VILLAGE OF UNION
MEETING MINUTES
JULY 10, 2013

The Union Village Board was called to order at 7:00 pm for the regular session.  The Open Meeting Laws were displayed for public reference.  On roll call:  Hardbarger – Aye, Boardman – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Seyler – Aye and Brown - Absent.

Minutes of the June Regular Board Meeting were reviewed.  Vidlak motioned to approve the June 12, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes.  2nd by Seyler.  By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger – Aye, Boardman – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Seyler – Aye and Brown - Absent. Motion approved.

Claims and Accounts were presented. Vidlak motioned to approve July Claims and Accounts.  2nd by Boardman.  By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger – Aye, Boardman – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Seyler – Aye and Brown - Absent.  Motion approved.
CLAIMS & ACCOUNTS
JULY 2013
NPPD           FIREBARN*
 $      76.82

WATER PUMP
 $     666.75

FIREBARN (TOWN BLDG)
 $       22.11

TOWER  (WATER)
 $       22.11

TRAFFIC LIGHT
 $       22.11

AREA LIGHT RENTAL
 $       13.44

STREETLIGHTS
 $     611.01

SEWER PUMP
 $       87.02

BALLFIELD
 $       68.69

ALA HALL
 $       48.43

WINDSTREAM  OFFICE
 $       69.66

WINDSTREAM  FIRE
 $       89.76

MELISSA HANSEN
 $     959.05    JUN PAY

LOAN
 $      264.68   RESCUE SQUAD

LOAN
 $      618.44   STREET/SEWER  

STEVE HEYEN
 $   1670.96    JUN PAY

STEVE HEYEN
 $       59.12    REIMB. PLUMBING SUPP.

STEVE C. HEYEN
 $     816.47    JUN TEMP PAY

MELISSA HANSEN
 $     129.50    JUN MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT

JOHNSON’S GAS N GO
 $      426.17    $ 150.42  MOWER/275.75 TRUCK

NPHEL
 $        28.00     WATER TESTS

MEESKES ACE HARDWARE
 $      91.35      69.60/METER EQUIP 21.75/FIELD CHK

B&D DIAMOND PRO
 $      87.50    DRYING AGENT FOR BALLFIELD

UTILITY SVC CO
 $   1890.65   TOWER MAINT. CONTRACT

BRENNA MABRY
 $       45.00   5 HOURS OFFICE WORK/CLEANING

A&M GREENPOWER
 $      144.30    MOWER BLADE

SPRAGUE ELECTRIC
 $       300.00   BALLFIELD LIGHT MAINTENANCE

SORENSEN’S
 $       325.00   MOSQUITO SPRAYING

ONE CALL CONCEPTS
 $           6.65   DIGGERSHOTLINE

$     9,660.75     JULY CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS
$   93,777.66     GENERAL FUND BALANCE AS OF JULY 12, 2013
$   14,944.71      SEWER RESERVE ACCOUNT
$     1,053.95      Deposits FOR JULY 10, 2013
$ 100,115.57      Total Village Funds after claims and accounts paid


CORRESPONDENCE – DHHS is offering Public Water System Security Grants up to $10,000 to improve the security/emergency response improvements that may need to be addressed.  All the village needs to do is make an itemized list with the costs associated with each item that will improve the security/emergency response of our water system.  This grant is first come first serve with a cut off of August 15th.  NDEQ’s Litter Reduction and Recycling Grant are available online for 3 categories:  Public Education, Cleanup on public spaces and recycling equipment and programs. Deadline of August 1st.  NDEQ is also offering source water protection grants to provide long term drinking water quality, quantity, education and security.  The filing deadline is July 30, 2013


