March 9, 2021 at 8:00 PM - Village of Kenesaw - Board of Trustees Meeting

Discussion:  Public Hearing Opened at 8:19 pm
Village Attorney Shon Lieske Presented Exhibits 1-4 (Pictures and Letter from Kenesaw Health and Sanitation Committee) to the Board of Trustees regarding property in question for public hearing at 606 N 5th Ave., Kenesaw, NE.   Attorney Lieske noted that, the property by the pictures presented into evidence that were take on March 8, 2021 by the village staff,  has had some clean up done now as  requested by the Village board and the Health and Sanitation Committee.    Lieske presented the boards options for holding the land owner responsible for the complete clean up of the property, and noted that the board needs to set a time frame for the clean up to be complete.  Lieske also discussed with the board their options for the past due utility account on file with the board.    The board then heard testimony from the land owner, Deb Rasberry regarding the property and her current plans to meet the requests of the board to clean it up.  Deb noted that she no longer has a renter in the property.  She noted that she is working to get the property cleaned up so that it can be sold.  She stated that she would not ever be putting a renter back in that property.  She requested from the board a 90 day time frame to get the property in clean condition.  Deb asked the board for a payment plan with regard to the delinquent utility account on the property.  The board explained to Ms. Rasberry that effective March 10, 2021, the property would be returned to her name as the property owner, and that she would  also be responsible for all newly accrued utility charges at the 606 N 5th Ave. Kenesaw address.  Ms. Rasberry stated that she understood. 

Discussion:  Attorney Lieske discussed with the board their options for moving forward on the clean up and collection of delinquent account payment.  The board discussed an agreement  to a 90 day clean up period, with a review after 60 days to insure that sufficient progress is taking place.  The board also discussed an agreement to a repayment plan for the past due utility account amount due on the property.  Attorney Lieske will work with Ms. Rasberry to set up an agreeable payment plan and forward to the board.  

Discussion:  Public Hearing Opened at 8:43 pm. 
A)  Street Superintendent Jeff Palik of Olsson presented to the board the 1 & 6 year plan for street improvements for the Village of Kenesaw.  He noted at this point there is only one item left on the previous plan, 5th Street, that has not yet been done.  He also noted that the Village as a whole has had substantial  street projects over the last 3 year and that at this point, financially may not be able to take on any additional large projects.  It was discussed that he and Jeff Edmondson would review the village drainage over the next few months and bring a report back to the board with any recommendations.  He requested that the board and Superintendent Edmondson take a look at any possible future street needs that they feel might be priority and provide him a list of them to place on the 6 year plan.  For the 1 year plan -at this time, he does not have a recommendation for any major street improvements, and stated that either armor coating or small overlay on select streets every two years might be best till the village is able to pay down some of the existing street debt.  This will be a funds rebuilding year. 
B)  No Comments from the Public on this Subject.

Discussion:  Brad Slaughter of Piper Sandler joined the board discussion via phone and presented information regarding Resolution 187-2021R  - a resolution approving the redemption of anticipation notes for Street Improvement Bond Series 2020, in the amount of $340,000.00.  These notes are in reference to the Wayne Street Paving Project.

Discussion:  Brad Slaughter of Piper Sandler joined the meeting via phone and presented to the board information regarding Ordinance No. OR536-2021 - an ordinance authorizing the issuance of general obligation various purpose bonds, series 2021.  These bonds will be purchased to pay for the Wayne Street Improvement District.  He noted that interest rates have gone up a small amount since he last discussed bond options with the board.  And he will let us know what the final lock in rate will be. Brad noted that this would be a 15 year bond.  Payments will be made biannually on 15th of March and September each year.  The first interest payment will be due on March 15, 2022.

Discussion:  Clerk Kiefer presented that the first installment payment for the Wayne Street Special Assessment came due at the end of the statutory 50 days on March 3, 2020.  She noted that all land owners made at least the minimum payment due.  Many land owners paid either the whole assessed amount of a large portion of.  She noted that she will be providing the total payment information to Brad at Piper Sandler so he can secure the bond on the out standing amount of the special assessment, as well as providing the outstanding balance information to the County treasurers office  for further tax collection and to the County Register of Deeds to have the assessments placed as on each property deed.  The income received on the payments will be used to pay against the $340,000.00 anticipation note series 2020 thus lowering the overall bond amount.

Discussion:  Clerk Kiefer presented that Pool Manager Kroos had presented 7 applications for pool employment to be voted by the board - 3 new applicants, and 4 returning applicants.  

Discussion:  Village Attorney Lieske discussed the conditional use permit as presented.  He stated that since our current ordinance in question does not have a clause allowing the options of a conditional use permit for the keeping of Fowl that the board will need to address that issue before they can approve a conditional use permit in this case.  He recommened that an amendment to the existing ordinance on Fowl be brought to the April meeting for review and approval, and then the board can proceed with a decision on issuance of a condional use permit in this case.  The board requested Clerk Kiefer to do as recommended by Attorney Lieske, and bring both back for review and approval at the April 2021 meeting.  ITEM TABLED.   

Discussion:  Chairman Kroos and Trustee Knuth gave the board an update on a meeting they had with the Senior Center officials regarding the possible use and adjoining of Village and Senior center property/buildings.  They reported that the conversation was very positive and that the Senior Center would like to have the Village move forward with a formal proposal for a partnership in the use of property.  The board requested Superintendent Edmondson to get a survey of the property, as well as start getting bids for possible building options.  The board requested that Clerk Kiefer work with Attorney Lieske to draft a partnership document as well as a letter addressing the property owner of the ajacent lot to be presented to the board at the April 2021 regular meeting.  MOTION TO TABLE - Requested information to be presented at the April 2021 meeting.

Discussion:  Attorney Lieske spoke regarding the proposed additions/amendments which Trustee Knuth has been working on.  There was more discussion regarding wording that would put in place a vetting system for all dogs which would include a background of whether a dog was been deemed a dangours dog in another municipality.  The board saw possible value in a vetting system and requested that the clerk work with the attorney to structure such a process to be presented to the board.  The board also request that the clerk work with the attorney to create the apporpiate ordinances with regard to the proposed changes presented and being them back to the board for review.   ItemTABLED till ordinance and vetting process is created. 

Discussion:  Next meeting scheduled for April 13, 2021 at 8:00 pm