside the building. The library does not include computer statistics as a part of the circulation statistic.

Currently there are 2,580 card holders, 73 more than in 2008.

 

Collection Statistics

In 2009, 4,076 library materials (books, periodicals, audio books, and DVDs/Videos) were added to the collection. This number includes 1,200 paperbacks, a conservative estimate, in the paperback exchange in the lower

level.  The library withdrew 1,293 items, including materials beyond repair or no longer circulating and back issue periodicals.

 

Fines, Copies and Nonresident Cards

For the 2008/2009 fiscal year the library collected $4968.00, a decrease of $90.00 less than the $5058.00 collected in the previous fiscal year (figures rounded to the nearest dollar).

 

Summer Reading Program

O’Neill Public Library’s 2009 Get Creative @ your library summer reading program lasted six weeks, with a weekly story hour (160 registrations). Children participating in the Developing Eagles summer program were in attendance as a part of their partnership with the library. Plans for the 2010 Make a Splash @ your library are underway.  

In 2009 the library included an adult summer reading program with 44 adults participating.

 

Adult Programs Sponsored by O’Neill Friends of the Library (does not include author talks)

March – Jerry Barlow, Celtic Guitarist

May - The United States Air Force Heartland of America Band Clarinet Ensemble

July – Greenblatt & Seay Folk Musicians

September - Pippa White performed Voices from the Ellis Island

 

Upcoming

On March 18th Jerry Barlow, back by popular demand, will perform in the Nebraska Room at 7:00 p.m.  This program is to be funded by the Friends of the O’Neill Public Library and will be free of charge to the general public.

The Friends of the O’Neill Public Library will once again host a Dinner Theater and a Sunday Matinee (April 24 & 25), with the production of Christmas Belles to be directed by Shari Brosz, and co-directed  by Ray and Karen Scott. Christmas Belles is a sequel to last year’s Dearly Beloved. 

 

History

The library reported 1,473 audio materials in the collection in 2001. Currently the library houses 2,502 audio materials, in addition to participating in Nebraska Overdrive, a consortium of Nebraska Libraries providing audio books downloadable from the Internet.

 

Of Interest

The library purchased two new computers (Mary A. Linhart funds) to replace the oldest ones in the computer lab, and is currently involved in a Gates funded grant (2010-2011) to replace three other computers.  

City Council members, thank you again for your support of the library. The library staff looks forward to serving our community 2010!

 

                Moved by Baker, second by Gleason to approve the Pinkerman Minor Subdivision request as submitted.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     Moved by Kramer, second by Cork to approve the Luber Minor Subdivision request as submitted.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     Butch Emme is requesting the alley behind his business be vacated.  The rest of the east/west alley has been vacated as well as the alley running north/south.  City Attorney Strope will notify abutting property owners and this item will be placed on the March regular meeting agenda.

 

     Moved by Baker, second by Shelhamer to approve the Gasrite contract for unleaded fuel for the second half of the year and to approve a contract for diesel for March through August.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     Council member Cork introduced and moved to adopt Resolution No. 10-08, which is on file with the City Clerk.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 10-08

 

OF THE

 

CITY OF O’NEILL, NEBRASKA

    

     BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF O’NEILL, NEBRASKA:

 

1.              That Street Improvement District No. 2009-1 of the City of

O’Neill, Nebraska, was duly created and the contract was let for the construction of certain street improvements therein.

 

2.              That said street improvements have been completed and are hereby

accepted by the Mayor and City Council.

 

3.              That the Mayor and City Council find and determine that the costs

of constructing said improvements in said District to be levied by special assessment are $124,891.40.

 

4.              That the Mayor and City Council shall hold a special meeting at

the City Hall, 401 East Fremont Street in O’Neill, Nebraska, on the 5th day of April, 2010, at 7:30 p.m. for the purposes of sitting as a Board of Equalization and Assessment to equalize and levy special assessments on the lots and parcels of land abutting on or adjacent to the streets, avenues and alleys improved in said Districts.  Notice of the time of holdings such meeting and the purpose for which it is held shall be published in the Holt County Independent, a legal newspaper of general circulation in said City, for at least four weeks (five publications) before the date of said hearing.  The City Clerk is directed to cause said notice to be published as provided by statute.  The City Clerk is also directed to mail copy of said notice to all interested parties as required by law.

