PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PROCEEDINGS

Village of Clearwater BOARD OF TRUSTEES

May 8, 2023

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, May 8, at 8 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 8 p.m. Notice of Meeting was given in advance by publication in "Summerland Advocate-Messenger," posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market, and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster.

Present: Kelly Kerkman, Marsha Hart, Cody Kester, Brian King, Jeff Schlecht. Others present: Kyle Petersen, Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen, Troy Behnke, Curt Thiele, Bill Thiele, Kevin Filsinger, Steve Hankla, Joe Funk, Reed Miller, Lauren Timm, Bill Kester, Sam Behrendt, Sheriff Bob Moore, Angie Hupp.

Approved minutes of regular meeting on April 10.

Approved minutes of special meeting on April 16. Hart abstained.

Approved treasurer’s report.

Late water bills presented.

Discussion held with Joe Funk regarding the state possibly requiring him to move one of the billboards along the highway a few feet to comply with state statutes.

Approved Joe Funk building permit application to expand storage units on Hwy. 275.

Tabled one armor coat bid from Pave LLC until more research could be done on their product.

Approved Sam Behrendt building permit application for garage/shed at 105 Nevada St.

Fiscal year 2021-2022 audit presented over the phone by Rose Pinkman from HBE.

Approved audit as presented.

Approved HBE claim of $13,500 for audit services, pending USDA approval.

Approved extending USDA bank loans for $1,798,000 and $311,000 to June 1, 2023, to finish closing the project.

Approved extending bank operating note for $389,000 to June 1, 2023, until interest reimbursements from USDA are paid.

Reed Miller from Miller & Associates explained the course of the lagoon project to the board. The project was completed in three phases: sewer pipe lining, water meter installation, then lagoon construction. Due to the extended length of the project, inflation and the USDA and NDEE’s changing requirements, the project ended up costing more than originally discussed. In order to cover maintenance costs and loan repayments, the USDA has suggested a rise in sewer rates, from $38.50 to $55.94, due to the change in cost and user numbers. There are fewer sewer users than originally presented and used for USDA’s calculations. The board is working on ways to lessen or postpone the rate hike. Discussion was also held regarding the need for larger water/sewer users, like ESU and apartments, to pay higher sewer rates than other residents.

Tabled purchase of GIS equipment until other options are investigated.

Approved purchasing trench box, sewer jetter, Kurf Kutter tool, and storage shed for lagoon equipment, with remaining USDA grant funds, pending USDA approval.

Discussion held regarding possibility of placing slower speed limits on River Rd. and 515 ½ Ave. heading out of village limits to help prevent wear on streets.

Discussion held regarding possibility of creating a truck route through town.

Discussion held regarding painting parking lines on Main St. Board wants to hear public opinion.

Rejected Riley Snider claim for water leak. Village is responsible for lines to curbstop and the meter itself. Owner is responsible for lines from curbstop to meter and lines after meter.

Discussion held regarding who to hire to extend sewer line to rodeo ground for new building.

Sheriff’s report presented.

Approved Rustin Fletcher building permit application for addition to Kidz Corner Clubhouse at 609 Montana St.

Approved Kelly Kerkman building permit application for covered front porch at 102 Nebraska St. Kerkman abstained.

Tabled Don Klabenes building permit application for a fence at 503 First St. until the surveryor’s report can be viewed.

Approved Tony Blecher building permit application for addition to Main St. Repair at 505 First St.

Tabled ordinance to sell 507 First St. to Tony Blecher. Blecher’s attorney wanted wording in the resolution changed so a new resolution will be passed at the June meeting.

Approved insurance statement of values.

Approved Resolution 2023-10 adopting the Tri-County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Approved waiving three readings of Ordinance 2023-3 setting summer help wages.

Approved Ordinance 2023-3 establishing summer help wages of summer help one at $15/hour and summer help two at $12/hour, beginning May 8, 2023; and repealing all ordinances in conflict.

Maintenance, economic development and park reports presented.

No library report presented.

Clerk report presented. Approved computer security management and Microsoft 365 migration services through Precision IT.

Unfinished business discussed. New business presented.

Approved claims and payroll. Claims: $48,383.08; wages: $6,779.88.

Approved entering executive session at 10:59 p.m. for the purpose of litigation discussion with attorney and to prevent needless injury to an individual.

Approved exiting executive session at 11:17 p.m.

Approved having attorney send letter to owners of 207 Colorado St. indicating a nuisance violation and request to abate. If the property isn’t cleaned up by the deadline, the village will clean it and assess the charges to the owner.

Approved adjourning the meeting at 11:18 p.m.

A complete copy of the minutes is available at the clerk’s office during regular business hours.

Angie Hupp,

Village Clerk

Published May 18, 2023

ZNEZ