RALSTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

The complete minutes are on file in the office of the City Clerk and are available for public inspection during regular business hours or on the City’s website at www.cityofralston.com.

The Ralston City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 5:30 PM at Ralston City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Roll was called with the following present: Mayor Groesser, Council members Krause, Brousek, Kjar, Preis, and Fideline. Absent: Kavanaugh.

The agenda was available at City Hall for public inspection and posted prior to the meeting.  The legal notice for the meeting was published in the Daily Record.  Claims listed are approved and part of these minutes.

Pastor Tessa Zehring, Trinity United Methodist Church gave the invocation. Mayor Groesser welcomed the press and guests. Groesser said the meeting is subject to the Nebraska Open Meetings Act.  A copy of the Act is posted at the rear of the Council Chambers and is available to view on the City’s website at www.cityofralston.com.

The City Council reviewed the following items under the consent agenda.  Approval of Council Minutes from November 21, 2023 Council Meeting; Approval of Claims; Liberty First Credit Union Arena Financial Statements for period ending October 31, 2023; Department Head and/or Commission Reports. Moved and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda.  On a roll call vote, the following votes were recorded on the electronic voting board. Aye:  Krause, Preis, Kjar, Brousek, and Fideline. Nay: None.  Absent:  Kavanaugh.   Motion carried.

Freshman reported that WILDEWOOD elementary school reopened last week. Dittmer distributed his monthly report. Dittmer reported on the fiber in town stating that ALLO had 69,000 feet to put in and they have completed 63,000 feet. Great Plains has 81,957 feet of fiber to put in and they have completed 2,300 feet. Leonardo gave the department’s traffic report.  Peña reported on the success of Holiday Magic noting that there were over 500 people who walked into the library. Peña stated that there were lots of people enjoying the outside activities as well making it one of their most successful events. Groesser noted that Pause Coffee Shop donated hot chocolate to people who came to Holiday Magic serving over 270 people. Schulz reported on upcoming events scheduled at the Liberty First Credit Union Arena.  Engberg gave the building report for November stating that thirty - five permits were issued. Hoppe reported that our application to the Nebraska Arts Council to become a certified creative district has been approved and we are now accepted in the program.

Groesser opened consideration of his appointments and reappointments to the following boards and commissions: Ralston Economic Development Corp: reappointments of Don Groesser and Tom Kjar, Park & Tree Commission:  reappointments of Pat Eccles and Amy Roeder. Planning Commission: reappointments of Mark Krzemin, Sam Mandolpho and Dan Walsh. Moved and seconded to approve the Mayor’s appointments and reappointments to the  Park & Tree Commission:  reappointments of Pat Eccles and Amy Roeder, Planning Commission: reappointments of Mark Krzemin, Sam Mandolpho and Dan Walsh. Aye:  Krause, Preis, Kjar, Brousek, and Fideline. Nay: None.  Absent:  Kavanaugh.   Motion carried.

Moved and seconded to approve the Mayor’s appointments and reappointments to the  Ralston Economic Development Corp: reappointments of Don Groesser and Tom Kjar

On a roll call vote, the following votes were recorded on the electronic voting board. Aye:  Krause, Preis, Brousek, and Fideline. Abstain:  Kjar. Nay: None.  Absent:  Kavanaugh.   Motion carried.

Krause introduced Ordinance No. 1325.  Kelly read Ordinance No. 1325 by title only: AN ORDINANCE REVISING CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE XVII, OF THE RALSTON MUNICIPAL CODE, RESTAURANTS AND DRINKING PLACES OCCUPATIONAL PRIVILEGE TAX, SECTION 10-1701 TITLED “DEFINITIONS”; TO REPEAL PROVISIONS IN CONFLICT THEREWITH; TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND TO AUTHORIZE THAT SAID ORDINANCE BE PUBLISHED IN PAMPHLET FORM.

Mayor Groesser opened the public hearing and first reading of Ordinance No. 1325 at 5:41 PM

Hoppe stated that currently our restaurant tax does not apply to non - profits.  Often times it is a non – profit running festivals and events to which for profit businesses are apart of. Hoppe noted that in order to avoid any confusion about how this is collected and to make sure that those non profits know that the restaurant tax does apply to them we would like to update the Ordinance.

Ficenec noted that we are removing three exemptions from the current Ordinance.  We are removing the exemptions for non - profits as drinking places, as restaurants and booths that are set up at festivals as restaurants.  We are removing these exemptions so the restaurant tax does apply.

There being no further discussion, Mayor Groesser closed the public hearing at 5:43 P.M.

Fideline introduced Ordinance No. 1326.  Kelly read Ordinance No. 1326 by title only: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MASTER FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE CITY OF RALSTON, NEBRASKA, ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE NO. 1271 AND AMENDED BY ORDINANCE NUMBER 1296; TO REPEAL ANY ORDINANCE IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND TO AUTHORIZE THAT SAID ORDINANCE BE PUBLISHED IN PAMPHLET FORM.

Mayor Groesser opened the public hearing and second reading of Ordinance No. 1326 at 5:44 PM.

Hoppe talked Council through the Master Fee Schedule and the updates required.

There being no further discussion, Mayor Groesser closed the public hearing at 5:54 P.M.

Moved and seconded to amend Ordinance No. 1326 by adding right of way utility installation fee and $.10 per lineal foot not to exceed $3,000 total to the Master Fee Schedule. Aye:  Krause, Preis, Kjar, Brousek, and Fideline. Nay: None.  Absent:  Kavanaugh.   Motion carried. Moved and seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1326 on second reading as amended. Aye:  Krause, Preis, Kjar, Brousek, and Fideline. Nay: None.  Absent:  Kavanaugh.   Motion carried.

