VILLAGE OF UNION
MEETING MINUTES
JULY 14, 2021
Chairman Seyler called the monthly meeting for June to order at 7:00 pm at the Union Office at 500 Main St. The Open Meeting Laws were displayed for public reference. On roll call: Seyler – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Crook – Aye and Ruby – Aye, Hill - Absent. Dave Chipman, Village Attorney, also in attendance.
Minutes of the June Board Meeting were reviewed. Ruby motioned to approve June Meeting Minutes. 2nd by Crook. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Seyler – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Crook – Aye, Ruby – Aye, Hill -Absent. Motioned approved.
Claims and Accounts were presented. Vidlak motioned to approve July Claims and Accounts. 2nd by Ruby. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Seyler – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Crook – Aye, but abstained from approving his pay, Ruby – Aye, Hill - Absent. Motion Approved.
JULY 2021
CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS
WATER PUMP $ 475.34 (EFT) WATER FUND
FIREBARN (TOWN BLDG) $ 95.81 (EFT) FIRE FUND
TOWER (WATER) $ 145.39 (EFT) WATER FUND
AREA LIGHT RENTAL $ 11.44 (EFT) GENERAL FUND
STREETLIGHTS $ 424.45 (EFT) STREET FUND
LIFT STATION $ 80.81 (EFT) SEWER FUND
BALLFIELD $ 78.95 (EFT) PARK FUND
MAINTENANCE SHOP $ 31.58 (EFT) GENERAL FUND
CABOOSE $ 31.58 (EFT) GENERAL FUND
WINDSTREAM OFFICE $ 80.26 (EFT) GENERAL FUND
RESERVES TRANSFER $ 183.00 JULY MONTHLY TRANSFER (EFT) SEWER FUND
JOHNSONS GAS $ 557.52 GAS STEVE’S TRUCK, MOWER, MONTANA (C) GENERAL AND PARK FUND
NE DEPT OF REVENUE $ 319.23 SALES TAXES (EFT) GENERAL FUND
NE DEPT OF REVENUE $ 484.80 941N WITHHOLDING (EFT) GENERAL FUND
NPHEL $ 411.00 COLIFORM, NITRATES, COPPER, LEAD TESTS (C) WATER FUND
JOHNSON SERVICE CO $ 4344.65 LIFT STATION, SEWER LINE CLEANING, CCT (C) SEWER FUND
TRI-STATE CONTRACTOR $33685.00 STREET CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR (C) STREET FUND
OLSSON $ 169.94 LANE MILE REPORT(C) STREET FUND
MELISSA HANSEN $ 1439.33 JUN PAY (C) WATER, SEWER, GENERAL, FUNDS
MICHAEL CONTRERAS $ 630.28 JUN PAY (C) WATER, SEWER, GENERAL, PARK FUNDS
STEVE HEYEN $ 1976.97 JUN PAY (C) WATER, SEWER, GENERAL, PARK FUNDS
INTUIT $ 6.00 JULY PAYROLL FEE (EFT) GENERAL FUND
CNA SURETY $ 476.85 3-YR BOND FOR CLERK/CHAIRMAN (EFT) SEWER FUND
MEESKE HARDWARE $ 73.81 KEYS, VALVE AND INSERTS (C) GENERAL, PARK FUNDS
PAPILLION SANITATION $ 308.60 RECYCLE ROLL-OFF PULL (EFT) GENERAL FUND
MENARDS $ 231.63 GENERAL SUPPLIES AND PLYWOOD FOR OLD WELL (EFT) GENERAL & WATER FUNDS
CARROT-TOP INDUSTRY $ 197.97 5’ X 8’ US FLAGS (C) GENERAL FUND
OREILLYS $ 136.07 BATTERY FOR F550 (EFT) STREET FUND
MUNICIPAL SUPPLY CO $ 59.95 CURBSTOP (C) WATER FUND
SORENSENS TREE & SHR $ 175.00 PEST CONTROL FOR TREES IN UNITY PARK (C) PARK FUND
B & S TRUCKING $ 500.00 WELL PUMP DIG, WELL PUMP PROJECT (C) WATER FUND
STEVE HEYEN $ 7.29 REIMBURSEMENT FOR CLAMP/WELL PUMP (C) WATER FUND
AAA SEWER & DRAIN $10000.00 SEWER LINE REPAIR (C) SEWER FUND
ONE CALL CONCEPTS $ 5.76 DIGGERS HOTLINE (EFT) GENERAL FUND
LAYNE CHRISTENSEN $25498.44 WELL PUMP REPLACEMENT PROJECT (C) WATER FUND
USPS $ 55.00 FIRST CLASS STAMPS FOR YEARLY MAILING (D) WATER, SEWER FUNDS
AGRIVISION $ 65.28 MOWER BLADE FOR SPARE MOWER (C) GENERAL FUND
US TREASURY $ 2456.98 Q-2 941 WITHHOLDING TAXES (EFT) GENERAL FUND
US TREASURY $ 975.78 BEGIN MONTHLY DEPOSIT JULY WITHHOLDING (EFT) GENERAL FUND
DAVE CHIPMAN $ 35.70 REIMBURSEMENT FOR SHERIFF SERVICE (C) GENERAL FUND
$ 86,923.44 JULY CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS
$ 245,522.51 GENERAL FUND BALANCE AS OF JUL 14, 2021
$ 5,401.65 PENDING DEPOSITS
$ 33,680.12 SEWER RESERVE ACCOUNT
+ 183.00 SEWER RESERVE TRANSFER FOR JUL $ 197,863.84 TOTAL IN VILLAGE ACCOUNTS AFTER CLAIMS & ACCOUNTS PAID
CORRESPONDENCE- Clerk received a complaint about 2 small dogs on the loose and being aggressive around C St and 4th. MAPA has submitted a grant on our behalf for a new siren system. NDEE awarded Union an emergency grant to replace main well pump up to $26,000.
