May, 2008 Meetings

May 12, 2008

 

The Ellsworth City Council met in regular session on the above date at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

 

Mayor Robert Homolka called the meeting to order.  Council members present were Irene Pacey, Alan Stefek, Mary Wires and Cole Worrell.  One Council seat is vacant.

 

            Also in attendance were Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator; Carey Hipp, City Attorney; John Kerschner, W/S Superintendent; David Smith, Chief of Police and Judy Brown, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter.

 

            Alan Stefek motioned to approve the consent agenda.  Cole Worrell seconded the motion.  When put to vote and all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Revisions to the Financial Policies and Procedures were discussed.  The Administrator will have the revised document for the May 22^nd meeting.

 

            Cole Worrell motioned to deny, due to lack of funds available, Great Plains Manufacturing’s request for $15,000 assistance to help with costs to expand the entrance on Eighth Street to their property.  Alan Stefek seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator, reviewed the Project Board by giving the following updates.  Work continues to move forward on the State Street project.  Funding for the AWOS for the airport has been received and the equipment should be arriving for installation soon.  Work on the parking lot at the airport should begin in August.

 

Mr. Mitchell then updated the TDD Project projected starting date. He then presented Change Order #2 in the amount of $6,845.35 for temporary access from K-156 during the construction and to add curb and gutter at the corner of Aylward and O’Donnell Streets.  Cole Worrell motioned to approve change order #2.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

The Mayor then opened the floor for nominations of Council President.  Cole Worrell nominated Alan Stefek for Council President.  Irene Pacey seconded the nomination.  The Mayor then closed the floor to nominations.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

Mayor Homolka then made the following appointments:

 

City Clerk                                Patti L. Booher

Deputy City Clerk/Treasurer   Angela Mueller

Attorney                                  Carey Hipp and the firm of Sherman, Hoffman & Hipp

Newspaper                              Ellsworth County Independent Reporter

Depository                              Citizens State Bank & Trust Company

Judge                                       Dale Urbanek

Chief of Police                        David Smith

 

            Alan Stefek motioned to approve the Mayor’s appointments.  Cole Worrell seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.  Mayor Homolka then made the following board and committee appointments:

 

Housing Authority                               Sherry Worrell

Library Board                                     Peggy Shepard

                                                            Mary Herzog

Tourism & Convention Committee      Annette Bourne

                                                            Jonathan Mitchell

Public Building Commission               Mark Herzog

                                                            Donald Minard

Planning Commission                          Joni Glaser

                                                            Thayer Smith

Ellsworth Substance Abuse                 Irene Pacey

Airport Advisory Committee              Barry Koetkemeyer

                                                            Larry Adamek

Golf Course Advisory Committee       Richard Booher

                                                            Delmar Kohls

                                                            Terry Maddox

                                                            Mason May

                                                            Kelvi Place

 

            Cole Worrell motioned to approve the Mayor’s appointments.  Alan Stefek seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Cole Worrell then questioned if Don Lyne had been informed of the extension to finish demolition of a house that is currently underway.  Mayor has informed Mr. Lyne.  Mr. Worrell also inquired if Kirkham-Michael had determined the proper placement of phone lines in the TDD Project.  Mr. Mitchell will contact Kirkham-Michael and report back.  Mr. Worrell also commented the Council Minutes are not current on the web page.  The Clerk apologized for the inadequacy and will have them posted as soon as possible.

 

            Mr. Worrell next inquired if equipment stored outside the city shop could be moved to the Recreation Center.  Mr. Mitchell will discuss this with the Street Superintendent.

 

            Mr. Mitchell, City Administrator, reviewed the YTD Fund Status Reports.  Preliminary work continues on the 2009 Budget.  Mr. Mitchell reported the Golf Course Building and City Hall will be re-keyed.  Mr. Mitchell also reported EMC Insurance has settled the claim with Rosalie Ranker.  The City should anticipate a bill from EMC for the amount of the City’s deductible.

 

            Mr. Mitchell then reported NexTech has approached the City requesting a cellular phone antenna be placed on the water tower at ECF.  Mr. Mitchell is awaiting further information and documents from NexTech and will forward them to Council when he receives them.

 

            Mr. Mitchell noted he has been trying to contact Tom Renard in reference to the placement of the cart sheds at the golf course.  Mr. Mitchell also gave updates on various grants including a FEMA grant for damage/clean-up from the ice storm in December, 2007.

