City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

September 5, 2017


The 2017-2018 Budget Hearing and the Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on September 5, 2017, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.


PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Carmichael, Mewes, Neumann, Reedy


ABSENT;


OTHER ATTENDEES: City Employee Mike Pike, City Attorney Andy Carothers, Connie Mewes, Jennifer Busboom (Blobaum & Busboom), Ruby Morris (Keno Operator), Rex Adams, Jodi Adams, Dean Cole, Dan Disney, Shirley Martin, Donna Dvorak, Carol Hughes


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, 4-0 affirmative) to approve as sent minutes for the August 15, 2017 Regular meeting.


After review -- motion, second, and vote (Neumann, Mewes, 4-0 affirmative) to approve claims as follow: Direct Payment: Internal Revenue Service (941) - $1,590.22; Salaries $3,977.36; Blobaum & Busboom (Preliminary Budget Assistance) - $1,300.00; Blue Rivers Area Agency on Aging (Handi-Van) - $625.00; Blue Valley Door - $1,304.00; Constellation Energy - $2.94; Eakes Office solutions - $31.50 (Municipal Publicity); League of NE Municipalities - Utilities Section - (Workshop) - $45.00; Lincoln Journal Star (Municipal Publicity) - $317.96; More Than Games - (Municipal Publicity) - $825.00; Nebraska Department of Revenue (501N) - $198.12; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; Norris Public Power - $1,244.12; Gene (Radar) Reedy - (Municipal Publicity Reimb.) - $475.00; Pike (Tel. Comp.) - $25.00; Security First Bank (Pike/IRA) - $55.00; SENDD - (Membership/Housing) - $380.00; Shell - $333.59; Tractor Supply - $38.50; Milford Woutzke (Tel. Comp.) - $5.00; Wymore Arbor State - $349.32 & $555.83; Wymore Oil Company - $96.00; TOTAL CLAIMS: $13,789.46.


7:30 PM 2017-2018 Budget Hearing/Resolution 2017-2
Motion and second to open the Budget Hearing: (Reedy, Neumann, vote 4-0 affirmative).

Call for comments and questions, summarization by Jennifer Busboom- (some/all) of the Budget Notes (herein included)
2017-2018 Budget Notes: The City appears to be continuing to produce revenues in excess of regular operating expenditures. The General All-Purpose Fund is producing roughly $37,000 per year (nearly the same as last year), and the Keno Fund is producing roughly $50,000 per year (nearly the same as the previous year). These funds produced are held in reserve available for capital outlays (paving, new equipment, water lines, etc.)... It is estimated that as of October 1, 2017, you will have cash reserves of about $295,000 General and $225,000 Keno. This compares to the prior year amounts of $540,000 General and $95,000 Keno. The decrease in funds is attributable to CDBG street projects completed during the year… For the year 2017-2018, proposed budget property tax has been left at the levy limit of 45 cents, which increases the tax request from $29,087 to $29,366. This increase (of approx. 96%) is due to higher total assessed valuation for the City from $6,463,841 to $6,525,958. In this increased valuation $34,361 (approx. 53%) of increase is attributable to new growth… Other operating revenues have been estimated conservatively at $120,000 based on the prior year amounts for the general funds. $600,000 has been included in other operating revenues based upon prior years’ estimated Keno game gross proceeds... $583,000 has been budgeted as potential capital outlay in the General All-Purpose Fund and no capital outlay has been budgeted in the Keno Fund beyond your normal operating expenditures. However, $317,000 has been budgeted to be transferred from the Keno Fund to the General All-Purpose Fund to assist in financing potential capital outlay projects. Normal operating expenditures have been budgeted liberally at $270,000 for the General All-Purpose Fund and $510,000 (includes game winner payoffs) for the Keno Fund at 85% payout... The budget process and document perform two legal functions: 1. Sets the property tax request-budgeted at $29,366. 2. Establishes an overall expenditure limit-budgeted at $1,785,000.... The budget must be adopted by September 20. The property tax requested in the budget will be final; however, the expenditure limit may be amended, if needed, throughout the year...The expenditure limit included in the proposed budget allows for expenditure of nearly all cash reserves which are expected to be available. Since some cash reserves will be necessary, we don’t expect, nor do we recommend, that the full amount budgeted of $1,785,000 be spent. GENERAL BUDGETING NOTES: The lid law is assigned to limit the growth of non-utility government revenues to inflationary increases. Exceptions are allowed for revenues required to pay off bonded debt, real estate improvement capital outlays, and interlocal agreements... Due to the Lid Law restrictions, it continues to be advantageous to pay real estate capital outlays, pay off of bonded debt, and participate in interlocal agreements from funds where property tax, sales tax, and state pass-through revenues are deposited (i.e. General and Street). This will help keep this law from limiting your non-utility source revenues...The lid law has become a significant factor for future budgets. Although you have adequate unused budget authority at this time, this is a factor that should be monitored.
Note that the motion, vote, and approval to accept a 1% allowable additional increase in the Restricted Funds Authority was made at the August 1, 2017 Regular meeting.
Since no changes were required to the Budget, Motion, second, vote to approve/accept the 2017-2018 Budget: (Reedy, Mewes, 4-0 affirmative = Carmichael - Yes, Mewes - Yes, Neumann - Yes; Reedy - Yes) . Motion and second (Carmichael, Reedy, vote 4-0 affirmative) to open a Special Budget Meeting within the Budget Meeting.
Resolution #2017-2 was read (Busboom)--- (WHEREAS, Nebraska Revised Statute 77-1601.02 provides that the property tax request for the prior year shall be the property tax request for the current year for purposes of the levy set by the County Board of Equalization unless the Governing Body of the City of Blue Springs passes by a majority vote a resolution or ordinance setting the tax request at a different amount and WHEREAS, a special public hearing was held as required by law to hear and consider comments concerning the property tax request, and WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the City of Blue Springs that the property tax request for the current year be a different amount than the property tax request for the prior year. NOW, THEREFORE, the Governing Body of the City of Blue Springs by a majority vote, resolves that-- 1. The 2017-2018 property tax request be set at $29,366. 2. A copy of this resolution be certified and forwarded to the County Clerk prior to October 13, 2017.
Motion, second, vote (Mewes, Reedy, vote 4-0 affirmative) to adopt Resolution #2017-2 for a property tax amount different than that of the previous year, and the dollar amount ($29,366 ): (Vote: Carmichael - Yes; Mewes - Yes; Neumann - Yes ; Reedy -Yes )
Motion, second (Neumann, Mewes, vote 4-0 affirmative - to close The Budget Hearing and return proceedings to Regular session.


