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
September 21, 2026
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brainard held a regular meeting on
September 21, 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.
Guests included: Brian Foral, Elaine Fortik, Valerie Vandenberg, Robin Sullivan, John Winter, Martin Bleeker, Nicole William, Tina Maxwell, Shaina Borer
Business:
- Business:
- A resident that had been shut-off last month came to the meeting to ask the Board of Trustees to forgive the $100 reconnection fee that had been incurred. They explained the circumstances as to why the bill was late. The Board decided to give the resident a $100 credit on their next bill.
Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to credit the Resident’s bill $100, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
1st Robeson 2nd Pesek
Ayes: Robeson, Pesek, Vrbka, Karber, and Hummel.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- Open budget hearing for the Village fiscal year 2027 budget. John Winter and Martin Bleeker of Lengemann & Assoc. to discuss Budget Summary w/Trustees.
Motion: Trustee Karber makes a motion to open the Budget Hearing, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
1st Karber 2nd Robeson
Ayes: Karber, Robeson, Vrbka, Hummel, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- John Winter and Martin Bleeker of Lengemann & Associates begin the discussion by handing out a budget review page. The changes in Assessed Valuation from 25-26 to 26-27 resulted in an increase of approx. 8.32%. Leaving the Levy at .48 will result in an increase of Tax Revenue in the amount of $14,028. Discussion follows on the ongoing Water Main Replacement project and its costs. It was decided the budget could be re-worked to add more to the water project budget.
- Close budget hearing for the Village fiscal year 2027 budget.
Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to close the Budget Hearing, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
1st Robeson 2nd Hummel
Ayes: Robeson, Hummel, Vrbka, Karber, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- 3. Adjournment @ 7:23
Motion: Trustee Karber makes a motion to adjourn at 7:23 pm, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
1st Karber 2nd Pesek
Ayes: Karber, Pesek, Vrbka, Hummel, and Robeson.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- You are hereby notified that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brainard, NE will hold a special meeting to set the property tax request at 7:24 P.M September 21, 2026at the Brainard City Hall. The agenda is subject to Board modification.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Roll Call: Present: Joel Vrbka, Steve Hummel, Tom Pesek, Randy Robeson, and Jeff Karber.
- Business:
- Set Final Tax Request.
Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to leave the Levy at .48, seconded by Trustee Karber.
1st Robeson 2nd Karber
Ayes: Robeson, Karber, Vrbka, Hummel, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- Adjournment @ 7:25
Motion: Trustee Karber makes a motion to Adjourn at 7:25 pm, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
1st Karber 2nd Pesek
Ayes: Karber, Pesek, Vrbka, Hummel, and Robeson.
Nays: none
The motion passed
You are hereby notified that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brainard, NE will hold a regular meeting at 7:26 P.M September 21, 2026at the Brainard City Hall. The agenda is subject to Board modification.
- 1. Call Meeting to Order
- 2. Roll Call: Present: Joel Vrbka, Steve Hummel, Tom Pesek, Randy Robeson, and Jeff Karber.
- 3. Patrons Comments-5 minutes per person.
- 4. Business:
- a. Set Tax Levy and Consider Resolution #2026-07 setting property tax.
Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to accept Resolution #2026-07, setting the Property Tax Request at $182,693.59, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
1st Robeson 2nd Hummel
Ayes: Robeson, Hummel, Vrbka, Karber, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- Open Public Hearing 1 & 6 Year Road Plan.
- Motion: Trustee Pesek makes a motion to Open Public Hearing for the 1 & 6 Year Road Plan, seconded by Trustee Karber.
1st Pesek 2nd Karber
Ayes: Pesek, Karber, Vrbka, Hummel, and Robeson.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- c. Discuss funding for Pool Renovation project with Pool Renovation Committee.
Valerie Vandenberg begins the discussion by reviewing the current amount in the Pool Renovation account donations, which is $138,156. We are in year 3 of the proposed 5 year plan, and the goal is to raise enough donations to match a Parks and Rec grant of $600,000. Valerie reports on fundraising efforts and she feels there is good potential to reach the goal. Some of the Trustees expressed their skepticism that another $440,000 can be raised in this community, and Valerie is confident it can. The committee is planning the Christmas Tour of Homes this winter. Possibilities of other fundraisers and targeted fundraising letters were discussed. Discussion on putting up a larger sign by the pool with a thermometer showing how much money has been raised and how much more is needed. Discussion on the current state of the pool deck and other concerns – and whether it can wait 3 more years before things deteriorate too much. Valerie feels we need to follow through with the 5 year plan, and the Board agrees.
