A meeting of the
Board of Trustees of the Village of Trenton, NE, was convened in open and
public session, Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 6:34p.m. at the Village Office.
Present: Vice-Chairman Frakes, Trustees Neely, Poppert, Superintendent Vrbas, Clerk
McKain, Deputy Clerk Cock, Larry Evans, Ron Seeker, Bev Seeker, Sandra
Brunkhorst and Terry Galloway. Trustee McArthur and Rundel were absent. 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
6:34pm and quorum was verified.
Chairman made “Open
Meeting Act” announcement.
Citizen Forum: Ron Seeker
expressed concern with sidewalk issues on Circle Drive. One spot of the
sidewalk on the East side is raised and cracked, and on the corner of Circle
Drive and West B, there is a bush blocking a portion of the sidewalk. Mr.
Seeker provided a number for a person to contact regarding ADA compliance for
sidewalks. Mr. Seeker asked the board to address the issue with the
homeowners. Mr. Seeker also expressed concern with the lack mowing with
several properties within village limits. Mr. Seeker asked about the
“grandfather” issue with livestock on a property.
Motion made by Neely and
second by Poppert to approve agenda. Ayes: Frakes, Neely, and Poppert Nays:
None. Absent: McArthur & Rundel. Motion carried.
Motion made by Neely
and second by Poppert to approve minutes of the July 8, 2014 meeting. Ayes:
Frakes, Neely, and Poppert Nays: None. Absent: McArthur & Rundel. Motion
carried.
Approval of the July
15, 2014 budget meeting minutes was tabled for the September 9, 2014 meeting.
Motion made by Neely
and second by Poppert to approve treasurer’s report. Ayes: Frakes, Neely, and
Poppert Nays: None. Absent: McArthur & Rundel. Motion carried.
Utility
Superintendent Reports: Electric Department: Vrbas reported that there was no
update or arrest made by the sheriff’s office regarding the burglary. Water
Department: Vrbas stated the department is running smoothly. Sewer
Department: Vrbas stated the department was good. Trash Department:
Vrbas reported the new dumpsters had arrived and they would be delivering to
new customers next week. Street Department: Vrbas stated they painted
crosswalks by school. Park Department: Vrbas stated the sand court and
sand box cleanup project has had no progress. Pool Department: Vrbas
reported the pool will be open until August 31, 2014. The revised hours during
August are Monday-Thursday 4pm-8pm, Fridays 3pm-6pm, Saturday & Sunday is
1pm to 6pm.
Animal Control: Vrbas stated there
are 22 cats and 155 dogs licensed within the village. There was 3 warning for
failure to license, 2 warnings for running at large, 5 citations for failure to
license and 2 citations for running at large during the month of July. Several
complaints have been received concerning dogs at large.
Village Office: McKain reported that
there are two utility deposits to be returned. McKain provided the Board
information on the LONM Annual Conference in North Platte on September 24-26,
2014. Motion made by Neely and second by Poppert to approve McKain to attend
conference. Ayes: Frakes, Neely, and Poppert Nays: None. Absent: McArthur,
Rundel. Motion carried. McKain reported that some pool employees were not
paid correctly due to a manager not completing their timesheets. There were
three employees involved and all have been paid for the missing hours with the
last pay period. McKain stated the Southwest Clerks Association would be
meeting August 21, 2014 in Paxton, so the office would close at 11am that day. McKain
reported that NACO would no longer offer Life,
AD&D and LTD; however, another company will provide the service for $6.39 per
month for each employee who has medical benefits through NACO. McKain stated
she received a notice of a bankruptcy and has contacted the Village Attorney
for assistance. McKain provided an update on the negotiations between BCBS of Nebraska
and Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI).
Library: No agenda items were
provided. Evans stated he was attending for budget concerns.
Unfinished Business: Terry Galloway
provided an overview of the Village’s budget for the 2014-2015 year. Evans questioned
why funds were allocated from the library checking account to purchase books.
