Village of Decatur Meeting Minutes

Village Board of Decatur
Regular Meeting
October 9, 2014
4:30 P.M.
The Board of the Village of Decatur met in regular session at 4:30 P.M. at the Community Center on October 9, 2014. Guests signing in Alta Wolf, Arthur Henneman, Denny Klatt, Robert & Brooks Mayo, Adele Phillips, Amy Soll. Guests not signing in Tim Anderson and Tim Slaughter.

1)      The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Nicola.
Roll Call: Walt Bolln-here, Bob Richards-here, Margaret Tolby-here Stephanie Warren-here.
2)      Agenda and minutes of the previous month’s meeting were received:
Roll Call: Walt Bolln-yes, Bob Richards-yes, Margaret Tolby-yes, Stephanie Warren-yes.
3)    Approval and/or corrections and suspended reading of the previous months minutes.
Roll Call: Walt Bolln-yes, Bob Richards-yes, Margaret Tolby-yes, Stephanie Warren-yes.
4)      EXCUSE BOARD MEMBERS NOT ATTENDING MEETING:
5)      REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS, AND OR COMMITTEES
All were present
1)         Police: Monthly Report

Chief McFarland was not in attendance.
A. Denny Klatt and Tim Slaughter-Police
Denny came to the table to talk to the Board members about police. In dealing with the situation on the budget, and there is a short fall in the budget, which the board has taken care of. His question is “why did the Board decide not to contract with the Tekamah Police department”? Bolln stated it was going to cost just as much if not more than having our own police officer. He also stated that we would only have a police officer until 11:00 PM and that would be like not having a police officer at all. Klatt asked the Board if they had seen a proposal? Bolln stated only what was said when the Police Chief and officer (from Tekamah) came to talk with them. Klatt mentioned that he has not been here his whole life, but has been here 16 or 17 years, he has about a half a dozen situations where the Village has certified officers and then they leave. Klatt is assuming that if the Village contracted with the County, or Tekamah or whomever that the costs would be fixed, it was also stated that one man cannot work 24 hours a day 7 days a week, so they have to have some sort of schedule. Klatt feels it really does not make a difference if our police officer lives in Decatur, as long as we have some kind of representation. Warren stated that if the Village contracts with Tekamah we will still have to provide them with a vehicle and insurance, (this is what she read in the paper). Warren was not able to meet with the Tekamah Police Chief that day because she was working. Richards stated that the meeting they had never went that far into detail. The way Richards understood, the Village would turn the vehicles over to Tekamah and they would trade them for a four wheel drive vehicle, and that is what they would use to drive back and forth from Tekamah to Decatur. Tekamah would take care of insurance and we would pay the officers wage for hours worked. Klatt asked again has there be a formal proposal made, and why would you not listen to the proposal. Bolln stated that when the Police Chief came and talked with some of the Board members that he hadn’t even talked with the Tekamah Board. Klatt asked if Tom Lamb had talked with his Board members? Bolln stated yes but Tom should have spoken with his Board first before coming to the Decatur Board. Klatt thinks the Board should consider having a contract with Tekamah, and if it does not work out then run an ad in the newspaper. Richards stated that Tekamah could enforce our Village ordinances where the County could or would not. Klatt asked the Board if they have talked with any of the public about this matter. Bolln said that the people he has spoken with want to keep our local police department. Klatt asked Bolln if he knew why these people wanted to keep our local department. Bolln stated that the people are only going to be here 8 hours a day and then all hoodlums will come out. In short Klatt thinks it would be worth a conversation with Tekamah to hear what they have to offer. Warren stated she feels safer with an officer that lives in town. Klatt’s opinion is that maybe it would be better if our officer did not live in town.
B. Advertise for Police Position

Bolln made a motion to advertise for a certified officer.
Warren seconded motion.
Roll Call: Richards-yes, Tolby-yes, Bolln-yes, Warren-yes.

2)         Lights: Monthly Report

There has been a pole placed at Dan Small’s property.

