April 20, 2021
The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on April 20, 2021, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.
PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Neumann, Reedy, Sedlacek, Seeman
ABSENT;
OTHER ATTENDEES: Employee Mike Pike, Attorney Andy Carothers, Valerie Hazen, Connie Mewes, Steve Porter (& Courtney)
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 April 6, 2021 Regular meeting.
After review -- motion (Neumann) , second (Seeman), and vote (4-0 affirmative) : to approve claims Bank Direct - NE Dept. of Revenue (10) - $246.64; Payroll - $2,334.44; Black Hills Energy - $57.98; Lauby Plumbing/Heating/Air - $10.94; Lincoln Winwater Works - $86.80; Macqueen Equipment - $579.91; Milton Pike (Tel. Comp.) - $25.00; Milton Pike (Postage Reimb. - Water Sample) - $26.35; Security First Bank - (IRA/Pike) - $55.00; Temps Disposal (Mandatory Garbage) - $2,785.47; Visa - $353.44; Windstream - $78.37; Milford Woutzke (Tel. Comp.) - $5.00; Wymore Arbor State - $187.31; TOTAL CLAIMS - $6,832.65 (&) Payment from Keno Proceeds Account to City of Blue Springs General Checking - ($15, 000.00).
ANNUAL AUDIT: APPROVAL: Motion (Neumann ), second (Sedlacek), 4-0 affirmative vote to accept/approve the Annual Audit as prepared
TODD BOHLMEYER/EMC LIABILITY/AUTO LIABILITY INCREASED COVERAGE OPTIONS: Information not yet received. Tabled until next Regular meeting.
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING; BLIGHT AND SUBSTANDARD STUDY/ORDINANCE# 466( as applies), DESCRIPTIONS, ANY NEW INFORMATION: Attorney Carothers passed out copies of the Blue Springs, Nebraska Redevelopment Area Blight & Substandard Determination Study and General Redevelopment Plan completed by Hanna:Keelan Associates, PC. (Community Planning & Research). Carothers asked that members study the documentation and pose questions/concerns at the next Regular Meeting (May 4th). He noted that the area to be annexed is included, but that his attention continues to determine the status of the survey study needed for the annexation process.
DEMOLITION PROJECT: Carothers has spoken to one property owner who expressed wishes to convert the house that burned-- into a garage, with Carothers indicating he felt “the City Council may not embrace” that option. The property owner gave permission for inspection (Rob/Chet) of two properties. It is anticipated that next week inspection warrants could be issued by one of the judges. Tim Sedlacek will be inspecting two properties for asbestos (at a rate of $150 each location, as well as conferring with Bockman in the event of needed remediation, and getting the City started on the credit app for the cost of samples. Baring unforeseen circumstances, the plan is to have the inspection process completed by the second meeting in May - (18th).
CLEAN-UP: Ordinance Enforcement Officer Hanson has provided Attorney Carothers with pictures of several properties, with complaints to be filed on all but one of them.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Motion (Neumann), second (Seeman), Reedy (abstained), vote 3-0, to approve the building permit application for Radar & Becky Reedy’s storage building. Valerie Hazen asked for “rock base” on Cherry by their property, and Pike indicated he would “put down more gravel.” Hazen also advised members of intent to put a roof over porches (colored metal), and was told to contact Gage County Highway Department for a building permit application (since in County jurisdiction), but there might be a chance they would defer the request to the City, at which time they could complete an application here.
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: REVIEW/APPROVAL OF CHANGES TO THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PACKAGE (SICK TIME/ EARNINGS/ CEILING/ ETC.: Since one member (Sedlacek) did not have access to the handbook draft, (and will be provided one by Carothers), Comp time/ overtime will be discussed further (and possibly sick time, earnings/ceiling) at the next Regular meeting.
ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT ISSUES: SENDD: Have been notified by SENDD that they are currently “bogged” down with grant work, and “have put their Ordinance Enforcement program on hold until further notice.”
CITY PARKS: ANY NEW INFORMATION: Portable toilet is now in place, and University organized canoeing has begun. The American flag (per Pike) “is again flying.”
HALL RENTAL (RE-OPEN?): No objection was raised by members to prohibit returning to standard (pre-Covid) rental of City Hall by individuals.
