A meeting of the
Board of Trustees of the Village of Trenton, NE, was convened in open and
public session, Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at 6:55p.m. at the Village Office.
Present: Chairman Rundel, Vice-Chairman Frakes, Trustees McArthur, Neely, Poppert,
Superintendent Vrbas, Clerk McKain, Katheryn Borg, Larry Evans, Samantha
Heffner, Aaron Leggott, Phil McDonald, and Zita Rundel. 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
6:55pm and quorum was verified.
Vice-Chairman made
“Open Meeting Act” announcement.
Citizen Forum: Mr. McDonald
expressed concern with unlicensed vehicles and trailers on streets. Mr. Evans
commented that ordinances do cover such issues.
Motion made by Neely and
second by McArthur to approve agenda. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert,
and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Neely
and second by Poppert to approve minutes of the November 4, 2014 meeting with
the correction of “The permit is for the illuminated sign at highways 25 and
34.” Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion
carried.
Motion made by Poppert
and second by Frakes to approve minutes of the November 17, 2014 meeting. Ayes:
Frakes, Poppert, and Rundel. Abstain: Neely and McArthur. Nays: None. Motion
carried.
Motion made by Frakes
and second by Neely to approve treasurer’s report. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely,
Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Oath of Office: The Oath of Office
was administered by Clerk McKain to Trustees Jessy McArthur and Bill Neely.
Reorganization: Motion by Neely with
second by Poppert to nominate John Rundel as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Ayes: Neely, McArthur, Poppert and Frakes. Abstain: Rundel. Nays: None. Motion
carried.
Motion by Neely with
second by Poppert to nominate Richard Frakes as Vice-Chairman. Ayes: McArthur,
Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Abstain: Frakes. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Neely with
second by Frakes to have Chairman Rundel and Trustees McArthur, and Poppert to
serve on the Park/Pool/Airport committee. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely,
Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Neely with
second by Poppert to have Chairman Rundel and Trustees Frakes, and Neely to
serve on the Utility/Street & Alley/Trash committee. Ayes: Frakes,
McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Neely with
second by Frakes to have Farmers State Bank of Trenton as our depository.
Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion
carried.
Motion by McArthur
with second by Neely to have second signature for Chairman and Clerk to remain
as Vice-Chairman and Deputy Clerk. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and
Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Poppert
with second by Neely to have day and time of meetings remain the second Tuesday
at 6:30 p.m. at the Village Office. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert,
and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Poppert
with second by Frakes to have Hitchcock News for village publications. Ayes:
Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Neely with second
by Poppert to retain G. Peter Burger as Village Attorney. Ayes: Frakes,
McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Neely with
second by McArthur to retain Wendy L. McKain as Village Clerk/Treasurer. Ayes:
McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Abstain: Frakes. Nays: None. Motion
carried.
Motion by Frakes with
second by McArthur to retain Tom Hovey as Village Fire Chief. Ayes: Frakes,
McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Neely with
second by McArthur to retain Greg Wolford of W Design as Village Street
Superintendent. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays:
None. Motion carried.
Motion by Poppert
with second by Frakes to retain Jared Vrbas as the Village Utility
Superintendent. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays:
None. Motion carried.
Motion by Neely with
second by Frakes to retain Larry Evans as the Village Library Director. Ayes:
Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by McArthur
with second by Neely to appoint Chairman Rundel, Utility Superintendent Jared
Vrbas, and Registered Nurse Laken Vrbas to Board of Health. Ayes: Frakes,
McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Utility
Superintendent Reports: Electric Department: Vrbas reported new outlet plugs on
poles for decorations have been completed. Vrbas reported the LONM Utility
Conference is in Lincoln January 14-16, 2015. Motion by Neely with second by Poppert
to have J. Vrbas attend the Utility Conference in January, 2015. Ayes: Frakes,
McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried. Water
Department: Vrbas stated some holes had been filled at the well site. Sewer
Department: Vrbas reported there was a blockage at motel. Rundel requested
that the manhole be checked on a weekly basis to insure no additional problems.