3)         Water & Sewer: Monthly Report
One of the water filters at the filter house has been fixed. We will put off repairing the other for a while.

4)         Parks: Monthly Report- Income of $1,520.37

The park bathrooms will be winterized soon.

5)         Streets: Monthly Report

Nothing to report.

6)         Recycling: No Income. Recycling has been hauled to Tekamah.

6)         OLD BUSINESS

1. Adele Phillips (Center for Rural Affairs) here to discuss the progress of moving the toll house project.
   Adele thanked the Board for allowing them to have the Main street coffee session and Alta for the coverage.
   OPTION: Toll Structure Salvage
   October 9, 2014
   1) Current status:

• Starting in November, the State will be taking bids for removal and destruction of the Decatur toll structure. The concrete around where the structure will have stood will be amended in the spring.
• However, the State is willing to grant the Town of Decatur a salvage permit to remove the structure—free of obligation to do post-removal concrete work—should the Town Board make a motion to salvage the structure on October 9, 2014.
• Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA; Lyons, NE) is interested in supporting the salvaging, relocation, and repurposing of the entirety of the toll structure should the Town decide to do so.

IF the toll structure were to be relocated for the purpose of future use as a civic event space as part of a socially-engaged art project, HOW would this happen?

2) Logistics

• Timeframe:
  • Removal and re-situation of the entire toll structure needs to occur by mid-spring, in accordance with the State’s goals for the site.
• Pre-move:
  • Detailed plans of the relocation site will be drawn. The anticipated site is southeast of the toll structure’s current location, and in the proximity of the water treatment facility.
  • The new foundation for the structure will be a combination of column footings and poured floor.
  • Vinyl siding will be removed by volunteers.
  • A reputable building mover has been identified (DNC Moving) as the mover for this project, and he has verbally committed to working us into his schedule as we need.
  • The building mover will receive a move permit from the State of Nebraska
  • Wires running from the bridge ramp to the water treatment facility do not need to be raised; the clearance is there.
  • Advanced notification of road closings will be broadcast on radio and by State-provided signage.
• Actual Move:
  • Richards and Bolln will serve as representatives of the Town of Decatur
  • State will make signage available to provide advance warning of road closure
  • Town police will be helpful in traffic control, and the county police will be advised of the move.
  • Volunteer Fire Department crew will provide traffic control during day of move at such locations: IA viaduct, the casino, Hwy 51, etc.
• Post-Move:
  • The State will provide barricades to ensure visibility of the remaining concrete structure
• Cost:
  • State is looking into providing some money to help to cover the cost of removal of toll structure. We are waiting to hear the amount.
  • Cost-share of moving and foundation pouring by community and CFRA
  • Funds will be raised, plus machinery donated and hours volunteered

Given the interest in salvaging the structure held by the community and the heritage it represents, we—Center for Rural Affairs and community members of Decatur—request that the Decatur Town Board make a motion to salvage the entirety of the Decatur toll structure and request a salvage permit from the State of Nebraska Department of Roads.
Bolln made a motion to apply for a salvage permit.
Tolby seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Richards-yes, Warren-yes, Bolln-yes, Tolby-yes.
7)         NEW BUSINESS
1. Possibility of raising prices of copies, laminating and liquor license fees.

Tolby made a motion to approve the raising of the following services.
All Copies                   $.25
Fax Fees                      $1.00 per page
Laminating                  $1.50 for large page
Laminating                  $.50 for card size
Return Check fee        $25.00
Liquor license fee        $100.00
Bolln seconded the motion
Roll Call: Richards-yes, Warren-yes, Tolby-yes, Bolln-yes.

