Proceedings — Elgin City Council

ELGIN CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting Minutes
September 23, 2015
A special meeting was held on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at the Elgin City Hall. Notice of said meeting had been posted at three places, namely, Dean’s Market, U.S. Post Office and the Elgin City Hall, as prescribed by law. Purpose of said meeting was to discuss the culverts and access to the Paul Pelster property.
Mayor Schmitt called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and announced the location of the Open Meeting Act.
Councilmen present were Duane Miller, Mike Dvorak, Jim Kittelson and Don Mackel.
Also present was Don Moser, Dennis Morgan, Paul Pelster, Jerry Niewohner, Janet Koinzan and City Clerk Vicki S. Miller.
Mayor Schmitt asked MS Koinzan to explain what exactly was being planned for the property, because the Council would need to know before they could make a decision regarding access to the property.
MS Koinzan explained that the property would be used for additional parking for the Coffee House Café.
MS Koinzan also stated that the area needed to be cleaned up and to be able to mow the property they need to bury the ditches.
As reported at the September regular meeting, City Engineer John Zwingman reported on a revised cost estimate for the storm sewer improvements along Highway 14. The revision includes running at an angle across the property to discharge approximately at the end of the culvert that was previously installed north and east of the bridge.
It would still require twin 36” culverts from the highway ROW to the exit. The cost savings to run diagonally across the property would be approximately $10,000.00. There could be an additional $2,000.00 to $3,000.00 savings, if there is enough head room available to go with a 48” or 54” pipe and State of Nebraska Department of Roads approval. However the engineering costs would go up $1500.00 for surveying of the property so that an easement can be written and there would be additional costs from the City Attorney for writing and filing the easement.
The total estimated cost of going diagonally would be $35,000.00 to $38,000.00.
MS Koinzan asked if they would be granted access to the property, as they would need to cross City property to get to the property.
MS Koinzan stated it was the City’s drainage ditch and the City should be responsible for cleaning it up and that by letting them cut across the corner it would save both the City and them money.
Jerry Niewohner asked if the City would pay for half of it. Mayor Schmitt stated no, because the City could clean the area up and save money by putting riprap at the site.
MS Koinzan stated ½ is more than fair, because the Council had approved spending $20,000.00 at the last meeting.
Mayor Schmitt explained that was for the original estimate of $48,000.00.
The motion was approved to pay up to $20,000.00, not committing to $20,000.00.
Jerry Niewohner stated that they could provide machinery and man power that would save some of the cost.
Mayor Schmitt stated that specifications would still need to be followed.
Mayor Schmitt informed MS Koinzan and Mr. Niewohner that the City would ask City Engineer John Zwingman for a breakdown of cost for the regular meeting to be held on Monday, October 5, 2015, and at that time the Council could decide what the City would spend on the project, if they were 100% committed to the project.
MS Koinzan stated they were and they would like to get it done yet this fall.
Following discussion, a motion was made by Dvorak to allow access to the property by an easement. A second to the motion was made by Kittelson. All members voted aye and the motion carried.
Also on the agenda was the condition of the office printer. Clerk Miller stated that a new drum was needed and the cost of is $239.00. Miller explained that a drum had been purchased in 2012 and was needed again. A new printer would cost $495.00.
Also the paper feed had been jamming, if the paper feed gear went out we would be out the cost of a new drum.
Following discussion a motion was made by Mackel to purchase a new printer. A second to the motion was made by Kittelson. All members voted aye, with Miller abstaining, and the motion carried.
There being no further business to come before the Elgin City Council, Mayor Schmitt declared the meeting adjourned. Meeting ended at 8:45 p.m.
Mayor Mike Schmitt
Clerk Vicki S. Miller
PUBLISH: September 30, 2015
ZNEZ