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
July 20, 2026
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brainard held a regular meeting on July 20, 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, Randy Robeson, and Jeff Karber.
Staff Present: Treasurer Sander, Clerk Bailey, and Maintenance Supervisor Janak.
Guests included: Brian Foral, Elaine Fortik, Jerome Kudlacek, Greg Kozisek, Tyler Fortik, John Bongers, Mike Eldridge, Mitch Muchowicz, Al Tejral, Brad Vandenberg, Dane Simonsen, and McKensie and Elizabeth Snyder of Onyx Social.
Business:
- 4. Business:
- a. Pool report from pool manager.
- The manager was absent. He will be asked to attend the August 5, 2026 meeting.
b. Discuss insurance & ambulance matters with Greg Kozisek and other board members of the Brainard Rural Fire Department.
Greg Kozisek reports there were some insurance charges the Rural Fire Dept. incurred because the Village Trustees changed their insurance policy a couple of months ago. With the change from EMS to CWG the Village was able to save some money, but the CWG insurance policy did not cover some items related to the Fire department that were previously covered in the Village’s policy. The Fire department had to scramble to add the Ambulance to their policy, and Workman’s comp as well. Specifically: Ambulance Gap insurance for one month $115; Fireman’s workman’s comp annual premium 2026-2027 $1,078.00; and ambulance annual insurance premium 2026-2027 $317. They would like to be reimbursed a total of $1,510 for these charges.
There will need to be changes to the Interlocal Agreement when the new ambulance arrives, which should be in September. It was decided to have a Special Meeting with the Fire Department on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at City Hall at 7:00 pm to discuss the Interlocal Agreement changes.
Discussion follows about the old ambulance – which is owned by the Village, and what will happen to it when the new ambulance comes. It had been discussed a few years ago, that the Village might sell the old ambulance and contribute the amount raised to the Rural fire department as a donation.
John Bongers presents a different idea for such a donation. There is a piece of equipment, the Lifepak 35, that the department needs – this is a machine that is used for heart-related emergencies. This usually costs upwards of $50,000, and the Fire department has money from a grant they can use, but they still need approximately $39,000 for the purchase. They are asking if the Village would consider donating the amount they need. It was decided to discuss this and possibly decide at the Special meeting in August.
Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to reimburse the Fire Department $1,510 for insurance charges that should have been paid by the Village of Brainard, seconded by Trustee Vrbka.
1st Robeson 2nd Vrbka
Ayes: Robeson, Vrbka, Karber, Hummel, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed.
- c. Discuss and possibly approve expanding the Water Main Replacement project with Dane Simonsen of JEO.
- Dane Simonsen of JEO hands out a map with the specific projects the Village has considered for the water system. The current Water Main replacement project is going to cost approx. $560,000, and the loan with SRF was approved for $1.5 million. The board has expressed interest in expanding the project. The question Dane has for the Board is; how much of the remaining amount of credit do you want to spend? The Alternatives JEO has identified the Village might be interested in are on the map Dane passed out: Alternatives 1-7. He thought Alternative #2 was the Boards priority to start with (Replacing three more blocks on the north end of Lincoln St.) Further discussion around the Seven alternatives follows. It was agreed the work will never be this price again, it will be more expensive the longer we postpone it. It was decided to look into how our water rates compare to other towns. A brief study will be done on the cost per gallon and facility fees by Rural Water. It was decided to pursue Alternatives #1, 2, 3, and 6 – for a cost of approximately $365,000 on top of the $560,000 for the original project.
Motion: Trustee Vrbka makes a motion to add Alternatives #1,2,3, and 6 to expand the Water Main Replacement project, seconded by Trustee Karber.
1st Vrbka 2nd Karber
Ayes: Vrbka, Karber, Hummel, Robeson, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- d. Discuss Nuisance Service with Mitch Muchowicz from Signal of Nebraska located in Fremont.
- Mitch Muchowicz begins by showing a video to the Trustees about the nuisance abatement service Signal provides. If subscribed to the service, the representatives would be on-site in the Village for 2-3 hours per week notifying residents about code violations observed on their properties. A notice would be placed on the door of the house, and then follow-up notices. Then, depending on progress toward cleaning up the property, the Village attorney would be consulted and potentially court cases would follow. This process would involve Signal taking pictures of violations and running them by the Board before the next step is considered. This service costs approximately $1,249 per month. The Village Board of Trustees will take this under consideration and get back to Mitch if they are interested.
