April 16, 2019
The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on April 16, 2019, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.
PRESENT: Council President Carmichael, Council members Mewes, Neumann, Reedy
ABSENT: Mayor Meyer
OTHER ATTENDEES: City Attorney Andy Carothers, Employee Mike Pike, Connie Mewes, Carol Hughes, Dean Cole,
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 7:00 PM, Council President Carmichael called the Regular meeting to order and roll call was taken.
Motion, second and vote (Mewes, Neumann, 4-0 affirmative) to approve as sent minutes for the April 2, 2019 Regular meeting.
After review -- motion, second, and vote (Reedy, Mewes, 4-0 affirmative) to approve claims as follow: Bank Direct - NE Dept. of Revenue (10) - $230.86; Payroll - $1,772.67; Beatrice Sand & Gravel - $1,452.61; Black Hills Energy - $38.89; Constellation Energy - $150.50; HJP Pest Control -(Seasonal Mosquito Spraying) - $2,030.40; NE Dept. of Revenue (51C) - $2,469.00; NE UC Fund - $138.48; One-Call Concepts - $.77; Milton Pike (Reimb.) - $59.20; Security First Bank (Pike - IRA) - $55.00; Windstream - $76.84; TOTAL CLAIMS $8,475.22.
DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS (ONGOING PROCEDURES): Attorney Carothers reported that he has a 9AM meeting 4/17 with Joel (Fossler) for demolition scheduling arrangements. He will email the schedule to the City after determinations are made.
CITY PARK/FEIT MEMORIAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS OPTIONS/GRANTS, AS PER AVAILABLE INFORMATION (DEAN COLE): Dean Cole brought several matters before members for consideration from funds in the Park Fund due to grant funds (Norris) : 1. Request to purchase 2 steel nets for goal posts (Approx. $50), and a basketball container (Approx. $100-150). It was noted that the school will donate several basketballs. Members made no objection to the request. Council member Reedy inquired as to whether it was a possibility for remaining funds (from the $500.00 grant) to be used to help finance portable toilet rental cost at Feit Memorial Park, which was a topic also initiated by Cole. Cole will make an inquiry. Abbott Portable Toilets is in agreement to place a portable toilet at the Feit Park at a cost of $120-125? a month) which will include regular maintenance) for a potential (negotiable) period of May - August. Cole described this potential service as highly beneficial because of fishing, kayaking, and canoeing activities which are expected to heighten as a result of the Holmesville to Blue Springs outdoor recreation program, as well as providing necessary service for 13 campers which are expected to utilize the park in the very near future as a result of a review process. Carmichael inquired about responsibility in case of vandalism, to which Cole replied that he believed the service provider would shoulder the responsibility, but that he would check to find out for certain. Cole stated that he has been picking up trash at the Feit Park, and since he began, the littering has significantly decreased. 2. Survey - Cole reported that Re-tree Nebraska is providing trees (3 with 10 more available) which it is hoped will be utilized (in part) at the existing boundary (hardwood, native trees), and which Cole has volunteered (along with other individuals) to water during the sensitive initial growing period. Cole stressed that Re-tree Ne prefers to work with locals (tree purchases), and he indicated occasions during which he encouraged Gary Trump to get on the list. Another contact will be made to encourage the procedure.
“77” ROAD SIGNS, AS PER DIRECTORY INFORMATION FOR WALKING TRAIL, JOHNSON CABIN, CHAMBERLIN MONUMENT, BALLFIELD, FEIT MEMORIAL PARK, CITY PARK, ETC, AS PER AVAILABLE INFORMATION (DEAN COLE): Cole has obtained an application for a grant and will, time permitting, be submitting it for consideration.
ANNUAL CELEBRATION: Effort continues to acquire “trophy” sponsorship.
PLANNING & ZONING: Motion, second, vote (Neumann; Mewes, 4-0 affirmative) to approve Building Permit Application # 19-1(shop - Lance Spencer) following notified approval by Planning & Zoning Commission. Applicant will be notified of approval and fee.
CABIN PRESERVATION ISSUES: Additional grants (2) are being applied for by Jan Morris. Notification of results pending.
ARMOR COATING/PAVING: Gilmore will be invited to attend the next Regular meeting on May 7th, to discuss streets selections and manner and timeline for getting the project underway.
