July 10, 2024
CITY COUNCIL
July 10, 2024 Louisville, NE
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Louisville was held on July 10, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Present were Mayor Rod Petersen, Council Members Jerry McClun, Jamion Biesterfeld, Justin Barnes and Paul Pankonin. Also, present were City Attorney Roger Johnson, Public Works Foreman Joel Jones and guests. Mayor Petersen stated that the Open Meetings Act is posted at the rear of the room and a copy of all meeting materials is available with the clerk.
Notice of the regular meeting was given in advance thereof by posting in three (3) public places as shown by the certificate attached to these minutes. Notice was simultaneously given to all council members. Their acknowledgement of receipt of notice and the agenda is attached to these minutes. All proceedings thereafter were taken while the convened meeting was open to the public.
Mayor Petersen called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was said. McClun moves, Biesterfeld seconds to approve the consent agenda with the exception of the appointment to the Housing Agency. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Angie Buglewicz reported for the Care Center. Some items discussed: replacement of AC in hallways, staffing, Board officer elections and Medicaid interfund transfer.
Kim Gaebel reported for the library. Some items discussed: budget, summer reading attendance, Tuesday openings, book fair, librarian vacation, story time, game night, board opening and digitizing newspapers.
Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to approve the request for use of the ball field complex for an Ash Grove employee appreciation festival all day on August 18, 2024 contingent upon the city receiving a hold harmless for the event with an indemnification paragraph. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Pankonin moves, Barnes seconds to approve the street closure request on Main Street in front of the fire station on Sunday, October 6, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for an open house. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Barnes moves, Biesterfeld seconds to approve the agreement with Nye Health Services for LCC operational review. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes. Nays – none. Motion carried.
The agreement with Nye Health Services for LCC HR contract died for lack of motion.
Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to approve the agreement with Nye Health Services for LCC Marketing. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes. Nays – none. Motion carried.
The Charter Communications Franchise was briefly discussed. Representatives will be invited to the next meeting.
Pankonin moves, Biesterfeld seconds to approve the memorandum of understanding between the City, NDOT and NE Army National Guard for practice house burn at 422 Main Street. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes. Nays – none. Motion carried.
An item will be put on the Facebook page to remind residents to push trash carts off the curbs except on trash days.
Biesterfeld moves, McClun seconds to authorize the advertisement for city clerk/treasurer in training position that will encompass the deputy clerk position. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes. Nays – none. Motion carried.
There was a preliminary discussion on the upcoming budget. A budget workshop meeting has been set for July 24, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
McClun moves, Barnes seconds to approve the gWorks Core upgrade for accounting software and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes. Nays – none. Motion carried.
The culvert installation at Eastwood Dr. and Highway 66 will be discussed later in the meeting.
Fee schedule for machine hire costs will be ready for the budget workshop.
Joel reported for street, water and sewer. Some items discussed: 2nd Street progress, handicapped parking stalls, high service pump, versahandler delivery date, overlay project, city hall roof repairs and sewer plant operations during rain event.
Written fire and rescue reports were circulated. Sheriff Sorenson was in attendance to discuss enforcement of regulations in the ETJ. It was verified that the sheriff’s department will not enforce zoning regulations in the ETJ but will assist in delivering tickets if our employees don’t feel safe. He also verified that they would handle criminal offenses in the ETJ. He also believes that it is time to revisit the contract.
Kevin Albert reported for LBPA. There were 200 games, 21 teams, 206 kids and 25 coaches involved in the 2024 summer season. A list of repairs needed was presented.
An internal audit was conducted verifying checks to invoices by the council members.
No public comment.
McClun moves, Biesterfeld seconds to enter executive session at 8:42 p.m. for the protection of the public interest to discuss legal aspects of the culvert installation at Eastwood Dr. and Highway 66. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes. Nays – none. Motion carried. Mayor Petersen reiterated the reason for the executive session. Barnes moves, Biesterfeld seconds to reconvene in open session at 9:00 p.m. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Mayor Petersen adjourned the public meeting at 9:01 p.m.
I, the undersigned clerk, hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the proceedings had and done by the Mayor and City Council of Louisville. To the best of my knowledge, the agenda was kept continually current and available for public inspection; and the minutes were in written form and available for public inspection within 10 working days. The minutes are published in summary form. Upon request a complete copy is available at City Hall.
Dee Arias, City Clerk