Brainard

(402) 545-2701
brainardcityhall@yahoo.com

Village Board and Staff


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 Meeting Minutes

January 19, 2026

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brainard held a regular meeting on January 19, 2026 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.

Pledge of allegiance.  Chair Vrbka directed attendees to the posting of the Open Meetings Act and called the meeting to order.

Roll Call: present: Joel Vrbka, Steve Hummel, Tom Pesek, and Randy Robeson.

Absent: Jeff Karber

Staff Present:  Treasurer Sander, Clerk Bailey, and Maintenance Supervisor Janak.

Guests included: Brian Foral, Shaun Hemsted, Kirk Rasmussen (GSS Midwest), and Rex Roberts w/Kinectic.

Business:

  1. Business:
  2. Discuss possible installation of cell tower east of town with Kirk Rasmussen of GSS Midwest.

Kirk Rasmussen recounts that he was investigating a new site for a Cell Tower east of town, when he ran up against the fact that Hamilton Street is not a public street there, and is looking to find out who owns it.  They thought the Village possibly owns it, but that is not the case.  They will have to do a title search to find this out.  It was pointed out that our Ordinance has a height limit of 100 feet, but the tower is 140 feet, so this Ordinance needs to be changed, or we need a new one.  It is possible that once they have locked in the new position, the height might have to change a bit.  Discussion on whether or not this tower would interfere with other signals, and Shaun replies that mostly this does not happen.  If it does, the company must fix it if it’s a “licensed” system, but not if it is an “unlicensed” system.  This is covered in the contract.  The new tower will provide 5G network for Verizon, and other cell providers will be added to the tower over time.  The timeframe for this is probably 6-8 months before it is constructed.  The Planning Commission will need to be looking at this.  Once the lease is signed, Zoning Drawings will be brought to the Village to work with.  There was discussion of another possible site by the Lagoon, but it is not ideal, according to Kirk, because there is not an established road to the site.  The Village would like Kirk to contact them about this-or any other potential site in the Village of Brainard-if the plans fall through with the landowner east of town. 

 

  1. Discuss fiber being brought to town by Kinetic with Rex Roberts.

  For the last couple of years kinetic has been replacing all the copper lines with Fiber Optic, and Rex Roberts from Kinetic explains this is the replacement process they are getting ready for in Brainard.  Some of the lines will be underground, but most of them will be overhead.  The process is quite fast for the overhead – the underground takes longer.  After the fiber is installed, the service will be marketed to the public.  Rex says usually a city or Village will have a formal Right-of Way application they can give to sign, but since we don’t – they will send one.  Then we can address this and sign next month.  They are waiting for a DOT permit, which will need a city signature – so we are still waiting for this.  We can address the issues and sign these papers at the February meeting.  

 

  1. Discuss raising minimum water charges due to advancements in water project.

Trustee Vrbka recounts that Treasurer Sander let him know our water account was over $18,000 in the red – this is due to the engineering costs associated with the water-main replacements that are being planned.  Trustee Vrbka reached out to Dane Simonsen about the issue, and Dane said there are a few things we can do to remedy this.  One is we could begin to draw-down on the SRF loan we have set up.  Due to the nature of the loan, it was recommended we begin making changes to the water facility fees – and spread them out over time if possible.  We have to pre-plan for the loan payments that will be coming due starting six months after the project is finished.  It was decided to get the Ordinance ready for next month’s meeting, by adding $9.00 to the Water Facility service charge.

 

