New members of the Milford City Council were sworn into their first meeting on Dec. 1, which covered multiple council purposes.
Mike Roth took the oath of office to represent Ward 1 and Kelli Keib for the city's Ward 2 after winning in the Nov. 3 election. Keib received 60% of the vote in a two-person race while Roth won an uncontested race.
The first items they heard came from their fellow council members, Becky Freeman and Tony DeLong, who both presented reports on their respective committees. DeLong complimented the repairs to the bridge at South Park. Freeman said delivered meals from the senior center have stayed consistent, if not increased, in recent weeks.
Two presentations took the majority of the council's time. One came from Jonathan Jank of the Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership and Tom Bliss, executive director of Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD). Together they spoke of Milford's next steps in the Downtown Revitalization Program Grant process. Milford was recently awarded a grant, clearing the first hurdle. Bliss said the next goal would be implementation on a project – renovations, sidewalk enhancements, etc. – but in the meantime council members could prioritize.
Milford was awarded up to $53,000 that requires a 25% match (up to $12,500). Total project costs could be near $65,000, but Bliss said he has not seen a recent project reach that amount.
Bliss said the project's next major step is a contract with the state. He said the contract starts the clock on the program, but it does not necessarily require council approval but it will require the mayor's signature. Bliss urged the council not to spend money, or incur expenses with the exception of grant administration, prior to the council getting its letter from the state. Bliss also ran the council through contractual timelines between the council and SENDD, which should begin within weeks.
Jank and Bliss suggested the council select a reputable planning firm and urge public response on what projects would be covered by the grant.
Public input on what the grant should fund is strongly encouraged.
Bliss encouraged the council to stay patient with the project as the grant timeline could drag out. If the council aggressively seizes the grant, however, planning could begin in August-September and, in theory, see renovation projects in 2022.
The other presentation came from the Milford Volunteer Fire Department regarding a Junior Firefighters and EMS Program. It's a program that representatives hope to start, saying has shown benefits for teens 14-and-up elsewhere. It would provide scholarship opportunities for all students attending Milford Jr.-Sr. High School and build recruitment. Those presenting said Malcolm and Lincoln have similar programs. Milford Volunteer Fire Department members would undergo training and background checks in order to participate.
The council had concerns with sending young program members to fire and rescue scenes that would be considered traumatic. In the Lincoln program, those participating couldn't be on the front lines of a call until an adult designates it safe for them. There were also issues of safety with calls coming along Interstate 80.
The council ultimately supported the program while suggesting safety changes.
Outside of presentations, the council voted to reduce the speed limit on parts of Eighth Street to 15 miles per hour between June 1 and Nov. 1.
Council members also elected officers. DeLong was reappointed council president and Freeman was elected acting president of council. Mayor Patrick Kelley announced council assignments for DeLong (streets, economic development, community betterment and parks), Keib (pool, library, Seward and Saline County waste management, cemetery), Freeman (recreation, senior center, veteran committee, auditing and Webermeier Scholarship) and Roth (police, fire, water and wastewater).
Forrest Siebken was reappointed as chief of police, Jeanne Hoggins was reappointed as city clerk, Gary TeSelle was reappointed maintenance supervisor and Julie Ogden of JEO Consulting was appointed street superintendent. Kelley notified the council he is hiring for an expanded building inspector position, so the city code will be updated to fit that new job description.
The council also approved two separate housing development bids ($24,925 and $12,580) per housing committee recommendation.
The council also extended an offer of employment to Austin Tucker for Milford Police Department officer per Siebken's recommendation of $20.50 start with 50-cent raise at six months and additional 50-cent raise at anniversary date pending background check and drug screening. Tucker is a certified law enforcement officer in Kansas. Siebken anticipated Tucker would start in January.
The council also awarded a bid of $61,380 for the Timber Creek Development water main extension to Van Kirk Bros. Contracting.
The council also authorized Kelley's signature on audit agreement, as well as authorized payment process for drawdown No. 2 project. Council members also approved a resolution authorizing Kelley to sign the year-end certification of city street superintendent 2020.
