The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

REGULAR PROCEEDINGS

Village of Clearwater BOARD OF TRUSTEES

November 13, 2023

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 7 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, Troy Behnke, Kyle Petersen, LuAnn Schindler, Leigh Alexander, Kathy Feusse, Bill Kester, Sandy Kester, Steve Stearns, Sheriff Bob Moore, Bobbi Pettit.

Approved minutes of Oct. 9 regular meeting.

Approved treasurer’s report.

Approved survey plat to split lot into two for duplex units at 105 and 107 Nebraska St.

Approved two applications for purchase of each duplex unit at $140,000 each.

Approved NAHTF drawdown #6 payment of $28,000 to each approved duplex applicant in NAHTF grant funds for homebuyer assistance.

Approved NAHTF drawdown #6 payment of $7,000 to CDS Inspections and Beyond in NAHTF grant funds for housing management services.

Approved transfer of $2,000 left in homebuyer assistance to new construction in NAHTF grant funds.

Approved DTR drawdown #4 payment of $127.50 in DTR grant funds to NENEDD for administration services and $15,955 to Five Rule Rural Planning with $14,359.50 in DTR funds and $1,595.50 in local match for planning services.

Discussion held regarding finalizing lagoon funds and upon further inspection, there seems to be some missing reimbursements. There is also concern that most of the interest paid to the bank was reimbursed by USDA using the village’s loan funds. The board asked Angie Hupp to collect paperwork regarding interest through the project and Kyle Petersen to contact an auditor to find out costs for auditing the project.

Economic development report presented.

Maintenance report presented. Board okay with Troy Behnke assisting elderly residents with trash through the winter if they call village office for help.

Approved paying $525.63 to ERPPD to move power pole in front of museum as requested by historical society.

Sheriff’s report presented. No hours were given. Frustrations and concerns were expressed that it is difficult to enforce local ordinances without the support of the courts.

Approved offer of help to clean up property at 307 Montana St., based on sheriff’s suggestion at court. Sheriff Moore will contact owners.

Mediation scheduled with owners of 207 Colorado St. was scheduled for Nov. 10 but then postponed due to illness. Hupp waiting for reschedule date.

Library report presented. Successful fundraiser held with 34 people attending a door hanger painting. Discussion held regarding location of telehealth room and status of library remodel. Kerkman suggested new ideas that would change the bids. Kerkman suggested getting a few people together Friday and nailing down a remodel so requests for bids can be sent and a timeline can be created.

No park report presented.

Clerk report presented.

Approved paying Maria Swanson $20/hour with a one-hour minimum to interpret for the village when needed.

Approved special liquor license application for The Waterhole for event at The Office on Dec. 13.

Bobbi Pettit from Five Rule Rural Planning provided an update on DTR planning project. Pettit presented renderings and ideas that were presented to the community on wing night Nov. 8. The next step is a community survey.

Unfinished business presented. No board members could make it to the November county commissioners’ meeting so will try again in December to discuss the streets and culvert the county has given village control to.

New business presented. Due to school Christmas concert, the December meeting moved to Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.

Discussion held regarding day and time for meetings in 2024, as well as village engineer options. No decisions made.

Dave Timm will be resigning from the CORE board at the end of the year. The village board needs to find a community member willing to take the three-year position beginning in 2024.

Creek along lagoon land eroding. Hupp still trying to get information from Miller & Associates for steps to take.

Approved claims and payroll. Claims, $120,524.71; wages, $7,020.04.

Approved entering executive session to perform employee evaluations at 9:07 p.m.

Approved exiting executive session at 9:23 p.m.

Approved adjourning the meeting at 9:23 p.m.

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

Angie Hupp,

Village Clerk

Published November 23, 2023

ZNEZ