  1. Ordinance #326; vacating Garfield St, second reading.

ORDINANCE NO. 326

AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD, BUTLER COUNTY, NEBRASKA, TO VACATE SOUTH GARFIELD STREET BEWTEEN WEST ADAMS STREET AND WEST LOWELL STREET; TO PROVIDE THAT THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD, NEBRASKA, SHALL RESERVE NO EASEMENT THEREIN FOR FUTURE UTILITIES OF THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD, NEBRASKA, OR ITS FRANCHISEES; TO PROVIDE THAT THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD, NEBRASKA, TO PROVIDE THAT THE CHAIR AND THE APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT, WHETHER ONE OR MORE, OF THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD, NEBRASKA, SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO IMPLEMENT THIS ORDINANCE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE SEVERABILITY OF ANY SECTION, CLAUSE, PROVISION OR PORTION HEREOF FOUND UNCONSTITUTIONAL OR INVALID; TO REPEAL ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; TO PROVIDE THAT THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE PUBLISHED WITHIN THE FIRST FIFTEEN DAYS AFTER ITS PASSAGE AND APPROVAL EITHER IN PAMPHLET FORM OR BY POSTING IN THREE PUBLIC PLACES IN THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD, NEBRASKA, AND SHALL BE IN FULL FORCE AND TAKE EFFECT FROM AND AFTER ITS PASSAGE AND APPROVAL, AS PROVIDED BY LAW AND AS PROVIDED HEREIN; AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE SHALL NOT BECOME A PART OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD, NEBRASKA. WHEREAS, it has been determined by the Chair and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brainard, Nebraska, that it is expedient for the public good or in the best interest of the Village of Brainard, Nebraska, to vacate South Garfield Street between West Adams Street and West Lowell Street; and WHEREAS, the owners of property abutting the aforenoted street is East Butler Public School District a/k/a Butler County School District 12-0502; and WHEREAS, the abutting property owner is desirous of the vacation of the street so that ownership will pass to the abutting property owner; and WHEREAS, the abutting property owner has no damages as a result of the vacation of the street, and, WHEREAS, the Village of Brainard, Nebraska, does not desire to retain the right to maintain an easement for utilities to be located in the future within the street, and further, believes there are no utilities to reserve an easement for currently, and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CHAIR AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BRAINARD, NEBRASKA, as follows: Section 1. That the findings hereinabove made should be, and are hereby made a part of this Ordinance as fully as if set out at length herein. Section 2. That South Garfield Street between West Adams Street and West Lowell Street be vacated. 1 Section 3. That the Village of Brainard, Nebraska, shall not retain the right to maintain, operate and repair, by itself or by a licensee or holder of any franchise from the Village of Brainard, Nebraska, any existing or future utility facility and/or facilities now located on, under, or above South Garfield Street vacated by this Ordinance. Section 4. That the Village of Brainard, Nebraska, shall pay no damages to the abutting owners of Garfield Street; and Section 5. That the Clerk of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brainard, Nebraska, be instructed to file a certified copy of this Ordinance with the Butler County Register of Deeds within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this Ordinance. Section 6. That the Chair and Board of Trustees of the Village Brainard, Nebraska, its Clerk, and any other department, whether one or more, of the Village of Brainard, Nebraska, are hereby authorized and directed to implement this Ordinance. Section 7. That should any section, paragraph, sentence or word of this Ordinance hereby adopted be declared for any reason to be invalid, it is the intent of the Chair and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brainard, Nebraska, that it would have passed all other portions of this Ordinance independent of the elimination herefrom of any such portion as may be declared invalid. Section 8. That all Ordinances and parts of Ordinances passed and approved prior to the passage, approval, and publication of this Ordinance, in conflict herewith, are hereby repealed. Section 9. That this Ordinance shall be published within the first fifteen (15) days after its passage and approval either in pamphlet form or by posting in three (3) public places within the Village of Brainard, Nebraska, and shall be effective the 15th day from and after it is passage, approval, and publication as provided herein. Section 10. That it is the intention of the Chair and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brainard, Nebraska, and it is hereby ordained that the provisions of this Ordinance shall not become a part of the Municipal Code of the Village of Brainard, Nebraska.

Trustee Vrbka read Ordnance out loud.  Motion made by Robeson to accept the second reading of Ordinance 326, seconded by Hummel.                                                           

Voting aye: Robeson, Hummel, Vrbka, and Pesek,

 Voting nay: none

The motion carried.

   (Note: This is the second reading of the Ordinance.)

 

  1. Discuss starting hiring process for lifeguards and purchasing new chairs for pool.

Discussion on beginning the process of hiring staff for this year’s pool season.  Flyer’s will be going up at the school, around town, and posted on Facebook.  Discussion was held on buying lounge chairs for the pool, and it was decided we would review several options at next month’s meeting.

 

  1. Approve minutes for December 15, 2025 meeting.

Motion made by Trustee Vrbka to approve minutes with changes, seconded by Trustee Robeson.

Voting aye: Vrbka, Robeson, Hummel, and Pesek.

