VILLAGE OF UNION
MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 9, 2023
The Village Clerk called the monthly meeting for August to order at 7:20 pm at the Union Fire Hall. The Open Meeting Laws were displayed for public reference. On roll call: Seyler – Absent, Feek – Absent, Hill – Aye, Ruby – Aye and Fritschle- Aye.
Fritschle motioned to appoint Jeffrey Ruby as Chairman in absentia. 2nd by Hill. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows Seyler – Absent, Feek – Absent, Hill – Aye, Ruby – Aye and Fritschle- Aye.
Motion approved.
Minutes of the July Regular Board Meeting were reviewed. Fritschle motioned to approve July 12 Meeting Minutes. 2nd by Hill. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows Seyler – Absent, Feek – Absent, Hill – Aye, Ruby – Aye and Fritschle- Aye. Motion approved.
Claims and Accounts were presented. Hill motioned to approve August Claims and Accounts 2nd by Fritschle. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows Seyler – Absent, Feek – Absent, Hill – Aye, Ruby – Aye and Fritschle- Aye.
Motion approved.
AUGUSTS 2023
CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS
NPPD:
WATER PUMP $ 328.62 (EFT) WATER FUND
FIREBARN (TOWN BLDG) $ 112.92 (EFT) FIRE FUND
TOWER (WATER) $ 202.25 (EFT) WATER FUND
AREA LIGHT RENTAL $ 11.44 (EFT) GENERAL FUND
STREETLIGHTS $ 424.45 (EFT) STREET FUND
LIFT STATION $ 76.86 (EFT) SEWER FUND
BALLFIELD $ 89.18 (EFT) PARK FUND
MAINTENANCE SHOP $ 31.58 (EFT) GENERAL FUND
CABOOSE $ 31.58 (EFT) GENERAL FUND
WINDSTREAM $ 105.64 (EFT) GENERAL FUND
RESERVES TRANSFER $ 183.00 AUG MONTHLY TRANSFER (EFT) SEWER FUND
CENEX FLEET FUELING $ 335.51 R1500/ MONTANA$193.54-MOWERS $141.97 (C) GENERAL & PARK FUNDS
NE DEPT OF REVENUE $ 157.55 SALES TAXES (EFT) GENERAL FUND
LONM DUES $ 520.00 YEARLY LEAGUE DUES (C) GENERAL FUND
LONM DUES-UTILITIES $ 400.00 YEARLY LEAGUE UTILIES DUES WATER & SEWER FUNDS
NPHEL $ 273.00 COLIFORM/EPA (C) WATER FUND
MEESKE HARWARE $ 37.75 MAINTENANCE SUPPLIES(C) GENERAL FUND
MELISSA HANSEN $ 1586.81 JULY PAY (C) WATER, SEWER & GENERAL & PARK FUNDS
STEVE HEYEN $ 45.93 REIMBURSE CONCRETE & SUPPLIES (C) PARK FUND
STEVE HEYEN $ 2246.66 JULY PAY (C) WATER, SEWER, PARK & GENERAL FUNDS
SUMMER HELP $ 483.00 $10.50HR FOR 46 HOURS (C) PARK & GENERAL FUNDS
OREILLYS $ 301.61 OIL CHANGE SUPPLIES (EFT) GENERAL FUND
INTUIT $ 10.00 PAYROLL FEE (EFT) GENERAL FUND
US TREASURY $ 1072.22 MONTHLY DEPOSIT FOR WITHHOLDING (EFT) GENERAL FUND
$ 9,067.56 AUGUST CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS
$ 173,402.11 GENERAL FUND BALANCE AS OF AUGUST 8, 2023
$ 4,765.64 PENDING DEPOSITS
$ 38,309.56 SEWER RESERVE ACCOUNT
$ 43,026.29 ARPA FUND ACCOUNT
+ 183.00 SEWER RESERVE TRANSFER FOR AUGUST $ 250,619.04 IN VILLAGE ACOUNTS AFTER CLAIMS & ACCOUNTS PAID
CORRESPONDENCE- Clerk received a note for the Board to consider reducing utilities for seniors. The clerk thought that it would be in violation of State Statutes.
CLERK REPORT – Playground designs and quotes have been received. The clerk applied for a grant through NDEE Waste Reduction to help pay for the rubber mulch for the new playground. The clerk is working with Swann to order a new security camera system to protect the park from vandalism.
Village Maintenance Report: Heyen reported the well pumps ran for 214 hours, pumping 1,248,000 gallons of water in which 150,000 were diverted to the lagoons. Lift station processed 612,000 gallons of wastewater.
Heyen reported that trash is being dumped in the ditch at the brush pile. He spent a good portion of a day disposing of mattresses and many other trash items. The Board discussed adding more fencing and obstacles at the access of the brush pile. Heyen reported that the hydraulic system on the Montana went out and that he is repairing it. Heyen also reported that the cover for the lift station is degrading and needs to be replaced along with the lift assist and safety latch. Ruby told Heyen to contact the manufacturer to find a replacement.
The chemical to add to the lagoon with the water lilies will cost approximately $5250 for a complete treatment. Heyen has contacted Brian Murdock for a bid to operate his drone and drop a glyphosate blend to irradicate the lilies.
FIRE/RESCUE REPORT: Lake Waconda is on board to cost share to bring a new squad in service for the Union area. Lawyers for Nehawka and Waconda are working on drafting an interlocal agreement.
Union United Inc. Report: The annual golf tournament is scheduled to be held on August 19th at Grandpa’s Woods and the flights are full. Officers were elected on July 19th. The organization met with Play Core and tasked her to draft plans for playgrounds ranging from $75,000 to $50,000. An adult ball tournament fundraiser is being planned to help with the costs of the new playground.
New Business:
Fritschle motioned to pass LARM Resolution 23-5 to provide written notice of termination at least 180 days prior to the desired date and a three-year commitment to secure insurance rates with a 5 % on the premiums. 2nd by Hill. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows Seyler – Absent, Feek – Absent, Hill – Aye, Ruby – Aye and Fritschle- Aye.
Motion approved.
Hill motioned the have Chairman to accept and sign the Budget Agreement. 2nd by Fritschle. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows Seyler – Absent, Feek – Absent, Hill – Aye, Ruby – Aye and Fritschle- Aye.
Motion approved.
The Board discussed replacing the swing seats for the swing set in Todd Park. Hill motioned to replace all the seats, with two of them being toddler seats, at Todd Park. 2nd by Fritschle. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows Seyler – Absent, Feek – Absent, Hill – Aye, Ruby – Aye and Fritschle- Aye.
Motion approved.
The Board discussed items that need to be added to the normal budget for this year. They want to add $6000 to the park budget to cover the yearly contribution to the Playground project, and $1000 for the new swing seats. $15,000 is to be added to Public Safety for the Rescue Squad and $2000 for the new lift station cover. The Village still has $40,000 set aside for used skid loader for street work. Heyen thought maybe we could lease or buy a new tractor instead, since the Montana parts are getting hard to locate.
Hill motioned to adjourn at 7:50 pm. 2nd by Fritschle. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows Seyler – Absent, Feek – Absent, Hill – Aye, Ruby – Aye and Fritschle- Aye. Motion approved.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 13, 2023 at 7 pm at the Union Fire Hall. The Meeting Notice and Agenda will be posted for the public at the Village Office, the Union Junktion, and the Union Post Office by September 8th.
Charles J. Seyler, II
Chairman
These minutes have been prepared by the village clerk and are certified to be true and accurate