Village of Brainard Board of Trustees
- Joel Vrbka, Chairman of the Board
- Jeff Karber, Board of Trustee
- Randy Robeson, Board of Trustee
- Tom Pesek, Board of Trustee
- Steve Hummel, Board of Trustee
The Village Board of Trustees meet on the third Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall located at 111 East Washington Street Brainard, NE. If you have a specific topic item you would like the Village of Brainard Board of Trustees to discuss, submit a Request for Future Agenda Items.
Village of Brainard Staff
Mitchell Janak, Utilities Superintendent, 402-803-9218
Carla Sander, Village Treasurer, 402-545-2701
Yolanda Bailey, Village Clerk, 402-545-2701
The Village of Brainard
Board of Trustees Board Meeting Minutes
April 21, 2025
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brainard held a regular meeting on April 21, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. at City Hall. The meeting notice and agenda were posted at three public places: City Hall, the Community Bulletin Board, and the Brainard Post Office. The agenda is kept current at the City Clerk’s Office and available for public inspection. This method is designated by the public body.
Chair Vrbka called the meeting to order.
Roll Call: present: Joel Vrbka, Steve Hummel, Jeff Karber, Tom Pesek, and Randy Robeson.
Staff Present: Treasurer Sander, Clerk Bailey, and Maintenance Supervisor Janak
Guests included: Brian Foral, Elaine Fortik, Eli Green, John Reimer, Madison Dewitt, Malorie Spatz, Valerie Vandenberg, Mike Eldridge, and Mark Sander
Public Comments:.
Business:
- 4. Business:
- a. Review & consider Construction Bids for school drainage project, approve engineer-agreement amendment with JEO, and discuss 1 & 6 year Road Plan with Eli Green of JEO.
- Eli Green of JEO Consulting Group describes the bids received by the Village for the School for the drainage project, and relays that the bid from M.E. Collins Contracting Co., Inc., from Wahoo, NE, was the lowest bid at $115,956.00. It is JEO’s recommendation that the Village accept this bid.
- Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to accept the bid from M. E. Collins Contracting Co. for $115,956.00, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
- Ayes: Robeson, Hummel, Karber, Pesek, and Vrbka
- Nays: none
- The motion carried
- Motion: Trustee Hummel makes a motion to accept the amendment to the Engineer-Agreement with JEO for a total of $41,400.00, seconded by Trustee Karber.
- Ayes: Hummel, Karber, Vrbka, Robeson, and Pesek.
- Nays: none
- The motion carried.
- The One and Six Year Road Plan is fine for now.
- b. Review Water Tower Inspection report with John Reimer from Viking Industries.
- John Reimer climbed the water tower and inspected things inside and out. This was done last in 2019. The Water tower still looks good inside and out, despite some iron staining, he reported. There is some paint peeling on the legs, but it is still sealed and not rusting. He explained to the Board about maintenance contracts Viking offers, and how that could help the Village avoid unexpected large expenditures regarding the Water Tower. He will get us more information, and we can consider a maintenance agreement next month. Maintenance person Janak reports there is a hole currently that will need to be fixed.
- c. Discuss Swimming Pool Hours & Admission fees w/pool Manager Dewitt.
Manager DeWitt gives a report of the pool-cleaning and opening activities. She is requesting the pool hours be changed from 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm to 12:00 to 7:00 pm. The last hour is generally not attended well, and the noon hour would be better for attendance. This would help the lifeguards have time to clean the pool and get out of there earlier. This year the County Fair and the Dwight Festival are on the same weekend, so Madison is suggesting the pool close early that weekend because of staff commitments at these events.
The pool hours will be changed to 12:00 – 7:00 pm. The pool will open May 26th, 2025. County Fair weekend the pool will close at 5:00 pm. We will discuss fees and membership amount next month.
- d. Discuss Pool Renovation Plans, and Softball Party w/Valerie Vandenberg.
- Donations are coming in regularly from the community. There are over $20,000 in donations so far. Valerie reports they have met with pool engineers Water’s Edge from Kansas City. They have given the Reno committee three sets of plans to choose from. They are meeting with the engineers again, and then one plan will be ready to present to the Board. The plans will be available in May, and finalized by the June 16th Board Meeting. There was discussion on having a Special Meeting to review the plans, possibly Wed/Thurs. after Board meeting. The Softball club will have a Pool Party on June 22nd, 2025.
