The Exeter Village Board met on Tuesday July 10th
and quickly reviewed the minutes and the invoices without making any additions
or corrections.
The board started their agenda with two change orders
related to the current construction projects. One, for Werner
Construction, included the materials for the access road the added on the east
side of town while East Boundary Avenue is closed. The total was $7900.
The change order also included the Union Avenue project,
explained Chairman Alan Michl, “the subbase was not good at one intersection
and they had to put a stabilizing mesh underneath on several spots.”
The second change order was for Van Kirk construction in
order to extend their completion date to September 10th. Clerk
Becky Erdkamp explained that it was a date change with no cost and the board
approved both of the change orders.
Clerk Erdkamp informed the board that she had included in
their packets a summary of the funds used so far on the construction projects.
Fillmore County Emergency Manager Jim Dunker was next on the
agenda and presented the county FEMA emergency plan and the five year update of
the Local Emergency Operations Plan (LEOP). He noted that the Hazardous
Material information was taken out of the notebook, “Other than that it was
same as we had before.”
He added, “If we have a major disaster and we separate all
of our debris FEMA will give us an extra two percent.”
The board accepted both the LEOP and the FEMA plan under
Resolution 1805.
The board then approved Resolution 1802 and 1803, water
liens with one customer $650 in arrears.
Next on the agenda was the upcoming Exeter Days. The
board discussed the Parade route and car show street closing with the
construction going on in town. Board member Mitch Schlegelmilch explained
“it will start at the school and turn at Tecumseh and the go to Main Street.”
The Board approved shutting down parts of Seneca Street for
the car show.
Michl gave a brief update on the progress of the
construction projects, “So far so good with change orders.”
One downtown business owner approached Board Member
Schlegelmilch about separating their water connection from the neighboring
business which is located in their basement. The business owner wanted to see
if the service could be separated and routed into each business.
Village Maintenance Supervisor John Mueller noted that it
could not be done because of the uncertainty of what they will encounter when
drilling underneath. The board held a lengthy discussion on liability
issues and risks associated with this situation.
Michl wrapped up the discussion, “It’s an unknown. If
you knew how thick the wall was (to drill through) but the more I listen to the
discussion, the more I think we should just leave it alone.”
Several zoning issues were next on the agenda. One
issue was a barn at 511 Empire barn that was over height and a
permit was denied by the planning commission. The other, at 203 N E Boundary
was a construction trailer that was moved into an empty lot.
Zoning Supervisor Jennifer Slezak has been in contact with
both parties with the barn owners confirming they will cut the height of the
barn down to comply with regulations but asked for leniency until the end of
the year. Board member Justin Harre commented, “What’s another six
months? I think we should let them have until the end of the year.”
Clerk Erdkamp added that the village attorney would have to
pursue any action on the issue other than sending out letters.
The county had sent notification on the construction trailer
requiring it to be removed from the village in 30 days which would be a
deadline of August 3.
Village Maintenance Supervisor John Mueller gave his report
by showing one of the water mains that was replaced downtown. The pipe
was filled with corrosion and had very restricted flow.
Board member Tim Wilbeck noted that downtown, “the water
pressure should be better.”
Michl noted the added benefit that “The shut off’s should be
in a universal location now.”
Mueller explained that there was an issue with the storm
sewer on East Boundary. The storm sewers south of the school are full of
water and are plugged around the highway area. He contacted the State of
Nebraska and they will be cleaning out the ditch in the next day or two.
The board discussed mosquito spraying along with the power
and phone lines coming into the library. The power line has been
relocated underground and they are waiting on the phone lines to be
moved. Mueller expects the new light posts to arrive in the next few
weeks.
Michl reported that the Verizon reception issues in town
should be resolved since the Exeter tower is a repeater tower from Friend and
the Friend tower issues have been repaired.
Clerk Erdkamp reported that sales tax in April was $10784.00
and May Keno was $803.33 . She is currently working on the insurance
audit and will be starting the budget shortly. She has mowing letters
ready to be sent and asked the board if anymore needed to be sent.
The next meeting was set for Aug 7 at 7 p.m.
