City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

August 19, 2014

The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on August 19, 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 Carothers, Tim and Hope Brown, Connie Mewes, Bob Widick, Gladys Cary, Jan Morris


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 August 5, 2014 Regular meeting minutes. After review of claims, three motions was made (Per: Motion by Council member Neumann, second by Reedy and 4-0 affirmative vote to approve claims, excluding payments to Gary Neumann and Gene (Radar) Reedy for Municipal Publicity payments/reimbursements; Second motion by Council member Reedy, second by Mewes and vote of Mewes - Yes, Neumann - Abstain, Reedy - Yes, and Wolf - Yes to approve payment to Council member Neumann for Municipal Publicity payments/reimbursements, and Third Motion by Council member Neumann, seconded by Mewes, and vote of Mewes - Yes, Neumann - Yes, Reedy - Abstain, and Wolf - Yes to approve payment to Council member Reedy for Municipal Publicity payments/reimbursements -- all of which are listed herein: Salaries: $2,446.68; Bank Direct - NE Dept. of Revenue (10) - $379.72; Beatrice Concrete - $72.40; Black Hills Energy - $21.12; Diller Electric (Park Lighting) - $1,575.96; Farmers Cooperative - $47.37; Lincoln Journal (Municipal Publicity) - $149.00; Mid-American Research - $881.80; Jan Morris (Reimb - My Living History) - $40.00; Mosaic - (Municipal Publicity) - $33.75; Gary Neumann (Municipal Publicity Reimb.) - $161.92; Radar Reedy (Municipal Publicity Giveaways, as supported by deposited checks) - $125.00 & (Reimb.) - $437.77; Security First Bank - (IRA-Pike) - $55.00; Willet & Carothers - $610.00; Windstream - $70.97; TOTAL CLAIMS: $7,108.46.



CITY CELEBRATION: FINAL REVIEW, AS NEEDED: Public attendance alone qualified the event as a success. Only positive comments were made to Mayor Meyer, and Council members Mewes, Neumann, Reedy and Wolf. Connie Mewes did suggest need for caution to protect children in the area when several of the car show participants were leaving (speed above limit). Neumann stated that a minor incident occurred - health issue of Tractor show participant), but all ended well. Council member Mewes reported noticing a steady flow of visitors to the cabin (Count per Jan Morris - 100+ - “a record.”) Morris commented about the buffalo hide and fur trader trademark, and also was grateful for the recent electrical work done at the cabin. Reedy reported Car/Motorcycle participation -66; Neumann indicated there were 4 or 5 new Tractor participants, with count down 2-3 from last year. All things considered, (as same-day competitive events in surrounding area, for one of which inflated participation information was initially received), the result of promotion and a fine day of weather was an impressive turnout. Gratitude of Mayor and Council was expressed to: Tim Brown for volunteer mowing (providing his own equipment and fuel), cleaning the park shelter, fixing the table (providing materials), pursuit of door prizes, and other aspects. Connie Mewes was thanked for providing the Tractor Show pens at her own expense. The City crew was thanked for extra clean up efforts which made the City look good. Council member Wolf apologized for not (due to medical issues) taking an active role in this year’s preparations. In closing, Mayor Meyer thanked all facilitators and volunteers.


CHAMBERLIN MEMORIAL: FINAL REVIEW, AS NEEDED: Jan Morris indicated that the dedication went well, which included impressive public attendance, a high level of reception and public availability of the speakers and their faction, a pictorial by the Arbor State; and a video record (online). Council member Wolf noted that he saw “a very nice article and (Arbor State) pictures” on the Husker site. Success was in no small part attributable to Jan Morris herself who put forward a supreme and greatly appreciated effort, giving generously of her own time and personal assets. (Chamberlin donations prior to meeting: $3,060.00. Added at meeting: $210, with $10.00 of it previously logged, resulted in a current amount of $3,260 with at least one more donation anticipated in route by mail.)



PLANNING & ZONING, REQUEST TO RECLASSIFY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TO AGRICULTURAL (T. CARY): Gladys Cary was advised to provide all needed information for review of the situation to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Positive reception to the request would result in a Public Hearing of the Planning and Zoning Commission and Public Hearing of the City Council (with Ordinance prepared). It was noted that, within the process, specifics must be posted - Legal description of property for which request is made, and descriptions of surrounding properties. Attorney Carothers noted that “spot zoning is frequently struck down” (Supreme Court).



WAIVE RENTAL FEE FOR HALL USE -- WOLF: Council member Wolf requested consideration for waiving rental fee for Thursday night (8/21) for use of City Hall for cookie bake (use of oven) for upcoming Cystic Fibrosis Stride Walk. No objections were made. Wolf will provide access to building.




CLEAN UP: Attorney Carothers reported on progress at one property - : Trailer is gone and property owner has reported he is in the process of following up on DHHS advisement to contact the landfill for handling specifics (asbestos concerns - fire damaged house). Carothers will call property owner again on Friday, and if timely follow-up is not maintained, he will go ahead with the legal filing. Council member Reedy reported on contact with another property owner. Reedy reported that the property owner is receptive to removal of the sub-standard trailer from the property, and would like to know the cost of a roll off. Employee Pike will provide Reedy with that information so he can report back to the property owner. An interested party was determined to be available for the scrapping process. Progress continues on one property on the list, with review to follow. Current information (Neumann/Carothers) supports possibility of a sale pending of one property with mowing considerations. A request will be made with Buss Realty (Carothers) for mowing the property. Two properties were added to the current list by Council member Neumann (for mowing), with courtesy letters (with 9/2 deadlines) to be sent.





NEXT AGENDA:

2014-2015 BUDGET HEARING


PLANNING & ZONING:


CLEAN UP


Motion to adjourn: 8:03 PM -Wolf - No objection.


The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved Sept 2, 2014.


Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)


City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)