Proceedings Village of Clearwater Board of Trustees

PROCEEDINGS

Village of Clearwater BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Oct. 9, 2023

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 8 p.m. Notice of Meeting was given in advance by publication in “Summerland Advocate-Messenger,” was posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market, and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster.

Present: Kelly Kerkman, Marsha Hart, Cody Kester, Brian King, Jeff Schlecht. Others present: Angie Hupp, Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen, LuAnn Schindler, Troy Behnke, Kyle Petersen, Don Zegers.

Approved minutes of Sept. 11 budget hearing, tax request hearing and regular meeting.

Approved treasurer’s report.

Late utility bills were presented. Discussion held regarding necessity of presenting as using customer names invades their privacy and isn’t required by the state. The board stated it should be removed from the agenda and the clerk may let them know during the clerk’s report if someone has received a disconnect notice or been disconnected for nonpayment.

Discussion held regarding Nebraska St. east of River Rd. and River Rd. from highway north to bridge. Kerkman and Kester attended a county commissioners’ meeting to talk about the condition. The board is going to ask the county at their Nov. 7 meeting if the village uses $125,000 in available funds to fix the aforementioned streets, if the county will cover the rest of the bill.

Don Zegers addressed the board again regarding its decision to have him pay sewer for each unit in his apartment instead of one sewer for the whole building. The board presented a year’s worth of water usage for several businesses, a two-person residence and a four-person residence to compare to the apartment’s usage for the same time period. After heated discussion, the board informed Zegers that their decision stands and he will be responsible for paying eight sewer rates.

Approved purchase of a Kubota F2690E riding mower from Dinkel Implement for $22,750, not including freight and delivery, less an $11,000 trade-in on an older mower. King voted against.

Maintenance report presented. Troy Behnke said he’ll need access to a computer occasionally for GIS work. The board told him to use one the village already has because there’s no need to install internet at the shop. Behnke will use his phone as a hotspot to run the GIS iPad when necessary. Behnke will order sand for the playground.

Economic development report presented. NNTC hosting an open house on Oct. 25. Downtown revitalization planning crew will be at wing night on Nov. 8 to discuss ideas with community members. Lauren Sheridan-Simonson looking into the possibility of Clearwater installing an electric vehicle charging station. Would be the first one between Norfolk and Valentine.

Approved transferring $22,000 from economic savings to economic checking to pay LB840 grant to Kidz Corner Clubhouse. Sheridan-Simonsen asked Kyle Petersen about the necessity of having transfers on the agenda. Petersen stated it was a good practice to have.

Library report presented including year in review. LuAnn Schindler presented a bid to replace the front wall in the library, stating the contractor could start the next day. Kerkman expressed his concern that the type of materials was not listed and stated that a residential exterior door would not hold up to use in a commercial building. The decision was postponed until November so the contractor could resubmit the bid with a commercial door and breakdown of materials.

No park report presented.

Clerk report presented. David Duff sponsoring a shredding truck in The Office parking lot on Oct. 19 from 3-5 p.m.

Approved Drawdown #3 for DTR grant funds to pay $1,118.75 to NENEDD for administration services and $3,450 to Five Rule Rural Planning for planning services, with $345 being paid from local match funds.

Approved interlocal agreement between Antelope County and Antelope Co. Library Association for Sept. 1, 2023, to Aug. 31, 2024. Agreement includes Clearwater Public Library.

Sheriff report presented. September hours were 56.47 with one 911 call.

Unfinished business presented. Demolition of 301 Second St. has been delayed by contractors so missed the Oct. 1 deadline. Owners are to keep board informed of progress and get demolition completed as soon as possible. Summerland Advocate-Messenger published ad in paper free of charge for village, stating some nuisance ordinances that residents need to keep in mind and try to clean up. Schindler agreed to continue this quarterly, working with clerk to place additional info in as needed.

Confirmed next meeting of Monday, Nov. 13 with time change to 7 p.m.

Approved claims and payroll. Claims $110,598.22; wages $7,235.85.

Approved entering executive session to prevent needless injury to individuals at 9:34 p.m.

Approved exiting executive session at 9:45 p.m.

Approved adjourning the meeting at 9:45 p.m.

A complete copy of the minutes is available at the Clerk’s office during regular business hours.

Angie Hupp

Village clerk

Published October 19, 2023

ZNEZ