BACKHOE: Council member Mewes asked Employee Pike about backhoe performance. Pike replied that the unit has another leak. Reedy inquired if there was interest in “leasing.” Carmichael replied, “a lot more would be paid.” Council President Carmichael had information about a potential purchase unit, but preferred that the topic be tabled until all members are present.
WATER PRESSURE (REEDY): Council member Reedy reported “low-pressure” in his area, which he has discussed with surrounding residents who have similar complaints. It was noted (Mewes/Neumann/Hughes) that other areas of town are affected. Employee Pike will troubleshoot the situation.
CLEAN-UP: Attorney Carothers indicated that Ordinance Enforcement Officer Shepardson has the paperwork (form letters) necessary to address clean-up issues. The first selection has been put on hold due to incarceration of the property owner, but two or three other properties are in the works to be addressed.
NEXT AGENDA:
DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS (ONGOING PROCEDURES)
CITY PARK/FEIT MEMORIAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS OPTIONS/GRANTS, AS PER AVAILABLE INFORMATION (DEAN COLE)
“77” ROAD SIGNS, AS PER DIRECTORY INFORMATION FOR WALKING TRAIL, JOHNSON CABIN, CHAMBERLIN MONUMENT, BALLFIELD, FEIT MEMORIAL PARK, CITY PARK, ETC, AS PER AVAILABLE INFORMATION (DEAN COLE)
ANNUAL CELEBRATION
PLANNING & ZONING
CABIN PRESERVATION ISSUES
ARMOR COATING/PAVING (GILMORE)
BACKHOE
WATER PRESSURE (REEDY)
CLEAN-UP
Motion to adjourn: By: Mewes Time: 7:35 PM. No objections.
The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved May 7, 2019.
Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)
City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
April 2, 2019
The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on April 2, 2019, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.
PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Carmichael, Mewes, Neumann, Reedy
ABSENT:
OTHER ATTENDEES: City Attorney Andy Carothers, Employee Mike Pike, Connie Mewes, Carol Hughes, Art Linsenmeyer
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 7:00 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 March 19, 2019 Regular meeting.
After review -- motion, second, and vote (Neumann, Mewes, 4-0 affirmative) to approve claims as follow: Bank Direct - Internal Revenue (941) - $1,934.42; Payroll - $3,179.40; Beatrice Sand & Gravel - $2,071.49; Marvin Dunn - $300.00; NE Dept of Revenue - 941N - $258.50; ; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; Norris Public Power - $1,259.49; Milton Pike - (Tel. Comp.) - $25.00; Milton Pike (Water Sample Postage Reimb) - $25.60; Security First Bank (Pike - IRA) - $55.00; Shell - $477.41; Milford Woutzke - (Tel. Comp.) - $5.00; Wymore, City of (Tower/Individual) - $2,333.49; Wymore Oil Company - $416.08; TOTAL CLAIMS: $12,355.88.
DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS (ONGOING PROCEDURES): Mayoral signature was required on an amendment to the demolition contract, which made provision for exclusion of two garages and two sheds from the demolition process when primary structures are removed from approved sites. Utility-to-sites service providers will fall under further review by Attorney Carothers before demolition begins.
CITY PARK/FEIT MEMORIAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS OPTIONS/GRANTS, AS PER AVAILABLE INFORMATION (DEAN COLE): Southeast Community College Landscape Design student’s proposed design for Feit Park was available to members for study, a copy of which is attached to the minutes for review upon request by interested parties.
“77” ROAD SIGNS, AS PER DIRECTORY INFORMATION FOR WALKING TRAIL, JOHNSON CABIN, CHAMBERLIN MONUMENT, BALLFIELD, FEIT MEMORIAL PARK, CITY PARK, ETC, AS PER AVAILABLE INFORMATION (DEAN COLE): No new information.
ANNUAL CELEBRATION: Search is ongoing for contributors, as trophy sponsorship (Reedy). Advertising benefits that were being pursued have been eliminated by the provider.
PLANNING & ZONING: No new applications.
CABIN PRESERVATION ISSUES: An applied-for grant was not awarded (Reedy) . Effort continues to locate other financial avenues.
