A meeting of the
Board of Trustees of the Village of Trenton, NE, was convened in open and
public session, Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 6:30p.m. at the Village Office.
Present: Chairman Rundel, Vice-Chairman Frakes, Trustees McArthur, Neely, Poppert,
Superintendent Vrbas, Clerk McKain, Larry Evans, Betty Horinek, Phil McDonald, Robert
Brown, and Neil Coleman. Availability of the agenda was communicated in
advance notice and in the notice sent to the Chairman and Trustees of the
meeting. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the meeting was open
to the public.
Roll Call was taken at
6:30pm and quorum was verified.
Chairman made “Open
Meeting Act” announcement.
Citizen Forum: Ms. Horinek
expressed a concern with the $20,000 budget item for the library roof. She was
upset that funds were used from the library checking and savings account. She did
not understand how the budget item was not used with tax levy monies collected
by the village. Mr. Rundel explained that the village gets approximately $63,000
in tax money for the year and budget items are not all paid for with tax levy
money. The village operates mostly on enterprise funds. A lengthy discussion
was made concerning the budget item.
Mr. McDonald
expressed concern with several properties in the village that needed to be
cleaned up and felt the village should send letters of notification. Mr.
McDonald also expressed a concern for unlicensed trailers/vehicles in the
streets.
Motion made by Frakes
and second by McArthur to approve agenda. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert,
and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by McArthur
and second by Poppert to approve minutes of the September 9, 2014 meeting with
a correction that the statement of “Trustee McArthur and Rundel were absent” be
removed as both members were present. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert,
and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Frakes
and second by Poppert to approve treasurer’s report. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely,
Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Utility
Superintendent Reports: Electric Department: Vrbas reported that there was no
update for the burglary or meter tampering. Water Department: Vrbas stated
the department was running smoothly. Sewer Department: Vrbas stated the
department was running smoothly. Trash Department: Vrbas reported the trash
truck has had some issues with the PTO and electrical system. The bid notice was
placed in the Hitchcock County News for a newer trash truck. Vrbas reported
that the tipping fee for McCook has increased to $60.00 per ton. Street
Department: Vrbas provided bids for a new skid steer. Mr. Coleman provided
the board with information concerning the Bobcat bid and government trade-in
program. Motion made by Frakes and second by Neely to purchase the Bobcat Model
299. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion
carried. Rundel stated that the alley in question for Mr. Pederson may be
vacated with ½ of the property going to each lot owner. Rundel stated the
board may consider vacating the alley. Park Department: Vrbas stated the
sand court and sand box cleanup project has had some progress. Vrbas stated
the park has been winterized for the season. Pool Department: Vrbas
reported the pool is closed and winterized for the season.
Animal Control: Vrbas stated there
are 22 cats and 168 dogs licensed within the village. There were 6 warnings
for failure to license, 0 warnings for running at large, 0 citations for
failure to license and 0 citations for running at large during the month of September.
More patrol for animal control has been made. Vrbas reported one incident with
a dog bite was reported and the Sheriff department is handling the issue.
Village Office: McKain reported that
there are three utility deposits to be returned, one will be applied to the
utility account and two will be applied towards final billing. McKain reminded
the board members that the November meeting is scheduled for November 4th
due to the Veteran’s day holiday on the 11th.
Library: No agenda items were
provided. Evans requested access to the Firstbank MasterCard for the library.
He reported that a late fee was again received on the account. McKain corrected
him by stating the additional charge was an over the limit fee not a late
payment fee. Evans reported that the back floor of the library was in need of
repair and may have a budget issue. Evans also reported he is looking to
purchase new bookcases.
