A meeting of the Board of Trustees of
the Village of Trenton, NE, was convened in open and public session, Tuesday, December
8, 2015 at 6:30p.m. at the Village Office. Present: Chairman Rundel, Vice-Chairman
Frakes, Trustees McArthur, Neely and Poppert, Clerk McKain, Superintendent
Vrbas, Gary Aksamit (via phone), Kyle Baxter, Neal Coleman, Dana Frakes, Leo
McKain, Lora Mousel, Laurie Poppert, Paisley Poppert, and Zita Rundel . Trustee
McArthur was 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.
A pot luck dinner was served for
attendees.
Roll Call was taken at 7:13pm and
quorum was verified.
Chairman made “Open Meeting Act”
announcement.
Citizen
Forum: Lora Mousel introduced
herself to the board. She is the new Administrator at El Dorado Nursing Home.
Motion
made by Frakes and second by Poppert to approve agenda. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur,
Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion
made by Neely and second by Frakes to approve the November 24, 2015 meeting
minutes. Ayes: Frakes, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Abstain: McArthur.
Motion carried.
Motion
made by Frakes and second by McArthur to approve treasurer’s report. Ayes:
Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Reorganization: Motion by Neely with
second by Poppert to nominate John Rundel as Chairman of the Board of Trustees
and Rich Frakes as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Ayes: Neely,
McArthur, and Poppert. Abstain: Frakes and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Neely with
second by Poppert to nominate John Rundel as Chairman of the Board of Zoning
Adjustment and Rich Frakes as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Zoning Adjustment.
Ayes: Neely, McArthur, and Poppert. Abstain: Frakes and Rundel. 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 Community First Bank of Trenton as our depository.
Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion
carried.
Motion by Poppert
with second by McArthur to have second signature for Chairman and Clerk to
remain as Vice-Chairman and Deputy Clerk and/or back up Deputy Clerk. Ayes:
Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Frakes with
second by Poppert 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 McArthur 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 TABLE appointment of Village Attorney. Ayes: Frakes,
McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Neely with
second by Poppert to retain Wendy L. McKain as Village Clerk/Treasurer. Ayes:
McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Abstain: Frakes. Nays: None. Motion
carried.
Motion by Neely with
second by Frakes 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 Poppert to retain Greg Wolford of W Design as Village Street
Superintendent. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays:
None. Motion carried.
Motion by McArthur
with second by Neely to retain Jared Vrbas as the Village Utility
Superintendent. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays:
None. Motion carried.
Motion by McArthur
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 Poppert
with second by Frakes 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
stated the Christmas lights were put up. The star for the center of town is
unrepairable. Discussion was made on a replacement for next year. Water
Department: Water main break on East I by Depot. Village was under the
advisory by the State of Nebraska to issue a boil water advisory and was
removed on November 26th. Sewer Department: Vrbas stated the
department is running good. Trash Department: Vrbas stated the holiday
trash schedule is Tuesday, 12/22/15 for country route and Wednesday, 12/23/15
for town route. Street Department: Neal Coleman provided information on
the upgrade of the skid steer. The board asked that the upgrade be an agenda
item for January’s meeting. Vrbas provided four estimates for new pick-ups.
The board asked Vrbas find out if two of the pickups were still available. The
board would review at next meeting for the purchase of one. Vrbas stated the
street tour with Greg Wolford was conducted and several valleys were identified
as needing repair. Park Department: Vrbas stated is winterized for the
season. Pool Department: Vrbas stated the pool is winterized for the
season.
Animal Control: Vrbas stated there were 28 cats and
179 dogs licensed within the village for the 2015 year. There were 2 warnings
for failure to license, 0 warning for running at large, 0 citations for failure
to license and 0 citations for running at large during the month of November,
2015. There were 210 reminder notices for 2016 animal licensing mailed. An ordinance
for breeds prohibited within the village limits is awaiting a new village
attorney to draft.