- Discuss, consider and possibly approve new propane line crossing alley in Block 3, and discuss possible alley improvements with Brian Foral.
- Brian Foral explains the Husker Bar III is wanting to change to propane for their cooking units, and they are planning to put a 1,000 gallon propane tank across the alley from City Hall, running a line across the alley to the Bar. It was decided to contact the Attorney to see about paperwork that is needed. The other thing they are trying to accomplish is moving their dumpsters to the back of the building. This will involve pouring a concrete pad, and they realize if that needs to be removed for utility reasons that they will be responsible for fixing the damage.
- Discuss Food Pantry possibility with Nicole William and Tina Maxwell.
Tina Maxwell reports she has been starting Free Pantries in nearby towns, with the goal of having one in each town in Butler County. They place a cabinet at the chosen location and Nicole will stock it to begin with. Onyx Social Club has agreed to have it next to their building by the gas pumps. After the initial stocking, it is up to the community to keep it stocked. “Take what you need, leave what you can” is the Motto. There will be a laminated list of appropriate items the community can put in there. In the winter canned goods are removed, but there is a phone number people can call for these items. Nicole William will be working with this and keeping an eye on it weekly. The Trustees are supportive of this effort and give their permission for this Pantry to be installed.
- Consider and approve Allen Hilfiker Application for Membership with the Brainard Volunteer Fire Department.
- Motion: Trustee Vrbka makes a motion to approve the Allen Hilfiker application to become a member of the Brainard Volunteer Fire Department, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
1st Vrbka 2nd Robeson
Ayes: Vrbka, Robeson, Hummel, Karber, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- Approve new Interlocal Cooperative Agreement with the Fire Department.
- The Attorney has made some changes to the document the Fire Department provided. The new ambulance is coming this week, so it is time to formally pass this Agreement.
- Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to approve the Interlocal Agreement between the Village and the Fire Department, contingent on the new ambulance going into service, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
1st Robeson 2nd Hummel
Ayes: Robeson, Hummel, Vrbka, Karber, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- Consider and approve Pay Application #2 for the contractor Rutjen’s Construction Water Main project.
The process is: we approve the pay application, then JEO sends this to the State for the SRF Loan, they in turn send the loan money to the Village, and then it gets put on the Claims for payment.
- Motion: Trustee Karber makes a motion to approve Pay Application #2 for Rutjen’s Construction in the amount of $173,182.50, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
1st Karber 2nd Hummel
Ayes: Karber, Vrbka, Hummel, Robeson, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- Discuss latest Tower proposition from GSS.
This tower is not in the Village’s jurisdiction, so there is nothing to decide.
- Consider and possibly approve Lengemann & Associates contract to conduct the Fiscal Audit for $10,590.
- Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to approve the contract for Lengemann & Associates to conduct the Village Audit for $10,590, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
1st Robeson 2nd Pesek
Ayes: Robeson, Pesek, Vrbka, Hummel, and Karber.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- Close Public Hearing for the 1 & 6 Year Road Plan and pass Resolution #2026-08.
- Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to close the 1 & 6 Year Road Hearing, seconded by Trustee Vrbka.
1st Robeson 2nd Vrbka
Ayes: Robeson, Vrbka, Hummel, Karber, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed
Discussion follows on the 1 & 6 Year Road Plan, and Trustee Pesek questions the concrete designation on Logan Street. It was suggested to change the wording to “concrete or asphalt” instead of just concrete.
- Motion: Trustee Karber makes a motion to introduce Resolution #2026-08, approving the 1 & 6 Year plan, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
1st Karber 2nd Robeson
Ayes: Karber, Robeson, Vrbka, Hummel, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- Motion: Trustee Hummel makes a motion to pass Resolution #2026-08, approving the 1 & 6 Year plan, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
1st Hummel 2nd Pesek
Ayes: Hummel, Pesek, Karber, Robeson, and Vrbka.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- Approve minutes for regular meeting August 17, 2026.
One correction was pointed out.
Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to approve the August 17, 2026 minutes with corrections, seconded by Trustee Karber.
