REGULAR MEETING OF THE CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF FAIRMONT NEBRASKA
MONDAY JUNE 8, 2020

 The Regular Meeting of the Fairmont Village Board of Trustees was convened in open and public session on Monday, June 8, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the Fairmont Village Shop located at 211 D Street, Fairmont NE due to the social distancing requirements.  Notice of the meeting was given in advance according to proper notification by posting of meeting notice at Heartland Bank-Fairmont Branch, U.S. Post Office and Fairmont Village Hall.  Chairperson Aaron T. Fintel Chairperson called the meeting to order . Clerk/Treas. Linda Zuerlein recorded the minutes. Board members present upon roll call were:  Chris Grant, Larry E. Klipp, Trisha Galusha-Chapman and David R. Seggerman.  Visitors to the meeting were:  Tyler Salmon, Dan Slocum, Sherry Rose, Mike Scheil, Jerry Johnson, Bill and Amanda Schropfer, Jacob Freel, Angel Picard, Skip Radke, Kyle Svec, Eric Kamler, David Solheim, Rich Eymann, Anna Yates and Jack Slocum.  Chairperson Fintel noted that a copy of the Open Meetings Act was posted on the west wall of the maintenance shop for public inspection and review.  Seggerman moved and Galusha- Chapman seconded to approve the minutes of the May 11, 2020 board meeting.  Voting aye: Seggerman, Galusha-Chapman, Grant, Klipp and Fintel.  Motion approved. The April 30, 2020 Treasurer’s Report was placed on file. 

PUBLIC FORUM

MIKE SCHULTES, JEO CONSULTING GROUP INC 
Mike Schlutes reviewed information on the lagoon inspection conducted by the Dept. of Environment & Energy (NDEE) February 21, 2020. Items discussed: 1)Letters dated March 18, 2020, April 15, 2020, April 29, 2020 and May 27, 2020 between NDEE and Village; 2) Majority of increased  hydraulic flow into the lagoons in the last 18 months from groundwater levels;  3) Flows have caused capacity issues for lagoon cells which are in service; 4) Village can provide updated information to NDEE within 60 days of June board meeting; 5) NDEE is looking for a long range plan; 6)Scope of Services to amend 1998 Wastewater Facility Plan and 2016 Wastewater Lagoon expansion – the amendment will focus on  a) hydraulic flow and ways to reduce the flow at the wastewater facility;  b)collect data on manholes; c) review video of sewer system; d)modify existing discharge; e)possible rehab east part of north lagoon cell; 5) Amendment would be completed this fall; 6) Galusha-Chapman moved and Klipp seconded to enter into an Agreement with JEO Consulting Group, Inc. for a limited Wastewater Report in the amount of $15,000.  Voting aye:  Galusha-Chapman, Klipp, Grant, Seggerman and Fintel.  Motion approved. 

CITY OF GENEVA
Mayor Eric Kamer, City Administrator Kyle Svec and City Attorney Dave Solheim visited with the board regarding a possible Interlocal Agreement with the Village of Fairmont Marshal as a  code enforcement officer for the City of Geneva.  Fairmont has a similar Interlocal Agreement for code enforcement with the Village of Grafton.  Items discussed: 1)Geneva Emergency Management Committee oversees code enforcement- committee members are Jean Engle, Chuck Udell and Cody Lightwine; 2)  Schedule could be 20 – 25 hours/week, flexible; 3) Focus would mainly be on nuisance abatement issues, unlicensed vehicle however would also like periodic presence at ball game and pool-once again what would work with Marshal’s schedule; 4)Marshal’s first priority would be Fairmont; 5) Signage for vehicle; 6)Goal would be to start October 1, 2020; 6) General board consensus was pursue the Interlocal Agreement with Genvea and have Fairmont Police Commission Seggerman, Marshal Salmon,Geneva City Attorney Solheim and Fairmont Village Attorney Charley Campbell work on the Interlocal Agreement. 

SKIP RADKE
Skip discussed the following with the board: 1) Requested all employees and board members look around and see what can be done to save money and be more cost efficient; 2) Residents who want street lights in alleys should pay for the lights and electricity; 3) Requested the Village place a fence around the lighting control panel west of his shop building; 4)Change meeting board date from Monday to Tuesday; 5) Spraying of lagoon with Lagon would save mowing time and wear and tear on mower-cost would be around $1,100 a year- Skip was informed the Nebr. Dept. of Environment & Energy (NDEE) request the lagoon to be mowed to keep weeds/grass to a height of less than 6”.  

BILL AND AMANDA SCHROPFER
Schropfers visited with the board regarding power outage at Bill’s Repair and damage to equipment.  Items discussed: 1)Have been having electrical issues at business; 2)Schropfers felt since the problem was out at the pole the village should pay for repairs and they should not turn expenses for this into their insurance company; 3) Happened six years ago and cost them $8,000;4) Rich Eymann, Electric Distribution Operations from Nebr. Municipal Power Pool explained the current issues-wires-wind blows causes brown outs, no fuses, etc-older electric service at neighboring property needs to be upgraded;5)Village had Marshal to do a report because Rich’s recommendation of what happened may have been vandalism by someone throwing a piece of iron into the adjoining secondary wire to cause the problem; 6)Look at isolating Bill’s Repair electrical service from neighboring property electrical service ;7)34 Electric was contacted and the other property owner will be contacted to get wires fixed; 8)Schropfers stated 34 Electric suggested Bill’s Repair keep this claim open ended in case additional items burn out; 9) Schropfers presented the board with claim totaling $3,160.04 – general consensus was to turn claim into EMC – Village’s insurance provider- and Rich mentioned having a discussion with EMC Insurance that the Village is not at fault on this claim because it was an act God (wind) or vandals. Note to minutes: Rich Eymann found the faulted overload on the adjoining service going west across the railroad tracks to cause the wire to burn into the transformer bank pole which feed’s Bill’s Repair – nothing to do with the village’s construction. 
 
JACOB FREEL AND ANGEL PICARD
Jacob and Angel visited with the board regarding chickens on their property located at 525 8th Ave.  Items reviewed: 1) Petition signed by neighboring property owners stating opposition to the chickens; 2) Angel stated other residents have cows, ducks and chickens; 3) Jacob & Angel are using the chickens for produce; 4)Review of Code 6-212 states animals or fowls  cannot be nearer than 100’ to any building or structure used for residential purpose and Code 6-213 regarding sanitary regulations states cleaning for area once every seven days.  Code 6-211 limiting the number of animals on a premise was repealed in 2007; 5)Village Marshal will send letters to individuals known to have chickens inside the corporate limits of Village Code 6-212 and Code 6-213. Individuals in violation of Code 6-212 will be given 30 days to correct the violation. 

TRUSTEE GALUSHA CHAPMAN-UPDATE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK 
Trustee Galusha Chapman informed the board the original employee handbook was compiled in 1995 and is in need of revisions. McNally Law/Municipal Code Services, Inc. Neligh NE assists municipalities on employee handbooks and updating of municipal code books.  McNally Law will be contacted to assist with updating the employee handbook and municipal code book.  The updated code book could be made available on the village’s web site.   

TRUSTEE SEGGERMAN AGENDA ITEM FORM
Trustee Seggerman reviewed a form used by the City of Grand Island for individuals requesting to be on the agenda.  The form would require the description of the requested topic to be discussed and a suggested remedy for the topic.  The Clerk will prepare a draft form be reviewed by the board for the July 13, 2020 board meeting. 

RESOLULTION #2020-05 USE OF MUNICIPAL PROPERTY DURING COVID-19 
Resolution #2020-05 outlining the risk of exposure to COVID-19 through the use of municipal property for sports or recreational activities was reviewed.   The League of Nebr. Municipalities drafted a Resolution, License and Management Agreement for use of said municipal property and waiver form to be utilized by any sports group requesting use of municipal property.  Klipp moved and Galusha-Chapman seconded to authorize Resolution #2020-05 Regarding Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 Through the Use of Municipal Property for Sports or Recreational Activities.  Voting aye:  Klipp, Galusha-Chapman, Grant, Seggerman and Fintel.  Motion approved.  Resolution #2020-05 passed and approved. 

CLAIMS
Fintel moved and Galusha-Chapman seconded to pay the following claims: (Claims Abbreviations: Eq, Equipment; Ex, Expense; Ma, Maintenance; Mi, Mileage; Misc, Miscellaneous; Re, Repairs; Sa, Salaries; Se,Service; Su, Supplies; Ut, Utilities; CI, Capital Improvement; Tif, Tax Increment 
Financing) Gen. fund: AFLAC-Sa$1,121.20; AGING PARTNERS-Se$625; AMERITAS-Sa$1,450.93; ANGLE, MURPHY & CAMPBELL-Se$1,175.95; ASSURITY-Sa$28.42;BAMFORD INC-Ex$200; BLACK HILLS-Ut$470.75; 9,007.23; BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD-Sa$9,007.23; BOY SCOUT TROOP #175-Misc.$75; BURTON ENT.-Ut$85; COMPLETE MERCHANT PROCESSING-Ex$97.99;CROWL TREE SERVICE-Ex$6,200; DUTTON LAINSON-Su$262.40; EAKES-Su$80.32; EFTPS-Sa$3,313.62; FAIRMONT LIGHT & WATER-Ut.$3,055.88; FARMERS COOP-Ex$235; FILLMORE CO. COURT-Sa$630.43; FIRST CONCORD GROUP INC.-Sa$1,7966.61; HEARTLAND BANK-Ex$20; HOMETOWN LEASING-Ex$231.82;JEO CONSULTING GROUP-Se$1,657.50; KOPCHOS-Ut$54;MAIN STREET DESIGN-Su$354;MADISON LIFE INSURANCE-Sa$37.13;MIDWEST LAB-Ex$141.50; MIDWEST SERVIC-Su$261.20; MIKE MOTIS-Su$80; MIERAU & Co.-Se$2,275; NDEE – Ex$6,912.91; NEBR. PUBLIC HEALTH LAB-Se$17; NMPP ENERGY-Se$1,100; NEBR. PUBLIC POWER DIST.-Ex$18,586.05; NEONLINK-Se$68.20; NICK’S FARM STORE-Re$24.40; ONE CALL CONCEPTS-Se$19.99; PAYROLL-Sa$18,048.23;PERENNIAL PUBLIC POWER-Ex$1,890;PITNEY BOWES-$281.13;SARGENT DRILLING-Ex$4,460.30; STATE OF NEBR. DEPT. OF REV.-Ex&Sa$3,058.63;THE NEBR. SIGNAL-Ex$29.13; U S POST OFFICE-Su$200;VERICHECK-Se$27.30;VIAERO-Ut$203.66;WANDA MOSES-Ex$91.75; WINSTREAM-Ut$591.31;ZITO MEDIA-Ut$133.59;BOND FUND-BOK FINANCIAL -prin&Int. $111,660.00.  Voting aye:  Fintel, Galusha-Chapman,  Klipp, Grant and Seggerman.   Motion carried. 