TREES (DOREEN WILLIAMS): Ms. Williams did not attend, but it was believed she wished to request trimming of trees at her location. Carothers stated that property owners, (and (per Meyer) Norris Public Power whereat they determine trees infringe on the electric lines) are responsible for the trimming of trees.
NEXT AGENDA:
TODD BOHLMEYER/EMC LIABILITY/AUTO LIABILITY INCREASED COVERAGE OPTIONS
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING; BLIGHT AND SUBSTANDARD STUDY/ORDINANCE# 466( as applies), DESCRIPTIONS, ANY NEW INFORMATION
DEMOLITION PROJECT
CLEAN-UP
PLANNING AND ZONING
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: REVIEW/APPROVAL OF CHANGES TO THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PACKAGE - COMP vs. OVERTIME (POSSIBLY: SICK TIME/ EARNINGS/ CEILING/ ETC.
Motion to adjourn: Neumann - 7:30 P.M. No objections.
The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved May 4, 2021.
Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)
City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
April 6, 2021
The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on April 6, 2021, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.
PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Neumann, Reedy, Sedlacek, Seeman
ABSENT;
OTHER ATTENDEES: Employee Mike Pike, Rex Adams, Todd Bohlmeyer (EMC), Connie Mewes, Valerie Hazen, Steve (& Courtney) Porter
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 March 16, 2021 Regular meeting.
After review -- motion (Neumann) , second (Seeman), and vote (4-0 affirmative) : to approve claims Bank Direct - Internal Revenue Service (941) - $1663.46; Payroll - $4,549.67; Beatrice Sand/Gravel - $667.86; Blobaum & Busboom (Financial Reports/Audit) - $3,620.00; HJP Pest Control (Seasonal Spraying) - $2,030.40; Lincoln Winwater - $532.00; NE Dept of Revenue (941N) - $218.00; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; NE U.C. Fund - $93.82; Norris Public Power - $1,107.99; One-Call Concepts - $3.84; Milton Pike (Tel. Comp) - $25.00; Postmaster (Clean-Up Day Mailing) - $72.00; Roehr’s Machinery - $34.18; Security First Bank (IRA - Pike) - $55.00; Milford Woutzke (Tel. Comp.) - $5.00; Wymore Arbor State - $133.65; Wymore, City of (Tower/Individual) - $2,846.45; Wymore Oil Company - $493.00; TOTAL CLAIMS: $18,166.32.
TODD BOHLMEYER/EMC INSURANCE REVIEW: Bohlmeyer reported on his on-site review of City coverage, specifically business property in shop, and made suggestions to increase Liability/Auto Liability from $1,000,000 to meet current standard… to an Umbrella Coverage of at least $2,000,000. He will be emailing several coverage/premium options for members to consider at the next regular meeting. Bohlmeyer also presented the City with a $2,636.65 dividend check.
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING; BLIGHT AND SUBSTANDARD STUDY/ORDINANCE# 466( as applies), DESCRIPTIONS, ANY NEW INFORMATION: Study is expected to be complete and provided to Mayor and Council within the next two weeks (Carothers handout). Survey for property to be annexed has not yet been received from Land Survey Tech. Chris Witulski was contacted (Carothers handout) to check on completion date, but he was not available for comment at that time, so a message was left. Hanna-Keelan is in the process of finishing the study (Carothers handout), and it should be received within the next two weeks.
DEMOLITION PROJECT: Waiting for asbestos inspection on two properties. Inspection warrants have been prepared for several properties with warrants to be issued depending on availability of a judge and time available on court’s docket. Tim Sedlacek indicated his willingness to conduct asbestos inspections in “individual capacity” and will conduct a study to determine costs (as samples), to enable him to propose cost to City… to members at the next Regular meeting. Another property ( proposed for demolition has met with reluctance from the owner who wishes to convert the structure into a garage, and it was suggested (Carothers handout) that it be recommended for inspection under the unsafe buildings ordinances so a Notice and Order can be issued for tear-down. A second property on the list of proposed demolition sites has owner consent for inspection. For further reference, a copy of the Carothers handout is attached to the office copy of the minutes.
