February 19, 2025 Minutes
March 03, 2025
A meeting of the Stratton Village Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:01 pm on Wednesday February 19, 2025 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. Also in attendance were: Utilities Superintendent M. Petersen, Clerk T. Hedrick, Assistance Utilities Superintendent C. Stout, and members of the public Alexis Windecker, and Melba Rife.
Motion by Hanes and seconded by Bohochik to excuse the absence of Trustee Moore. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Stewart. Nays: None. Absent: Moore. Motion carried.
OPEN FORUM:
No public comment made.
Motion by Stewart and seconded by Bohochik to approve the previous minutes, claims and treasurers report as presented. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Stewart. Nays: None. Absent: Moore. Motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Bid from Fast Forward was reviewed. No other bids were received for GIS mapping or thermal imaging of the Village electric system. Utilities Superintendent Petersen informed the board that he found some old maps of the Village electric system. Motion by Hanes and seconded by Bohochik to accept the bid from Fast Forward as presented and move forward with mapping and testing of the Village of Stratton electrical system. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Stewart. Nays: None. Absent: Moore. Motion carried.
Employment applications received for Utilities Superintendent were reviewed. Clerk Hedrick was advised to reach out to the top two applicants for availability to interview. Motion by Hanes and seconded by Stewart to appoint Trustee Bohochik and Trustee Hanes as interview committee for Utility Superintendent Applicants. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Stewart. Nays: None. Absent: Moore. Motion carried. Stewart advised he would call references of the applicants.
NEW BUSINESS:
Chairman Hanes nominated Hillary Alexis Windecker to fill the vacant position on the Village of Stratton Board of Trustees for the balance of the unexpired term ending in December 2028. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Stewart. Nays: None. Absent: Moore. Motion carried and vacancy declared filled by Hillary Alexis Windecker.
Hillary Alexis Windecker took the oath of office.
Motion by Hanes and second by Stewart to approve the following persons, with the required number of signatures, to deposit funds, withdraw funds, or transfer funds and to take any other action to transact other business with the Village of Stratton Financial Accounts at MNB Bank: Chairman Shawn Hanes, Vice-Chairman Bohochik, Trustee Rick Moore, Trustee Justin Stewart, Trustee Hillary Alexis Windecker and Clerk/ Treasurer Tara Hedrick. In addition Deputy Clerk Dolores Burk shall have access to obtain information on all accounts as well as access to safe deposit boxes. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Stewart, Windecker. Nays: None. Absent: Moore. Motion carried.
Motion by Stewart and seconded by Hanes to approve Resolution 539 declaring Park playground set as surplus equipment and direct for disposal of said property. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Stewart, Windecker. Nays: None. Absent: Moore. Motion carried.
Employee Report: Assistant Utilities Superintendent Stout has registered for a second exam for water operator certification.
Streets, Ally and Landfill Report: Snow removal from Village streets was discussed.
Electricity Committee Report: Customer complaint was read by Trustee Stewart regarding the condition of a tree after tree trimming was necessary by Village employees. The tree was trimmed back following a power outage caused by the tree branches. A notice will be posted regarding keeping tree branches trimmed away from Village power lines prior to the Village needing to trim them.
Water & Sewer Committee Report: Superintendent Petersen advised the Village had completed the Level 2 Assessment after a failed water sample.
Finance Committee Report: Clerk Hedrick inquired on any goals or projects board members would like to see completed.
Health & Welfare Committee: Clerk Hedrick submitted a list of registered vacant properties as well as those not in compliance. With no objections from the board Clerk Hedrick was given permission to begin working on nuisance violations this spring. Stewart advised a courtesy call to the Sheriff’s Department should be made prior to going out to view properties.
Park & Recreation Committee Report: Status of the Village swimming pool was discussed. Advertisements for employees will be posted.
Motion by Hanes and seconded by Stewart to adjourn the meeting. Roll call: Ayes: Hanes, Bohochik, Stewart, Windecker. Nays: None. Absent: Moore. Motion Carried and meeting adjourned at 7:46pm.
The next regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees will be held on Monday March 17, 2025 at 7:00 pm at the Village Office.
| February 2025 Claims | ||
| Vendor | Description | Amount |
| American Agricultural Laboratory | Water testing | $147.56 |
| AMGL | Professional Services- Audit | $5,820.00 |
| Charles Schwab & Co., Inc | Retirement Contribution | $814.14 |
| Culligan Water Conditioning | Monthly Rental | $37.48 |
| Deveny | Parts | $61.85 |
| Dutton-Lainson | Parts | $612.06 |
| Farmers Cooperative Grain & Supply | Fuel & Prepaid propane | $226.18 |
| Great Plains Communication | Phone Service | $489.27 |
| HonorboundIT | IT support & computers and install | $4,367.50 |
| Jane Voss | Books | $55.76 |
| LARM | Insurance | $342.42 |
| Nebraska Dept of Environment and Energy | Water operator course & exam fee | $130.00 |
| Nebraska Dept of Environment and Energy | Swimming Pool Permit Renewal | $40.00 |
| Nebraska Public Health Environmental Lab | Water testing | $369.00 |
| Scoop Media | Publications | $41.85 |
| Southwest Public Power District | Power cost | $26,401.21 |
| Stratton Auto Parts | Supplies | $116.06 |
| Stratton Country Market | Supplies | $3.00 |
| US Bank | Payroll Fee, Books, Electric Meters | $242.99 |
| USA Blue Book | Parts | $352.77 |
| USPS | Postage | $241.00 |
| Verizon | Cell Phone Service | $161.16 |
| Waste Connections of Nebraska | Town Disposal Charge | $4,190.16 |
| Wesco | Parts | $458.00 |
| Mandatory Disbursements: | ||
| Aflac | Employee Withholding | $161.38 |
| MNB- Stratton | ACH Fees | $38.27 |
| Nebraska Department of Revenue | Sales Tax | $1,463.37 |
| Payroll | ||
| Salaries | Salaries | $24,985.74 |
| Payroll Taxes | Employer Contribution | $1,904.33 |
| Total Claims | $45,721.42 | |
| Total Mandatory Disbursements | $1,663.02 | |
| Total Payroll | $26,890.07 | |
| Total Claims Report | $74,274.51 |
