CITY COUNCIL
Meeting Minutes

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Louisville was held on Wednesday, February 13, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at the City Hall. Present were Mayor Dan Henry and council members Rod Petersen, Dave Pankonin, Greg Manley and Don Harris. Also present were attorney Roger Johnson and guests.

Notice of the regular meeting was given in advance thereof by publication in the Plattsmouth Journal and 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.

Motion by Manley, second by Harris to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote: Harris, aye; Pankonin, aye; Manley, aye; Petersen, aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Pankonin, second by Manley to open the public hearing on the One and Six Year Street Plan at 7:02 p.m. Ayes: Harris, Manley, Pankonin and Petersen. Motion carried. Maureen Gulizia asked for a copy of the plan. There were no further comments on the One and Six Year Street Plan. Motion by Petersen, second by Harris to close the public hearing on the One and Six Year Street Plan at 7:04 p.m. Ayes: Harris, Manley, Pankonin and Petersen. Motion carried. 

A deputy from the Sheriff's department gave the Sheriff's report. There were 234 hours of patrol, 27 calls for service answered, 11 citations issued and one warning issued. Mayor Henry asked if there were any updates on the recent burglaries. They are still under investigation with some good leads. The deputy advised that right now there is cooperation going on between Otoe, Lancaster and Sarpy counties on these burglaries. The county has a couple of investigators working on these, along with the deputies on the road. Since the first of December there are approximately 50 cases of burglary being investigated. The Sheriff's office has contacted a list of individuals regarding dogs running at large and there seems to be some improvement. 

The Louisville Daz Celebration was discussed with a representative from the Jay Cees. Maureen Gulizia felt the business owners should be asked their feelings on closing Main Street for the celebration. The Jay Cees will be contacting the businesses regarding the Main Street closing and will give that information to the City Council. The Jay Cees would also like to have a beer garden in the evening. Don Harris voiced his opposition to the beer garden. The clerk will assist the Jay Cees in drawing up a letter they can go around to the businesses with regarding closing Main Street. The Jay Cees will need to apply for the special designated liquor permit for the beer garden. If closing Main Street is not an option, the Jay Cees will have the beer garden where they have in the past. An individual has contacted the Jay Cees with carnival rides for Louisville Daz. When the Jay Cees have more information, they will contact the City Council. 

Motion by Pankonin, second by Petersen to approve Resolution 02-02, One and Six Year Street Plan. Ayes: Harris, Manley, Pankonin and Petersen. Motion carried. 

Motion by Pankonin, second by Manley to approve Resolution 02-03, Lost Warrant Affidavit. Ayes: Harris, Manley, Pankonin and Petersen. Motion carried.

Motion by Harris, second by Manley to approve Resolution 02-04, CDBG Drawdown #3 for Water Supply Study. Roll call vote: Pankonin, aye; Harris, aye; Petersen, aye; Manley, aye.

Courtney Dunbar of JEO presented a proposal for an economic development plan. The proposal included a scope of services and a fee schedule. The scope of services would include an explanation of LB840 and it's potential impact on Louisville's economic development; community and Economic Demographic Analysis; Goal Setting with inclusion and analysis of results of a new 2002 Community Survey; and Strategy for Louisville Economic Development. Areas of the plan that the council feels are not needed can be eliminated and areas added if there is a need for it. Courtney felt that eight weeks would be a good estimate for completion of the plan. A lot would depend on the community survey. This would be done with SENDD and JEO would receive related results and include them into the plan. This plan would also coincide with the zoning updates being done in the Comprehensive Development Plan. The survey will have to be done to see if Louisville can qualify for low-interest loans for the long-term water solution so it should probably also be used for the economic development plan. Clete Petrzilka stated he had read several plans and in most cases the communities implementing economic development plans had lost something, such as a certain industry, where this is not the case in Louisville. Courtney felt this was a big advantage for Louisville in that they can be proactive instead of reactive. Courtney also can gather data from the census that will be helpful in developing the plan. After the plan is written it will need to go to a public election, either special or general, to pass the plan and put it into place. The general election in November would probably be the earliest the plan could be placed on a ballot. Dave Pankonin felt the plan was a good project and obviously something Louisville should do in order to qualify for grant funds, etc. Dave Pankonin has visited with Congressman Bereuter's office to set up a time for the Congressman to visit Louisville on a Saturday in the near future. This would be a good opportunity to thank him for the bypass study funds and to make sure Louisville is politically in tune with him. This will help us with the Department of Roads in getting things done and making they are coordinating with Louisville as much as possible. This way we will have input from the beginning regarding accesses and how the bypass will go. Mayor Henry felt that with the more information that can be compiled either from the study or from visiting with Congressman Bereuter, we might be in better shape in two, three or six months to know exactly what we need in an economic development plan. The City Council will take some time to consider the proposal from JEO. Courtney added that this would hold up the updates to the zoning. She recommended started some of the processes sooner to make things more efficient. 

