PROCEEDINGS – VILLAGE OF MEAD BOARD OF TRUSTEES
August 8, 2023
A Regular Meeting of the Chairman and Board of Trustees of the Village of Mead, NE was held August 8, 2023 at the Mead Village Office. Chairman Thorson called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Notice of the meeting was provided in advance thereof by posting notice at the Bank of Mead, U.S. Post Office, and the Village Office as shown by the certificate of posting notice attached to these minutes. Advance notice was also provided to all members of the Board of Trustees. All proceedings were held while the convened meeting was open to the public. Answering roll call were Chairman William Thorson; Board of Trustees Jason Lee, Daniel Simon, and Richard Wielage. Absent was Trustee Jason Felty. Also present were Clerk June Moline, Utilities/Maintenance Superintendent Shannon Luetkenhaus, and Police Chief Thomas Sackett. Guests were Lisa Flesner, Dustin Marvel, Cara Simon, Jennifer Lee, Mary Mayfield, Kylee Hickman, Laurie VanAckeren, Roberta Kisling, J.P. Hannan, Andrew Jackson, and Sara Else.
The posting of the Open Meetings Law was noted.
Motion by Wielage, second by Lee, to adopt the agenda. Vote: Felty-absent, Lee-yes, Simon-yes, Thorson-yes, Wielage-yes; motion carried 4-0.
The minutes of the July 11 Regular Meeting were accepted.
Motion by Wielage, second by Simon, to approve the Treasurer’s Report showing $1,301,813.37 total checking/savings balance ending July 31. Vote: Lee-yes, Simon-yes, Thorson-yes, Wielage-yes, Felty-absent; motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Thorson, second by Simon, to approve participation in Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) for July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 at a cost of $425.00 Membership dues and $185.00 Housing dues. Vote: Simon-yes, Thorson-yes, Wielage-yes, Felty-absent, Lee-yes; motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Thorson, second by Lee, to approve the claims of $43,811.40 for payment. Vote: Thorson-yes, Wielage-yes, Felty-absent, Lee-yes, Simon-yes; motion carried 4-0. Claims being:
| 71423 | Matrix Trust | 414(h) Plan | $465.10 |
| 719 | J Hawley | Reimburse Utilities Deposit | $150.00 |
| 720 | S DeGunia | Reimburse Utilities Deposit | $150.00 |
| 721 | N Georgoulopoulos | Reimburse Utilities Deposit | $150.00 |
| 722 | T Langemeier | Reimburse Utilities Deposit | $150.00 |
| 723 | Tony Heinen | Reimburse Utilities Deposit | $150.00 |
| 133689 | 92West | Website Support | $89.00 |
| 5149 | AWS | Repair 10″ Main Frontier Coop | $3,711.56 |
| 133690 | Biblionix | Apollo Automation Service 7/24/23 – 7/23/24 | $800.00 |
| 133691 | Marsh McLennan | Insurance Ballfield Lights | $26.00 |
| 133692 | S Luetkenhaus | Cell Phone Jul 2023 | $70.00 |
| 133693 | International Institute Municipal Clerks | Clerk Membership 10/1/23 through 9/30/24 | $61.66 |
| 5150 | International Institute Municipal Clerks | Clerk Membership 10/1/23 through 9/30/24 | $61.67 |
| 4322 | International Institute Municipal Clerks | Clerk Membership 10/1/23 through 9/30/24 | $61.67 |
| 133694 | J Moline | Amazon – Xerox Ink Cartridges (2) | $116.70 |
| 5151 | J Moline | Amazon – Xerox Ink Cartridges (2) | $58.34 |
| 4323 | J Moline | Amazon – Xerox Ink Cartridges (2) | $58.34 |
| 133695 | Magical Lights | Christmas Tree | $3,450.00 |
| 133696 | Mead Signs | Signs Dump (2) | $120.00 |
