VILLAGE OF UNION
MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 12, 2020

Chairman Seyler called the monthly meeting for August to order at 7:00pm at the Union Fire Hall. The Open Meeting Laws were displayed for public reference. On roll call: Seyler – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Eaton – Aye, Ruby – Aye and Crook- Aye.

Minutes of the July Regular Board Meeting were reviewed. Crook motioned to approve July 8th Meeting Minutes. 2nd by Eaton. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Seyler – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Eaton – Aye, Ruby – Aye and Crook- Aye. Motion approved.

Claims and Accounts were presented. Ruby motioned to approve August Claims and Accounts. 2nd by Crook. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Seyler – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Eaton – Aye, Ruby – Aye and Crook- Nay. Motion approved.

AUGUST 2020
CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS



WATER PUMP $ 707.60 (EFT) WATER FUND
FIREBARN (TOWN BLDG) $ 147.66 (EFT) FIRE FUND
TOWER (WATER) $ 187.88 (EFT) WATER FUND
AREA LIGHT RENTAL $ 13.04 (EFT) GENERAL FUND
STREETLIGHTS $ 449.51 (EFT) STREET FUND
LIFT STATION $ 112.21 (EFT) SEWER FUND
BALLFIELD $ 85.26 (EFT) PARK FUND
MAINTENANCE SHOP $ 34.21 (EFT) GENERAL FUND
CABOOSE $ 34.21 (EFT) GENERAL FUND
WINDSTREAM OFFICE $ 80.64 (EFT) GENERAL FUND
JOHNSONS $ 266.39 GAS STEVE TRUCK/MOWER/MONTANA ( C) GENERAL FUND
NE DEPT OF REVENUE $ 273.27 SALES TAXES (EFT) GENERAL FUND
USPS $ 110.00 FOREVER STAMPS (C) GENERAL FUNDS
A&E SUPPLY $ 1500.00 REBUILD SEWER EJECTOR (C) SEWER FUND
NPHEL $ 34.85 ARSENIC/COLIFORM TESTING (D) WATER FUND
CASS CROOK $ 280.00 INSTALLATION OF TIMING RELAYS FOR LIFT STATION(C) SEWER FUND
LEAGUE OF NE MUNIC $ 338.00 YEARLY DUES (C) GENERAL FUND
CAPITAL ONE COMM $ 57.36 MENARDS-MAINTENANCE SUPPLIES(D) SEWER FUND
TRI-STATE CONTRACTOR $ 2500.00 DOUBLE SEALCOAT LOT GENENERAL FUND
ONE CALL CONCEPTS $ 5.76 DIGGERS HOTLINE Q 2 (C) GENERAL FUND
MELISSA HANSEN $ 1437.33 JUL PAY(C) WATER, SEWER, GENERAL FUNDS
STEVE HEYEN $ 2062.45 JUL PAY(C) WATER,SEWER, GENERAL, PARK,STREET FUNDS
UTILITY SVC CO $ 2585.71 QUARTERLY TOWER MAINTENANCE CONTRACT (C) WATER FUND
TOBY HEYEN $ 55.00 PARK MOWING(C) PARK FUND
DAKOTA PUMP $ 1823.82 VACUUM PUMPS AND PARTS SEWER FUND
STAPLES COMMMERCIAL $ 484.82 OFFICE SUPPLIES GENERAL FUND
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR $ 69.70 MINUTES PUBLISHING GENERAL FUND
INTUIT $ 6.00 MONTHLY PAYROLL FEE (EFT) GENERAL FUND