CORRESPONDENCE:	
Board reviewed the following:  1)COVID-19 information from Governor’s Office;2) League of Nebr. Mun. Legislative Bulletins#20,#21,22,23,24; 3)Aging Service expenses May 2020; .

OLD BUSINESS
Zito Media Franchise Agreement
Ut. Sup. Dan Slocum stated Zito representatives have been in contact with him regarding the proposed underground electrical work on the north side of town and the Franchise Agreement is acceptable with the work the village would require of Zito. The Agreement is non-exclusive and is for a 15 year period.   Fintel moved and Seggerman seconded to approve the Zito Media Franchise Agreement dated June 8, 2020.  Voting aye: Fintel, Seggerman, Grant, Klipp and Galusha-Chapman.  Motion approved. 

Amanda Schropfer, Fairmont Aging Service Board
Amanda Schropfer, member of the Fairmont Aging Service Board, reviewed by-laws prepared by the Fairmont Aging Service Board.  The By-laws are in conjunction with the Village Code for the Aging Service Board; however the By-laws provide additional detail of the responsibilities of the Aging Service Board.   Village Attorney Campbell will be contacted if Village Board action is required to approve the by-laws. 

Ordinance 20-539 Confirm Sale of Real Estate 
Seggerman introduced ORDINANCE #20-539 AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF FAIRMONT, NEBRASKA TO CONFIRM THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE IN THE VILLAGE OF FAIRMONT, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS HEREIN SET FORTH, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE and moved the statutory rule requiring reading on three days be dispensed with.  Klipp seconded the motion to suspend the readings.  Voting aye:  Seggerman, Klipp, Grant, Galusha-Chapman and Fintel.  Motion approved. Seggerman moved and Klipp seconded to approve and adopt Ordinance #20-539.  Voting aye:  Seggerman, Klipp, Grant, Galusha-Chapman and Fintel.  Motion approved.  Ordinance #20-539 approved and adopted .  This ordinance confirms the sale of the W 50 ft. of Lots 5-6-7-8, Blk 3, Fillmore Addition, Fairmont, Fillmore Co  NE to Jeff and Jenna Theis for business expansion in the amount of $3,960. 

MARSHAL REPORT: 
Marshal Salmon reviewed his monthly report.  Items discussed: 1)Tall grass around on vacant lots – previously some lots had been baled; however lots have weeds growing in with grass and are considered a nuisance –properties will receive mowing letters; 2) Restated letters will be sent to residents known to have chickens and inform of the village codes and those in violation will be given 30 days to move the chickens. 

UTILITY SUP. REPORT
Ut. Sup. Dan Slocum reviewed monthly maintenance report - Items discussed: 1)Water line to jet at pool broke; 2) Rich Eymann has an engineer to sign off on electric underground project plans $4,000 - $4,500; 3)Grinder at lift station installed; 4)Contact Van Kirk’s on fixing approach at Casey’s and CPI; 5) Contact Ackland Concrete for mud jacking quotes for driveways where water is pooling; 6)Gravel bids for July meeting.   

CLERK REPORT
Clerk/Treas. Linda Zuerlein reviewed monthly clerk’s report.  Items discussed: 1)Dates for Employee Evaluations end of June; 2) Budget workshop will be scheduled in July; 3) Reviewed signage for parks on COVID 19-general consensus not to post signs; 4)Reviewed information for an Administrative Asst. for Village Hall for approximately 35 hours a week –post notice for position until June 30, 2020 (board later decided not to pursue until additional financial information is presented and more time is needed to decide).  

PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS 
There were no payment arrangements. 
  
ADJOURNMENT
Seggerman moved and Galusha-Chapman seconded to adjourn the meeting at 10:57 p.m.   Voting aye: Seggerman, Galusha-Chapman, Grant, Klipp and Fintel.  Motion approved

The next Regular Meeting will be Monday, July 13, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
AARON T. FINTEL, 	 	LINDA J. ZUERLEIN
CHAIRPERSON		CLERK/TREAS.