Village of Decatur Meeting Minutes

Village Board of Decatur Regular Meeting
July 9, 2015 4:30P.M.
The Board of the Village of Decatur met in regular session at 4:30 P.M. at the City Hall on July 9, 2015. Visitors signing in were Nina Mussack, Shiela Maryott, Dale Wolf, Jim Maryott, Betty Sparks, Laura Sparks, Debbie Maryott, Jaime Bacon, Patty Plugge, Stephanie Warren, Jimmy Warren, Jason Troutman, Jolene Stevens, Bob Kellogg, Susan Houck, Cheyanne Jessen, Jill Maryott, Jeanea McCulloch, Kay Kellogg, Penny Warren, Theresa Magill, Debbie & Charlie Krutilek, Jackie Anderson. Not signing in Donnie Warren, Ellen Olson, Matt Connealy, Steve Kellogg, and Jim Nicola

1)        The meeting was called to order by Chairman Loretta Kellogg.
Roll Call: Bolln-here, Kellogg-here, Richards-here, Tolby-here, Wolf-here.
2)         Agenda and minutes of the previous month’s meeting were received:
Roll Call: Bolln-yes, Kellogg-yes, Richards-yes, Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes.
3)         Approval and/or corrections and suspended reading of the previous month’s minutes.

Correction: None to report
Roll Call: Bolln-yes, Kellogg-yes, Richards-yes Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes.

4)         EXCUSE BOARD MEMBERS NOT ATTENDING MEETING:
            All Present

5)         REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS, AND OR COMMITTEES
1) Police Monthly Report- Kellogg stated that we are waiting to hear if Joseph Gatto is accepted to the police academy in Grand Island.

A-Sleuth Program Bolln made a motion that we drop the Sleuth program 2nd Wolf, Roll Call Tolby -yes     Richards-Yes, Wolf -yes, Bolln- Yes Kellogg-yes

2) Lights Monthly Report- Wolf reported no problems and no complaints

3) Water & Sewer Monthly Report- Richards reported that the sewer issue has been fixed and all covered up.      Alta asked about Judy Andersons water. Bob stated that the water is running through the meter. Kellogg asked   that Richards follow up with Judy.
4) Parks Monthly Report – Tolby reported income of $7567.88 for June. She stated that the bathrooms need to be tended to. Kellogg stated that the floors in the bathrooms need to have the bumpy stuff on it and then a coat that will keep the floors dry. The shower needs a curtain. Tolby stated that they need to have a light in the bathroom. The walk down to the dock the railing needs to be repaired. A concerned citizen asked if the mold in the bathrooms is black mold?

Kellogg stated she said that when she was down she saw people fishing from the dock and laying out on the dock. Kellogg stated that we should invest in a sign that states No Fishing or Swimming off dock and no unattended boats. Kellogg stated that when the boy scouts came they were rained out. When they come this month they will do the painting.

 

5) Streets Monthly Report –Bolln reported sales tax received for April was $2,628.11. He said maybe next year can do something with the money coming in from sales tax. Kellogg asked if there was a bid for rock for the roads up by Holidays and Skips. No bid for rock has been published but we will run an ad.

6) Recycling- Nothing to report

6)         OLD BUSINESS
            1) Health & Life Insurance bids- Jaime and Kay came to the table. Jaime stated that the Blue Cross renewal is coming in with a 7.73% raise in premiums which is high. She also presented a bid for United Health Care. The comparable UHC is 700.00 savings. She asked if we had any questions on the current plan. The insurance takes affect 8-1-2015. Kay stated she also has a bid from United Health Care. Bolln made a motion that this be tabled until next meeting. 2nd by Tolby. Roll call Richard-yes, Wolf-yes, Kellogg-yes, Bolln-Yes, Tolby-yes. There will be a special meeting, due to the next regular board meeting is after the 1st.