| 5152 | Mead Signs | Sign Hydrant | $60.00 |
| 5153 | NE Public Health Environmental Lab | Water Tests | $15.00 |
| 133697 | Petty Cash | Postage, Supplies, Mulch | $75.66 |
| 133698 | Three Rivers Clerks Association | Clerk Dues 10/1/23 – 9/30/24 | $10.00 |
| 5154 | Wahoo Utilities | Contracted Services Jun 2023 | $630.65 |
| 72323 | Kinetic Business | Telephone | $203.58 |
| 133699 | Assoc. for Rural & Small Libraries | Library Conference | $192.50 |
| 5155 | AWS | Repairs 17 N Elm St | $1,564.28 |
| 133700 | Bomgaars | Supplies, Repairs | $146.79 |
| 5156 | Bomgaars | Tools | $146.80 |
| 4324 | Bomgaars | Tools | $146.80 |
| 133701 | Brite Ideas Decorating | Christmas Decorations | $2,143.70 |
| 133702 | Marvin Planning Consulting | Consulting Comprehensive Plan | $850.00 |
| 133703 | Menards | Supplies | $27.80 |
| 5157 | Menards | Supplies | $67.04 |
| 4325 | Menards | Supplies | $22.12 |
| 5158 | Olsson | Consulting Service 410 E Third St | $360.00 |
| 133704 | Platte Valley Equipment | Repairs Tractor | $4.15 |
| 5159 | Platte Valley Equipment | Repairs Tractor | $4.14 |
| 4326 | Platte Valley Equipment | Repairs Tractor | $4.14 |
| 72423 | Windstream | Telephone | $252.87 |
| 72523 | Windstream | Telephone | $126.68 |
| 72623 | Windstream | Telephone | $126.68 |
| 72723 | Matrix Trust | 414(h) Plan | $465.10 |
| 72823 | Internal Revenue Service | SS/Med/FIT Jul 2023 | $2,593.20 |
| 133713 | Black Hills Energy | Natural Gas | $62.14 |
| 5160 | Black Hills Energy | Natural Gas | $8.69 |
| 4327 | Black Hills Energy | Natural Gas | $8.69 |
| 5161 | Hawkins | Water Product | $74.55 |
| 133714 | Helena Ag | Weed Killer | $180.00 |
| 5162 | Helena Ag | Weed Killer | $45.00 |
| 4328 | Helena Ag | Weed Killer | $45.00 |
| 133715 | Chase | Office Supplies, Library Supplies | $249.84 |
| 5163 | Chase | Office Supplies, Training | $64.48 |
| 4329 | Chase | Office Supplies | $39.47 |
| 80223 | NE Dept of Revenue | Sales Tax Jul 2023 | $755.31 |
| 133716 | Mead Rural Fire Dept | Utilities, Insurance – Community Bldg. | $5,434.35 |
| 133717 | Verizon | Police Cell | $60.97 |
| 133718 | Wahoo Newspaper | Publication Liquor License | $38.91 |
| 5164 | Wahoo Newspaper | Publications | $197.52 |
| 133719 | League of Nebraska Municipalities | Membership Dues 9/1/23 – 8/31/24 | $1,865.00 |
| 133720 | SENDD | Membership Dues, Housing Dues 7/1/23-6/30/24 | $203.32 |
| 5165 | SENDD | Membership Dues, Housing Dues 7/1/23-6/30/24 | $203.34 |
| 4330 | SENDD | Membership Dues, Housing Dues 7/1/23-6/30/24 | $203.34 |
| 5166 | League of NE Municipalities-Utilities | Dues 9/1/23 – 8/31/24 | $229.50 |
| 4331 | League of NE Municipalities-Utilities | Membership Dues 9/1/23 – 8/31/24 | $229.50 |
| 133721 | Konecky Oil | Fuel, Repairs | $217.06 |
| 5167 | Konecky Oil | Fuel, Repairs | $158.06 |
| 4332 | Konecky Oil | Fuel | $158.06 |
| 133722 | Mead Ball Assoc. | Umpires 2023 | $360.00 |
| 5168 | One Call Concepts | Locate Fees | $7.92 |
| 133723 | Omaha Public Power District | Electricity | $1,205.40 |
| 5169 | Omaha Public Power District | Electricity | $762.72 |
| 4333 | Omaha Public Power District | Electricity | $203.78 |
| 133724 | Petty Cash – Library | Postage, Supplies | $29.10 |
| Payroll Fund | Payroll | $10,370.66 |
Motion by Lee, second by Simon, to enter a Budget Workshop at 6:05 pm. Vote: Wielage-yes, Felty-absent, Lee-yes, Simon-yes, Thorson-yes; motion carried 4-0.
