CITY OF VALLEY

MINUTES

SPECIAL MEETING

January 28, 2025

1 and 2.      Roll Call and Call to Order. Mayor Grove called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Grove; Council Members, Batcher, L. Lewis, J. Lewis, and Hayden. Also present: City Attorney Andrea Griffin, City Administrator Cameron Gales, Clerk Christie Donnermeyer, Treasurer Lori Sorensen, and Utility Clerk Kindra Smith.

Mayor Grove noted the location of the open meetings act, and stated one copy of all reproducible written material to be discussed at this meeting is available for examination or copying.

3.  Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

4.  Proof of Publication. The Proof of Publication was on the council desk.

5.  Visitors/Correspondence. No one spoke.

6.  Approval of Agenda. Council member Batcher moved to approve the new agenda. J. Lewis seconded. YES: Batcher, L. Lewis, J. Lewis and Hayden. NO: no one. Motion carried.

7.  Resolution No. 2025-05 Sale of K9 Sonic. Council member Batcher moved for passage of Resolution No. 2025-05 subject to the addition of a written agreement that stipulates no commercial use and indemnifies the City. There was no second. Council member L. Lewis moved for passage of Resolution No. 2025-05 without the indemnification clause. Hayden seconded. YES: L. Lewis, J. Lewis and Hayden. NO: Batcher. There was a discussion regarding the Mayor’s veto authority and the Mayor announced she was vetoing the passage of Resolution No. 2025-05. Whereupon Council member L. Lewis moved to override the Mayor’s veto. Hayden seconded. YES: L. Lewis, J. Lewis and Hayden. NO: Batcher. Motion Carried. A true, correct, and complete copy of said Resolution is on file at City Hall.

8.  Appointment of City Officers. Attorney David Blagg addressed council with his independent legal opinion regarding the appropriateness of City Council members terminating existing City officers. He also addressed the liability issues of same.

9.  Adjourn. Council Member L. Lewis moved to adjourn. Hayden seconded. YES: Batcher, L. Lewis, J. Lewis, and Hayden. NO: no one, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.

Cindy Grove, Mayor

Christie Donnermeyer, City Clerk

2/27            ZNEZ

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CITY OF VALLEY

MINUTES

SPECIAL MEETING - WORK SESSION

February 10, 2025

1 and 2.      Roll Call and Call to Order. Mayor Grove called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Grove; Council Members, Batcher, L. Lewis, J. Lewis, and Hayden. Also present: City Attorney Andrea Griffin, City Administrator Cameron Gales, Clerk Christie Donnermeyer, Treasurer Lori Sorensen, and Building Inspector Rune van den Boogaart.

Mayor Grove noted the location of the open meetings act, and stated one copy of all reproducible written material to be discussed at this meeting is available for examination or copying.

3.  Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

4.  Proof of Publication. The Proof of Publication was on the council table.

5.  Visitors/Correspondence. No one spoke.

6.  Approval of Agenda. Council member Batcher moved to approve the agenda. J. Lewis seconded. YES: Batcher, L. Lewis, J. Lewis and Hayden. NO: no one. Motion carried.

7.  Discussion Items:

Nebraska Rural Water Association Rate Study. Randy Hellbusch from Nebraska Rural Water Association reviewed the process and rate study performed for the City of Valley. He presented the council with worksheets he prepared regarding Sewer Rates and Water Rates. Randy discussed the impact on the City’s finances if the current rate structure was to remain in effect. The current rate structure with allowances will not meet the forecasted expenses or increases from Fremont Utilities. He reviewed our current rates with and without allowances and recommended zero allowances. Lori Sorensen presented the council with handouts outlining the previous two years’ Fremont Utility expenses along with water and sewer expenses for FY23-24 and FY24-25.

8.  Work Session:

Review of February 11, 2025 City Council meeting agenda. City Attorney Andrea Griffin addressed council with a reminder that this meeting was a work session meeting to review agenda items and answer any questions regarding any of the agenda items but that no decisions on any items on the agenda would be made during the meeting. Various questions were asked and answered regarding agenda items.

9.  Adjourn. Council Member L. Lewis moved to adjourn. Hayden seconded. YES: Batcher, L. Lewis, J. Lewis, and Hayden. NO: no one, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

Cindy Grove, Mayor

Christie Donnermeyer, City Clerk

2/27            ZNEZ

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