City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

July 21, 2020

The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on July 21, 2020, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.
PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Neumann, Reedy, Sedlacek
ABSENT;
OTHER ATTENDEES: Employee Mike Pike, Kandi E. Seeman, Mr. Seeman, Cecelia Seachord, Carol Hughes, Janice Cohorst, Milford Woutzke Sr., Connie Mewes, Dan Disney, Fire Department Representatives (3), including information designee: Aaron McCrimmon

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 (Neumann), second (Sedlacek) and vote (3-0 affirmative) to approve as sent minutes for the July 7, 2020 Regular meeting.


After review -- motion (Sedlacek), second (Neumann), and vote (3-0 affirmative) to approve claims per: Bank Direct - NE Dept. of Revenue (10) - $222.07; Payroll $2,852.21; Black Hills Energy - $22.72; Constellation Energy - $4.53; Johnny’s Welding - $153.69; NE Dept. of Revenue (51C) - $932.00; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; Milton Pike (Reimb.) - $455.00; Postmaster - $360.00; Security First Bank (Pike/IRA) - $55.00; T.O.Haas - $199.69; Windstream - $79.16; Wymore Arbor State - $249.08; TOTAL CLAIMS: $ 5,600.15; (And) from the Keno Proceeds Account to Lucky Bridge Lounge (June 2020 Keno Report) - $186.46.

RESIGNATION OF MEWES/ APPOINTMENT TO FILL REMAINING WARD 1 COUNCIL TERM (2 years, 4 ½ months) : The resignation of Glenn D. Mewes from the Council was acknowledged, and the position was posted within required timeline prior to the meeting, with Kandi Seeman applying. Mayor Meyer brought forward the name of applicant Kandi E. Seeman who was in attendance, Reedy made a motion to accept nominee, Neumann seconded it, and the appointment was made by a 3-0 affirmative vote. At the next Regular meeting, Attorney Carothers is to administer the Oath of Office.

DEMOLITION PROJECT/AND RELATED CLEAN-UP ISSUES: (Members were given a copy of a letter from Rex Adams, wherein One-Property-at-a-Time committed $1,500 toward a future City demolition project, with locations identified.) No new information on status of Project # 2 demolition activity. Four courtesy clean up letters with 7/21 deadlines will continue under review for improvement. Reedy indicated the need to go forward on tax payment to facilitate property acquisition issues, and Mayor Meyer noted the advisability of the City Attorney being included in the process.

ANNUAL CITY CELEBRATION (CAR SHOW/TRACTOR SHOW): Fire Department Representatives requested street closing during the event (Broad Street between 8AM - 5 PM August 16th) and no objections were raised. An inquiry was made as to available MFO funds currently held in the Fire Fund of City General Checking, and if MFO funds might be used for celebration expenses as the proceeds from the event will be designated to the purchase of new equipment, etc. for the Fire Department. City Clerk will make necessary contacts (Carothers/ and City of Beatrice) to determine acceptability of such a fund allocation. Cecelia Seachord (Tractor Show representative) expressed interest in arranging to have Van’s Chicken for the event, and it was noted that there is a possibility that food provisions will be put in place at the upcoming meeting (7/22/20 - 6PM) of the Fire Department. Seachord also asked about the amount of funds generated by the sale of eclipse viewing glasses at a past event, in hopes that funds in that amount might be available for the Tractor Show event. City Clerk will make a file search to determine the earnings/cost bottom line. Pike stressed that driving over the new sidewalk at the park (site of Tractor Show) should be avoided, and “planking” will again be available if a crossing point is necessary. Pike will also sweep (previous Friday) Broad Street for the event.

PLANNING AND ZONING: No new applications.

LUCKY BRIDGE LOUNGE - ALLEY OPENING: Two individuals owning property adjacent the alley were reported to be interested in using the traffic route to more efficiently access their property. Any gravel, etc. desired for the project will not fall to City responsibility, rather to the property owner, but a determination was made to include “replacement of the drainage tube” on the work schedule of City employees.

STREET CLOSING (WHERE FOUTS AND WASINGTON COME TOGETHER): Since Carothers was not in attendance, and legal advice is needed, the topic was tabled until the next Regular meeting.

ARMOR COATING: Previous armor coating project information was provided to members for evaluation/decision. Pike shared a bid of $237 per square yard, with a minimum of 15,000 square yards from one contractor. Suggestion was made (Reedy /Sedlacek) to get other bids (as Hall Bros.), and determination was made to contact other contractors for comparison of cost and products, both as based on complete-community needs. Pike was asked (Meyer) to bring City Engineer Gilmore & Associates into the review/analysis/bid letting of the project. Crack-filling, which is a Fall activity, was also discussed, with Pike indicating that materials were on hand.

AUGUST TIRE AMNESTY (JANICE COHORST): Cohorst reviewed results of previous community participation in the amnesty program: (one year 15 tons, another year 10 tons), and requested City mailing of the amnesty information, and no objections were raised. This mailing will be sent in the near future, along with the specifications of the Mandatory Garbage program. She also identified individuals with equipment available for loading and transport use. (Reedy: bobcat, dump trailer, trucks - Frerichs, Hardin, Trauernicht), and she solicited volunteers for the project. The Fire Department indicated some members might be able to help.

BURN PILE (PIKE): August 1st - Borgman is shutting down the burn pile due to insurance restrictions. Pike indicated that purchasing a piece of land (situated in Blue Springs (Cherry St.?), but owned by Wymore) might be an option. Gating was also discussed to prevent “bad materials” from being dumped at a new site. Options will be scrutinized promptly to precipitate a satisfactory solution.

NEXT AGENDA
OATH OF OFFICE: KANDI E. SEEMAN, WARD 1 COUNCIL
DESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL
SETTING THE LEVY FOR THE 2020-2021 BUDGET
DEMOLITION PROJECT/AND RELATED CLEAN-UP ISSUES )
CAR SHOW/TRACTOR SHOW: ANY REMAINING ISSUES, AS FROM FIRE DEPT.
PLANNING AND ZONING
STREET CLOSING (WHERE FOUTS AND WASINGTON COME TOGETHER)
ARMOR COATING/ANALYSIS/ BID LETTING


Motion to adjourn Reedy - Time: 8 PM. No objections.
The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved August 4, 2020.

Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)

City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)