Village of Republican City

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees was held on October 2 , 2017, at 5:30 p.m. at the Fire Station with Trustees Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine present. Clerk Waldo, Utility Supervisor Whetstine, Elizabeth Burki 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 Valentine to pay the following bills:

GENERAL: State of NE, $626.34; Verizon, $113.32; IRS, $1088.12; CPI, $49.43; CHS, $255.80; Jim’s OK Tire, $23.00; TVPPD, $213.08; Ball Insurance, $1134.00; NE Dept. of Rev., $25.00; Office Max, $104.41; USPS, $98.00; USPS, $68.00; Payroll, $3783.92; M. McConnell, $186.82; S. Klotthor, $562.25; Presto X, $55.62; Harlan County Journal, $185.00; South Central Sanitation, $141.00; Frontier, $116.12; A. Hammond, $174.71; Island, $92.77; Black Hills Energy, $73.95.

STREET: Bladen Sand and Gravel, $313.27; $1375.63; Island, $37.76; S&W Auto Parts, $98.32.

WATER: USDA-RD, $51,939.00; TVPPD, $208.79; NE Public Health Env Lab, $15.00; Island, $37.75; SPD, $390.00; Black Hills Energy, $58.24; V of RC- WRA, $5580.00.

WASTEWATER: UHC, $2161.15; Island, $37.75.

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

RECEIPTS: Ambulance Income, $3855.48; State of NE, $2393.36; State of NE, $2969.61; Tractor Hire, $20.00; Harlan County Treasurer, $8103.05; TVPPD, $6308.03; Donations- Playground, $1412.00; Utility Billing, $10,855.33; Rent Income, $100.00; Int Inc- CD, $65.16; Int Inc- ckg, $102.84.

Treasurer’s report was read and approved.

Trustees Eddy and Hammond attended the Republican City Rural Fire Department budget hearing on September 18, 2017 to discuss payment for insurance bills from 2009-present. Motion by Orcutt, seconded by Valentine to accept the Republican City Rural Fire Department’s proposal of paying a lump sum of $25,000, terms to be determined at a later date. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Discussion was held regarding selling the old ambulance, a trailer and light set with generator. The village only owns the old ambulance. Light bar will be removed. Motion by Valentine, seconded by Einspahr to offer the ambulance for sale by sealed bids with a minimum bid of $1500.00. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Motion by Einspahr, seconded by Hammond to table the request for a variance for a sign at 301 Truman Ave. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Property owner has requested that a large cottonwood tree be removed at 101 Norris Ave. as it is dying. Two estimate received for tree removal, excluding stump removal. The stump removal would be at the property owner’s discretion and expense. Discussed trimming versus taking down. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Orcutt to accept the $500.00 bid from Tim Allen Tree Service to remove the tree, excluding the stump. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Two playground proposals were presented to the board. Motion by Orcutt, seconded by Hammond to accept the proposal from Crouch Playgrounds for $80,700.00. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Valentine to allocate an additional $10,000.00 towards the playground/shelter house project. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Elizabeth Burki was present to discuss the grant application for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant through Nebraska Games and Parks. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Einspahr to pass Resolution 100217-1. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. Assessment Review form was completed. Valuation for playground and shelter house property is $5000.00.

Michael McConnell was present to discuss the need for a thermal imaging camera. Cost is $1385.00 and the Republican City Rural Fire Department will share the cost. Will discuss further once the old ambulance is sold. Eight new sets of bunker gear have been ordered.

Discussion was held regarding the need and options for a recycling trailer. Will be on agenda for November meeting. Letter to be sent to property owner at 15 West Avenue regarding living in a camper at a residence. Discussion was held regarding having a storage business in a residential district. Question was raised at last meeting regarding speeding up the process to recoup funds spent taking care of the nuisance property at 101 Berrigan Road. Per Attorney Walker, he is not familiar with any statute and we would be paying him to do the county’s job. Clerk will check with the county to see where in the process this property is.

Motion by Orcutt, seconded by Einspahr to adjourn at 6:46 p.m.

The next regular scheduled village board meeting will be held Monday, November 6, 2017 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