Trash Department: Vrbas reported the newer trash truck has had some
issues. Vrbas stated the rural trash route has grown. Vrbas stated the rural
trash routes would be moved to Thursdays beginning January 1, 2015. Rundel
asked about trash container lids, stating that several are broken and need
repair. Rundel requested Vrbas to order 60 new lids for trash containers and
to replace the broken ones. Vrbas reported that some dumpsters have been moved
to avoid issues with cable lines and electric lines due to the new trash
truck. Street Department: Vrbas stated they have been working on alleys.
Park Department: Vrbas stated the sand court and sand have been
removed. 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
were 181 reminder letters sent to animal owners to license their animal for the
2015 year. Vrbas stated there are 3 cats and 22 dogs licensed within the
village for the 2015 year. There were 0 warning 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 November, 2014.
Village Office: McKain reported that
there were no utility deposits to be returned. McKain reported that the Clerk
Institute/Academy is in Kearney March 22-27, 2015. McKain asked that Heffner
apply for the scholarship of $393 to attend. McKain also stated early
registration for her would be $223. Motion by Neely with second by Poppert to apply
for scholarship and register clerk McKain for Academy in March, 2014. Ayes:
McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Abstain: Frakes. Nays: None. Motion
carried. Clerk McKain asked that the village offices be closed on December 26,
2014 and January 2, 2015 due to the holidays. Employees would use PTO or no
pay for those dates. The Board of Trustees agreed to have those closure
dates. McKain reported that 2015 Tobacco License renewals were mailed and
currently two licenses have been issued. McKain stated that effective January
1, 2015 the minimum wage for the State of Nebraska will be $8.00 per hour.
This will affect personnel at the tree branch site and library. McKain asked
Evans if the Library Board had addressed the issue. Evans reported that they
had discussed it; however, no approval was made as it is a state mandate. Motion
by Neely with second by McArthur to raise the hourly wage of the tree branch
site personnel to $8.00 per hour. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert and
Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried. McKain provided the board with a sample of
the new billing invoice from SWPPD, which will begin to be used with the
February 1, 2015 billing. McKain reported that the Annual Banner Application
for the NE Department of Roads was completed. McKain reported she would update
the LONM Municipal officials, as she had to wait for the reorganization of the
board. McKain reported she has completed the Tree City USA application for the
2015 year. McKain reported she would be out of the office December 11-15, 2014
and Heffner would be in the office to cover.
Library: No agenda items were
provided. Evans stated that some drywall work had been completed. Evans
stated the new bookshelves had come in and old bookshelves would be sold.
McKain reminded Evans that the bookshelves would need to be declared as surplus
items, and then the items could be sold. Evan inquired when Rundel would be
available to finish the flooring in the Library. Rundel stated during the
Christmas break he would get over to the Library to complete the project. Borg
reported that the Library Board met with Denise Harders, Director of the
Republican Valley Library System. Ms. Harders provided the board members with
information and this meeting was counted towards the CEU’s required of board
members for accreditation. Ms. Borg also reported that the Library is moving a
portion of their savings account into a 501(c)3 account with the Friends of the
Library.
Unfinished Business: Rundel stated the
wind turbine project is moving along. A meeting with other area municipalities
and SWPPD will be on December 23, 2014. Rundel stated that nuisance properties
continue to be an issue and he is working on cleanup issues. Rundel stated
that the railroad cleanup has made significant progress. Poppert reported that
the Gazebo package has been ordered. Poppert reported that the materials would
be arriving in 3-5 days. Neely provided an update on the El Dorado Nursing
Home heating and cooling system. Neely stated they were opening project bids
on Tuesday or Wednesday. Rundel stated he had been working on the financing,
which was approved for a low interest loan with the Nebraska Energy
department. Rundel reported that he is working on preliminary information on
the Main Street water project and would like to have everything in place for
the project by March, 2015. Rundel stated he has been pleased with the
temporary performance of Heffner in the clerk’s office. Rundel asked for
discussion on moving Heffner to the Deputy Clerk position. Mr. McDonald
expressed concern of not advertising for the position, as it was previously
advertised as a temporary position. After some discussion it was decided that
an advertisement for the Deputy Clerk position would be submitted to the
Hitchcock County News to run for two or three weeks. Applications would be
accepted until noon January 5, 2014. Rundel stated that applications would be
reviewed and interviews setup for the week of January 5, 2015.