PAVEMENT BREAKUP (WALNUT AREA/INTERSECTION) - CASPER ADVISEMENT/QUOTE: The Caspers proposal, attached to office copy of minutes, and available for public review, was discussed, with Employee Pike providing additional information (drawing). The proposed price for concrete work south intersection of Walnut Street and Broad Street, $24,495.00, led to determination (Meyer, Mewes) for City Engineer (Gilmore & Associates - Keith Gilmore, John Berry) to be brought in to get involved in evaluations to support a future bid option process. City Employee Pike will contact Gilmore.
PLANNING AND ZONING: No new applications.


EQUIPMENT: REVIEW OF OPERATIONS/NEEDS: Employee Pike indicated that all equipment is in running condition. Briefly, a 175 New Holland backhoe (Chris Petersen) was discussed, and Mayor Meyer asked that Employee Pike make further inquiries about the product.


PARK PLANS: Several topics were discussed.
1. Noted (Meyer, Pike) that arrangements are in place for removal of the tree infringing not only on sidewalk, but curbing/street.
2. Sidewalk considerations included -- (Meyer ) - Straight sidewalk option (Broad Street side), then turning toward park shelter. (Carothers/Adams) - Possibility of improving access - butting sidewalk against asphalt parking, and necessity of contacting Keith Gilmore (Carothers/Reedy) for ADA requirements and review. Employee Pike will make contact with Gilmore (Berry).
3. Dean Cole indicated the need - “to bring it to a head, get a plan,” for a project “ongoing for a year and a half already.”
4. Cole gave suggestions/comments: “Good trees in the City park need trimming.” “Dead stuff needs to be addressed in the gully.” Decision needs to be made to take advantage of Game & Parks (grants), Re-Tree Nebraska (4’ trees provided - minimum of 5 per year), Water Resources (tennis court - prairie grass/wild flowers - with possibility of incorporating the help of school students (idea introduced by Adams) into the project to instill pride and increase concern.
5. Cole emphasized that members need to determine which park (City or Feit Memorial) will be addressed
under available programs. He indicated that “much used” Feit park has ash tree that “needs to go out” (over benches). Chinese elms need to be checked out/removed. He added that an identification/count/disease assessment process is advisable for ash trees in the community. Cole reported that the City park is well-treed, but with some trimming advised. He also suggested replacing the sand with rubber matting in the playground area. Members were in agreement that the City Park be the area of focus, and Dean Cole will address improvement possibilities through agency contacts and grant applications.


CITY BUILDINGS REPAIRS: RFP RESPONSE/OPENING OF BIDS: Attorney Carothers described difficulties prohibiting the intended timely bid process (including unavoidable difficulty regarding contacts, building specifics needed, clarification of needs). Clarification included: Building 1 (City Office), 2 (Storage), and now (storage building to east of City Hall) will be included in a base quote (metal coating), and Buildings 3 (restrooms) and 4 (park shelter), will be included in another base quote (asphalt replacement) -- enabling contractors to bid on either, or both projects. City employee Pike was asked (Carothers) to provide him with building dimensions (building East), and gutter/downspout replacement requirements and measurements. Carothers suggested advertisement in not only the Arbor State, but the Beatrice Daily Sun, and bid-opening the first meeting in October.