CLERK REPORT – Quarterly payroll reports were filed. The yearly back flow prevention education pamphlets were sent. Monthly deposit for federal withholding taxes is set up to be paid through QuickBooks.
Village Maintenance Report - Steve Heyen was present to report that the back up well pump and newly replaced pump pumped 2,013,000 gallons of water and pumped for 394 hours. Lift station processed 1,200,000 gallons of wastewater. The water pump hours was estimated for this past month because the timer was wired to constant power instead of pump circuit. Steve and Crook will install it correctly for accurate timing. The storm brush pile has been burned. Old farmer’s well head is covered and secured.
Fire Report- Capt. Gerken was present to report that Fire School was well attended. The squad has 7 licensed EMTs. Gerken requested some kind of agreement with the Village so they can get grants for capital improvements at the Union Firehouse. Chipman said he would work on a licensing agreement to satisfy this requirement. The clerk will meet with Gerken to set up a quarterly payment schedule for building utility cost share.
Union United Inc. Report: The mural at Unity Park has been installed and Board members have received some great feedback on the project. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Mullins for your donation. The Union United Annual Golf Tournament, scheduled for August 14, 2021, still has openings.
NEW BUSINESS: Chipman discussed the ordinances governing delinquent accounts and shutoff. The Chairman has the authority to shut off all accounts that are $200 in arrears. Chipman understands that the Board likes to work with people, but there should be no exceptions, according to ordinance 6-309 (B). The clerk presented the Board with a payment agreement form that could be used to collect accounts in arrears, offering customers a payment plan, that if not honored, would result in the immediate termination of their service. Chipman agreed to modify agreement to satisfy legal requirements. Heyen brought up that some customers don’t think they will be shut off because their curb-stops are broken. Ordinance 6-306 establishes the equipment responsibilities of the Village and customer and curb stops are to be maintained by the customer. Ordinance 6-309 sets the reconnection fee at $50 for lines having a working curb-stop and $500 reconnection for curb-stops that are not functioning, to pay for the cost of replacing faulty curb stops. The Chairman also has the authority to place a lien on the property for the accounts that are $500 in arears. Seyler and Chipman agree that liens need to be placed on these properties.
The Board discussed the filed application for emergency funds to help with the cost of well pump failure and replacement. Vidlak motioned to approve the application. 2nd by Ruby. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Seyler – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Crook – Aye, Ruby – Aye, Hill - Absent. Motion approved.
Vidlak motioned to authorize Chairman Seyler to sign the NDEE Agreement for Emergency Grant Funding for the replacement of the Main Well Pump. 2nd Ruby. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Seyler – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Crook – Aye, Ruby – Aye, Hill - Absent. Motion approved.
The Board reviewed and discussed the application to receive approximately $42,000 in funding from American Rescue Plan Act to use for the Village’s water infrastructure issues that will be identified by the Water Study by Olsson. The first installment is approximately $21,000 and the 2nd is to be received 12 months after the first. Vidlak motioned to approve the ARPA Funding Agreement. 2nd by Crook. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Seyler – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Crook – Aye, Ruby – Aye, Hill - Absent. Motion approved.
Ruby motioned to pass LARM Resolution 21-2, calling for 2-year commitment and 180-day notice of termination, for a 4% discount. 2nd by Vidlak. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Seyler – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Crook – Aye, Ruby – Aye, Hill - Absent. Motion approved.
The Board discussed passing an ordinance, restricting the weight of vehicles using Union streets, to control damage to newly paved and repaired areas in town, and to keep repair costs down. Chipman will draft an ordinance for review and passage in August.
Crook motioned to adjourn at 7:55pm. 2nd by Ruby. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Seyler – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Crook – Aye, Ruby – Aye, Hill - Aye. Motion approved.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 11, 2021, 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 August 6th.
Charles J. Seyler II
Chairman
These minutes have been prepared by the village clerk and are certified to be true and accurate