- e. Discuss sewer-main issue under existing school, and consider solution to correct the problem.
- Recently it has come to light that the sewer main which runs under East Butler School is not in very good shape. It was cleaned out by a service, which took a couple of days as the pipe was very plugged. Now it is working better, but it appears the pipe might need to be replaced within the next few years. Discussion on getting a second opinion, which Mr. Eldridge would like before deciding on next steps. The school is currently under construction to add the new Gym, and it would be good if the situation would hold until summer of 2028, when the Gym project is finished if possible. Discussion on whether or not to have it jetted out regularly, and it was decided that might further damage the pipe – so we will have to keep an eye on it.
- f. Discuss sidewalks on Madison St.
- Tom Pesek talked to a resident who knows a concrete company in Omaha – who would be interested in the sidewalk contract. Tom’s question is about the liability of such a joint project – and whether this would be a problem If something happened in the future. Would we be 50% liable if there was a claim? He suggests we contact our attorney about this. Tom will call Lindahl’s office in Wahoo.
- g. Consider and approve Ordinance #331 to approve and establish Keno. Suspended until August 17, 2026.
- Discussion on the Board’s questions on the Keno paperwork, and the fact they did not have much time to go over these forms, ordinance, and resolutions. It was decided to suspend the agenda items until next month’s meeting, and ask Scott Zeilinger to be here to further explain the items.
- h. Approve and sign Keno Contractor Agreement. Suspended until August 17, 2026.
- i. Consider and approve Keno-related Resolutions: 2026-04 (Sales Outlet qualifications), 2026-05 (Lottery Participation Restrictions), and 2026-06 (Approval of Lottery Operator). Suspended until August 17, 2026.
- j. Consider and approve signing Keno Licensing paperwork: Forms 50G, 50G Schedule I, 50G Schedule II, & 50G Schedule III (four of these) for Keno. Suspended until August 17, 2026.
- k. Approve closing streets for Church Dinner August 16, 2026.
- Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion toclose N. Lincoln from Benton 1 block North, and East Brainard Street closed to Alley for the Church Dinner, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
1st Robeson 2nd Pesek
Ayes: Robeson, Pesek, Vrbka, Karber, and Hummel.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- l. Consider joining Amazon Business.
- The Clerk will look into this more, and make sure there is no charges. We will revisit this next month.
5. Approve minutes for June 15, 2026 meeting.
There was one correction pointed out.
Motion: Trustee Vrbka makes a motion to approve June 15, 2026 minutes, seconded by Trustee Karber.
1st Vrbka 2nd Karber
Ayes: Vrbka, Karber, Hummel, Robeson, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed
6. Consider June claims
Motion: Trustee Vrbka makes a motion to add $1,510 to the claims for the Fire Department reimbursement for Insurance, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
1st Vrbka 2nd Robeson
Ayes: Vrbka, Robeson, Karber, Pesek, and Hummel.
Nays: none
The motion passed.
Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to pay all claims, except Spark, Electric, seconded by Trustee Karber.
1st Robeson 2nd Karber
Ayes: Robeson, Karber, Pesek, Hummel, and Vrbka.
Nays: none
The motion passed.
Motion: Trustee Vrbka makes a motion to pay Spark, Electric, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
1st Vrbka 2nd Karber
Ayes: Vrbka, Karber, Pesek, and Robeson.
Abstains: Hummel
Nays: none
Motion passed.
8. Committee Reports.
Electric, Sewer, Water: Discussion about water restrictions and water usage. The water restrictions are mostly to improve water pressure around town. The usage is high right now, around 80,000 + gallons daily.
Pools, Parks, Streets, and Trees: Hobson Tree Service cut down some trees around town. Trustee Vrbka took pictures around the intersections by the school for the ongoing construction project. Tree discussion on several trees (Ash trees by Madison – a small one Mitchell could do, and a big one). Hobson pointed out the Linden tree by the Legion is split, and he gave us a $500 voucher toward the cost of taking it down, which would be $750 with stump.
Discussion on the Pool Manager not showing up to meetings to give reports. Trustee Vrbka received a complaint from a Lifeguard parent on the scheduling.
Discussion on a letter that was received from another parent of a Lifeguard. It was decided there were some good suggestions for procedural changes. Trustee’s approved: Sending acceptance letters to each lifeguard detailing their position, duties, and rate of pay when they are hired;
Examining manager’s duties to clarify what the manager does/does not have authority to do or decide, and communicating this to the manager before the season begins; and the Pool Committee Trustees have to be notified ahead of time if the pool is going to be closed.
