During the Dec. 10 meeting, Auburn City Council took action on several items in addition to those reported previously.
The council designated Mayor Scott Kudrna, Council President Larry Holtzman, City Treasurer Joe Casey and City Clerk Sherry Heskett as the authorized signers for all of the city bank accounts held at Auburn State Bank. Regarding the two keno operating accounts, the keno operator and his designated representatives were designated as authorized signers.
$10,000 Approved for Scotty’s Garden
The council heard a request for $20,000 in keno funds for Scotty’s Garden at 1905 N Street. Earlier this year, the council had approved the concept of Scotty’s Garden and since that time the committee overseeing it has been working on activities, fundraising and grant applications to help fund and raise awareness of this project. Scotty’s Garden has consulted with the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Education, and has a professional design ready to implement.
Scotty’s Garden is located in an area where there are approximately 500 children at various times throughout the day. The committee would like to have the project completed by the fall of 2013, however, the sooner the better. Grant applications have been submitted and projects thus far have raised $6,700. The committee’s goal is to keep the project’s cost at $45,000. Many people have volunteered to help with the area’s creation and Terry Fulton is project manager.
The money sought from the city would be used to purchase the musical instruments, accessories, wood chips and the fence. The money being requested from the city isn’t needed immediately, but a commitment was what was being sought at the meeting.  
Councilman Shawn Clark reminded Kim Beger, the committee’s spokesperson, that the city needs money for its own parks too. Holtzman agreed that money is tight for the city’s parks. It was noted that approximately $46,600 in keno funds were available.  
Councilwoman Katy Billings moved to donate $10,000 to Scotty’s Garden from the Keno Fund. The Council approved the use of $10,000 in keno money for the project on a 5-1 vote, with Shawn Clark dissenting.
The Council approved a policy for assigning addresses to properties. While Board of Public Works General Manager David Hunter noted that a process already exists for this purpose, having an actual policy in written format would be helpful.
SENDS Proposal Okayed
It was noted that Region V Services (SENDS) had submitted a proposal to clean bathrooms in the city parks next summer. It stipulated that Legion Park’s and Optimist Lake’s restrooms would each be cleaned twice weekly at $10 per time or $20 per week, Irvin Park once a month at $10, and the Sports Complexes two sets of bathrooms at $20 per time (depending on the schedule as to how often it gets cleaned). SENDS would be using city supplies and equipment, and setting the days to clean per the city’s request.
Discussion was held on having the city’s seasonal park employee do this in addition to other duties or whether hiring SENDS would be a better use of city funds.
The council approved the proposal by a 5-1 vote, with Billings dissenting.
Library Director Heather Koeneke said the Auburn Memorial Library needed to update the interlocal agreement between the County of Nemaha and the City of Auburn with regards to the library building. The council passed a resolution updating the previous agreement involving the recently completed library addition project.
The council also approved a lease purchase agreement between the City and Library Foundation regarding the library building and with a maximum of $6,000 annually.
Other Business
A resolution was adopted authorizing Mayor Kudrna as the chief elected official to execute the Nebraska Department of Economic Development contract and all necessary documents for the $224,868 CDBG Grant #12-HO-6044 (Owner Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Project).  
Another resolution was approved authorizing Kudrna to execute a $17,521 general administration contract with Southeast Nebraska Development District for CDBG Grant #12-HO-6044.
The council adopted a revised Housing Program Income ReUse Plan  for non-ED CDBG funds and revised housing program guidelines. The program is based upon the rehabilitation of substandard units through conditional grants, deferred loans or zero percent interest loans, depending upon household incomes. In addition, it is anticipated that the total construction related costs for any individual rehabilitation project will not exceed $24,995.
Reports and Recommendations
Reports and recommendations from department heads and committee chairs were the final agenda items that evening.
Street Commissioner Harry Bridgmon reported that his crew had devoted extensive clean-up to the Kite property, which was initially a nuisance property that the City of Auburn agreed to assume ownership of. Bridgmon also told of removing the 200 foot fences on all four ball fields at the Rec Complex and plugging the post holes.
Koeneke said Toddler Story Time would begin January 9th and continue for five weeks on Wednesdays starting at 10:30 a.m.
Sgt. Eric Adams reported the Police Department had issued 18 citations and six warnings, made 17 arrests, and investigated eight traffic accidents.
City Treasurer Casey’s report showed sales tax collections for September totaled $35,026.52, which was $625.82 less than the same month last year but about $1,700 above the amount budgeted.