Eric Obert has not received a response yet from the state on the Corrosion Control Study. The permits for the new line at the sewer plant have not been received yet either. 

Greg Manley reported on the repairs made to the 2nd Street Bridge. Core drilling was done and it appears the bridge was built in stages and went farther back as you are going down. At a point of 6' back from the face of the bridge abutment, the core drilling hit concrete on the third level. There is no evidence of undermining. The riprap has been taken care of and the creek line is straightened out. 

Errol Meisinger addressed the Council regarding the lighting bill at the north end of Main Street, concrete debris removed on Eastwood Drive and past storm damage debris in the lot east of the Mini Mart. The City cleaned up concrete debris at the request of the residents in Eastwood on Eastwood Drive and billed Errol $300. Errol stated he did not own any streets in Eastwood and the debris was from when they had redone the City street when Third Street Circle was added. Errol said he had talked to someone about hauling it away, but they had never gotten to it. He admitted he should have let the City know. Errol felt that if the City felt it was still his bill for the disposal of the concrete debris in Eastwood, he would subtract the amount from the $2,000 he felt the City owed him for the storm debris left on his lot east of the Mini Mart, and that the City had gone in without an easement and worked on the sewer line running through the property. Errol also felt there was still some broken concrete from work done on the sewer line on Depot Street. Randy Payne stated they did go in and do work on the sewer line and that Errol did allow the City to use that property for storm debris, however there was already a pile of trees there before the storm and the City did not haul any broken concrete on to that property. Errol felt this might have been before Randy worked for the City, which would be 1995 or before. Mayor Henry advised Errol that if the debris on Eastwood Drive was not his, he did not owe the bill. As far as the debris east of the Mini Mart was concerned, Errol should have brought this matter to the Council's attention at that time. Errol stated he had gone round and round with the Council at that time and even took Council members down to the lot to show them, but never got anywhere with them. Errol added that if the City agreed that the $300 bill for Eastwood Drive would not be his, he would call it even on the debris east of the Mini Mart. Errol added that he visited with OPPD regarding the bill for the streetlights at Gambino's and the Mini Mart and he was charged the proper amount. Errol gave the Clerk the check for the lighting bill.

A representative from Charter Communications was present to address complaints recently received. The majority of complaints were regarding the construction crews recently in town and their driving across yards with their equipment. There have also been complaints about poor reception on certain stations. Charter stated that the construction was basically completed and there shouldn't be any more complaints coming in. The construction was to update the bandwidth in order to provide high speed internet service. They are in the process of activating this now and by next week should start switching people over to the system. A lot of the issues with poor reception should clear up when everyone is over to the new system. They are looking at a launch date of April 15th for cable modem service in Louisville. The 53 channels available in Louisville now are considered analog and don't have the digital service. The rebuild will offer a full range of digital services of 80 channels which will include digital music channels and access to pay per view, along with high speed internet access. There are no plans this year to have phone service with this, but it may be considered in the future. John Harrington will also be visited with Charter regarding the bandwidth. Larry Wittrock asked if the fire hose and hydrant wrench the boring crew borrowed could be returned. Charter will see that the equipment is returned. 

Motion by Petersen, second by Pankonin to increase the mileage reimbursement rate from 34 ½ cents to 36 ½ cents to reflect the State rate. Ayes: Harris, Manley, Pankonin and Petersen. Motion carried.

Motion by Pankonin, second by Harris to approve the Senior Civic Center Rental Fee schedule. Ayes: Harris, Manley, Pankonin and Petersen. Motion carried.

Motion by Petersen, second by Harris to approve the Release of Mortgage on CDBG Rehab for refinancing purposes. Ayes: Harris, Manley, Pankonin and Petersen. Motion carried.