Evans voiced a concern that the village did not provide enough funds for the
library to operate. Board members stated they believed the library should
spend some of the funds bequeathed to purchase books and updates for the
library. Mr. Galloway pointed out that the village provides 27% of tax monies
to the library. Some adjustments were made to the draft budget regarding the
library checking account. Mr. Galloway asked questions concerning the donated
building and expenses for the building to get a better understanding of
budgetary issues. Mr. Galloway pointed out that some consideration should be
made to raise rates in the sewer and trash departments. There will be a budget
hearing set for September 9, 2014. There was no update on the wind turbine
project. Vrbas reported that most of the nuisance properties were cleaned up
or have continued to show improvements with the exception of one property.
McKain reported that the paperwork has been completed and filed with the county
clerk’s office to transfer the ownership of 445 Main Street building. Vrbas
reported there is no update on the cleanup issue with the railroad due to no
response or contact. McKain reported the farmer’s market was doing well and
there are nine registered vendors. McKain reported that the village attorney
and chairman are working on an agreement with the Village of Culbertson for
trash service. The Village Attorney has requested to be on the Culbertson’s
Board meeting agenda for September 2nd. Rundel was not present to
provide information on the employee evaluations and wage review. The item was
tabled for the September 9, 2014 meeting.
Ordinance or
Resolution: There
were no new ordinances or resolutions.
New Business: A request to
transfer an airport hangar lease from Berg to Walker was reviewed. Motion made
by Poppert and second by Neely to approve airport hangar transfer. Ayes:
Frakes, Neely, and Poppert Nays: None. Absent: McArthur & Rundel. Motion
carried. McKain reported that the Village of Trenton will be presenting a bid
to the Village of Stratton along with an interlocal agreement to review for
trash services. A request to transfer an airport hangar lease from Waugh to JP
Logistics/Harvesting was reviewed. Motion made by Poppert and second by Neely
to approve airport hangar transfer. Ayes: Frakes, Neely, and Poppert Nays:
None. Absent: McArthur & Rundel. Motion carried. Sandra Brunkhorst
provided an update on the operations of El Dorado Manor Nursing home.
Brunkhorst provided information on the purchase of a new heating system for the
nursing home/assisted living facility, which will cost approximately $300,000.
Brunkhorst stated they had received a $25,000 grant from the Hansen Foundation,
which they were very grateful. Brunkhorst stated the Manor would be able to
apply for additional funds from the Hanson Foundation. Brunkhorst asked the
board to consider help with financing if needed. A copy of the SWPPD
construction report was reviewed. The construction costs were added in the
claims listing for payment.
Correspondence: El
Dorado Manor newsletter, National seminars/training for A/P and FMLA, Titan
Machinery, Nebraska 811, USDA, Law Enforcement Training, and Tree City.
Chairman Rundel joined the
meeting at 8:25pm
Motion made by Neely
and second by Poppert to approve Operating, KENO, and Library Claims excluding
operating claim #35 due to a conflict of interest for Trustee Poppert. Ayes: Frakes,
Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Absent: McArthur. Motion carried.
Motion made by Neely
and second by Frakes to approve operating claim #35. Ayes: Frakes, Neely, and
Rundel. Nays: None. Abstain: Poppert. Absent: McArthur. Motion Carried.
