Regular City Council Meeting June 2, 2009
City Council Chambers 7:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor –
Council members
City Administrator
City Clerk Connie L. Dalrymple
Press: Gothenburg Times - Beth Barrett
Also
present:
Mayor Hudson opened the meeting and public hearing 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.
The purpose of the public hearing was to consider amendment of the zoning and subdivision regulations. The Planning & Zoning Commission has reviewed all changes and recommends approval. The primary purpose of the amendment is to codify all past ordinances into one regulation document, and to include recent zoning changes, Central Nebraska Seed Co. and Stone Hearth Estates.
Other Planning & Zoning Commission recommendations included:
- to not allow any kind of wind energy systems within the zoning jurisdiction
- definition of feedlots.
Discussion was had on the wind energy systems. Council would like to look at the original wind proposal submitted to P & Z and visit with the members about their thoughts that led to their decision. Council feels the small wind systems should be available for industrial and agriculturally zoned areas.
Kennedy
moved, Strauser seconded, to close the hearing at 7:20 p.m. Roll call vote: Yea – Whiting,
Attorney Bacon was instructed to bring an ordinance incorporating the zoning and subdivision regulations to the June 14 meeting, including some language for wind energy systems for Council review.
Whiting moved, Kennedy seconded, to approve the consent agenda that included:
City Council minutes – May 19
Roll
call vote: Yea -
Strauser
moved, Kennedy seconded, allowing payment of the claims against the City, $57,073.14;
Public Works Division $216,144.14; and the May 28 payroll of $34,427.01. Roll call vote: Yea – Whiting,
Open Forum:
- The new drains have been installed at the pool and we’re awaiting State approval. Then the concrete can be sealed and the pool painted in anticipation of a June 13 opening. There has been some question from the public on pro-rating the cost of permits since the opening has been delayed but due to the cost of the State required improvements, fees will not be changed. Most days have been cool and rainy and the pool probably wouldn’t have been open. We cannot extend the closing date because we do not have certified operators after school opens.
-
The
Larry
Franzen expressed his concerns with the ordinance against feeding ducks at
Council feels the message from the public was to reclaim the park and prohibiting feeding is one part of the efforts being made. The domestic animals have been removed and efforts are underway to clean the lake. The prohibition of feeding ducks and geese in the parks has been made into an ordinance, rather than a resolution, so it can be incorporated into the municipal code with a penalty attached.
Kennedy
moved, Whiting seconded, to approve Ordinance 848 regarding ducks and geese in
municipal parks, on third and final reading.
Roll call vote: Yea – Strauser,
One
request for proposal was received for administration of the Downtown
Revitalization project, CDBG 08DTR106.
Miller & Assoc – declined
West Central NE Development District – declined.
Kennedy
moved,
Chairman Don Abbott spoke to the Council about the Cemetery Board’s decision to install a computerized directory at the cemetery. The unit would be installed where the current directory shelter is and would be maintained and updated by the sexton. The system being considered can also accommodate obituaries and pictures of monuments. Options are a registry unit within an enclosed shelter - $9000, wall mounted unit - $13,000 or a unit within a building - $7000.
The Cemetery Board would like a separate account to hold memorials and donations to the project to simplify accounting and budgeting.
The Community Redevelopment Authority requested $50,000 in sales tax funds to be advanced as needed to pay bills coming due in the next several months, including, property taxes, insurance, auditor fees, and loan interest.
Kennedy
moved, Strauser seconded, allowing payments to Miller & Assoc. of $2877.08
for construction services on
Strauser moved, Whiting seconded, authorizing signature of the contract with the Department of Economic Development for the Downtown Revitalization project and approval of the special conditions for release of funds including: Grantee Information Sheet
Environmental Review
Authorization to Request Funds
Financial Management
Procurement Standards
Excessive Force Certification
Fair Housing
Implementation Schedule
Use of a Certified CDBG Administrator
Roll
call vote: Yea –
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