Ralston City Council Meeting

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

The complete minutes are on file in the office of the City Clerk and are available for public inspection during regular business hours or on the City’s website at www.cityofralston.com.

The Ralston City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 5:30 PM at Ralston City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Roll was called with the following present: Mayor Groesser, Council members Krause, Brousek,  Kavanaugh, Preis, Kjar and Fideline. Absent: None.  The agenda was available at City Hall for public inspection and posted prior to the meeting.  The legal notice for the meeting was published in the Daily Record.  Claims listed are approved and part of these minutes. Councilman Brousek gave the invocation.  Mayor Groesser  welcomed the press and guests. Groesser said the meeting is subject to the Nebraska Open Meetings Act.  A copy of the Act is posted at the rear of the Council Chambers and is available to view on the City’s website at www.cityofralston.com.

The City Council reviewed the following items under the consent agenda. Approval of Council Minutes from October 3, 2023 Council Meeting; Approval of Claims; Financial Statements – September 30, 2023; Department Head and/or Commission Reports. Moved and seconded to approve the Consent Agenda.   Aye:  Krause, Preis, Kavanaugh, Brousek, Kjar and Fideline. Nay: None.  Absent:  None.   Motion carried.

Freshman gave an update on the LOMR – F for the arena. Dittmer distributed his monthly report. Dittmer gave an update on ALLO’s progress. Great Plains started their work yesterday.  Bohling reported that we are getting ready for the yearly audit.  Roeder reported that she and Peña are working on a Halloween event at the library.  Roeder noted that she is working on plans for  Holiday Magic which will be the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Hoppe reported that on October 26th he and the Mayor will be participating in a Mayor’s forum at a Bellevue Chamber of Commerce meeting. 

Hoppe stated that Ralston has had a number of challenges with the former Fireside Village Apartments. This is not a place that was getting to the everyday needs of tenants.  The Capital situation at the apartments was deteriorating rapidly. Freshman discussed the conditions at Fireside Apartments and why it is so important that something happen.  Hoppe explained that this is why public-private partnership is necessary to solve these challenges.  Hoppe stated that a private sector partner, Artisan Capital Group, joined the city to take care of things in the long run. 

Ryan Cahalan, partner with Artisan Capital Group, discussed the good things happening under their management of WILDEWOOD Commons. Cahalan stated that this is a long term investment for Artisan Capital Group.

Kjar asked how old their company is.  Cahalan responded that the company was formed in September of 2017.   Kjar asked when they took ownership of the property. Cahalan  responded  that they closed on the property in late June, 2023. Kjar asked if they knew what the condition of the building was like before purchasing it. Cahalan stated yes.  Kjar asked how many units are at WILDEWOOD Commons. Cahalan responded one hundred eighty units.

Hoppe went through the Blight and Substandard Determination Study. 

Groesser opened the public hearing at 6: 23 p.m. to consider preliminary/final plat for property at 4713 S 77th Ave.

Hoppe stated that he and Dan Rudolph, with Runza National, have been discussing a piece of property that they own and if the city would be interested in finding a partnership to make that land more productive.  Dan Rudolph with Runza National, discussed the property and the fact that before doing anything with the property they must first re-plat the land.  Runza National has owned the property since 1983 and is in front of Council to have the land re-platted.  Ficenec pointed out a few typos on the plat. Mayor Groesser closed the public hearing at 6:28pm. Moved approval of the final plat for property at 4713 S 77th Ave. with the recommended changes from Ficenec, seconded.  Aye: Preis, Kavanaugh, Brousek, Fideline, Kjar and Krause.   Nay: None.  Absent:  None.    Motion carried.

Public Comment:  Shelly Stotts, the new executive director for the chamber of commerce introduced herself and stated how excited she is to be working with everyone. Council Comment: Krause commented on how well done the fire appreciation memorial service was in Koch park.  There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 6:33 PM. The next meeting is Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 5:30 PM.

