VILLAGE OF ELMWOOD
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
August 7,2023 – 7:00pm
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Meeting Held at Elmwood Village Office
The Village Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, August 2 ,2023. Chairperson Jared Blunt called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Blunt stated that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act was posted.
Roll Call: Becky Kicak, Renee Holland, Patric Euse, Heather Scott & Jared Blunt.
Minutes: Motion by Scott, second by Kicak to approve hearing and regular meeting minutes for July 5,2023. RCV: Yes: Approved 5-0
Claims and payroll: Motion by Euse, second by Scott to approve claims & payroll for July 13, 2023, July 31-August 1,2023 & August 2,2023. RCV: Yes: Approved 5-0
Claims Key: Contract Labor(CL), Electricity (E), Natural Gas (NG), Monthly Allotment (MA), Refuse (R), Fuel (F), Supplies (S) Publication (P), Telephone (T), Mile Reimbursement (MR), Labs (L), Attorney (A), Cellphone(CP), Postage(PO), Payroll Tax(PT), Capital Improvement(CI), Simple IRA(SI), Dues(D), Payroll (PR) Education (EDU) Workman’s Comp Audit (W) Petty Cash Reimbursement(PR)
Claims: Elmwood Public Library(MA) 2,500 Village of Elmwood(PR) 20.80 One Call Concepts(CL) 25.90 Core & Main(S) 4,365.39 Meeske Ace Hardware(S) 74.69 David Nuss(CL) 315 OPPD(E) 3,645.53 The Voice News(P) 167.43 Midwest Lab(L) 482.32 Mary’s Tax Service(CL) 105 Christensen Tree Service(CL) 4,510 Frontier Coop(F) 1,224.53 Tiger Shredding(CL) 600 HTM(CL) 7,515.56 Michael Todd Industrial Supply(S) 245.17 Cass County Refuse(R) 75 NE Public Health Lab(CL) 34 Layne Christensen(CL) 475 IRS(PT) 4,612.97 NE Dept. of Revenue(PT) 1,517.30 American Funds(SI) 642.76 Intuit QuickBooks(D) 22.75 Solheim Law Firm(A) 759.56 Windstream(T) 196.69 Black Hills Energy(NG) 193 Verizon(CP) 55.44 Copple GMC(CI)487.50 League of NE Municipalities(D) 2,623 Salary(PR) 13893.38
Park Account: Dustin West (Pie Ride Musician) 300
New Business
Discussion CCNEDC – Introduction & update from Josh Charvet
Discussion/Action 2023 – 2024 proposed Library Budget
Library is asking to increase their budget $4,000 to offset minimum wage increase and the overall supply increase. Scott made a motion to increase the library budget for 2023-2024 budget to $34,000, second by Euse. RCV: YES: Approved 5-0
Discussion/Action 2023 – 2024 Budget Workshop – Michael Hoback
Michael suggested looking into raising water & sewer rates due to the spending in water and sewer on repairs and the inflation of supplies. Our water and sewer reserves are getting low, and we don’t want to pull from other accounts. Water and Sewer funds should be self-sustainable. Michael suggested a 10% increase in water and sewer rates. The board has tried to avoid this increase for as long as they could. Overall, the budget looked good that Moriah supplied to Michael.
Discussion/Action Ordinance 2023-4 – Assign Board of Adjustment
Motion by Kicak, second by Scott to waive the 3 readings of Ordinance 2023-4 RCV: Yes: Approved 5-0
Heather read Ordinance 2023-4
Scott made a motion to approve Ordinance 2023-4 to approve the Village Board to act as the Board of Adjustment, second by Holland. RCV: Yes: Approved 5-0 Available in pamphlet form during regular business hours.
Discussion/Action Update on New Water Restrictions & fines
Current water restrictions will stay the same, but the water fines will be increased.
1st Warning 2nd $150 fine 3rd $300 fine 4th Water Shutoff
Motion by Scott, second by Kicak to approve the water fines as listed:
1st Notice: Warning 2nd Notice: $150 fine 3rd Notice: $300 fine 4th Notice: Water Shutoff
RCV: YES: Approved 5-0
Discussion/Action Brush site bids for mulching & possible closure
No Action – Future Agenda
Discussion/Action Rocking alley next to 210 North 3rd Street
Motion by Scott that the Alley is in good standing condition and doesn’t need rocked in the 22-23 budget year, second by Holland. RCV: Yes: Approved 5-0
Discussion/Action Tree Bid for removal at 224 East F Street
Kevin Confirmed that the tree is in the Village right of way. Motion by Holland to approve the tree bid of $2,420 from Christensen Tree Service, second by Kicak. RCV: Yes: Approved 5-0
Discussion/Action Resolution 08022023 – NE Dept. of Transportation’s Annual Certification
Patric read Resolution 08022023 – Certification of Annual Street Compliance.
Scott made a motion to approve Resolution 08022023, Second by Holland. RCV: YES: Approved 5-0
Discussion/Action 1 & 6 Year Street plan with JEO
Board reported no new projects and we will continue regular maintenance
Unfinished Business
Discussion/Action Ordinance 2023-3 – Updated Compensation pay schedule
Scott made a motion to waive the 3 readings of Ordinance 2023-3, second by Euse. RCV: YES: Approved 5-0
Kicak read Ordinance 2023-3 Motion by Scott to approve Ordinance 2023-3, second by Holland. RCV: YES: Approved 5-0
Available in pamphlet form during regular business hours.
Reports/Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Park: Pie Ride tomorrow with musician Dustin West
Water: New Meter in Well 5
Planning/Zoning: Next Meeting is August 14,2023 at 7:00pm
Public Comment: Anne Romshek – 210 South 2nd Street – In regards to water restrictions is that only for lawns? I have been saving sink water and bath water to water my garden and flowers outside.
Personnel:
Discussion/Action Kevin’s 6-month review
The village board said that Kevin is meeting expectations and to work on re-taking his water test.
Discussion/Action resignation of Jared Blunt
Jared read his resignation letter to the board and stated that August 2nd would be his last meeting to attend. Motion by Scott to post the trustee vacancy to finish out Jared’s term until December 2024 in the 3 public Noice locations, second by Euse. RCV: Yes: Approved 4-0 Abstained: Jared Blunt
Future Agenda:
Roof Leak Bid
Brush Site mulching bids
Ordinance to raise water/sewer Rates
Elmwood Community Association Park Projects
Approval to Pay 2024 Office Rent in full
Board Vacancy recommendation
re-organization of the Village Board
Adjournment: 9:08pm
