VILLAGE OF UNION
MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 13, 2013
The November Regular meeting was called to order at 7:03pm at the ALA Hall. 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 October Regular Board Meeting were reviewed. Seyler motioned to approve October Regular Board Meeting. 2nd by Vidlak. 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 November Claims and Accounts. 2nd by Seyler. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Hardbarger – Aye, Boardman – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Seyler – Aye and Brown - Absent. Motion approved.
CLAIMS & ACCOUNTS
NOVEMBER 2013
NPPD FIREBARN*
$ 98.15
WATER PUMP
$ 405.44
FIREBARN (TOWN BLDG)
$ 22.11
TOWER (WATER)
$ 22.11
TRAFFIC LIGHT
$ 22.11
AREA LIGHT RENTAL
$ 13.44
STREETLIGHTS
$ 611.01
SEWER PUMP
$ 66.89
BALLFIELD
$ 59.38
ALA HALL
$ 49.39
WINDSTREAM OFFICE
$ 65.73
WINDSTREAM FIRE
$ 90.38
MELISSA HANSEN
$ 831.15 OCT PAY
MELISSA HANSEN
$ 48.59 MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT
LOAN
$ 4270.48 RESCUE SQUAD PAYOFF
LOAN
$ 618.44 STREET/SEWER
STEVE HEYEN
$ 1394.71 OCT PAY
STEVE HEYEN
$ 349.90 REIMB FOR PARTS
STEVE C. HEYEN
$ 120.06 OCT TEMP PAY
CARRAWAY COMP
$ 500.00 SUPPORT CONTRACT
JOHNSON’S GAS N GO
$ 191.43 MOWER AND TRUCK
NPHEL
$ 15.00 WATER TESTS
SORENSENS TREE
$ 125.00 FERTILIZATION
KERNS EXCAVATING
$ 624.65 LEAK REPAIR AND CURBSTOP
$ 10,615.59 NOVEMBER CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS
$ 62,829.13 GENERAL FUND BALANCES AS OF NOVEMBER 12, 2013
$ 17,067.67 SEWER RESERVE ACCOUNT
$ 1,758.13 Deposits FOR NOVEMBER 12, 2013
$ 71,039.34 Total Village Funds after claims and accounts paid
CORRESPONDENCE – Received Utilities Questionnaire from NDOR for upcoming project. Clerk and Maintenance completed and returned to NDOR. Received Annual Needs Surveys from DHHS and NDEQ for Community Water and Wastewater future needs.
CLERK REPORT – Quarterly reports completed and filed. Working on Audit Waiver documentation and USDA Reports. First metered bill cycle went out November 5, 2013.
Village Maintenance Report: Heyen reported 903,300 gallons of water pumped. Well pumps ran for 274 hours. Lift Station ran for 79 hours, about 2.6 hours each day. F250 is ready for plowing. Heyen has been looking for a 1 Ton replacement truck with budget he was given. Found a 1995 1 Ton in the paper but wasn’t sure if Board wanted an older truck. Chairman told him to look into it to see if mileage was low. It may be worth the purchase at under $6000. With October Coliform violation, Heyen started chlorinating the water supply. Chlorine pump is repaired and a quill to prevent fitting corrosion has been ordered. The supply leak at the tower was worked on. Tower blueprints showed the leak was at an expansion joint, but when Heyen took it apart it was a compression fitting and the parts he purchased were not suitable to repair it completely. The curbstop at 128 Main Street was dug up and repaired. Property at 209 A St. was dug up to locate curb stop but was not found. With street work it is possible that the stop is located under the sidewalk. Heyen installed water meter at Bob’s Garage but water has not been turned on yet. The Village hydrant located by the rail road tracks has been locked due to theft. Vehicles are being washed without permission.
Fire and Rescue Report was given by B. Bescheinen. 1 Fire in October. Bescheinen brought up that in order for the Village to be eligible for federal funding, public officials must be certified in NIMS 100, 200, and 700. In addition, the Chairman must attend NIMS 300 classes which are scheduled for January 2014. The Fire Department needs to upgrade their pumper to 1000 gpm. Right now they only pump at 500 gpm. Bescheinen has been looking for a replacement and would need the Village to cost share. Hardbarger asked that the Rural Board raise their mil levy which was not done in many years previous. Bescheinen stated that the past few years the Rural Board has been raising their levy to the max. Bescheinen also asked what the Village could do for the homeless man in town. The clerk responded that she has called different State and local agencies to assist but was told that the man has the choice to live the way he chooses unless he is a danger to himself or others. The clerk was told in June that a case worker was assigned to her inquiry and that the Cass County Sheriff Department is aware of who is to be notified if a complaint about the homeless man was called into them again.
Union United Inc. Nothing to Report
New Business: A representative was present from the League Association of Risk Management to brief the Board on the village’s options for liability and workers compensation insurance. Their group is comprised of 75 entities that pool their money to purchase insurance on the open market which saves money on premiums with a 2 to 4 year contract. For the village’s purpose of renewal and claims, the process is the same as working through and insurance agent. Clerk is to work with the representative on getting values and policies necessary to the village together for review and quote.
John Vanderveen requested that the village install “No Engine Breaking” signs in the village to notify the public of Village Ordinance Section 3-131: Engine Breaking Prohibited. With the increase in traffic expected this spring with road work, the use of engine breaking will be a nuisance. The Board discussed the possibility of installing signs to the east and west of village along Highway 34. Vidlak motioned to table the decision until clerk can do the research of the process and get an estimate of the costs involved. 2nd by Seyler. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Hardbarger – Aye, Boardman – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Seyler – Aye and Brown - Absent. Motion approved.
The Board discussed NDOR project 75-2 (1059) and its effects on traffic through the Village of Union. The traffic load on Main St. will increase significantly causing concern for speeding and the safety of children going to and from school. The Board directed clerk to contact school bus organizers for Conestoga and Nebraska City schools to add a stop so each school will have a stop on both sides of the highway and the children won’t have to cross Main St. Clerk was also asked to look into getting a speed radar sign to be set up on the east side coming down the hill before Main St. to make drivers aware of their speed and the 25mph limit.
Allied Refuse and Recycling and residents have complained about drop off areas in the rock at the end of alleyways. Options were discussed. Vidlak motioned to have clerk order a dump truck load of rock from Martin Marietta and have it delivered by maintenance shed in the park area for maintenance to distribute as necessary. 2nd by Seyler. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Hardbarger – Aye, Boardman – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Seyler – Aye and Brown - Absent. Motion approved.
The Board discussed hiring Jorgensen Contracting to provide demolition bids and testify as an expert witness in the Bescheinen Contempt Lawsuit. Vidlak motioned to hire Jorgensen Contracting to provide bids and testimony. 2nd by Seyler. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Hardbarger – Aye, Boardman – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Seyler – Aye and Brown - Absent. Motion approved.
The clerk estimated the cost of holiday decorations and lighting for 10 poles on Main St. to be around $4000. Seyler motioned to share cost of holiday decoration and lighting with Union United, Inc. up to $2000. 2nd by Vidlak. 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 8:07pm. 2nd by Vidlak. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Hardbarger – Aye, Boardman – Absent, Vidlak – Aye, Seyler – Aye and Brown - Absent. Motion approved.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2013, 7 pm 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.
1