City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

July 18, 2017

The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on July 18, 2017, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.

PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Carmichael, Mewes, Neumann, Reedy (arrived 7:35PM)


ABSENT;


OTHER ATTENDEES: City Employee Mike Pike, Rex Adams, Fred Laber, Gladys Cary, Connie Mewes, Monica Sedlacek


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.


Motion, second and vote (Mewes, Carmichael , 3-0 affirmative) to approve as sent minutes for the July 5, 2017 Regular meeting.


After review -- motion, second, and vote (Neumann, Carmichael, 3-0 affirmative) to approve claims as follow: Direct Payment - NE Dept. of Revenue (10) - $239.92; Salaries - $1,957.02; Black Hills Energy - $23.11; NE Dept. of Revenue (51C) - $1,943.00; NE U.C. Fund - $84.15; Office Depot - $139.94; One-Call Concepts - $2.28; Milton Pike (Postage Reimb.) - $23.75; Schuster’s Outdoor & RV - $145.08; Security First Bank (Pike - IRA) - $55.00; Windstream - $74.13; Wymore Arbor State - $197.44; Wymore Lumber - $24.95; TOTAL CLAIMS: $4,909.77 & from City of Blue Springs Street Project Account (Reimb. for payments made locally) to City of Blue Springs General Checking (Keno Fund) -- $85,433.12.


PLANNING AND ZONING, WHICH MAY INCLUDE NEW MEMBERSHIP: No new applications or concerns.


EQUIPMENT: WHICH MAY INCLUDE, GENERAL REVIEW OF OPERATIONS/PURCHASE OPTIONS, AS, BACKHOE, SEWER MACHINE: Employee Pike reported that the sweeper is working well. He also gave a status report on the sewer machine - “needs work,” - serpentine belt, carburetor work (Carmichael) , and members authorized him to pursue necessary repairs.

PARK SIDEWALK/MEASUREMENTS-DRAWINGS TO SUPPORT LOCAL CONTRACTOR-PRICING: Employee Pike stated that it is currently too hot for concrete work. Members authorized him to remove tree that infringes upon the current sidewalk/curbing. Rex Adams reminded members of $1,000 grant application possibility (Gage County, NE US) for equipment/work on municipal parks.


CITY BUILDING ROOF REPAIRS/INSURANCE COVERED DAMAGES - /TIN/ASPHALT REPAIR PROCEDURES: Members discussed the documented findings of the insurance adjustor, and determinations were made to initiate a bidding/estimate process to address roof repair options (asphalt vs. tin vs. coating) for City Hall building, restroom building, and the park shelter. City Attorney Carothers will be provided with a copy of the adjustor’s report and asked for procedural guidelines.


MANDATORY TRASH PICKUP/SIMPLE “YES/NO” versus ORDINANCE - BALLOT CONSIDERATIONS: Conversation by Mayor Meyer, Council members Carmichael, Neumann, Mewes, and Reedy, as well as: comments by Employee Pike, Rex Adams, Fred Laber, Connie Mewes and Monica Sedlacek, --- in combination supported expanded definition of conditions: - clear explanation of payment tiers (by number and size of containers, and as affected by “senior citizen” discount, nature of exclusions (as gardens/garages? as apply to non-generation of trash, and recommendation (Adams) that “the City set own guidelines, and Temps either accept it or not.” The possibility of a “survey mailing” was favorably discussed-- to solicit public opinion, and City Attorney Carothers will be contacted for advisement. Connie Mewes asked if Mayor Meyer (and members) thought mandatory trash pickup would have major impact on chronic conditions of clean-up infractions, and Mayor Meyer indicated that mandatory trash pickup should not be anticipated to be a solution. One particular property was specifically noted, and various solutions were posed: as -- City assistance with removal of bags (Carmichael); suggestion against “setting precedent” (Adams) that might encourage reluctance in clean-up by some property owners and generate expectation of City help/solution; possibility of intervention by another agency (Sedlacek) - “Hotline telephone number for Health/Safety (Child Welfare) is available.” For the particular situation under review, it was advised by Mayor Meyer, supported by Adams, and agreed upon by members to review the outcome of legal action (July 25 Court date) prior to making further determinations.


WARD TO AT-LARGE DETERMINATIONS - A BALLOT ISSUE: Council member Neumann took a stand against at-large determination, saying, “it is a step closer to designation of Blue Springs as a village, ” and presents a situation wherein a possibility exists that a group of individuals from an isolated area of town might not as effectively serve the community. Mewes supported her view. Rex Adams noted that the population has dropped significantly, encapsulating the community in less than a half-mile radius, and “at-large” determination could bring into City official seats a greater number of people “who want to serve.”


ABATEMENT OF STORAGE UNIT: LEGAL ACTION: No new considerations or information.

COMPUTER/PRINTER (requested by Reedy): Council member Reedy asked if there were any problems. City Clerk had no complaints about the current equipment, suggested that future changes (as mandatory trash/ a software program option for billing utilities) might make it advisable and more cost-effective to review office equipment needs at a time of significant change. Council member Carmichael asked that they be advised if any problem or need arises.


ONE PROPERTY AT A TIME - PROJECT # 1/MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS (PAINTING/SPRUCING UP PRIOR TO ANNUAL CELEBRATION DAY - FOLLOWUP REVIEW AS MIGHT BE NECESSARY: Some painting (trim) has been accomplished, and plans are activated for installation of siding on City Hall building face and west side. Employee Pike and Rex Adams provided information regarding local contractors who have been consulted by the OPAAT group for interpretation of needs/measurements/guidance/start-up . Purchase considerations are either underway or anticipated, as -- Wymore Lumber/Blue Valley Door.


CLEAN UP which will include INOPERABLE/UNLICENSED VEHICLES: Court date for one property owner was continued from July 11 to July 25 - due to medical issues. Letters were requested for two property owners to clarify expectations in reference to removal of “all” junked/unlicensed/ inoperable vehicles on properties.


NEXT AGENDA:
PAVEMENT BREAKUP (WALNUT AREA/INTERSECTION) - CONCRETE WORK ADVISED (CARMICHAEL)
HALL RENTAL OPTIONS: ZUMBA EXERCISE GROUP (MONICA SEDLACEK)
PLANNING AND ZONING
EQUIPMENT: REVIEW OF OPERATIONS/NEEDS
PARK SIDEWALK/REMOVAL OF TREE
CITY BUILDINGS/ REPAIR WORK - BID LETTING PROCESS
MANDATORY TRASH PICKUP- TEMPS CONTRACT/ BALLOT CONSIDERATIONS
WARD TO AT-LARGE BALLOT DETERMINATIONS
ABATEMENT OF STORAGE UNIT: LEGAL ACTION
ONE PROPERTY AT A TIME - PROJECT # 1/MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS (PAINTING/SPRUCING UP PRIOR TO ANNUAL CELEBRATION DAY - FOLLOWUP REVIEW AS MIGHT BE NECESSARY
CLEAN UP which will include INOPERABLE/UNLICENSED VEHICLES.


Motion to adjourn: By: Mewes - Time: 8:30 PM. No objections.


The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved August 1. 2017.

Mayor - Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)

City Clerk - Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)