Snow removal at Oak Ridge Apartment and Louisville Care Center were discussed. It takes approximately 1-½ hours at the Care Center, however it is done frequently to keep the parking lot open. If there is a lot of snow it can take a total of 2 ½ hours. Oak Ridge Apartments takes about ½ hour to one hour. Sidewalks at these locations are not done by the City, only the parking lot. Discussion followed on whether to charge an hourly rate or flat rate for each snowfall. The bare minimum on each lot is two trips. Bills from Tim Sjogren were reviewed for what he charged the City to help out with the last storm and his charge was $50 per hour. Alan Mueller stated the bank pays $45 per time to have their lot cleaned. The Care Center parking lot is quite a bit larger and is both front and back. Mike Scholting took care of the Oak Ridge lot in the past. Mayor Henry added that he likes the City doing these lots so that they don't have someone else pushing snow out in to an area the City has already plowed. The Louisville Housing Agency should have provisions for this in their budget. Mayor Henry felt the businesses on Main Street should not be charged for the City cleaning the sidewalks as it benefited the City to clean the sidewalks before the street is plowed so that business owners are not shoveling snow to the curb. This eliminates having to do Main Street several times. Maureen Gulizia commented that she had received several comments that it was much easier for customers to get from their cars to the sidewalks if they didn't have to step over snow shoveled from the sidewalk to the curb. Bob Copple added that he also appreciated the sidewalks being cleared before the street is plowed. Motion by Harris, second by Manley to charge Oak Ridge Apartment $75.00 and Louisville Care Center $200.00 for snow removal per storm. Ayes: Harris, Manley, Pankonin and Manley. Motion carried.

John Harrington discussed his involvement with the Cass County Economic Development Council IT Task Force. The task force is working on a grant application to the Community Technology Fund in an effort to obtain high-speed internet access to Cass County. It is the feeling of the Cass County Economic Development Council that Louisville will be one of the two test sites for the solution they are looking at. John is requesting a written vote of confidence from the City that the task force can take to the State with the grant application. John asked that the City sign a written vote of confidence to pursue the grant. Increased bandwidth and high-speed access would be of benefit in attracting business to the area. John was not sure what the time line would be in getting this access. Dave Pankonin felt it was important for doing business today and essential for tomorrow. This access would allow individuals, who are currently commuting to Omaha, to work out of their homes. John said one of the problems is that the project has become fractured, meaning every community was out trying to do their own thing. What this task force is intending is to leverage the county, as a whole, to deliver good, sustainable, long-term solutions. If the population centers cut deals on their own, there is not the ability to put together a lasting, viable solution. Because of the topography, there will never be one solution. Whatever solution comes, will have a minimum of three components to serve everyone. Motion by Petersen, second by Pankonin to sign the letter giving the vote of confidence for the Cass County Economic Development Council IT Task Force. Ayes: Harris, Manley, Pankonin and Petersen. Motion carried.

The fiscal audit report was discussed. There were no discrepancies and the City is adhering to all the rules and regulations. The auditor had no recommendations for improvement. Motion by Petersen, second by Manley to approve the audit report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001. Ayes: Harris Manley, Pankonin and Petersen. 

Jerry McClun reported on the Fire and Rescue Department. Randy Payne has been doing oil changes and light maintenance on the trucks as time permits, which has helped out on expenses. One of the garage door openers isn't working properly and someone has been contacted to work on it. March 22nd will be the Annual Fish Fry for the Fire Department. 

Larry Wittrock gave the People's Service report. Layne Western was down to work on the variable speed control on the temporary well. Another part has been ordered. Layne Western has been informed that no further payments will be made until the variable speed control is working properly. Brad Harris of Layne Western told the City that if this system did not work, they would put in the original at no cost to the City. The speed control should be located at the tower instead of the well. 

Randy Payne gave the Maintenance Report. They have been working on the equipment and will be cleaning up trees on the East Side of the intersection of Sandhill & Cherry. Storage area was needed at the shop. The bathroom was framed in, which allowed for storage above it. Work has been done on the sander and the dump truck needed repairs also. Randy suggested the council consider replacing the street sweeper in the near future. The one we have is approximately 27 years old and parts are no longer available for it. Randy has been getting information on used sweepers available. Most sweepers available are hydrostatic. The sweeper the City owns is not, so when you step on the clutch, the broom stops turning and when you start moving again a pile of dirt is left behind. This happens at the all the stop signs in town. The new maintenance tractor was discussed. It has made the snow removal so much easier. 

There was no report from the Library or Senior Center. 

Alan Mueller reported on behalf of the MAC Committee. They are continuing to work on the brochure for Louisville. The theater advertising should be completed soon. The MAC Committee is going to look at the one-sheet brochure that was handed out at the recent wrestling tournament regarding what was available in Louisville. Roger Sykes has offered to add this to the packet given to people registering for stays at Platte River State Park. Mahoney State Park and Louisville State Lakes will also hand out the brochure. The brochure lists services and attractions in Louisville. Most of the pictures and content were taken directly from the website. There was over 700 people that went through the gate at the wrestling tournament that had access to the brochure. It was decided that if the Jay Cees are hosting the State Super Shooters contest in March, they should have some of the brochures available. 

Motion by Manley, second by Pankonin to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Ayes: Harris, Manley, Pankonin and Petersen. Motion carried

I, the undersigned clerk, do 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.

Candace J. McClun
City Clerk 

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