Village of Republican City

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees was held on September 6, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. at the Fire Station with Trustees Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine present. Clerk Waldo, Utility Supervisor Whetstine, Marcy DeJonge, Tom Zikmund, Steve and Debbye Prager, Don Fegter and Andy Miller 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 Valentine, 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, $643.51; UHC, $2409.81; Verizon, $107.77; IRS, $1197.36; Amazon, $64.89; USPS, $11.85; CHS Agri Svc, $87.83; EMS Billing Svc, $108.60; Platte Valley Comm, $251.95; Black Hills Energy, $35.33; Alma Public Schools, $900.00; Waggoner Insurance, $291.00; TVPPD, $204.03; Harlan County Journal, $25.21; Frontier Comm, $118.24; M. McConnell, $371.70; TMA Operations, $22,500.00; Payroll, $4668.76; Island, $175.56; One Call Concepts, $6.45; Presto X, $55.62; Waggoner Ins, $52.00; M. McConnell, $465.30; Trustworthy Hardware, $24.34; Danko Emergency, $845.00; S & W Auto Parts, $78.05; M. Waldo, $200.28; Black Hills Energy, $77.07.

STREET: Bladen Sand & Gravel, $704.15; TVPPD, $1373.09; Island, $78.35.

WATER: Black Hills Energy, $12.34; TVPPD, $132.08; USPS, $35.00; NE Public Health Env Lab, $705.00; Island, $78.35; Sargent Drilling, $1635.75; Black Hills Energy, $35.22; Southern Power, $232.00.

WASTEWATER: USPS, $35.00; Island, $78.35.

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

RECEIPTS: Donations, $300.00; State of NE, $15,000.00; State of NE, $2478.35; Ambulance Income, $2932.68; Harlan County Treas., $1535.24; TVPPD, $6964.54; State of NE, $3893.54; Building Permits, $20.00; Utility Billing, $11,997.84; Int Inc- CD, $56.23; Int Inc- ckg, $130.28.

Treasurer’s report was read and approved.

Marcy DeJonge was present to discuss the Circle Drive Market that will be happening during the Trail of Treasures October 5-7, 2018. One porta potty will be ordered. Registration form was reviewed.

Marcy DeJonge left the meeting at 5:35 pm.

Tom Zikmund, US Army Corp of Engineers, was present to discuss need for a sewer lagoons for North Shore and Hunters Campground. Current sewer lagoons are failing. There are 3 options that the Corps is looking into, one of which is to pump into Republican City sewer lagoon. Studies will be done to determine if our sewer lagoons would be able to accommodate the additional waste. The Village Board would like to see the results of the studies and then discuss further.

Andy Miller entered the meeting.

Discussion was held regarding the Republican City Volunteer Fire Department roster. M. Andrews and J. Beerman will be removed from the roster. Motion by Einspahr, seconded by Valentine to approve the roster with aforementioned changes. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. New ambulance is in service.

Don Fegter entered the meeting.

No bids were received on the 1980 ambulance/equipment hauler. Will widen advertisement.

Three sealed proposals were received for the Village of Republican City Warrior Park Project, NPS 31-01044. The first proposal was from Sterling West in the amount of $79,776.00. This bid did not meet the guidelines set forth in the Request for Proposal as 6 copies of the proposal was not submitted and was rejected. The second proposal was from Crouch Recreation for $80,000.00. This bid did not meet the guidelines set forth in the Request for Proposal as their proposal included a 4 post shelter and the request for proposal was for a 6 post shelter. The second proposal was rejected. The third bid was from Creative Sites, LLC for $80,626.00. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Valentine to accept the proposal from Creative Sites, LLC for $80,626.00 for the Village of Republican City Warrior Park Project, NPS 31-01044. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

The 2018-2019 Budget hearing was opened at 6:31 pm. Budget was reviewed by the Board of Trustees. Comments were heard from the public. Motion by Hammond, seconded by Einspahr to close the 2018-2019 Budget Hearing at 6:57p.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 090618-1, setting the final tax request. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. Ordinance 304 was introduced by Chairman Eddy. Ordinance 304 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 Valentine 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 Hammond, seconded by Einspahr to adopt Ordinance 304. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Motion by Hammond, seconded by Einspahr to deny building permit for 210 Truman Avenue as the proposed garage is less than 6 feet from the side property line, which is in violation of Zoning Regulations. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Motion by Einspahr, seconded by Orcutt to approve the building permit for 202 McPherson for a fence. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Discussion was held regarding water, wastewater and late payment fee rates. Currently, the Village is using sales tax income to supplement the water fund as the water fund expenses are greater than the income. A chart was presented to show the increase in income by raising rates at varying increments. Motion by Einspahr, seconded by Hammond to increase the base water rate to $30.00 per month, metered rate to $1.25/1,000 gallons used and to change the late payment fee from 1.5% of the past due bill to $15.00 flat fee per month. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Motion by Hammond, seconded by Einspahr to pass Resolution 090618-2, authorizing the sale of Block 21, Lot 32 by sealed bids with a minimum bid of $2500.00. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Discussion was held regarding the success of the recycling trailers. To date, 5000 lbs of cardboard have been recycled and 1000 lbs of cans/paper/plastic items.

Discussion was held regarding unlicensed cars parked on street and yards that need to be mowed. Sherriff’s office was contacted regarding camper trailers that were parked on the street and being used with slides out and water hook ups. Chairman will relay the addresses to the Clerk and letters will be sent.

Don Fegter was present to discuss stop and yield signs that need to be replaced. Keith will order. Concern was raised regarding the amount of dirt that was being hauled out of the old village dump out to Taylor Manor. Chairman Eddy authorized the hauling of dirt by Blessings in exchange for Blessings hauling old concrete and asphalt out of our tree dump.

Motion by Hammond, seconded by Einspahr to go into executive session to discuss personnel issues at 7:16 pm. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried. Motion by Hammond, second by Einspahr to come out of executive session at 7:22 pm. Voting Aye: Eddy, Einspahr, Hammond, Orcutt and Valentine. There were no votes against the motion. Motion carried.

Motion by Hammond, seconded by Einspahr to rehire Keith Whetstine and Melissa Waldo at their current wage/salary, health care benefits and vacation. 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 7:23 p.m.

The next regular scheduled village board meeting will be held Monday, October 1, 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