March 18, 2024 Minutes

A meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:00 pm on Monday March 18, 2024 at the Village Office by Vice Chairman J. Griffiths. 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 Vice-Chairman Griffiths directed the attention of those present to the poster. All proceedings hereafter shown occurred while the meeting was in session.

Present: Trustee P. Bohochik, Trustee J. Stewart, Trustee J. Griffiths, Trustee M. McDonald. Also in attendance were: Utilities Superintendent M. Petersen, Clerk T. Hedrick, Assistant Utilities Superintendent C. Stout, and members of the public Sabrinna Morgan, Melissa Dailey, Barb Sydow, Patrick Shelton and Chester Bridge.

Motion by Griffiths and seconded by Bohochik to excuse Hanes from the current meeting. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Griffiths, McDonald. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion Carried.

OPEN FORUM:

Member of the public Patrick Shelton inquired about options available for water and sewer if there was a prolonged power outage. Utilities Superintendent Petersen stated there are generators for the water wells and lift station that would run for a couple days.

Motion by Bohochik and seconded by Stewart to approve the previous minutes, claims and treasurers report as presented. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Griffiths, McDonald. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion Carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Purchasing of safety equipment was discussed. Hedrick presented options with prices. Motion by Stewart and seconded by Griffiths to purchase up to $250.00 from Amazon for a three shelf metal first aid cabinet for the village shop and vehicle first aid kits for each village vehicle. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Griffiths, McDonald. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion Carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

Armor Coating bids were reviewed. Motion by Stewart and second by Griffiths to table until rates can be confirmed with companies. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Griffiths, McDonald. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion Carried.

Motion by Griffiths and seconded by McDonald to renew time deposit certificate 141042. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Griffiths, McDonald. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion Carried.

The possibility of enacting vacant property registration was discussed. Motion by Stewart and second by Griffiths to table until more discussion can take place with all board members present. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Griffiths, McDonald. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion Carried.

Solid waste rates were discussed. Clerk Hedrick advised the rates the Village pays for hauling service will be increasing. Motion by Stewart and second by Griffiths to adopt Resolution 532 increasing solid waste rates. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Griffiths, McDonald. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion Carried.

Clerk Hedrick advised there are 73 current dog registrations with approximately 25 unlicensed dogs. Hedrick advised she would be sending out final warnings and fines to the residents with unlicensed dogs.

Member of the public Sabrinna Morgan submitted plans to put pavers and flower planters along the torn out sidewalk at 511 Bailey. She also requested to put a small temporary ramp in the gutter along Hamilton Street to access the property from the north. Motion by Bohochik and second by Stewart to approve the ramp. Roll call: Ayes: Bohochik, Stewart, Griffiths, McDonald. Nays: None. Absent: Hanes. Motion Carried.

Employee Report: Utilities Superintendent Petersen advised Assistant Utilities Superintendent Stout would be attending water certification class in North Platte from the 26^th to the 28^th of March.  

Streets, Ally and Landfill Report: Utilities Superintendent Petersen advised that all of the metal and rock have been removed from the tree pit, as well as the tree limb pit burned.

Electricity Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Water & Sewer Committee Report: Utilities Superintendent Petersen advised a company would be sewer jetting Railway Street as well as the lift station.

Finance Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Health & Welfare Committee: Clerk Hedrick advised a safety committee meeting would need to take place soon and employees would be notified as to have the opportunity to be considered for committee members. Clerk Hedrick also inquired about nuisance properties and who would be creating the list of violations. It was agreed that Utilities Superintendent Petersen would provide a list of five violators each week. Member of the public Sabrinna Morgan inquired about feces in private yards. Clerk Hedrick advised there is no ordinance prohibiting it, however if it became offensive to the public health of nearby residents then it would be in violation. Trustee Stewart stated ordinance violations need to be a written complaint to help people be part of the solution and have more accountability.   

Park & Recreation Committee Report: Trustee Griffiths inquired if the park was ready for the Easter Egg Hunt. Superintendent Peterson advised it still needed work. Clerk Hedrick inquired about applying for a grant that would help cover cost of removing dead or diseased trees as well as replanting new trees. It was agreed that the Village should apply and Hedrick will work with Superintendent Petersen to create an estimate of needed work.

Vice-Chairman Griffiths declared the meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.

The next regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Monday April 15, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.