VILLAGE OF UNION
MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 13, 2011

The Union Village Board met in regular session on March 9, 2011.  The meeting was called to order at 7:02p.m., at the ALA Hall.  The Open Meeting Laws were displayed for public reference.  On roll call: Hardbarger, Jr.,Vidlak, Chipman and Brown. Kahland was absent.

Minutes of March 9, 2011 Board Meeting were reviewed. Chipman motioned to approve the March Meeting Minutes.  2nd by Brown.  By roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Hardbarger, Jr.,-Aye, Vidlak-Aye, and Chipman-Aye, Brown-Aye, Kahland absent.  Motion approved.

Claims and Accounts were presented.  Hardbarger asked about $1122. 00 to Douglas Tire the Fire and Rescue Department needs for new tires on the Rescue Squad.  Ms. Stewart replied that the Squad needed 6 new tires because the tread comes apart after 5 years and one tire has already separated.  Chipman asked if the Rural Board would help the Village pay for the replacement tires.  Ms Stewart agreed to assist the Village by asking Rescue Capt. Rob Kennedy to write a letter of support to the Rural Board. Chipman motioned to approve April Claims and Accounts.  2nd by Vidlak.  By roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Hardbarger, Jr.,-Aye, Vidlak-Aye, and Chipman-Aye, Brown-Aye, Kahland absent.  Motion approved.
 
CLAIMS & ACCOUNTS
APRIL 2011
NPPD           FIREBARN*  $       87.41 
BALLFIELD**  $       44.74  
WATER PUMP  $     389.77  
FIREBARN (TOWN BLDG)  $       38.00  
TOWER  (WATER)  $       25.00 
TRAFFIC LIGHT  $       20.00 
AREA LIGHT RENTAL  $       12.24  
STREETLIGHTS  $     539.43  
SEWER PUMP  $     144.20  
ALA HALL  $       33.11 
DAVE CHIPMAN  $     128.62   REIMBURSE COPIES/SHERIFF FEE 
WINDSTREAM  OFFICE  $       67.12 
WINDSTREAM  FIRE  $       87.59 
MELISSA HANSEN   $      754.80   MAR PAY 
ALLIED RECYCLING  $    1255.23   MONTHLY TRASH CONTRACT  
LOAN  $      265.64   RESCUE SQUAD 
LOAN  $      618.44   STREET/SEWER   
STEVE HEYEN  $      838.78   MAR PAY 
JOHNSON’S GAS N GO  $      154.51   VILLAGE 
US TREASURY   $      800.00   IRS PAYMENT 
NE DEPT OF REVENUE  $      140.39    FEB SALES TAX/PD 
STEVE HEYEN  $         2.41     POSTAGE REIMBURSEMENT 
EMS BIILLING  $          7.83    RESCUE BILLING SERVICE 
NPHEL  $      272.00    WATER TESTS 
DOUGLAS TIRE   $    1122.00    6 A/T TIRES FOR RESCUE SQUAD 
WILLIE BESCHEINEN  $        84.00    FIRE CONTROL/LAGOON MAINT  
OHSS  $       675.00   EMT TRAINING FOR CORI KNAPP 
UTILITY SVC CO  $     3142.45   WATER TOWER MAINTENANCE 
GREAT PLAINS ONE CALL      $          1.01    DIGGERS HOTLINE 

Correspondence:

Utility Service Co., Inc. sent new yearly contract price for our water tower maintenance.  As agreed, it is reduced after the 5th year by almost $5000.00 per year.

The Clerk’s Report: 

A list of the Village’s current debts, including amounts, interest rates and payoff dates was discussed.
Village of Union Debts
As of March 22, 2011
Debt Date Incurred Current Amount When Paid Off
Internal Revenue Service 11-10-09 $14,481.74 November 2012
Nehawka Bank (Rescue Squad Ambulance) 12-12-07 $11,253.46 February 2013
Nehawka Bank (Street & Sewer Loan) 10-1-08 $23,047.29 September 2014
USDA Sewer Loan 01-21-05 $365,745.65 October 2044
Highway Bond from JP Morgan Chase 06-26-02 $75,000 June 2015

Total Debt: $489,528.14


The Village Maintenance report: was given by Heyen.