1st Robeson 2nd Karber
- Ayes: Robeson, Karber Vrbka, Hummel, and Pesek.
- Nays: none
- The motion passed
- Approve minutes for SPECIAL meeting September 14, 2026.
- Motion: Trustee Vrbka makes a motion to approve September 14, 2026 Special meeting minutes, seconded by Trustee Karber.
1st Vrbka 2nd Karber
Ayes: Vrbka, Karber, Hummel, Robeson, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed
- Consider September claims.
- There is a Spark Claim to be added to the claims for $240. A tree that got hit by lightning required repairs to the electrical system, which Spark Electric completed.
- Discussion on the Gavin Hobson bill for stump removal, as Trustees thought this bill was for work already included in the previous invoice. It was decided to remove this from this month’s claims and look into it further.
- Motion: Trustee Vrbka makes a motion to add $240 to the Spark Electric Claims, and approve the claims, seconded by Trustee Robeson.
1st Vrbka 2nd Robeson
Ayes: Vrbka, Robeson, Karber and Pesek.
Abstain: Hummel
Nays: none
The motion passed
Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to pay all September claims except Hobson and Spark, seconded by Trustee Vrbka.
1st Robeson 2nd Vrbka
Ayes: Robeson, Vrbka, Hummel, Karber, and Pesek.
Nays: none
The motion passed
8. Committee Reports.
Electric, Sewer, Water: Trustee Vrbka reports the Omega company who is running fiber damaged a buried electrical line last week on south Madison, so Spark fixed it that night. The question is who pays for it? When Trustee Vrbka spoke with Omega, they said this line was not marked, so they did not feel it was their fault. There have been other incidents around town that are similar. It was noted the lines to the houses from the mains are not usually marked. These repairs will most likely have to be covered by the Village. It was reported a sewer line was hit on Cleveland St. that had to be repaired. There are areas that need to be filled in and compacted, but it is too wet right now. The water main replacement project is now working on services.
Pool, Park, Streets, & Trees
Discussion on the Pool Manager’s final season report. Discussion on how difficult it is to find the right number of lifeguards every year. Trustee Pesek feels we should try to have enough lifeguards so each one can pursue their other activities and interests if possible. The idea of having an adult manage the pool outside of the Lifeguard employees was discussed. The person in this position could be responsible for making the schedule, pool closing announcements, and possibly concessions. It was brought up that we had a couple of employees work in the office to relieve the Lifeguards, and that was helpful. The State guidelines for Guard Duty need to be detailed in the SOP for the pool. It needs to be detailed the Manager coming to the Board meeting once a month is mandatory.
Trustee Pesek reports a young tree was removed by 423 S Madison; if this one is going to be replanted it is unknown, because of the proximity of the curb stop. It was also reported several panels of sidewalks (4) were cracked.
9. Employee Reports.
Clerk Report: September 21, 2026 Yolanda Bailey
Last month the Trustees directed me to write a letter to a resident regarding his request to remove the water meter from his “storage” house at 112 S. Lincoln St. I thought the Board decided the house would have to be removed before they would allow the meters to be taken out. I have looked, but not found an Ordinance I could quote on this. I did find a section regarding having a water meter removed, and I have included this in your packet. I’m wondering what is the next step? (It was decided we should change the Ordinance to say the house needs to be removed before we remove any meters.)
We were notified on September 8th, that NPPD is phasing out the management of town’s websites – they will completely stop hosting our website on December 31, 2027. I attended a webinar about this. They are planning to give us a list of vendors to hire soon.
This change stems from another change we will have to deal with, and that is the ADA accessibility mandate, with a compliance deadline of April 2028. There is a sheet on this in your packet.
I took the Claim form we received from Kinetic to Diane Vanderslice per our Attorney’s recommendation. While I was there, I asked Diane if the Bandstand upgrade was on our policy, and recommended it be valued at roughly $60,000. She will take pictures, and Mitch will measure it.
Diane sent a follow-up email asking about the park shelter. She says the Board decided years ago to “self-insure” this structure. She says the policy is written with a $1,000 deductible with $5,000 wind and hail deductible. If you would like to add the shelter to the policy she says let her know. (It was decided to ask Diane how much this will add to the policy and putting it on the Oct. Agenda.)