- e. Consider Demolition Permits @ 211 S Madison St. & 203 S Madison St.
- Motion: Trustee Karber makes a motion to approve the demolition permits at 211 S. Madison St. and 203 S Madison Street, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
- Ayes: Karber, Robeson, Vrbka, Hummel, and Pesek.
- Nays: none
- The motion carried
- f. Consider sponsoring 1st NE Bank Savings Program prizes for youth.
- Discussion on the bank’s Children’s savings plan, and the prizes the bank would like to give to the bank customers for depositing every week. Though the Bank is a for-profit business, the attorney was consulted and it was decided it was OK.
- Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to approve donating day-passes for the 1st NE Bank Savings program for each of the approx. 21 participants + 1 guest, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
- Ayes: Robeson, Pesek, Hummel, Karber, and Vrbka.
- Nays:
- The motion carried
- g. Approve hiring Summer Staff, and Wage Ordinance #323 for Seasonal workers.
- Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to Introduce Wage Ordinance #323, setting wages for Seasonal workers, seconded by Trustee Karber.
- Ayes: Robeson, Karber, Hummel, Pesek, and Vrbka.
- Nays: none
- The motion carried.
ORDINANCE N0. 323
AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD, BUTLER COUNTY, NEBRASKA, SETTING THE WAGES, SALARIES, AND COMPENSATION PAID BY THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD TO SEASONAL WORKERS: POOL LIFEGUARDS, POOL ASSISTANT MANAGER(S), POOL MANAGER(S) AND VILLAGE MAINTAINANCE(S); AND PROVIDING A TIME WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL GO INTO FULL FORCE AND EFFECT, AND REPEALING ANY PROIR ORDINANCE IN CONFICT THEREWITH.
*SECTION 1. Pool Lifeguards- First Year: $13.00 per hour;
2nd Year: $13.50 per hour;
3rd Year: $14.00 per hour;
4th Year: $14.50 per hour;
*SECTION 2. Pool Assistant Managers-$15.00 per hour;
*SECTION 3. Pool Manager-$17.00 per hour;
*SECTION 4. Village Maintenance ($13.00 – $16.00) per hour, depending on age and experience. Returning workers will receive a $.50 per hour raise.
*SECTION 5. Island Maintenance workers $12.00 per hour
* ALL POOL EMPLOYEES WHO RECEIVE RED CROSS CERTIFICATION: ADD $1.00 PER HOUR
* POOL MANAGER AND ASSISTANT MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE POP CERTIFICATION CLASS.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD, NEBRASKA; THAT THE ABOVE PAY SCHEDULE BE ADOPTED, PASSED, AND APPROVED ON April 21, 2025.
- Motion: Trustee Pesek makes a motion to accept first reading and waive the 2nd and 3rd readings of Wage Ordinance #323, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
- Ayes: Pesek, Hummel, Vrbka, Robeson, and Karber.
- Nays: none
- The motion carried
- Motion: Trustee Karber makes a motion to Adopt Wage Ordinance #323, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
- Ayes: Karber, Pesek, Vrbka, Robeson, and Hummel
- Nays: none
- The motion carried
- Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to hire: Jett Bailey, Addison Rolfsmeier, Reese Kozisek, Malorie Spatz, Madison DeWitt, Jonathan Pytlik, Kate Janak, Courtney Tjeral, and Wyatt Jelinek as Seasonal Employees, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
- Ayes: Robeson, Pesek, Hummel, Karber, and Vrbka
- Nays: none
- The motion carried
- h. Review and consider survey for SENDD.
- It was decided to leave-off the pool questions, and tell the SENDD people to go ahead with the survey.
- i. Discuss Fire Hall Internet and consider upgrading.
- Discuss next month.
- j. Consider approval of Final Village Audit. Motion:
- Trustee Robeson makes a motion to approve the Village Audit, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
- Ayes: Robeson, Hummel, Vrbka, Karber, and Pesek.
