City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

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)