April 18, 2017
The Blue Springs Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on April 18, 2017, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.
PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Carmichael, Mewes, Neumann, Reedy
ABSENT;
OTHER ATTENDEES: Employee Milton Pike, City Attorney Andy Carothers, Connie Mewes, Dan Disney, Arlene Smith, Dean Cole, Rex Adams
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 hearings/meeting was open to public attendance.
At 7:30 PM, Mayor Meyer called the Regular meeting to order and roll call was taken.
Motion, second and vote (Carmichael, Mewes, 4-0 affirmative) to approve as sent minutes for the April 4, 2017 Regular meeting.
After review -- motion, second, and vote (Neumann, Mewes, 4-0 affirmative) to approve claims as follow: Bank Direct - NE. Dept. of Revenue (10) - $252.31; Salaries - $1,927.26; Black Hills Energy - $32.90; USA Blue Book - $198.98; Circle D Mfg - $124.39; EMC Insurance (Annual Insurance Package) - $13,626.00; Municipal Supply - $335.19; NE Dept. of Rev. (51C)$ 2,560.00; Milton Pike (Postage Reimb.) - $23.75; Postmaster - $166.00; NE UC Fund - $185.53; One-Call Concepts - $2.25; Security First Bank (Pike- IRA) - $55.00; Windstream - $81.84; Wymore Lumber Company - $85.76; TOTAL CLAIMS: $19,657.16.
HJP PEST CONTROL SEASONAL SPRAYING: Members discussed extended spraying period (suggested by Neumann, with Meyer agreeing, and no objections stated) , and service provider will be requested to update spraying schedule based on a 2-3 additional spraying (Sept.) period, and applicable additional cost.
ANNUAL INSURANCE PACKAGE- CASH/REPLACEMENT OPTION COMPARISONS: Evaluation process initiated. No information yet available.
CDBG PROJECT # 15 PW-015: PROGRAM AUDIT UPDATE: No information available.
PLANNING AND ZONING, WHICH MAY INCLUDE NEW MEMBERSHIP: John Woodyard application for a building permit for storage unit facility was discussed by all members. Residential -1 zoning location of proposed construction site prohibited normal application process, and upon advisement of City Attorney Carothers, and after evaluating “Special Use” and “Permitted Use” considerations and Mayor Meyer suggesting “Special Use“ as a preferred option, decision was made to pursue “ Special Use (Conditional Use)” to limit potential building authority and control to one site, rather than going with “Permitted Use” which would result in general R-1 zoning inclusion. All members commented on factors which might impact on the surrounding residential area, and determination was made that the “Conditional Use” application available for “Special Use” situations would provide more control of the project. (As concreted areas (Carothers) , lighting (Reedy). No objections were raised to initiation of the “Special Use” application process, and Carothers was given the go-ahead to make arrangements to effectuate the application: (and which included):
1. Draft of ordinance, (with conditions indicated) and application for Woodyard.
2. Newspaper publication of Hearing 10-day prior to hearing (April 26th)
3. Applicable posting of property by City.
4. Public Hearing of Planning and Zoning Commission - (May 16th - 7PM).
5. Public Hearing of Mayor and Council (May 16th - 7:30 PM).
Another situation was the continuing issue of a storage container not complying with regulation, and for which the owner has been sent two letters (Carothers) requesting removal. Rex Adams stated that it has been an issue “since November 5th.” Reedy asked about a court date. Carothers said a request for abatement would be filed, and information should be available within “the next couple weeks.”
EQUIPMENT: WHICH MAY INCLUDE, GENERAL REVIEW OF OPERATIONS, OUTSIDE SERVICES/PURCHASE As might include - SWEEPER, BACKHOE, TAR KETTLE, ETC.: Members discussed recent evaluation and trouble shooting of a sweeper (by Reedy and Pike - Reedy asked seller if they would consider $7,500, and the counter-offer was $9,000. Reedy recommended “leaving it” due to various problems with the unit.) Review will continue to locate an acceptable unit (2001 Elgin in Hannibal MO -( sale ending, 4/27 - current bid $2,500.)./ Lincoln-area unit Pike might check out). Council Mewes stated he would like to limit purchase price to $10,000 or below, and Reedy responded that there could well be considerable repair issues in that price range. Council member Reedy also told that the City of Beatrice indicated willingness to sweep the streets for the Municipality. Members agreed it might be the best option while the search for a new sweeper continues. Mayor Meyer asked that the City of Beatrice be contacted for a cost analysis and breakdown to determine if it might be a feasible temporary option. Employee Pike reported that the tar kettle is back in service, and street cracks will be addressed after Clean-Up day.
BASKETBALL HOOP (per request: Connie Mewes): Employee Pike reported that this is in the maintenance plan (as time allows) , and individuals are being considered to assist the project.
PARK SIDEWALK: Gilmore Plans/Drawings w/ handicap accessible considerations, south side sidewalk treatment, full sidewalk treatment, and possibly grant options: Council member Reedy and Employee Pike provided information from recent on-site review of the project area with Gilmore representatives, and where full-and-partial project options were discussed. Handicapped accessible considerations with cost-prohibitive factors were discussed. Council member Mewes suggested doing the short section “from Church-to-corner only.” Favor was given to - replacement of sidewalk (possibly resulting in removal of maple tree or curved pathway” - toward shelter-- rather than extended to the north.
