City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

January 21, 2020

The Public Hearing for Ordinance # 461 and the Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on January 21, 2020, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.

PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Carmichael, Mewes, Neumann, Reedy
ABSENT:
OTHER ATTENDEES: Employee Mike Pike, Attorney Andy Carothers, Connie Mewes, Carol Hughes, Rex Adams, Emily Shockley, Colleen Schoneweis

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 January 7, 2020 Regular meeting.

After review -- motion (Mewes), second (Neumann) , and vote (4-0 affirmative) to approve claims as follow: Bank Direct - NE Dept. of Revenue (10) - $202.81; Payroll - $2,502.53; Black Hills Energy - $27.04; Constellation Energy - $88.28; Gilmore & Associates - $1,761.41; Lauby Plumbing/Heating/Air - $459.86; NE Dept. of Revenue (51C) - $1,254.00; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; Milton Pike (Postage Reimb.) - $25.50; Postmaster - $180.00; Roehr’s Machinery - $803.07; Security First Bank (Pike/IRA) - $55.00; Tractor Supply - $34.95; Windstream - $77.44; TOTAL CLAIMS: $7,486.89.

PLANNING & ZONING- PUBLIC HEARING FOR ORDINANCE #461: Motion to open Public Hearing (Mewes ), second (Reedy), vote: 4-0 affirmative). Discussion - which included that the Planning & Zoning Commission met (per Carothers) and recommended passage of Ordinance. 461, and inquiry of Council member Reedy as to how many other municipalities have fallen in line with this action, and which Carothers identified as a trend in those communities that have official zoning regulations in place. Council member Mewes stated that it is better to have accessory buildings than to have empty lots. All agreed, with Carothers commending One Property at a Time for “working hard to encourage (community) growth.” Motion to close Public Hearing and return to Regular session (Reedy), second (Neumann), vote: 4-0 affirmative.

Motion (Mewes), second (Carmichael) and 4-0 affirmative vote to suspend the rule of three readings for Ordinance # 461, followed by motion (Carmichael), second (Neumann) to approve Ordinance # 46l, followed by the reading of Ordinance 461 by Carothers, per:: AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE ZONING REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS; TO REDEFINE THE TERM ACESSORY BUILDING; TO ALLOW ACCESSORY BUILDINGS OR USES TO BE ON A PARCEL OF PROPERTY WITHOUT A PERMITTED OR SPECIAL USE THEREON; TO REPEAL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES OR SECTIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, which then was passed by a 4-0 affirmative vote. (Ordinance # 461 in full is attached to the office copy of the minutes and available for public review).

CLEAN-UP, INCLUDING: BUILDING INSPECTION ISSUES, ONE PROPERTY AT A TIME PURCHASE/CITY PAYING/SHARING DEMOLITION COST? (FORNEY PROPERTY) : Carothers continues to work toward scheduling building inspections (Wymore and Blue Springs together). Inspection warrants on two properties anticipated next week. Other properties are under review (with acquisition offers potentially pending -One Property at a Time), for inclusion in the building inspection project. Results of recent One Property at a Time acquisition (Forney) included: Three dumpsters filled. Possibly another coming. Adams spoke about the possibility of another Thomas Foundation Grant for demolition, and advised (per conversation with member of the grant committee) that should the City partner financially with One Property at a Time on this property, it would improve the potentiality and success of another grant process. Also, the property has yet to be inspected for asbestos. (It was noted that Tim Sedlacek is presently training to be an asbestos inspector, and possibly will pursue also becoming a building inspector in the future. Council member Reedy asked if the garage was to be included in demolition plans, and Adam’s response was that the “condition of the garage is not yet determined.” Another property looks promising for City acquisition (with Connie Mewes stating that the City should get first choice (due to previous interest and financial investment), and Carothers noted he has offered to do the deeding paperwork, but was unaware at this time as to the asking price for the property. Carothers noted that a public hearing on acquisition of the property would be required. All present and contributing to dialogue agreed that positive results (community improvement/growth) will come from concerted clean-up efforts.

CABIN PRESERVATION ISSUES: Further work likely to be postponed until Spring.

WALKING TRAIL: EMILY SHOCKLEY: Colleen Schoeneweis and Emily Shockly participated in introduction of Homestead Conservation/Standing Bear Trail Association members, and a handout was provided which identified contact individuals/board members. It was noted that they are now busy with “bridge issues,” but are encouraging biking, walking activity on the trail and “pulling people into the communities” to take advantage of commercial opportunities. They are working on “signage” to identify and encourage participants to come into the communities. Money is raised through donations, fund raisers, etc. Council member Reedy noted that he is now on the Tourism board, and interest is strong there to change maps and identify community benefits.


NEXT AGENDA:
GENERAL CLEAN-UP, BUT INCLUDING: BUILDING INSPECTION ISSUES, ONE PROPERTY AT A TIME/CITY PARTNERING ON CLEAN-UP/DEMOLITION/INSPECTION PROJECT
CABIN PRESERVATION ISSUES


Motion to adjourn: By: Mewes Time: 7:50 PM. No objections.

The minutes of the Public Hearing for Ordinance # 461 and the Regular meeting were read and approved February 4, 2020.

Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Public Hearing/Regular Session)


City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Public Hearing/ Regular Session)