VILLAGE OF UNION MEETING MINUTES March 14, 2012

The Union Village Board was called to order at 7:01 pm for the regular session.  The Open Meeting Laws were displayed for public reference.  On roll call:  Hardbarger – Aye, Chipman – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Keene – Aye, Brown - absent.

Melissa Moiser, Dick Ehrman and two other representatives from the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District presented their groundwater management program. There are 23 groundwater reservoirs in the district and they are concerned about nitrates.  When half the wells being monitored in a given area of the district reach nitrate levels above 5 ppm, they move to phase II of the groundwater management program.  Union nitrate levels are above the 5 ppm and should be moving to phase II which includes putting together and advisory board.  Elmwood is already a phase III area and has to treat their water to remove some of the nitrate content.  The elevated nitrate levels are likely from fertilizer or manure application on crop grounds.  Hardbarger asked for clarification on the placement of monitoring wells and was told that nitrate levels seen now could be a result of applications from up to 10 years past, and not necessarily current treatment.  Melissa Moiser, in preparation for phase II program wants to collect input from the community for an advisory board to attend meetings to discuss the water management program.  Any interest residents, landowners, farmer, etc. are encouraged to join.  Ms. Moiser will be contacting the village clerk to set up the initial public meeting.

Minutes of the February 8th Board Meeting were reviewed. Chipman motioned to approve the February 8, 2012 Meeting Minutes.  2nd by Keene.  By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger– Aye, Chipman – Aye, Vidlak- Aye, Keene – Aye.  Brown absent.  Motion approved.

Claims and Accounts were presented.  Vidlak motioned to approve March Claims and Accounts.  2nd by Keene.  By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger– Aye, Chipman – Aye, Vidlak- Aye, Keene – Aye.  Brown absent. Motion approved.

CLAIMS & ACCOUNTS MARCH 2012 NPPD           FIREBARN*  $       86.32

WATER PUMP  $     441.84

FIREBARN (TOWN BLDG)  $       78.53

TOWER  (WATER)  $       21.58

TRAFFIC LIGHT  $       21.58

AREA LIGHT RENTAL  $       12.98

STREETLIGHTS  $     597.98

SEWER PUMP  $       86.59

BALLFIELD  $       48.42

ALA HALL  $       31.95

WINDSTREAM  OFFICE  $       60.28

WINDSTREAM  FIRE  $       89.99

MELISSA HANSEN  $      787.59   FEB PAY

TRAVELERS-RMD  $    1838.00   W/C INS FIRE AND RESCUE

LOAN  $      265.64   RESCUE SQUAD

LOAN  $      618.44   STREET/SEWER 

STEVE HEYEN  $    1383.90   FEB PAY

JOHNSON’S GAS N GO  $      430.79   GAS PLOW/TRUCK/URFD/61.86

LINCOLN STAR  $      134.20   PROPERTY AD

NPHEL  $        10.00   WATER TESTS

COLUMBUS TELE  $        28.00    PUBLISHING

DRAKE’S PROPANE  $      925.37    PROPANE FILL/FIREHOUSE

UNO  $      243.00    CLERK INSTITUTE

$   8,242.97        MARCH CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS $ 72,213.20        GENERAL FUND BALANCE, AS OF MARCH 10, 2012 $   1,386.18        MARCH 12, 2012  DEPOSIT Correspondence: The National Pollutant Discharge System, as of November 1, 2011, is regulation how mosquito control personnel apply pesticide and are offering training for technicians responsible.  Hardbarger asked Heyen about the previous years’ mosquito spraying and asked if Heyen would be willing to attend a training course.  Heyen said he would, but was hesitant about the risks of spraying and wanted more information.

The Village Maintenance report: was given by Heyen.  The village pumped 1,100,000 gallons of water for a total of 359 pump hours and the lift station ran for about 4.7 hours per day, 138 hours for the month.  Heyen reported that lift station alarmed twice and had to clear clogs. Bricks are falling off the façade of the village garage located on Main St.  Hardbarger suggested pulling some of the loose bricks down.  Heyen has parked the village truck outside of the garage to prevent people from standing under the loose bricks.

