December 19, 2022 Minutes

A meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was held on Monday December 19, 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 T. Jones, Trustee J. McDonald, Trustee, S. Hanes, Trustee M. McDonald, Utilities Superintendent M. Petersen, Clerk T. Hedrick, Deputy Clerk D. Burk, Assistant Utilities Superintendent E. Barbour, Bill Edelman with Dutton-Lainson, and members of the public Wade Hanes, Bill Zahl and Mellissa Dailey.

 

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

 

OPEN FORUM:

Mellissa Dailey questioned the board regarding the status of generator for the water well. Utilities Superintendent Petersen explained that we had a generator available and capable of running the wells. Wade Hanes expressed concern that he heard that FEMA required us to have a generator that would kick on automatically. The board was unware of any rules of that kind but will look into it. It was noted that there was a generator donated years ago to stay at the location and was destroyed from rodents.

 

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

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Bill Edelman addressed the board and presented information on radio read meters from Dutton-Lainson. Information was reviewed and questions answered. Motion by S. Hanes and seconded by M. McDonald to approve purchase of presented equipment from Dutton Lainson up to the amount of the state funds received. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Ordinance to annex the SE 1/4 of Section 12, T2N, R35W of the 6th P.M. in Hitchcock County, Nebraska (503 County Avenue) was introduced by M. McDonald and seconded by T. Jones to approve the first reading. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Motion carried and first reading completed.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Motion by M. McDonald and seconded by J. Griffiths to accept the Certificate of Election of the November 8, 2022 General Election, as certified by the County Clerk, and place on file. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, T. Jones, J. McDonald. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Oath of Office was administered to Kyle Sutton.

Oath of Office was administered to Paul Bohochik.

 

Board Reorganization:

Nominations were opened for Chairperson. S. Hanes was nominated. With no further nominations, nominations were closed. Roll call to appoint S. Hanes as chairperson. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Nominations were opened for Vice Chair. J. Griffiths was nominated. With no further nominations, nominations were closed. Roll call to appoint J. Griffiths as vice chairperson. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Motion by M. McDonald and second by S. Hanes to select MNB Bank as our Financial Institution. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Motion by S. Hanes and second by J. Griffiths to retain Schroeder & Schroeder, P.C. as our Attorney. Roll call: Ayes: S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: M. McDonald. Motion carried.

 

Motion by S. Hanes and second by J. Griffiths to select Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway & Luth, P.C. as our auditor. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Motion by M. McDonald and second by S. Hanes to select Miller & Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C. as our engineer. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Motion by M. McDonald and second by S. Hanes to select Chris Miller License Number S-1091 Class A with Miller & Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C. as our street superintendent. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Motion by M. McDonald and second by S. Hanes to appoint Tara Hedrick as Clerk and Treasurer. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Motion by J. Griffiths and second M. McDonald to select Hitchcock County News as our newspaper. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Motion by M. McDonald and second by S. Hanes that the Village of Stratton Board of Trustees will meet at the Village Office at 411 Bailey in Stratton, NE in the conference room 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: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Motion by S. Hanes and second by K. Sutton to have the following committee organization: Streets, Alleys & Landfill: P. Bohochik and M. McDonald; Electricity: M. McDonald, K. Sutton and P. Bohochik; Water & Sewer: K. Sutton and S. Hanes; Finance: S. Hanes and J. Griffiths; Health & Welfare: K. Sutton and S. Hanes; Park & Recreation: M. McDonald and P. Bohochik. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried. Collar

 

Motion made by M. McDonald and second by P. Bohochik to give the following wage adjustments: Superintendent $300, Assistant Superintendent $125, Clerk $225, Deputy Clerk $125, Custodian $75 and Librarian $75. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Motion by S. Hanes and second by M. McDonald to increase the Clerk hourly wage by $2.00 per hour. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by M. McDonald and second by S. Hanes to increase the Deputy Clerk hourly wage by $1.50 per hour. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by M. McDonald and second by S. Hanes to increase the Custodian hourly wage by $0.50 per hour Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by S. Hanes and second by M. McDonald to increase the Assistant Utilities Superintendent hourly wage by $0.50 per hour contingent upon providing documentation of valid driver operator’s permit. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Motion by J. Griffiths and second by M. McDonald to provide $545 monthly stipend for each full time employee and match up to 3% per employee retirement contribution. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Dog attack complaint was reviewed. Board inquired as to who signed the complaint as it was illegible. Clerk Hedrick advised Louis Hoak turned the complaint into the office. It was noted that this same animal was listed in another complaint in April of this year. Sutton requested that the listed witness be contacted to provide more information regarding the alleged attack. Motion by M. McDonald and second by S. Hanes to table the complaint until more information can be obtained. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

