December 2020 Meeting Minutes
January 13, 2021
A meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was held on Monday December 21, 2020 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 board room 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, Trustee F. Priddy, Trustee J. McDonald, Trustee J. Richardson, T. Jones, Superintendent K. League, Clerk T. Hedrick, Jilene Chivell Griffiths, Matthew McDonald, Dale Schilke with Engineering International, David Blau with Miller and Associates, John Schroeder with Schroeder and Schroeder Attorneys at Law, Janet Felt and Roberta Loescher with the Library Board, and members of the public Tuesday Forch, Charlene Forch, and James Reagan.
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm.
OPEN FORUM:
Janet Felt requested that the Village clerk assist with the E-rate filing for the Library’s phone account. Clerk Hedrick agreed that wouldn’t be a problem and will discuss more details with Felt at a later time.
J. Richardson arrived at 7:23pm.
Motion by F. Priddy and second by J. McDonald to approve the previous minutes, treasurers’ report and claims. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Dale Schilke with Engineering International went over the remaining items to be completed in the new Library and Village Office building. Schilke advised the board that the lettering for the exterior of the building was bid as vinyl lettering and if other lettering was wanted there would need to be a change order. Superintendent League advised that he could install the upgraded lettering at a lower cost. Schilke informed the board that the final inspection would take place on January 4th and all items should be completed by then. The library board requested that the cleaning person be responsible for cleaning the library as well as the bathrooms and hallway of the new building. Clerk Hedrick advised that the current person responsible for cleaning was unsure on wanting to continue cleaning if cleaning the bookshelves and additional space was included. It was agreed that the librarian could dust and clean the bookshelves however the cleaning person would take care of the kitchenette, windows and flooring. Clerk Hedrick will speak with the current cleaning person regarding the new building responsibilities. The landscaping in front of the building was discussed. Superintendent League stated that he believed it would be best to pour concrete in the open area on the west side of the building and leave the crushed concrete as is on the north and east sides of the building.
Motion made by J. McDonald and second by J. Richardson to have concrete poured in the open areas on the west side of the building when weather allowed. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
David Blau with Miller and Associates reviewed bids that were received for the wastewater project. His recommendation would be to accept the bid from BSB Construction.
Motion by F. Priddy and second by T. Jones to award the wastewater project to BSB construction. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
All the Village property has been removed from the building at 311 Bailey and moved into the new office. The property continues to be listed for sale and the Village will consider any offers.
The property at 502 has many items that still need removed and found a location to store or display them. The property is also listed for sale and interested parties are instructed to submit all offers through the real estate agency and then the board will consider the offer.
NEW BUSINESS:
Motion by J. Richardson and second by J. McDonald approve Resolution 492 authorizing Chairperson P. McDonald to sign the Year- End Certification of City Street Superintendent form. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by T. Jones and second by J. McDonald to approve drawdown #6 CDBG 19WW001. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Jilene Chivell Griffiths took the oath of office and was sworn in as new trustee on the Village Board.
Matthew McDonald took the oath of office and was sworn in as new trustee on the Village Board.
Notice is hereby given to the Village of Stratton Board of Trustees, due to no filings or write-in candidates in the 2020 election, there will be a vacant seat on the Village of Stratton Board of Trustees. A vacancy will exist on the Village of Stratton’s Board of Trustees. The term for the vacant seat of Village Trustee is from
January 15, 2021.
Board Reorganization:
T. Jones nominated J. McDonald as Chairperson for the Board of Trustees. Motion by T. Jones and second by J. Griffiths that nomination cease. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried. Motion by T. Jones and second by J. Griffiths to select J. McDonald as Chairperson. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
J. Griffiths nominated T. Jones as Vice-Chairperson for the Board of Trustees. Motion by J. Griffiths and second by J. McDonald that nominations cease. Roll call: Ayes- J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, M. McDonald. Nays- T. Jones. Motion carried. Motion by J. Griffiths and second by J. McDonald to select T. Jones as Vice-Chairperson. Roll call: Ayes- J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, M. McDonald. Nays- T. Jones. Motion carried.