- Nays: none
- The motion carried
- k. Consider 1 To 1 Technologies bid to set up VPN for metering system.
- 1 to 1 Technologies is giving us a quote to set up a Virtual Private Network for the new meter-reading system that is coming from Dutton-Lansing. We have been told we need the VPN, but we don’t know if we need the ongoing monthly maintenance contract for technical assistance. It was decided to ask Steve Benne about these questions.
- l. Consider replacement estimates and procedures for damaged pole in the Foral addition.
- There was a light pole that was knocked over by a delivery truck in the Foral Addition. Steve Hummel from Spark, Electric, has given us an invoice for taking the pole down. Discussion on how the insurance company will treat the expense. It was decided Spark did the work, so they should be paid. There are bills that need to be sent to the Sheriff for the accident, and that will be done by the clerk. It will take 16 – 18 weeks to get the new pole.
- Motion: Trustee Vrbka makes a motion for the Village to temporarily repair pole that was damaged in the Foral Addition, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
- Ayes: Vrbka, Robeson, Pesek, Hummel, and Karber.
- Nays: none
- The motion carried.
- m. Discuss employee matter
- Employee matter was introduced, and the Treasurer was given the option to remain in open session or move to closed session. She said: “I have nothing to hide, and I would like to remain in open session.”
- The issue: There was a claim for a Chromebook laptop from the Fire Department that the Treasurer found in the drop-box. She had not heard about the item before, and she had questions about the claim procedure, so she contacted the State Auditor, and then the Chairman of the Board about it. The Board had specifically told the Treasurer in the past, that when there is a claim from the Fire Department, she should always check with the Trustees first, before contacting any auditors.
The Treasurer maintains she should be able to contact any authorities if she has a question about any part of her job – regardless. She had prepared three points for the Board:
1. A quote from the Personnel Handbook:
Page 4: “Code of Ethics for Village Employees: Item G.: Employees are expected to disclose waste, fraud, and corruption to appropriate authorities.”
2. A quote from the Personnel Handbook:
Page 5: “Non-retaliation: This policy also expressly prohibits retaliation of any kind against any employee who brings a complaint or assists in the investigation of a complaint. Such employees may not be adversely affected in any manner related to their employment.”
- 3. The Treasurer had a discussion about this last year with the Attorney, Loren Lindahl, and he told her, in essence, that the Board had put her in a bad position, where she had to choose between the LEGAL way, and the BOARD way. The Treasurer said she would take the LEGAL way every time.
- Everyone, including the State Auditor agrees, however, that items like this laptop should be purchased directly by the Village for the Fire Department, instead of reimbursing an individual. This way there is no confusion if a claim was pre-approved, and the item can be added to the Village Inventory records, since they own it. Going forward, it was agreed this is how these claims should always be handled.
- It was decided by the Board of Trustees to give the Treasurer a written reprimand, with a reminder going forward – if she has questions on claims regarding the Fire Department, to always ask the Board first before contacting any other authorities.
- 5. Approve minutes for Special Meeting March 13, 2025.
- Trustee Pesek makes a motion to approve March 13th minutes with changes, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
- Ayes: Pesek, Robeson, Hummel, Vrbka, and Karber
- Nays: none
- The motion carried
- 6. Approve minutes for March 17, 2025 meeting.
- Trustee Robeson makes a motion to approve the March 17th minutes with changes, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
- Ayes: Robeson, Hummel, Karber, Pesek, and Vrbka.
- Nays: none
- The motion carried
7. Consider April claims.
- Maintenance Supervisor Janak reports the Sargent Drilling claim is for $450 per well, for a total of $1,350, not $450. The Treasurer will take $450 off this month’s claims and put $1,350 on the next month. There was some discussion on JEO bills, and a need to adjust the total by $12,200.
- Trustee Robeson makes a motion to approve the April claims, minus Spark Electric, minus $12,200 to JEO, minus Sargent Drilling $450, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
- Ayes: Robeson, Pesek, Hummel, Karber, and Vrbka.
- Nays: none
- The motion carried
- Trustee Vrbka makes a motion to Pay Spark Electric Claim, seconded by Trustee Karber.