MANDATORY TRASH PICKUP- SURVEYCONSIDERATIONS: In order to provide information for a planned “community survey,“ Council member Reedy agreed to contact Shelby Temps on behalf of the Mayor and Council, referencing concerns as: What if customer has more than one residence? Business and residence? What might be the increase in billing cost for bank to collect along with water/sewer bills? (Need to ask local bank). What would be the senior citizen age (60, 62, 65) to take advantage of senior discount price, and the impact of that on Temps’ existing revenue base.


PROVISIONS FOR WARD CHANGE/MEASUREMENTS: To facilitate determinations, Attorney Carothers will provide members with map of current corporate limits, and verify present Ward designations. Some footwork by members may be required for a head count.


ABATEMENT OF STORAGE UNIT: LEGAL ACTION: Legal process continues.


CAR/TRACTOR SHOW REPORT: Some bills are still outstanding, so final figures are not yet available. Comments included:
(Neumann) --- 35 tractors were displayed, with new people from other areas attending, taking pictures (due to eclipse). She also extended gratitude for the assistance provided by Carol Carmichael, Connie Mewes, and Cecelia Seachord.
(Reedy) - less foot traffic than previous years.
(Connie Mewes) - recommended more trash cans in the future.


POTENTIAL CITY ACQUISITION OF BROAD STREET PROPERTIES: Members were in agreement for Attorney Carothers to act on behalf the City (though Carothers indicated “he would rather get information for you first”) to buy up the taxes on two properties providing there are no liens against them, in which case (if liens) Carothers indicated he would return to council for further advisement.


KENO FUNDS (Ruby Morris): Keno Operator Morris addressed members. When asked (by Reedy) what she would like to see done, she repeatedly acknowledged the One Property at a Time Group for work already accomplished, and for future plans. She strongly recommended that Mayor and Council make allowance for the use of Keno funds for community clean-up actions by the group, and cited Reg. 35-601/601.02E Community Betterment Purposes and the voluntary workforce visibility (of people from inside and outside town) and changes already made by the group, as justification for the request for Keno Funds. She stated that the original intent for Keno funds (paving) has “exceeded expectations.” Mayor Meyer told that “not all paving is complete.” Mayor Meyer asked, “What have we denied the group? They came to us requesting repair of City buildings, and we okayed it and paid the bill.” Disney/Adams suggested a $5,000 annual budget for community improvements. Shirley Martin introduced another consideration, said there are some “nasty sidewalks” that need to be replaced. Review will continue.


CLEAN UP which will include INOPERABLE/UNLICENSED VEHICLES: It was noted that two trash accumulation issues have been eliminated. Focus centered on dilapidated buildings. Carothers suggested applying for a Thomas Foundation grant for several (5-6) properties with absentee landowners/with insufficient assets for demolition procedures. He indicated that the City would need to allocate a certain/to be later designated amount of City funds to the project. Members were in agreement with the plan, and members of the One Property at a Time group were also in support of this action. Determinations were made for the One Property at a Time members to make a list, and the Council members to make a list of properties which could be identified/incorporated in the Thomas Foundation grant application process.


NEXT AGENDA:
PAVEMENT BREAKUP (WALNUT AREA/INTERSECTION) GILMORE ADVISEMENT, CONTRACTOR CONTACTS
PLANNING AND ZONING
EQUIPMENT: REVIEW OF OPERATIONS/NEEDS/BACKHOE INFO
PARK PLANS: SIDEWALK - GILMORE ADVISEMENT, GRANTS AND PREPARATIONS
CITY BUILDINGS REPAIRS: RFP RESPONSE/ BID PROCESS
MANDATORY TRASH PICKUP- SURVEYCONSIDERATIONS
PROVISIONS FOR WARD CHANGE/MAPS AND MEASUREMENTS
ABATEMENT OF STORAGE UNIT: LEGAL ACTION
CAR/TRACTOR SHOW REPORT
ACQUISITION OF BROAD STREET PROPERTIES
CLEAN UP which will include THOMAS FOUNDATION GRANT PREPARATIONS FOR DEMOLITION OF DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS, ONE PROPERTY AT A TIME INVOLVEMENT, as well as INOPERABLE/UNLICENSED VEHICLES.


Motion to adjourn: By: Mewes - Time: 9:25 PM. No objections.


The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved September 19. 2017.



Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Budget Hearing & Regular Session)


City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Budget Hearing & Regular Session)