2. Garbage Bids, raising price on utility bills for cleanup day, (currently $.65 per month)
   Mayo Sanitation was the only bid that the Village received.
   The bid is for 2 years, beginning November 1, 2014 and ending October 31, 2016.
   Trash pickup once per week on Thursday for 209 households.
   Option #1 $8.25 per month per household.
   Option # 2 $10.00 per month per household with Mayo Sanitation supplying one poly-cart container at each residence. Poly-carts are lidded containers on wheels.
   Option #3 If interested, curbside recycling is available. The cost is $5.00 extra per customer which includes a recycling receptacle. Cost is only to those who participate.
   We will supply four additional containers as requested to be used at current Village facilities and parks. All churches and the fire department are also included in this free service.
   * No restrictions on trash removal for household items, includes yard waste. They would like to be called before any appliances or larger items are put on the curb side. All this is at no extra cost. 402-307-0369 or 402-374-3960.
   Warren made a motion to go with option #1.
   Bolln seconded the motion.
   Roll Call: Richards-yes, Tolby-yes, Warren-yes, Bolln-yes.
   Richards asked the Clerk to read the resolution.
   Resolution #137

Establishment of Garbage Rates
A resolution by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Decatur, Burt County, Nebraska pursuant to of the Code of Decatur, establishing the clean-up day rates and administration fees the Village shall charge for the collection of garbage.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Decatur, Burt County, Nebraska the Village hereby establishes the following garbage rates and shall charge garbage rates as follows for the collection of garbage it provides:

$ 8.25     per household per month for collection fees
$ 1.00     per household per month for clean-up day fees
$   .75     per household per month for administration fees

Pursuant to § 54.04 of the Code of Decatur, the Village Clerk shall have the duty of billing persons and collecting all monies the Village receives related to providing garbage collection. The Village clerk shall faithfully account for and report to the Village Treasurer, all monies collected.

Passed and adopted this 9th day of October, 2014.

This resolution shall take effect and be in full force after its passage, approval and publication as required by law.

Village of Decatur, Nebraska

Robert Richards

Chairman
ATTEST:
Therese Magill
Village Clerk
Tolby made a motion to pass resolution #137.
Bolln seconded the motion.
Richards-yes, Warren-yes, Tolby-yes, Bolln-yes.

3. Chevy Henneman-School project, placing of a second dock at Beck Park boat ramp.
   Arthur Henneman came to the table to discuss Chevy’s idea of installing a second boat ramp at Beck Park. Chevy was not able to attend the meeting because of football practice. Everyone thought it was a good idea. There were suggestions on how to arrange the two docks, so there would be no accidents. Arthur told the Board he has already had donations for his project.
   Bolln made a motion to accept Chevy’s plan for installing a second boat dock at Beck Park.
   Warren seconded the motion.
   Roll Call: Richards-yes, Tolby-yes, Bolln-yes, Warren-yes.
   4. Employee Hours
   The Board has discussed cutting Frank Holiday’s time down to two days per week.

Warren mentioned that Frank should be called back to work if we needed extra help. Don Greve would be called last if needed.

Bolln made a motion to cut Frank Holiday’s hours to two days per week.
Warren seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Richards-yes, Tolby-yes, Bolln-yes, Warren-yes.

8)         CORRESPONDENCE
1. Letter from Nebraska Emergency Management Agency
The Village has to pay back FEMA ($5,397.75) for the money that was given for removing the earthen berm. The Village chose not to take down the berm by the sewer plant. The Clerk called and talked to NEMA to see if the Village could pay back the money monthly. The Clerk received an email stating as soon as FEMA receives the money for reimbursement from the Village, then NEMA will pay the State share of $5,164.25 within 2-3 weeks.

9)         APPROPRIATIONS AND CONSIDERATION OF THE CLAIMS:

1) Claims preapproved by Bolln and Tolby

2) Motion to Approve the Claims as Submitted

 

Warren 2nd Tolby
Roll Call: Richards-yes, Tolby-yes, Warren-yes, Bolln-yes

Are there any questions from the audience?
Alta Wolf asked why we did not stay with the current Garbage service?
We only received one bid and that was from Mayo Sanitation.

10)       MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING

 

Warren 2nd Tolby

Adjournment Time: 5:40 PM

 

 

_______________________________

Robert Richards

Chairman

 

 

_______________________________

ATTEST:                                            Therese Magill

Village Clerk