- Ayes: Vrbka, Karber, Robeson, and Pesek.
- Abstain: Hummel
- Nays: none
- The motion carried.
8. Committee Reports.
Trustee Hummel reports a situation with a transformer enclosure in the alley and there was a jumper wire from one transformer going to another one which got pretty warm, and had to be fixed. There was a power surge that caused this situation. This has happened before in this same area. There could be a return ground-path problem with two ground wires behind this. To see, the alley would have to be shut down, and some digging would have to be done. It might be worth seeing if we can look into it. Spark will put a bid together.
9. Employee Reports.
April 2025 Clerk Report Yolanda Bailey
The new Village Gmail account has been set up. The address is: villageofbrainard@gmail.com. I have not started the formal switch-over process yet, but I will let you know when I do. In the meantime, you will continue receiving emails from the Yahoo account.
We have had a couple of deliveries end up at the wrong address lately. I looked at the building and was surprised our address is not posted. I suggest we rectify that and post the address on the door or the building.
Regarding the Pool Concessions, we looked into having deliveries from CASH-WA this year, instead of someone having to go to Sam’s Club. I foresee the office staff doing the ordering and paying, and the deliveries going directly to the swimming pool. If you are interested, I can get a product and price list from CASH-WA, and then we can set up an account if all looks good.
Also on the Pool, Amber Fencl stopped in and asked if we can do the ice-cream dish sales again this year. I’ll let her know if you approve.
Now that we have a new version of the Personnel Manual, I am going to make new copies for the employees and have them re-sign the back page for their files.
On a personal note, my son, Caleb has taken a new job with the Seattle Symphony, and I will be going to Connecticut this next week April 24 – 29th, to help him get his house ready to sell.
April Treasurer Report:
1. A 4 year profit and loss report has been provided. Positive projections in all classes, except Park & Rec. Please note: AAPA monies need to be used by 12/31/2024. Reports provided of the expense breakdown.
2. The bank account balance report is provided in the Board packets. An increase of $32,785.50 in bank deposits since March is reported.
3. A March employee pay report is provided in the Board reports. An increase of $2,262.45 from the March report, due to the three pay period.
4. Collection Report- 17 overdue utility bills, 4 less than in March. Shut offs went out 4/18/25, shut offs will be due on 4/29/25, therefore, Shut offs will take place on 4/30/25. There is 2 past due accounts where utilities are off and no reconnection fees paid.
5. NEW Ordinance book, by date.
a. Index provided in packets; organized by type, number, year & description. A seamless way to organize all Ordinance’s.
b. Concerns: this book only goes back to 2005 all prior Ordinances are missing. Any ideas where these could be?
c. Resolution are next.
6. Clerk school highlights:
a. Public comments during meeting: Board can listen but not add to the discussion. Board can determine if an agenda item is necessary for the next month’s meeting.
b. Facebook-BE CAREFUL-Board/resident conflict. If a conflict arises on Facebook & the board member DO NOT block the resident. A board member was sued and paid out $25,000 under the “Freedom of Information Act”. Limit conversations on personal phones as these conversations become official records under the “Record Retention Act”.
c. ARPA reporting-see above profit and loss report for what has been used as funds needed to be spent by December 31, 2024. Terry Myer at JEO assisted me with this issue.
7. Pool:
a. FYI-An end of the 2024 pool season report was provided to recap last year’s totals.
b. Donation totals provided. Names of donor’s have been removed as per board request.
Maintenance Report: Mitchell Janak
Mitch reports he has been doing a lot of tree cleanup since the storm. Culligan will be installing a water softener at the pool Wednesday. The Lift Stations all have hookups for generators now. There will be invoices coming from Dave Foral and Tyler Fortik for some labor and equipment hours when they helped with snow removal last week.
10. Petitions, Communications, Correspondence.
11. Additional Business/Items for next meeting.
Discuss purchasing a Generator for use at the Fire Hall and Legion.
12. Adjournment.
The motion carried
Trustee Robeson makes a motion to adjourn at 10:45 pm, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Ayes: Robeson, Karber, Vrbka, and Hummel. (Trustee Pesek absent.)
Nays: none