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
Cory Burtman, 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
September 16, 2024
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brainard held a regular meeting on September 16, 2024 at 7:17 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: Clerk Bailey, Treasurer Sander
Guests included: Brian Foral, Elaine Fortik, Tyler Fortik, John Winter, Tasha Eldridge, and Kent Rezac
Public Comments:
Business:
- 4. Business:
- a. Consider Resolution 2024-03, setting the property tax request Levy at $ .48
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to set the property tax request at $165,010.77, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Robeson, Karber, Hummel, Vrbka, and Pesek
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
b. Increase Restricted Funds Authority by 1%
Motion made by Trustee Pesek to increase the Restricted Funds Authority by 1%, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
Voting aye: Pesek, Hummel, Robeson, Vrbka, and Karber
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
c. Open Public Hearing 1 & 6 Year Road Plan
Motion made by Trustee Pesek to open the public hearing for the 1 & 6 Year Road Plan @7:20 pm, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
Voting aye: Pesek , Robeson, Hummel, Vrbka, and Karber
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
d. Approve Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance of Public Roads Classifications and Standards.
Motion made by Trustee Hummel toapprove Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance of Public Roads Classifications and Standards, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
Voting aye: Hummel, Pesek, Robeson, Vrbka, and Karber
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
e. Close Public Hearing 1 & 6 Year Road Plan.
Motion made by Trustee Hummel to close the public hearing on the 1 & 6 Year Road Plan @7:45 pm, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Hummel Karber, Robeson, Vrbka, and Pesek.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
f. Consider Signing Resolution 2024-02, Signing of the Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance 2024.
Discussion on whether the “completed projects” dollar-amount was correct, Clerk Bailey will look into this. Trustee Pesek brings up a section of concrete by the school – that is not looking good, but it might need to be added to the list of things to repair next Spring.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to approve Resolution 2024-02, Signing of Program Compliance 2024, seconded by Trustee Vrbka.
Voting aye: Robeson, Vrbka, Hummel, Pesek, and Karber
Voting nay: none
- The motion carried.
- Motion made by Trustee Robeson to accept the 1 & 6 Year Road Plan, seconded by Trustee Karber.
- Voting Aye: Robeson, Karber, Vrbka, Pesek, and Hummel
- Voting Nay: none
- The motion carried.
g. Discuss purchase of 123 N. Madison St. with Brian Foral
Brian Foral announces he and three others bought the Husker Bar II, and they would like to have control over the property directly next to the bar for future options. This would give them access to repair some things and consider building something in the future. They want to move forward with a purchase at this time. Trustees agree it would be nice to have it off our books, and to get something back for the expenses they have already incurred, which have run upwards of $100,000 for that lot to be cleared. Discussion follows on what the lot might be worth, and it was thought that lots in Brainard historically have run from $5,000 to $10,000. Discussion on current infrastructure there, especially the sewer line, and whether it would have to be expanded, and Foral stated the existing sewer is adequate for their needs. The Board asks Foral if he wants to give them an offer now, and he replies yes, he would offer $3,000.00 for the lot. There is a question as to if we have to post the offer or something official for the public – and Vrbka says we have had the sign up on the lot for some time now, and we have not received any phone calls or offers in the mail. Tom Pesek brings up the issues with the sidewalks around that lot, and there was discussion on making sidewalk repairs a requirement of the purchase.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to go into executive session with the people who are interested in purchasing the property at 123 N Madison St. at 7:37 pm, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
Voting aye: Robeson, Pesek, Hummel, Vrbka, and Karber
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to come out of executive session at 7:51 pm, seconded by Trustee Vrbka.
Voting aye: Robeson, Vrbka, Pesek, Hummel, and Karber
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to accept a verbal offer tonight, with a written offer coming soon, from 1979 HSKR Bar II Property, LLC, for $3,000 for the property at 123 N Madison St., with the stipulation that the North sidewalk gets repaired, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
Voting aye: Robeson, Hummel, Karber, Pesek, and Vrbka.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
h. Discuss electric and water utility rates
Trustee Vrbka relates that there was a meeting with Steve Benne from Dutton-Lainson – who are changing over our meter-reading system. In that meeting a charge that we will have from the meter changes going forward was discussed, and that is $1.00 per Ert number, per month, to read the meters electronically. Most towns in this situation are passing the costs on to the customer. There would be a separate line-item for this on the bill. This change would have to be implemented through an Ordinance. This item will go on October’s Agenda.
