City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

August 18, 2020 The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on August 18, 2020, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE. PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Neumann, Reedy, Sedlacek. Seeman ABSENT; OTHER ATTENDEES: City Attorney Andy Carothers, Employee Mike Pike, Connie Mewes, Rex Adams, Derrie Seeman, Officer Timothy Michael Hanson 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 (Seeman) and vote (4-0 affirmative) to approve as sent minutes for the August 4, 2020 Regular meeting. After review -- motion (Neumann), second (Sedlacek), and vote (4-0 affirmative) to approve claims per: Bank Direct - NE Dept. of Revenue (10) - $304.32; Payroll - $2,944.15; Barco Municipal Products - $97.28; Black Hills Energy - $22.72; Gage County Treas. (Taxes - ref: G. Cary); $359.65; Johnny’s Welding - $1987.76; Lauby Plumbing/Heating/Air - $39.26; Office Depot - $118.28; Schuster’s Outdoor & RV - $80.98; Security First Bank (IRA/Pike) - $55.00; Temps Disposal - $10.00; Windstream - $82.36; Wymore Arbor State - $297.68; TOTAL CLAIMS: $6,399.44. DEMOLITION PROJECT/AND RELATED CLEAN-UP ISSUES/ORD. ENFORCEMENT OFFICER: Pictures are needed for the two Building Inspection warrants submitted to Judge Thimm. Two other properties are to follow in the next round. The properties addressed with courtesy letters with 7/21 deadlines, and those with 8/18 deadlines are to be added to the list for the Ordinance Enforcement Officer. SENDD: AVAILABLE SERVICES: Telephone input from SENDD, as arranged by Seeman (& Carothers) : Two members from SENDD (A. Lawson/ J Wallman?) were available by telephone to outline the particulars of their program that addresses municipal nuisance violations. This included: Assessment of entire town with pictures of worst offenses, (restricted to full address of 25 properties) including information from court house records to validate ownership, courtesy letters with 30-day deadlines, attendance at a Council Meeting, a second round of letters with 30-day deadlines, with another attendance at Council Meeting; at a base cost of $5,695 (year-long agreement). City attorney would be needed for the abatement/legal processes. The option of using the SENDD Ordinance was a possibility, as was that of using the City ordinance. Reedy inquired if it would be beneficial if a City member went with them for property review, and that was not encouraged. Questions were asked (Adams, Reedy, Sedlacek, Seeman) about how their cost would break down on an hourly rate, and that information, based on range of processes, was not readily available. Attention turned to the possibility of having Office Hanson become the Ordinance Enforcement Officer (with Sedlacek noting that Officer Hanson’s participation (well-known in the community) would have a positive effect on City clean-up effort. Hanson outlined his experience record and when asked by Derrie Seeman, described his interest as “community based, with strong belief in clean-up principle and public safety.” Motion (Reedy), second (Sedlacek), and a 4-0 affirmative vote made the decision to sign up Timothy Hanson as the Blue Springs Ordinance Enforcement Officer. Terms included: Mileage, payment as part time employee - (or independent if so desired) $30.00 hrly., (primarily evenings/weekends). No use of County Car. No badge. Possibly a polo identifying him as the ordinance officer. A copy of the agreement between parties will be provided to Gustafson for review and approval, and for subsequent approval by Mayor and Council. Potentially 10 initial properties (the worst) would be identified and addressed. Nuisance notice to be provided by Carothers. Pictures to be taken/documentation/testify in court, as necessary. Adams indicated that One-Property-at-a-Time will be glad to help with the determination of properties to be addressed, and said he was pleased with the cooperation between City and the One-Property group. FENCE ON CHERRY STREET (PIKE): An individual has erected a fence approx. 2’ from the road. This is another issue to be assigned to Hanson when he is officially signed on as the Ordinance Enforcement Officer. PLANNING AND ZONING: No new applications. STREET CLOSING (WHERE FOUTS AND WASINGTON COME TOGETHER) ORD. # 464:) Motion to suspend the rule of three readings by Sedlacek, second Reedy ;4-0 affirmative vote. Motion to approve Ordinance # 464 by Reedy, second Neumann. Ordinance # 464 read (Carothers) per: AN ORDINANCE DECLARING IT NECESSARY AND EXPEDIENT FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD TO VACATE A PORTION OF A PLATTED STREET WITHIN THE CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, NEBRASKA; TO VACATE A PORTION OF FOUTS STREET WITHIN THE CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, NEBRASKA; TO DESCRIBE THE PORTION OF THE STREET TO BE VACATED; AND TO PRESCRIBE THE TIME THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE IN FULL FORCE AND TAKE EFFECT: (further information for office record: WHEREAS, a citizen has requested that a portion of Fouts Street between Lots 24 through 28, Blackman‘s Second Addition to the City of Blue Springs, Gage County, Nebraska, and Lots 29 through 32, Blackman‘s Second Addition to the City of Blue Springs, Gage County, Nebraska, be vacated; WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Blue Springs, Nebraska, has reviewed the request and determined that no damages would be sustained by the citizens of the City of Blue Springs, Nebraska, or owners of property by reason of such vacation; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Blue Springs, Nebraska, deem it necessary and expedient for the public good that the portion of Fouts Street hereinafter particularly described be vacated, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, NEBRASKA: Section 1. That it is necessary and expedient for the public good that a portion of Fouts Street hereinafter particularly described be discontinued, annulled and vacated, and that no damages will be sustained by the citizens of the City of Blue Springs, Nebraska, or by the owners of property by reason of such discontinuance, annulment and vacation. Section 2. That the portion of Fouts Street between Lots 24 through 28, Blackman‘s Second Addition to the City of Blue Springs, Gage County, Nebraska, and Lots 29 through 32, Blackman’s Second Addition to the City of Blue Springs, Gage County, Nebraska, be, and the same hereby is, discontinued, annulled and vacated. Section 3. That the portion of Fouts Street between Lots 24 through 28, Blackman‘s Second Addition to the City of Blue Springs, Gage County, Nebraska, and Lots 29 through 32, Blackman‘s Second Addition to the City of Blue Springs, Gage County, Nebraska, shall revert to the owners of the abutting real estate, one-half on each side thereof, and shall become part of such property. Section 4. That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval and publication according to law. Passed and approved this _18__day of August, 2020. The reading was followed by a 4-0 affirmative vote to pass/approve Ordinance # 464. ARMOR COATING/ANALYSIS/BID LETTING: No figures available yet from contractors. Determination was made to go forward with crack-sealing (when timing/weather is favorable), and to pursue armor coating later (Spring). Reedy asked if a compressor was needed. Pike responded that a blower was used previously. BURN PILE: A lease agreement (60’ of property (Wymore-owned) , to which there is anticipated to be some opposition (per Sedlacek) , is to be considered at the August 19th meeting of Wymore Mayor and Council. NEXT AGENDA (To be convened after the close of the 2020-2021 Budget Hearing) DEMOLITION PROJECT/AND RELATED CLEAN-UP ISSUES/ORD. ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AGREEMENT PLANNING AND ZONING BURN PILE - LEASE AGREEMENT EQUIPMENT, AS BACKHOE Motion to adjourn - Neumann - 7:50 PM. No objections. The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved September 1, 2020. Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session) City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)