City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

December 7, 2021 The Regular meeting of Mayor and Council of Blue Springs, Nebraska was held on the 7th day of December, 2021, at 7PM. at the Blue Springs City Hall. PRESENT: Mayor Meyer; Council members Neumann, Reedy, Sedlacek, Seeman ABSENT; OTHERS PRESENT: City Attorney Carothers, Employee Mike Pike, Curt Hagerman, Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Cullison, Tim Hanson 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. Regular Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM. Motion (Neumann), second (Reedy) and vote (4-0 affirmative) to approve as sent minutes for the Nov 16, 2021 Regular meeting. After review -- motion (Neumann) , second (Seeman), and vote (4-0 affirmative) : to approve claims: Bank Direct -- Internal Revenue Service (941) - $1,687.58; Automatic - Security First Bank (Safety Deposit Box) - $35.00; Payroll - $7,633.55; Clausen & Sons Dirt Work (Demolition Project) - $1,240.00; Constellation Energy - $19.95; gWorks - (Basic Plan - Redistricting) - $1,000.00; Hard Rock Quarries - $122.67 (Demo Project); Morris Used Cars - $1,087.01; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; NE Dept. of Revenue (501N) - $221.21; Norris Public Power - $1,037.98; One-Call Concepts - $3.45; Milton Pike (Tel. Comp.) - $25.00; Milton Pike (Postage Reimb. - Water Sample) - $27.00; Security First Bank (Pike/IRA) - $55.00; Temps Disposal Service (Mandatory) - $2,580.20; The Flower Shop - $45.00; Willet & Carothers - $463.00; Jay Woodyard (Dirt Hauling-Demolition Project) - $300.00; Milford Woutzke (Tel. Comp.) - $5.00; Wymore Arbor State - $180.23; Wymore Oil Co. - 239.95; Wymore Super Foods - $5.00 and $200.00 - (Employee Christmas Gift Certs.) ; TOTAL CLAIMS: $18,228,78. RESOLUTION 2021-4 - HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN APPROVAL: Motion (Neumann), second (Reedy), followed by reading of resolution (Carothers) and 4-0 affirmative vote for approval. RESOLUTION 2021-5 and YEAR END CERTIFICATION OF CITY STREET SUPERINTENDENT - KEITH L. GILMORE - S-697A/E-5721 (Jan.- Dec. - entire year 2021 - (previous authorization 12/1/20 with Resolution #2020-2): Motion (Neumann), second (Seeman), followed by reading of resolution (Carothers) and 4-0 affirmative vote to approve. ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS: COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP: Motion (Neumann), second (Sedlacek ), 4-0 affirmative vote for: (Water System - Reedy/Neumann) (Sewer Lagoon - Sedlacek/Seeman) - (Streets and Alleys - Sedlacek/Neumann) - (City Parks and Properties - Reedy/Seeman) - (Finance- Sedlacek/Neumann) -(Keno - Reedy/Seeman) Motion (/Seeman), second (Neumann), 4-0 affirmative vote for the following: PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL(Reedy) SECONDARY COUNCIL PRESIDENT (Neumann) TEMPORARY CLERK (Carothers) CITY ATTORNEY (Carothers) DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY (Willet) CITY AUDITOR: (Brian Blobaum) CITY PHYSICIAN: (No designee) EMPLOYEE CONSIDERATIONS (with benefits as listed) (Motion (Neumann), second (Seeman ), 4-0 affirmative vote for 3.5% payroll increase across the board and continuance of previously designated benefits. (Last year’s determinations: Milton Pike - Rate -$23.22 hourly wage. Continuance of current policy regarding insurance. Bi-monthly Retirement ($55.00) City Contribution Vacation: 4 wk. paid vacation Comp time or OT Paid Holidays: (10) - New Years, Martin Luther King Jr., Presidents, Memorial, Independence, Labor, Columbus, Veterans, Thanksgiving, Christmas CITY CLERK: Katherine Roche - $975.97 - monthly salary). Office Hours 8:30AM - Noon - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Holidays: Office may be closed: (10) - New Years, Martin Luther King Jr., Presidents, Memorial, Independence, Labor, Columbus, Veterans, Thanksgiving, Christmas Milford Woutzke - Rate - $13.74 hourly wage, with approval for overtime pay for days when over 8 hours are worked. Paid Holidays: : (10) New Years, Martin Luther King Jr., Presidents, Memorial, Independence, Labor, Columbus, Veterans, Thanksgiving, Christmas Linda Hohensee, $ 11.28 Hourly) Other: To be established as needed. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING/ BLIGHT STUDY REVIEW/ORDINANCE# 466 - First Reading), ANY NEW INFORMATION: No new information. Reedy to attempt contact with Chris Witulski again. DEMOLITION PROJECT: New information: Per Carothers, two properties are lined up for inspection, and two properties in the present demo project remain, with one with asbestos removed. The plan for the other is to “be sprayed when taking it down. ” “Asbestos not removed at the time demo equipment was available” prevented completion of the project (response to Reedy inquiry). Per Carothers, “looks like five houses will be in the next round.” It was noted that the concrete debris at one location has been removed, and material still needs to be removed from another, and some dirt work is needed at certain sites. CLEAN-UP: Improvement was noted at one clean-up location. Review will continue. Another property was designated to receive a clean up letter, and Hanson was asked to take pictures of that property for Carothers in the event further action is indicated. On person has a court date (14th) for removal of vehicles - six remaining. No movement was noted at another property and efforts will continue to try to get results. PLANNING AND ZONING: No new applications. BUILDING INSPECTOR/ ADOPTION OF BUILDING CODE: Described (Carothers ) “as a good thing, but people to do the inspections are needed.” Pros and cons were discussed before removing the topic from current consideration and the agenda at this time. GWORKS PROPOSAL/REDISTRICTING: Motion (Neumann), second (Seeman), and a 4-0 affirmative vote approved the Basic Plan ($1,000) of study, designation and mapping of Blue Springs Wards, this to be in compliance with State mandate. REVIEW OF WATER CHARGES: Water revenues were a subject of interest at the recent annual audit, and resultantly, Nebraska Rural Water will be contacted and requested (by Sedlacek) to have representation (Hellbusch) at the December 21st Regular meeting -- regarding a water study. Carothers stated that it is a good idea to have this done every 2-3 years. REPAIR/REPLACE PICKUP (Sedlacek): Problems with the current City truck (transmission slipping, using oil, front end off, etc.) have increased awareness that it is time to consider purchasing a replacement. Various avenues, as local car lot inquiry, looking into Federal surplus, etc. and prices were considered to locate a suitable replacement. Employee Pike will begin researching the options. Carothers indicated that any purchase should be supported proportionately by funds from the water, sewer, and street funds. Other: Hanson indicated his attendance was as a Law Enforcement member to ask members for concerns. Vehicles exceeding the speed limit in the mornings was discussed, as were vehicles driving through the City Park draw, and also illegal camping, shooting. Hanson urged that all unusual situations indicative of harmful possibilities be reported. Lights (out) at the City Park were discussed, with Meyer stating that Norris has been troubleshooting the problem, and wanted to verify that the lights are still wanted at the location, and to advise the City that Norris will continue with the restoration effort, (possibly at no or little cost to the City). NEXT AGENDA WATER LINE EXTENSION PROJECT: Motion to approve plans Motion to let bids (with: Opening bids 10 AM Monday - January 17th COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING/ BLIGHT STUDY REVIEW/ORDINANCE# 466 - First Reading), ANY NEW INFORMATION DEMOLITION PROJECT CLEAN-UP PLANNING AND ZONING WATER STUDY/NEBRASKA RURAL WATER (HELLBUSCH) CITY PICKUP - PURCHASE OPTIONS There being no further business, a motion was made by Neumann at 8:02 PM to adjourn. The minutes of the Public Hearing/Regular meeting were read and approved December 21, 2021. Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session) City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)