Motion by T. Jones and second by J. McDonald to select McCook National Bank as our Financial Institution. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by T. Jones and second by J. McDonald to retain Schroeder & Schroeder, P.C. as our Attorney. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald to select Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway & Luth, P.C. as our auditor. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by T. Jones and second by J. Griffiths to select Miller & Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C. as our engineer. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by T. Jones and second by J. Griffiths to select Chris Miller with Miller & Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C. as our street superintendent. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by M. McDonald and second by J. Griffiths to select Tara Hedrick as Clerk and Treasurer. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by J. McDonald and second M. McDonald to select Hitchcock County News as our newspaper. Roll call: Ayes: J. Griffiths, M. McDonlad, J. McDonald. Nays: T. Jones. Motion carried.
Motion by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald that the Village of Stratton Board of Trustees will meet at the Village Office at 409 Bailey 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: J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, T. Jones. Nays: M. McDonald. Motion carried.
Motion by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald to have the following committee organization with the condition that they are revisited once the vacant board position is filled:
Streets, Alleys & Landfill: J. McDonald and J. Griffiths
Electricity: M. McDonald and T. Jones
Water & Sewer: T. Jones and J. McDonald
Finance: J. McDonald and T. Jones
VM Hall: J. McDonald and J. Griffiths
Health & Welfare: M. McDonald, J. McDonald, J. Griffiths
Park & Recreation: M. McDonald and J. Griffiths
Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by M. McDonald and second by J. Griffiths to give the following wage adjustments: Superintendent $325, Assistant Superintendent $150, Clerk $250, Deputy Clerk $150, VM Hall Cleaner $50 and Librarian $100. Discussion was had regarding the wage adjustments and employee duties. M. McDonald rescinded his motion.
Motion by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald to give the following wage adjustments: Superintendent $300, Assistant Superintendent $125, Clerk $225, Deputy Clerk $125, VM Hall Cleaner $75 and Librarian $75. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Employee Evaluations and Wages were discussed. Motion by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald to give the Superintendent a 2% increase in wage; the Assistant Superintendent a $1.00 per hour increase in wage, Deputy Clerk a $0.50 per hour increase in wages; and the Clerk a $1.50 per hour increase in wage. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by M. McDonald and second by T. Jones to continue offering the current health insurance plan provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska to full time employees. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald to contribute $125.00 to full time employee HSA accounts on a monthly basis. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
Charlene Forch and Tuesday Forch presented information regarding damage that was done to a wall at 404 Bonner on approximately December 9, 2020 that they believed was caused by a dumpster being set too close to the wall when it was emptied. T. Forch displayed photos on her electronic device that she had taken at the residence. She pointed out where there appeared to be damage and a crack running the length of the wall and a scratch where she stated the dumpster struck the wall. Chairman J. McDonald advised that our insurance carrier would be contacted to investigate the matter. Superintendent League advised that the dumpster would be moved away from the wall and closer to the alley to alleviate the need for the trash truck to enter onto the property. T. Forch also advised that her trash has not been picked up at her residence north of town on several different occasions and requested a credit when service isn’t provided. Clerk Hedrick informed her that she would need to contact the office at the time of the missed pick up and a log will be kept or a truck will be sent to gather the missed pick up.
A complaint regarding trash burning at 402 Boyle was discussed. The Village does not have any ordinances regarding the burning of trash. No action was taken.
A complaint regarding trash burning at 803 Howland was discussed. The Village does not have any ordinances regarding the burning of trash. No action was taken.
A complaint regarding barking dogs and excessive noise from vehicles was discussed. Village ordinance states that regarding barking dogs there must be two written complaints from different households, filed within any 30-day period to constitute a violation. As there is only one complaint no action was taken regarding the dogs. Superintendent League will look into the disturbing the peace with the noise from the vehicles and follow up with the owner.
Streets, Alleys, & Landfill Committee Report: Nothing new to report.
Electricity Committee Report: Nothing new to report.
Water & Sewer Committee Report: Nothing new to report.
Finance Committee Report: Nothing new to report.
Health & Welfare Committee Report: Nothing new to report.
Park & Recreation Committee Report: Nothing new to report.
Motion made by M. McDonald and second by J. Griffiths to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 p.m. Roll call: Unanimous Ayes. Motion carried.
The next meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, January 18, 2021 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.