 

5.              The special engineer is directed to prepare and file with the City

Clerk a map of the property in said District and a tentative schedule of assessments in said District which shall be open for public inspection, upon request, at the office of the City Clerk.

 

PASSED AND APPROVED this 8th day of February, 2010.

 

 

                            

                             WILLIAM T. PRICE, MAYOR

ATTEST:

(SEAL)

 

 

NIKKI JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK

 

     Second by Baker to adopt Resolution No. 10-08.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     Moved by Baker, second by Cork to approve joining the League of Nebraska Municipalities CHAMP program.  Roll call vote as follows:  Aye; Kramer, Schneider, Menish, Cork, Baker, Gleason and Shelhamer.  Nay:  Krysl.  Motion carried.

 

     Council member Schneider introduced Ordinance No. 1304, which is on file with the City Clerk.

 

City Attorney Strope read Ordinance No. 1304 by title and number.

 

                            ORDINANCE NO. 1304

 

                            OF THE

 

                   CITY OF O'NEILL, NEBRASKA

 

     AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF O'NEILL, NEBRASKA, REGULATING THE HEIGHT OF WEEDS AND GRASSES IN CERTAIN INSTANCES; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Moved by Schneider, second by Kramer to introduce Ordinance No. 1304 and waive the three readings.  Roll call vote as follows:  Aye; Kramer, Schneider, Krysl, Menish, Cork, Gleason and Shelhamer.  Nay:  Baker.  Motion carried.

 

Moved by Cork, second by Shelhamer to adopt Ordinance No. 1304.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     Council member Baker introduced Ordinance No. 1305, which is on file with the City Clerk.

 

City Attorney Strope read Ordinance No. 1305 by title and number.

 

                      ORDINANCE NO. 1305

 

                            OF THE

 

                   CITY OF O'NEILL, NEBRASKA

 

     AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF O'NEILL, NEBRASKA, AMENDING THE DEFINITION OF AN ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

Moved by Baker, second by Shelhamer to introduce Ordinance No. 1305 for the first reading.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

     City Attorney Strope will review a new cemetery perpetual care fund ordinance and report back to the council at the March meeting.

 

     There was no public comment made on the One and Six Year Street Plan.

 

     The Council discussed if the water project on Benton Street will change with the hospital project.  The Benton Street utilities will be placed on the March agenda.

 

Moved by Kramer, second by Schneider to approve the REAP CDBG drawdown in the amount of $1,378.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Moved by Gleason, second by Shelhamer to approve the bills.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

ALL FUNDS

Payroll, salary      84,928.60   Fed & FICA, tax          18,021.82

Alco, su                219.27   American Family, ins        646.76

Appeara, su             831.54   Bomgaars, su                965.81

Coventry Health Care, ins 26,732.18                GasRite, fuel                      6,458.53

Kansas City Life, ins   179.98   LaRue, su                   178.08

Metlife, dental ins   1,578.36   Nationwide, pension       4,428.35

NE Dept of Revenue, tax 2,274.92  NPPD, util               15,481.46

NT&T, phone           1,617.64   Pitney Bowes, postage     2,000.00

SourceGas, util       4,273.13   Verizon, phone              788.44

 

GENERAL FUND

A&J Tire, ser            85.00   Pete Bolln, su               57.57

Contingent Fund, misc   851.54   Cubby’s, fuel                 2.61

Farm Plan, ser           13.26   Fort Dearborn, ins          103.20

Holt Co. Independent, ad 1,119.02 Island Supply, su            83.65

K&K Welding, re          36.12   KBRX, ad                     14.00

Lincoln Nat’l Life, ins  73.40   McCormick Tree Trimming, ser 412.20

Scott Menish, clean      85.00   Mighty Ducks, su          7,400.00

NE Clerks Institute, school      230.00            NE Dept. of Labor, unempl                        736.00

Ogden Hardware, su       24.99   Progressive Medical, su      23.59

Qwest, phone             41.69   Ranchland Auto, su            9.25

Schindler Electric, ser 1,064.08  Sarah Sidak, clean          175.00

Sports Turf Managers, su 31.95   Torpin’s, su                  5.32

Tax Commissioner, tax     4.81   Western Office, su          301.85

 

