Tuesday, February 20, 2024

February 20, 2024 The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council of Blue Springs, Nebraska, was held starting at 7 PM, February 20, 2024, at the Blue Springs City Hall. Mayor Meyer called the meeting to order, and roll call was taken. PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Neumann, Reedy, Riensche, Sedlacek ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Employee Mike Pike, Attorney Andy Carothers, Connie Mewes, Jodi Adams, Rex Adams, Deb Dorn, Deb Malchow, Mary Ells, Robert Harrison Notice of the Hearing/meeting 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. Motion (Riensche), second (Neumann), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2024 Regular meeting. Motion (Neumann), second (Riensche), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve claims as follow: Bank Direct - Nebraska Dept. of Rev (10) - $103.24; Payroll - $2,929.65; Black Hills Energy - $90.79; EMC Insurance - $321.00; Fairbury Journal-News - $39.19; Lauby Plumbing/Heating/Air- $42.11; League of Ne Municipalities - Utilities (Pike Workshop) - $65.00; NE Dept of Revenue (50G) - $100.00; Norris Public Power - $1,239.08; Milton Pike - (Postage Reimb./Water Sample) - $30.95; Postmaster - $242.00: Roehr’s Machinery - $138.65; Security First Bank (Pike/IRA) - $55.00; Visa - $1,411.66; Windstream - $96.65; TOTAL CLAIMS: $ 6,904.97. PLANNING & ZONING - APPLICATION FOR BUILDING PERMITS (as submitted): After recommendation for passage by the Planning & Zoning Commission, two applications for building permits (24-1 - Deb Malchow, and 24-2 Robert Harrison) were reviewed by Mayor and Council, after which a motion (Reedy), second (Sedlacek), and a 4-0 affirmative vote approved 24-2 Harrison, and a motion (Neumann), second (Riensche) and a 4-0 affirmative vote approved 24-1 Malchow. Mewes cited incidents wherein people have completed building projects without applying for permits, and also suggested that the meeting agenda for the Mayor and Council be posted on the website to encourage community attendance at the meetings. DEMOLITION PROJECT: Asbestos testing for several houses determined. ARRANGEMENTS FOR CITY ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY - 300 W 2nd St, Lot 38, Jacob Casebeers Addition #006872000, Final/closing or ASBESTOS TESTING AND DEMOLITION PLAN: This matter has been completed/purchase closed. Contact to be made with Midwest Process servers for notice to terminate tenancy (d/l April 1). CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES: Complaints filed in district court for three individuals Inoperable vehicles (6) added to the list. CRACK-SEALING SUB-CONTRACTING: Sedlacek to make contact for on-site evaluation of needs. Evaluation of armor coating needs also possible. CHANGE NAME OF BROAD STREET TO CHAMBERLIN /OR/ CITY PARK: No new information. PARKS, ETC, (DEAN COLE): Cole spoke about the tree survey of Blue Springs, the Cemetery, and the Parks. He indicated that Graham Herst would be willing to come down to assist with a City plan related to “Greening America” - for planting trees, and the creation of a 5 to 10 year plan for moving forward with various aspects of the tree program, perhaps with Shafer, Pinkerton, Kindler utilized for additional program support. Cole also shared information about the creation of a focus group which ideally would include the Mayor, one Council member, and key members of the community. Cole volunteered to help with grant applications, as to help arrange for a licensed arborist to address the needs of older trees (on city property only). A motion (Reedy), second (Neumann) and a 4-0 affirmative vote approved inviting Graham Herst and initiating a focus group. No cost is associated with that endeavor. Also, Peterson (associated with Gage County Foundation) could be instrumental for city efforts of fund raising, also federal funds might become available.. And perhaps our small community might serve as a model. NEXT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES APPROVAL OF CLAIMS PLANNING & ZONING - APPLICATION FOR BUILDING PERMITS (as submitted) DEMOLITION PROJECT CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES CRACK-SEALING/ARMOR COATING CHANGE NAME OF BROAD STREET TO CHAMBERLIN /OR/ CITY PARK APPROVAL OF ANNUAL AUDIT STRATEGY/PLAN FOR STREET SIGN REPLACEMENT/REPAIR There being no further business, a motion was made by Neumann at 7:40 PM to adjourn. The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved March 5, 2024. Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Hearing/Regular Session) City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Hearing/Regular Session)