CLERK REPORT – Main Street Program training was informative.  If the village ever wants to get involved with a formal Main Street Organization, I have information and individuals that are helpful.  SERN Meeting was full of excellent networking opportunities.   Peru State College is adopting a student outreach program for college credit based on real world experience.  We can submit a project we need help with and if they have the students interested they can assist us a multiple levels.  There are many Economic Development organizations in other small South East Nebraska Towns that are willing to assist other communities in their revitalization efforts.  I have collected contacts and am willing to get good ideas from them to better our community.  TAB Roadmap to Union Workshop was a success.  With the collaboration of Union residents and stakeholders we have a starting point.  There are two projects that will be worked on as long as we have board support.  The restoration of the MP caboose was one of the “low-hanging fruit” projects selected.  We would like to restore the caboose with grant funding and fundraising to serve as an attraction.  The structure could be used to provide information to tourists looking for things to do in Southeast, NE.  The second project that received a lot of attention is a multi-use building to house local government offices, meeting space, recreational activities and some commerce. This project was not viewed as “ low-hanging fruit” but a future goal.  What the residents and stakeholders decided was to work on community programs that would fit into the community center at the Methodist church.  As the programs grow and the need for more space and resources grow, a new multi-purpose structure can be planned and justified in the future.  One of the first programs to be worked on is an information technology lab with internet and peripherals for the public to use for a small fee.  Also under consideration is an art program to include, but limited to, dancing and music lessons.  The Hazard Mitigation Plan Update is underway.  As Union’s designated agent I completed all the surveys needed to be part of the plan.  With the information I supplied, the NRD will come up with mitigation projects that are applicable to Union.  The Union Sign has been installed at the MP Caboose site.  The poles will be treated and stained to look like railroad ties and landscape is being planned.  The permit for the second site at the Fire house is pending.  Union Baseball is done with their regular season.  Practices may be planned though out the summer and fall and work to the diamond and ballpark area is being planned.  The ballpark light main breaker needs to be replaced but it was discussed that it may be better to fundraise and update the whole junction box to current electric standards.  The estimate complete upgrade is $1500.


Village Maintenance Report: Heyen reported 2,036,000 gallons of water pumped last month.  The lift station ran for 233 hours. Heyen called the Ne Rural Water Association and they came out and discovered a leak in the service line for the old Laundromat and carwash.  Heyen located the curb stop under Main St., dug it up and shut it off.  Rural Water crew estimated that the village was losing around 700,000 gallons per month due to that leak. 62 new water meters have been installed to date.  The F-250 won’t go into 4 Wheel Drive and the John Deere mower is in the shop for repairs.

Fire and Rescue: Personnel not in attendance.

Union United Inc. One sign has been installed at the West entrance to Union.  The East sign will be installed as soon as permit is approved and a date set for volunteers. The 4th Annual Union United Golf Tournament will be held August 3rd at Grandpa’s Woods.  Union Days planning is underway with a tentative date of Aug. 17 and 18.  After investigating further, the banners on Main St. were vandalized.  The installer verified that the only way they could come down is if the ties were physically cut.


OLD Business: The fine for Wiysel’s nuisance property has been paid.  The Village will move forward advertising for demolition.  The Village Attorney suggested some changes to the Request for Proposals, mostly to give the chairman the authority to make decisions dealing with contractors during the bidding process.  Vidlak motioned to resolve orally to allow the chairman to make decisions on the demolition contract up to $15,000 in the abatement of the Wiysel nuisance.  2nd by Seyler.  By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger – Aye, Boardman – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Seyler – Aye and Brown - Absent.  Motion approved.

NEW Business:
 
The Village Attorney went over the Future Tech contract and has suggested a couple of changes.  Vidlak motioned to accept lease agreement with Future Tech pending changes suggested by the Village Attorney are accepted . 2nd by Seyler.   By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger – Aye, Boardman – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Seyler – Aye and Brown - Absent.  Motion approved.

Vidlak motioned to vote “FOR” the proposed amendments to the League of Nebraska Municipalities By-Laws.  2nd by Seyler.  By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger – Aye, Boardman – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Seyler – Aye and Brown - Absent. Motion approved.

Edentree Pros out of Gretna bid $600 to maintain the trees in Unity Park.  The contract would cover insecticide and fertilization treatment of the trees in the Spring and Fall.  Vidlak tabled the proposal until the clerk can get another bid from Sorensen’s. 2nd by Boardman.  By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger – Aye, Boardman – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Seyler – Aye and Brown - Absent.  Motion approved.

Seyler motioned to adjourn at 7:51pm.  2nd by Boardman.  By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger – Aye, Boardman – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Seyler – Aye and Brown - Absent. Motion approved.
    
The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 14, 2013, 7 pm at the ALA Hall.  The Meeting Notice and Agenda are on file at the clerk’s office and will be timely 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.
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