City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

October 19, 2021 The Regular meeting of Mayor and Council of Blue Springs, Nebraska was held the nineteenth day of October, 2021, at 7PM. at the Blue Springs City Hall. PRESENT: Mayor Meyer; Council members Neumann, Reedy, Sedlacek ABSENT; Council member Seeman OTHERS PRESENT: Employee Mike Pike, Attorney Andy Carothers, Rex Adams, Tim Hanson, Shirley Martin Notice of the meeting/hearing was also 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. Mayor Meyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Motion (Neumann), second (Sedlacek) and vote (3-0 affirmative) to approve as sent minutes for the Oct. 5, 2021 Regular meeting. After review -- motion (Neumann) , second (Reedy), and vote (3-0 affirmative) : to approve claims Bank Direct - NE Dept. of Revenue (10) - $219.68; Payroll - $2,395.78; Beatrice Area Solid Waste (Demolition Project) - $256.95; Beatrice Concrete - $190.62; Black Hills Energy - $35.97; Circle D Mfg. (Demolition Project) - $560.00; Johnny’s Welding - $809.16; Lauby Plumbing - $13.68; Metal Culverts - $2,216.76; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $47.00; NE UC Fund - $14.41; Postmaster - $206.00; Roehr’s Machinery - $33.00; Security First Bank (IRA/Pike) - $55.00; Visa - $616.61; Windstream - $84.45; Wymore Arbor State - $369.80; Wymore Public Library (Donation) - $750.00; TOTAL CLAIMS$ $8,874.87. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING/ BLIGHT STUDY REVIEW/ORDINANCE# 466 - First Reading), ANY NEW INFORMATION: Nothing yet from Chris Witulski. DEMOLITION PROJECT: Project underway. Local farmers/individuals/County, etc. will be contacted to see if they want foundation materials from demolished properties. CLEAN-UP: Tim Hanson submitted statement information Calculations will be completed and payment to Hanson included in claims at the next Regular meeting. Hanson also provided a list of “Fall Property Issues” - fifteen properties, and was requested to identify and photograph five of the most pervasive for the City to send letters. A copy of that list is attached to the office copy of the minutes. Hanson stated that “municipal reputation” has been improving over the last few years, and he suggested the possibility of “Yard of the Week” recognition as positive reinforcement. Adams noted that there are various individuals who purchased property or are interested in purchasing/building in the municipality, with all hopeful that plans will be implemented in the near future. Two properties were removed from the clean up list, one for resolution of formally addressed issues (but with contact to be made about restricted tarping of vehicles), and another who has made minimal improvements, and in fact worsened the condition of the property (wood added) and so has a court date of October 26th. PLANNING AND ZONING: Fence application for Borgman/Wallman was approved by the P & Z Commission. Motion (Sedlacek), second (Neumann), 3-0 affirmative vote of Council to approve the fence permit. Applicant will be notified of approval and fee. CHICKENS WITHIN CITY LIMITS: ORDINANCE # 468: Public Hearing of Planning/Zoning and Mayor/Council will be scheduled for Nov. 16, 2021, with notice in the local newspaper to be completed by Carothers CAMPING REGULATIONS (ORDINANCE # 469) : SIGNAGE/DROP BOX: Motion to suspend the rule of three readings of Ordinance # 469 (Neumann), second (Sedlacek), followed by a 3-0 affirmative vote. Motion to approve Ordinance 469 (Neumann), second Sedlacek, followed by the reading of the ordinance by Carothers, and then a 3-0 affirmative vote to approve/pass Ordinance # 469. BLUE SPRINGS CEMETERY: It was noted that the City needed to establish rate for “opening graves” based on determination of costs - including wages, machines in use, repairs/insurance, etc, thus last meeting’s motion, second, vote, to establish a rate of $450 per opening. Martin noted that the current cemetery cost to families is $350 to a weekend charge of $395. The City previously charged $65 per opening. Subsidized service by the City could be construed as misuse of taxpayer money. At the previous meeting members voted to approve raising the rate to $450 per grave opening, but members are open to further discussion supported by documentation and further research into the costs at other comparable communities. The topic will be revisited at the next Regular meeting, whereat the new rate may be re-determined, and the cemetery board can decide to accept the rate or may pursue the service elsewhere. NEXT AGENDA COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING/ BLIGHT STUDY REVIEW/ORDINANCE# 466 - First Reading), ANY NEW INFORMATION DEMOLITION PROJECT CLEAN-UP PLANNING AND ZONING CHICKENS WITHIN CITY LIMITS: ORDINANCE # 468: (November 16 Public Hearing) BLUE SPRINGS CEMETERY/GRAVE OPENING UPDATED RATE There being no further business, a motion was made by Neumann at 8:05 PM to adjourn. The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved November 2, 2021. Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session) Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)