Unfinished Business: Rundel stated he
attended a meeting in Kearney on October 7th for the wind turbine
project. Rundel stated a regional meeting would be in November. Rundel
reported that most of the nuisance properties were cleaned up or have continued
to show improvements with the exception of one property. Rundel stated that
BNSF has been contacted concerning their property clean-up. Frakes reported
that he and Peter Burger attended the Culbertson meeting concerning trash
accounts. Frakes stated that the Culbertson Board did not have any objections
for Trenton to provide trash services to Culbertson residents. Employee
evaluations and wage review are addressed as an executive session. Discussion
on the gazebo on the main street lot was discussed. Poppert provided estimated
figures for the Board. Motion made by Neely and second by McArthur to approve the
building of the gazebo and using some keno funds for the construction. Ayes:
Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Sewer and Trash rates were discussed. Base sewer and trash rates will be
increasing $2 per month effective with the December 1, 2014 billing. A
resolution will be presented at the November 4th meeting for
approval. Neely provided and update on the El Dorado Nursing Home heating and
air conditioning system. Neely stated that the project will be in two phases,
which will provide some immediate relief and additional time for application of
grant monies and other available assistance for the project.
Ordinance or
Resolution: There
were no ordinances or resolutions.
New Business: Mr. Evans provided
an overview of the conditional use application presented to the Planning
Commission by Mr. Rich Frakes. The Planning Commission approved the conditional
application. Some discussion was made concerning the application. Motion made
by McArthur and second by Neely to approve the conditional use application to move
a single wide trailer on property located at 36425 Old Highway 34. Ayes: McArthur,
Neely, Poppert and Rundel Nays: None. Abstain: Frakes. Motion carried. The
Proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month was discussed. Neely
motioned and Poppert seconded to approve the Proclamation for Domestic Violence
Awareness Month. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel Nays: None.
Motion carried. McKain presented information to the board of the possible
changing in billing from SWPPD. SWPPD proposed a change from the “post card”
billing to a letter billing. There is a difference in the postage for the
letter billing, which will add approximately $700 per year to the support
cost. Motion made by Frakes and second by Poppert to approve moving to a
letter billing system. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel.
Nays: None. Motion carried. Rundel provided an overview of the Main Street
water project. He anticipates the project to be approximately $300,000 and is
working on preliminary information to begin the project in spring 2015.
Information was presented on training items from Midwest
Assistance Program, Inc. The board is interested in the board responsibilities
training on November 13, 2014. The board suggested that board members from El
Dorado Nursing Home and the Library be invited to attend. McKain will send
letters to board members. Discussion of the bid requirements for the proposed
building and trash truck were made. Opening of the bids will be on October 27,
2014 at 6:30pm. McKain stated a person from NAQUA requested to do water
samples on well 97-2; however, no information was provided prior to meeting.
Rundel stated that until information was received on NAQUA, the Village would
not allow samples to be taken, and in any case, Vrbas or Leggott would take the
sample.
Correspondence: Department
of Nebraska Law Enforcement, El Dorado Nursing Home newsletter, Ideal Linen,
Employment Screening, and Wind & Solar Conference-October 29-30, 2014.
Rundel stated that
receipts for claims need to be submitted to the clerk on a timely basis, as
receipts are required for the claims and audit requirements. Motion made by Neely
and second by McArthur to approve Operating, KENO, and Library Claims Ayes: Frakes,
McArthur, Neely, and Rundel. Nays: None. Abstain: Poppert. Motion carried.