CLEAN-UP: Complaint has been filed and awaiting arraignment date on April 20th . Determination was made for the mailing of various “status” courtesy letters to several property owners. and Carothers will be requested to review a situation regarding a semi from one part of property owned by them to another part with a different legal description, specifically if the “grandfathered” condition still remains after the move.
PLANNING AND ZONING: No new applications.
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: REVIEW/APPROVAL OF CHANGES TO THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PACKAGE: It was noted (Neumann) that the sick leave (other than Covid leave) was not clarified in the material provided to members for their input, and it was suggested (as before) that one day be earned per month by full time employees (suggested by Sedlacek), but that a ceiling and timeline for use needs to be implemented. The League of Municipalities will be contacted (clerk) to ascertain particulars, as comparisons, standard, allowances.
ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT ISSUES: HANSON/SENDD/OTHER OPTIONS: Members discussed options. It is believed that Tim Hanson wishes to continue as the City Ordinance Enforcement Officer, and his time may now be freed up to support the plan, with members allowing 90 days (till July 6) for him to come forward with results. Members also, by a motion by Reedy, second by Seeman, and a vote of Neumann - yes; Reedy - yes; Seeman - yes, and Sedlacek - no; approved inviting SENDD (Reedy will affirm with SENDD) to the next Regular meeting on April 20th to provide the range, scope, cost, duration of an Ordinance Enforcement program available through the SENDD organization.
CITY PARKS (DEAN COLE) Reedy thanked Pike for the “great work” he did at the bridge. Reedy also presented a $6,000 check from the Gage County Foundation Grant (application by Gene Reedy Sr.) for the Cabin… Reedy went through the list of action needs provided to him by Dean Cole, which included, but was not all inclusive of specifics, but with details provided by attachment to the office copy of the minutes -- information from Cole). 1. Placement of portable toilet at Feit Park (for camping season - until October 1). 2. Prep and paint blue picnic table at Feit Park and power wash concrete foundation of shelter. 3. Dirt work and preparation and seeding. 4. Remove large stump (grind) in horseshoe area, and other stumps, and prep area for seeding. 5. Instructional signage (collection box) for camping regulations (Feit Park). 6. Discussion about permanent toilet at Feit Park. Cole could write grant. 7. Remove three small poles once used as barriers - Feit Park; 8. Metal trash container donated by Wymore/Blue Springs Area Fund needs to be placed in park (and according to Sedlacek evaluated for improvement to prevent rain water collection) (will need concrete foundation). 9. Better sign at Feit Park. 10. Cole will be using city water April, May, June. 11. Provisions to be made to repair/replace materials (as necessary) to enable the flying of the American and Nebraska flags at the entrance of Blue Springs and the American flag at City Hall. (before Memorial Day). 12. Motion (Neumann), second (Seeman) and 4-0 affirmative vote for Dean Cole to draft a letter to Mainstreet Beatrice in support of “corridor” - (river -- Feit Park)…. Pike discussed the current cost of mulch for the City Park, and the possibility of applying for a grant after initial purchase for possible reimbursement of approximately a third of the approximately $10,000 cost. A motion was made by Reedy to transfer $15,000 from the Keno Proceeds Account to General fund in General checking (will be transacted by check from one account the other), and then to transfer the same amount from the General Fund in General checking to the Park Fund in General checking to finance decisions/approval of park expenses. Neumann seconded the motion, and a 4-0 affirmative vote followed for approval.
NEXT AGENDA:
ANNUAL AUDIT: APPROVAL
TODD BOHLMEYER/EMC LIABILITY/AUTO LIABILITY INCREASED COVERAGE OPTIONS
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING; BLIGHT AND SUBSTANDARD
STUDY/ORDINANCE# 466( as applies), DESCRIPTIONS, ANY NEW INFORMATION
DEMOLITION PROJECT
CLEAN-UP
PLANNING AND ZONING
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: REVIEW/APPROVAL OF CHANGES TO THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PACKAGE (SICK TIME/ EARNINGS/ CEILING/ ETC.
ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT ISSUES: SENDD
CITY PARKS: ANY NEW INFORMATION
Motion to adjourn: Neumann 8:10 P.M. No objections.
The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved April 20, 2021.
Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)
City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)