VILLAGE OF UNION

MEETING MINUTES

February 10, 2010

The Union Village Board met in regular session on February 10, 2010.  The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. at the ALA Hall.  The Open Meeting Laws were displayed.  On roll call: T. McClane, J. McClane and Chipman.  G. Brown and Kahland were absent.

Minutes of previous meeting were reviewed.  Chipman motioned to approve previous meeting minutes. 2nd by J. McClane. Trustee votes are as follows: T. McClane – Aye, Chipman – Aye, J. McClane – Aye.  Kahland and Brown absent.  Motion approved.

Claims and Accounts were presented with the addition of the loans that are paid by electronic funds transfer each month and sales tax due prior to meeting.  Noted accounts were discussed for payment. Chipman made a motion to approve payment of listed accounts.  2nd by J McClane.  Trustee votes are as follows: Trustee votes are as follows: T. McClane – Aye, Chipman – Aye, J. McClane – Aye.  Kahland and Brown absent.  Motion approved.

CLAIMS & ACCOUNTS

FEB 10, 2010
NPPD           FIREBARN*     $       52.53     
AREA LIGHT RENTAL     $       19.45     
BALLFIELD**     $       37.88     
WATER PUMP     $     439.60     
FIREBARN (TOWN BLDG)     $       50.29     
NEW TOWER  (WATER)     $       17.00     
TRAFFIC LIGHT     $       21.83     
AREA LIGHT RENTAL     $         8.28     
STREETLIGHTS     $     415.22     
NEW SEWER PUMP     $     100.78     
ALA HALL     $       33.47     
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS                         $       58.93     
NE PUBLIC HEALTH ENV LAB     $       32.00    WATER TESTS     
WINDSTREAM  OFFICE     $       63.52     
WINDSTREAM  FIRE     $       87.51     
MELISSA HANSEN     $     600.27    JAN SALARY     
UTILITY SERVICE CO     $    3142.45   TESTS FOR SEWER PERMIT     
DAVE CHIPMAN      $     169.93    NEWSLETTER PRINTING DEC
COLUMBUS TELEGRAM                                        $       44.40   SNOW REMOVAL AD     
NE DEPT. OF REVENUE     $       87.75   SALES TAXES  (Pd. Check 9679 JAN 22)     

MENARDS     $         54.00  FIREBAY LIGHTBULBS     
JOHNSON’S     $       271.53  GAS/OIL FOR PLOW/GAS STEVE     
ALLIED RECYCLING     $     1248.75  Monthly Trash Service     
LOAN     $       618.44  LOAN FOR SEWER BOND     
LOAN     $       265.64  RESCUE SQUAD     
UVFR            $         75.81  BLOOD PRESSURE MACHINE     
CASSGRAM     $         54.00  MAINTENANCE AD     
TRUE VALUE     $         17.99  ICEMELT     
EMS BILLING                                     $       135.29  FEE FOR EMT COLLECTIONS     
SENDD     $       260.00  STREET SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT     
STEVE MCWHA                               $       653.62  JAN SALARY      


Two letters of correspondence were discussed.  Senator Nelson’s office is requesting the authority to look into our tax situation.  Clerk will forward appropriate documents to Senator Nelson’s Omaha Office as requested.  The Chairman received a letter from Reinsch, Slattery, Bear, Minahan complaining that a Trustee came to the office to collect village files without prior notifyication.  Letter also stated that the village would be charged for copying costs.  Chairman will send letter requesting files be prepared and handed over to Chipman when ready.  Chipman thinks it unethical to charge copying fees since we have paid for the documents to be prepared and should belong to us.  Chipman will look into it.

The Village Managers report was given by clerk due to an illness in McWha’s family.   She reported that the village used 950,000 gallons of water the month of January averaging 30,600 gallons per day.  The lift station ran for 89.6 hours, around 2.89 hours per day.  Water tests were fine.  Nitrates were reported at 7.53 and within normal range.

Paperwork for Complete Retention Permit is not completed but is in progress.

Fire and Rescue reported there were no fire or rescue calls since last meeting.  Sirens were tested at last UVFR meeting and found that the siren in the cul-de-sac is not in operation.  These sirens are sounded in emergencies and also a wavering tone should indicate a recall of Fire and Rescue volunteers.  

EMS Billing needs to know if the village wants to raise their service rates. There is room for increase if we choose.  Rob Kennedy can give us advice and information if we choose to increase service rates.



The Parks and Recreation Committee had no one in attendance to give report.   


Old Business

IRS Update

IRS Form 843 has been filed, along with supporting documentation, to the IRS requesting the penalties that have accrued on the 16 quarters that we have received statements for be waived.  The 4 quarters we have not received statements for have been refilled.  Once we know how much penalty and interest we do have to pay, we will send documentation to file against our Error and Omissions policy to see if we can get our IRS debt down to the original withholding amount we owe.

Delinquent utility accounts have increased slightly.  Many account holders are working with the village to get them paid down.  Accounts that have been in delinquency for 2 months or more with no payment arrangements made, will have a lien placed against them in March of 2010.  The board reserves the right to place a lien on any property with a delinquent utility account that poses a risk of non-payment.

The NCIP Kick-Off date has been set for February 25, 2010, 7pm at the American Legion Hall.  The Chipmans have sent out invitations, on behalf of the village, to residents that they have been able to find addresses for.  The positive response has been encouraging.  The village’s goal is to have 25 people in attendance for the 6 – 8 week program.

Firetruck sale options tabled until Mar. meeting.  



New Business

The Board of Trustees wants to re-activate the Health Board to assist in cleaning up the village nuisance properties.  Residents that have been contacted recently about their messes have not been responsive or cooperative and the Health Board will give our clean-up effort some organization and authority.  In the past, our Health board appointees have consisted of Lily Wolfe, Amy Seyler and Terry McClane.

Residents have noticed and complained that the Hall rental needs to be cleaned up and the Irwin automobiles need to be addressed.   

The village has missed out on many profitable opportunities because prospects take one look at the downtown and want no part of our community.

The Village of Union has ordinances (Art VI, Section 2-600 series) that govern all matters concerning nuisances within the Village. Notices will be sent out citing the ordinance and describing the conditions that define the violation and requesting violations be remedied at once.  Recipients will have five days to correct the problem or to file an appeal requesting a hearing before the Village Board. The Village Board has the right to fine these entities up to $500 for the misdemeanor for each day the violation isn’t rectified.  The Village has the right to abate these nuisances at the expense of the property owner.  If fines or abatement costs are not paid, the Village can either levy the expenses upon the property in violation or recover the expenses in civil action.  

Interviews for the two part-time maintenance positions will be held on Monday Mar. 1, 2010 starting at 7:00 pm.  The clerk will contact all applicants and set up appointments.

J. McClane made a motion to adjourn at 8:12 pm.  2nd by Chipman.  Trustee votes are as follows:  T. McClane – Aye, Chipman – Aye, J. McClane – Aye.  Kahland and Brown absent.  Motion approved.

Next regular board meeting scheduled for March 10, 2010 at 7:00 pm at the ALA Hall.





Terry McClane

Chairman