Village of Republican City

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees was held on April 2, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. at the Fire Station with Trustees Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine present. Clerk Waldo, Utility Supervisor Whetstine and Michael McConnell were also present. Posted notices in three public places within the village. Notice of meeting and agenda was given to Trustees in advance. As required by law Chairman Eddy, pointed out the copy of the Opens Meeting Act posted on the wall for public viewing and called the meeting to order. Proceedings shown were taken while convened meeting was open to the public.

Motion by Hammond, seconded by Orcutt, to approve the minutes of the last meeting as published Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Motion by Hammond, seconded by Einspahr to pay the following bills:

GENERAL: State of NE, $557.64; Verizon, $107.93; IRS, $171.80; Presto X, $55.62; Frontier, $116.51; South Central Sanitation, $141.00; TVPPD, $663.30; Harlan County Journal, $126.42; Payroll, $834.93; M. Waldo, $874.39; Island, $283.94; Harlan County Treasurer, $329.58; Island, $70.42; One Call Concepts, $14.34; Black Hills Energy, $268.95.

STREET: IRS, $871.86; TVPPD, $1371.98; Central Hydraulic, $2900.00; Payroll, $3179.98; Island, $70.42.

WATER: UHC, $2409.81; NMPP, $147.34; TVPPD, $199.46; NE Public Health Env Lab, $15.00; USPS, $6.70; USPS, $35.00; Island, $70.43; Southern Power Dist., $177.00; Black Hills Energy, $96.27.

WASTEWATER: NMPP, $147.34; USPS, $35.00; Island, $70.43.

Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

RECEIPTS: Sale of Real Estate, $8525.00; State of NE, $4694.16; Ambulance Billing, $1782.11; Donations- Playground, $300.00; Harlan County Treasurer, $2478.45; Real Estate Deposit, $500.00; Building Permit, $10.00; Lease Pmt, $4057.44; Utility Billing, $9772.13; Int Inc- CD, $80.09; Int Inc- ckg, $141.23.

Treasurer’s report was read and approved.

Michael McConnell was present to discuss the need for a new/newer ambulance. Three different options were presented ranging in costs from $61,000 to $150,000. The need isn’t immediate, but something to seriously consider in the near future. Fundraising was discussed. A list of additional fire department and ambulance items was presented to the board. Currently have eight new sets of bunker gear and would like to add two new sets each year. The RCVFD is currently charging $17.00/acre to do controlled burns of fields, tree piles, etc. Jay Beerman as resigned from the fire department.

Michael McConnell left the meeting.

Motion by Einspahr, seconded by Valentine to approve the building permit for a shed at 234 Truman Avenue. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Ordinance 303 was introduced by Trustee Eddy. Ordinance 303 reads: AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF REPUBLICAN CITY, NEBRASKA PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY AND TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Motion by Orcutt, seconded by Hammond to suspend the rule requiring three separate readings of the ordinance. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. Motion by Valentine to adopt Ordinance 303. There was no second, therefore motion died due to lack of second. No further action taken on Ordinance 303.

Discussion was held regarding Southern Horizons Addition rebate program. Currently, half of the purchase price of a lot in Southern Horizons Addition will be refunded if the purchaser builds a residence within 18 months of the closing date. There are currently lots that have been purchased and residences have not been built in the 18 months or close to. Discussion was held regarding ending the rebate program and instead, requiring residences to be built within 18 months or the property reverts back to the village and the purchaser would forfeit 10% of the purchase price. This item will be placed on the May agenda.

Discussion was held regarding economic development and locations for additional housing in the village. There are currently two lots left in Southern Horizons Addition and the Trustees were asked to think of areas in our around town that could be possible areas to develop.

Motion by Einspahr, seconded by Hammond to rehire Kathy Whetstine at her current rate of $11.25 for seasonal help from April 2018 through September 2018. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Both recycling trailers have been ordered. The 10 bin from Pro-Trainer should be completed mid-May. We did not receive an estimate as to when the cardboard trailer would be completed.

No additional information has been received regarding the playground/shelter house grant. Proposed start date is approximately June 1, 2018. Fundraising efforts for the concrete work are ongoing.

Scoop Dog snow blade has been purchased. Jack Mullins with Tri- State Paving will give an estimate of proposed street repairs and maintenance.

Easter Egg Hunt was a great success, despite the weather. Thank you to the individuals and businesses that generously contributed money, time and baked goods. Thank you to the RCVFD for providing fire truck rides and cleaning the fire hall for the even. Motion by Einspahr, seconded by Valentine to donate $300.00 to RCVFD. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Motion by Hammond, seconded by Orcutt to adjourn at 6:24 p.m.

The next regular scheduled village board meeting will be held Monday, May 7, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at the Fire Hall. Meeting is open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend.

Melissa Waldo, Clerk

Village of Republican City