Thursday, February 8, 2024

February 6, 2024 The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council of Blue Springs, Nebraska, was held starting at 7 PM, February 6, 2024, at the Blue Springs City Hall. Mayor Meyer called the meeting to order, and roll call was taken. PRESENT: Mayor Meyer, Council members Neumann, Reedy, Riensche, Sedlacek ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Employee Mike Pike, Rex Adams, Verlyn Dodge Notice of the Hearing/meeting 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. Motion (Riensche), second (Neumann), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve the minutes of the January 16, 2024 Regular meeting. Motion (Neumann), second (Riensche), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve claims as follow: Bank Direct - Internal Revenue (941) - $2,338.38; Payroll - $6,015.76; Black Hills Energy - $77.83; Fairbury Journal-News - $45.02; Johnny’s Welding - $121.00; NE Dept. of Revenue (501N) - $312.00; NE Dept. of Revenue (51C) - $322.00; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $30.00; Milton Pike (Tel. Comp.) - $25.00; Security First Bank (IRA/Pike) - $55.00; Temps Disposal Service (Mandatory) - $2,495.61; City of Wymore (Tower/Hydrants) - $1202.47 and $2,267.39; ; Milford Woutzke (Tel. Comp.) - $25.00; Wymore Oil Company - $131.00; Wymore Super Foods - $6.94; TOTAL CLAIMS: $ 15, 470.40. PLANNING & ZONING - APPLICATION FOR BUILDING PERMITS (as submitted) : No new applications. DEMOLITION PROJECT: No new information. ARRANGEMENTS FOR CITY ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY - 300 W 2nd St, Lot 38, Jacob Casebeers Addition #006872000, Final/closing or ASBESTOS TESTING AND DEMOLITION PLAN: All necessary signatures (Small Estate Affidavit) are in place for City to close on property (after new payoff amounts on judgments are noted) -- on Monday (2/12) or Tuesday 2/13). CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES: No new information. CRACK-SEALING SUB-CONTRACTING: No new information. ½% CITY SALES TAX/RESOLUTION 2024-01: Mayor Meyer spoke against “further burden to taxpayers.” Sedlacek spoke of anticipated “increased future cost of running the City.” Reedy noted “less funds from Keno.” After discussion, motion (Reedy), second (Riensche), reading of the resolution, and a 4-0 affirmative vote determined that Resolution 2024-1 for 1% sales tax be put before the qualified electors at the next primary election. VOTING BY WARDS VS. AT-LARGE/RESOLUTION 2024-2: After discussion, motion (Reedy), second (Neumann), reading of the resolution, and a 4-0 affirmative vote determined that Resolution 2024-2 be put before the qualified electors at the General election on November 5, 2024. KENO OPERATOR AGREEMENT RENEWAL (EXPIRES 2/16/24): Members discussed renewal of the Lottery Operator Agreement with term lengthened to the standard five years. Motion (Sedlacek), second (Reedy), and a vote of: Sedlacek -Yes, Reedy - Yes, Riensche - No, and Neumann - Yes, approved renewal of agreement for the extended term. CHANGE NAME OF BROAD STREET (Reedy): Discussion included areas where notification/changes would need to be made to change Broad Street to Chamberlin Avenue: Police, Fire Department, 911, Utilities, Post Office, Court House, questionnaire to Broad Street addressees. Adams suggested contact be made with County/State to determine authority for change. Neumann suggested that the City Park might be a better option for name change. Meyer said he is “not on board” to make a street name change. Benefit and determination of cost were discussed. Reedy will further research the situation. OTHER: a new (blue) softball sign was discussed (OPAT donating funds, and a Tourism grant mentioned as a possibility, and relocation of the existing sign. NEXT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES APPROVAL OF CLAIMS PLANNING & ZONING - APPLICATION FOR BUILDING PERMITS (as submitted) DEMOLITION PROJECT ARRANGEMENTS FOR CITY ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY - 300 W 2nd St, Lot 38, Jacob Casebeers Addition #006872000, Final/closing or ASBESTOS TESTING AND DEMOLITION PLAN CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES CRACK-SEALING SUB-CONTRACTING CHANGE NAME OF BROAD STREET TO CHAMBERLIN /OR/ CITY PARK There being no further business, a motion was made by Riensche at 7:22 PM to adjourn. The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved February 20, 2024. Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer (Hearing/Regular Session) City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Hearing/Regular Session)