November 17, 2020
The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on November 17, 2020, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.
PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Neumann, Reedy, Sedlacek, Seeman
ABSENT;
OTHER ATTENDEES: Employee Mike Pike, City Attorney Andy Carothers, John Hill, Tanner Goes, Talia Goes, Paul Lynn, Rex Adams, Dan Disney, D.J. Seeman
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 Nov. 3, 2020 Regular meeting.
After review -- motion (Reedy), second (Sedlacek), and vote (4-0 affirmative) to approve claims per: Bank Direct - NE Dept. of Revenue (10) - 290.58; Payroll - $2,182.10; Black Hills Energy - $66.08; Lauby Plumbing/Heating/Air Conditioning - $116.02; O’Reilly Automotive - $16.50; Postmaster - $110.00; Security First Bank - (Pike/IRA) - $55.00; Temps Disposal (Oct Mandatory Garbage) - $2,572.60; Windstream - $78.88; Wymore Arbor State - $218.73; Wymore Oil Company - $95.00; TOTAL CLAIMS: $5,801.49.
DEMOLITION PROJECT: Attorney Carothers reported that the Notice & Orders will be mailed tomorrow and filing with the Register of Deeds, and the 90-period will begin. Responses are not anticipated from those contacted. The next round of choices for inspection (and for which One Property at a Time will pay for three - per Rex Adams) has been expanded.
CLEAN-UP: Attorney Carothers clarified issues regarding previously sent letters (initiated by OEO Hanson), to separate one into two properties, and Carothers will request Hanson to evaluate improvements, and where applicable, refer matters to Carothers to initiate “request for charges.” Seeman asked for the addition of a property to the list. D. J. Seeman and Reedy suggested that “large wood piles” be included in clean-up efforts. Another property is to be revisited for clean-up infractions.
PLANNING AND ZONING: No new applications.
BRIDGE MATCH PROGRAM- ANY NEW INFORMATION: John Hill addressed members and handouts were provided which gave “preliminary and conservative” project estimates, per: Single 12’x8’x110’ Concrete Box Culvert - Total for Project - $453,013.92, City Share 45% of Eligible costs + Non-Eligible costs - $320,442.47) - (with breakdown of calculations attached to the office copy of the minutes), or Triple 72’X122’ Corrugated Metal Pipes -- Total for Project - $418,207.38, City Share 45% Eligible Costs + Non - Eligible costs - $301,199.83 (with breakdown of calculations attached to the office copy of the minutes). It was noted (Hill) that a decision to apply needs to be made no later than the end of a two week period from now, and he told members that there are projects already planned that may influence a positive outcome for the City, but if an application is approved, it is inadvisable to refuse it. Sedlacek said that the City did not go ahead with Topkote plans which was around $100,000, and now were considering a $300,000+ project-- at a time when considerations still include street paving, waterline replacement. Mayor Meyer suggested, in light of the bridge being described as “low priority” based on weight restriction, that heavy trucks could go west, and not utilize the bridge. Attorney Carothers will conduct a study and report on “other funding sources” and will have either positive or negative information for members and Hill in a day or so.
CITY CREDIT CARD: Pending Municipal Card information (sales tax exempt status).
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING; BLIGHT AND SUBSTANDARD STUDY: Attorney Carothers advised members that a business is considering Blue Springs as a location, and initiation of processes (as noted in topic heading) were advised. The business was briefly discussed (not officially identified at this time due to location options being evaluated) which could bring 29+ jobs, including some part time, into the community, and bringing with it standard community growth potential, as housing, product needs, etc. Carothers suggested members to consider either “specific property” or “area wide redevelopment” classification, and about acquiring the services of a TIFF lawyer. Discussion included bond issues, taxes (TIFF) being divided between “base” and “redevelopment” and a 15 year time span. 50% of the City could be included in blight and substandard classification in the case of 2nd Class City. There are many facets to become familiar with and to consider, some which were touched upon, and Carothers (with agreement of Mayor and Council) will invite a representative of Hanna-Keelan (Lincoln) - that compiled the 2011 Blue Springs, Nebraska Comprehensive Plan and Zoning and Subdivision Regulations, to address members at the next Regular meeting--- about the specifics of the undertaking and about becoming the program “planner” for the City (which is estimated (Carothers) to be in the neighborhood of no more than $9,000 charge to the City.