Village
Office: McKain
stated there is one deposits to be applied to the utility account. McKain stated
the proposal from American Legal Publishing for codification has been delayed
until the village appoints a new village attorney. McKain stated she continues
to review a sample employee handbook from LARM for updates to the Village
Personnel Handbook and will review with Village Attorney. McKain stated the
application process for the 2016 scrap tire grant will begin at the end of
December, 2015. McKain stated she will update the LONM Municipal Officials
listing. McKain stated she is working on the Tree City USA Application.
McKain stated she will be mailing Tobacco License renewals. McKain stated she
is working on the Annual Banner Application – Banner Permit.
Library: No information provided.
Planning Commission: No information provided.
Unfinished Business: Gary Aksamit joined the meeting via
telephone to provide additional information on legislature concerning Nebraska
Public Power. Aksamit provided an overview of some options available for
electricity. Rundel stated he has a meeting set up with Cleary on the
completion of the East 2nd street building. Rundel stated he has
contacted DEQ for grants and/or low interest financing. Poppert stated he
would get the main street building sealed up with plywood this week. Discussion
was made on the usage of the main street building. Some ideas were to have the
clerk office move to the ground floor and rooms for rent on the top floor. Frakes
and McArthur toured the village and Frakes provided an update on weed control
and nuisance properties. Frakes stated that properties have made progress and
they will continue to monitor. The airport is still awaiting approval for
closure. Rundel will continue to issue a temporarily closure notice. Discussion
on the Farm lease at the airport was made. Motion by Frakes with second by McArthur to continue
with Seeker Farms for a three-year term to end December 31, 2019. Ayes: Frakes,
McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried. Discussion was made on the software
for meter readings. Other software will be explored. Discussion on village
attorney was made; there was a review of several firms. Motion by Neely with
second by Poppert to offer the Curtis firm first with the Elwood firm as a
second choice. Ayes: Frakes, Neely, McArthur, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays:
None. Motion carried. Rundel continues to gather information on a recycling
program. Discussion on property for a septic tank was made. Due to financial
concerns and a question as to whether the property is in the village limits,
the board authorized a septic system to be installed. Rundel provided an
update on the village office building repairs. Rundel continues to work on a
date for the SWPPD presentation on electric rates and discussions on the
contract. A special meeting may need to be set up.
Ordinance
and/or Resolution: Motion
made by Frakes and second by Neely to table the approval of Resolutions
2015-12-01, 2015-12-02, and 2015-12-03 until the attorney can review. Ayes:
Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
New
Business: Motion made
by Poppert and second by McArthur to raise the hourly rate of the tree branch
site and deputy clerk to $9.00 as of January 1, 2016 due to state legislature.
Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion
carried. Motion made by Neely and second by McArthur to provide the
Panhandlers $300 of Keno funds for the community Christmas. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur,
Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried. Motion carried. Motion
made by Neely and second by Frakes to provide the Trenton Christmas Baskets
$1,500 of Keno funds for the community Christmas baskets. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur,
Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried. LARM provided a
notice of denial of coverage for pending litigation. Motion carried. Motion
made by Neely and second by McArthur to retain Daniel L. Lindstrom as the
attorney to represent the Village in the pending litigation. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur,
Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried. A review of the Road
and Street – Standard System of Annual Reporting was conducted. Motion
carried. Motion made by Neely and second by Poppert for J. Vrbas to attend the
2016 LONM Utilities/Public Works Section Annual Conference in Lincoln. Ayes:
Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Correspondence: Thank you from Dave and Trudy Crouse,
El Dorado Newsletter, Community First Bank Fee changes, Tree City USA Bulletin
10, PIREPS Newsletter, Pheasants Forever, Rural Electric Nebraskan, Hitchcock
County Visitors Committee, State of Nebraska Department of Roads, Statewide
Transportation Improvement Plan.
Motion made by Frakes
and second by Neely to approve Operating claims except claims #33, KENO claims,
and Library claims. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, Poppert, and Rundel. Nays:
None. Motion carried. Motion made by Frakes and second by McArthur to approve
Operating claim #33. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur, Neely, and Rundel. Nays: None.
