Village of Republican City

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees was held on September 4, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. at the Fire Station with Trustees Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine present. Clerk Waldo, Utility Supervisor Whetstine, Attorney Doug Walker, Jamie and Dennis Hall, Michael McConnell, Chris Schluntz and Ellie Keller 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 Einspahr, 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, $655.87; Verizon, $112.22; UHC, $2161.15; IRS, $1272.34; Alma Public Schools, $900.00; Presto X, $55.62; TVPPD, $183.49; Harlan County Journal, $96.36; Payroll, $4512.98; Island, $102.54; Trustworthy Hardware, $20.50; Black Hills Energy, $73.95; Presto X, $55.62; One Call Concepts, $1.14; Island, $65.81.

STREET: TVPPD, $1375.63; Island, $52.33; Island, $65.81.

WATER: NE Rural Water, $100.00; NE Rural Water, $100.00; TVPPD, $352.27; NE Public Health Env Lab, $205.00; Frontier, $116.12; USPS, $34.00; Anderson Bros., $624.33; Municipal Supply, $2795.36; Island, $52.33; Black Hills Energy, $65.22; Southern Power, $138.00; Island, $65.81.

WASTEWATER: USPS, $34.00; Island, $52.33; Island, $65.80.

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

RECEIPTS: State of NE, $2497.14; Harlan County Treasurer, $1832.89; State of NE, $2958.93; TVPPD, $6373.62; Utility Billing, $10,379.59; Lost check, $263.23; Int Inc- CD, $36.15; Int Inc- ckg, $107.49.

Treasurer’s report was read and approved.

The 2017-2018 Budget hearing was opened at 5:34 pm. Budget was reviewed by the Board of Trustees. Comments were heard from the public. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Einspahr to close the 2017-2018 Budget Hearing at 5:41 p.m. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Valentine to adopt Resolution 090417-1, setting the final tax request. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. Ordinance 299 was introduced by Chairman Eddy. Ordinance 299 reads: AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE BUDGET STATEMENT TO BE TERMED THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION BILL; TO APPROPRIATE SUMS FOR NECESSARY EXPENSES AND LIABILITIES; TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Orcutt 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 Einspahr, seconded by Valentine to adopt Ordinance 299. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Ordinance 300 was introduced by Chairman Eddy. Ordinance 300 reads: AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF REPUBLICAN CITY, NEBRASKA TO AMEND PART I, ARTICLE 2, SECTION 17 OF THE VILLAGE OF REPUBLICAN CITY ZONING REGULATIONS REGARDING “VIOLATIONS” TO ADD SUBSECTION b) COMPLAINTS REGARDING VIOLATIONS AND SUBSECTION c) PENALTIES AND REMEDIES FOR VIOLATIONS; REPEALING ALL PRIOR ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH THIS ORDINANCE; AND TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Orcutt 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 Orcutt, seconded by Einspahr to adopt Ordinance 300. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

No action taken on Resolution 090417-2 as a deposit was not received from the interested party.

No action was taken on the request for an alley by Sarah Springer as Sarah Springer was not present.

Discussion was held regarding Circle Drive Market on October 6-8, 2017. Marcy DeJonge is organizing. Will need one porta potty. Overnight parking of trailers will be allowed, but no camping. Charge will be $20.00 per stall.

Discussion was held regarding reimbursement by Republican City Rural Fire Department (RCRFD) for past due insurance payments made by the Village. Chris Schluntz was present to represent the RCRFD. Comments were heard from the public. Per Attorney Walker, the statute of limitations for billing for past due amounts is 5 years. Spreadsheet for insurance costs for all vehicles and building insurance from 2008- present was reviewed. Total due from RCRFD is $35,950.64. Amount due for the last 5 years is $18,942.39. RCRFD has a very low tax levy. Discussion was held regarding steps needs to raise their levy. Two Village board members will attend the RCRFD annual budget meeting to discuss terms and amount to be paid back by the RCRFD. Clerk will invoice for current year and for last 5 years. Motion by Orcutt, seconded by Einspahr to table discussion until October meeting. 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 Republican City Volunteer Fire Department roster as presented. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Two bids have been received for the proposed playground equipment improvement and shelter house. One bid from Sterling West for $65,875.00 and one from the Crouch Foundation for $67,363.00. An application is being prepared for a grant through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Building Permit was resubmitted and reviewed for 212 Atkinson. Motion by Orcutt, seconded by Valentine to approve the building permit for 212 Atkinson. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Motion by Hammond, seconded by Orcutt to approve Brett Rebman as a member of the Republican City Volunteer Fire Department. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Motion by Orcutt, seconded by Einspahr to go into executive session at 6:25 pm to discuss rehiring of employees. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. Motion by Einspahr, seconded by Orcutt to come out of executive session at 6:43 pm. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. Motion by Orcutt, seconded by Valentine to rehire Keith Whetstine and Melissa Waldo. Keith Whetstine will receive a 2% salary increase, family health insurance and 4 weeks vacation. Melissa Waldo will receive a $3.00/hour increase. 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 further discussion on the proposed RV Park.

Jamie Hall will be trimming and cleaning up the islands. Jamie is welcome to use village equipment as needed.

Discussion was held regarding the condition of the school/theater building. Windows are broken and there are gaps around an air conditioning unit. Clerk will contact theater board regarding these items. The benches that were displaced due to losing a large tree by the theater will be placed at the new playground.

Question was raised regarding recouping expenses for demolition of the nuisance building at 101 Berrigan Road. A lien has been placed on the property to recoup the $9,975.00 in costs incurred. Per Jamie Hall, there is a state statute where we can recoup our expenses in a shorter time frame. Will discuss with Attorney Walker as he had previously left the meeting.

Request by Michael McConnell to be on the October agenda regarding bunker gear. Letters will be going out to nuisance properties. Letter will be sent to property owner at 216 McPherson regarding overnight camping in camper parked on street as well as driving golf carts.

Motion by Orcutt, seconded by Einspahr to adjourn the meeting at 7:05 pm.

The next regular scheduled village board meeting will be held Monday, October 2, 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