Krause introduced resolution 2023-19. Kelly read Resolution 2023-19 by title only:  RESOLUTION APPOINTING JEO CONSULTING GROUP, INC. AS RALSTON CITY ENGINEER FOR 2024

Moved and seconded to approve the following resolution.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the City of Ralston appoints JEO Consulting Group, Inc. as City Engineer for 2024.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Ralston City Council and the Mayor of Ralston, Nebraska, that JEO Consulting Group, Inc. is hereby appointed as the City of Ralston City Engineer, upon such terms and conditions as may be deemed to be in the best interests of the City in the judgment of the City Administrator.

Groesser called for the vote. Aye: Brousek, Kjar, Preis, Fideline and Krause. Nay: None Absent:  Kavanaugh. Motion carried.

CITY OF RALSTON, NEBRASKA

BY: Donald A. Groesser

Mayor

Attest:

Maura Kelly

City Clerk

Krause introduced resolution 2023-20. Kelly read Resolution 2023-20 by title only:  RESOLUTION DECLARING CERTAIN ITEMS SURPLUS AND PROVIDING FOR A METHOD OF SALE

Moved and seconded to approve the following resolution.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS the attached list of items of personal property owned by the City of Ralston are no longer necessary for the operation of the affairs of the City and are surplus, to wit.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Ralston City Council and the Mayor of Ralston, Nebraska, that said property is hereby declared to be surplus property and should be sold at public sale or private sale, upon such terms and conditions as may be deemed to be in the best interests of the City in the judgment of the City Administrator.

CITY OF RALSTON, NEBRASKA

BY: Donald A. Groesser

Mayor

Attest:

Maura Kelly

City Clerk

Groesser called for the vote. On a roll call vote, the following votes were recorded on the electronic voting board. Aye: Brousek, Kjar, Preis, Fideline and Krause. Nay: None Absent:  Kavanaugh. Motion carried.

Groesser opened consideration of the appointment of Daniel Freshman, Class B, License S-1136, as an employed street superintendent during January 1 thru December 31, 2024, for the purpose of the 2024 calendar year Highway Incentive Payment, to be issued to the city by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, in February 2025. Kelly said that the reason why this is on the Council’s agenda is due to a  2021 State Law change requiring municipalities to formally appoint the street superintendent for that year, by name, so it is reflected in the minutes.  Moved and   seconded to  appoint    Daniel Freshman, Class B, License S-1136, as an employed street superintendent during January 1 thru December 31, 2024, for the purpose of the 2024 calendar year Highway Incentive Payment, to be issued to the city by the Nebraska Department of Transportation, in February 2025. Aye:  Krause, Preis, Kjar, Brousek, and Fideline. Nay: None.  Absent:  Kavanaugh.   Motion carried.

Public Comment:  Tom Gregg, 7810 Heritage Circle, discussed his concern with lack of communication about the fiber installation going on in town.

Council Comment: Krause discussed attending the casino open house in Ralston.  There office is in Ralston and they have plans to use the arena and do a lot of things in and for Ralston. Krause also mentioned the communications that ALLO and Great Plains sent out, however, it was early in the process.  Kjar mentioned that there is a general misunderstanding on how the fiber process is working.  Kjar discussed the possibility of the city sending out a letter to residents rather than relying on the companies. Kjar suggested that this would be a much more positive communication.  Groesser stated that he agrees with Kjar and noted how important it is that people know what is going on.   Groesser noted that this Thursday Mrs. Fuller will turn one hundred years old.  Mrs Fuller moved to Ralston in 1956. She and her husband owned a seed company in South Omaha.  She was a key figure in making the senior center happen.  Mrs. Fuller never missed a city council meeting. Groesser stated that she is a neat person who really cares about Ralston.

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 6:12 PM.

The next meeting is Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 5:30 PM.

Maura Kelly

City Clerk

Donald A. Groesser

Mayor

Claims – December 5, 2023 agrivision equipment group, lease, $19,585.20, amanda pena, reimbursement, $1714.77, american united life insurance company, life insurance, $1212.80, biblionix, supplies, $1539.00, black hills energy, utilities, $1,262.43, blue cross & blue shield of ne, health insurance, $54,730.79, c&c truck repair, repair shop, $5,455.12, casey’s business mastercard, credit card, $20.34, cengage learning inc, activities, $24.00, cox business services, telephone, $601.97, dultmeier sales llc, parts, $90.50, echo group inc, parts, $234.84, first interstate bank-pension, pension, $26,344.24, first interstate bank mastercard, credit card, $7,208.10, forvis, keno observation, $24,000, fp mailing solutions, mailing, $66.00, groesser,Donald, reimbursement, $194.91, humana insurance co, insurance, $2,869.38, iacp, police fees, $380.00, integrated msp, technological help, $2,474.00, john deere financial, lease, kriha fluid power, supplies, $113.14, lynn card company, cards, $72.95, metropolitan community college, cdl class, $8,624.00, mud-utilities, utilities, $407.54, Nebraska iowa supply co,inc, supplies, $3,095.34, omni engineering, engineering, $759.05, papillion sanitation, trash services, papillion sanitation waste connections, waste services, point c health, health, $77.00, police chiefs assoc of ne, dues, $100.00, pomps tire service,inc, repair shop, $1,455.96, prime secured, park cameras, $9,000.00, project control, contractual, $1,365.00, quill corporation, office supplies, $80.06, Ralston automotive, mechanic, $210.27, Richard hoppe, reimbursement, $465.67, shivehattery, engineering, $2,760.00, sign it, signs, $20.00, the daily record, newspaper, $66.00, trede electric & lighting,inc, electrician, $11,326.74, yoya institutional trust company, trust, $400.00.

12/28          ZNEZ

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