City Council hears Ec. Development report
RANDOLPH — Randolph City Council members heard reports about Randolph’s water and about economic development at its Dec. 4 meeting. Chlorinating Randolph’s water has resulted in a successful test, Council members were told. Council members also discussed the possibility of a fee schedule for picking up furniture on the garbage route. Another suggestion included a spring clean up day for larger items. Economic Development Coordinator Janelle Biernbaum reported having an excellent meeting with the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District. She said she discussed grant opportunities for housing and businesses as well as a downtown revitalization grant opportunity. “I would like the council to consider a strategic planning meeting for the town,’’ Biernbaum said. “The last meeting like this was in 2016.’’ She said the group will be an excellent resource and she plans to attend monthly meetings on behalf of the Randolph community. “The flood district affects houses and businesses,’’ Biernbaum said. “One option I would ask the city council to consider would be to annex the homes in west Randolph.’’ Biernbaum said she has been working on website updates and Randolph’s Facebook pages. She has also been involved with a review of the community’s needs with the Osmond health care system and Providence Medical Center. After Randolph has an updated strategic plan, Biernbaum said she would like to look at focus groups of all different age groups. “I was invited to a Cardinal Kids Learning Center board meeting,’’ Biernbaum said. “The center is looking at doing a fundraiser.’’ Biernbaum said she was asked about writing grants for the center, however, she feels her time should be focused on projects for the City of Randolph. She said she was also asked to bring up snow removal suggestions because the center needs to have their area cleared by 7 a.m. “I was contacted by an individual on considering a walking trail in Randolph, however before we proceed on something like this we should look into is it a few people that want this or more,’’ Biernbaum said. Backer said the Corps of Engineers would like to know about walking trail plans because this would affect the flood project.
“The Northeast Nebraska Area Agency on Aging has provided information and a meeting may be planned for people needing transportation to medical appointments, help getting to the grocery store or dentist for minimal cost,’’ Biernbaumsaid.“Transportation is available for minimal cost.’’
It was also noted Biernbaum’s phone system should be updated. Quotes will be put together for consideration.
A tree nursery has been started for plantings around the city.
Backer said she plans to meet with Lathan Asbra in Laurel about recycling.
Following a call with the Corps of Engineers, Backer said one of the discussion items included the possibility of not needing to go as wide with in the channel restructuring. The Corps of Engineers will be able to bypass some state requirements and submit directly to FEMA because of executive order 1198.
“The Dept. of Natural Resources is also doing a project with Logan Creek,’’ Backer said.
There was also a question about a water line within the project area. The site inspection also brought up a possibility that the Bridge Street 35 ft. bridge might not have to be constructed as wide as the minimum width is 27 ft. This could mean that making the bridge more narrow would allow cost savings, according to Backer.
The city will do a title search to see what areas the city owns to use for fill material for the widening project to correct the flood plain. Within the project, area farmland could also be helped by raising the soil level.
The Corps of Engineers will do a teleconference with the city council to allow a time to ask questions before the public hearing.
The golf course is having a fundraiser on Feb. 15.
The fire department was awarded a $9,500 grant for fire extraction. The rescue squad will be purchasing a $75,000 used ambulance. Councilman Tim Lemmons said a new ambulance would cost $250,000. The city will help co-sign on a loan for the fire department to help with funds for the ambulance.
Backer said she met with four auditors and the report will be detailed.
The council approved the $45,000 salary plus benefits for the new city administrator, Ben Benton.
Benton was present at the meeting and introduced himself. He will start in his new position Dec. 10.
“I am excited at this opportunity,’’ Benton said.
He said he now lives in Norfolk, however plans to relocate to Randolph eventually.
His past work experience includes working in IT in Arkansas and owning his own turkey farm. HIs recent work experience has been operating the Fed Ex Ground office for 11 years. He said he has dealt with many personnel issues and federal contracts as well as other issues.
Annual city appointments were made including:
JEO as engineer of record
Terry Mead as city street superintendent
Keelan Holloway as city attorney
Dr. Kelly Ellis as city physician
Jim Scott, Jim Billerbeck and Mike Dowling as building inspectors
EMS Billing Services Inc. for Ambulance Services for 2020
Bryce Reimers and Zach Meyer for the golf board
Jeri Gubbels for the library board
The council approved authorization to have an open account with Randolph Farm Supply.
A resolution was approved for the signing of a year-end certification of the city street superintendent form by the mayor. This resolution is in regard to the city’s one-andsix-year street program. The Highway Dept. of Transportation requires it.
The city also passed a resolution for the ratification of the Legal Association of Risk Management (LARM) election.