City Hall is experiencing water damage in the safe and the basement every time it rains. I recommend we come up with a plan to fix it soon. All our important papers are in the safe and I don’t have anywhere I can move them if mold starts to grow. Right now we do have a dehumidifier in both places. (Discussion follows on finding someone to plaster and mitigate this issue. It was also decided we need to check the gutters and re-grade the outside to the south.)
The Planning Commission Minutes are in your packet.
Discussion follows on whether a Board member needs to go to the Planning Commission meeting, which they are asking for. Discussion on building permits and whether they need to be given to the PC first. Brian Foral relates the Planning Commission would have a special meeting if a building permit came in that needed to be addressed in a timely way. He believes the PC should see all building permits first and then give the Board their recommendation. It was decided to change the date on the building permits to reflect they should be turned in at least one month prior to a Board meeting, and be given to the PC at that time to address first. This will be discussed with the Planning Commission before any changes are done.
September Treasurer Report:
1. An August Profit and Loss was provided. Negative projections in all categories except garbage, street & sewer; small margins between electric income and utilities purchased; league dues and fuel pushed the general class up; park & recreation overextended by payroll expense as it did all season; water over, due to engineering expense and large purchase for the fire department. Continue to keep in mind the step increase for the water main project.
2. The bank account balance report is provided. A decrease of $25,271.35 is reported.
3. An August employee earnings report is provided. A decrease of $2,626.18 due to pool staff ended mid-month.
I read the manager report, things to keep in mind:
The average pay for teen and youth summer jobs in Nebraska is about $15.00 to $16.40 per hour, with most seasonal or entry-level roles ranging from $13.00 to $18.00 per hour depending on the specific job and location. The village range was $14-$18.
Average Pay by Job Type: General Youth Summer Jobs: Average around $16.28 per hour according to statewide tracking.
Seasonal Park & Rec / Labor: Municipal jobs (like parks, golf courses, or marina work in cities like Lincoln and Omaha) typically pay between $15.00 and $20.00 per hour.
Factors Affecting Pay Location: Higher-cost or larger metro areas like Omaha and Lincoln generally offer the upper end of the pay scale ($15–$20/hr), whereas rural areas may skew closer to $13–$15/hr. Age and Experience: Older teens (17+) or those returning for a second year often qualify for specialized duties like lifeguarding or equipment operation that command higher hourly rates.
Addressing how busy they were, every other Monday I went down to the pool to disperse checks, on one occasion, a lifeguard was sleeping be hide the desk. I was able to walk into the office put the checks down with this lifeguard not waking up. Other time 2 or three guards not busy, hanging out in the office. I understand this is a small glimpse of time, but noteworthy.
Staffing concerns: the state does have guidance on lifeguard rotation and this might be something next year to consider adding to the SOP.
4. Collection report: 15 shut offs sent today, down from last month. Due on September 25, shut off will take place on September 28.
Maintenance Supervisor Report: Mitch Janak
Mitch is not present, but he relayed to Chairman Vrbka that the new water mains are working, and they are installing individual services at this time.
10. Petitions, Communications, Correspondence.
– Noxious weed letter.
– Utility re-connection fee letter.
– Meter removal request letter.
Trustee Vrbka was notified a couple of side-dumpers of dirt got dumped on a private residence on Cleveland Street, burying a Village electric connection box. The resident says he was told it was no longer in service. No one knows who might have told him that. They have had to order an $1,100 vault to protect the line, and the Board thinks the resident should pay for the equipment and the labor, totaling $2,500. (Find Ordinance and discuss writing a letter w/Joel.)
There was discussion on Ordinances regarding sexual predators, and we do have them in our book. It was decided to keep an eye on the situation with one of our former residents. If it is determined this individual is living in that house, the League of Municipalities says the School Board would have to call the State Patrol, but it is not something the Village needs to do.
Dane Simonsen sent an update of the financials regarding the SRF Loan and our Water Main Replacement project. There is still room in the loan to add more projects if we choose. Discussion follows on whether the Board is interested in adding to the project, and what it would cost residents. It was noted we are getting a lot more done than we had originally anticipated. It was also noted the rates for water have already gone up and will need to be raised again.
11. Additional Business/Items for next meeting.
12. Adjournment.
Motion: Trustee Robeson makes a motion to Adjourn at 9:38, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
1st Robeson 2nd Pesek
Ayes: Robeson, Pesek, Karber, Hummel, and Vrbka.
Nays: none
The motion passed.