 Voting nay: none

The motion carried

 

  1. Consider January claims.

There was one claim added from Gavin Hobson for tree work.

Motion made by Trustee Robeson to approve January claims, seconded by Trustee Pesek.

Voting aye: Robeson, Hummel, Pesek, and Vrbka.

 Voting nay: none

The motion carried

  1. Committee Reports.

There was a short electrical outage in Brainard last week. 

 

  1. Employee Reports.

January 2026 Clerk Report:  Yolanda Bailey

     We have had a problem with our billing this month, and did not get the annual sewer adjustment done.  We could either leave it as-is for a year, or complete the adjustment next month – this would be based on the January water usage.  Let me know what you choose. 

    It was a rather large hassle dealing with the software company, Power Manager – we submitted multiple calls and tickets for help, but they waited a day-and-a-half before calling us back.  I think we should ask the Clerk Group what others use, and maybe look into changing this software by next year when the contract is up.  I have attached a page of info about Power Manager in your packets – which explains some of the concerns. 

    I sent an email to the Board from Brittany at SENDD, which relayed the results of the income survey they sent out.  Unfortunately, the town comes in over the required income limit of 51%.  She gave us a list of items that would be needed if we wanted to wait until next year to apply.  These include: a cost estimate (from engineer); letters of support from residents and business owners; history of the need for this project; and benefits of having this project completed.  We could begin to work on this list if we are determined to pursue the sidewalk project.

  In the meantime, Brittany can help with some of the pool fundraising, so I’ve put her in touch with Kirstin and Valerie.

    There is a nationwide relay event celebrating the USA’s 250th birthday, and it is coming right through our community sometime this summer/fall.  The relay is along the 6800+ mile American Discovery Trail from California to Delaware.  They are looking to recruit thousands of people to pass the baton across the land.  I have put information about this in the January Clipper.  It might be a good idea for the community to come up with some welcome events and activities for this.

    I am wondering if anyone contacted Russel Fortik about repainting the Brainard sign. 

    On the paving of Logan Street: It was decided to add it to the 2027 One and Six Year road plan. 

January Treasurer Report:

  1. A one year Jan-Dec 2025 profit and loss is provided. Positive projections in all categories but general & water, both categories had major expenditures in engineering, school capital improvements and village truck.
  2. The bank account balance report is provided. An increase of $97,846.84 in the bank deposits since December is reported. A large pool donation contributed to this increase. 
  3. Annual January-December 2025 earnings summery is provided. Also, a December 2025 earnings, down ($773.86) from November.
  4. Collection report: overdue utility bills.  Shut offs went out 1/16/26, due on 1/27/26.   Shut offs will be on 1/28/26.  I will be on vacation. Yola & Mitchell will need to enforce on my behalf.
  5. Updated pool renovation donation totals from February 1, 2024-January 7, 2026 are provided. New deposits from the mailer. The mailer did say “All donations are tax-deductible” which is not always true.  In the future, it is safer to say, consult your tax consultant if donations are tax-deductible.

 

January Maintenance Report: Mitchell Janak

Mitch tells us he got the trees removed by 303 S Garfield St. Mitch would like the tree-guy to look at the tree by the Wellhouse, and the one by 403 S Madison St. is also bad.  Mitch burned the tree pile and took down decorations.  He talked to Dan Osborne about Crack Sealing this year.  They might be here to toward the end of February.  We should have a bid by the February meeting.  The Board thinks they would spend $20,000, and up to $30,000 if needed.     There is a tree by the City Park restrooms that should be removed, as it could damage the restrooms and a light pole there.  There is a tree by the county shed – on their side of the fence – but it should be looked at as it’s weak and coming down.  People are still dumping illegal refuse at the Dump.  The Board wants Mitchell to get a camera out there right away, and have a sign made that draws attention to it.   

  1. Petitions, Communications, Correspondence.

 

  1. Additional Business/Items for next meeting. Next meeting will be Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, due to President’s Day Holiday.

Tower

Fiber

3rd reading of Ord #326

Utilities Ordinance

Brainard’s 150th Birthday in 2028.

 

  1. Adjournment.

 

Motion made by Trustee Robeson to adjourn at 8:40 pm, seconded by Trustee Pesek.

Voting aye: Robeson, Hummel, Pesek, and Vrbka.

 Voting nay: none

The motion carried