NEXT AGENDA:
ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS: which will include: COMMITTEES, PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL, SECONDARY COUNCIL PRESIDENT, TEMPORARY CLERK, CITY STREET SUPT (PROJECTS) - KEITH GILMORE - 697A (Jan.- Dec. - entire year 2020 - (last authorization 12/17/19) WITH RESOLUTION #2020-2 , CITY ATTORNEY & DEPUTY ATTORNEY, AUDITOR, AND EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENTS AND WAGES AND BENEFITS
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING; BLIGHT AND SUBSTANDARD STUDY: HANNA KEELAN (PLANNER)
DEMOLITION PROJECT
CLEAN-UP
PLANNING AND ZONING
BRIDGE MATCH PROGRAM- ANY NEW INFORMATION
Motion to adjourn - Reedy - 8:00 PM. No objections.
The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved December 1, 2020.
Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)
City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
November 3, 2020
The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on November 3, 2020, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.
PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Neumann, Reedy, Sedlacek, Seeman
ABSENT;
OTHER ATTENDEES: Employee Mike Pike, City Attorney Andy Carothers, Sherri Trump, John Hill, D.J. Seeman
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 October 20, 2020 Regular meeting.
After review -- motion (Reedy), second (Sedlacek), and vote (4-0 affirmative) to approve claims per: Bank Direct - Internal Revenue Service (941) - $1,985.93; Real Business Solutions (2020 W-2/W-3 Software) - $64.00; Reliable Printer Renewal- $178.44; Payroll-- $3.564.25; Abbott Portable Toilets - (Feit Park) - $125.00; Constellation Energy - $3.93; NE Dept. of Revenue (501N) - $271.00; Norris Public Power - $1,040.80; One-Call Concepts, Inc. - $6.92; Milton Pike (Tel. Comp.) - $25.00; Milton Pike (Reimb. Water Sample) - $26.35; Security First Bank (IRA/Pike) - $55.00; Westlake Hardware - $19.79; Milford Woutzke - (Tel. Comp.) - $5.00; TOTAL CLAIMS: $7,371.41.
DEMOLITION PROJECT: Two properties have been condemned and Notice/Order/Register of Deeds procedures initiated and 90 days began. Appropriate action is being taken to close another property, and Application for Tax Deed will follow. Other locations are identified for inspection (to condemn), and Attorney Carothers requested that members “think about” other additions.
CLEAN-UP: Four clean-up letters initiated by Ordinance Enforcement Officer Hanson have been sent (10/26/20). Attorney Carothers will contact Hanson to request inspection to determine removal of infractions, and if not, to begin legal action. Carothers will also discuss with Hanson two other properties that he believed were to be included in the first mailing.
PLANNING AND ZONING: No new applications.
BRIDGE MATCH PROGRAM (JOHN HILL): John Hill addressed members, repeating previous aspects, as: Potential costs: box culvert - $180,000 w/County 55%, City 45%, Engineering potential estimate $200,000 for paving, curb, gutter, sidewalk, utilities, engineering - city expenses. Hill said the engineer would be willing to look at it with a couple members (Reedy, Tim, Pike). Hill stated that approvals will be made next year, with work actually to be done the following year, or further delayed, and that approved projects can be “turned down”, but that it is not advised. Reedy suggested the possibility of a CDBG grant application. Carothers will contact Tom Bliss of SENDD to get further information. Mayor Meyer asked if the bridge can be “kept as is, with the heavy stuff kept off,” and was told that that could be done.
CITY CREDIT CARD (PIKE): Dissatisfaction with the existing City card (Wex Bank) was discussed, and identified as limited charge capabilities, “not used successfully (denied) for purchases other than fuel,” and a study and inquiries will be made into the possibility of a business card through Visa, MasterCard, or other.
SIP & SHOP - DEC. 9, 2020 (Request by Gary Trump for City Consent): Tall Tree Tastings of Beatrice wishes to pursue issuance of a Special Designated License for a December 9th event at Pinecrest Tree Farm, and Council member Reedy made a motion to approve, Tim Sedlacek seconded it, and a 4-0 affirmative vote gave City approval for a Special Designated License for the event. A copy of the signed request (Mayor Meyer) is attached to the office copy of the minutes.
OTHER: Carothers provided a copy of Executive Order No. 20-34 CORONAVIRUS - PUBLIC MEETINGS REQUIREMENT LIMITED WAIVER FOR ALTERNATIVE PARTICIPATION FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS, and a copy is attached to the office copy of the minutes as well as to each of the members copy of the minutes. Carothers also advised against any general gatherings/conversations of three members discussing City matters, as that would constitute an “illegal meeting.”
NEXT AGENDA:
DEMOLITION PROJECT
CLEAN-UP
PLANNING AND ZONING
BRIDGE MATCH PROGRAM- ANY NEW INFORMATION
CITY CREDIT CARD
Motion to adjourn - Reedy - 7:34 PM. No objections.
The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved November 17, 2020.
Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)
City Clerk: Katherine A/ Roche (Regular Session