2) Employee hours- Kellogg stated we are discussing the hours not any person or their character. We are discussing hours. Right now we pay 112 hours out from maintenance and 80 hours out of the office. Somewhere along the line we need to cut these because not all these hours are needed. She stated that we do need about 50-70 hours per week out of the maintenance building and 40 hours in office so someone is there each day. We need to do some budget cuts and she needs to know what other board members ideas are. She asked what the board members for their ideas. Wolf stated that she has been driving around the city for weeks and she finds many things that are in bad shape. She would like to purpose that we cut some hours and hire someone to clean the clinic because they are not happy with how it is being cleaned. That we hire someone to take care of the park, the city hall and the dump. Because Melvin is getting so old and he is not able to take care of the dump. The dump is full of weeds and Frank burned the dump and that helped. Wolf thinks that we need to hire a maintenance person for so many hours a week to take over of all four jobs. Kellogg questioned if it would be cheaper by not having to pay an hourly wage.  Bolln said you are just adding another person. Kellogg stated would not have to pay insurance, vacation or sick leave. Kellogg stated that she has had a lot of people come to her to mow for 8 or 9 dollars a hour. Kellogg stated that if we eliminate 40 hours from the maintenance and hours limited in the office area that would cut out a bunch of the budget. Bolln made a motion to leave the hours as is. Motion died for lack of 2nd. Tolby made a motion that we eliminate Mr. Magill. Kellogg stated that Tolby made a motion to eliminate the 40 hours that Dan Magill holds she requested a 2nd. Wolf 2nd roll call- Richards-no, Bolln-no, Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes, Kellogg-yes. Kellogg stated that we will be eliminating the 40 hours that Dan carries so when do we want it to end. Wolf made a motion that the hours will end on the 15th of July. 2nd by Tolby Roll call- Richards-no, Bolln-no, Wolf-yes, Tolby-yes, Kellogg-yes. Then they discussed the office hours. The clerk asked if they could do a trend study and see when there needs to be 2 people in the office. Also maybe reducing both of the office hours down to 32 hours per week. discussion went on. Bolln made a motion that we table the office hours until next meeting. 2nd by Tolby Roll call- Richards-yes, Wolf-yes, Kellogg-yes, Bolln- yes, Tolby- yes.

7)         NEW BUSINESS
            1) Nina Mussack- Cops/ Nina came to the table she said her first question was covered at the beginning. Nina stated that the information she had was that Joseph had been refused entrance into the academy. Kellogg stated that he had applied in 2010 and the guy at the academy many people can redeem themselves. Kellogg stated if he cannot go to the academy we do not need his services. Nina said true. Nina thought that the background check should have been done before his hiring. Nina asked if that was done. Loretta said yes the back ground check we did is the one that anyone can get. Alta stated that only a police chief or a sheriff can pull a background record. Nina wanted to know if he has a permit to carry a gun. Nina would like to see the permit. Kellogg said yes. Nina asked if he was still going to be on as an active officer in Decatur? Kellogg stated that he can be for 1 year has a peace officer. Nina asked what the difference between peace officer and police officer. A police officer has certified training and a peace officer is not certified. Alta said he is a peace officer he can give tickets and stop people. Nina also stated that Joe’s speeding around town needs to be addressed. Nina also stated that in her opinion she John Paul was hired illegally because this was not advertised in the paper. Kellogg stated we advertised for a police man in Decatur. Loretta stated that at the board last month they voted to let her hire a part time police officer. Nina asked if they were any interviews for a part-time officer.     Kellogg stated she interviewed many and all were considered for both full and part time. Clerk stated that motion in the last meeting was for Loretta to set a schedule for the part-time, but not to hire. Bolln stated that he didn’t remember hearing the motion to hire. Nina is saying not to get rid of John Paul she just thinks it was done wrong. Kellogg stated at the last meeting it was agreed to hire Joe full time and hire a part time officer. Nina said she has nothing bad to say about John Paul. Nina stated as far as the part-time you did have other part-time applicants. Kellogg stated yes. Nina then went back to Joseph and asked that he has paper work to fill out to file. Kellogg stated yes he has filed the paper work with the academy. Nina stated then if he is not accepted then will you open the position up for a full time officer. Kellogg stated yes. Kellogg stated that if he cannot go to the academy there is no sense in continuing his service. Nina also stated she was concerned about him carrying a gun. Kellogg stated that she appreciated that the community coming to us and asking questions.

