July 18, 2022 Minutes

A meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was held on Monday, July 18, 2022 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 Chairman J. Griffiths directed the attention of those present to the poster. All proceedings hereafter shown occurred while the meeting was in session. Present: Chairman J. Griffiths, Trustee J. McDonald, Trustee T. Jones, Trustee S. Hanes, Clerk T. Hedrick, Kayla Hodges with the Hitchcock County Sheriff’s Department, Janet Felt with the Library Board, members of the public Joe Hubl, Dusty Earnest, Chet Bridge and Melissa Dailey.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

OPEN FORUM:

No public comment was made.

Motion by J. McDonald and second by T. Jones to approve the previous minutes, treasurers’ report and claims. Roll call: Ayes: J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald, S. Hanes. Nays: None. Absent M. McDonald. Motion carried. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Motion by S. Hanes and second by J. McDonald to approve Resolution 510 to proceed with the proposed highway improvement project with the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Roll call: Ayes: J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, S. Hanes. Nays: T. Jones. Absent M. McDonald. Motion carried. 

There was a dispute filed on the prior board decision to declare the dog located at 806 Bailey as a prohibited animal.  The owner of the dog referenced the photo of the injury stating that the injury didn’t appear to be inflicted by a dog bite but rather seemed to be one of the many other scratches on the alleged victim’s leg. The photo was submitted for review to the board members. Motion made by S. Hanes and second by T. Jones to rescind the declaration of prohibited dog and file the complaint as the first offence and complaint on the dog. Roll call: Ayes: J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald, S. Hanes. Nays: None. Absent M. McDonald. Motion carried. 

The excessive amount of feral cats and resulting damage was discusses. Clerk Hedrick asked for more clarification on what should be included in the proposed ordinance. The board agreed that they would like to see a limit of three cats per residence and to require the owner of the animal to provide proof of rabies vaccination. Prohibiting and creating a fine for the feeding of feral cats was also discussed. Utilities Superintendent Magley will be directed to continue using the live traps and relocating feral cats. Trustee T. Jones stated he received a complaint that cats were dying in the traps. Clerk Hedrick advised that Magley had trapped a cat that was so sickly and matted fur that a person may have mistaken the cat as dead, however was very much still alive and was unaware of any animals dying in the traps. An ordinance will be drafted for review at the next regular board meeting.

Motion by T. Jones and second by J. McDonald to waive the three readings of proposed Ordinance 209 to amend municipal code relating to prohibited animals with inserted words in paragraph 2 and strike out paragraph 4. Roll call: Ayes: J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald, S. Hanes. Nays: None. Absent M. McDonald. Motion carried. 

Motion by S. Hanes and second by J. McDonald to adopt Ordinance 209 to amend municipal code relating to prohibited animals with inserted words in paragraph 2 and strike out paragraph 4. Roll call: Ayes: J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald, S. Hanes. Nays: None. Absent M. McDonald. Motion carried. 

Clerk Hedrick asked the board for more clarification regarding the proposed chicken ordinance. Limits, conditions, permits and other factors were discussed. A proposed ordinance will be prepared for the next regular board meeting.

No quotes for an outdoor shelter have been received as of this date. Item was tabled until quotes are available.

Clerk Hedrick has been in contact with Miller and Associates regarding installing radio read water meters. The price estimate of install has nearly doubled the original expectation. ARPA funds would only cover the cost of the meters not the install cost. Tabled until information can be gained from Utilities Superintendent Magley regarding availability to install the meters ourselves.

NEW BUSINESS:

Kayla Hodges with the Hitchcock County Sheriff’s Department submitted a quote of $4205.26 for a broadband antenna and install cost for the Stratton Rural Fire Department’s repeater. Hodges reported that the Sheriff’s Department would pay one third of the cost and the fire department had a meeting to discuss paying for one third of the cost. They are requesting the Village of Stratton to cover the remaining one third of the cost. Motion by J. McDonald and second by S. Hanes to approve paying one third of the final cost of the broadband antenna and install. Roll call: Ayes: J. Griffiths, J. McDonald, S. Hanes. Nays: None. Abstain: T. Jones. Absent M. McDonald. Motion carried. 

