November 18, 2024 Minutes
November 22, 2024
A meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:03 pm on Monday November 18, 2024 at the Village Office by Chairman S. Hanes. Notice of the meeting was posted in three public places: Village Clerk’s Office, MNB Bank Stratton, and United States Post Office Stratton. Availability of the agenda was communicated in the advance notice. A poster of the “Open Meetings Act” was clearly visible on the wall, and Chairman Hanes directed the attention of those present to the poster. All proceedings hereafter shown occurred while the meeting was in session.
Present: Trustee S. Hanes, Trustee P. Bohochik, Trustee J. Stewart, Trustee J. Chivell Griffiths. Also in attendance were: Utilities Superintendent M. Petersen, Clerk T. Hedrick, Assistance Utilities Superintendent C. Stout, and Richard Eymann with NMPP Energy. Trustee M. McDonald absent.
OPEN FORUM: Richard Eymann with NMPP Energy addressed the board regarding an area meeting for shared service for electric employees. Eymann stated there will be around 14 communities possibly involved in shared services for maintenance and assistance. Questions answered and discussion on what would be involved in the shared service. A future scheduled informative meeting by NMPP regarding the service will take place in December and an invite will be sent with more information from NMPP.
Motion by Griffiths and seconded by Stewart to approve the previous minutes, claims and treasurers report as presented. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Griffiths, Stewart. Nays: None. Absent: McDonald. Motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Park playground equipment was discussed. Funding options were reviewed. Motion by Hanes and seconded by Stewart to spend up to $30,000 for playground equipment only. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Griffiths, Stewart. Nays: None. Absent: McDonald. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
Hedrick advised the office computers are outdated and beginning to have performance issues. Honorbound IT was contacted to assist and also provided a quote for future service as well as new equipment. Quote was reviewed by the board with recommendations. Motion by Hanes and seconded by Griffiths to advertise for bids for computer support and upgraded equipment. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Griffiths, Stewart. Nays: None. Absent: McDonald. Motion carried.
Motion by Hanes seconded by Stewart to hire Wiley’s Top Notch Tree Service for tree trimming out of electric lines for work completed under $5000. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Griffiths, Stewart. Nays: None. Absent: McDonald. Motion carried.
Motion by Griffiths and seconded by Bohochik to approve renewal of time deposit certificate #141042 for another eight months. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Griffiths, Stewart. Nays: None. Absent: McDonald. Motion carried.
Employee Report: Retirement plans were discussed. Superintendent Petersen advised he would be ready to retire as soon as the Village hired someone to take his place. Clerk Hedrick will advertise to accept applications for employment.
Streets, Ally and Landfill Report: Letter was reviewed from Topkote Inc. regarding retirement. It was noted bids will need obtained next spring to find another company to complete armor coating.
Electricity Committee Report: Meters from City of Hastings were discussed. Motion by Stewart and seconded by Bohochik to purchase 500 digital electric meters from City of Hastings. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Griffiths, Stewart. Nays: None. Absent: McDonald. Motion carried.
Water & Sewer Committee Report: Superintendent Petersen advised Railway Street will be sewer jetted as soon as the company can make it to town.
Finance Committee Report: Clerk Hedrick inquired on the need for the payroll report with the breakdown for each class to be included in meeting packets. Board members stated they would like to continue to see this report.
Health & Welfare Committee: Nothing new to report.
Park & Recreation Committee Report: It was noted the newly purchases pole Christmas decorations have not yet been delivered. The plan is to have them hung the first week after Thanksgiving.
Motion by Hanes and seconded by Stewart to adjourn the meeting. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Griffiths, Stewart. Nays: None. Absent: McDonald. Motion Carried and meeting adjourned at 8:23 pm.
The next regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Monday December 16, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.
| November 2024 Claims | ||
| Vendor | Description | Amount |
| American Agricultural Laboratory | Water testing | $27.56 |
| Andrew's Landscaping | Mowing Service/Fertilization & Herbicide | $5,500.00 |
| AMGL | Professional Fees- Audit | $3,880.00 |
| BOKF | Bond Payment | $13,012.50 |
| Charles Schwab & Co., Inc | Retirement Contribution | $517.14 |
| Culligan Water Conditioning | Monthly Rental | $36.93 |
| Eakes | Office Supplies | $32.34 |
| Farmers Cooperative Grain & Supply | Fuel & Prepaid propane | $169.84 |
| Great Plains Communication | Phone Service | $488.99 |
| gWorks | Annual Subscription | $3,630.00 |
| Honorbound IT | Tech support | $300.00 |
| JA Automotive and Repair | Equipment Maintenance | $76.90 |
| NE Dept. of Environment and Energy | Sewer Bond Payment | $6,292.08 |
| NE Dept. of Environment and Energy | Application Fee exemption WW Certification | $100.00 |
| Schroeder & Schroeder | Professional Fees | $328.38 |
| Scoop Media | Publication Fee | $99.22 |
| Southwest Public Power District | Power cost and assistance | $16,642.89 |
| Stratton Auto Parts | Supplies | $31.98 |
| Stratton Country Market | Supplies | $9.70 |
| US Bank | Payroll Fee, Books, Parts | $138.09 |
| USPS | Postage | $387.00 |
| Verizon | Cell Phone Service | $161.13 |
| Waste Connections of Nebraska | Town Disposal Charge | $4,190.16 |
| Mandatory Disbursements: | ||
| Aflac | Employee Withholding | $161.38 |
| MNB- Stratton | ACH Fees | $38.27 |
| Nebraska Department of Revenue | Sales Tax | $3,074.95 |
| Payroll | ||
| Salaries | Salaries | $11,826.02 |
| Payroll Taxes | Taxes | $3,052.44 |
| Total Claims | $56,052.83 | |
| Total Mandatory Disbursements | $3,274.60 | |
| Total Payroll | $14,878.46 | |
| Total Claims Report | $74,205.89 |