$ 15,712.88 AUGUST CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS
$ 188,159.63 FUND BALANCES AS OF AUGUST 11, 2020
$ 839.27 PENDING DEPOSITS
$ 32,199.81 SEWER RESERVE ACCOUNT
$ 205,482.83 TOTAL IN VILLAGE ACCOUNTS AFTER CLAIMS & ACCOUNTS PAID
CORRESPONDENCE- The clerk received complaints about trees hanging over A St. at 3rd St. intersection and scraping on vehicles when they drive by. The Board authorized the clerk to send a letter giving the owners 30 days to trim back the trees. She also received complaints of ATVs tearing up the ball field and ignoring traffic laws. The Board asked the clerk to order signs for the fencing, prohibiting motorized vehicles on the ball field. The clerk also received a request for a building permit application for 136 W Main, Union Hotel property, which is closing August 20th and they will be doing some remodeling. The application has not been received back yet.
CLERK REPORT –The clerk acquired a copy of the Rural Fire District Annexation documents and forwarded them to LARM to have the Fire Department removed from the insurance. A process for floodplain permitting has been started, with help from State Floodplain manager, for 136 W Main St. Clerk and temp employee have been reviewing and updating clerk task procedures. The Village Emergency Response Plan for the water system has been updated and approved. The Village’s tax exemption status with Menard’s has been recertified. Sewer customer flushing information letter drafted and a noise complaint letter sent.
Village Maintenance Report: The well pumps ran for 608 hours, pumping 2,170,000 gallons of water. Lift ran for 157 hours pumping 1,185,000 gallons of wastewater. New pump is running well so the vacuum pumps are running minimally. Heyen reported that he hit a piece of iron while mowing the parks which ripped off the mulching blade, ruining the cutting blade and separated the deck. He got it rigged to finish cutting for the season, but he will either need a new mower or funds to repair it. The engine will need new seals, the blade, deck and mulching piece will need to be replaced costing approximately $4000.
Fire Report- Kevin Gerkin reported they had 1 grain bin fire in Nehawka.
Union United Inc. Report: Debbie Vidlak reported that Phase II of the Union Caboose restoration is beginning. An observation deck is scheduled to be built, along with landscaping and lighting. The group received a personal donation and a grant from KAB through Lowe’s to complete phase II. The grape harvest is scheduled for Aug 22. The annual Union Golf Tournament is scheduled for August 29, 2020 at Grandpa’s Woods Golf Course. The Clean Up, Green Up event is scheduled for September 12 and 13.

NEW BUSINESS:

Linda Behrns, Executive Director for Keep Cass County Beautiful, was present to discuss the county trailer recycling program shortfalls and possible upcoming changes. US markets have been flooded since China closed down imports of recyclables, reducing profits and increasing costs of recycling the US. Recyclers can’t afford to service small accounts which increased the use of rural recycle trailers. Many small communities with trailers terminated the services because they have been too much work to maintain, inundating remaining trailers County wide. Many communities were able to contract curbside recycling, but the rural areas of those communities had nowhere to bring their recyclables. There is still an urgent need to reduce waste in SE Nebraska with Sarpy County landfills being closed down. David City is the only landfill actively taking waste. Butler County has 64 acres of landfill that will be filled in the next 5 years. Linda suggested using NRC grants to purchase security cameras to monitor trailer site and limiting hours the trailer is available so it can be monitored. She also volunteered to visit our trailer and pass out educational information about recycling. Union United wants to be involved by coming up with a plan to keep the recycle trailer program in Union, with minimal complications to Village staff.

The Board reviewed the Amendments to the League of Nebraska Municipalities’ Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws. Vidlak motioned to approve the amendments. 2nd by Crook. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Seyler – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Eaton – Aye, Ruby – Aye and Crook- Aye. Motion approved. The regular member ballot was completed to reflect their decision and signed by the Chairman.

Funding needs above the normal operating expenses were determined: $1500 for well house residing, $16,500 for sewer system repairs and maintenance, upgraded metering equipment $7500, $7500 for new siren system grant share and $11,000 for new zero turn mower.

Vidlak motioned to adjourn at 8:16 pm. 2nd by Crook. By Roll, Trustee votes are as follows: Seyler – Aye, Vidlak – Aye, Eaton – Aye, Ruby – Aye and Crook- Aye. Motioned approved.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2020 at 7 pm at the Union Fire Hall. The Meeting Notice and Agenda will be posted for the public at the Village Office, the Union Junktion, and the Union Post Office.


Charles J. Seyler II
Chairman

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