Heyen has been going over information on the Sensa water meter proposed to replace existing water meter in the Village.  He said that the installation of these new meters seem to be more labor intensive than he first thought, given the various locations of previous meter installation.

Heyen also requested that he be given a budget for minor maintenance purchases.  Chipman told him that he or the clerk can get authorization for minor purchases through the chairman, and the clerk can sign checks for up to $250.00. 

Fire and Rescue Ms. Stewart reported 2 Rescue and 2 Fire calls since the last meeting.  Sirens tested fine.

Cori Knapp was released from workman’s comp in March. 

Jaws of Life Training is hands on and will be conducted over the next few weeks. The State Fire Marshal dictates what scrap cars and how many are needed for each session. Chairman requested that the vehicles be kept behind fire house until needed.

Union United Inc. raised just under $600 at the Bowl-a-Thon on Mar. 19th.  Twenty –eight bowlers registered for the event.  The Fireworks fundraiser is next on the schedule.

On April 16th, Union United will co-sponsor Union’s Clean Up and Green Up event.  Because it is more environmentally friendly to recycle electronics, the Vidlaks will be turning in electronics that are dropped off.  Small appliance and items are free, they will collect $5 for the cost of recycling the larger pieces.  Nine to 12 volunteers are needed for the Highway Cleanup.  There will be a dumpster, wood chipper for branches.  The group plans to replant planters on the Main St. and in the park.

New recycle bins and a spring newsletter is scheduled to be delivered in the next couple of weeks.

The grant coordinator is still revising our park planting blue prints.  We should still be on target for spring planting.

Union United will be hosting a social hour and presentation for the Union Alumni prior to their annual banquet, June 4th.

Old Business

Chipman motioned to indefinitely table the proposed Vacant Building ordinances 8-601 – 8-610. 2nd by Brown.  By roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Hardbarger, Jr.,-Aye, Vidlak-Aye, and Chipman-Aye, Brown-Aye, Kahland absent.  Motion approved.

New Business

Chipman motioned to appoint Brown and Vidlak to create a committee for water meter study and implementation.  Allen Long asked, with all our debt, why would we want to take on a new project.  The clerk gave Long a copy of the Midwest Assistance Water rate study and explained that the Village’s utilities will cease to run in the black without the replacement and use of new water meters.  The committee will recruit the rest of its members, to include Steve Heyen, and set up a meeting before the next regular board meeting, to determine meter type, water and sewer rates and to work on an implementation plan.

Chipman’s motion was 2nd by Vidlak.  By roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Hardbarger, Jr.,-Aye, Vidlak-Aye, and Chipman-Aye, Brown-Aye, Kahland absent.  Motion approved.
The Village Board will work on an ordinance to set policy on everyday and emergency expenditures.  There is a need for the chairman to be authorized to approve, on behalf of the board, emergency and day to day expenditures for the Fire and Rescue, maintenance and Village Office operations.

Chipman motioned to accept Trustee Karen Kahland’s resignation.  2nd by Vidlak.  By roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Hardbarger, Jr.,-Aye, Vidlak-Aye, and Chipman-Aye, Brown-Aye, Kahland absent.  Motion approved.

In accordance with Ordinance 1-110, the trustee vacancy needs to be filled with in two weeks.  Caleb Keene was present and requested he be considered to fill the Board vacancy.  The clerk will schedule a special meeting for next Tuesday, to appoint and swear in Caleb Keene as Trustee Kahland’s replacement.

Vidlak motioned to adjourn.  2nd by Brown.  By roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Hardbarger, Jr.,-Aye, Vidlak-Aye, and Chipman-Aye, Brown-Aye, Kahland absent.  Motion approved.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 11, 2011, 7pm at the ALA Hall.  The Meeting Notice and Agenda will be posted for the public at The Village Office, The Union Branch of the Nehawka Bank, and the Union Post Office.


Dwain Hardbarger, Jr.
Chairman

These minutes have been prepared by the village clerk and are certified to be true and accurate.