VILLAGE OF STAPLEHURST Call to Order A special meeting of the Chairperson and Village Board of the Village of Staplehurst, Nebraska, was called to order by Chairperson Wilken at 6:49 P.M. at the Village Hall. Chairperson Wilken directed those present to the posting of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act, which is available for public inspection in the meeting room. Roll Call Roll call was taken. Present: Board Members Benedict, Stava, Novotny, and Wilken. A quorum was declared present. Discussion of CDBG Funding for Water Main/Water Supply Well This item was combined with the Village's advertised Public Hearing on the Village's application to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), as noticed in the attached Notice of Public Hearing (Exhibit A). Tom Bliss, SENDD: Mr. Bliss provided the Board and public with an overview of the proposed water main and water supply well project as described in Exhibit A. He explained that the Village is requesting $627,000 in CDBG funds toward a total estimated project cost of $687,000, with the Village providing the remaining $60,000 from general funds. He reviewed that the project includes installing approximately 2,070 linear feet of new six-inch PVC water main along Lines A, B, and C to replace undersized existing mains, along with new gate valves, fittings, and street-surface restoration, as well as construction of a new gravel-packed well with test pumping, pump, motor, column piping, and discharge head. He noted the project was identified through a 2014 Preliminary Engineering Report and recent water testing showing rising nitrate levels in the Village's water supply. Board Member Novotny: Asked Mr. Bliss to clarify how much of the water main system would actually be repaired or replaced under the project. Mr. Bliss responded by referencing the project map included in Exhibit A, which shows the specific lines within town to be replaced. Chairperson Wilken: Commented that this is a great project for the Village, noting that Staplehurst has struggled with low water pressure for some time and that this project should help resolve that issue. Paul Duer, Resident: Stated that he has lived in Staplehurst his whole life and that his mother still lives in the Village. He said there has been a need for this project for a long time. He noted that for several years, local businesses have invested in the community, including the church, school, and daycare, and that those investments show confidence that the Village will continue to be here for the long term. He also spoke as a member of the Staplehurst Fire Department, explaining that the department is currently unable to use most of the fire hydrants in town due to extremely low water pressure, and that this project would directly help address that problem. Resident Blath: Noted that some of the existing water lines in the Village date back to the late 1800s. Wayne Regnier and Chris Eckles, Village Maintenance: Explained that federal requirements call for all communities to update lead water piping currently in use, with a compliance deadline of 2027, and that this project would allow the Village to file for an extension to help meet those requirements. They also noted that this project aligns well with the Village's new water tower project, and that chlorine introduced through the new water tower will affect the Village's current water lines. They recommended completing both projects together, as doing so would save the Village money in the long run. They emphasized that Staplehurst needs both projects to improve its infrastructure. Board Member Stava: Noted that his wife owns the veterinary clinic in town, which serves domestic pets as well as large farm animals for local agricultural producers throughout the county, and stated that the Village wants Staplehurst to continue to thrive and needs this infrastructure in place for the long term. Letters of Support: The Board discussed asking local residents and business owners to submit letters of support to help strengthen the grant application. The Clerk will send out a generic support letter that residents and business owners may sign and return to the Village office; residents are also encouraged to write their own letters or add to the provided letter as they see fit. It was noted that Senator Hughes has already submitted a letter of recommendation in support of the project. No formal action was taken on this item; this was a discussion and public hearing item only. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:20PM Respectfully submitted, Bobbi McVey-Blath, Village Clerk/Treasurer SCI — September 02,2026 ZNEZ