i. Open Public hearing for a Class C Liquor License for Husker Bar III
Motion made by Trustee Pesek to open the hearing for a Class C Liquor License @8:00 pm for the Husker Bar III, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Pesek, Karber, Hummel, Robeson and Vrbka.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
j. Close Public Hearing for Husker Bar III Liquor License
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to close the Liquor License Hearing @ 8:15 pm, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Robeson, Karber, Hummel, Vrbka, and Pesek.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
k. Consider approving Liquor License for Husker Bar III
Motion made by Trustee Hummel to approve the Liquor License for Husker Bar III, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
Voting aye: Hummel, Robeson, Vrbka, Pesek, and Karber.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
l. Consider Lengemann & Associates contract for the Village’s fiscal audit.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to accept the Audit contract with Lengemann and Associates for $9,680, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
Voting aye: Robeson, Pesek, Karber, Hummel, and Vrbka.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
m. Consider Fire Department Fee Resolution 2024-04
Motion made by Trustee Vrbka to accept Resolution 2024-04, setting fees for all emergency medical services of the Brainard, Nebraska Volunteer Fire Department, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
Voting aye: Vrbka, Hummel, Karber, Robeson, and Pesek.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
n. Consider Brainard Bar Sign Permit
Discussion on the Sign Permit for the Brainard Bar. The sign was put up before the permit was filled out, mainly because the actual sign is not within Village limits. However, it is still in the 1 mile jurisdiction of the Village, so the business owner was asked to fill out a permit. Discussion on whether the sign is the proper distance from the road, and is/is not on private property. Trustee Pesek does not think we should approve it. Trustee Karber mentions that the drawing is vague and does not contain the proper measurements.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to deny the sign permit for the Brainard Bar, due to lack of measurements and survey information to verify it is on private property, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Robeson, Karber, Pesek, Hummel, and Vrbka.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
o. Discuss Board wage increases
Trustee Robeson brought it up, because he sees how much time the Chairman is spending every month on the Village issues, and he thinks the Village Board Chair’s pay should be increased. Discussion follows on what other towns’ pay their board, and we are pretty much in the middle. Trustee Pesek agrees the pay should be raised for the Chair, as there are many duties the Chair has that the other board members do not, like signing checks, responding to emails, etc.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to introduce Ordinance 314, setting wages and salaries for the Village of Brainard Board of Trustees, seconded by Trustee Pesek. The Chair reads the Ordinance aloud:
ORDINANCE NO. 314
AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD, BUTLER COUNTY, NEBRASKA, TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPENSATION OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ESTABLISH AN EFFECTIVE DATE; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE SEVERABILITY OF ANY SECTION, CLAUSE, PROVISION OR PORTION FOUND UNCONSTITUTIONAL OR INVALID; TO REPEAL ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; TO PROVIDE THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE PUBLISHED EITHER IN PAMPHLET FORM OR BY POSTING; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL NOT BE MADE A PART OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD, NEBRASKA.
WHEREAS, the Village Board of Trustees shall set any compensation of the Village Board by ordinance and prior to the term of the Board of Trustees
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD, NEBRASKA, as follows:
Section 1. That the findings here and above should be, and they are hereby made a part of this Ordinance, as fully as if set out at length herein.
Section 2. That the following shall be the wages and salaries for the specified officers, appointees, and employees of the Village of Brainard, Nebraska, to wit:
| POSITION | COMPENSATION |
| Village Board Member Village Board Chair | $ 50 per month $ 100 per month |
| Effective Date | $20 per meeting attended by each Board Member /Chair December 2, 2024 |
Motion made by Trustee Pesek to accept Ord 314, and approve the first reading of said-ordinance, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
Voting aye: Pesek, Hummel, Robeson, Vrbka, and Karber
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
p. Consider Roof Bid from Don Ingwerson
Maintenance Supervisor Burtman has been working on getting bids for the roof on the maintenance building for several months, and he recently received a bid from Don Ingwerson, for $17,304. This would include fixing the pump house roof by the ballfield – (hoping to get maroon color if it’s not special order, otherwise white.) There is also a price for gutters at an additional $440.
Motion made by Trustee Karber to accept the roofing bid from Don Ingwerson for $17,314 plus the additional $440 for gutters, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
Voting aye: Karber, Robeson, Hummel, Vrbka, and Pesek.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
q. Discuss tree bids
Trustee Vrbka relates he reached out to several tree servicers, and he received no response from one and found out the current bid from another was still good. Looking at, and comparing the bids we have received, it was decided to accept the bid from Gavin Hobson, based on the lower amount of the bid. It will need to be adjusted to reflect some work that has already been done, and add some trees that may not be on there. The price will be lower if Cory and crew haul trees away and help with cleanup.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to accept the tree bid from Gavin Hobson for the trees still needing to come down, and with stump grinding, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
Voting aye: Hummel, Robeson, Vrbka, Pesek, and Karber
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
r. Consider purchase of bagger for mower
Discussion on the reason for the bagger purchase; we have new grass at the City Park, and it helps with leaf pickup in the fall. The John Deere mower used to be what we bagged with, but that is no longer operational. Further discussion on selling or trying to sell the John Deere mower and its bagger.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to purchase a new bagger for the eXmark mower from Z Turf Equipment for $4,898.00, seconded by Trustee Vrbka.
Voting aye: Robeson, Vrbka, Hummel, Pesek, and Karber.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
- 5. Approve minutes for regular meeting 08/19/24, and special meeting 08/28/24.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to approve the minutes from the August 19, 2024 meeting with changes, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Robeson, Karber, Hummel, Vrbka, and Pesek.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
Trustee Vrbka follows up on the East Butler drainage and parks discussions and relates Trustee Pesek and he came up with a plan and talked to Mike Eldridge. It was decided instead of doing a resolution of No Parking, the plan will be to implement No Parking only when there is snow on the ground, and the Village maintenance will push all the snow to the east at that time. We will see if this improves the drainage situation this winter. Discussing the parks, Eldridge agrees to try to have the school utilize the parks more evenly.
