October 20, 2025 Minutes

A meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:00 pm on Monday October 20, 2025 at the Village Office by Chairman S. Hanes. Notice of the meeting was posted in three public places: Village Clerk’s Office, MNB Bank Stratton, and United States Post Office Stratton. 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 J. Stewart, Trustee H.A. Windecker, Trustee K.R. Moore. Also in attendance were: Assistant Utilities Superintendent C. Stout, Clerk T. Hedrick, David Blau with Miller & Associates, and member of the public Sabrinna Morgan, Linda Zahl, Jen Moore and Shawn Terwiliger.

Motion by Hanes and seconded by Stewart to excuse the absence of P. Bohochik from the current regular board meeting. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik. Motion carried.           

OPEN FORUM:

Member of the Public Sabrinna Morgan spoke about positive feedback she has been hearing regarding maintenance around town.

Member of the public Shawn Terwilliger spoke about Boyle Street, south of Howland Street and the lack of maintenance for several years. Terwilliger asked that the road be closed. Board members advised it would be taken under consideration for review of maintenance or vacating.

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

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Discussion on consideration of horses as prohibited animals. With no objection horse ordinance will remain as it currently is.

Resubmitted building permit for 510 Scarber was reviewed. Motion by Stewart and seconded by Hanes to approve building permit for 510 Scarber Street as currently presented. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

Public Hearing regarding 1&6 Year Street Improvement open at 7:09pm. David Blau with Miller & Associates presented the proposed plan and reviewed street projects. Discussion on Boyle Street. Public Hearing closed at 7:18.

Motion by Hanes and seconded by Stewart to approve Resolution 544 Adoption of 1&6 Year Street Improvement Program as presented. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik. Motion carried.

Discussion on rental of Village land for private use. Motion by Stewart and seconded by Windecker to approve renting ballfield land for public auction with $100 deposit required. Discussion on what would be included as a public auction. Motion by Hanes and seconded by Stewart to amend the motion to replace public auction with Sutton auction. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik. Motion carried on amendment. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik. Motion carried on original motion. Consideration of conditions of the ballfield land for public rental and use will be discussed at the next regular meeting.

Motion by Stewart and seconded by Hanes to approve fence permit at 1008 Railway Street as presented. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik. Motion carried.

Complaint regarding alley at 205 Hamilton was reviewed. It was noted that the alley has been worked on several times over the past few months. No further action taken. Normal maintenance will continue.

Tools and Supplies Procurement: Quote for street sweeper was reviewed. Discussion on possible modifications to the currently owned street sweeper were discussed. Discussion on options for security cameras. Utilities Superintendent McCorkle was not present at the current meeting to discuss other items requested. Tool and Supplies Procurement will be postponed until the next regular meeting.

Items submitted for consideration of declaration of surplus were discussed. Ditch mower, street sweeper and transformers were removed from the list. Motion by Stewart and second by Hanes to approve Resolution 545 declaring items surplus property: Scrap iron, three point mower, three point blade, Honda ATV “Big Red” and authorizing disposal of same. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik. Motion carried.

Quote for scanning services for document management was reviewed. More research will be completed on other options available.

Employee Report: Nothing new to report.

Streets, Ally and Landfill Report: Member of the public, Sabrinna Morgan requested that the alley behind her property be looked at for maintenance needs. Trustee Windecker suggested that the Nebraska Department of Transportation be contacted regarding excess millings they may be auctioning off.

Electricity Committee Report: Member of the public Linda Zahl stated there was a street light out near the old school.

Water & Sewer Committee Report: Due to staff changes the Village of Trenton was recently updated on mutually owned sewer jetter. There were issues locating a copy of the interlocal agreement. A new agreement may need to be drafted.

Finance Committee Report: Clerk Hedrick informed the board that a grant was received from the Stratton Community Foundation to purchase new Christmas lights to decorate the Village water tower, and the Stratton Area Chamber of Commerce has agreed to host a lighting event.

Health & Welfare Committee: Nothing new to report.

Park & Recreation Committee Report: Placement of security cameras at the public park was discussed due to continued vandalism of the restrooms and park benches. Clerk Hedrick informed the board that $466 has been received in donations from local residents fundraising efforts. The residents would like to see the money go towards purchasing stairs for the public swimming pool. New stairs were priced at approximately $6500. David Blau advised that the Village of Indianola may have stairs for sale that didn’t fit their swimming pool. Contact will be made with Indianola Clerk.

Motion by Hanes and seconded by Stewart to adjourn the meeting. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Stewart, Windecker, Moore. Nays: None. Absent: Bohochik. Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 8:06 pm.

The next regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Monday November 17, 2025 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.