Friday, April 18, 2014


April 15, 2014

The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on April 15, 2014, 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, Cindy Rainey, Roland Hardin, John Linder, Delferd Schlake, Paul Heath



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 Wolf, seconded by Mewes, and followed by a 4-0 affirmative vote to approve as sent the April 1, 2014 Regular meeting minutes. After review of claims, a motion was made by Council member Neumann, seconded by Mewes, and followed by a 4-0 affirmative vote to approve claims as follows: Salaries - $1,842.06; Bank Direct Payment - NE Dept. of Revenue (10) - $249.03; Morris Used Cars - $82.44; NE Dept. of Rev./Charitable Gaming (51C) - $3,375.00; NE U.C.Fund - $352.26; Office Depot - $485.44; One-Call Concepts - $7.70; Postmaster - $166.00; Katherine A. Roche (Reimb.) - $6.49; Robert Schlotfeld (Meter Deposit Refund) - $63.64; Security First Bank (IRA - Pike) - $55.00; Willet & Carothers - $1,960.00; Windstream - $64.08; Wymore Lumber - $215.70; T0TAL CLAIMS: $8,924.84.



RURAL FIRE BOARD (by Roland Hardin): After Roland Hardin thanked members for allowing them to attend, he, John Linder, and Delferd Schlake addressed Mayor and Council regarding the recent purchase of a new fire truck (Demo - 2012 Toine - Iowa origin -- $216,000 before grant, $170,000 bond) which was necessitated by problems with two pumpers - 40 years old, and general lack of confidence in continued and effective performance of existing equipment. Rural Board representatives and City members compared tax revenues received by the Board and the City. It was determined that financial state of affairs and constraints were comparable. Other grant applications were discussed. Nature of, qualification delays, timeline constraints, and the fact that the truck was, by necessity, already purchased, identified secondary grant applications as a low-potential avenue of action. Council member Wolf asked if they were saying, “you would appreciate a contribution?” Hardin responded by stating that anything would be appreciated, and the City might review the “$2,900 annual payment (from tax funds) the City makes to the Fire Department. It hasn’t been raised for many years.” City response (Mayor Meyer, Council members Wolf, Neumann) brought up decreased City funds from County and State tax base. It was noted by Mayor, Council, and employee Pike that the Fire Department is doing a good job and has some good programs going, and a fine volunteer taskforce. After the Rural Fire Board representatives left, Mayor Meyer described the previously established responsibility of the City as “manpower,” and that of the Fire Board as “equipment, ” and asked for input. City Attorney Carothers suggested that this be addressed at budget time.


HJP PEST CONTROL - ANNUAL SPRAYING PROGRAM CONSIDERATIONS: Paul Heath responded to reported concerns of the community (last season) and Mayor, Council and Employee Pike in regard to direction and suspension of spray during the extermination process, as well as residual effect after rainfall shortly after treatment. Heath’s response included explanation of bearing of spray, alternate sweeps on streets, as well as stopping flow (for the protection of citizens) when encountering outdoor activities, and described the treatment as primarily “contact,” with nominal residual effect - so not negated by rainfall. City enrollment in the program will continue this year (Spray dates: TUESDAYS: JUNE 3, JUNE 17, JULY 1, JULY 15, JULY 29, AUGUST 12).


PLANNING & ZONING: No new applications.


CABIN (INTERIOR REPAIRS ESTIMATE, MISC. CONCERNS): Council member Reedy reported that it is anticipated the estimate will be received within days, and the work completed within the desired time frame (between Sam Wymore Days and the Fourth of July). Plans were set in place for updating the electrical (including inside breaker), with Mayor Meyer and Council member Reedy in charge.


CLEAN-UP: It was noted that primary concerns have been addressed at one location (fire-damaged structure ), with removal/demolition of two small out-buildings anticipated to be complete this week. No further action was taken regarding other fire-damaged properties as each has a current initiated action. One property owner may solicit City assistance on a small scale knock-down, and it was stated by Carothers that asbestos testing is required prior to total demolition. To encourage this activity, Carothers will provide the property owner with contact information for Bockman and will outline the process for the property owner. Legal action will be taken on another property if the May 1st deadline is not met. Carothers noted that he has not been contacted by another property owner, but that addressing it as a “nuisance” is, at this point, not viable. Cindy Rainey addressed Mayor and Council. She apologized for the issue on her property, and it was noted that she was getting the place “looking nice.” That, and another property were removed from the clean-up list due to resolution of issues. Employee Pike will talk to Temps about the date of anticipated removal of a dumpster on the property of another person on the current list. Council member Wolf asked that two locations be added to the clean-up list, and it was determined that each be sent a courtesy letter for the removal of junked/inoperable/unlicensed vehicles.



