August 4, 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. PUBLIC HEARING: Mayor Feeken opens a public hearing regarding the City of St. Paul's One (1) and Six (6) Year Street Improvement program.

5. Discuss - Approve / Deny the "Dugout Grill LLC" #157286 Special Designated Liquor (SDL) regarding a St. Paul Senior Center barbecue challenge on Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.  A fence will be bordering the barbecue challenge premises.  Wristbands will be utilized for underage drinking.  General and Liquor liability is current at the City Office.
a. The Howard County Senior Center Inc. is requesting a street closure for the above event on 8th Street between Howard Avenue and Indian Street from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  City cones are requested for the event (Kirt Lukasiewicz).

6. Discuss - Approve / Deny Consent Agenda Items: (1) Minutes July 21, 2025 (regular), Minutes July 29, 2025 (special), and Minutes July 31, 2025 (special); (2) Disbursements August 4, 2025; and (3) Investment/Transfer of Funds: (a) Street Series 2025 Middle Loup River Funds to Street ICS #103349 = $132,646.25 ; (b) City Heritage Bank (Utilities) #411025 ($300,000) to Light ICS #103217 = $150,000, Water ICS #103225 = $75,000, and Sewer ICS #103241 =  $75,000; (c) Elmwood Cemetery Savings #753122 to Elmwood Cemetery ICS #103446 = $15,000; (d) Senior Center M. Mmkt #504882 to Senior Center ICS #103373 = 7,500; and (e) REDLG Checking #301465 to REDLG ICS #103381 = $150,000.   

7. Mayor Feeken opens a public comment period regarding the 2025 One (1) and Six (6) Year Street Improvement plan;
(a) Closes public comment period;
(b) Approve the City's 2024 One (1) and Six (6) Year Street Improvement plan;
(c) Approve Resolution 2025-09; whereas the City of St. Paul conducted a public hearing in accordance with the requirements of the Board of Public Roads Classification Standards.
 

8. Discuss - Approve / Deny the 2025 Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance to the Nebraska Board of Public Roads Classification and Standards (NBCS); 
a. Approve / Deny Resolution 2025-10, whereas the governing body authorizes the signing of the 2025 Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance by Mayor Mike Feeken.

9. Discuss - Approve / Deny giving residents below an extension of time or abate by the City (the below was given until August 4, 2025, to abate property).
(1) 521 7th Street (Rasmussen); (2) 407 "L" Street (Weddle); and (3) 221 Jackson Street (McClay). 
If the nuisance is abated by the City, a record of expenses needs to be reported regarding a "Notice of Hearing Expense of Abatement of Nuisance" to be heard at a later Council meeting.

10. Discuss - Approve / Deny the City of St. Paul paying a Smith Welding invoice for the Street Dept. in the amount of $12,680 in two (2) installments.  The disbursements of funds will occur in the Fiscal Year of 2024-2025 = $6,340 and Fiscal Year 2025-2026 = $6,340.  The invoice pertains to lining a dump box and for a box extension.

11. Discuss - Approve / Deny Mayor Feeken's appointment of Judy Johnson and Andrew Costello to take the place of the Citizens Advisory Review Committee members (CARC) Sally Einspahr and Joe Mlinar.  The Mayor and Council members thanked Ms. Einspahr and Mr. Mlinar for their dedicated service on the CARC Board.

12. Discuss - Approve / Deny an increase in City of St. Paul Police part-time hourly wage from $21 to $25, effective October 1, 2025.  This item was discussed at the City's 2025-2026 Budget Workshop.

13. Discuss the storage of two (2) Special Response Team (SRT) armored vehicles temporarily on City Property (Possible Action).

14. Discuss the south Middle Loup River, along with the joint venture between the City of St. Paul and Howard County concerning the erosion problem (possible action).
a.  Funding of project.

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

17. Utilities Superintendent Helzer updates

18. Mayor Feeken updates:

19. Public Announcements

20. Discuss - Approve the next date and time for an additional 2025-2026 Budget Workshop.

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

22. Mayor Feeken adjourns City Council meeting

23. Informational Items:

24. 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.