Decision was made to come up with a drawing/drawing options (Pike - Berry (computer image?) to provide to local contractors to determine project price.
MANDATORY TRASH PICKUP INITIAL EVALUATION: Rex Adams addressed members. He reported 134 service locations, with 10 being businesses, church, etc. --- 83% saturation/17% non-participatory. “Thirteen people not signed up.” He also suggested Temps “might be willing to subsidize the City for collecting for them” if mandatory trash removal was put into effect.
Comments concerning clean-up issues and mandatory pickup:
Glenn Mewes: “There would still be a problem - “even with mandatory pickup.”
Dan Disney: Mandatory pickup “won’t solve the problem, but would help.”
Connie Mewes: What about “ people with very minimal trash or with financial difficulties?”
Dean Cole: Need to “encourage community pride,” remove “embarrassing factors,” correct “health-related” infractions. People will “gravitate toward the positive” and come into the community.
Connie Mewes: “Letters are sent. People are “taken to court.” Problems are “not solved.”
Rex Adams: Many issues are “on-going problems, and need to be taken care of.”
Lonnie Meyer. We have “ordinances in place, procedures to follow.” “Give us a list of offenders, and we will take action.”
NEW GAME AT KENO LOUNGE: NEED FOR COUNCIL REVIEW/APPROVAL?: Mayor Meyer gave what information was currently available (from conversation with Ruby Morris) about a new game at the Keno Lounge. Attorney Carothers indicated that further information is needed to determine if the game falls within the existing contractual definition of a “Keno” game, or if an amended contract with the Keno Operator will be necessary. Full description of the game will be requested from the game provider, and that information will be forwarded to Carothers who will confer with Nebraska Gaming as necessary, to determine if the game is addressed contractually as is, or if changes are imperative.
DEAN COLE:
For: FEIT MEMORIAL PARK AND TENNIS COURT AREA - GRANTS, STRATEGIC PLANNING
And For: UPGRADING STREET SIGNS:
Dean Cole addressed members, and indicated his interest and availability to pursue many options with potential to improve the community and morale. No members expressed objection to his participation as an individual on behalf of City interest and without any designation of financial responsibility to the City. Issues will be addressed separately as projects develop.
Cole’s presentation included:
1. In the neighborhood of “$60,000 has been invested in the shelter, bathrooms, landscaping, wildlife habitat” of Trail Head. --- for walkers, bikers.
2. Many people have been using Feit Park -fishing, eating. Grants for improving “function and practicality” could be pursued through - Water Resources, Parks & Games, Resource Corp.
3. Blue River canoeing - every 4 hour rest stops. Desirability of these areas improved by landscape design, master gardening.
4. Impressed by use of the City Park. Would pursue (through Game & Park) improving Tennis Court, including updating lighting (Diller Electric est. - approx. $11,000 - grant available?) , addressing general deterioration. Suggested: storage for basketballs, and supply of basketballs, pressure spraying and addressing concrete issues.
5. Tree planting (Re-Tree NE Program)
6. College participation with projects.
7. Street signs (Emergency Management reference) - Check to see if there is funding available for refurbishing signs where needed.
8. Volunteers for “touching up” the sign at the City Park.
CLEAN-UP: Some reference in above topics. No additions to the clean-up list.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Rex Adams asked for review of Ward elimination for the Municipality due to limited representation interest within City. Carothers will look into possibilities.
Rex Adams expressed concern for the “littering” situation created by the Penny Press being cast indiscriminately onto driveways and yards, “accumulating in areas” where residents are away from home.
Contact with the newspaper to address the issue was suggested.
It was noted that flags at the Welcome sign again need to be replaced.
NEXT AGENDA:
HJP PEST CONTROL EXTENDED SEASONAL SPRAYING
ANNUAL INSURANCE PACKAGE- CASH/REPLACEMENT OPTION COMPARISONS
CDBG PROJECT # 15 PW-015: PROGRAM AUDIT UPDATE
PLANNING AND ZONING, WHICH MAY INCLUDE NEW MEMBERSHIP
EQUIPMENT: WHICH MAY INCLUDE, GENERAL REVIEW OF OPERATIONS, OUTSIDE SERVICES/PURCHASE As might include - SWEEPER, BACKHOE, TAR KETTLE, ETC.
PARK SIDEWALK/DRAWINGS TO SUPPORT LOCAL CONTRACTOR-PRICING
MANDATORY TRASH PICKUP; Q & A SESSION WITH TEMPS DISPOSAL SERVICE (with considerations for reduced billing for low income and/or minimal use customers, subsidy to City for collection
ABATEMENT OF STORAGE UNIT: LEGAL ACTION
WARD ELIMITATION (REX ADAMS)
PENNY PRESS DELIVERY RESTRICTIONS (REX ADAMS)
CLEAN UP - REVIEW OF CLEAN-UP DAY, AND GENERAL ISSUES
Motion to adjourn: 9:08 PM - Neumann - No objection.
The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved May 2. 2017.
Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)
City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)
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