Village of Republican City

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees was held on May 7, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. at the Fire Station with Trustees Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine present. Clerk Waldo, Utility Supervisor Whetstine, Attorney Jaclyn Daake, Mike McConnell, Dan Kelly, Kelly Christensen and Mike and Cindy Knopik 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 Einspahr, seconded by Hammond to amend the minutes from April 2, 2018 to correct Kathy Whetstine’s current wage as $11.50 per hour. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Einspahr, to approve the minutes, with amendment, of the last meeting. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

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

GENERAL: State of NE, $501.80; State of NE, $44.16; Verizon, $108.02; IRS, $139.14; RCVFD, $300.00; M. Knopik, $500.00; Harlan County Journal, $173.16; S & W Auto Parts, $155.20; TVPPD, $353.96; EMS Billing, $133.82; Presto X, $55.62; Frontier, $116.33; Matheson Tri-Gas, $60.45; Payroll, $650.30; Island, $70.75; D. Waldo, $64.10; Trustworthy, $25.96; Black Hills Energy, $275.78; Landscaping, $200.00.

STREET: TVPPD, $1373.09; Island, $66.25.

WATER: UHC, $2409.81; IRS, $871.86; TVPPD, $263.53; NE Public Health Env Lab, $31.00; USPS, $35.00; Payroll, $3179.98; Island, $66.26; Municipal Supply, $490.39; SPD, $171.00; Black Hills Energy, $97.31.

WASTEWATER: State of NE, $379.65; Holdrege Commercial Sewer Service, $380.00; USPS, $35.00; Island, $66.26; Municipal Supply, $346.12; Holdrege Commercial Sewer Service, $380.00.

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

RECEIPTS: Easter Egg Hunt Donation, $802.61; Amb. Billing, $710.15; Playground Donations, $138.00; State of NE, $4606.97; State Farm, $5.00; Harlan County Treasurer, $5745.82; TVPPD, $2877.63; Building Permits, $30.00; Utility Billing, $9025.31; Int Inc- CD, $280.87; Int Inc- ckg, $153.22.

Treasurer’s report was read and approved.

Discussion was held regarding the sale of a city lot behind 211 McPherson. The only current access to the lot is through a driveway on property owned by Jerry and Marlys Waldo. Before deciding whether to sell the lot, the clerk will check with the Waldos to see if they are willing to give a lifetime easement to use their driveway for access.

Motion by Hammond, seconded by Valentine to approve the building permit for a house at 101 W. 3rd. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Motion by Einspahr, seconded by Valentine to approve the building permit for fiberglass panel roof connecting to existing awnings at 26 Norris Ave. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Motion by Hammond, seconded by Einspahr to approve the building permit for a covered patio and new deck at 305 McPherson. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Motion by Hammond, seconded by Valentine to approve the building permit for a pitched roof and deck at 217 Center Ave. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Michael McConnell was present to discuss RCVFD equipment needs, the ambulance budget, where income for ambulance expenses came from prior to ambulance billing and the possibility of creating an ambulance fund. Discussion was held regarding the In Lieu of Tax the county receives for fire protection services. Michael requested that Village board members attend the County Board of Supervisors meeting on June 4, 2018 in support of the RCVFD’s request to receive a portion of the funds.

Mike and Cynthia Knopik were present to discuss the sale of SHA, Lot 10. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Orcutt to go into executive session at 6:08 pm due to threat of litigation. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Orcutt to come out of executive session at 6:39 pm. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Orcutt to table the discussion of the sale of SHA, Lot 10 as the Board requires additional time to explore their options. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Discussion was held regarding allowing golf carts to be driven in town. Chairman Eddy discussed deputizing a resident to write tickets with the Harlan County Sherriff’s Department and was told that is not an option. The Village does not have an inter-local agreement with the Sherriff’s department, therefore there is no way to enforce local ordinances. No further action was taken.

Discussion was held regarding the newly built fence at 212 Atkinson. Pictures were reviewed of the new fence and the proposed pictures that were submitted with the building permit. The property owners were not able to attend the meeting due to short notice. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Orcutt to revoke the building permit for the fence at 212 Atkinson Ave. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. Motion by Orcutt, seconded by Einspahr to table the discussion of the fence until the June meeting so the owners could be present to discuss. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Recycling trailers should both be done within 2-3 weeks.

No additional information has been received regarding the playground and shelter house grant.

Motion by Orcutt, seconded by Einspahr to allow Joe Schnuerle to have an inflatable bouncy house at the village park. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Property owner at 109 E. 3rd Street is requesting the removal of a tree in the village right of way on the east side of the property as it is pushing up the sidewalk. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Einspahr to remove the tree, but not the stump at 109 E. 3rd Street. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. Property owner will be responsible for removing the stump and fixing the sidewalk.

Clerk’s office will be closed May 23-29, 2018.

Public Comments: Public comments were made regarding the building time line and structure requirements in Southern Horizons Addition, the tabling of the sale of SHA, Lot 10, resident policing and enforcement of local ordinance if golf carts were to be allowed in the village, the pros of having residents drive after drinking in a golf cart versus a truck and what the village is doing to bring in more businesses.

Motion by Hammond, seconded by Einspahr to discontinue the Southern Horizons Rebate program effective immediately and that the remaining lot will be subject to having a residence built within 18 months or title to the lot reverts back to the village. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Discussion was held regarding who is responsible for mowing the lots that have sold, but not yet built on. The property owner is responsible for mowing the lot. If the lots are not mowed and the grass exceeds the length set forth by the Nebraska Basic Code book, nuisance letters will be sent to the property owners.

Motion by Einspahr, seconded by Hammond to adjourn at 7:18 p.m.

The next regular scheduled village board meeting will be held Monday, June 4, 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