VILLAGE OF UNION
MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 11, 2024

The chairman called the monthly meeting for December to order at 7:03 pm at the Union Office/Fire Hall at 500 Main St. The Open Meeting Laws were displayed for public reference.  On roll call:  Seyler – Aye, Feek – Aye, Fritschle – Absent, Ruby-Aye, Hill – Aye.

Minutes of the November Board Meeting were reviewed. Ruby motioned to approve November 13, 2024, meeting minutes. 2nd by Feek.   By Roll, Trustee votes as follows: Seyler – Aye, Feek – Aye, Fritschle – Absent, Ruby-Aye, Hill – Aye.
Motion approved.

Claims and Accounts were presented. Feek motioned to approve December Claims and Accounts.   2nd by Hill. 
By Roll, Trustee votes as follows: Seyler – Aye, Feek – Aye, Fritschle – Absent, Ruby-Aye, Hill – Aye. Motion approved. 

DECEMBER CLAIMS AND ACCOUNTS
B & S TRUCKING, LLC	WATER LEAK REPAIR	440.00
CAPITAL ONE COMMERCIAL-MENARDS	SIGN POSTS, ROAD SALT	726.36
CARROT TOP INDUSTRIES	NEW FLAGS AND POLES FOR MAIN STREET	1,042.95
CASS COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL	2025 INVESTMENT FEE	400.00
CASS COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSIONER	GENERAL ELECTION COST	100.00
CENEX FLEET FUELING	FUEL FOR VEHICLES	214.57
Charles J Seyler	CHAIRMAN PAY	1,108.20
INTUIT QBOOKS	PAYROLL FEES	21.00
JEFF RUBY (v)	TRUSTEE PAY	599.00
KAREN FRITSCHLE (v)	TRUSTEE PAY	599.00
LARM	PREMIUM INCREASE -VALUE	237.26
LAURA HILL	TRUSTEE PAY	599.00
MADELINE FEEK	TRUSTEE PAY	599.00
Melissa Hansen	NOVEMBER PAY	1,642.85
Melissa Hansen	PERFORMANCE BONUS	590.14
NE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SALES	Sales Tax	193.29
NE PUBLIC HEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL LAB	WATER TESTS	31.00
NEBRASKA MUNICIPAL CLERKS' ASSOCIATION	MUNICIPAL CLERK DUES	50.00
NPPD	ELECTRICITY	1,263.86
PAPILLION SANITATION	RECYCLING	361.15
RIC ORTMEIER	AUDIT WAIVER PREP	2,000.00
Steven Heyen	NOVEMBER PAY	2,158.53
Steven Heyen	PERFORMANCE BONUS	607.63
TOBY J HEYEN	NOVEMBER PAY	965.66
TOBY J HEYEN	PERFORMANCE BONUS	321.36
UNITED STATES TREASURY	47-0540397 QB Tracking # 599899714	1,399.12
USPS	FIRST CLASS STAMPS	146.00
WINDSTREAM	PHONE	105.85
		18,522.78

Nov 30, 24			
	Current Assets	
		Checking/Savings	
			1001 · Operating Account	159,662.50
			1370 · Sewer Reserve	41,128.48
		Total Checking/Savings	200,790.98
		Accounts Receivable	
			1200 · Accounts Receivable	8,331.70
		Total Accounts Receivable	8,331.70
	Total Current Assets	209,122.68
TOTAL ASSETS		209,122.68
LIABILITIES & EQUITY	
	Liabilities		327.95
	Equity			
		3000 · Fund Balances	
			3100 · General Funds	
				3101 · Operating	-9,070.31
				3105 · Enterprise Lease	31,319.28
				3140 · Park	14,724.07
				3150 · Fire	37,801.86
			Total 3100 · General Funds	74,774.90
			3300 · Special Revenue Funds	
				3310 · Streets	73,330.98
			Total 3300 · Special Revenue Funds	73,330.98
			3700 · Enterprise and Utility Funds	
				3710 · Water	15,518.77
				3720 · Sewer	4,407.60
				3721 · Sewer Reserve	40,762.48
			Total 3700 · Enterprise and Utility Funds	60,688.85
		Total 3000 · Fund Balances	208,794.73
	Total Equity		208,794.73
TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY	209,122.68


Fritschle arrived at 7:04pm.