Discussion on concessions as there was a scramble to get drinks stocked again after they ran out of water and pop on one of the hottest days of the year. Trustee Karber made the purchases. The Trustees would like to see better communication from the pool staff on these things.
Supervisor Janak gives a report on the Pool Inspection performed by the State. Everything was pretty good; There was a bolt loose on the High Diving board, but it was not consequential after a former repair; the latch on the gate between the big pool and the baby pool needs to be fixed. A lifeguard will monitor the gate until it is fixed.
It was decided to let the manager know he needs to come to the Special Meeting on August 5th, 2026, and give a written report on the pool to the Board of Trustees.
Trustee Pesek reports a celebration for America’s 250th Birthday is being planned for sometime in September of 2026.
9. Employee Reports.
July Clerk Report: Yolanda Bailey
We have been notified we are included in the settlement of a class action lawsuit regarding purchased PVC products. The companies involved were found to have participated in price-fixing of PVC pipe.
Regarding the large stump at Evergreen Park, there are two interested parties. We should get the first interested party to decide if they want it, and then contact the other. (Polacek and Hanna). Trustee Hummel heard the Polacek’s were interested – so I will notify Hanna.
We completed the billing using the new Tantalus hardware!! It’s been a long, frustrating two years, but finally there is progress! There are a few anomalies, and I will work on correcting them with Josh King from Tantalus.
Steve, Mitch, and I attended a Pre-Construction Conference Meeting on July 15 between JEO, Rutjens Construction, and the Village. The agenda with some of my notes are in the packet.
Following up on the walk-through of the East Butler Drainage project, there is a copy of communication between the Contractor, ME Collins, and Eli Green from JEO on the three locations for warranty work that need to be completed.
Diane Vanderslice sent a Policy Review document which gives an overview of the CWG Insurance Policy Premiums for the new policy.
July Treasurer Report:
1. A fiscal year Profit and Loss was provided. All positive projections except water, a deficit of $2,917.76 in this report. Keep in mind the step increase for the water main project. East Butler School was billed $63,141 for electrical work for their new addition.
2. The bank account balance report is provided. An increase of $58,535.37 is reported. Please note, in this balance is $141,919.59 for pool donations & $67,364.17 are water project loan proceeds.
3. April employee earnings report is provided. An increase from the prior month of $12,388.54. Due to pool staffing
4. Collection report: 14 shut offs (almost doubling the number of last month) sent the 15th of July. Due on July 23, shut off will take place on July 24.
5. Private donations were received for the T. Novak bandstand cover for $46,627.30. Additional donations will be received for the electrical and stone work.
6. A May & June pool report is provided, see attached.
Discussion on pool profitability, and how we are losing money on fundraisers. This is mostly because of the number of staff needed for these events.
Maintenance Report: Mitchell Janak
Maintenance Superintendent Janak says the pool renovation project may need to be revamped, because the pool cannot afford to wait 3-5 years to get the leak fixed or the concrete deck repaired. He believes these projects need to be addressed next year. It was decided to discuss other scenarios with the Pool Renovation Committee at a meeting soon. It was also proposed that we can get bids for the necessities now and begin to figure out when we can do the upgrade. Getting the pool renovation to happen before the 150th Birthday of the Village in 2028 might be a goal to shoot for.
There was a Sanitary Survey completed last month – this is done every three years, Mitchell reports. It went well, no concerns or deficiencies.
The water main is hooked up at the school. Discussion on the school water main and the stub that was left in the line. The lines were flushed there. The well house by the Legion is getting too hot – since we took the tree down that was near it. Discussion on rectifying the problem by adding some venting – possibly a window air conditioner.
The water main project should start the end of this, or the beginning of next week. Mitch will be on vacation next week.
10. Petitions, Communications, Correspondence.
11. Additional Business/Items for next meeting.
Special meeting August 5, 2026:
Fire Department Interlocal agreement and donation.
Manager pool report.
August 17, 2026
Keno paperwork – ask Scott Zeilinger to attend.
12. Adjournment.
Motion: Trustee Hummel makes a motion to Adjourn at 9:47, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
1st Hummel 2nd Robeson
Ayes: Robeson, Karber, Hummel, Pesek, and Vrbka
Nays: none
The motion passed.