VILLAGE OF ELMWOOD
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
January 8,2024 7 PM
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES
Meeting Held at Elmwood Village Office
The Village Board of Trustees met in regular session on Wednesday, January 8, 2024. Chair Person, Renee Holland, called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Holland stated that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act was posted.
Roll Call: Becky Kicak, Patric Euse, Tony Greise, & Renee Holland, Heather Scott all present
Consent agenda: Scott motioned to approve the consent agenda, Euse seconded the motion. RCV: 5-0 ayes, Motion carried
Claims Key: Bond Debt(BD)Contract Labor(CL), Electricity (E), Education(ED)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), Engineer (EN) , Sales Tax (ST), Truck Repair (TR), Dog License (DL), Street Surface Supplies (SSS), Tech. Repair (TR) Tech. purchase (TP), Debt Service (DS)
Claims: IRS (PT)2924.33, NE Dept of Rev (PT)1615.44, American Funds (SI) 420.64, Payroll(PR)9901.79, BlackHills(NG)1003.48, C-Store (F)204.85, TACSS(D)198, USPS(PO)297, HOA(CL)2613, KCCB(D)125, Core&Main(S)346.67, Meeske(S)150.02, Consolidated(CL)2830, WireBuilt(D)29, WinWater(S)67.57, AMGL(Audit)3780, Copple(TR)267.07, Cline Williams(A)96, Verizon(CP)55.68, PeopleService(CL)650, Mary’s Tax Service(D)420, Solheim(A)750, Midwest Lab(L)357.55, CC Refuse(R)75, USABlueBook(S)50.30, One Call(D)25.14, Windstream(T)200.38, Electrical Contractions(CL)1839.80, NE Lab(L)46, HTM(CL)11103.75, OPPD(E)3991.58, MARC(S)298.75, NE Generator Service(CL)1058.12, Menards(S)51.26, Voice(P)12.12
Public Comment Period none
New Business
Discussion/Action lifting the abatement and condemnation status on 321 East D Street- new owners plan to restore
Kevin Kozeny here to discuss and give a brief history on past purchases w/ Reinke’s properties. Recently purchased 209 and 321 East D Street in Elmwood and plans to renovate for family. Holland noted that she was unsure of purchase and renovation limits but is assuming his plans are acceptable and is happy with the improvements and progress being made. Mr. Kozeny noted that he was unaware that the home was condemned when he purchased it and has since been dropped from his insurance. He is requested that the abatement be lifted so he can get insurance and continue with construction. He notes that progress with likely look worse before it looks better but welcomes communication and feedback from the village. Kicak read the order on declaration of nuisance and order to abate aloud. Scott motioned to approve suspending the declaration of nuisance and order to abate dated November 1, 2023 until December 31, 2025. Euse seconded the motion. RCV: 5-0 ayes, motion carried.
Discussion/Action setting a franchise fee for Black Hills Energy- 25 year renewal
The village attorney has reviewed the Black Hills Energy franchise agreement. Discussed what it would mean for the village residents if the village added a franchise fee to the agreement with Black Hills Energy. Euse concerned about negative feedback from residents. Discussion continued. The additional income could help take the edge off of water increases. Scott motioned to look further into the process of adding a franchise fee to the agreement, Greise seconded. RCV: 5-0 ayes, motion carried.
Discussion/Action closing of current brush pile location due to Lower Platte South NRD using it for staging a construction project, and options for the future
Holland explained the temporary closure of the brush pile. Asked for other options of places to hold brush. Board does not feel that the previous location near the wastewater treatment plant is an option. Euse states that the duration of the closure shouldn’t be a reason to open a temporary site. Holland notes that the board will re-open the brush pile as the time comes and use it as an opportunity to re-open with rules, regulations and a dump structure. No action taken. Move to future agenda item.
Discussion/Action Alicia vacation June 12th-18th,2025
Scott motioned to approve, Euse seconded. RVC: 5-0 ayes, motion carried
Discussion/Action Bid to replace ball valves on pumps+labor for the sewer plant
Huxhold outlined the benefits of installing these valves for ease of maintenance. Greise motioned to approve valve & installation; Scott seconded. RCV: 5-0 ayes, motion carried
Discussion/Action approve the purchase of new printer for water plant
The board reviewed the different printer options. Scott motioned to approve HP LaserJet4001N, not to exceed $359+50 for variance or warranty, Euse seconded. RCV: 5-0 ayes, motion carried.
Discussion/Action Kevin attending continuing education classes in Wahoo on 1/28 & 1/29
Scott motioned to approve Huxhold attending CE classes 1/28 & 1/29, Kicak seconded. RCV: 5-0 ayes, motion carried
Discussion/Action Emergency Addition to agenda made by Chairperson Renee Holland; bid to replace heaters at the sewer plant
Huxhold reviewed the proposal and plan to install new heaters. Scott motioned to approve proposal details, Euse seconded. RCV: 5-0 ayes, motion carried
Reports/Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Library: next meeting 2/3 at 7 PM
Park: ECA needs to be contacted to remove lights and clean up the park
Streets: lights to be removed on 1/13. Signs posted that brush pile is closed. Huxhold notes that where the trailor is parked at the dead end of C Street is going to be an issue for snow removal.
Water: No update from JEO on water project and funding. Greise suggested contacting JEO to see if we can get a model of Generator that will work for now and for future use. Contractor working on watermain leak on 5th street had to push an abandoned vehicle out of the way. Owner needs to be contacted. Water Sanitary Survey scheduled 1/14/25 at 1PM, membranes were changed on 12/10. Meter at school is down, Core & Main out to inspect. Printer down. Water main break at 5th Street on 12/31. Foam insulation installed at well 6.
Sewer: motor and pump installed 12/11. HOA fixed communications from computer to control panel on 12/19 so all pumps are calibrated the same. 2 heaters down (1 upstairs, 1 downstairs) idea is to move one from upstairs, downstairs and then get 2 cheaper heaters for upstairs.
Planning/Zoning: next meeting 2/2 at 5 PM
Correspondence: holiday cards received from vendors and villagers
Personnel: none
Future agenda items
Fence update at meat locker
Brush pile options/location
Meeting adjourned at 8:02 pm
Minutes written and recorded by Tony Greise, typed by clerk, Alicia Greise.