Neely or McArthur would be available for the interview process. A
determination of hiring would be made at the January 13, 2015 meeting. Rundel
stated he would be working with Attorney Burger to vacate the alleys between
Pedersen and Lykins and Lykins and Leahy.
Ordinance or
Resolution: There
were no Ordinances or Resolutions for the meeting.
New Business: Dates for the
street tour were discussed. It was decided that Monday, December 15, 2014 at
9am would be the tour date. McKain was instructed to contact Greg Wolford.
Panhandlers requested $300 of Keno funds for the Community Christmas
Celebration to be held on Saturday, December 21, 2014. Motion by Neely with
second by Frakes to provide $300 from Keno funds for the Community Christmas
Celebration to be held on Saturday, December 21, 2014. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur,
Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried. Trenton Christmas
Baskets requested $1,500 of Keno funds for the community baskets provided for
needy families. Motion by McArthur with second by Neely to provide $1,500 from
Keno funds for the Trenton Community Baskets for needy families. Ayes: Frakes,
McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried. Information
concerning the NE Department of Aeronautics update of officials was discussed.
Motion by Neely with second by Poppert to table the officials listing for the
NE Department of Aeronautics. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert and
Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried. Motion by Neely with second by Poppert to
appoint Linda Drain and Dale Bailey to the Tree Board for a three year term
ending on December 31, 2017. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert and
Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Correspondence: NCCI
Workers Compensation Rating, NE DEQ Waste Reduction & Recycling Incentive
Grants, NE Department of Aeronautics Symposium January 28-31, 2015; Orscheln Credit
Card becoming a Visa card, and El Dorado Nursing Home News Letter.
Motion made by Frakes
and second by Neely to approve Operating claims except #37, KENO claims, and
Library claims Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None.
Motion carried.
OPERATING CLAIMS:
1. November payroll (2
pay periods)............................................................. $13,531.69
2. EFTPS, FED (November
payroll tax)........................................................... 3,182.14
3. NE Dept. of Revenue (November
payroll tax)................................................. 367.97
4. NE Dept. of Revenue,
(November sales tax)............................................... 2,244.21
5. 83 Repair (#8A
repairs)............................................................................... $1,282.60
6. Aflac (Dec premiums) ....................................................................................... 43.70
7. American Agricultural
Lab (Water samples)...................................................... 16.50
8. American Funds (IRA
contributions Nov)........................................................ 166.64
9. AmFirst Insurance
(#11A Bobcat)...................................................................... 66.00
10. Barnett’s Do It
Center (Building maintenance)................................................... 80.27
11. Blue Cross Blue
Shield (Dec premiums medical/dental).............................. 4,543.67
12. BOK Financial (Water
Bonds)..................................................................... 13,215.00
13. Burger & Bennett
(Legal services)................................................................... 403.78
14. C & K
Distributers (#8 supplies).......................................................................... 26.66
15. City of McCook
(Transfer station tickets)..................................................... 2,070.00
16. Colonial Life (Dec
premium).............................................................................. 40.48
17. D & L Pest
Control (Spraying)............................................................................ 50.00
18. Dewey, Nadine
(Library Payroll)...................................................................... 310.80
19. Evans, Larry (Library
Payroll).......................................................................... 207.20
20. Farmers Co-op (Fuel).................................................................................... 2,123.30
21. Farmers Co-op
(Pre-pay propane).............................................................. (3,032.39)
22. Fastenal (Shop
supplies).................................................................................... 56.01
23. First Bankcard
(Postage, office supplies)........................................................ 229.89
24. Frakes, Richard (BOT
payroll)......................................................................... 923.50
25. Frenchman Valley
Co-op (Tires for #8A)......................................................... 768.10
26. Great Plains