1. July payroll (2 pay
periods)....................................................................... $15,349.32
2. EFTPS, FED (July
payroll tax)...................................................................... 3,461.28
3. NE Dept. of Revenue (July
payroll tax)........................................................... 345.08
4. NE Dept. of Revenue, (July
sales tax).......................................................... 4,488.85
5. Aflac (Supplement
Insurance)............................................................................ 43.70
6. American Funds
(Simple IRA)......................................................................... 158.68
7. Arbor Day Foundation
(Membership)................................................................. 55.00
8. Blue Cross Blue Shield
(Med/Den July Premiums)...................................... 2,190.86
9. Burrell, Morgan
(Overpayment on Final Bill)...................................................... 16.45
10. C&K Distributers
(Pool/Water Supplies)............................................................. 41.90
11. Choice Plumbing
(Maintenance Streets/Park).............................................. 1,892.50
12. Clinch (Shop
Supplies)....................................................................................... 41.26
13. City of McCook (Trash/Water
Supplies)....................................................... 2,994.94
14. Colonial Life
(Supplement insurance)................................................................ 40.48
15. D&L Pest Control
(Applications)......................................................................... 50.00
16. Dewey, Nadine
(Payroll).................................................................................. 244.20
17. EBS RMSCO, INC
(Vision August Premiums).................................................. 91.97
18. Evans, Larry
(Payroll)....................................................................................... 236.80
19. Farmers Co-op (Fuel).................................................................................... 2,032.13
20. FirstBank Credit Card
(Supplies/ Postage)...................................................... 242.08
21. Great Plains
Communications (Telephone/Internet)........................................ 476.65
22. Hitchcock Co
Treasurer, Linda Cook (Property Taxes).................................... 32.26
23. Ideal Linen Supply
(Shop supplies).................................................................... 25.17
24. Land Diesel, INC
(Park Parts).......................................................................... 103.64
25. League Builders (Pool
Parts).............................................................................. 15.57
26. League of NE
Municipalities (Membership)..................................................... 872.00
27. MNB (July Simple IRA).................................................................................... 306.12
28. Midlands Toxicology
(Random Drug Testing).................................................... 65.50
29. MWC (Dumpsters)...................................................................................... 12,090.00
30. NE Department of
Agriculture (Animal Control License Fee).......................... 150.00
31. NE Public Health
Environmental Lab (Water Samples).................................... 48.00
32. Olsen’s Agricultural
Lab (Water Samples)......................................................... 34.50
33. Orscheln (Supplies)............................................................................................ 29.06
34. Pheasants Forever
(Annual Dues)..................................................................... 35.00
35. Poppert, Austin (Main
Street Repairs/Labor)................................................ 3,320.00
36. Quill (Supplies).................................................................................................. 460.39
37. Rundel, Zita (Keys)............................................................................................... 3.81
38. RW Welding (Parts)............................................................................................ 35.06
39. Scoop Media
(Publications).............................................................................. 237.56
40. Southwest Fertilizer
(Chemicals)...................................................................... 371.73
41. SWPPD (Purchase Power
July Billing $41,601.94; Airport $49.49;
North Well $383.79;
South Well $428.72;
Construction Jan ’14
- June ’14 $4, 077.49................................................. 46,541.43
42. T and J Repair
(Repairs/Supplies)................................................................... 110.01
43. Titan Machinery
(Equipment Maintenance)..................................................... 217.97
44. Top Office (Copier
Lease/Supplies)................................................................... 94.90
45. Verizon (Cell phones)....................................................................................... 189.91
46. Village of Trenton
(Utilities)............................................................................ 2,701.90
47. Walmart (Supplies)............................................................................................. 70.59
KENO CLAIMS (Keno
Checking Account):
NONE
LIBRARY CLAIMS (Library
checking account):
L1. First
Bankcard (Books).................................................................................... 395.21
L2. Larry
Evans (Petty Cash)................................................................................. 41.13
L3. NE
Library Commission (Renewal Fee)......................................................... 500.00
L4. Village
of Trenton (Holden Contracting – Roof Repair)............................. 23,942.46
Motion made by Frakes
with second by Neely to enter into executive session to discuss a delinquent
utility bill without damaging the reputation of the person at 8:40 pm. Ayes: Frakes,
Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Absent: McArthur. Motion carried.
Motion made by Poppert
with second by Neely to come out of executive session at 9:02pm. Ayes: Frakes,
Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Absent: McArthur. Motion carried.
Motion made by Neely
with second by Poppert to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: Frakes, Neely, Poppert
and Rundel. Nays: None. Absent: McArthur. Motion carried.
With no further
business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05p.m.
Next regular meeting
will be September 9, 2014, at 6:30p.m. in the Village office.
John A. Rundel, Chairman
Trenton Board of
Trustees
ATTEST:
Wendy L. McKain,
Village Clerk
