City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

August 6, 2013 The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on August 6, 2013, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE. PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Mewes, Neumann, Reedy, Wolf ABSENT: OTHER ATTENDEES: Employee Mike Pike, City Attorney Andy Carothers, Connie Mewes, Gladys Cary, Bill Demuth, Executive Director of NGage. Notice of the meeting/hearing was given in advance by posting in at least three public places as shown by the certificate of posting placed on file. Notice of the hearing/meeting was simultaneously given to the Mayor and all members of the City Council and a copy of their acknowledgment of receipt and agenda are placed on file. Availability of the agenda was communicated in the advance notice and in the advance notice to the Mayor and City Council of the hearing/meeting. Proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened hearing/meeting was open to public attendance. At 7:30 PM, Mayor Meyer called the Regular meeting to order and roll call was taken. A motion was made by Council member Neumann, seconded by Mewes, and followed by a vote of Mewes - Yes, Neumann - Yes, Reedy - Yes, and Wolf - Abstain (absent at 7/16 meeting) to approve as sent the July 16, 2013 Regular meeting minutes. After review of claims, a motion was made by Council member Wolf, seconded by Reedy, and followed by a 4-0 affirmative vote to approve claims as follows: Salaries - $4,064.99; Direct Bank Payment - Internal Revenue Service (941) - $1,758.81; Beatrice Concrete - $184.08; Black Hills Energy - $19.65; Constellation Energy - $3.83; Davidson Insurance (Audit Premium) - $544.00; Farmers Cooperative - $15.95; Fly Tech Termite & Pest Control - $150.00; Eldon Izer (Tel. Comp.) - $5.00; Municipal Supply - $1,151.55; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; Norris Public Power - $1,336.39; Office Depot - $373.95; Milton Pike (Health Ins. Comp.) - $426.38; Milton Pike (Tel. Comp.) - $25.00; Postmaster - $158.00; NE Dept. of Rev. (501N) - $206.58; Security First Bank - (Pike IRA) -$55.00; Shell - $438.58; T.L. Excavation - (Broad Street Main Project) - $900.00; USA Blue Book - $97.17; Wymore Arbor State - $94.84; Wymore Lumber - $217.48; TOTAL CLAIMS: $12,242.23 . 1% INCREASE IN RESTRICTED FUNDS LIMITATION: In compliance with upcoming Budget requirements, a motion was made by Council member Wolf, seconded by Neumann, and received a vote of Mewes - Yes, Neumann - Yes, Reedy - Yes, and Wolf - Yes - to approve a 1% increase in restricted funds limitation. PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF DEFICIT FUND ISSUES TO ASSURE FISCAL-END COMPLIANCE: Council member Neumann suggested a transfer of $18,000 (Norris Lease funds - 6 mos.) from General Fund within General Checking to the Street/Street Light Fund within Regular Checking. Mayor Meyer suggested transferring $12,000 (“not transferring more than the current need”), at which time Neumann rationalized his initial suggestion as an amount approximately equal to six months of Norris funds which used to alternate between General and Street but upon advisement of accountant (since funds deposited into the Street fund can not be transferred out), has been being deposited into the General Fund. Neumann also suggested cashing Keno CDs #260124785 and #260124786 - $9,037.63 + earned interest, and $7,908.02 + earned interest, and then transferring $35,000 to $40,00 from the Keno Fund within General Checking to the General Fund within General Checking, and then transferring that same amount from the General Fund within General Checking to the Water Fund within General Checking. Mayor and Council members Mewes, Neumann, Reedy, and Wolf provided input. Review will continue at the next Regular meeting. Mayor Meyer also noted that there are funds which could be used to purchase CDs where checking fund levels exceed acceptable limits. PLANS FOR ANNUAL CAR/TRACTOR SHOW: Council member Reedy provided copies of the final flyer, and it was praised by members. Reedy will be on the radio on the 16th and the 17th to promote the event. Reedy noted that expenses for advertising and portable toilets will be split between the Fire Department and the City. Wolf noted that he will again man the Bounce House but solicited other volunteers. “One person will still be needed.” It was reported that the Church ladies will clean up the Memorial Hall between food service events. Tractor Show participants will again parade through the Good Samaritan parking lot (2 PM). At approximately 3:30 PM, the event will close. Picnic tables have been requested by the Fire Department, and no objections (though a couple are needed at the Tractor Show) were made as long as when they are returned they are again bolted down by those returning them. (For risk management (per Carothers), Pike has agreed to check that this was done (Monday morning). PLANNING & ZONING: No new business. CLEAN-UP, CURRENT ISSUES: It was noted that the three properties with “after- a-control-burn” clean-up issues should be resolved this coming Friday. Another burned property will be removed from the list while Carothers follows up with legal processes Pike indicated that he knew of several people who expressed interest in removing debris for the scrap, and that was considered a viable option. October-November could be a timeline for such action. Mayor Meyer asked a property owner in attendance where they were on the clean-up plans of their property. A mobile home was discussed, and if relocation on the property to provide a barrier was an option. Mayor Meyer said he thought it would not be in line with P & Z regulations. Members were in agreement that finishing the fence was the best option, and a letter will be hand-delivered giving the property owner 30-days to rectify the situation, with court action a highly probable City response should compliance not be reached. Courtesy letters for property clean-up/mowing were requested for several property owners, and Pike will talk to one property owner about mowing. Necessary clean-up was determined West of the Church . OTHER: Several members have been contacted about “dangerous dogs.” It will be put on the next agenda. Mayor Meyer asked about the Water Project. Pike gave an activity/plan report, and he indicated he will need to switch out some parts with the supplier, but has most of the pipe needed for the project. He said he will need to fill cracks in the street, and that a more lasting option (2” overlay?) should be pursued next year, as several places in the road are in poor condition. Bill Demuth of NGage gave a brief overview of his responsibilities. “To help create and keep jobs, to support community projects, to educate and promote workforce.” Reedy inquired as to how the Industrial Park was affected by the recent changes. Demuth indicated his belief that businesses won’t leave because of it, nor would potential entries be affected. Pike asked what the City should do to encourage business growth. Demuth said the City needs to have a sound budget and infrastructure, as well as have land that could be available quickly. He said his organization has been looking into possibilities in regard to the Old Armory (Hwy 77). Carothers stressed the importance of not only attracting new business but working with existing businesses. NEXT AGENDA: DEFICIT FUND ISSUES TO ASSURE FISCAL-END COMPLIANCE REVIEW OFANNUAL CAR/TRACTOR SHOW DANGEROUS DOGS PLANNING & ZONING CLEAN-UP, CURRENT ISSUES Motion to adjourn: 8:55 PM -Wolf - No objection. The minutes of the Regular session were read and approved August 20, 2013. Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session) City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)