VILLAGE OF ELMWOOD
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
February 1,2023 – 7:00pm
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Meeting Held at Elmwood Village Office
The Village Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, February 1 ,2023. Chairperson Renee Holland called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. Holland stated that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act was posted.
Roll Call: Becky Kicak, Patric Euse, Heather Scott & Renee Holland Absent: Jared Blunt
Minutes: Kicak made a motion, second by Scott to approve meeting minutes for January 4,2022. RCV: Yes:
Approved 4-0
Claims and payroll: Scott made a motion, 2nd by Euse to approve claims & payroll for January 26-31,2023 & February 1,2023 RCV: Yes: Approved 4-0
Claims: Village of Elmwood(petty cash) $21.60, State treasurer of NE(dog/cat fees)$147.62, Black Hills Energy(natural gas)$1,423.26, Cornhusker Press(dog.cat tags)$90.50, Hotsy Equipment(supplies)$126.16, Midwest Labs(sewer samples)$135.29, WireBuilt(text alerts)$29, Southeast Area Clerks Association(Dues)$10, Mid-American Research Chemical(supplies)$214.25, NE Dept. of Revenue(payroll taxes/sales & use tax)$4,157.5, American Funds(simple IRA)$259.06, Intuit QuickBooks(Fees)$10.50, Cass County Refuse(dues)$75, Copple Chevrolet GMC(pickup)$48,475, Meeske Ace Hardware(supplies)$131.19, Consolidated Water Solutions(supplies)$250.87, Ed Blunt(Mile reimbursement)$36.96, Microsoft Office(dues)$106.99, TACSS(dues)$340, Elmwood Public Library(allotment)$5,000, KCCB(dues)$100, EMMA(dues)$25, U.S. Postal Service(supplies)$604.80, Windstream(telephone)$197.60, OPPD(electricity)$3,572.60, NE Public Health Enviro Lab(water samples)$46, IIMC(dues)$185, Quill(supplies)$485.33, MADS INC.(contract labor)$200, Verizon Wireless(cell phone)$55.55, Custom Cooling & Heating, Inc.(contract labor)$3,318, NE Snow Equipment(supplies)$44, Rice’s Auto Repair(contract labor)$354.24,Lincoln Journal Star(publication)$126.04, Village of Elmwood(petty cash reimbursement)$46.93, IRS(payroll tax)$1,474.74, NE Dept of Labor(payroll tax)$18.25, Salary $9,679.63.
New Business
Discussion/Action 212 West F Street meter upgrade options – Monthly opt out fee
The board members said they watched the video that was dated 2017 that was submitted for their viewing from Brian and Rita. Kicak said that our water meters aren’t comparable with the high frequency meters in the video. Our water meters are only read once a month and doesn’t continuously read every day. The board has tried to work with the homeowners but after consulting with our town attorney the board has decided to not set a opt out fee and is making a final decision that it is mandatory for everyone in Elmwood to upgrade their water meter to a radio read meter.
Scott made a motion after further discussion to not offer a opt out fee and that it will be mandatory for everyone to upgrade their water meters with the radio read meters, if the homeowner isn’t compliant by the given date for their meter upgrade then their water will be shut off until they are in compliance and the shut off fee will be at the home owners expense, second by Kicak. RCV: YES: Approved 4-0
Discussion/Action Review Nuisance process with Attorney - Solheim Law Firm
David Solheim was present to go over what the typical process is for non-compliant nuisances that the homeowners don’t correct. The nuisances are to be brought to the board if they are a nuisance and the board then will declare it a nuisance and further actions will be taken.
Discussion/Action RO System Funds
We were approved to receiving funds on replacing the filters for our RO System, but Moriah is going to look further into this since we just replaced our filters. Motion by Euse for Moriah to move forward in accepting the funds for the Reverse Osmosis membrane replacement project, second by Kicak. RCV: YES: Approved 4-0
Discussion/Action what to do with the old street Christmas Lights
Scott made a motion to post the Christmas lights for sealed bids with a starting bid of $100 with a close date of March 31st, second by Kicak. RCV: YES: Approved 4-0
Discussion/Action what to do with old village pickup truck and plow
Euse made a motion to post the 1994 Chevy 2500 series, 4-wheel drive with the western 8’ pro snowplow at a starting bid of $1000 with a closing date of March 31st, 2023, second by Scott. RCV: YES: Approved 4-0
Discussion/Action Notice for Summer Helper
Board reviewed the Summer Helper Notice that Moriah provided and said they would like to raise the minimum wage so that there is interest in even applying for it. Scott made a motion to increase the minimum wage of the summer helper to $12/hour, second by Kicak. RCV: YES: Approved 4-0
Discussion/Action Village board review Ordinance for pools/spas – P&Z
Board would like P&Z to make some changes before they consider turning it into an ordinance.
Discussion/Action Moriah’s vacation request for July 2023
Moriah is requesting 2 weeks in July for Vacation. Kicak made a motion to approve the vacation time requests in July 2023, second by Scott. RCV: YES: Approved 4-0
Discussion/Action Draft Letter for people that don’t schedule meter installs
Board reviewed the letter that Moriah drafted for any meter issues and Moriah suggested that it would be 1st notice, 2nd notice and then orange tag for shut off. Scott made a motion to approve the notice letter with said changes to be made to it, second by Euse. RCV: YES: Approved 4-0
Unfinished Business
Discussion/Action 209 South 3rd Street meter change out action
Board discussed the matter and said we have made numerous attempts with reaching put to the residents at 209 South 3rd Street on getting an actual meter read instead of estimating and per our attorney’s advice we are now to shut off water due to noncompliance of a proper monthly meter read.
Reports/Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Library: Scott made a motion to approve January 30,2023 Bills and Payroll, second by Kicak. RCV:YES: Approved 4-0
Library Claims & Payroll: Elmwood Public Library(petty cash reimbursement)$13.95, Amazon(books/supplies)$973.41, Anne Pope(Reimbursement)$236.31, OPPD(electricity)$74.57, Windstream(phone)$48.60, Black Hills Energy(natural gas)$70.12, NE Dept. of Revenue(payroll tax)$230.84, NE Dept. of Labor(payroll tax)$2.30, United States Treasury(payroll tax)$6.90, Intuit QuickBooks(dues)$3.50, Salary $1,006.09
Streets: Moriah will get the new truck insured and licensed. Kevin reported that the rock spreader needs new hinges replaced on it. Kevin will get a estimate from his son on welding on new hinges installed.
Water: New furnace was installed at the water treatment plant.
Sewer: Still trouble shooting the ongoing issues with the new sewer pump not running. Ed has a continuing ed class in Ashland on February 15,2023 and Kevin will tag along.
Planning/Zoning: Next Meeting is February 20,2023 at 7:00pm
Correspondence: KCCB sent a thank you for renewing our membership with them.
Future Agenda:
Roof Leak Bid
Declaring Nuisance Properties
Pool & Spa Ordinance
Adjournment: 8:28pm