May 19, 2025 at 6:00 PM - 2nd Council Regular Meeting

1. Mayor Mike Feeken calls City Council meeting to order, with the "Pledge of Allegiance" and the "Open Meeting Statement" as required by NE State Statutes 84-1407 through 84-1414; Mayor Feeken also states that the City Council may vote to go into Closed Session on any agenda item as allowed by NE State Statute 84-1410. 

2. Submittal of Requests for Future Agenda Items

3. Reserve Time to Speak on an Agenda Item

4. Introduction / Meet Attorney Drew A. Graham from Svehla Law Office, P.C., York, NE  (possible action).

5. Discuss - Approve / Deny Resolution No. 2025-3, the following notes issued by the City of St. Paul, NE be called for redemption at par plus accrued interest to the extent and on such date as set forth in the Designation of Call Date as defined: Street, Water, and Sewer Improvement Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2025, dated May 15, 2025, in the outstanding principal amount of $1,275,000, numbered as they are shown on the books and records of the Paying Agent and Registrar, maturing in the principal amount and bearing CUSIP numbers as follows: Principal Amount: $1,275,000; Maturity Date: November 15, 2025; and CUSIP No. 793078 QG4.

6. Introduce Ordinance No. 1061, an ordinance authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Various Purpose Bonds, Series 2025, of the City of St. Paul, NE, in the principal amount not to exceed one million four hundred fifty thousand dollars ($1,450,000) to pay the cost of constructing street, sewer, and related improvements in certain improvement districts of the city; prescribing the form of said bonds; providing for a sinking fund and for the levy and collection of taxes to pay said bonds; providing for the sale of the bonds; authorizing the delivery of the bonds to the purchaser; providing for the disposition of the bond proceeds and ordering the ordinance published in pamphlet form.
Council member introduce, with Council member seconding and moving that the statutory rule requiring reading on 3 different days be suspended; and roll call.
Council member move for final passage, second and roll call.
 

7. Discussion/Updates regarding the St. Paul Senior Center services.  Allow Senior Center activities to be re-opened for congregate socialization, senior activities, and senior clinics - possible action (Kirt Lukasiewicz).  

8. Mayor Mike Feeken opens Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m. regarding Howell Ventures, LLC - The Den, Class C liquor application, Job Number 78551 at the location of 605 Howard Avenue, St. Paul, NE.

9. Discuss - Approve / Deny Consent Agenda Items: (1) Treasurer's Report April 2025; (2) Minutes of May 5, 2025 (regular); (3) Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 2025; and (4) Disbursements May 19, 2025.

10. Mayor Feeken opens the public comment period by request of Jewell Howell dba The Den, 605 Howard Avenue for a "Class C" Liquor License - Job Number 78551.
(a) Closed Public Comment Period;
(b) Approve / Deny Jewell Howell dba The Den, 605 Howard Avenue for a "Class C" Liquor License.  

11. Discuss - Approve / Deny JEO Consulting Group (Bierman Contracting, Inc.) Change Order #3 in the amount of a $4,176 credit pertaining to the St. Paul Fire Station at 4th and Kendall Streets, St. Paul, NE.  The contract is changed as follows: (1) Remove weed barrier fabric from project = Deduct ($1,466); (2) Remove grass seeding from project = Deduct ($1,560); (3) Owner providing transfer switch = Deduct ($2,400); and (4) Installation of cord reels = Add $1,250.

12. Discuss - Approve / Deny Bierman Contracting, Inc. Fire Station Construction Pay Request #11 in the amount of $195,622.10 regarding general conditions, finish carpentry, door and hardware material, Gyp. board assemblies, acoustical ceilings, painting, Pre-Engineered Metal Building (PEMB) erection, site utilities, east door drainage, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical.  The disbursements of funds will be from the Fire Station Construction checking account. 
 