2) 4-H Contract- Jackie came to the table they reviewed the contract Wolf made a motion to renew the lease with 4-H 2nd Tolby Roll call Richards-yes, Bolln-no, Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes, Kellogg-yes.

 

3) Jim Maryott- Answering emergency questions/ Jim came to the table to talk to the board about the sirens and the emergency procedures for the city. He stated that there has been a lot of talk since the last storm event. Legion Hall was open and the park was evacuated and they had 35-40 adults, kids, and dogs. Things that we learned from that is maybe have a sign-in sheet so everyone is accounted for. He talked with Bill Pook region 5and 6the civil defense he has given us a lot of money for the 911 system, and the repeaters. The bottom line lowest siren you can get is about $12,000 up to $20,000. He stated that we would like to place a siren down by the new river houses, one down in the marina and in Beck Park. But that would be a big cost to the village. The new siren blast to take shelter is one 2 minute blast and all clear will be 3 blasts. Testing is done on the 1st Saturday of each month at 10 AM. Jim stated that the best defense is would be to purchase a storm radio. He also discussed the Village may want a generator for the power in the future.

 

4) Consideration to vacate portioning 12^th St adjacent to lots 11 through 17 Block 41 – at request of property owners. The board discussed this. Richards made a motion to carry out the vacate. 2nd Bolln Roll call Tolby-yes, Wolf-yes, Kellogg-yes, Richards-yes, Bolln-yes. Clerk stated that the ordinance will be done at next month’s meeting.

5) Patty Plugge – Burt Co. Economic Development. Patty came to the table and invited Decatur to become part of the organization. Burt County Board of Supervisor has agreed to pay 1/2 of the fees. So the cost to the Village would be $1400 in January and $1400 in July. There was a discussion about a news article about the county board implementing a lodging tax in Burt County.   Patty stated that she is not for or against it. Shiela Maryott came to the table and joined this discussion. Shiela is against a lodging tax. Patty said that she is just here to let us know about Burt County Economic Development organization. Alta made a motion to table this matter until next month 2nd by Bolln Roll call Tolby-yes, Richards-yes, Wolf-yes, Bolln-yes, Kellogg-yes.
6) The dump – Weeds, road, and tree limb dumped on the road. Kellogg said that we have already discussed the       dump.

 

8)        CORRESPONDENCE

Email from EPA showing the graffiti on the sign going into the dump was going to be left out of the             inspection report. Clerk stated the we will be receiving a complete inspection report is on its way.

 

9)       ANNOUNCEMENTS

1) Clerk announced that the ATV/UTV stickers will be ordered next week for the 2015-2016. They are to be             renewed in August.

 

10)       APPROPRIATIONS AND CONSIDERATION OF THE CLAIMS:

 

1) Claims preapproved by Wolf and Tolby

2) Motion to Approve the Claims as Submitted

Richards 2nd Bolln

 

Roll Call: Tolby-Y, Wolf-Y, Richards-Y, Bolln-Y, Kellogg-Y,

Are there any questions from the audience? Debbie Maryott came to the table and suggested the with employee hours cut go to 30/30. Debbie Krutilek had a question about the 40 hours. Kellogg said that we will not be rehiring for those 40 hours. But will hire out for a few hours. Susan Houck was questioning how much will be saving by eliminating 40 hours. Kellogg stated that we have been working on this budget since January.

10)       MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING          

Richards 2nd Bolln

Adjournment Time:   6:20 pm
 

Loretta Kellogg/Chairperson

Ann Chytka /Village Clerk