City of Blair Regular Council Meeting November 28, 2023 The Mayor and City Council met in regular session in the City Council Chambers on November 28, 2023, at 7:00 PM. The following were present: Brad Andersen, Katelyn Ferrari, Holly Hafer, Kirk Highfill, Rick Paulsen, Jim Sandvold, Kevin Willis, and Frank Wolff. Also present were City Administrator Green, Assistant City Administrator Barrow, Assistant Finance Director Bach, City Attorney Solomon, Library Director Zarco, Community Director Beiermann, HR Director Guhl and Chief Lager. Mayor Rump called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. Consent agenda approved the following: 4a) Approval of Minutes of the November 14, 2023, meeting, 4b) Clerk report of Mayoral Action of November 14, 2023, meeting, and 4c) Claims as approved by the Finance Committee. Council approved the following: Ordinance 2521 approving a pay increase for City Administrator Phil Green; Resolution 2023-58 approving an Addendum to Philip Green Employment Contract regarding Cellular Phone Reimbursement and Automobile Reimbursement; Resolution No. 2023-59 approving the Capital City Concepts, LLC agreement to complete a Wage Comparability Study for Civilian and Police Departments; Resolution No. 2023-60 authorizing the purchase of a new police vehicle. City Administrator Green reminded the Mayor and Council regarding the employee dinner on Friday at the Blair Marina. He noted there would not be a second council meeting in December and then distributed a handout for new software the city is moving forward with called Front desk that allows a strong interface with the citizens. Staff will begin highlighting this to our citizens and are currently doing a soft launch that allows citizens to create accounts to pay their utility bills online. Information will be mailed out to citizens so they are aware of the change that will be made effective February 1, 2024. He encouraged the Council members to activate their accounts and familiarize themselves with the product. He noted there would be a slight adjustment in fees, but citizens will be able to pay directly from a credit card or checking account. It will also save staff time because this new program will interface directly with the utility billing software. Council member Paulsen asked if the system was live now. Green stated it is and a link will be added to the city’s website in the next day or two. Council member Highfill asked if Venmo would be allowed as a payment option. Green stated not at this time but hopefully in the future more payment options will be available. He also noted that this will allow for e-billing by text or email if a citizen desires that method to receive their bill. Council member Andersen asked if the streetlights at Dana could be fixed as it is dark in this area. Meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m. The following claims were approved: Air Products & Chemicals, Inv, $10938.55; American Underground, Inv, $853.36; Assethr, Payroll, 368322.17; Automatic Systems Co, Svc, 3394.50; Blair Rent-It Center, Svc, 406.75; Bohlen Steve, Sal, 1749.83; Bomgaar Supply Inc, Inv, 2563.69; Bonine Garage Doors, Inv, 681.00; Cdw Government Inc, Inv, 7491.48; Cede & Co, Invest, 403091.38; Cintas Corporation #749, Svc, 71.25; City Of Blair, Svc, 1198.40; Consolidated Management, Svc, 164.75; Core & Main, Inv, 21725.28; Crown Trophy & Awards Of, Inv, 120.50; Dick's Electric Co, Svc, 11268.77; Dtn Llc, Svc, 669.00; Eakes Office Solutions, Inv, 2172.97; Electronic Contracting Co, Svc, 816.50; First National Bank, Svc, 6660.28; Grainger, Inv, 969.75; Hawkins Inc, Inv, 4708.00; Henton Trenching Inc, Inv, 600.00; Hirchert-Olsen Auto Serv, Svc, 769.02; Hireright Holdings Corp, Svc, 353.30; Jeo Consulting Group Inc, Svc, 1387.50; Jetter's Plumbing Inc, Svc, 159.65; John Day Co, Inv, 150.40; Kelly Ryan Equipment Co, Svc, 217.17; Long Patrick, Svc, 31.00; Long's Ok Tire Stores, Svc, 94.45; Mechanical Sales In, Inv, 3727.00; Mid-American Benefits Llc, Svc, 13123.65; Mississippi Lime Co, Inv, 17952.08; Nebraska Dept Of Environ, Inv, 1380.00; Nebraska Dept Of Revenue, Svc, 9767.75; Nebraska Public Health, Svc, 100.00; Principal Financial Group, Pension, 66812.49; Public Agency Training, Svc, 700.00; S.E. Smith & Sons, Inv, 109.68; Sapp Bros Petroleum, Inv, 1477.23; Security Equipment Inc, Svc, 4461.60; Seiler Instrument And, Svc, 695.00; Strategic Government, Inv, 450.00; Thompson Solutions Group, Svc, 390.00; Ultra Car Wash, Svc, 104.00; Us Postal Service (Blair), Svc, 1350.00; Visual Edge It, Svc, 132.48; Wakefield Towing And Reco, Doran, 400.00. Melinda K. Rump, Mayor ATTEST: Brenda Wheeler, City Clerk ZNEZ PT 12-19-23
