By
Leesa K. Bartu
Exeter Village Board chairman Alan Michl called the regular
monthly meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9 with an unusually
large audience.
The board approved last month’s minutes before hearing about
the new ordinance code book from Joe McNally representing Municipal Code
Services, Inc.
McNally presented the final updated version of the code
book, “After you pass the book you have a three year buffer to change things.
If you make additions or tweak some things there is no charge for a year.”
“I send out a newsletter after each legislative session is
concluded with any pertinent bills to a town of your size,” McNally explained,
“It’s best to continue updating the book so you don’t have to go through this
process again.”
The board waived the three readings of the book and passed
Ordinance 580 to accept the new ordinance book. Then the board
passed resolution 15-05 to publish the books.
Fillmore County Zoning Administrator Jennifer Slezak
presented the board with a conditional use permit that was filed for
by Craig and Kelly True. The zoning board passed the permit and sent it
back to the village board for approval as the True’s are planning to construct
a building on a lot with no house on it. The True’s plan to build a home
on the property later.
Along with the permit, the True’s had approached the board
about closing several roads surrounding their property. The board initially
discussed closing part of East Osage Street. Clerk Becky Erdkamp noted
that “you are actually just vacating a platted street that has never been
opened"
The board passed Ordinace 581 to close one block of East
Osage.
Next for discussion was the closing of one block of North
Empire Avenue listed in Ordinance 582. Adjoining property owner, Mike
Hopkins, voiced his desire to have the road left open. Chairman Michl
agreed,“I am not in favor of closing this road until I see what is going on out
there.”
The True’s own the property on either side of the block of
North Empire Avenue under discussion which is currently an unmaintained dirt
road. “If you aren’t going to close the road then I want the road to be a real
road. It will have to be rocked and graveled,” explained Craig True.
The board agreed to table this ordinance to a later date.
The board moved on to a discussion on closing a block of
West Boundary. Adjoining property owner Hopkins again protested the road
closing, “I want that road open because I don’t know what they are digging over
there and with the noise late at night I can’t sleep. I want a buffer
zone between us.”
The board decided to table that ordinance as well.
Michl explained their hesitancy in making decisions
surrounding the True’s property, “There are concerns from area residents about
what you are planning to do with the property including breaching the
wellhead protection area with the hole you are digging.”
Michl continued, “What we are calling this is a manmade
water structure. When you called digger’s hotline you stated to them that
you were digging a pond. At the last [village board] meeting you talked
about building a pond and a building and a house.”
“I needed fill dirt for a building. If I am in violation of
something I want to know what it is,” explained True.
“It would be much simpler for us if we had a plan,” Michl
“In the business I am in when you call diggers hotline you
tell them everything you are going to do. What other permits do I
need? I’ll do whatever it takes,” noted True. “I’m really not trying to
be in violation but I don’t understand all the permit process.”
The board explained to True that they were researching the
requirements and directed him to visit with Clerk Erdkamp after research has
been completed.
The board moved on to the next agenda item from Bob Mueller
who was representing the Exeter Community Foundation. “At our last
foundation meeting we discussed the possibility of improving the downtown area
in Exeter. The foundation decided they would give $5,000.00 to the
village to start the process of some of the things they want to be done to find
the funds for downtown revitalization.”
He explained that the foundation would like the board to use
the funds to get the training and momentum going to find grant monies using
Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD). “There is a possibility
that there could be a federal grant with a matching portion to tear down the
tag factory.”
Patt Lentfer, the Fillmore County Development Corporation
director, noted that “For a lot of these [grants]you have to be a certified
community. All the training provided with SENDD gets you ready for other
opportunities.”
Mueller recommended that the board contact SENDD and have
someone come speak to the board. The board unanimously voiced wanting to
have someone come to speak.
“To redo main street and tear the tag factory down without
any help is just not feasible,” explained Michl
Clerk Becky Erdkamp updated the board on the current status
of the tag factory, “We did get a response from the certified
letter that was sent to Seth Jones where we declared the building a nuisance.
He indicated he would still like to complete the donation process to the
city. He also emailed village attorney Charlie Campbell.”
The board held a discussion on the liability of the building
and Michl summed up the discussion, “Let’s go ahead and make sure they own it
and go through the process of accepting the donation from them.”
The Board approved a motion to proceed with accepting the
donation of the tag factory.
Lentfer approached the board about participating in another
county wide housing survey. “Before we can find grants to help pay for a
study we have to first see if communities are interested in doing this.
Wilbeck noted, “We discuss the lack of suitable housing here
quite frequently. I think it is something we need to do.”
The board passed a motion to show their interest in
participating in a housing study in the county.
The board reviewed the audit from the accountant before
inviting resident Amy Skinner to address the board.
The board mailed Skinner a letter about abandoned vehicles on
her property. Clerk Erdkamp explained that Amy was present to inform the
board that the cars were in limbo in her late father’s estate.
Wilbeck noted that the board did not know the estate wasn’t
settled.
Skinner asked exactly what the complaint was. The
board read her the ordinance about abandon vehicles.
Schlegelmilch commented, “So you are here to find out why
you are being contacted about your abandoned vehicles? We read the
ordinance and it is illegal to have unlicensed on your property.”
The board heard an update on village maintenance from
Supervisor John Mueller. He reported that he is continuing to work on the
insurance issues from last summer’s hail storm. “We are getting all new
air conditioning units at the fire hall, the senior center and new coils on the
heat pump at the pool. The roofs will be replaced as well. All of the
bids are within the insurance estimates.”
Clerk Erdkamp reported that Boy Scout from Troop 359,
Jack Dinneen, will be replacing the roofs on the ball shed and the park
picnic shelter in metal for his Eagle Scout project and wanted some guidance on
color choices. The board asked that it be something that matches the
area. The board also discussed the cement that another Boy Scout, Elliot
Erdkamp, is going to place around the sign in Gilbert’s park for his Eagle
Scout project.
Erdkamp reported that March tax revenue was $11,077.71 and
keno funds for April were $805.73.
She also reported that she has been in contact with the
person who physically owns the care center building and received a check from
them for the delinquent water bill. The owner has asked the village to
mow the property and send them a bill.
Exeter-Milligan Superintendent Paul Sheffield reported on
the progress of the JPA project. “We amended the budget, as needed.
The bonds have been issued and the first bond payment has been made. Bids
for the project are due Thursday, June 11 by 2 p.m. We expect to have the
two new entries to the gym completed by November 23 for basketball season and
the entire project has a July 1, 2016 completion date.”
The board set the next meeting or July 7 at 7 p.m.