NEXT AGENDA:
Kim Plouzek - Nebraska Health Solutions -
(demolition procedure/info in special needs situations)
PLANNING & ZONING:
CABIN (INTERIOR REPAIRS ESTIMATE, MISC. CONCERNS):
CLEAN-UP:


Motion to adjourn: 8:55 PM - Neumann - No objection.

The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved May 6 , 2014.


Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)


City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)

Thursday, April 3, 2014

April 1, 2014
The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on April 1, 2014, 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; Davidson Insurance Representatives Mark Davidson and Dave Wicks; Jan Morris; Connie Mewes, Gladys Cary

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 Mewes, seconded by Neumann, and followed by a 4-0 affirmative vote to approve as sent the March 18, 2014 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: $2,736.37; Bank-Direct Internal Revenue (941) - $1,461.61; Black Hills Energy - $50.28; Constellation Energy - $186.24; Gage County Equipment - $35.62; Eldon Izer (Telephone Comp.) - $5.00; NE Dept. of Rev. (541N) - $184.49; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; Norris Public Power - $1,420.02; Milton Pike (Telephone Comp.) - $25.00; Security First Bank - (Pike - IRA) - $55.00; Shell - $82.07; Wymore Arbor State - $173.14; Wymore, City of (Tower/Individual) - $3,411.11; Wymore Oil Company - $358.64; TOTAL CLAIMS: $10,199.59.

ANNUAL INSURANCE PACKAGE: Mark Davidson introduced and provided background information for associate Dave Wicks. Davidson provided handouts and gave the presentation for annual insurance coverage(blanket policy - insurance binder, breakdown of property, commercial application, general liability, commercial experience report, automobile coverage, and inland marine for: 4D2-96-29, exp. 4/3/14). No objections were raised to proposed elements of coverage, and only minor categorical corrections were made by members. The policy is anticipated to be available for review and inclusion for payment within claims at the next Regular meeting.

PLANNING & ZONING: No new business.

CABIN , including: INTERIOR REPAIRS ESTIMATE, ASSESSMENT AND DISPOSITION OF CONTENTS, ELECTRICAL, MISC. REPAIRS): Council member Reedy indicated that the contractor has been on site, but the estimate is not yet available for needed interior work. Mayor and Council agreed that the best time for repairs would be directly after Sam Wymore Days (when cabin will be open), and the 4th of July(another opening). Jan Morris has again volunteered her assistance for cabin issues, and Mayor and Council gave her the go-ahead to get banners (three), for which the City will reimburse her. Morris had other things to report: Carol Hughes has agreed to sew (labor free of charge) curtains for the cabin. Janet Roberts (Wymore Library) will provide (at no charge - due to City donations to the Library) lamination materials as needed for project display purposes. Jan Morris agreed to try to sell the remaining Sesquicentennial t-shirts (child sizes) at the Memorial Day cabin opening ($5 ea.), and suggested any funds received be used for cabin issues. No objections were made. Morris (assisted by Mike Pike), who sorted and cleaned materials previously in the cabin, and now in City Hall storage, reported that the “textiles are not in good shape,” “but no one person should make the decision” for disposition or disposal, and she encouraged members to make evaluations. She said, “There are many treasures . such as 1890 photograph albums,” “but which would be difficult to display.” She reported a flickering light and worry about it creating a fire hazard. The matter will be addressed. Donation of some materials to other museum settings (Neumann) was discussed, but with no decisions made. Council member Reedy offered use of his shop vacuum and drop cords for the clean-up project that Jan Morris has again so generously volunteered to initiate and enact.

CLEAN-UP: Per Carothers, one property has been cleared for demolition by the City. Employee Pike will give interested parties 30 days to remove scrap materials, after which time - arrangements for a roll off will be made with Temps (for removal by City of all remaining materials). Carothers will invite Kim Plouzek of Public Health Solutions to the next Regular meeting to discuss with members the options available for/and financial opportunities for removal of a fire-damaged structure with special requirements. Carothers sent a letter to another property owner, giving deadlines for removal of a sub-standard trailer and a fire-damaged structure. Other correspondence by Carothers set a deadline for contact regarding intentions on another property. Members requested a certified letter (Deadline 4/15) for removal of trash be sent to another property owner. Review continues for clean-up activity on several properties. Three properties were removed from the list due to resolution of issue. Members expressed optimism that Spring Clean-Up Day will greatly benefit overall community clean-up efforts. Flyers will be mailed 4/7.



NEXT AGENDA:
HJP PEST CONTROL - ANNUAL SPRAYING PROGRAM CONSIDERATIONS
PLANNING & ZONING
CABIN (INTERIOR REPAIRS ESTIMATE, MISC. CONCERNS)
CLEAN-UP

Motion to adjourn: 8:50 PM - Wolf - No objection.

The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved April 15 , 2014.


Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)


City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)