NOTICE OF MEETING

CITY OF RALSTON

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Ralston, Nebraska, will be held at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 in the Council Chambers at Ralston City Hall, 5500 S. 77th Street, Ralston, NE. An agenda, which is kept continuously current is available for public inspection at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall.

Maura Kelly Ryan, City Clerk

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PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

CITY OF RALSTON

The Ralston City Council will hold a public hearing at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. The purpose of the public hearing is to consider the 1st reading of Ordinance No. 1328, an ordinance pertaining to revising and amending Chapter 1, Section 1-1501, of the Ralston Municipal Code, increase the limit for bidding requirements. Public comments will be accepted. An agenda will be kept current and available for public inspection at the Office of the City Clerk, 5500 S. 77th Street, Ralston, Nebraska 68127. Written comments should be addressed to the City Clerk at the above address.

Maura Kelly Ryan, City Clerk

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON

REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

CITY OF RALSTON

The Ralston Planning Commission will conduct a Public Hearing on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 5:30 PM at Ralston City Hall, 5500 S. 77th Street on a Second Amendment to the KEYFM Lakeview, L.L.C. Redevelopment Plan, pursuant to the Nebraska Community Development Law.

The City of Ralston has submitted a Second Amendment to the KEYFM Lakeview, L.L.C. Redevelopment Plan, which property is described as:

Lot 1, Lakeview Center, a subdivision in Douglas County, Nebraska (the “Site”), formerly being a part of the Lakeview golf course.

The purpose of the hearing is to receive comments on the proposed Second Amendment to the KEYFM Lakeview, L.L.C. Redevelopment Plan for purposes of the Community Development Law. Copies of the proposed amendment, a map of the area affected and the cost-benefit analysis is on file and may be obtained at the office of the City Clerk, 5500 S.77th Street, Ralston, Nebraska or by email at mkelly@cityofralston.com.

Maura Kelly Ryan, City Clerk

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Ralston City Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

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, March 5, 2024 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 Brousek, Kjar, Preis, Kavanaugh, Krause and Fideline. Absent: None.

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 Lynette Janssen, Ralston United Church of Christ 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 City Council Minutes from the February 20th Council Meeting; Approval of Claims; Liberty First Credit Union Arena Financial Statements for period ending January 31, 2024; Department Head and/or Commission Reports. Moved and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. Aye: Brousek, Kjar, Preis, Kavanaugh, Krause and Fideline. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Freshman reported working on a bid document for the dog park area near Pierson field. Dittmer distributed his report. The team is waiting for a hot mix to fix potholes. Dittmer noted the team has been working hard in the parks removing dead trees, fixing bleachers, and overall getting the parks cleaned up. Krause asked if the snow plow crew broke any sprinkler heads, who replaces them. Dittmer replied it is the home owner’s responsibility as you need a permit to put sprinklers in the right of the way. Bohling reported that Chris Lindner, Audit Partner with FORVIS will be giving a report outlining the results of the 2023 financial statement audit at the next council meeting. Leonardo reported that in February there were two code enforcement cases. Both parties complied. In February the department wrote ninety two citations, sixty one warning tickets and forty six parking tickets. Peña reported that every Thursday they will have a Coffee Social. Peña noted they are starting an exploratory story time for children getting ready to enter kindergarten.  Schulz reported on an agreement and upcoming shows at the Liberty First Credit Union Arena. Roeder reported working on Ralston’s Clean Up Day which will be April 27th, 2024 from 7:30 am-3:00 pm. There will be glass, electronic recycling and possibly shredding. Engberg reported issuing 23 permits.  Hoppe reported that the deadline for The Hinge 72 RFP has been extended to April 15th 2024. Hoppe reported that there will be a Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) meeting on March 21st at 5:30PM in regards to the Oak Apartments TIF district.

Peña presented the Baright Public Library 2023 Annual Report.

Hoppe reported that for the last several months we have been talking about a new twenty five year franchise agreement with the Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) for providing water to our community. Hoppe noted our situation is unique compared to other jurisdictions of the metro as we own our water mains through which the water is provided. One of the proposals is that Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) would assume ownership of those water mains and the city of Ralston would then pay to help with the liability. Specifically, there are five or six water mains that were deemed too shallow and those make them more susceptible to water main breaks. Hoppe noted after negotiation, there was a discussion of a price of $900,000 from the city to MUD over ten years through a charge from the residents and business owners on their water bill. Hoppe noted the good news is that MUD agreed to spend the money in Ralston to fix some of the problems. As we continued negotiations some council members and staff had questions about what we should do. Hoppe stated that he has provided council with background information regarding the possibility of Ralston keeping ownership of the water mains , buy the water whole sale from MUD and sell it to the residents. We want to look into this option and have some questions on the agreement.

Kavanaugh noted the contract states that MUD is committed to putting in $900,000 of improvements over the next ten years back into Ralston, but asked what happens if this money does not get put back in. Erspamer replied it is implied in the contract that MUD will do so within the 10 years including getting with the Public Works department to coordinate the construction of the roads. Kavanaugh stated that the contract specifies it is for twenty five years and can be renewed for another twenty five years if both parties agree. If both parties do not agree, Kavanaugh asked what happens. Kavanaugh noted that Bennington’s agreement specifies that in this case ownership reverts back to them but our agreement does not have that language included. Erspamer replied no one has ever decided to take back ownership as the whole goal is for growth within the city.

Ficenec noted that in 25 years we will not be negotiating ownership, we would be negotiating the terms in which MUD would be serving Ralston.

