December 2018 Minutes

A meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was held on Monday December 17, 2018 at 7:00 pm CT at the Village Clerk’s Office.  Notice of the meeting was posted and availability of the agenda was communicated in the advance notice.  A poster of the “Open Meetings Act” was clearly visible on the office wall, and Chairwoman P. McDonald directed the attention of those present to the poster.  All proceedings hereafter shown occurred while the meeting was in session.  Present: Chairwoman P. McDonald and Trustee F. Priddy, Trustee J. Richardson, Trustee J. McDonald, Trustee T. Jones, Superintendent K. League, Clerk T. Hedrick and Michael Hoback with Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway & Luth.                                                                                                                                     

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.

Open Forum- No comments were made.

Motion by T. Jones and second by J. Richardson to approve the previous minutes, treasurers’ report and claims.  Roll call: Ayes – F. Priddy, J. McDonald, T. Jones, P. McDonald, J. Richardson.  Nays- none. Motion Carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

Motion by F. Priddy and second by T. Jones to hire Janet Nelson at the rate of $250.00 per month for the hall cleaning position. Roll call: Ayes- J. Richardson, F. Priddy, J. McDonald, T. Jones, P. McDonald. Nays- none. Motion Carried.

The proposed ordinance regarding feral cats was tabled until further information and research can be completed.

NEW BUSINESS:

Michael Hoback with Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway & Luth gave a summary of the audit findings to the board. Michael spoke about how the property taxes received are lower than most Village’s the same size and therefore effects our budget. He suggested increasing utility rates or closing the swimming pool to help with the difference. Michael discussed that there was a large amount of depreciation in water and not many equipment purchases in other areas, therefore we should prepare our funds for the need of replacement costs in the near future.

Trustee T. Jones and J. McDonald took the oath of office and were sworn in the Village of Stratton Board of Trustees.

Discussion was held regarding the usage of Certificate 12004 and what the new rate would be. It was decided to renew the certificate for the next six months.

Motion by T. Jones and second by J. McDonald to approve SWNCBC to subcontract with CDS Inspections to conduct the initial home Minimum Rehabilitation Standards inspections for the Village of Stratton’s OOR. Roll call: Ayes- F. Priddy, J. McDonald, T. Jones, P. McDonald, J. Richardson. Nays- none. Motion Carried.

The board approved Chairman P. McDonald signing an agreement for Miller and Associates for General Administration Agreement.

Board Reorganization:

Motion by T. Jones and second by J. McDonald to select P. McDonald as Chairperson. Roll call: Ayes- J. Richardson, F. Priddy, J. McDonald, T. Jones, P. McDonald. Nays- none. Motion Carried.

Motion by J. McDonald and second by T. Jones to select F. Priddy as Vice Chairperson. Roll call: Ayes- J. Richardson, F. Priddy, J. McDonald, T. Jones, P. McDonald. Nays- none. Motion Carried.

Motion by J. Richardson and second by F. Priddy to select McCook National Bank as our Financial Institution. Roll call: Ayes- F. Priddy, J. McDonald, T. Jones, P. McDonald, J. Richardson. Nays- none. Motion Carried.

Motion by F. Priddy and second by J. Richardson to retain Schroeder & Schroeder, P.C. as our Attorney. Roll call: Ayes- J. McDonald, T. Jones, P. McDonald, J. Richardson, F. Priddy. Nays- none. Motion Carried.

Motion by T. Jones and second by J. McDonald to select Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway & Luth, P.C. as our auditor. Roll call: Ayes- P. McDonald, J. Richardson, F. Priddy, J. McDonald, T. Jones. Nays- none. Motion Carried.

Discussion was held regarding options for street superintendent. Motion by T. Jones and second by J. McDonald to select Chris Miller with Miller & Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C. as our street superintendent. Roll call: Ayes- J. Richardson, F. Priddy, J. McDonald, T. Jones, P. McDonald. Nays- none. Motion Carried.

Motion by J. McDonald and second by F. Priddy to select Hitchcock County News as our newspaper. Roll call: Ayes- F. Priddy, J. McDonald, T. Jones P. McDonald, J. Richardson. Nays- none. Motion Carried.

Motion by J. McDonald and second by T. Jones that the Village of Stratton Board of Trustees will meet at the Village Office in Stratton, NE on the third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm unless it falls on a holiday, which the meeting will then be moved to the Tuesday following the third Monday. Roll call: Ayes- P. McDonald, J. Richardson, F. Priddy, J. McDonald, T. Jones. Nays- none. Motion Carried.

Motion by J. McDonald and second by T. Jones to have the following committee organization:

            Streets, Alleys & Landfill: J. McDonald and F. Priddy

            Electricity: F. Priddy and J. Richardson

            Water & Sewer: T. Jones and J. McDonald

            Finance: P. McDonald and T. Jones

            VM Hall: P. McDonald and F. Priddy

            Health & Welfare: P. McDonald, T. Jones, J. McDonald, F. Priddy, J. Richardson

            Park & Recreation: P. McDonald and J. Richardson

Roll call: Ayes- J. Richardson, F. Priddy, J. McDonald, T. Jones, P. McDonald. Nays- none. Motion Carried.

Motion by J. McDonald and second by F. Priddy to give the following wage adjustments: Superintendent $275, Assistant Superintendent $100, Clerk $200, Deputy Clerk $100, Trash truck driver $50 and Librarian $50. Roll call: Ayes- T. Jones, P. McDonald, J. Richardson, F. Priddy, J. McDonald. Nays- none. Motion carried.

Employee Evaluations and Wages were discussed. Motion by J. Richardson and second by J. McDonald to give the Superintendent a 2% increase in wage; the Assistant Superintendent, Deputy Clerk and Trash truck driver a $0.25 per hour increase in wages; and the Clerk a $0.75 per hour increase in wage. Roll call: Ayes- P. McDonald, J. Richardson, F. Priddy, J. McDonald, T. Jones. Nays- none. Motion carried.

Motion by F. Priddy and second by J. McDonald to continue offering the current health insurance plan to full time employees. Roll call: Ayes- J. Richardson, F. Priddy, J. McDonald, T. Jones, P. McDonald. Nays- none. Motion carried.

Motion by J. McDonald and second by T. Jones to contribute to full time employee HSA accounts on a monthly basis. Roll call: Ayes- J. McDonald, T. Jones, P. McDonald, J. Richardson, F. Priddy. Nays- none. Motion carried.

Streets, Alleys, & Landfill Committee Report: Superintendent League stated he would be clearing out the tree pit next time there is snow on the ground.

Electricity Committee Report: There will be a committee meeting this coming week with SWPPD to discuss rates.

Water & Sewer Committee Report: Superintendent League reported that there were issues with the battery backup during the last snow store that he is continuing to work on.

Finance Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Health & Welfare Committee Report: Clerk Hedrick will be sending a reminder letter to those residences with ongoing nuisance issues. There was also discussion regarding the demolition of the building on the site of the new Library building. Clerk Hedrick will be posting notices regarding the safety concern for the public trespassing onto the demolition area. Superintendent League will be putting up more signs and caution tape.

Park & Recreation Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

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Peggy McDonald, Chairperson

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Tara Hedrick, Village Clerk

The next meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.