ARMOR COATING: Discussion included analysis of armor coating options and those for grinding/paving. Employee Pike will initiate the topic (grinding/paving - ‘A’ Street (Bills Creek bridge to Broad, Broad to highway approach/ Walnut?) with Paver’s representative at a scheduled April 3rd meeting in Wymore -- as to service availability and cost. South Street - ‘A’ to Hazen was also targeted for “much-needed work.” Gilmore & Associates will be contacted for procedural review and process initiation for armor coating needs, and which may include all/some of streets included in the 2011 and 2012 armor coating projects (Topkote). Employee Pike stated preference for chipped rock rather than gravel, and lightly touched on a “fog sealing” process utilized on a road outside the municipality that, after several years, “appears to be holding up well.” Attorney Carothers clarified that a bidding process may be used/but is required only for projects (State statute) which are $30,000 and over and for which assessment will be made back to property owners. On-site review and advisement will be solicited from Gilmore.
BACKHOE (used/new - purchase/lease): Council member Carmichael is in the review process regarding one piece of equipment. Employee Pike will make telephone calls to determine current availability and pricing of other units. Attorney Carothers advised that municipal leasing is a preferred option (payments stretched out for 5-7 years, and resulting increase in total price) for those communities without readily available funds.
STORAGE CONTAINER -(ART LINSENMEYER): Placement of storage containers is currently prohibited in residential zoning areas (Ordinance #455). Art Linsenmeyer requested a “variance” for the placement of an altered (roof, window, door) storage container on his residential property. Attorney Carothers stated that the situation does not fall within the “definition of a variance,” and he gave examples. Connie Mewes suggested consideration based on appearance improvements (paint, fixing up) which could be a stipulation of approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Council member Carmichael stated that “appearance” judgment varies between individuals, and is therefore not a reliable tool. Mayor Meyer agreed on the lack of enforceable control, stating that “we can’t tell someone to paint their house,” and further advised that the citizens (majority of those polled at the time) were in favor of banning storage containers, which then resulted in the drafting and passage of Ordinance # 455. Although it was believed that Mr. Linsenmeyer would create an esthetically acceptable structure for storage, members were not (at this time, due to enforceability factors resulting from others wanting to acquire storage units, and a strong basis for fairness), motivated to change the ordinance.
CLEAN-UP: Attorney Carothers has provided Ordinance Enforcement Officer Shepardson with copies of general nuisance ordinances - weeds, litter, etc.
NEXT AGENDA:
DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS (ONGOING PROCEDURES)
CITY PARK/FEIT MEMORIAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS OPTIONS/GRANTS, AS PER AVAILABLE INFORMATION (DEAN COLE)
“77” ROAD SIGNS, AS PER DIRECTORY INFORMATION FOR WALKING TRAIL, JOHNSON CABIN, CHAMBERLIN MONUMENT, BALLFIELD, FEIT MEMORIAL PARK, CITY PARK, ETC, AS PER AVAILABLE INFORMATION (DEAN COLE)
ANNUAL CELEBRATION
PLANNING & ZONING
CABIN PRESERVATION ISSUES
ARMOR COATING/PAVING
BACKHOE
WATER PRESSURE (REEDY)
CLEAN-UP
Motion to adjourn: By: Mewes Time: 8:00 PM. No objections.
The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved April 16, 2019.
Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)
City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)
The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on April 2, 2019, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.
PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Carmichael, Mewes, Neumann, Reedy
ABSENT:
OTHER ATTENDEES: City Attorney Andy Carothers, Employee Mike Pike, Connie Mewes, Carol Hughes, Art Linsenmeyer
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 7:00 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 March 19, 2019 Regular meeting.
After review -- motion, second, and vote (Neumann, Mewes, 4-0 affirmative) to approve claims as follow: Bank Direct - Internal Revenue (941) - $1,934.42; Payroll - $3,179.40; Beatrice Sand & Gravel - $2,071.49; Marvin Dunn - $300.00; NE Dept of Revenue - 941N - $258.50; ; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; Norris Public Power - $1,259.49; Milton Pike - (Tel. Comp.) - $25.00; Milton Pike (Water Sample Postage Reimb) - $25.60; Security First Bank (Pike - IRA) - $55.00; Shell - $477.41; Milford Woutzke - (Tel. Comp.) - $5.00; Wymore, City of (Tower/Individual) - $2,333.49; Wymore Oil Company - $416.08; TOTAL CLAIMS: $12,355.88.
DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS (ONGOING PROCEDURES): Mayoral signature was required on an amendment to the demolition contract, which made provision for exclusion of two garages and two sheds from the demolition process when primary structures are removed from approved sites. Utility-to-sites service providers will fall under further review by Attorney Carothers before demolition begins.