13. Discuss - Approve / Deny Jordan Robinson's Property Improvement (621 1/2 Howard Avenue) application regarding the replacement of block windows and repairing building in the amount of $10,000 from sales tax.
a.  Approve / Deny STS Construction (Tyler Solko) Property Improvement (207 Jay Street) application regarding a new "Showroom" pole sign in the amount of $5,500 from sales tax.

14. Discuss - Approve / Deny disbursing $9,000 to the Paul Chamber of Commerce for the CC Assist (Chamber Software) and the remaining Downtown Audio Speaker System. Funds were placed in the Sales Tax 2024-2025 Budget.   

15. Discuss - Approve / Deny Grover Cleveland Alexander (GCA) Day Committee requesting: (1) GCA Days operation funding in the amount of $3,000, along with fireworks funding of $4,000; all to be absorbed by the Keno fund.  The fireworks will be held on Sunday, July 13, 2025; the location will be at the St. Paul Golf Course. The City will require a Certificate of Insurance prior to the event.

16. Discuss - Approve / Deny Subcontractor Agreement between the City of St. Paul (Owner) and McCarty Construction, LLC (Contractor) pertaining to Project No. 23RCRP-033 - Installation of the New Picnic Shelter and Sidewalks.  City Attorney White is reviewing.

17. Discuss - Approve / Deny City of St. Paul Employee Health Insurance Plan (option to continue with LIGHT Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) or go with Medica HSA). 
Note: The NE League of Municipalities "LIGHT" program does not have an exit fee to leave the plan.  However, they do not allow groups to come back in for two (2) years.  The City would have the option to go back to Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) a year from now, if necessary.  The City just wouldn't be able to jump back into the "LIGHT" program.

18. Discuss - Approve / Deny the City of St. Paul Journal Entries (JE) regarding the closing of the 2023-2024 Financial Statement.

19. Note: On the agenda for auditor purposes.
Discuss - Approve / Deny the 2025 swimming pool hourly wage increase of $0.25 cents for all current employees; all new swimming pool employees to begin at $11.50 per Kristy Smith, Swimming Pool Manager.

20. Discuss - Approve / Deny the attendance of the League Municipal Accounting & Finance Conference on June 18 - 20, 2025 at the Embassy Suites, Lincoln, NE.

21. Discuss 1st of the month City of St. Paul's nuisances per the Nuisance Committee (Chief of Police Dan Howard to report) - Possible Action.

22. Utilities Superintendent Helzer updates

23. Chief of Police Howard updates: 
 

24. Mayor Mike Feeken updates:
(1) Special meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. regarding an IBEW 1597 Union Study Session; 
(2) Special meeting on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. regarding a St. Paul Fire Station Construction Progress meeting; 

25. Public Announcements

26. Closed Session: The City of St. Paul reserves the right to go into Closed Session when it is clearly necessary to protect the public interest or for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual; or pending litigation

27. Mayor Feeken adjourns City Council meeting.

28. Informational Items:
(1) City Receipts regarding April 2025 bookkeeping; 

29. This agenda, including supporting documentation, is available for public viewing during normal business hours at the City Office, 704 6th Street, St. Paul, Nebraska.

The City of St. Paul abides by the Nebraska Open Meetings Act in conducting business.  A copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is on display in the meeting room as required by Nebraska State Law.
The Mayor and City Council reserve the right to enter into an Executive Session at any time during the meeting, in accordance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, even though the closed session may not be indicated on the Agenda.
It is the intention of the Mayor and City Council to take up the items on the agenda in sequential order.  However, the Mayor and City Council reserves the right to take up matters in a different order to accommodate the schedules of the City Council members, person(s) having items on the agenda, and the public.  The City of St. Paul reserves the right to adjust the order of items on the agenda.
Anyone wishing to speak may be limited to three (3) to five (5) minutes per person.  Please utilize the podium and clearly state your name and address for the record and the agenda topic you wish to speak upon in a professional manner.