Date: Monday, January 8, 2018
Present: Ehmke, Kirchhoff, Lehn, Moses and Clerk, Kirchhoff
Absent: Staack
There were four board members present and one absent. The meeting was brought to order at 6:00 pm by Chairman, Ehmke and reminded all in attendance of the Open Meetings Act posted on the wall.
The Minutes of the December 11, 2017, were submitted for approval. A motion was made to approve the minutes followed by a second and all present voted ayes.
The Treasurer’s Report was submitted for approval. A motion was made to approve the Treasurer’s report and all present voted ayes.
Guest/Reports:
From the Fire Department – The department has not been able to burn house due to cold weather.
Keene worked last week on the sewer plant as it was down but everything running now. The water has been shut off at the car wash.
Kirchhoff reported from the Library Board that they will be meeting and having a work day this next week.
Old Business:
Properties/Attorney:
Due to cold weather the fire department has not been able to burn house, the garage has been cleared out. Carpet rolls will be hauled away.
Attorney has sent letter trying to locate owner, phone number not available from son. Two other properties will have photos taken and sent to attorney for future work. The Board would like to see more work done on fourth property before closing with court in February.
Utility Bills – There were 12 shut off notices mailed and four remain unpaid at this time.
Bridge information was received and shared with the Board. Report shows design costs – survey, hydraulics, ADA compliance, bridge spec, bridge foundation, and associated plans for the village to let – is estimated at $12-$15K. If determined geotech/soil borings are required, additional $5K. If work is required in the channel an additional $4K is anticipated. This does not include cost of bridge, estimated at $100K. The Board will need to do more searching for other options.
Santa visit was well attended and the Board will host again in 2018. Possibly have week before Christmas in hopes for larger crowd. Donations of $60 were received.
New Business:
Appointments for 2018:
A motion was made and seconded to retain the services of Melinda Clarke, CPA. All present Board members voted ayes.
A motion was made and seconded to retain JEO Consulting Group Inc. All present Board members voted ayes.
A motion was made and seconded to appoint Evan B Wickersham from JEO Consulting Group Inc as our Street Superintendent. All present Board members voted ayes.
After discussion and comparing of fees, a motion was made and seconded to retain the services of Jerry Stilmock as Village Attorney. All present Board members voted ayes.
Wages:
It was decided by the Board to stay with the current Trustee and Chairman Fees as well as the $12 per hour for work done. The mileage rate of $.54 per mile will remain the same.
Keene, Water and Wastewater Operator – A motion was made and seconded to approve a 2 ½% pay increase. All present Board members voted ayes.
Kirchhoff, Village Clerk/Treasurer and Utility Clerk – A motion was made and seconded to approve a 2 ½% pay increase. All present Board members voted ayes.
Sealed bids for Mowing and Snow Removal:
Two bids were received and reviewed. A motion was made and seconded, based on information received, the mowing contract be granted to Hoss’s Lawn Care as he has the previous experience working with the Village and is locally located versus the out of state address and his bid showed amount would not change if granted for four years. All present Board members voted ayes.
Only one bid for snow removal was received. A motion was made and seconded to accept the bid received. Three Board voted ayes, one abstained and one was absent.
Clean Up Day for 2018. The Clerk will look into rates for 3 roll offs for April 21 or April 14 as the second choice. McDonald will be contacted for appliances.
Trustee Reports:
Water/Staack: Absent
Sewer/Kirchhoff: Nothing to report.
Finance/Lehn: Nothing to report.
Parks/Moses: Nothing to report.
Street/Ehmke: Nothing to report.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the payments of the bills for January. All present board members voted and the following bills will be paid:
General: Kirchhoff - $583.97; Windstream - $124.79; Columbus Telegram - $36.53; One-Call Concepts - $1.14; Office Depot - $278.88; Papillion Sanitation - $152.16
Sewer: Keene - $827.85; Kirchhoff - $85.16; GO Bond - $758.42; Midwest Laboratories - $151; Meeske Ace Hardware - $89.55; Postmaster - $73.50; Taylor’s Drain & Sewer Service Inc. - $1095; Municipal Services & Supply - $383.79
Water: Keene - $151.22; Kirchhoff - $85.14; Sewer Account - $3245.65; Rural Water Dist. #3 - $1357.25; Water Loan Repay - $2200; NE Department of Revenue - $353.98; NE Public Health Environmental Lab - $15; Postmaster - $24.50; Ehmke - $9.23; NE Rural Water Association - $100; Seay - $60
Street: Ehmke - $310.30; Moses - $11.09; Lehn - $33.25; Meeske Ace Hardware - $8.27; Wessels Trucking - $310.84; JEO Consulting Group Inc. - $600; Hauschild Construction - $990
Community Improvement: Antes - $55; Kirchhoff - $128.49; Donation Received - $60
Library/Sign: Bose - $342.12
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The present board members voted ayes and the meeting were adjourned by Chairman at 7:35 pm. The next meeting of the Avoca Village Board will be held onMonday, February 12, 2018 at 6:00 pm at the Village office at 609 House Street. Minutes are submitted by Marilyn Kirchhoff, Village Clerk/Treasurer.