BUDGET WORKSHOP:
Chairman Thorson called the workshop to order at 6:05 p.m. Answering roll call were Chairman William Thorson; Trustees Jason Lee, Daniel Simon, and Richard Wielage. Absent was Trustee Jason Felty.
Motion by Wielage, second by Simon, to adopt the agenda. Vote: Felty-absent, Lee-yes, Simon-yes, Thorson-yes, Wielage-yes; motion carried 4-0.
Thorson stated the purpose of the workshop was to review the October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024 fiscal year budget.
Accountant Lisa Flesner reviewed the budget. An individual reporting of all accounts took place with cash flow, reserves, and future transfers noted.
Thorson called for public input.
Motion by Simon, second by Wielage, to reconvene in regular session at 6:24 pm. Vote: Lee-yes, Simon-yes, Thorson-yes, Wielage-yes, Felty-absent; motion carried 4-0.
SCHEDULED GUESTS:
Dustin Marvel with OPPD presented local community outreach programs which are available through OPPD. He reported focus on residential rates, grants, energy assistance program, and notification programs available.
James P. Hannan inquired as to why the fireworks stand is located in the park which is zoned a residential district and forbids him from setting off fireworks at his property. Thorson reported Twisted Thunder Fireworks is currently in talks of purchasing a property within Mead. He also noted that the Board of Trustees and Planning Commission are currently amending our Comprehensive Plan which includes zoning regulations.
UTILITIES/MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT REPORT: Shannon Luetkenhaus
Luetkenhaus reported mowing, weed eating and daily duties. She reported a branch recently fell from a tree at the park and she has since been advised that the tree must come down. She will file a claim report with our insurance company for damage done. Seeking numerous bids, the low was $4,100 with stump removal and that six additional trees need to be removed on the east side of the park. Simon was seeking another bid for the removal.
NEW BUSINESS:
Review of the One- and Six-Year Street Plan took place.
Motion by Thorson, second by Lee, to approve the bid of $3,650.00 to install a sprinkler system at the ballfield outfield located at the park. Vote: Simon-yes, Thorson-yes, Wielage-no, Felty-absent, Lee-yes; motion carried 3-1.
Motion by Lee, second by Thorson, to remove discussion of formation of a Park Committee from the table. Vote: Simon-yes, Thorson-yes, Wielage-yes, Felty-absent, Lee-yes; motion carried 4-0.
A letter was read from Dalene Selko indicating what they would like to see the Park Improvement Committee undertake. The plan is to meet every month to begin and then fall back to meeting every quarter or by email to members. The letter highlighted several improvements and projects a few individuals would like to see implemented. The committee’s purpose would be to serve as a fundraising resource and submit recommendations for improvements and purchases. Dalene Selko, Staci Charles, Adam Miller, and Angie Siske have volunteered to serve on the committee. Following discussion, the clerk was instructed to post notice seeking members to include not only Mead residents but any interested party. The committee will be made up of six members plus one member of the Board of Trustees and the Maintenance Superintendent. Committee members and their terms will be determined at a future Trustee’s meeting. All recommendations made by the Park Improvement Committee will be approved by the Board of Trustees prior to any action taken.
Responses were presented from twenty-seven Nebraska Clerks as to how they handle emergency work for the Utilities/Maintenance Superintendent. Thorson feels time and a-half should be awarded as this interferes with family time. Clerk is to create an ordinance to amend the Employee Handbook to read so.
A letter was read from the Mead Days Committee regarding Holiday Lighting Event to be held in Mead on December 2.
LIBRARY REPORT:
The minutes of the August 1 Library Board Meeting were accepted.
PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:
Building Permit 23-10, AltEn, 1332 Co Rd 10, to erect a 6’ galvanized chain link fence to surround the property was accepted.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT:
The minutes of the June 26 Regular Meeting and July 10 Special Meeting were accepted.
POLICE REPORT: Thomas Sackett
Sackett reported on-duty activities, concerns, and issuance of tickets. He reported he will be the Resource Officer at his church/school but will continue his employment with the village.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Discussion was held on activities at AltEn and safety concerns at the Frontier Coop construction site.
Motion by Simon, second by Lee, to adjourn at 7:33 pm. Vote: Felty-absent, Lee-yes, Simon-yes, Thorson-yes, Wielage-yes; motion carried 4-0.
William Thorson, Chairman
June Moline, Clerk