Communications (phones/internet)............................................ (157.15)
27. Heffner, Samantha
(Mileage)............................................................................. 54.32
28. Ideal Linen Supply
(Shop towels)....................................................................... 16.78
29. League Builders
(Concrete & keys)................................................................... 62.56
30. Lifetime Benefit
Solutions (Dec premium vision)............................................... 91.97
31. McArthur, Jessy (BOT
payroll)........................................................................ 923.50
32. MNB (IRA
contributions Nov)........................................................................... 317.58
33. National Insurance
Services (Life & LTD premiums Sept-Dec)........................ 38.34
34. Nebraska Rural Water
Assoc. (Annual dues).................................................. 125.00
35. Neely, Bill (BOT
payroll)................................................................................... 923.50
36. Orscheln (Animal
control, shop supplies)......................................................... 282.54
37. Poppert, Austin (Main
St Building Repairs)................................................... 1,120.00
38. Poppert, Austin (BOT
payroll).......................................................................... 923.50
39. Quill (Office
supplies)......................................................................................... 27.97
40. Railroad Management
Company (rent)........................................................... 160.78
41. Rundel, John (BOT
payroll)........................................................................... 1,108.20
42. Scoop Media (Publications).............................................................................. 516.04
43. Southwest Fertilizer
(propane for shop heaters).............................................. 186.84
44. Southwest Fertilizer
(pre-pay propane)........................................................ (4,072.00)
45. SWPPD (Purchase Power
November Billing $36,407.70; Airport $63.50;
North Well $335.62;
South Well $291.05..................................................... 37,097.87
46. Titan Machinery McCook
(Belt for #8A)............................................................ 38.36
47. Titan Machinery North
Platte (supplies for #11A).............................................. 94.48
48. Top Office Products
(Copier lease/supplies)..................................................... 61.61
49. Village of
Trenton-Petty Cash (Title/inspection #8A)......................................... 20.00
50. Village of Trenton
(Utilities)............................................................................ 2,101.87
51. Vincent Tree Service
(Stump removal)........................................................... 100.00
52. Walmart (Office/shop
supplies)........................................................................ 125.20
53. Western Cartographers
(maps)........................................................................ 100.00
54. Western Tire Company
(#22 service call)........................................................ 231.90
KENO CLAIMS (Keno
Checking Account):
K1. Panhandlers
Community Christmas.............................................................. $300.00
K2. Community
Christmas.................................................................................. 1,500.00
LIBRARY CLAIMS (Library
checking account):
L1. Dewey,
Nadine (Christmas Bonus)................................................................. $100.00
L2. Evans,
Larry (Christmas Bonus)....................................................................... 200.00
L3. First
Bankcard (Book expense/Operating supplies).......................................... 126.80
L4. Fleider,
Harold (Drywall work)........................................................................... 292.07
Motion made by Neely
and second by Frakes to approve Operating claim #37. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur,
Neely, and Rundel. Abstain: Poppert. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Neely with second by
McArthur to enter into executive session at 8:30pm to discuss possible property
acquisition and possible lawsuit. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and
Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion
made by Neely with second by Poppert to exit executive session at 8:42 p.m. and
resume in regular session for adjournment. Ayes: Frakes, Neely, McArthur,
Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Poppert
with second by Frakes to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert
and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
With no further business,
the meeting was adjourned at 8:44p.m.
Next regular meeting
will be January 13, 2015, at 6:30p.m. in the Village Office.
John A. Rundel, Chairman
Trenton Board of
Trustees
ATTEST:
Wendy L. McKain,
Village Clerk