Elmwood trustees approve water plant design contract, adopt hazard mitigation plan and sign off on appointments

The Village of Elmwood Board of Trustees voted Dec. 3 to hire JEO Consulting Group to provide design services for planned improvements to the village’s water treatment plant, adopted a regional hazard mitigation plan and completed a slate of routine administrative appointments and operational approvals.

Sarah Nguyen, representing JEO Consulting Group, summarized the firm’s scope for the 2026 Elmwood Water Treatment Plant Improvements project, describing the planned planning, permitting and construction phases. After board members’ questions, Trustee Becky Kicak moved to approve the JEO design services agreement; Trustee Tony Greise seconded and the motion carried by roll call vote, 4-0.

Trustees also adopted Resolution #1152025-3 to approve the Lower Platte South NRD Hazard Mitigation Plan. Trustee Becky Kicak read the resolution before the board approved it by a 4-0 roll-call vote. Earlier in the meeting the board approved Resolution #1232025-1, the year-end certification for the city street superintendent, also by a 4-0 vote after Trustee Heather Scott read the resolution.

Operational and personnel actions included approval of a $2,700 contract with S&S Tree Service to remove two trees and trim two others at the village park; retention of part-time employee Oscar Zierott through the winter with an increase to $20 per hour; and authorization for Huxhold (surname only in the minutes) to attend a Nebraska Rural Water class on Dec. 10 with use of the village truck to travel to Wahoo. The board recorded a 4-0 vote to keep Oscar on and approve the pay increase.

The board approved dates for the 2026 Harvest Moon Hustle (Sept. 11, 2026) and adjusted several 2026 meeting dates (Feb. 4→Feb. 11; April 1→April 8; July 1→July 8; Aug. 5→Aug. 12). Clerk Alicia Greise reviewed proposed vacation dates and clerk school attendance in March 2026; the board approved those dates with a roll-call result recorded as 3-0 with Greise abstaining.

During reorganization the trustees voted to maintain the current chair and vice chair and approved the following appointments: Alicia Greise as Village Clerk-Treasurer; Evan Wickersham as Village Street Superintendent; JEO Consulting Group as Village Engineer; Solheim Law, LLC as Village Attorney; Jim Chappell as Building Inspector; Becky Kicak as Nuisance Officer and Hearing Officer; and Patric Euse to the Health Board. Linda Blunt was reappointed to the Planning Commission and Abby Brophy was appointed to replace Joe Jennings. All listed appointments carried on voice or roll-call votes as recorded.

The board designated American Exchange Bank as the village depository, named The Voice News as the official newspaper for legal notices and kept the required public posting locations at Village Hall, the convenience store (C-Store) and the post office. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Consent agenda approved (mover: Becky Kicak; second: Heather Scott; RCV 4-0). JEO design services agreement approved (mover: Becky Kicak; second: Tony Greise; RCV 4-0). Resolution #1232025-1 approved (mover: Heather Scott; second: Becky Kicak; RCV 4-0). S&S Tree Service contract approved ($2,700) (mover: Heather Scott; second: Becky Kicak; RCV 4-0). Retain Oscar Zierott at $20/hour approved (mover: Tony Greise; second: Heather Scott; RCV 4-0). Huxhold authorized to attend NE Rural Water class (mover: Becky Kicak; second: Tony Greise; RCV 4-0). Harvest Moon Hustle date approved (mover: Becky Kicak; second: Heather Scott; RCV 4-0). Resolution #1152025-3 (Hazard Mitigation Plan) approved (mover: Becky Kicak; RCV 4-0). Various appointments approved (motions and seconds recorded in minutes; RCVs 4-0 where recorded).

The minutes record actions and votes as taken; the meeting notes show no public comment and no litigation or contract dollar amounts for the JEO agreement were specified in the minutes.