Janet Felt submitted the budget approved by the Library Board. Felt gave a summary of all grants and donations received during the year and expected additional funds for the following year. Felt stated the new Librarian has been a great asset in her first year with locating and applying for grants available which have allowed for the new purchases and upgrades in the Library including the outdoor tables, standing sign and additional children’s seating. Proposed budget was received and will be approved with the Village budget at a later date.

Motion by T. Jones and second by S. Hanes to accept employee resignation from Patrick Shelton. Roll call: Ayes: J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald, S. Hanes. Nays: None. Absent M. McDonald. Motion carried.  Clerk Hedrick advised she has reposted the job opening.

Employee applications received to date were reviewed by the board. The board would like to continue to accept applications until a qualified applicant is located. 

Motion by T. Jones and second by J. McDonald to increase wages for assistant pool manager to $10.00 per hour. Roll call: Ayes: J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Abstain: S. Hanes. Absent M. McDonald. Motion carried. 

Motion by S. Hanes and second by J. McDonald to adopt Resolution 511 League Association of Risk Management Insurance Renewal. Roll call: Ayes: J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald, S. Hanes. Nays: None. Absent M. McDonald. Motion carried.

Building at 308 Bonner was discussed. The property has been declared a nuisance to be abated at an earlier date. Some cleanup is done each time a letter is sent however there still continues to be issues and it has been reported the roof is beginning to come off during strong winds. Clerk Hedrick was instructed to obtain quotes for demolition and or repair of the building and send another letter to the owner of the property informing them of the cost of remediation if they do not correct the issue on their own.

Fence permit at 405 Hartford was reviewed. Permit was tabled until after Park and Recreation Committee Report.

Employee Report: It was inquired as to why Utilities Superintendent Magley was not at the meeting. Trustee S. Hanes will speak with Magley regarding ensuring he is present at each meeting. It was also stated that we need to have an employee attend water operator training as to not put too much dependence on the Village of Trenton. The board would like to know if the purchase of millings have been arranged for street maintenance. Clerk Hedrick doesn’t believe any arrangements have been made at this time.

Streets, Ally and Landfill Report: Nothing new to report.

Electricity Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Water & Sewer Committee Report: Water samples have been taken to be tested and disinfection was started as a precaution due to the recent issues with one of the wells being un-operational. The notification was posted on the Village website, notification sent on the website app, notice posted on Facebook and posted on flyers in four physical locations in town and still many residents complained that they were unaware of the water restrictions. Clerk Hedrick will advertise information for the public about signing up for the app on the Village website which would be more beneficial in getting notifications to all residents quickly.

Finance Committee Report: Trustee Hanes stated the hydraulic pump was installed incorrectly in the trash truck and was damaged. A second hydraulic pump was purchased and is now installed correctly. The board agreed that until full staff was available again all vehicle maintenance items should be completed by local repair shops. Trash rates were discussed. Clerk Hedrick stated trash rates haven’t been increased in the past ten years. A new rates resolution will be available for review at the next regular board meeting.

Health & Welfare Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Park & Recreation Committee Report: The board inquired as to whether the park sprinklers had been turned back on. Clerk Hedrick will check with Magley and ensure they are.

Fence permit was taken from the table. A short recess was declared by Chairman Griffiths while information was gathered. Chairman Griffiths declared the meeting in order. Questions were asked and answered regarding the location of the fence permit for 405 Harford. Motion made by S. Hanes and second by J. McDonald to approve fence permit for 405 Hartford. Roll call: Ayes: T. Jones, J. McDonald, S. Hanes. Nays: None. Abstain: J. Griffiths. Absent M. McDonald. Motion carried.

Motion by S. Hanes and second by T. Jones to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 pm. Roll call: Ayes: J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald, S. Hanes. Nays: None. Absent M. McDonald. Motion carried.

The next gathering of the Village Board of Trustees will be for the budget workshop on August 4, 2022 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.

The next regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Monday, August 15, 2022 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.