CORRESPONDENCE – The Clerk received a response to one of the nuisance letters the Board directed her to send.  The Certification of Election was also received by the Clerk.
CLERK REPORT – Audit waiver draft is completed.  The Village ended up being over budgeted due to a change from Cash to Accrual accounting because the USDA payment needs to be on the Claims for approval at September meeting for the October 1 withdrawal.  USDA yearly documents will be completed and sent in mid-December.   With the arrival of the new message board, the Clerk is seeking permission for its placement near the Post Office.  She has contacted the company that owns the Post Office building and is waiting for a reply.  Another location that would work is in place of the old payphone.  The Clerk is in the process of reaching out to Windstream for its removal.
Village Maintenance Report – Heyen reported 1,276,000 gallons of water metered and pumps ran for 224 hours. The lift station processed 1,020,000 gallons of wastewater.  A sewer line and the water line for the Fire House were damaged during construction at the Pike’s.  The contractor is responsible for the sewer line, but Heyen reported that he had no record of where the Fire House line was, so it was not marked.  The sewer line has been repaired and the water will be up by Friday. Heyen noted that some of the trees in the parks need to be trimmed.  They are weak and will snap under weight of ice and snow.  CJ agreed and told him to do what needs to be done.
ALA Report: Larry Hathaway and Kim Kendall were present to discuss their progress with Legion Auxiliary revival efforts.  There has been an increase in membership since word of new management has been announced.  There have been donations received to cover Insurance and propane.  They believe that with the Village and Union United’s assistance, the organization can be successful again. Some of the fundraising strategies proposed are Bingo, Soup Suppers, and more activities the communities can be involved in.  The possibility of relinquishing the building to the Village in whole, or in part has also been discussed.  There is the possibility that the insurance and other expenses would be less expensive this way.  The group wants to re-focus their efforts on Veterans.  There is a meeting at 6pm at the ALA Hall for more discussion and the Board is invited.
Fire/Rescue Report: NTR
Union United Inc. Report: NTR

New Business: 

The Clerk read the certified results into the record, and they were agreed on by the Board: Jeffrey W. Ruby 80 votes, Charles J. Seyler, II 74 votes, and Laura Hill with 10 write-in votes.

The Clerk administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected Trustees.

Ruby nominated Charles J. Seyler as Chairman, 2nd by Hill.   By Roll, Trustee votes as follows: Seyler – Abstained, Feek – Aye, Fritschle – Aye, Ruby-Aye, Hill – Aye. Nomination approved.

Hill motioned to table decision on implementing the plan for the Water System Upgrade until other financing options are available, possibly in April. 2nd by Feek.  By Roll, Trustee votes as follows: Seyler – Aye, Feek – Aye, Fritschle – Aye, Ruby-Aye, Hill – Aye. Motion approved.

The draft of the Employee Handbook, setting employment and personnel policies for the Village of Union, was reviewed and amendments were discussed. The Clerk made note of the changes to be made and will submit a finalized copy at the next Board meeting for adoption.  Hill motioned to approve the Handbook draft with amendments.  2nd by Feek. By Roll, Trustee votes as follows: Seyler – Aye, Feek – Aye, Fritschle – Aye, Ruby-Aye, Hill – Aye. Motion approved.

Chairman Seyler appointed Melissa Hansen as Village Clerk/Treasurer setting her wages at $21.30 per hour.  Chairman Seyler appointed Steve Heyen as Village Maintenance setting his wage at $20.64 and Toby Heyen as Assistant Maintenance with a wage of $18.58 per hour.  Chairman Seyler awarded $750 performance bonuses to Melissa Hansen and Steve Heyen, and Toby Heyen, a performance bonus of $350.00. 

Seyler appointed Ric Ortmeier as Village Accountant, Olsson as Engineering Firm. Justin Stark, S-1534, class A engineer, on contract at Olsson for Street Superintendent, The Lincoln Journal Star as legal publisher.  The Health Board members Laura Hill, Jeff Ruby and Maddie Feek were appointed. Donna Ruby was appointed for a one-year appointment to the Planning Commission, Dave Kendall and Shawn Hoy, 2nd year of a two-year appointment, Dale Hansen and Allan Feek 1st year of a three-year appointment.  Village Attorney position is still vacant.  

Ruby motioned to adjourn at 8:09pm.  2nd by Hill.  By Roll, Trustee votes as follows: Seyler – Aye, Feek – Aye, Fritschle – Aye, Ruby-Aye, Hill – Aye. Motion approved.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for January 8, 2025, 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 by January 3, 2025.



Charles J. Seyler II

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