Regular City Council Meeting February 6, 2007

City Council Chambers 7:00 p.m.

Present: Mayor – Joyce Hudson Absent: City Attorney Mike Bacon

Council members Jeff Kennedy

Jim Aden

Roger Dudley

Jeff Whiting

City Administrator Bruce Clymer

City Clerk Connie L. Dalrymple

Police Chief Randy Olson

Press: Gothenburg Times - Beth Barrett

Also present: Eppie Sisneros, Andrew Nickerson

Mayor Hudson opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Advance notice and a copy of the agenda were given to the Council and members of the press. City Council meetings are conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act, a copy of which is available for public inspection on the north wall of the Council Chambers.

Dudley moved, Aden seconded, to approve the consent agenda that included:

City Council minutes – January 16, & 30

Redevelopment Authority minutes – January 30

Police Report - January

Roll call vote: Yea – Kennedy, Whiting, Aden, Dudley. Nay - none.

Dudley moved, Aden seconded, allowing payment of the claims against the City, except #1868 and #1047, $61,474.00; Public Works Division $68,908.29; and the January 25 payroll of $28,917.06. Roll call vote: Yea – Whiting, Kennedy, Aden, Dudley. Nay - none.

Aden moved, Whiting seconded, allowing payment of claim #1047 to the Animal Hospital. Roll call vote: Yea – Kennedy, Aden, Whiting. Nay – none.

Dudley moved, Whiting seconded, allowing payment of claim #1868 to Quality Fire Extinguishers. Roll call vote: Yea – Aden, Whiting, Dudley. Nay – none.

- The Employee Recognition Dinner will be held on Friday, February 9 at the shop.

Dudley moved, Kennedy seconded, to pass and approve Ordinance 813 changing zoning at the ethanol site to I-2, on third and final reading. Roll call vote: Yea – Whiting, Aden, Kennedy, Dudley. Nay – none.

Kennedy moved, Dudley seconded, to introduce Ordinance 814 regarding the Fire Code. Roll call vote: Yea – Aden, Whiting, Dudley, Kennedy. Nay – none.

Aden moved. Whiting seconded, to introduce Ordinance 815 adopting the Life Safety Code. Roll call vote: Yea – Kennedy, Dudley, Whiting, Dudley. Nay – none.

Discussion was had on the newly enacted law allowing concealed weapons in Nebraska. The law does not allow concealed weapons at any meeting of a governing body, church, library, or school, but allows businesses and public entities to prohibit concealed weapons on their property.

If we wish to prohibit concealed weapons, there must be signs at every public entrance. This is nearly impossible in the parks. Discussion was hand on signage and costs and it was decided to direct the City Attorney to draft the necessary documentation to have signs prohibiting concealed weapons at the City Hall, Shop, Wastewater treatment plant, swimming pool, and Lafayette Park pavilion.

Kennedy moved, Aden seconded, renewing Maintenance Agreement #56 with the NE Department of Roads. Roll call vote: Yea- Dudley, whiting, Aden, Kennedy. Nay – none.

Kennedy moved, Whiting seconded, to recommend to the Liquor Control Commission the approval of a request from the Chamber of Commerce and Horizon Ag for a special designated license for a Business After Hours event on February 16, 2007 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 1900 8^th Street. Roll call vote: Yea – Dudley, Whiting, Kennedy. Nay – none.

The North Platte City Council has approved the Dispatch Services Agreement. Annual fees of $20,178.62 will be paid in monthly installments and all E911 fees will be remitted to North Platte. Members of the North Platte department will come to Gothenburg to become familiar with the community and Gothenburg personnel will go the North Platte. Chief Olson is working on the technological aspect of the change, including phone lines, phone towers, equipment, and security.

A receptionist / secretary will be on staff in the Gothenburg during the day and a wall phone installed in the lobby with a direct line to North Platte dispatch for public use after hours. The line will be answered as “Gothenburg”. A camera will also monitor the lobby. It’s anticipated to be about 90 days before everything is ready for the transfer of services. Before the final transfer is made, service will continue as is for about two weeks to be sure all equipment is working as it should and to ensure a smooth transition.

Aden moved, Kennedy seconded, to pass and approve Resolution 2007-1 authorizing signature of the dispatch services agreement with the City of North Platte. Roll call vote: Yea – Whiting, Kennedy, Aden, Dudley. Nay – none.

Unfortunately, the dispatch consolidation will eliminate three full time dispatch positions. To be fair to the dispatchers and to give them incentive to stay on the job until they are no longer needed, they will receive one week's pay for each year they have worked for Gothenburg, and all accumulated vacation and holidays. They will be considered employees until Chief Olson provides them a written notice of termination at which time benefits will cease and they will be paid according to the work force reduction policy.

Chief Olson and Administrator Clymer met with the dispatchers yesterday and explained the situation and the process to them. They have given a lot to the City, performed their jobs well, and it is difficult to eliminate the positions.

Kennedy moved, Whiting seconded, to pass and approve Resolution 2007-2, setting out the Police Department reduction in force protocol. Roll call vote: Yea – Dudley, Aden, Whiting, Kennedy. Nay – none.

Dick Parsons would like to lease a portion of the tree lot to pasture his sheep. He will maintain fencing and will pay rent of $10 / month.

Aden moved, Kennedy seconded approving the tree lot lease as proposed to Dick Parsons. Roll call vote: Yea – Dudley, Whiting, Kennedy, Aden. Nay – none.

Kennedy moved, Dudley seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 7:35 p.m. The next regular meeting will be February 20, 2007.

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Joyce Hudson, Mayor Connie L. Dalrymple, City Clerk