September 18, 2023 Minutes

A regular meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:02 pm on Monday September 18, 2023 at the Village Clerk’s Office by Chairman S. Hanes. Notice of the meeting was posted in three public places 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 Hanes directed the attention of those present to the poster. All proceedings hereafter shown occurred while the meeting was in session.

Present: Trustee S. Hanes, Trustee K. Sutton, Trustee J. Griffiths, Trustee M. McDonald. Also in attendance were: Utilities Superintendent M. Petersen, Clerk T. Hedrick, Deputy Clerk D. Burk, Assistant Utilities Superintendent C. Stout, members of the public Wade Hanes, Melissa Dailey, Sabrinna Morgan, Linda Zahl, Terra Riggs and Chet Bridge.

Motion made by Griffiths and seconded by Hanes to excuse Bohochik from the current regular board of Trustees meeting. Roll call: Ayes: Griffiths, Sutton, McDonald, Hanes. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik. Motion Carried.

OPEN FORUM:

Trustee Griffiths addressed the board and public that she thinks it’s a good idea to remain courteous and respectful and there are complaint forms available on website if needed.

Member of the public Sabrinna Morgan stated she put in a complaint about the dump road. Board members informed her that the issue would be discussed during the line item regarding it.

Member of the public Wade Hanes addressed many concerns he had with board and staff conduct as well as his intentions on his requests. 

Trustee McDonald expressed his concern over fences in town without approved permits. Trustee McDonald also inquired as to when a survey would take place.

Motion by Griffith and seconded by Hanes to approve the previous minutes, claims and treasurers report as presented. Trustee McDonald stated a point of order regarding them not being accurate.   Discussion was had regarding accuracy of recording the previous minutes. It was mentioned that all items were received by the board members the prior Friday and board members had a chance to review them. Chairman Hanes called for roll call. Roll call: Ayes: Griffiths, Hanes, Sutton. Nays: McDonald. Motion Carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Utilities Superintendent Petersen reviewed the location and access to 915 Bailey. Petersen stated we would need to give Southwest Public Power the authority to provide electric utilities to the residence and they would call back once they spoke with the director. Petersen advised the resident would then not be our customer for electricity.

Member of the public Sabrinna Morgan advised the Village had done some work on tree dump road, but took out gravel and there are large concreate blocks that are needing moved as well as the grass road hadn’t been touched. Sabrinna presented pictures to Chairman Hanes. Superintendent Petersen stated they need the grader from the County. Sabrinna advised there are also tree limbs in the wrong area.

NEW BUSINESS:

Motion by McDonald and seconded by Hanes to approve Resolution 526 to Approve 1% Budget Increase. Roll Call:  Ayes: Griffiths, Sutton, McDonald, Hanes. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik Motion Carried.

Resolution 526 to Approve 1% Budget Increase

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CHAIRPERSON AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF STRATTON, NEBRASKA: The Village Board of Stratton hereby approves an additional 1% increase on the total 2022-2023 fiscal year funds subject to limitation by law for the fiscal year 2023-2024.

PASSED AND APPROVED ON THIS 18^TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2023.

Motion by McDonald and second by Griffiths to approve Resolution 527 - Property Tax Request Resolution. Roll call: Ayes: McDonald, Hanes, Griffiths, Sutton. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik. Motion Carried.

Resolution 527 – Resolution Setting the Property Tax Request

WHEREAS, Nebraska Revised Statute 77-1632 and 77-1633 provides that the Governing Board of the Village of Stratton passes by a majority vote a resolution or ordinance setting the tax request; and

WHEREAS, a special public hearing was held as required by law to hear and consider comments concerning the property tax request;

NOW, THEREFORE, Governing Body of the Village of Stratton, resolves that:

1. The 2022-2023 property tax request be set at $85122.80.

2. The total assessed value of property differs from last year’s total assessed value by 39.19 percent.

3 The tax rate which would levy the same amount of property taxes as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of property, would be 0.328845 per $100 of assessed value.

4. The Village of Stratton proposes to adopt a property tax request that will cause its tax rate to be $.449993 per $100 of assessed value.

5. Based on the proposed property tax request and changes in other revenue, the total operating budget of Village of Stratton will increase (or decrease) last year’s budget by 4.48 percent.

6. A copy of this resolution be certified and forwarded to the County Clerk on or before October 15, 2023.

Dated this 18^th day of September 2023.

Motion by Griffiths and second by Hanes to waive the three readings for Ordinance 216. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Griffiths, Sutton. Nays: McDonald. Absent: Bohochik. Motion failed.

Motion by Hanes second by Griffiths to approve 2023-2024 Budget Ordinance not valid due to not meeting ¾ vote to suspend the rules to wave the three readings of an ordinance.

First reading of 2023-2024 Budget Ordinance completed.

Member of the public Wade Hanes stated he would like to withdraw his request for agenda item regarding access to property at Hartford and Boyle to get weeds mowed until survey is complete.

Trustee Sutton submitted to the Clerk’s Office a list of properties in violation of high weeds or grass ordinance. Properties in violation and sending out nuisance letters discussed. Motion by Griffiths and second by Hanes to send out nuisance letters to the list of properties in violation. Roll call: Ayes: McDonald, Hanes, Griffiths, Sutton. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik. Motion Carried.

The need of a time clock was discussed. It was noted that a time station app with GPS was being used. Discussion had regarding times that the office was closed.

Trustee Sutton advised he recently moved outside of Village limits and submitted his letter of resignation from the Stratton Board of Trustees. Motion by Hanes and second by Griffiths to accept Sutton’s resignation. Roll call: Ayes: McDonald, Hanes, Griffiths, Sutton. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik. Motion Carried.

Chairman Hanes declared notice of vacancy on the Stratton Board of Trustees.

Employee Report: Nothing new to report.

Streets, Ally and Landfill Report: Street projects and concerns discussed. Member of the public Mellissa Dailey inquired about the survey for the street. Chairman Hanes advised Miller & Associates is scheduled for October.

Electricity Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Water & Sewer Committee Report: Utilities Superintendent Petersen stated we received a shipment of 100 radio read water meters and have begun installing them and will continue over the winter. Petersen advised no update on water tower inspection.

Finance Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Health & Welfare Committee Report: Trustee McDonald inquired about status of flood victim’s property. Assistant Utilities Superintendent Stout and Chairman Hanes both advised repairs are going well. Petersen stated business on Railway continues to report sewer concerns, however his opinion is it’s on the resident’s side of the line.

Park & Recreation Committee Report: Trustee Griffiths inquired about dog stations. Petersen reported they weren’t installed yet. Discussion on sprinkler system repairs. Deputy Clerk Burk inquired about cleanup of graffiti.

Correspondence: Chairman Hanes summarized letter from Dave Adams due to vulgar language. Discussion regarding insurance claim.

Motion made by Griffiths and second by McDonald to adjourn the meeting. Roll call: Ayes: Griffiths, McDonald, Hanes. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik. Motion Carried and meeting adjourned at 7:56 pm.

The next regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Monday October 16, 2023 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.