July 7, 2025 at 6:30 PM - 1st 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 Request for Future Agenda Items

3. Reserve time to Speak on an Agenda Item

4. Mayor Feeken opens four (4) public hearings pertaining to the approval of liquor license applications that include:
(1) Seven County Spirits, LLC dba Loup River Distilling (Dirk Petersen) "Class C" - Job Number #104224 at 503 Howard Avenue;
(2) Seven County Spirits, LLC dba Loup River Distilling (Dirk Petersen) "Class Z" - Job Number #104446 at 503 Howard Avenue;
(3) Frida's, LLC (Jesus Berber) "Class I" - Job Number #107846 at 515 Howard Avenue; and
(4) The Dugout Grill, LLC (Jason Dibbert) "Class C" - Job Number #103615 at 804 Howard Avenue.

5. Discuss - Approve / Deny placing road gravel on "M" Street between Wallace Street and Bruce Street; utilize road gravel instead of crushed concrete (John Thiel).

6. Discuss - Approve / Deny the bid from Diamond Engineering, Grand Island, NE for the construction of the St. Paul Tennis and Pickleball Courts in the amount of $381,607.30.  The park improvement grant committee recommends this bid out of four (4) bids received for the project; bids were due by 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The cost of the project will be paid by the General Reserves and then reimbursed back by the Nebraska Dept. of Economic Development. 
a. AUTHORIZE CONTRACT OF DIAMOND ENGINEERING.

7. Discuss potential park improvements within the park grant parameters (possible action).

8. Discuss - Approve / Deny Olsson "Letter Agreement for Professional Services" regarding paving and storm sewer improvements on 3rd Street from "O" Street to approximately 225' north. Olsson's Scope of Services will be provided on a time-and-expense basis not to exceed $18,600. The anticipated start date will be within two (2) weeks of signing the agreement; the anticipated completion date will be eight (8) weeks after signing the agreement for right-of-way (ROW) dedication documents and design plans.

9. Discuss - Approve / Deny Consent Agenda Items: (1) Council Minutes June 16, 2025 (regular); (2) Planning Minutes June 30, 2025; and (3) Disbursements July 7, 2025.   

10. Mayor Feeken opens public comment period regarding four (4) liquor license applications that include:
(1) Seven County Spirits, LLC dba Loup River Distilling (Dirk Petersen) "Class C" - Job Number #104224 at 503 Howard Avenue;
(2) Seven County Spirits, LLC dba Loup River Distilling (Dirk Petersen) "Class Z" - Job Number #104446 at 503 Howard Avenue;
(3) Frida's, LLC (Jesus Berber) "Class I" - Job Number #107846 at 515 Howard Avenue; and
(4) The Dugout Grill, LLC (Jason Dibbert) "Class C" - Job Number #103615 at 804 Howard Avenue.
a.  Mayor Feeken CLOSES public comment period
b.  Approve / Deny the four (4) liquor license applications.
 

11. Discuss - Approve / Deny upgrades to the City's main sewer lift station (2 Howard Avenue) grinder in the amount of $6,564.37.

12. Discuss - Approve / Deny "The Dugout Grill, LLC" Property Improvement application regarding signage at 804 Howard Avenue for the amount of $4,175.  Funds will be expended from the sales tax fund. 

13. Discuss - Approve / Deny City of St. Paul 2024-2025 Sinking Fund transactions in the amount of $95,000:
(1) EMT Equipment $9,000;
(2) Fire Equipment $2,000;
(3) Senior Center $2,500;
(4) Sewer Building/Equipment $20,000;
(5) Street $34,000; and
(6) Water Building/Equipment $27,500

14. St. Paul Development Corp. (SPDC) Executive Director Parker Klinginsmith:  Provide a status report on the Middle Loup River Subdivision (possible action).

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

16. Chief of Police Howard updates:
a.  Police Activity Report;
b.  Free Grant Writing Workshop for NE Communities regarding Eyesore Properties       on Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;
c.  Tasers;

17. Utilities Superintendent Helzer updates:
(1) New St. Paul Fire Station Insurance Coverage $2,250,000 and Old St. Paul Fire Station (Street) Insurance Coverage: a. Replacement Cost $1.7 Million and Functional Replacement Cost $1.3 Million; LARM will re-assess the City Buildings in 2028; an annual inflation cost is added each year.

18. Mayor Feeken updates:
(1) Per NE League of Municipalities, the City doesn't need to go out to bid on City Audit and Budget.  Bob Beran with Dana F. Cole & Co. also stated no bid letting is necessary.
 

19. Public Announcements

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

21. Mayor Feeken adjourns City Council meeting

22. Informational Items:
(1) St. Paul Fire and Rescue Squad Roster;
 

23. 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.