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 SPECIAL Board Meeting Minutes
August 5, 2026
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brainard held a SPECIAL meeting on August 5, 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 Open Meetings Act and called the meeting to order.
- 4. Business:
- a. Discuss and approve changes to the current Interlocal Agreement between Village of Brainard and Fire Department.
- Discussion on the interlocal agreement begins with Chairman Vrbka introducing the subject. Greg Kozisek points out the ownership of the ambulance will change when the new ambulance comes, with the Rural Fire Department being the owners of the new ambulance, and the Village of Brainard retaining ownership of the old ambulance. John Bongers has a document he has drafted that can possibly serve as the new interlocal agreement.
- He states the biggest change is in the Insurance portion of it. Because the Village switched their insurance carrier in May, there were changes in parts of the policy; such as who covers which part. Some of the policy premiums have switched from the Village to the Rural’s insurance – such as Workman’s comp. One of the biggest decisions the Board has to make is whether or not they are going to continue to pay the Fire dept. Workman’s Comp premiums; approx. $1,078 per year. If so, they will have to reimburse this amount to the Fire dept. because it is now on the Rural Fire dept. insurance policy. Some discussion on the possible legal issues that may come with the reimbursement, and how this will have to be documented carefully for the audit. The Village Board members expressed their support for continuing to pay 100% of the Workman’s Comp premium.
- The other insurance premium to consider is the life insurance for the firemen. The Village was paying 100% of this until they took ownership of the ambulance, approx. 25 years ago. At that time, the Village dropped their 100% coverage to 50%, because they were taking on extra expenses with the ambulance. Due to the ambulance ownership being back in the Rural’s hands the Village will not have as many expenses, and they are wondering if the Village would go back to covering the life insurance premium 100% again (adding approx. $561 annually). The Village Board members expressed their agreement to pay 100% of the cost of the life insurance for the firemen.
- Discussion on Fire Hall maintenance and what repairs might be coming up: the bathrooms need repair; the hot water heater is not working (and there is no water shut-off at the firehall – we should talk to JEO about this); some issues with the sanitary drain; Soffits and gutters that need replacing, etc. Discussion on Fire Hall repairs and how the Fire Dept. and the Village can cooperate financially on projects as they arise. Discussion on what to do with the old ambulance, and it was decided to see if we can store it while we try to sell it (consult the attorney)– and use the money to apply to Fire Hall maintenance and repairs.
- Discussion on the internet cable that runs from City Hall across the street to the Fire Hall, and it was decided to disconnect it because it possibly interferes with the internet connection at City Hall. The Fire Hall will have to get its own router, and the Village of Brainard will cover that expense along with the telephone and the hot-spot. It was decided to pursue this when the fiber optic is installed in town.
- It was decided to revisit, formally pass and sign the new interlocal agreement when the new ambulance arrives.
b. Discuss and possibly approve equipment donation of $39,912.45 (for Lifepak 35) to the Fire Department.
The Fire Department has some grant proceeds (ARPA funds) they can use toward this important piece of equipment (approx. $5,000), but the deadline for this purchase is coming up. They can get a trade-in for the old unit (approx. $5,000) but beyond that they are short by $39,912.45.
The LifePak 35 is a multi-use piece of equipment for heart attacks. This allows them to monitor the heart in multiple ways, treat the heart with the defibrillator, and be instantly transmitting the patient’s stats to the hospital. There are several important upgrades from the Lifepak 15 that is in the ambulance currently. It is unknown how much longer they will be supporting the Lifepak 15 into the future.
With all this in mind, Fire Chief Bongers is requesting a donation from the Village of Brainard of $39,912.45.
Motion made by Trustee Robeson to approve donation toward Rural Fire Dept’s purchase of the Lifepak 35 for the ambulance, in the amount of $39,912.45, seconded by Trustee Hummel.
Voting aye: Robeson, Hummel, Karber, Pesek, and Vrbka.
Voting nay: none
The motion carried
6. Adjournment.
Motion made by Trustee Karber to adjourn at 7:52 pm, seconded by Trustee Pesek.
Voting aye: Karber, Pesek, Robeson, Hummel, and Vrbka.
Voting nay: none The motion carried