 

            Cole Worrell then motioned Council enter Executive Session with the City Administrator and City Attorney at 7:59 P.M. for the purpose of discussing personnel matters for non-elected personnel and that the Council return to open meeting at 8:09 P.M.  Alan Stefek seconded the motion.  The executive session is required to protect the privacy interests of an identifiable individual.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Council entered into Executive Session at 7:59 P.M. and returned to recessed meeting at 8:09 P.M.  No action was taken.

 

            There being no further business on proper motion the meeting was recessed until May 22, 2008 at 6:00 P.M in the meeting room of the Ellsworth Municipal Golf Course.

 

 

 

 

                        Patti L. Booher

                        City Clerk

 

 

May 22, 2008

 

            The Ellsworth City Council met in recessed session on the above date at 6:00 P.M. in the meeting room at the Ellsworth Municipal Golf Course.

 

            In the absence of Mayor Robert Homolka and Council President Alan Stefek, Senior Council member Cole Worrell called the meeting to order.  Council members present were Irene Pacey and Mary Wires.  One Council seat remains vacant.

 

            Also in attendance were Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator; Carey Hipp, City Attorney; James Zamrzla, Street Superintendent; Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter and Sharon Haverkamp.

 

            There were no customers in attendance to request an extension for Water/Sewer terminations.

 

            Mary Wires then motioned to approve the Consent Agenda.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion. When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Tom Sauer was not present to assert his unhappiness concerning the amplitude of the bands during the Rods, Ribs, and Rock Festival.

 

            Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator, reported City Plumbing is finished on State Street and Kyler & Sons will begin next week.  Pavers, Inc. should commence approximately May 27, 2008 and June 2, 2008 on the Dees and Kunkle Street Project.

 

            Mary Wires motioned to approve the Financial Policies and Procedures with the changes. Irene Pacey seconded the motion. When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.

 

            Mr. Mitchell requested the council to review the travel expense policy with increases for breakfast and lunch.  Irene Pacey made a motion to increase the breakfast and lunch allowance from $7.00 to $10.00 each.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.

 

            James Zamrzla, Street Superintendent informed Council he has hired Charles Jacobs as a seasonal part-time employee.  He will be starting next week, also Kyler & Sons will be starting on the State Street Project on Tuesday with the project taking approximately 2 months to finish.

 

            Mary Wires requested something be done concerning St. Francis Boys Home horses leaving manure on driveways on Evans Street.  St. Francis will send someone to remove the manure if it is reported to them, otherwise it is left for the homeowners to dispose of.  Ms. Wires also had received a complaint concerning the vehicle nuisance ordinance enforcement. The resident was informed if they placed a cover over the vehicles they would be fine.  Now they have the cover over them and still received a ticket for the vehicles in the backyard.  Mr. Mitchell will visit with Chief Smith and report back his findings to the Council.

 

            Mr. Mitchell next advised the council he is working on a surplus property auction and is considering placing the property in an online auction for municipalities.  He also reported the Library Board would like clarification as to who is responsible for paving the lot adjacent the library.  Mr. Mitchell will report back when more information is available.  Mr. Mitchell then reported he had received a request for to abandon the east/west alley located south of Ellsworth County Medical Center.  The requester would like to know if the council would have concerns with the vacating of the alley prior to purchasing the property.  Mr. Mitchell will have a drawing available at the next meeting.  Mr. Mitchell next reported a developer is interested in building duplexes on the Homolka Subdivision and inquired if the lots could straddled. Currently the lots are included as free lots the City has available.  The council tabled the item until next meeting.

 

            Mary Wires then motioned Council enter Executive Session with the City Administrator at 6:20 P.M. for the purpose of discussing personnel matters for non-elected personnel and that the Council return to open meeting at 6:25 P.M.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  The executive session is required to protect the privacy interests of an identifiable individual.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Ronnie Tenbrink, Recreation Director arrived at 6:23 P.M.

 

Council entered into Executive Session at 6:20 P.M. and returned to recessed meeting at 6:25 P.M. No action was taken.

 

            There being no further business on proper motion the meeting was adjourned until June 9, 2008 at 7:00P.M.

 

 

 

                        Angela Mueller

                        Deputy City Clerk

 

            A public meeting then held to review conceptual drawings for the Recreation Master Plan.