Council set for vote on Frei leaving, settlement

COLUMBUS - The Columbus City Council is scheduled to take formal action on the resignation of Joe Frei and his settlement agreement with the city when they meet Monday night.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1369 25th Ave. The council's Committee of the Whole will also meet Monday to discuss the city's 2005-06 budget and finalize the Capital Improvement Plan discussed last week. The meeting will be from 4 to 6 p.m.

Before acting on a resolution approving the agreement with Frei, the council will vote on whether to accept his resignation. Frei submitted his letter of resignation to Mayor Mike Moser and city council members on July 19.

"Effective at the end of the day, July 19, 2005, I tender my resignation per the agreement that was reached at the City Council meeting on July 18, 2005," Frei wrote in the letter. "This resignation is conditioned upon the fact that I will be paid per the terms and conditions as agreed and that I will accrue all benefits and pay as afforded me on a monthly basis for the past year through Oct. 15, 2005."

Frei didn't want to comment further on his resignation or the agreement Friday.

In addition to receiving benefits, as part of the agreement, Frei will be paid $88,500 and will serve as a consultant until Oct. 15 at his current rate of pay.

The settlement agreement comes about two months after Moser announced that he would not be reappointing Frei, who has been city administrator since December 1999. Further details of the agreement will be released Monday.

The council also is scheduled to vote on the appointment of William Gumm as acting city administrator. Gumm will also continue to serve as police chief.

Also on the agenda is a letter from Tom Hunt, chairman of the Board of Parks Commissioners, recommending the city accept a donation of land from Columbus Community Hospital to be developed into a recreation area by the Lower Loup Natural Resources District, contingent upon an agreement being reached for maintenance of the park. The parks board also is asking the city to review the need for additional park department personnel.

Other items on the agenda include:

-- Public hearing on the application of El Jimador Mexican Grill and More, for a liquor license to serve spirits, wine and beer at 2721 13th St. and approval of Gerardo Rodrigez Leon as manager in conjunction with the liquor license.

-- Reappointment of Councilman Chuck Whitney to Nebraska Cooperative Government Commission for one-year term.

-- Memorandum from City Engineer Merlin Lindahl submitting plans and specifications for a sewer extension district and a water extension district on South Fifth Street from Third Avenue east 474 feet. Ordinances approving the creation of the two districts are also on the agenda.

-- Appointment of Andrea Coleman as a firefighter.

-- Letter from Nebraska Liquor Control Commission submitting application of Margaret E. Stine as manager of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar in conjunction with Class I liquor license.

-- Application of Oasis Palss, LLC, for special designated permit to serve beer on Sept. 11 in an outdoor fenced in beer garden at 2010 23rd St.

-- Resolution approving interlocal cooperation agreement for library services between the city and Platte County.

-- Resolution approving agreement with Kirkpatrick Pettis to provide fiscal agent services for the city.

-- Resolution allocating levy authority in the amount of $89,519.04 to the City of Columbus Airport Authority.