1. September payroll (2
pay periods)............................................................ $12,589.51
2. EFTPS, FED (September
payroll tax).......................................................... 2,827.04
3. NE Dept. of Revenue
(September payroll tax)................................................ 294.02
4. NE Dept. of Revenue,
(September sales tax).............................................. 3,713.46
5. 83 Repair (Trash
truck repairs)..................................................................... 1,046.66
6. Aflac (Supplement
Insurance)............................................................................ 43.70
7. Almquist Maltzahn
Galloway & Luth (Budget prep)...................................... 3,400.00
8. American Funds
(Simple IRA)......................................................................... 158.68
9. B&H Paving (Chip
Sealing)......................................................................... 32,014.13
10. Blue Cross Blue
Shield (Med/Den September Premiums)........................... 2,190.86
11. Burger & Bennett
(Animal Control, Utility disconnects)................................... 915.28
12. C&K Distributers
(Trash Pump)............................................................................ 7.59
13. Carquest (Batteries).......................................................................................... 379.98
14. City of McCook (Trash
Supplies).................................................................. 4,069.33
15. Colonial Life
(Supplement insurance)................................................................ 40.48
16. D&L Pest Control
(Pest control)......................................................................... 50.00
17. Dewey, Nadine
(Payroll).................................................................................. 189.35
18. EBS-RMSCO (Vision
Ins).................................................................................. 91.97
19. Evans, Larry
(Payroll)....................................................................................... 191.36
20. Farmers Co-op (Fuel).................................................................................... 2,318.52*
21. Farmers Co-op
(Pre-pay Propane).............................................................. (3,238.00)
22. FirstBank Credit Card
(Supplies/ Postage)...................................................... 564.56
23. Frakes, Richard
(Mileage).................................................................................. 99.68
24. Great Plains Communications
(Telephone/Internet)........................................ 479.19
25. Holden Contracting
(Main street building repairs)....................................... 37,550.00
26. Ideal Linen Supply
(Shop supplies).................................................................... 16.78
27. J.A. Automotive &
Repair (Trash truck parts).................................................... 97.90
28. Lang Diesel, INC
(Mower parts)......................................................................... 82.18
29. League Builders
(Trash Parts).............................................................................. 9.10
30. McCook National Bank
(Simple IRA).............................................................. 306.12
31. McKain, Wendy
(Mileage)................................................................................ 108.08
32. Municipal Supply, INC
of NE(Warranty contracts)....................................... 2,101.94
33. NE Public Health
Environmental Laboratory (Water samples)........................ 380.00
34. NE Rural Water Assoc
(Arron water school)................................................... 165.00
35. Olsen’s Agricultural
Lab (Water Samples)......................................................... 16.50
36. One Call Concepts
(Diggers hotline).................................................................. 18.90
37. Poppert, Austin (Main
Street Repairs/Labor)................................................ 1,060.00
38. RW Welding (Trash
truck repairs)...................................................................... 15.93
39. Scoop Media
(Publications).............................................................................. 357.22
40. Southwest Fertilizer
(Pre-pay propane)....................................................... (5,600.00)
41. SWPPD (Purchase Power
September Billing $47,639.90; Airport $51.62;
North Well $869.90;
South Well $446.09..................................................... 46,037.08
42. Top Office (Copier
Lease).................................................................................. 51.51
43. Verizon (Cell phones)....................................................................................... 181.32
44. Village of Trenton
(Utilities)............................................................................ 2,665.74
45. Vrbas, Jared (Mileage
trash hauling).................................................................. 50.40
46. Walmart (Supplies)............................................................................................. 47.53
47. Western Tire Company
(street grader parts)................................................... 230.95
KENO CLAIMS (Keno
Checking Account):
K1. Prairie States Communications (2
Pagers, Fire Department)....................... 796.00
LIBRARY CLAIMS (Library
checking account):
L1. First
Bankcard (Books).................................................................................... 360.91
*DENOTES THAT EMPLOYEES
HAVE NOT SUBMITTED ALL RECEIPTS FOR THE CLAIM
Motion made by Neely with second by Frakes to go into executive session to
discuss employee evaluations and wage review at 9:18pm. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur,
Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Neely
with second by McArthur to go out of executive session at 10:07pm. Ayes:
Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Neely
with second by Poppert to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert
and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
With no further
business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:10p.m.
A special meeting to
open bids will be October 27, 2014 at 6:30pm in the Village office. The next regular
meeting will be November 4, 2014, at 6:30p.m. in the Village office.
John A. Rundel, Chairman
Trenton Board of
Trustees
ATTEST:
Wendy L. McKain,
Village Clerk
