January 2, 2024 at 6:30 PM - 1st Council Regular Meeting

1. Council President Mike Feeken calls the 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; Council President 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. Pursuant to the announcement of Mayor Joel M. Bergman's resignation effective January 1, 2024, a vacancy in the office of Mayor is to be filled by the Council President for the unexpired term (December 7, 2026) per Municipal Code 1-106 and Nebraska State Statute 32-568.
a.  Oath of Office for Michael Feeken as interim Mayor; Official Time as Mayor?

3. Submittal of Request for Future Agenda Items

4. Reserve time to Speak on an Agenda Item

5. City of St. Paul's Municipal Code 1-105 "ELECTED OFFICIAL VACANCY":
Whenever a vacancy occurs in an elected office of the Municipality, except Mayor, notice of said vacancy shall be presented in writing to the City Council at a Regular Council meeting and said notice shall appear as a part of the minutes of such meeting.
NOTE: "PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING COUNCIL MEMBER VACANCY" was posted in four (4) usual places in St. Paul, NE on Thursday, December 21, 2023, and will also be published in the Phonograph Herald on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 (please see the attached documents) - possible action.
NOTE: The Mayor shall, within two (2) weeks after the Regular meeting at which such notice has been presented, submit the name of a qualified elector to fill the vacancy for the balance of the unexpired term.  Upon a majority vote of approval by the City Council, the vacancy shall be filled.  If a majority vote is not reached, the nomination shall be rejected and the Mayor shall, at the next Regular meeting, submit the name of another qualified elector.  This will be on the Council Agenda on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

6. Discuss - Approve / Deny the City of St. Paul abating a nuisance at 304 8th Street (David Eiberger) pertaining to an unlicensed Blue Honda Civic vehicle.

7. Discuss - Approve / Deny Consent Agenda Items:
(1) Council minutes regarding December 18, 2023 (regular); and
(2) Disbursements January 2, 2024.    

8. Discuss - Approve / Deny St. Paul Chamber of Commerce funding in the amount of $8,000 for marketing and advertising.
a. Approve funds being disbursed from Sales Tax.

9. NUISANCE UPDATES: POLICE CHIEF DAN HOWARD
Discuss - City of St. Paul nuisance updates (possible action).

10. Discuss - Approve / Deny hiring/advertising for a cleaning service person to clean the City Offices.
a.  Approve / Deny salary or hourly wage (previous salary from $15 to $22.33); the position is eight (8) hours bi-weekly.

11. Discuss - Approve / Deny a three percent (3%) wage increase for Police Officer Matthew Sample; his wage will go from $23.80 to $24.52 hourly.  Police Officer Sample graduated from the NE Law Enforcement Training Center (NELETC) on Friday, December 15, 2023.

12. Discuss - Approve / Deny the City of St. Paul hiring Police Officer Thomas Holmes; Mr. Holmes is a certified Police Officer.
a. Approve / deny the starting hourly wage of $26.21; after the six (6) month probationary period, the wage will increase to $27.00.

13. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HOLIDAY: The second (2nd) City Council meeting in January 2024 will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, due to the Martin Luther King holiday.

14. Utilities Superintendent Helzer updates

15. Chief of Police Howard updates:

16. Mayor Mike Feeken updates:
(1) 2023 - 2024 Sales Tax proceeds;
(2) St. Paul Firefighter and EMT Roster (12-26-23);
(3) November 2023 Revenue and Expenditure Guideline (at City Office);
(4) 2022-2023 Keno Revenue and Expenditures;

17. Public Announcements

18. Closed Session: Pending Litigation; Strategy Session with respect to real estate purchase; and prevent needless injury to the reputation of an individual

19. Mayor Mike Feeken adjourns the City Council meeting

20. Informational Items:
(1) Library Board Minutes from November 15, 2023;

21. 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.