August 28, 2024 Special Meeting;
Discussion on the outcome of the meeting with the Planning Commission, there is a question of what was going to happen from here on out regarding improving housing options. Trustees will begin to create a list of available properties/addresses – with the intention of sending a letter to the owners asking if they would consider selling the lot/property. It is still to be determined how the Village will be involved if the owners are wanting to sell. It was thought this might start a process that can lead to new housing. A letter could be drafted and discussed at the next meeting.
Motion made by Trustee Karber to accept the August 28, 2024 Special Meeting minutes, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
Voting aye: Karber, Pesek, Hummel, Robeson, and Vrbka.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
6. Consider September claims.
There was discussion on a claim from Sara Hofpar for $379.91, for Kids fire prevention material. It is thought this was a Rural Fire Dept. expense instead of a Village one—Trustee Vrbka will approach the Rural about reimbursement for half of the bill, as we do support teaching fire prevention. In the meantime, the claim is approved.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to accept the September Claims, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Robeson, Karber, Pesek, Hummel, and Vrbka.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
7. Committee Reports.
Trustee Pesek is very concerned about the swimming pool. The concrete is crumbling and the state inspector has pointed this out twice. He would like to see the new pool upgrade design soon, so a decision can be made on what to do in the meantime. He would like to see at least two options for an upgrade.
Trustee Vrbka relates he talked to the attorney about the Pool Committee, and whether they were having to abide by the Open Meetings Act – but it was found they are a volunteer organization and are therefore a private group.
Discussion on a letter received by a resident on Barbara Street, who has be having ongoing issues with a neighbor parking a semi-truck on the residential street between the houses. Sometimes it is a cattle trailer and has a bad smell that is negatively impacting the residents’ outdoor time and even the possible sale of the house. Trustee Pesek has spoken to the individual, and there has been no improvement in the situation. There is a truck-route violation happening when he goes to and from his house. It was decided the committee can start looking at truck and parking ordinances of some nearby towns and start to make a plan of what to do next.
8. Employee Reports.
Clerk Report: Yolanda Bailey
We were contacted by NEMA (Nebraska Emergency Management Agency) about our application for funding for a new siren in town. Angela called asking for a dollar amount from a bid, and I gave it to her ($27,102.80). She said the funding opportunity is being discussed with the Governor, now that some areas have been declared disasters. We will wait and see what may come of it.
Deb Stolie from the Center for Rural Affairs came to visit City Hall with Kirstin Bailey on Sept. 10, 2024. She is a former Clerk of the town of Brownville, and now works for CFRA. She was here to give me technical assistance in obtaining a UEI number from Sam.gov, which I have been having trouble with. We did get some authentication methods changed and started the process again to obtain this number. We will need it for the Water Security Grant that we are applying for.
While Deb was here, we discussed funding opportunities that might exist for housing and recreation. We discussed SENDD (Southeast Nebraska Dept. of Development), and whether the benefits outweigh the membership fee. She did say that they are overwhelmed and short-staffed, but the benefits are they are good for answering questions on procedures regarding grant writing, and in finding grants to start with. The city of Brownville got a grant through them to revitalize their downtown, including replacing sidewalks. In the town of Peru, there was a grant to purchase and rehab old houses that was successful.
The Board of Trustees held a special joint-meeting with the Planning Commission on August 28, 2024. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss possible new housing for the Village, and where opportunities might lie. It was decided to focus on the empty lots/vacant houses in town. The Village Board and Planning Commission plan to work together on this project, and they will begin by drafting a letter to owners of vacant and empty lots, inquiring if they would consider selling the property.
Treasurer Report: Carla Sander
Maintenance Report: Cory Burtman
9. Petitions, Communications, Correspondence.
Trustee Vrbka relates we received a letter from Neil Danberg regarding the Fire Department checking account. He is laying out the procedure going forward regarding that account. The account can remain open, but all public funds placed in that account will immediately be swept to the Village of Brainard’s account. In order to ensure this is accomplished, it will be necessary for one or more Trustees of the Village to regularly monitor the status of this account. This will be done quarterly by Trustees Vrbka and Robeson.
Another note was received by Duane and Wendy Pierce, asking to be a part of planning the 150th Anniversary of Brainard in 2028. City Hall will be collecting names of those interested in being involved for now, and a committee will be formed in the near-future.
Regarding a camera that was put up on a pole outside of a business last month, the Board of Trustees are going to ask them to take it down.
Trustee Vrbka received a brochure in the mail stating there is a sale on the Radar Signs if we want it, the Trustees do not want to purchase at this time.
10. Additional Business/Items for next meeting.
Discuss possible Handicap Accessibility for City Hall
Discuss personnel manual changes
11. Adjournment.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to adjourn at 9:15 pm, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Robeson, Karber, Pesek, Hummel, and Vrbka.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.