Village of Decatur Meeting Minutes

Village Board of Decatur
Regular Meeting
July 10, 2014
4:30 P.M.
The Board of the Village of Decatur met in regular session at 4:30 P.M. at the City Hall on July 10, 2014.

Guests signing in were Alta Wolf, Adele Phillips, Kay Kellogg , Debbie Sorenson, Steve Shonkwiler, Scott Johnson, and Nico Hardeman. Guest not signing in was Misti Johnson.
1)         The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Nicola.
Roll Call: Walt Bolln -here, Jim Nicola-here, Bob Richards-absent, Margaret Tolby-here, Stephanie Warren-here
2)         Agenda and minutes of the previous month’s meeting were received:
Roll Call: Walt Bolln-yes, Jim Nicola-yes, Margaret Tolby-yes, Stephanie Warren-yes
3)         Approval and/or corrections and suspended reading of the previous month’s minutes.
Roll Call: Walt Bolln-yes, Jim Nicola-yes, Margaret Tolby-yes, Stephanie Warren-yes
4)         EXCUSE BOARD MEMBERS NOT ATTENDING MEETING:
Bob Richards was not present.
Bolln made a motion to excuse Richards. Warren seconded the motion. Roll Call: Nicola-yes, Tolby-yes, Bolln-yes, Warren-yes.

5) REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS, AND OR COMMITTEES

1) Police – The board reviewed the monthly police report. Bolln stated that something needed to be done with dogs.
2) Lights – Bolln reported that some new poles need to be set, but NREA has been busy due to recent storms.
3) Water & Sewer- There were several water leaks in the past month that had to be fixed.

4) Parks – Tolby reported an income of $7021.57 for the month.
A. July 12^th playground equipment – Kay Kellogg had talked to some people, and they wondered if the 12^th of July would work with the city guys to put the playground equipment up. It was felt that another week would be needed to get things organized. Saturday July 19^th was the date set to install the playground equipment at Beck Park. In other matters Warren reported that it was caving off by the outhouses at the campground. She was told that it was just the sand caving off due to the rains and it wouldn’t make it as far as the outhouses. The clerk also reported that it was brought to her attention that the Village police officer had been harassing the campers. She stated that it was just hear say and didn’t know if it was true or not. He supposedly told the campers that if they have their beer or whatever in a cooler cup or something they are fine, but they can’t have a six pack or something setting on the table or they will get a ticket. Bolln stated that it has been like that for over twenty years. It was that way when he used to camp there. A sign is posted at the park prohibiting alcohol use. There was discussion about people not being bothered at other parks if they had their alcohol exposed, as long as they are not causing trouble. The clerk stated that she didn’t want the Village to lose their campers if they are not causing any trouble.
5) Streets-
A. Jane Farber – West 10^th St. Jane called and asked to have her name taken off the agenda. Jim Nicola told the board that he had talked with Jane about the issue.
B. Marina entrance – The tube that goes across the road entrance into the marina is in need of repair. It was discussed by the board, and since this is private property the Village is not liable for the repairs.
6) Recycling- No income.
A. Nebraska State Recycling Association membership. The Village chose not to make a donation to this organization.
6) OLD BUSINESS
1. Sparks trial begins July 17^th. Nicola made a motion to go into executive session to discuss the Sparks trial. Warren seconded the motion. Roll Call: Tolby-yes, Bolln-yes, Nicola-yes, Warren-yes. Time 4:32 p.m. Bolln made a motion to come out of executive session. Tolby seconded the motion. Roll Call: Nicola-yes, Warren-yes, Bolln -yes, Tolby-yes. Time 4:46 p.m.

7) NEW BUSINESS
1. Health Insurance & Life Insurance Bids. Misti Johnson from Burt County Insurance Agency and Kay Kellogg from K&H Insurance explained their proposals to the board. Bolln made a motion to table this for a week. Tolby seconded the motion. Roll Call: Nicola-yes, Warren-yes, Bolln-yes, Tolby-yes. Warren made a motion for a special meeting next Thursday July 17^th at 4:30 p.m. Bolln seconded the motion. Roll Call: Nicola-yes, Tolby-yes, Warren-yes, Bolln-yes.

2. Shonkwilers permission to serve alcohol at wedding reception on August 16, 2014. Bolln made a motion to allow them to have alcohol on the 16^th of Aug. at the City Hall. Warren seconded the motion. Roll Call: Nicola-yes, Tolby-yes, Bolln-yes, Warren-yes.
3. Contract with 4-H Group- Bolln made a motion to renew the contract with the 4-H group. Tolby seconded the motion. Roll Call: Nicola-yes, Warren-yes, Bolln-yes, Tolby-yes.

4. ATV & UTV License renewal- The new stickers have been ordered. There will not be a day designated for license renewal this year. Renewal can be done at the Clerk’s office Monday through Friday during the regular business hours. Everyone that purchased a sticker last year was sent a letter reminding them to renew. Signs will also be made and placed at local businesses advertising the renewal.

5. Burgess Lease Agreement. Bolln made a motion to renew Burgess Lease Agreement. Warren seconded the motion. Roll Call: Nicola-yes, Tolby-yes, Warren-yes, Bolln-yes .

6. Adele Phillips – Center for Rural Affairs. Adele had spoke with the Village board members at the March 2014 board meeting about a grant application that was being submitted involving the communities of Macy, Decatur, Lyons, and Oakland. She has been informed that they were awarded the grant. There will be news articles about it in the Lyons Mirror Sun, Oakland Independent, and Burt County Plaindealer papers. The grant has $200,000 in value and a lot of intangible benefits as well. It will support the location of a public art works in Decatur. What this means for Decatur is there will be a person at Center for Rural Affairs (Adele Phillips) dedicated to you, promoting local filtering creativity in this area and there is funding for a part time temporary position specifically in Decatur. Job applications will be made available at the Sears Center, Museum, and Clerk’s office in Decatur. The council will be regularly updated on the project.

7. Nico Hardeman – Property clean- up. Nico told the board that he wanted to burn the home but couldn’t because he has to have it checked for asbestos. He is waiting on this inspection before he can do anything. He then asked the board when they were going to clean up the property on main street by his building. Nicola explained to him that this property is not owned by the Village, and the Village has tried many times to correct this problem. They have even had an attorney involved. The Village will continue trying to find a way to get the property on main street cleaned up.

8. Jim Maryott – Siren hooked up with Sheriff’s office. There used to be a way to blow the siren at the toll house, but the toll house has closed. There are two other locations it can be blown from. They are the City Shop and the Fire hall. If the maintenance office is closed and the firemen are all out, there is no one to blow the siren for warnings. The surrounding towns in Burt county are able to have their sirens blown from the sheriff’s office in Tekamah. It was suggested to split the cost of being connected through the sheriff’s office between the Village, Rural Board, and Fire Dept.

9. Charlie Davis – Water & mud in his basement & garage due to water from Sears Center. The heavy rains are causing runoff from the parking lot. The Village is working on a berm to slow down the running water.

10. Della Kellogg – Weeds, dogs, cats and permits. Not present.

8) CORRESPONDENCE

9) ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. 12.84 tons of refuse was collected on cleanup day.

10) APPROPRIATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS OF THE CLAIMS:

1) Claims preapproved by Nicola and Bolln

2) Motion to Approve the Claims as Submitted

Tolby 2^nd Warren
Roll Call: Nicola-yes, Bolln-yes, Tolby-yes, Warren-yes.

Any questions from the audience?

11)      MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING

Bolln 2^nd Warren

ADJOURNMENT TIME: 5:34 P.M.

Jim Nicola
Chairman
Joyce McCullock

Village Clerk