City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

February 15, 2022 The Regular meeting of Mayor and Council of Blue Springs, Nebraska was held on the fifteenth day of February, 2022, at 7PM at the Blue Springs City Hall. PRESENT: Mayor Meyer; Council members Neumann, Reedy, Sedlacek, Seeman ABSENT; OTHERS PRESENT: Attorney Andy Carothers, Employee Pike, Curt Hagerman, Fred Laber, Rex Adams, Carol Hughes, Connie Mewes, Valerie Hazen, Shirley Martin Notice of the Regular 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 Regular Meeting called to order at 7 PM Motion (Neumann), second (Reedy), and vote (4-0 affirmative) to approve as sent minutes for the February 1, 2022 Regular meeting. After review -- motion (Neumann) , second (Seeman), and vote (4-0 affirmative) : to approve claims: Bank Direct - NE Dept of Rev. (10) - $135.91; Payroll - $2,413.48; Beatrice Auto Sales (2012 Chevy Silverado PU - purchase authorized within topic below: $18,500.00; Black Hills Energy - $88.44; Blobaum & Busboom - (Audit) - $3,620.00; Constellation Energy - $269.12; GB Auto Service, Inc - $135.00; Norris Public Power - $1,220.39; O’Reilly Automotive - $40.66; Milton Pike L(Postage Reimb. - Water Sample) - $27.40; Security First Bank - (IRA/Pike) - $55.00; Visa - $292.82; Willet & Carothers - $971.00; Doreen Williams (Meter Deposit Ref.) - $46.60; Windstream - $85.71; Wymore Arbor State - $498.15; TOTAL CLAIMS: $28,399.68. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING/ BLIGHT STUDY REVIEW/ORDINANCE# 466 - First Reading), TIF CONSIDERATIONS, ANY NEW INFORMATION: Pending survey results (Witulski) which will be followed by Annexation Ordinance #466 - 3 readings, (not suspended), update Hanna Keelan study, then can move forward. DEMOLITION PROJECT: The structure on one property may now be demolished City Employee Pike is to take it down with the backhoe (as his time permits). Pike and Sedlacek will make the necessary update contact with Black Hills to verify abandonment of gas line. CLEAN-UP: Carothers has filed a new complaint on one property. Pike identified two properties that has litter/garbage blowing around the neighborhood, and courtesy letters will be sent. Carothers will move forward on court proceedings for one property, and he will make arrangements for building inspection of three properties. Rex Adams provided an information packet for members wherein a new “clean-up” approach is identified (as has been implemented in another community (Syracuse). PLANNING AND ZONING: Clarification was requested on aspects of Curt Hagerman’s Building Permit Application #22-1 for a single family dwelling. Three members of the Planning and Zoning committee (Bob Allen, Fred Laber, Becky Reedy) did not identify any factors prohibitive to approval. After discussion, a motion was made by Sedlacek, seconded by Reedy, which was followed by a 4-0 affirmative vote to approve application #22-1. Applicant will be formally notified of approval and fee. CITY PICKUP - PURCHASE OPTIONS: Purchase of 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 White PU (recommended by Employee Pike) , mileage 96,981 from Beatrice Auto Sales for price of $16,000 was discussed, as were warranty options. A motion (Reedy), second (Seeman), and 4-0 affirmative vote approved the purchase, bringing the purchase price (with warranty - Level Three - $2,500 for three years - 100,000 miles, $100.00 deductible per occurrence) to $18,500 (included in claims). Insurance company will be notified to add coverage under the City policy. Determination was made that Ullmans (Wymore) would be the place to take it for repairs. Suggestion was made (Sedlacek) that the old City truck could be offered for sale on Purple Wave. HIGHER SECURITY DEPOSITS and WATER-SEWER RATE INCREASES: Members were in agreement for Attorney Carothers to prepare an ordinance (#471) to raise the Security Deposit of new customers from $100 to $175.00, and to increase water rates from the Basic Monthly charge (Jan, Feb, Apr., May, July, Aug, Oct, Nov) from $16.50 to $21.00, and the per thousand gallon rate of $1.50 to $1.85 on the actual-read months of Mar., June, Sept., Dec.) plus the new Basic Rate of $21.00. Sewer rates will not be increased at this time. TEMPS DISPOSAL- CONTRACT RENEWAL/CONSIDERATIONS: Carothers continues to work on the new contract, and will contact Shelby Temps to get information relative to completion. US CENSUS BOUNDARY & ANNEXATION SURVEY/ ANDY CAROTHERS: Carothers continues to work independently on the project. LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR COUNTY SUPERVISOR DON SCHULLER: WIND ENERGY/TOWERS, (FOR SOUTHERN GAGE COUNTY (NOT TO DEFINITIVELY PURSUE WIND TOWER ENERGY), BUT TO REQUEST ZONING CHANGE SO AS TO PUT SOUTHERN GAGE COUNTY IN POSITION TO PURSUE WIND TOWER ENERGY SHOULD IT BECOME A VIABLE OPTION: Following discussion of the pros and cons of wind tower energy, a motion was made for the preparation of a “letter of support” (Neumann), seconded (Reedy), and followed by a vote of Seeman - No, Sedlacek - No, Neumann - Yes, Reedy - Yes,. Mayor Meyer did not vote, and the motion failed. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION FOR BLUE SPRINGS AS A SECOND-CLASS CITY TO PURSUE “AT LARGE” STATUS RATHER THAN VOTING WARDS: ADAMS/CAROTHERS: Adams spoke in support of changing from “voting by ward to at-large voting, as many communities have done, due to the difficulty of finding people interested in public service positions.” Members were in agreement for Attorney Carothers to set the process in motion for public consideration at the General Election in November. WATER LINE EXTENSION/REVIEW OF BIDS, CONTRACTOR VS. IN-HOUSE EXECUTION PLANS: Council member Sedlacek agreed to contact Van Kirk Bros (lowest bidder - $144,937.00) to ascertain if the City would be allowed to reduce project cost by using certain materials from City inventory, and if the bid expiration date could be extended while the City evaluates certain aspects of the pricing. The City did receive ARPA funds in the amount of $28,229.55, and contacts will be made (by Clerk) to determine when a second payment will be received, and for clarification of deadlines for use and reporting of funds received . NEXT AGENDA PUBLIC HEARING FOR POULTRY ORDINANCE # 468 - 7 pm COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TAX INCREMENT FINANCING/ BLIGHT STUDY REVIEW/ORDINANCE# 466 - First Reading), ANY NEW INFORMATION DEMOLITION PROJECT CLEAN-UP PLANNING AND ZONING HIGHER SECURITY DEPOSITS and WATER-SEWER RATE INCREASES/ ORDINANCE #471 TEMPS DISPOSAL- CONTRACT RENEWAL/CONSIDERATIONS US CENSUS BOUNDARY & ANNEXATION SURVEY/ ANDY CAROTHERS REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION FOR BLUE SPRINGS AS A SECOND-CLASS CITY TO PURSUE “AT LARGE” STATUS RATHER THAN VOTING WARDS WATER LINE EXTENSION/REVIEW OF BIDS, CONTRACTOR VS. IN-HOUSE EXECUTION PLANS ANNUAL AUDIT APPROVAL There being no further business, a motion was made by Reedy at 8:20 PM to adjourn. The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved March 1, 2022. Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Regular Session) City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Regular Session)