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
June 17, 2024
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brainard held a regular meeting on June 17, 2024 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 with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and announced that a copy of the current Open Meetings Act was on display for public inspection.
Roll Call: present: Joel Vrbka, Steve Hummel, Jeff Karber, Randy Robeson, and Tom Pesek.
Staff present: Clerk Bailey, Treasurer Sander, and Utility Superintendent Burtman.
Guests included: Brian Foral, Elaine Fortik, Dave Foral, Tyler Fortik, Deb Dauel, Carynn Bongers, and Reese Kozisek.
Public Comments:
Guest Deb Dauel is inquiring about the fireworks in town, and whether there is an ordinance that spells out when people can/cannot shoot fireworks. Trustee Vrbka replies he does not think we have that spelled out in our ordinances currently. The resident would like to begin discussion about changing that, and it was decided to revisit the Fireworks Ordinance next month.
Business:
- a. Report on Pool activity by Manager, Carynn Bongers.
- Manager Bongers reports they have sold 52 pool passes this year so far. Swimming lessons are in their 2nd week. The staff has been working well together to cover all shifts. They are starting to plan for the 50th Anniversary Party Midnight Swim, and they will be covered for lifeguards that day. The chlorine levels have been a problem on a regular basis. The State Inspector came and the pool got written up on a few things: the concrete needs repair, the slide structure is declining and we should look into getting a new one sometime in the future, and the chlorine pump numbers didn’t match the permit, but that has been fixed. The new filter is working well. The pool closed early one day because the chlorine levels were not right. The water heater was adjusted to lower the water temperature to the correct levels. The pool constantly needs to be filled, so there must be a leak somewhere.
- b. Discuss Street Closing for Brainard Car Show- Tyler Fortik
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to close the streets on July 7, 2024 for the Car Show. The closures will be on Madison St.– from Lowell St., 2 ½ blocks north to Jefferson St., closing the intersections of Adams, Hamilton, and Washington Streets, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Robeson, Karber, Hummel, Vrbka, and Pesek.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
- c. Consider closing streets for Evening in the Park events on June 29th, and July 27th.
- Motion made by Trustee Pesek to close Hamilton St. from W. alley of Park St. to Madison St. intersection, & Madison St. from Hamilton to Adams St.– for Evening in the Park events on June 29th, and July 27th, seconded by Trustee Vrbka.
Voting aye: Pesek, Vrbka, Robeson, Hummel, and Karber.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
- d. Discuss street bids for Madison St. project.
- There were three bids received for the street repair at Madison Street from: LLLL Construction Group, R&B Contractors, and M.E. Collins Contracting Co. The bids were all comparatively similar. Discussion follows on whether there might be a water main leak there causing the problems, which it was decided should be looked into. The LLLL Construction bid includes excavating two feet of earth to inspect sub-base integrity, was the lowest bid received at $3,850, and is a local company.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to accept the bid from LLLL Construction to repair Madison St. at the corner of W Jackson, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
Voting aye: Robeson, Hummel, Vrbka, Karber, and Pesek.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
- e. Consider roof bids for Shop and Well house.
- It was decided to table this item until the next meeting.
- f. Approve authorization to proceed with obtaining Village credit card with 1st NE Bank, and decide who has authority to charge.
- Discussion surrounds the need for a Village credit card to purchase items from Amazon, concessions for the pool, subscription to Quickbooks, etc. Each purchase must be accompanied by an itemized receipt, and spending limits in the amount of $500 for Bailey and Sanders, and $1,000 for Burtman will still apply to purchases that are not preapproved.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to proceed with the application with the First NE Bank for a credit card, and to authorize staff members Cory Burtman, Yolanda Bailey, and Carla Sander to use the account, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Robeson, Karber, Hummel, Vrbka, and Pesek.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
- g. Discuss repair and/or replacing Evergreen Park fence.
Discussion on the current dilapidated state of the Evergreen Park fence. The park is nicely landscaped now and the fence is not as necessary as it was when it was erected. The posts are rotting off, parts are falling off, etc. It was decided the fencing surrounding the memorial should stay, but the rest of the fence should be removed. If it becomes a problem in the future, a new fence can be considered at the time.
Motion made by Trustee Pesek to remove fencing at Evergreen Park–south of the basketball court, and the east fence–seconded by Trustee Robeson.
Voting aye: Pesek, Robeson, Hummel, Vrbka, and Karber.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
- h. Consider fence permit @ 303 S. Garfield St.
Motion made by Trustee Pesek to approve the permit for the fence at 303 S. Garfield St., seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Robeson, Hummel, Vrbka, Karber, and Pesek.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
- i. Discuss how to handle money donated for pool renovations
- Trustee Vrbka opens discussion by explaining the Pool Committee is going to be doing fundraising for a future upgrade to the pool, and he was wondering if we need to open a second account. Treasurer Sander has explained that there is a “donation” category in Quickbooks that we currently use, which would allow the Village to track these donations.
- j. Discuss grant application process for swimming pool.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to approve Kirstin Bailey writing grants for the Pool Committee in the name of the Village of Brainard, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Robeson, Karber, Hummel, Vrbka, and Pesek.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
- k. Consider approval for Pool’s 50th Anniversary T-shirts.
Motion made by Trustee Hummel to approve the purchase of T-Shirts commemorating the 50th Anniversary to sell as a fundraiser for the pool, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Hummel, Karber, Robeson, Vrbka, and Pesek.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
- l. Review Insurance Policy, and consider claim for annual Village insurance premium from First NE Bank Insurance group.