Abstain: Poppert. Absent: McArthur. Motion carried.
OPERATING
CLAIMS:
1. November payroll (3
pay periods)............................................................. $18,382.98
2. EFTPS, FED (November
payroll tax)........................................................... 4,317.44
3. NE Dept. of Revenue (November
payroll tax)................................................. 524.47
4. NE Dept. of Revenue (November
sales tax)................................................. 2146.35
5. American Agricultural
Lab (water samples)..................................................... 107.50
6. American Funds (November
IRA)................................................................... 275.04
7. Blue Cross Blue
Shield (December premium medical/dental)..................... 1,939.33
8. BOK Financial (Water
bonds)...................................................................... 13,102.50
9. City of McCook
(transfer station tickets)...................................................... 3,130.20
10. Colonial Life (December
premium).................................................................... 40.48
11. D&L Pest Control
(office & library)..................................................................... 50.00
12. Dewey, Nadine (library
payroll)........................................................................ 177.31
13. Evans, Larry (library
payroll)............................................................................ 169.92
14. Farmers Co-op
(fuel/shop supplies).............................................................. 1,169.01
15. Farmers Co-op
(Prepaid Propane).........................................................................
a. Library.................................................................................................. (778.80)
b. Sewer Plant......................................................................................... (295.00)
16. Fastenal (grease gun)....................................................................................... 184.28
17. First Bankcard (software,
water sample postage, travel)................................ 735.40
18. Foley Equipment
(trash truck repairs).............................................................. 733.79
19. Frakes, Richard
(Board payroll).................................................................... 1,108.20
20. Harders Skidsteer
(air filter)............................................................................... 65.99
21. Hay, Billy (Building
repairs)........................................................................... 2,238.00
22. Hitchcock of Goodland
(dump trailer, PD on 11/30/15).............................. 10,100.00
23. Ideal Linen Supply (shop
towels)........................................................................ 16.80
24. J.P. Cooke (dog tags
and receipt books)........................................................... 92.30
25. Lifetime Benefit
solutions (November vision premium)..................................... 69.89
26. McArthur, Jessy
(Board payroll)................................................................... 1,108.20
27. MNB (November IRA)...................................................................................... 498.24
28. National Insurance (November
life, ad&d prem)............................................... 19.17
29. Nebraska Public
Health Environmental Lab (water samples)......................... 537.00
30. Nebraska Rural Water
Assoc. (membership dues)......................................... 125.00
31. Neely, Bill (Board
Payroll)............................................................................. 1,108.20
32. Orscheln (shop
supply)..................................................................................... 328.89
33. Poppert, Austin
(labor main st building)............................................................ 280.00
34. Poppert, Austin
(Board Payroll)..................................................................... 1,108.20
35. Railroad Management
(power line crossing rent)............................................ 530.58
36. Rundel, John (Board
Payroll)........................................................................ 1,292.90
37. SWPPD (Nov billing $33,614.02;
airport $74.98; north well $506.27;
south well $796.32)...................................................................................... 34,991.59
38. Top Office (copier
lease/supplies)...................................................................... 75.45
39. Verizon (November
billing)............................................................................... 178.76
40. Village of Trenton (utilities)............................................................................ 2,163.23
41. Walmart (extension
cord)................................................................................... 11.47
EDM CLAIMS (EDM Checking
Account):
NONE
KENO CLAIMS (Keno Checking
Account):
NONE
LIBRARY CLAIMS (Library
checking account):
L1. First
Bankcard (amazon purchases) ................................................................ 219.32
L2. Magazine:
Smithsonian (22 issues)..................................................................... 16.00
L3. Warner,
Lloyd (Book series)................................................................................ 75.00
With no further business, motion made
by McArthur and second by Poppert to adjourn meeting at 9:50pm. Ayes: Frakes, McArthur,
Neely, Poppert and Rundel. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Next regular meeting will be January
12, 2016 at 6:30pm in the Village Office.
John
A. Rundel, Chairman
Trenton Board of Trustees
ATTEST:
Wendy L. McKain, Village Clerk
