City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

October 15, 2019

The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on October 15, 2019, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.

PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Carmichael, Mewes, Neumann, Reedy
ABSENT:
OTHER ATTENDEES: Employee Mike Pike, City Attorney Andy Carothers, Beatrice Building Inspectors Mierau and McCrury, Connie Mewes, Carol Hughes, Rex Adams, 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, 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 October 1, 2019 Regular meeting.

After review -- motion (Neumann), second (Mewes), and vote ( 4-0 affirmative) to approve claims as follow: Bank Direct - NE Dept. of Revenue (10) - $209.52; Payroll - $2,170.54; Abbott Portable Toilets (Municipal Publicity) - $200.00; Constellation Energy - $3.11; Lauby Plumbing/Heating/AC - $229.15; Jan Morris (Cabin reimbursements) - $46.06; NE UC Fund - $21.01; One-Call Concepts - $5.76; Milton Pike (Postage Reimb. - Water Sample) - $25.50; Postmaster - $180.00; Security First Bank (Pike - IRA) - $55.00; Roehr’s Machinery - $49.86; Schuster’s Outdoor RV - $32.88; Windstream - $77.73; TOTAL CLAIMS: $3,306.12.

BUILDING INSPECTION/INTERNATIONAL CODE/PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE: BEATRICE BUILDING INSPECTORS MC CRURY/MIERAU INVITED TO ATTEND: Rod Mierau, assisted by Chet McCrury gave the overview and Andy Carothers led the inquiry session. (Summary: LLC was created to avail providing building inspector services to local communities. Municipal cost for the services that would be available are still being worked out, and is partly based on the level of participation by surrounding municipalities. It is , however, felt that building inspections would be on a “per inspection basis.” Primary focus would be building inspections and address of dilapidated buildings in compliance with the International Building Code. It was highly recommended that members familiarize themselves with the Property Code and make community-specific changes when adopting it. Attorney Carothers and Rex Adams (representing One Property at a Time) provided input in regard to possibilities because of empty lots now being available, and Connie Mewes brought up need for increased public awareness about the investment and effort of the City in the last demolition project, and not just One Property at a Time. Adams cordially stated that he was not in charge of advertising, and went on to indicate builder interest in speculative construction. It was also noted that sub-contractors were not in great supply locally. Mierau told of future possibility of electronic tracking of selected action processes.. The turnaround time for response to issues involving Residential Code was speculated to be 2-3 days. Nuisance issues could be addressed, starting with the worst offense, based on complaints, or from a compiled list. Mierau and McCrury stated they would be willing to return when more detailed information becomes available on their planned multi-municipality project. Everyone agreed that the biggest problems facing the City were dilapidated buildings and weeds/trash, and that this all could not be alleviated “overnight” but would take a “consistent approach.” Taking advantage of all/any available grant opportunities would add strength to the effort.

PLANNING & ZONING: No new applications.

CABIN PRESERVATION ISSUES: Council member Reedy has agreed to supervise current aspects of cabin preservations procedures, including contractor evaluations, supervision, and progress needs and analysis. He stated that James Ullman ( log work) should complete his part of the project within three weeks. Reedy also stated that another contractor (Butch Bouvier) has requested that the City sign off on work he, if chosen, would do each week, and provide progress payments at those times. Approval by Council could facilitate that request. Reedy indicated that the project is still within budget. Dean Cole told that Jan Morris is confident in Reedy’s ability to carry the project forward.


PAVING/TRANSFER KENO FUNDS TO STREET DPT. FOR DISPOSITION TO PAVING PROJECT: Tabled for later consideration.

CLEAN-UP: Determination was to return to the previous method of handling issues (courtesy letter, certified letter, legal action) until such time as the City might be able to enter into the program offered by Mierau and McCrury of City of Beatrice. Dean Cole stated that while he is researching the “tree” needs of the City, he has noticed many junked/inoperable/unlicensed vehicles, and he offered to assist by compiling a fact/photographic record for the City to use to address these infractions. No objections were made to his offer of assistance.

PLAYGROUND RUBBER MULCH/GRANT APPLICATION (DEAN COLE): Employee Pike told of another supplier, and agreed to check their prices to make a comparison with information already at hand. Cole stated willingness to contact Land and Water Resourcing as a funding resource for various park needs, and he was given the go ahead.

EQUIPMENT- BACKHOE MAINTENANCE/REPLACEMENT: Council member Carmichael presented information, identifying an available unit. ‘99 New Holland (no A/C) with 1,200 hours, which was offered for $27,000, but which he managed to bring down to $26,000- “delivered.” He stated intent to try for further reduction. By motion by Council member Neumann, second by Mewes, and 4-0 affirmative vote he was given authority to make the purchase, and he will initiate arrangements for delivery.


NEXT AGENDA
ONE PROPERTY AT A TIME PURCHASE/CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS DEMOLITION COST? (FORNEY PROPERTY)
PLANNING & ZONING
CABIN PRESERVATION ISSUES
PAVING/TRANSFER OF FUNDS
BACKHOE/TRANSFER OF FUNDS
CLEAN-UP
PLAYGROUND RUBBER MULCH INFORMATION /GRANT OPPORTUNITIES


Motion to adjourn: By: Mewes Time: 8:15 PM. No objections.

The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved November 5, 2019.


Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)

City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)