Employee Report:

Motion by J. Griffiths and second by M. McDonald to enter executive session to prevent the needless injury to the reputation of an individual. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried. Executive session entered at 8:22pm to prevent the needless injury to the reputation of an individual. Motion by S. Hanes and second by J. Griffiths to leave executive session for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual and enter back into open session. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried. Open session entered at 8:32pm. Chairman S. Hanes stated that Village has the right to access property to complete needed work. Wade Hanes presented a letter written by Sheri Johnson regarding diverted water on her property. Wade Hanes also stated he requested a prior employee complete clean up on the property. Chairman S. Hanes clarified that the complaint was for trespassing onto property that he had requested work completed on.

Complaint on unauthorized driving was placed on file.

Skid Steer usage and lease was reviewed. More options will be discussed at the lease renewal in March.

 

Streets, Alleys, & Landfill Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

 

Electricity Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

 

Water & Sewer Committee Report: McDonald inquired about the repair of the water hydrant on Railway Street. Member of the public Bill Zahl stated he believed there was a leak on First Avenue and another on Veteran’s Highway that may need repaired.

 

Finance Committee Report: Clerk Hedrick inquired if the board would like to review the water and sewer rate study as no action was taken last month. The board advised to put it on the agenda for the next regular meeting. Deputy Clerk asked for clarification on what information the board would like included in the treasurers report each month.

 

Health & Welfare Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

 

Park & Recreation Committee Report: McDonald asked if the park sprinklers had been winterized this fall. Assistant Utilities Superintendent Barbour confirmed that they had.

 

Motion made by M. McDonald and second by J. Griffiths to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m. Roll call: Ayes: M. McDonald, S. Hanes, J. Griffiths, P. Bohochik, K. Sutton. Nays: None. Motion carried.

 

The next regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.

 

December 2022 Claims
Vendor	Description	Amount
City of McCook	Trash charge	$1,146.53
Culligan Water Conditioning	Monthly Rental	$36.93
D.A. Davidson	Water Bond Payment	$1,650.00
D.A. Davidson	Water Bond Payment	$2,541.00
D.A. Davidson	Water Bond Payment	$5,531.50
Eakes	Supplies	$86.87
Farmers Cooperative Grain & Supply	Fuel	$2,968.90
Great Plains Communication	Phone Service	$454.19
Hitchcock County Treasurer	General Election costs	$123.55
League Builders Supply	Supplies	$93.02
Michael Petersen	Reimbursement	$259.38
Nebraska Child Support Payment Center	Employee Withholding	$476.66
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy	Training and Certification	$230.00
Nebraska Interactive LLC	Overpayment Reimbursement	$2,066.51
Owens Implement & Supply	Supplies	$144.28
Schroeder & Schroeder	Professional Services	$1,181.25
Scoop Media	Publications	$103.14
Southwest Public Power District	Power cost	$251.63
Storey Kenworthy	Utility Bills	$469.77
Stratton Auto Parts	Equipment Maintenance	$39.48
Stratton Country Market	Supplies	$15.48
TD Ameritrade	Retirement Contribution	$333.74
US Bank	Books, Fuel & Payroll Fee	$462.80
USPS	Postage	$192.00
Verizon	Cell Phone Service	$158.86
Village of Trenton	Trash Truck Rental	$479.38
Mandatory Disbursements:
Aflac	Employee Withholding	$120.06
MNB- Stratton	ACH Fees	$38.27
Nebraska Department of Revenue	Sales Tax	$2,087.54
Payroll
Gross Salaries- (November 1-30)	Salaries	$11,716.53
Social Security	Employer Contribution	$724.53
Medicare	Employer Contribution	$169.45
Total Claims		$21,496.85
Total Mandatory Disbursements		$2,245.87
Total Payroll		$12,610.51
Total Claims Report		$36,353.23