POLICE FUND

A&J Tire, ser         1,028.64   Carmen Bowen, ser            15.00

Jackolyn Collier, clean 185.00   Kimberly Fonseca, ser        84.00

GreatAmerica, ser        98.32   Holt Co. Auto, su            26.01

Holt Co. Independent, ad 85.00   Jack’s Uniform, su          898.52

WM Krotter, lease     8,995.69   Jesus Munoz, ser             30.00

NE Law Enforcement, test 10.00   Netcom, ser                 325.00

Ogden Hardware, su       19.99   O’Neill Car Wash, wash       13.00

O’Neill Vet Clinic, fees 180.00   Prairie Hills Ford, su       13.34

Qwest, phone             52.39   Ranchland Auto, su           77.33

Michelle Ross, ser       46.20   Stadium Sports, su           60.00

Marian Wecker, ser       24.90   Western Office, su          101.94

 

STREET FUND

Carhart Lumber, su       16.26   Cole Redi-Mix, ser        1,080.00

Cole Sand & Gravel, ser 1,440.00  Contingent Fund, misc        25.22

Cubby’s, fuel           572.56   Elkhorn Valley Implement, re 110.52

Emme Enterprises, ser 2,756.25   Farm Plan, su               277.33

Fedex, freight           31.09   Gilmore & Assoc., fees   15,400.00

Gokie Oil, su           567.53   Holt Co. Auto, su           114.77

Holt Co. Independent, ad 237.48   K&K Welding, re             471.17

Nick Konrad, su          44.80   Gene Meyers, re               9.95

O’Neill Auto, su         60.91   O’Neill Tire & Supply, re    59.00

Prouty Construction, ser 2,375.00 Ranchland Auto, su          178.32

Schmitz Electric, re     90.60   Scott Van Keppel, su        315.24

Dale Waterman, re        84.72   Robert Watson, ser          200.00

Fair Mftg., su        1,338.16

 

SEWER FUND

Applied Industrial, su   52.75   Central Valley Ag, su       424.30

Environmental Fabrics, su 12,740.00           Western Office, su                         28.17

Great Plains, hotline     8.40   Great Western Gas, su        42.00

Holt Co. Auto, su        62.18   Holt Co. Independent, ad     15.94

K&K Welding, re          34.97   Lab Safety, su               20.40

Midwest Lab, su       1,659.40   NE Child Support, garn       46.16

Ogden Hardware, su       59.37   O’Neill Auto, su              1.62

O’Neill Electric Motor, re 167.50 Prairie Hills Ford, su      121.02

Seven Springs, su         7.50   Sewer Equipment, su          63.88

Share Corporation, su 1,509.25   USA Blue Book, su           274.14

Tax Commissioner, tax 1,806.88  

 

WATER FUND

Contingent Fund, misc   336.68   Great Plains, hotline         8.41

Holt Co. Auto, su        89.60   KBRX, ad                     14.00

Lincoln Nat’l Life, ins  20.15   NE Public Health, tests     591.00

Niobrara Valley, util   188.52   Ogden Hardware, su           98.67

O’Neill Electric Motor, re 230.00 Ranchland Auto, su           20.60

Tax Commissioner, tax 1,451.57   Torpin’s, su                  1.96

USA Blue Book, su       261.06   Wahoo Heritage, lodging     312.95

Western Office, su       28.17   NE Rural Water, fees        750.00

 

SOLID WASTE FUND

Butler Co. Landf, fees 21,608.83  City of O’Neill, pmt     18,500.00

Blain Plumbing, re      126.00   Central Valley Ag, su       775.47

Cole Petroleum, su      735.55   Credit Management, garn     537.35

Holt County Tire, su    269.95   Holtz Industries, su        843.50

HSBC Business, su        82.94   Irwin’s Engine, su          261.32

K&K Welding, re       2,064.15   Kansas State Bank, lease 12,184.15

KBRX, ad                 11.00   Linweld, su                  17.23

NE Child Support, garn   46.16   Niobrara Valley, util     1,143.84

O’Neill Auto, su        271.54   Road Builders Machinery, su 205.82

Schindler Electric, ser 930.00  

 

 

AUDITING COMMITTEE:

 

 

_________________________________

TIM GLEASON, WARD IV

 

 

_________________________________

KEVIN SHELHAMER, WARD IV

 

 

Mayor Price announced the One and Six Year Street Plan public hearing will be February 15, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.

 

Moved by Schneider, second by Kramer to adjourn.  Roll call vote as follows:  All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:26 P.M.

 

 

 

                            

                             WILLIAM T. PRICE, MAYOR

ATTEST:

(SEAL)

 

 

____________________________________________________________

NIKKI JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK/TREASURER

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