- Trustee Vrbka opens the discussion by relating the speed sign on the highway spur to the north was hit and destroyed, it looks like it was hit by a red tractor. The Sheriff was called and came to check it out. He called Diane Vanderslice, and found out the sign was not on our insurance policy. Discussion on whether or not to add it to the insurance policy, and it was decided it wouldn’t be worth it if the policy goes up as a result. It was decided if we wanted to replace the sign we could go ahead, it would not have to be on the agenda.
Motion made by Trustee Pesek to accept the insurance policy from First NE Bank Insurance Group, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
Voting aye: Pesek, Robeson, Hummel, Vrbka, and Karber.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
5. Approve May 20, 2024 Minutes
Motion made by Trustee Vrbka to approve the May Minutes with changes, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
Voting aye: Vrbka, Pesek, Robeson, Karber, and Hummel.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
7. Approve June Claims
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to pay all June claims, except Spark Electric, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
Voting aye: Robeson, Karber, Pesek, Hummel, and Vrbka.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.
Motion made by Trustee Vrbka to pay the Spark Electric claim, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
Voting aye: Vrbka, Robeson, Pesek, and Karber.
Abstain: Hummel
Voting nay: none
8. Committee Reports:
Electric, Water, and Sewer:
Parks, pools & trees
Trustee Pesek reports there were 5 Oak trees planted recently. We received a small discount on them. There will be another 5 trees purchased to plant in the Fall. Discussion followed on some of the trees that didn’t make it last year, and whether there was a warranty on them, and Trustee Pesek will follow up on this. Discussion on a tree that was broken off by a residents’ Grandson, and whether the resident should be charged for the replacement. It was decided to review the Tree Ordinances. Discussion on a couple of dying trees at 303 S. Garfield St., by Evergreen Park, which are in the right-of-way and also growing in power lines. It was decided, for safety reasons, they might need to be removed by the Village instead of the resident. The plan would be to have Spark Electric get the trees out of the power lines, and then Village maintenance guys could remove them. If Cory could come up with an estimate of that cost, maybe the resident would split the cost with the Village. Trustee Vrbka will talk to the residents. Trustee Pesek reports he was looking at the recent tree bids, and he thinks maybe a couple of trees that are slated to be removed on the list might not need to be. For instance, the Pin Oak on Barbara St., just has one branch that needs to be removed. It is up high, so might need to be a Spark Electric job. Jeff Klement was given a tour of tree work so he could give the Village an estimate. Klement does point out that the work will not be finished until well into the Fall if he does it.
Trustee Vrbka reports on the Alumni Pool Party and 50th Anniversary activities. On July 6th, the pool will not be open until 3:00 – when the alumni party will start. At 6:00 the pool will be open for the Midnight Swim, with food and such at that time. The pool managers and staff will come in before the Alumni Party, and stay through the Midnight Swim.
9. Employee Reports.
Clerk Report – Yolanda Bailey:
I addressed some of the Pool Anniversary postcards, and mailed them all out last week.
Cory measured the 300’ boundary surrounding the Fireworks Stand. Per Fire Marshall, no fireworks can be set off within that area. I have attached his map. I am wondering if we need to notify residents that are in the area – or possibly put it out to the community by posting – so residents know not to light fireworks there. For instance, now we know my yard is within the 300 feet, so we will move our 4th of July festivities further to the west to comply. When the stand is set up, we will provide the Vendor with this map and discuss the importance of compliance with him.
I am going to ask the Maintenance crew to clean the carpet in the office sometime this summer, as it is not looking the best right now. Discussing this further, it was decided to try and have Stanley Steamer come in and work on it. Also on the City Hall subject, Trustee Vrbka mentions that the bricks on the front of the building have lost their mortar, and we should look into fixing that. Trustee Pesek reports he just heard that Chris Owan, who lives on Breveshinski place does Tuck-pointing work. He might be someone to contact.
The Island crew-of-two has been working hard cleaning up the Village islands. I have been working on a binder for the project, with pictures and notes on the activities through the season, which we will update each year.
Discussion on the City Park Islands, and how they were in need of cleanup now. Next year, we will add this Island to the list of Islands that the school workers have.
Treasurer Report: see attached
There is a May 2023/May 2024 Profit and loss to compare. Basically positive projections in most categories, but Park and Rec is behind due to the new filter and other pool expenses.
We can take donations at City Hall, and they will be tracked under the “donations” category in Quickbooks.
There is a bank account balance report in your packets. There was a decrease in the bank account of $ 19,664.86 since May. This is probably a direct result of last month’s claims, which were over $100,000. Employee pay report is in the packet, there was a decrease from April to May of $3,693.23, due to 3 pay-periods in April.
There were 22 Overdue Utility letters sent out, which was up four accounts since last month.
Maintenance Report:
Cory Burtman reports that the maintenance worker Wyatt Jelinek started work. We need mulch for the Islands, and he is wondering what color is preferred. It was decided brown would work. Burtman is trying to get this done before the Car Show. Cory has been getting calls about the fire-hydrant in Evergreen Park getting turned on and running at random times. Vigilance is needed to catch someone in the act. Cory is going to take Drone footage of the pool for the pool expansion fundraising. The John Deere mower has stopped working, and it is not fixable. He is going to put up the lights on the bandstand in City Park.
10. Petitions, Communications, Correspondence
Trustee Vrbka reports 10/11 News is coming out Friday, June 21st, to do an “Our Town Brainard” piece, highlighting the Pool Anniversary and other activities in town the weekend of July 5th. They also are planning a feature on Fox Run Farms and their Pioneer Farm Award. Discussion followed on the many businesses and activities in town that could be mentioned for the segment.
11. Additional Business/Items for next meeting.
Roof Bids
12. Adjourn
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to adjourn at 8:55 pm, seconded by Trustee Karber.
Voting aye: Robeson, Karber Hummel, Vrbka, and Pesek.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried.