June 21, 2021 Minutes
June 29, 2021
A meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was held on Monday June 21, 2021 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 wall, and Chairman J. McDonald directed the attention of those present to the poster. All proceedings hereafter shown occurred while the meeting was in session. Present: Chairman J. McDonald, Trustee T. Jones, Trustee S. Hanes, Trustee J. Griffiths, Trustee M. McDonald, Superintendent K. League, Clerk T. Hedrick, David Blau with Miller & Associates, Gerry Hunter with Hitchcock County Sheriff’s Department, Nate Mustion with Mousel, Brooks, Schneider, Mustion & Shifflet, P.C., L.L.O., and members of the public James Reagan, Kory League and Chris League.
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 pm.
OPEN FORUM:
Kory League addressed the board regarding some complaints on Superintendent League’s behavior and actions. Kory stated that a tree was destroyed by his property, Village staff had been driving across his grass to read meters and unprofessional messages were sent to him from Superintendent League on the Village cell phone. The board advised that one of the complaints would be discussed later in the meeting and they would like to see pictures and a written complaint on the other issues so that they could better address them.
Motion by T. Jones and second by J. Griffiths to approve the previous minutes, treasurers’ report and claims. Roll call: Ayes: J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, S. Hanes and T. Jones. Nays: None. Absent: M. McDonald. Motion Carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
The property at 308 Bonner was discussed. The board has seen progress made on the building and believe that all the safety concerns have been addressed for the time being.
NEW BUSINESS:
Clerk Hedrick presented a volunteer waiver form to be completed by any individual wanting to volunteer labor or time to the Village. Motion made by J. Griffiths and second by S. Hanes to adopt the use of the volunteer waiver form. Roll call: Ayes: J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, S. Hanes and T. Jones. Nays: None. Absent: M. McDonald. Motion Carried.
Trustee M. McDonald arrived at 7:20pm.
Sheriff Gerry Hunter introduced himself to the Board and advised that he was the new Sheriff for the Hitchcock County Sheriff’s Department.
Motion made by J. Griffiths and second by T. Jones to approve Change Order #1 for the Wastewater project reference hauling of off-site soil. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, S. Hanes and T. Jones. Nays: None. Motion Carried.
Motion made by J. Griffiths and second by T. Jones to approve Pay Application #2 for the Wastewater project. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, S. Hanes and T. Jones. Nays: None. Motion Carried.
Motion made by J. Griffiths and second by S. Hanes to approve CDBG 19WW001 Drawdown #10 for the Wastewater project. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, S. Hanes and T. Jones. Nays: None. Motion Carried.
Motion made by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald to approve and sign 6 month extension request for CDBG 19WW001 for Wastewater Improvements. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, S. Hanes and T. Jones. Nays: None. Motion Carried.
Nate Mustion, City of McCook Attorney, introduced himself and reviewed the Southwest Nebraska Land Bank project that he is currently working to implement. The program, benefits and cost were discussed. Nate advised that the Village will be invited to a meeting around July 15th to discuss final commitments and cost. The board will do some more research and consider the program.
Surplus equipment bids were reviewed. Motion made by M. McDonald and second by S. Hanes to accept the high bids on eight long tables, long shelf, small shelf, two shelves with doors, two tables with wheels. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, S. Hanes. Nays: None. Abstain: T. Jones. Motion Carried. The board would like to advertise the remaining items as a set price or best offer.
The ordinance on fences was tabled and a subcommittee of Trustee J. Griffiths and T. Jones will meet to work out details of the ordinance.
Motion by J. Griffiths and second by M. McDoanld to renew time deposit certificate 141867. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Motion Carried.
Clerk Hedrick advised that she did some checking on disposal of flags to be retired and had a place to take them if we would like to collect them at the Village Office. The board agreed that this would be a good service. Clerk Hedrick will advertise the collection and arrange for disposal when the time is needed.
Motion made by S. Hanes and second by M. McDonald to approve placing two new stop signs where Hitchcock and Howland Streets meet Bailey Street. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, S. Hanes. Nays: None. Abstain: T. Jones. Motion Carried.
Motion made by M. McDonald and second by J. Griffiths to hire Samantha Bracken as a seasonal lifeguard pending her providing her necessary certifications at $9.00 per hour. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, S. Hanes and T. Jones. Nays: None. Motion Carried.
Clerk Hedrick inquired about the board’s opinion regarding scheduling and the concessions. The board requested to see a copy of the employee schedule and would like to meet with the manager in the near future to discuss the current status of tracking income. The board would also like to have the manager come to the regular board meeting while the pool is open to give a report each month. Clerk Hedrick will discuss this with the pool manager.
Motion made by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald to hire James Griffiths as seasonal park and recreation employee at $12.00 per hour. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, T. Jones, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Abstain: J. Griffiths. Motion carried.
Motion made by T. Jones and second by M. McDonald to accept resignation from James Griffiths as seasonal park and recreation employee. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by M. McDonald and second by S. Hanes to hire Wade Hanes as seasonal park and recreation employee at $10.00 per hour. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by M. McDonald and second by J. Griffiths to accept resignation from Janet Nelson as cleaning personnel. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Current applications for cleaning personnel were reviewed. The board discussed having volunteers come to clean the building or staff if no volunteers were available. Motion made by J. Griffiths and second by S. Hanes to add the cleaning responsibilities to current Librarian and Village Clerk duties. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by J. Griffiths and second by S. Hanes to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing a dog complaint. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Motion carried. Went into executive session at 8:45 pm. Motion made by M. McDonald and second by S. Hanes to leave executive session. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Motion carried. Left executive session at 8:56 pm. No action taken regarding the dog complaint.
Kory League and Chris League informed the board of tree near their home that had been shredded down to approximately four feet high. They stated that there was now a mess in that location and the tree was still there. They wanted to know what the purpose of shredding the tree was and not just completely removing it and why there was still a mess. Superintendent League stated he cut the tree in order to mow the ditch in this location. Kory discussed several other occasions when Superintendent League has broken or left things in worse condition on his property. The board advised Kory that they will take a look at the tree and requested him to submit all other complaints in writing to the Village Clerk and in the meantime Superintendent League will refrain from entering Kory’s property with the exception of an emergency nature.
A written complaint was reviewed from the customer at 605 Nebraska regarding an invoice for trash removal from the Village tree dump. The customer disputed the amount of time that was charged to him on equipment and dump charges. The customer stated that he felt the bill was excessive and was willing to pay a reduced rate on what he felt was more reasonable to clear the debris. He also stated that the tree dump was open all weekend if not longer so others could have dumped items as well. Superintendent League stated that it took him two hours in the backhoe and three hours with the dump trailer to load and haul the one load that was taken to the McCook Transfer Station. Superintendent League did not have any pictures or inventory of the removed items. Motion made by M. McDonald and second by S. Hanes to keep the charges as they are and allow the customer to arrange to make monthly payments on the bill. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Clerk Hedrick presented the Board with a list of customers with past due accounts. The board directed Clerk Hedrick to submit three of the five accounts to small claims court and began the process to collect the funds due. The board would like more information regarding one of the accounts and would like to attempt to arrange a payment plan with the customer. The remaining account owner stated they would be paying by the end of the week.
Streets, Alleys, & Landfill Committee Report: Superintendent League gave an update on maintenance items for street repairs.
Electricity Committee Report: Nothing new to report.
Water & Sewer Committee Report: Nothing new to report.
Finance Committee Report: Clerk Hedrick reminded the Board that the budget hearing would be coming up soon. Clerk Hedrick also informed the board of information regarding the American Rescue Plan Act and stated that she would need to submit the application within the next week if the board wished to use the funds for a project. The board briefly discussed projects that the funds could be used towards and directed Clerk Hedrick to submit the application.
Health & Welfare Committee Report: J. Griffiths discussed properties in town that needed cleaned up or mowed. The other board members requested that she provide them with pictures and list of properties.
Park & Recreation Committee Report: Superintendent League informed the board that he had to purchase a new chlorinator for the swimming pool as he broke the current one.
Motion made by J. Griffiths and second by M. McDonald to adjourn the meeting at 9:33pm. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, J. Griffiths, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Absent: S. Hanes and T. Jones. Motion Carried.
The next regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Monday July 19, 2021 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.
