City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

July 19, 2022 The Regular meeting of Mayor and Council of Blue Springs, Nebraska was held on the 19th day of July 2022, at 7PM at the Blue Springs City Hall. PRESENT: Mayor Meyer; Council members Neumann, Reedy, Riensche, Sedlacek ABSENT; OTHERS PRESENT: Employee Pike, Attorney Carothers, Tom Creek Notice of the Regular 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. Mayor Meyer called the Regular meeting to order at 7 PM. Motion (Neumann), second (Riensche), and vote (4-0 affirmative) to approve as sent minutes for the July 5, 2022 Regular meeting. Motion (Neumann), second (Reedy), and vote (4-0 affirmative) to approve claims as follow: Direct Payment - NE Dept. of Revenue (10) - $105.83; Payroll: $2,442.12; Abbott Portable Toilets - $50.00; Beatrice Daily Sun - $63.79; Black Hills Energy - $40.35; Lauby Plumbing/Heating/Air - $77.88; Mosaic - (Cabin Signs/Grant) - $56.25; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; Norris Public Power - $1,263.56; Milton Pike (Postage Reimb - Water Sample) - $27.40; Security First Bank - (Pike/IRA) - $55.00; Visa - $469.56; Windstream - $84.12; TOTAL CLAIMS: $4,750.86. PLANNING & ZONING: No new applications for building permits. REVISED COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TIF/ BLIGHT STUDY: Revised study anticipated to be completed for August 2nd Regular meeting. DEMOLITION PROJECT/THOMAS FOUNDATION GRANT: Motion (Reedy) second (Neumann) and 4-0 affirmative vote to set the request for the grant application (City application for grant to be for $35,000, with City contribution $15,000 (from Keno funds) for several structures. CLEAN-UP: One property owner has not satisfactorily complied with requests made in courtesy and certified letters. Mayor Meyer agreed to contact the property owner to discuss the clean up project. Another property owner will be requested to contact the city about clean-up plans. US CENSUS BOUNDARY & ANNEXATION SURVEY/ ANDY CAROTHERS: Carothers is finalizing the map to be potentially available for approval at the next Regular meeting. INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS/ SCOPE/LOAN OPPORTUNITIES, AND STATE REVOLVING FUND: Steve McNulty was available by telephone. He provided basic funding opportunities of the 5-year State Revolving Fund - DEE - for drinking water/clean water. Blue Springs is eligible for participation in the 5-year program, and is “not behind, nor should feel rushed because there is still time.” Repayment timeline -- 40 years. Assistance carries a 55% forgiveness, presently 1% interest - not to rise above 2%/. A water study would need to be conducted (SRF - circuit rider Midwest Assistance or Rural Water could do the study, probably no more than a 4 pg document) for program determinations. Other factors: Participation could be below $100,000 (as per 20 communities), below $50,000 (as per 1 community), or other, but it should be noted that the red tape is the same, and contractor participation is enhanced and could result in lower cost for larger projects. Priority improvements should be selected, design and engineer contracts completed. Since water meters lose optimum performance within 15-20 years, replacement of meters should be a consideration - with recommendation that every community change out 1/20 of their meters annually. Replacing deteriorating/aging (as: cast iron - timeline: WWII) pipe, and master meters and manholes are eligible for inclusion in the program. Drinking water projects and clean water projects are to be addressed separately. Discussion was followed by a motion (Reedy), second (Neumann), and 4-0 affirmative vote to make arrangement for a water study. (Perhaps 2-3 years later approval will be sought for a Sewer Study.) LOCATION OF CITY BURN PILE, REVIEW OF POTENTIAL SITES: Results of Sedlacek’s contact with DEE - City burn pile could be put back north of where it was previously, but posted “No Commercial,” and must have separate access and be maintained/monitored by City Employee. Pike indicated the location could be problematic, and for the present time it might be better to leave it where it currently is. Review will continue. REVIEW OF SYRACUSE ORDINANCE: Further review necessary before a decision can be reached. SUPPLIES FOR WATER LINES, AND PLAN PARTICULARS: Pike indicated that contact has been made with Steve Kelly, who indicated he could “come down to do pressure testing.” Pike anticipated material cost to be in the area of $30,000, and advised that one location needs to be dug up and verified. Discussion resulted in consideration for inclusion of this project within larger project further delineated in the INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS… topic (See above). SIGNAGE FOR FEIT MEMORIAL PARK: Motion (Sedlacek), second (Reedy), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve arrangements for the sign: (Cost of sign 24”X 18” with particulars for camping) - $25.00 and also to authorize the choice and purchase of Drop Box (selection between several options, all less than $100.00) by Employee Pike. SENDD PROGRAMS (WAIVE DOWN PAYMENT/WORKFORCE HOUSE): No new information. STREET CLOSING FOR CAR SHOW, AND OTHER CONCERNS - BLUE SPRINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT: Request from Tom Creek for Broad Street to be closed August 13 from approx. 8AM - 5 PM for Car Show, and request for $950 donation ($500 - mechanical bull/ $450 inflatable). Motion (Riensche), second (Sedlacek), and 4-0 affirmative vote to close the street and to donate $950 for the Car Show. Creek told about pumper/tanker purchase for rural fire fighting and back-up, and need/planned purchase of new gear, but due to current unavailability of actual needs assessment and actual pricing, made no request for funding (MFO) at this time. NEXT AGENDA: PLANNING & ZONING REVISED COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT/TIF/ BLIGHT STUDY DEMOLITION PROJECT/THOMAS FOUNDATION GRANT CLEAN-UP US CENSUS BOUNDARY & ANNEXATION SURVEY/ ANDY CAROTHERS INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS/ SCOPE/LOAN OPPORTUNITIES, AND STATE REVOLVING FUND/WATER STUDY LOCATION OF CITY BURN PILE REVIEW OF SYRACUSE ORDINANCE POTENTIAL LAND TRACT EXCHANGE BETWEEN CITY AND CARMICHAEL TRACTOR SHOW DONATION (NEUMANN) DISCUSSION REGARDING SETTING THE LEVY FOR THE 2022-2023 BUDGET There being no further business, a motion was made by Riensche at 8:25 PM to adjourn. The minutes of the Public Hearing/Regular meeting were read and approved August 2, 2022. Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Hearing/Regular Session) City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Hearing/Regular Session)