City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

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)