Heyen wants to order a stump grinder to remove stumps left in the park area.  Hardbarger authorized the grinder rental to remove left over tree stumps in the park.

Fire and Rescue report given by Louise Stewart.

Sirens tested OK.  There were 12 Fire calls reported for the month.  There are currently 15 Fire/Rescue personnel on the roster.  Vidlak read roster into the minutes.

Bill Bescheinen  Fire                     Larry Hathaway, Fire               Jim McClane, Fire           Willie Bescheinen, Fire                 Bryson Heim, Fire                    Nick Smith, Fire Steve Bescheinen, Fire                  Scott Johnson, Fire                    Louise Stewart, Fire DeeDee Brazzle, Fire/EMT           Rob Kennedy, Fire/EMT          Frank Swanson, Fire Nate Foster, Fire                            Cori Knapp, Fire/EMT             Tony Tellez, Fire

Rob Kennedy submitted invoices for rescue squad supplies.  He said they are looking into returning the epi pens because of their expense, around $100 each, and aren’t used frequently enough and often expire before use.

The Village Board disagreed and said that epi pens could be a life-saving tool and they are willing to justify the $200 cost for a pack of two.

Union United Inc. report was given by Debbie Vidlak. The group is hosting the concessions at the Burbee auction March 24th.  Vidlak asked the Board to consider setting aside funds from the village to help with Union’s 125th Anniversary event and to purchase and enclosed message board at the post office.  Board asked for this item to be added to next month’s agenda.

Water Meter Committee Report:  90 percent of the equipment audit is complete.  The committee will meet before the next board meeting to create a materials and equipment list with tentative budget for the installation.

OLD BUSINESS   Hardbarger mentioned that he had received two additional reports of the Hall’s dog running loose.  If reported one more time this month, he will impose the fines adopted in resolution.

NEW BUSINESS

The Union Board of Trustees took a vote of support for the Volunteer Rescue Squad.   Chipman motioned to support the Union Volunteer Rescue Squad.   2nd by Vidlak.  By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger– Aye, Chipman – Aye, Vidlak- Aye, Keene - Aye, Brown absent.  Motion approved. 

Kennedy estimated that for a rescue call with a trip to Omaha, the squad is making under $750. Currently for a BLS Emergency we are charging a flat rate of $425 plus a $10 per mile rate.  Chipman suggested, based on the 2012 Billing Rate Schedule, that we increase the flat BLS Emergency rate to $470 with a $20 per mile rate.  He also suggested we increase our no transport fee to $150.  Chipman motioned to adopt the rate schedule discussed.  2nd by Vidlak.  By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger– Aye, Chipman – Aye, Vidlak- Aye, Keene - Aye, Brown absent.  Motion approved. 

Chipman motioned to approve Lonnie Keene’s building permit as submitted.  2nd by Keene.  By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger– Aye, Chipman – Aye, Vidlak- Aye, Keene - Aye, Brown absent.  Motion approved. 

Chipman motioned to have the clerk draft and send a letter of support to Cass County Zoning in their pursuit of acquiring grant funds to update the GIS Property Look up system.  2nd by Vidlak.  By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger– Aye, Chipman – Aye, Vidlak- Aye, Keene - Aye, Brown absent.  Motion approved. 

Vidlak motioned to adjourn at 8:08pm.  2nd by Vidlak.  By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows:  Hardbarger– Aye, Chipman – Aye, Vidlak- Aye, Keene – Aye, Brown absent.  Motion approved.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 11, 2012, 7pm at the ALA Hall.  The Meeting Notice and Agenda will be posted for the public at the Village Office, the Union Branch of the Nehawka Bank, and the Union Post Office.

Dwain Hardbarger, Jr. Chairman

These minutes have been prepared by the village clerk and are certified to be true and accurate.