Kavanaugh asked why the extra amount will be added to the maintenance fee on the bill instead of the infrastructure line item. Thacker replied that their Director of Rates has done all her due diligence on the rates, for programming and adding line items to the bill. Thacker stated that she tracks everything that comes in from each community. Thacker assured council that the Director of Rates will know exactly where we are, how much we collected, what has been paid, who is past due and when we have met that amount from Ralston.

Kavanaugh stated that when Bennington turned over ownership they were given eighteen years to raise the funds. Kavanaugh stated that he believes it would be easier to give the residents more time to pay. Erspamer replied that he did a cost comparison and it is less money in a shorter amount of time.

Groesser clarified that it will be a $2.60 monthly fee or $324 per resident for 10 years.

Kjar asked if council is being asked to take action on this agreement tonight. Groesser responded no that this is a discussion item. Kjar asked if this will come back to council in the form of an ordinance with public hearings. Ficenec responded yes.

Kavanaugh introduced Ordinance No. 1327. Kelly Ryan read Ordinance No. 1327 by title only: AN ORDINANCE ADDING ARTICLE X, SECTION 9-1001 TO THE RALSTON MUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT THE 2018 INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE; TO PROVIDE 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. 1327 at 6:09 PM.

Freshman noted he does not have any additional information to add from last time.

There being no further discussion, Mayor Groesser closed the public hearing at 6:09 P.M.

Kavanaugh moved and Preis seconded to approve Ordinance No. 1327 on second reading. On a roll call vote, the following votes were recorded on the electronic voting board. Aye: Brousek, Kjar, Preis, Kavanaugh, Krause, and Fideline. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Groesser opened consideration of renewal for grounds maintenance not to exceed $148,685.00.

Dittmer reported this is renewing our contract with Mausbach Grounds Maintenance on right of ways, parks, a lot of spraying on 72nd and Harrison and all of 84th on sidewalks, and more. The contract increased by 7% which is mostly due to higher cost in chemicals. Dittmer noted that we have also added the other ballfields into the contract that have previously been taken care of by the schools. So far, both years we have been under budget due to lack of rain.

Brousek asked how often Mausbach will mow the outfields. Ditter responded that while they are in season and playing it is twice per week. Dittmer stated the goal during the off season is to maintain the ballfields once per week to save money.

Preis commented when they did Pierson field it looked phenomenal so there is no doubt when Mausbach maintains the other fields, they will look great.

Brousek moved and Kjar seconded to approve renewal of a contract with Mausbach Grounds Maintenance not to exceed $148,685.00. On a roll call vote, the following votes were recorded on the electronic voting board. Aye: Brousek, Kjar, Preis, Kavanaugh, Krause and Fideline. Nay: None. Absent: None. Motion carried.

Public Comment: None.

Council Comment: Groesser noted that the Stepper-ettes are performing in Ireland. They are form Ralston. Groesser congratulated them.

There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 6:13 PM.

The next meeting is Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 5:30 PM.

/s/Maura Kelly, City Clerk

/s/Donald A. Groesser, Mayor

CLAIMS – March 5, 2024: access systems leasing, copiers, $2,526.73, aflac, insurance, $711.54, american concrete products, concrete, $800.00, american united life insurance company, life insurance, $1,173.37, andrew kanngieser, fire department, $780.00, black hills energy, $2,281.18, blackstone publishing, books, $67.99, blue cross & blue shield of ne, health insurance, $50,565.66, bmi janitorial group, cleaning, $400, brian kavanaugh, reimbursement, $125.38, casey’s business mastercard, credit card, $89.74, century certified services, pest control, $30.00, compchoice, drug test, $140.00, cox business services, phones, $601.97, creighton university, class, $201.50, dxp enterprises,inc, supplies, $154.20, eakes office solutions, supplies, $74.27, echo group,inc, supplies, $73.50, enterprise fm trust, trust, $9,881.03, first interstate bank-pension, pension, $27,101.66, first interstate bank mastercard, credit card, $9,501.98, fp mailing solutions, mailing, $66.00, great plains uniforms, llc, uniforms, $304.47, groesser,donald, reimbursement, $659.38, humana insurance co, insurance, $2,505.30, integrated msp, tech services, $1,8434.00, jeo consulting group, inc, engineer, $32,972.00, john deere financial, lease, $473.28, league association of risk mgmt, endorsement, $373.84, macqueen equipment, equipment, $753.74, markstaar, aluminum, $11,830.67, menards-ralston, supplies, $411.29, metro, bus, $1,067.00, michael todd & co,inc, fees, $694.36, mud-utilities, utilities, $351.66, nebraska iowa supply co, inc, supplies, $2,620.92, nebraska state patrol, membership, $562.50, neenah foundry inc, frame, $1,352.00, omaha compound company, supplies, $79.04, omaha public power district, utilities, $13,574.38, omaha world herald, newspaper, $519.79, ovg global partnerships,llc, commission settlement, $99,292.82, papillion sanitation, trash, $29,151.06, papillion sanitation waste connections, fees, $487.06, papio-missouri river nrd, watershed dues, $2,250.00, pitney bowes global financial, postage, $231.96, point c health, admin fee, $155.50, prime secured, cameras, $2,005.74, project control, engineer, $2,197.50, quill corporation, supplies, $47.96, ralston arena, transfer, $80,000.00, ralston automotive, repairs, $48.50, ralston volunteer fire dept, dues, $18,289.52, sarpy county, special services, $1,736.00, springshare llc, license, $1,099.00, tech soup global, software, $686.00, the daily record, legals, $253.60, trede electric & lighting, electrician, $501.50, voya institutional trust company, trust, $900.00, westlake ace hardware, parts, $44.96.

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