CITY PARK/FEIT MEMORIAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS OPTIONS/GRANTS, AS PER AVAILABLE INFORMATION (DEAN COLE): Southeast Community College Landscape Design student’s proposed design for Feit Park was available to members for study, a copy of which is attached to the minutes for review upon request by interested parties.
“77” ROAD SIGNS, AS PER DIRECTORY INFORMATION FOR WALKING TRAIL, JOHNSON CABIN, CHAMBERLIN MONUMENT, BALLFIELD, FEIT MEMORIAL PARK, CITY PARK, ETC, AS PER AVAILABLE INFORMATION (DEAN COLE): No new information.
ANNUAL CELEBRATION: Search is ongoing for contributors, as trophy sponsorship (Reedy). Advertising benefits that were being pursued have been eliminated by the provider.
PLANNING & ZONING: No new applications.
CABIN PRESERVATION ISSUES: An applied-for grant was not awarded (Reedy) . Effort continues to locate other financial avenues.
ARMOR COATING: Discussion included analysis of armor coating options and those for grinding/paving. Employee Pike will initiate the topic (grinding/paving - ‘A’ Street (Bills Creek bridge to Broad, Broad to highway approach/ Walnut?) with Paver’s representative at a scheduled April 3rd meeting in Wymore -- as to service availability and cost. South Street - ‘A’ to Hazen was also targeted for “much-needed work.” Gilmore & Associates will be contacted for procedural review and process initiation for armor coating needs, and which may include all/some of streets included in the 2011 and 2012 armor coating projects (Topkote). Employee Pike stated preference for chipped rock rather than gravel, and lightly touched on a “fog sealing” process utilized on a road outside the municipality that, after several years, “appears to be holding up well.” Attorney Carothers clarified that a bidding process may be used/but is required only for projects (State statute) which are $30,000 and over and for which assessment will be made back to property owners. On-site review and advisement will be solicited from Gilmore.
BACKHOE (used/new - purchase/lease): Council member Carmichael is in the review process regarding one piece of equipment. Employee Pike will make telephone calls to determine current availability and pricing of other units. Attorney Carothers advised that municipal leasing is a preferred option (payments stretched out for 5-7 years, and resulting increase in total price) for those communities without readily available funds.
STORAGE CONTAINER -(ART LINSENMEYER): Placement of storage containers is currently prohibited in residential zoning areas (Ordinance #455). Art Linsenmeyer requested a “variance” for the placement of an altered (roof, window, door) storage container on his residential property. Attorney Carothers stated that the situation does not fall within the “definition of a variance,” and he gave examples. Connie Mewes suggested consideration based on appearance improvements (paint, fixing up) which could be a stipulation of approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Council member Carmichael stated that “appearance” judgment varies between individuals, and is therefore not a reliable tool. Mayor Meyer agreed on the lack of enforceable control, stating that “we can’t tell someone to paint their house,” and further advised that the citizens (majority of those polled at the time) were in favor of banning storage containers, which then resulted in the drafting and passage of Ordinance # 455. Although it was believed that Mr. Linsenmeyer would create an esthetically acceptable structure for storage, members were not (at this time, due to enforceability factors resulting from others wanting to acquire storage units, and a strong basis for fairness), motivated to change the ordinance.
CLEAN-UP: Attorney Carothers has provided Ordinance Enforcement Officer Shepardson with copies of general nuisance ordinances - weeds, litter, etc.
NEXT AGENDA:
DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS (ONGOING PROCEDURES)
CITY PARK/FEIT MEMORIAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS OPTIONS/GRANTS, AS PER AVAILABLE INFORMATION (DEAN COLE)
“77” ROAD SIGNS, AS PER DIRECTORY INFORMATION FOR WALKING TRAIL, JOHNSON CABIN, CHAMBERLIN MONUMENT, BALLFIELD, FEIT MEMORIAL PARK, CITY PARK, ETC, AS PER AVAILABLE INFORMATION (DEAN COLE)
ANNUAL CELEBRATION
PLANNING & ZONING
CABIN PRESERVATION ISSUES
ARMOR COATING/PAVING
BACKHOE
WATER PRESSURE (REEDY)
CLEAN-UP
Motion to adjourn: By: Mewes Time: 8:00 PM. No objections.
The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved April 16, 2019.
Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)
City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)
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