By Leesa K. Bartu
After commencing with the minutes and bills the village
board approached their full agenda on April 5 with member Mitch Schlegelmilch
absent.
With several guests visiting again about blocks in the
northwest section of the village there was a brief discussion on which
blocks should have gravel between North Empire Street, Kiowa and North
Boundary. A resident in the neighborhood, Mike Hopkins, was present and
requested that the entire two blocks be graveled.
Chairman of the board, Alan Michl noted that the city
engineer reviewed the area and felt that was the proper way to do the project.
Other neighbors in the area agreed with the blocks presented for surfacing.
After asking if there was any discussion the board approved a motion to gravel
the two blocks.
Also present at the meeting was Fillmore County Development
Corporation Executive Director Patt Lentfer. She reported to the board
that FCDC will be applying for a housing grant again. The grant will
provide down payment assistance as well as rehabilitation funds. This
will be the third time the county has participated in this program.
Lentfer reported that 27 homeowners took advantage of the
program in the past and this time they are applying for $250,000. “There
is no money involved for the communities but we like to see an interlocal
agreement. We like to see them upgrade the quality of their homes.
These funds are not used for beauty but for efficiency and safety. If
they live in the home for five years they don’t have to pay the loan back
because it becomes a grant.”
The Exeter Village board made a motion to participate in the
housing program and the motion passed.
The board moved on to review the bids to demolish the tag
factory, Michl reported that there were “seven bids ranging from $167,000
to $447,000. The low bid was from Brent Pankoke from Beaver Crossing.”
The board discussed several of the bids, the highest from
Tiemann Construction out of Beatrice. Michl noted that Tiemann will be
doing the re-rocking project on the Milligan road. Michl also reported
that “I visited with the mayor of Friend, Jim Vossler, about the demolition job
that Pankoke did for the city of Friend and they had no issues with him.”
The board discussed some of the bonding issues along with
contracts and performance bonds that will go along with the project. They
also noted they would like to see an August first completion date, but
vice-chairman of the board, Tim Wilbeck stated he would like for demolition to
start after graduation.
Village Maintenance Supervisor John Mueller advised the
board that asbestos testing would have to be completed prior to the start of
demolition.
The board considered two bids, from Brent Pankoke and Wy Ad
who bid $187,000. One of their main concerns will be financing.
They also discussed ways to recoup the demolition costs down the road with
revilatlization projects.
Board member Kathy Erdkamp expressed some concerns about the
use of the adjacent senior center during the demolition. Michl noted that
they will visit with the contractor to ensure safety.
The board moved to accept Pankoke’s low bid which also
included removal of the building adjacent to the village office.
Moving on, Michl invited Terry Meier from JEO, to share on
the Exeter Revitalization plan. Meier reminded the board about the
revitalization meeting that was held on January 18 and reviewed the
issues facing the community.
The top four priorities that were recognized were to improve
the asthetics downtown, a need for new homes and housing, a new village office,
library and technology center and improved roads.
Meier presented a summary of the meeting that the village
can use to develop a community action plan JEO can assist in identifying
potential resources that might be available to the community to help the goals
happen.
The board adopted resolution 16-02 to approve the plan.
Mueller gave his maintenance report opening with information
about the possibility of securing a grant to be used for water and sewer GIS
tracking. JEO has notified Mueller that the board may be eligible for a
$10,000 grant to map the sewer and water system in Exeter with just $3700 in
matching funds required by the village.
Board member Justin Harre noted that it “Sounded like a
pretty good idea.”
Mueller wasn’t sure that it would help him without gps
equipment but when he found out the mapping includes measurements from
telephone poles and other fixed objects he realized it would be very helpful.
After a brief discussion the board unanimously decided to
apply for the grant.
Mueller also reported that he researched a trailer for the
mini excavator the village is leasing with Fairmont. He found one for
$4725 for a trailer and noted, “I would prefer that we bought it so that we
would own it and not split it with Fairmont.”
Mueller presented the board with specs for the trailer
and Wilbeck made a motion to purchase the trailer. The board
approved the motion.
Michl broached the next maintenance subject, a new
pick up truck for the village. He explained that Erdkamp motors recently
received in trade a 2011 red Dodge half ton pick up with 8000 miles on
it. In discussion with the dealership they offered to trade the current
village pickup in for the 2011 at a price of $20,000. The current pickup
is a 1997 which the village has owned since 2000. “We have some money put
away for a pick up, not enough. We have talked about it in the
past. Kelly blue book shows about $25,000. I am just laying
it out there, if you want to do it that’s fine if not that is ok too. We have
115,000 miles on our truck,” explained Michl.
The board approved the motion to purchase a new the truck
from Erdkamp motors with Kathy Erdkamp abstaining.
Clerk Becky Erdkamp presented the audit and reported that an
insurance audit had gone well. She also noted that sales taxfor January
was $9426.41 and keno for February was $443.25.
Exeter-Milligan Superintendent Paul Sheffield gave a brief
update on the joint project building at the school. He noted that the
project is rolling along. “We can’t get a certificate of occupancy until
the sprinklers are all done and we are waiting on the gym. That will be
the biggest thing that holds up our certificate of occupancy.
Before adjourning the meeting the board sent the next
meeting for May 10th at 7 p.m.