/s/Maura Kelly, City Clerk

/s/Donald A. Groesser, Mayor

Claims – October 17, 2023 ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING, COPIERS, $2,526.73, AFLAC, INSURANCE, $809.58, AXON ENTERPRISE,INC, EQUIPMENT, $18,310.87, BMI JANITORIAL GROUP, CLEANING SERVICES, $725.00, CASELLE, SOFTWARE, $903.00, CASEY’S BUSINESS MASTERCARD, CREDIT CARD, $35.50, CENTURY CERTIFIED SERVICES, PEST CONTROL, $79.00, CITY OF OMAHA CASHIER, SPECIAL SERVICES, $63,602.47, COMPCHOICE, $482.78, COX BUSINESS SERVICES, INTERNET, $1094.68, DULTMEIER SALES, LLC, SUPPLIES $84.50, EAKES OFFICE SOLUTIONS, OFFICE SUPPLIES, $106.47, EARNEST CONSTRUCTION GROUP, CONTRACTORS, $22,774.49, EMBRIS GROUP LLC, ENGINEERING COSTS, $971.25, EXPERIAN, CREDIT, $27.00, FACTORY MOTOR PARTS CO, PART STORE, $292.78, GEOTAB USA INC, SUPPLIES, $134.75, GROESSER,DONALD, REIMBURSE, $3,320.00, HDR ENGINEERING,INC, ENGINEER, $1,978.00, HOUGHTON BRADFORD WHITTED PC, LLO, LAWYER, $3,000.00, INTEGRATED, TECH SERVICES, $7,040.05, JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL, FINANCING, $957.66, KRIHA FLUID POWER, MACHINERY, $220.82, LAVISTA CITY OF, SPECIAL SERVICES, $1,755.49, MARTIN ASPHALT, ASPHALT, $172.00, MAUSBACH GROUNDS MAINTENANCE, MAINTENANCE, $2,100.00, MENARDS-RALSTON, SUPPLIES, $88.81, MICHAEL TODD & CO INC, MATERIALS, $720.76, MID-AMERICAN BENEFITS INC, BENEFITS, $75.00, NAPA AUTO PARTS, SUPPLIES, $15.34, NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, TAXES, $150,916.00, NEBRASKA IOWA SUPPLY CO, SUPPLIES, $2,019.75, OCB PLUMBING, PLUMBING, $130.00, OMAHA PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT, UTILITIES, $13,938.13, OMNI ENGINEERING, ENGINEERING, $1,902.85, ONE CALL CONCEPTS, LOCATES, $121.58, PAPILLION SANITATION, TRASH, $1072.80, PAPIO-MISSOURI RIVER NRD, WATERSHED FEES, $5,087.00, PRIME SECURED, CAMERAS, $22,972.38, PROJECT CONTROL, PROJECT MANAGEMNT, $920.00, RALSTON ARENA, TRANSFER, $80,000.00, RALSTON AUTOMOTIVE, CAR SHOP, $492.11, ROBERTSON PROPERTIES,LLC, PARK, $620.00, SANTANDER BANK,NA, SERVICES, $45,036.04, SIGN IT, SIGNS, $2,164.00, THE DAILY RECORD, NEWS, $666.33, TRANS UNION RISK & ALTERNATIVE, SUPPLIES, $75.00, TREDE ELECTRIC & LIGHTING,INC, ELECTRICIAN, $475.00, VERIZON WIRELESS, $1357.15.

11/15          ZNEZ

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NOTICE OF MEETING

CITY OF RALSTON

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Ralston, Nebraska, will be held at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 in the Council Chambers at Ralston City Hall, 5500 S. 77th Street, Ralston, NE.  An agenda, which is kept continuously current is available for public inspection at the office of the City Clerk at City Hall.

Maura Kelly

City Clerk

11/15          ZNEZ

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PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

CITY OF RALSTON

The Ralston City Council will hold a public hearing at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, November  21, 2023.  The purpose of the public hearing is to consider the 1st reading of Ordinance No. 1325, an ordinance pertaining to revising and amending chapter 10, article XVII, of the Ralston Municipal Code, restaurants and drinking places occupational privilege tax,  10-1701 titled “definitions”.  Public comments will be accepted.  An agenda will be kept current and available for public inspection at the Office of the City Clerk, 5500 S. 77th Street, Ralston, Nebraska 68127. Written comments should be addressed to the City Clerk at the above address.

Maura Kelly

City Clerk

11/15          ZNEZ

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

CITY OF RALSTON

The Ralston City Council will hold a public hearing at 5:30 PM on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.  The purpose of the public hearing is to consider the 1st reading of Ordinance No. 1326, an ordinance amending the Master Fee Schedule. Public comments will be accepted.  An agenda will be kept current and available for public inspection at the Office of the City Clerk, 5500 S. 77th Street, Ralston, Nebraska 68127. Written comments should be addressed to the City Clerk at the above address.

Maura Kelly

City Clerk

11/15          ZNEZ

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