Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
August 3, 2021
The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council was held on August 3, 2021, in the Blue Springs City Hall, Blue Springs, NE.
PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Neumann, Reedy, Sedlacek
ABSENT; Council member Seeman
OTHER ATTENDEES: Employee Mike Pike, Attorney Andy Carothers, Rex Adams
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 20, 2021 Regular meeting.
After review -- motion (Neumann) , second (Reedy), and vote (3-0 affirmative) : to approve claims Bank Direct - Internal Revenue - (941) - $2,099.74; Payroll - $3,596.85; Black Hills Energy - $21.38; Blue Springs Fire Department (Donation with receipts required - Car Show) - $1,200.00; League of NE Municipalities - (Membership Dues) - $286.00; 888-Log Guys (Chinking Overlay - Grant Funds) - $2,830.00; NE Dept. of Revenue (501N-July/2021) - $313.00; Norris Public Power - $1,055.32; Office Depot - $274.98; One-Call Concepts, Inc. - $1.15; Milton Pike - (Tel. Comp.) - $25.00; Milton Pike - (Postage Reimb.- Water Sample) - $26.75; Postmaster - $200.00; Security First Bank (IRA/Pike) - $55.00; Temps Disposal Service (Mandatory Trash) - $2,543.50; Willet & Carothers - $3,622.32; Milford Woutzke (Tel. Comp.) - $5.00; Wymore Arbor State - $$246.04; TOTAL CLAIMS: $ 18,402.03.
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING/ BLIGHT STUDY REVIEW/ORDINANCE# 466 ( as applies), ANY NEW INFORMATION: Survey considerations continue, with results anticipated to be available for review of Mayor and Council at next Regular meeting. Carothers has spoken to Trevor Lee of N Gage, who indicated, “there is no big rush.”
DEMOLITION PROJECT: One Notice and Order expected to be served Thursday. Rex Adams spoke on behalf of One Property at a Time, indicating that two other properties are suggested for building inspection, with inspections to be paid for by One Property at a Time. Mayor Meyer and Council member Sedlacek voiced concern regarding demolition plans for houses that might be renovated rather than torn down, subsequent loss of tax revenue, situations wherein owners might still occupy the homes in some limited sense, etc. It was also noted by Adams and members that it is not anticipated that “flipping” houses would be a significant action, nor rebuilding, so the situation becomes unpredictable and a quandary. Discussion was followed by a motion by Reedy, second by Neumann, and vote of Reedy - Yes; Neumann - Yes; Sedlacek “Abstain.” to add the two debated additional properties to the list for building inspection. On currently addressed issues it was noted that one property owner insists that the “house only” be included in demolition plans, and that any remaining structures on the properties “not be touched.” A few days remain prior to results of asbestos testing on another property before demolition may begin.
CLEAN-UP: Carothers noted that one property owner has an August 17th court date. He also shared that he drafted a letter to one individual in hopes of accelerating clean-up efforts on one property. Tim Hanson, Ordinance Enforcement Officer, will be down (was notified July 22nd of a 30-day timeline) and will determine five new properties to address for clean-up infractions.
PLANNING AND ZONING: Motion by Reedy, second by Neumann, and a 3-0 affirmative vote approved the application for a building permit (addition to home), for Alan and Janet Riensche. The P& Z had advised approval prior to considerations by Council. Applicant will be notified of approval, and fee.
EQUIPMENT(PRIMARY FOCUS: BACKHOES): Discussion included the drawbacks of both backhoes. One is size-suitable for grave opening, but is not reliable, having gone down in mid process recently. The larger unit is too large for that purpose, has had many repair problems, and, per Employee Pike, is limited in use capacity because “it does not have a claw” which would be of benefit for storm clearing, picking up brush, demolition issues. There was a difference of opinion about the need for attachments. Employee Pike was asked to research availability (Scott) of a good replacement unit, with the ultimate option to sell the two owned backhoes and replace them with one highly functional/dependable unit. Pike will also contact individuals in adjacent communities to compare receipts for opening a grave (the City charges the Cemetery $65 for each opening), and that may open discussion about either moving away from the grave opening process, or raising the price.
ARMOR COATING: It was not anticipated that action would be taken yet this year; rather that Employee Pike enter into a crack-sealing schedule within the optimal timeline for such repairs, with armor coating potentially to be addressed in the Spring.
2021-2022 BUDGET: DISCUSSION OF TAX LEVY: Within discussion, it was determined that there is little margin for raising the tax levy at this time, and per, Carothers, and input and agreement of members, that valuation is expected to increase revenue. No recommendation was made to increase the tax levy at this time, with this decision to be made formally as part of the 2021-2022 Budget Hearing process.
Other: Adams inquired if there was anything that can be done to encourage the reopening of the Keno Lounge. It was noted that the Operating License and Liquor License have been approved, and the delay is primarily contractor unavailability or delay.
NEXT AGENDA:
7:00 PM ---PUBLIC HEARING / CDBG $315,000 OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM GRANT
Followed by:
SIGNATURE AUTHORIZATIONS FOR THE OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING REHAB GRANT APPLICATION.
MUNICIPAL ANNUAL CERTIFICATION OF PROGRAM COMPLIANCE 2021 - RESOLUTION 2021-1,
WITH PROGRAM COMPLIANCE SIGNATURE FORM
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING/ BLIGHT STUDY REVIEW/ORDINANCE# 466 ( as applies), ANY NEW INFORMATION
DEMOLITION PROJECT
CLEAN-UP
PLANNING AND ZONING
EQUIPMENT(PRIMARY FOCUS: BACKHOES)
Motion to adjourn: 7:55 P.M. -Neumann - No objections.
The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved August 17, 2021.
Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session)
City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)