December 15, 2025 Minutes

A meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:01 pm on Monday December 15, 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, Trustee P. Bohochik. Also in attendance were: Utilities Superintendent J. McCorkle, Assistant Utilities Superintendent C. Stout, Clerk T. Hedrick, and member of the public Jen Moore.

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

OPEN FORUM:

No public comment made.

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

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Motion by Stewart and second by Hanes to approve Resolution 547 Solid Waste Rate Increase. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Stewart, Moore, Windecker, Bohochik. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Ordinance was introduced and read on Permit of Use of Village Streets and Property and trustees discussed proposed ordinance. Motion by Hanes and seconded by Stewart to approve first reading of Ordinance to Allow for Permit of Use of Village Streets and Property. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Stewart, Moore, Windecker, Bohochik. Nays: None. Motion carried of first reading of Ordinance and second reading scheduled for the next regular board of trustees meeting.

Discussion on purchase of additional security cameras at the Public Works building. Business is looking into doing updates to already owned equipment prior to quotes on new equipment.

Nuisance Properties- Unsafe Buildings: Bid received from Miller and Associates for around $1500 per inspection. The board discussed other possible options.

NEW BUSINESS:

Board of Trustees code of ethics and conduct was reviewed and acknowledgments were signed by trustees.

Board Reorganization:

Nominations were opened for Chairperson. Hanes was nominated by Stewart and second by Windecker. With no further nominations, nominations were closed. Roll call to appoint Hanes as chairperson. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Windecker, Bohochik, Stewart, Moore. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Nominations were opened for Vice Chair. Bohochik was nominated by Hanes and second by Windecker. With no further nominations, nominations were closed. Roll call to appoint Bohochik as vice chairperson. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Windecker, Stewart, Moore. Nays: Bohochik. Motion carried.

Motion by Stewart and second by Hanes to select MNB Bank as our Financial Institution. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Windecker, Bohochik, Stewart, Moore. Nays: None. Motion carried. With no objection there will be no changes with the required number of signatures, to deposit funds, withdraw funds, or transfer funds and to take any other action to transact other business with the Village of Stratton Financial Accounts at MNB Bank: currently Chairman Shawn Hanes, Vice-Chairman Bohochik, Trustee Rick Moore, Trustee Justin Stewart, Trustee Hillary Alexis Windecker and Clerk/ Treasurer Tara Hedrick. In addition Deputy Clerk Dolores Burk shall have access to obtain information on all accounts as well as access to safe deposit boxes.

Motion by Hanes and second by Stewart to retain Schroeder & Schroeder, P.C. as our Attorney. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Windecker, Bohochik, Stewart, Moore. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Windecker and second by Moore to select AMGL, P.C. as our auditor. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Windecker, Bohochik, Stewart, Moore. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Stewart and second by Windecker to select Miller & Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C. as our engineer. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Windecker, Bohochik, Stewart, Moore. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Hanes and second by Stewart to select David Blau, Class A, License # S-1653 with Miller & Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C. as our street superintendent. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Windecker, Bohochik, Stewart, Moore. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Stewart and second by Windecker to appoint Tara Hedrick as Clerk and Treasurer. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Windecker, Bohochik, Stewart, Moore. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Windecker and second Bohochik to select Scoop Media News as our newspaper. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Windecker, Bohochik, Stewart, Moore. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Hanes and second by Stewart 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: Hanes, Windecker, Bohochik, Stewart, Moore. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Stewart and second by Hanes to have the following committee organization: Streets, Alleys & Landfill: Moore and Windecker; Electricity: Moore and Bohochik; Water & Sewer: Bohochik and Stewart; Finance: Hanes and Windecker; Health & Welfare: Hanes and Stewart; Park & Recreation: Moore and Bohochik; Safety: Hanes and Stewart. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Windecker, Bohochik, Stewart, Moore. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Motion by Hanes and second by Stewart to give wage adjustment of $350 to Utilities Superintendent McCorkle; $350 to Clerk Hedrick; $250 to Assistant Utilities Superintendent Stout; $250 to Deputy Clerk Burk; $150 to Custodian Stout; and $150 to Librarian Faimon. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Windecker, Bohochik, Stewart, Moore. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Employee evaluations were reviewed. Motion by Hanes and second by Stewart to increase Utilities Superintendent McCorkle, Assistant Utilities Superintendent Stout, Clerk Hedrick, Deputy Clerk Burk, and Custodian Stout hourly wage by $0.75 each; in addition increase Utilities Superintendent McCorkle by and additional $1.00 per hour upon receiving approval of water operator certification. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Windecker, Bohochik, Moore, Stewart. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Current benefits discussed. Motion by Stewart and second by Hanes to provide $650 monthly stipend for each full time employee and 3% matching retirement contribution for qualifying employees. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Windecker, Bohochik, Stewart, Moore. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Employee Report: Chairman Hanes reminded employees to continue to stay professional when dealing with members of the public. Hanes also thanked employees for their work this year. Stewart agreed stating he hasn’t heard as many complaints from the public recently.

Streets, Ally and Landfill Report: McCorkle reported due to a recent leak there may need to be some major repairs to Nebraska Avenue. McCorkle will follow up with Figgens Construction on when they would be available next spring.

Electricity Committee Report: McCorkle will be addressing a few small maintenance issues around town. Hanes inquired about electric pole testing.

Water & Sewer Committee Report: Discussion on water main leak on Nebraska Avenue that was recently repaired.

Finance Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Health & Welfare Committee Report: Nothing new to report.

Park & Recreation Committee Report: Stewart discussed options available for security cameras for Pitner Park.

Motion by Hanes and seconded by Stewart to adjourn the meeting. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Stewart, Windecker, Moore, Bohochik. Nays: None. Motion carried and meeting adjourned at 7:56 pm.

The next regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday January 20, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.