The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met in regular session Monday, Jan. 11, at 7:07 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Notice of Meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger and notice was given to council persons prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster.

Present: Kevin Filsinger, Steve Stearns, Kelly Kerkman, Mike Klabenes. Absent: Steve Hankla. Others present: Lauren Sheridan-Simonson, Kate Ahlers, Jenna Hemenway, Ashley Weesner from Miller & Associates, Sheriff Bob Moore, Attorney Joe McNally and clerk, Angie Hupp.

Approved regular minutes and treasurer’s report for December. Late water bills were presented.

Ashley Weesner of Miller & Associates reported that easement contracts are submitted to the county and lagoon project can move forward when copies are received. Results of 2020 income survey were presented. Village can use results to apply for several grants to help improve community.

Sheriff’s report: Antelope County Sheriff’s Department worked 1,047 hours and 18 minutes and received 20 911 calls for the Village of Clearwater.

Economic development report: One business applied for emergency COVID grant funds before the Dec. 31 deadline. Motion by Klabenes, seconded by Kerkman, to approve funds be delivered to business. Letter to be sent with water bills to gauge interest in having online payment available through village website, if possible.

Discussion with Attorney Joe McNally regarding problems with ongoing junk ordinance violations.

Maintenance report: Mike Klabenes will install several new culverts. Motion by Klabenes, seconded by Filsinger, to approve purchase of Bobcat broom attachment from Kayton International. Second notice will be sent to those who still need trees trimmed, asking if village can hire tree trimmer on their behalf and bill property owner when completed.

Park report: Motion by Kerkman, seconded by Filsinger, to approve purchase of security camera system to be placed around park.

Building permits: Motion by Filsinger, seconded by Kerkman, to approve grain bin building permit for Jim Thiele one mile north of town. Motion by Kerkman, seconded by Filsinger, to approve two storage building permits for Mike Klabenes. Klabenes abstained.

Motion by Klabenes, seconded by Kerkman, to approve Rutjens Construction to place 300-feet waterline bore southwest of town, with amended size of line, from one inch to one and one-half or one and three-quarter inch pipe.

Motion by Filsinger, seconded by Klabenes, to change permanent employee payroll date from the first of month to second Monday to coincide with meeting date. Temporary employees will continue to be paid twice a month.

Clerk’s report: Posters will be placed around town advertising for new cleaning person to clean fire hall meeting room and library bathrooms. New authorization forms will be sent with January water bills for customers of Cornerstone Bank who have automatic withdrawals for water bills.

Old business: Rutjens Construction to tap into main water and sewer lines for camper pads on north side of town.

Motion by Kerkman, seconded by Filsinger, to approve Innovative Ag claim. Klabenes abstained.

Motion by Klabenes, seconded by Filsinger, to approve all other claims.

Claims and payroll: Wages: $4,511.32; bills: $ 27,340.52

Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

A full copy of the minutes is available at the clerk’s office.

Angie Hupp

Village Clerk

Published January 21, 2021

ZNEZ