City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

OPEN FORUM FOR CITY TREES Location: Blue Springs City Hall Date: April 16, 2024 Time: 6:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Meyer, Council Members Neumann, Riensche Others: Employee Pike, Presenters Dean Cole, Nebraska Forest Service Representatives Gregg Lemke and Graham Herbst, and Heather McKinney Notice of the 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 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 the advance notice to the Mayor and City Council of the meeting. AgendaTopics: Tree Inventory Analysis Report & Potential Application for Non- Match Grant Funds (ranging from $2,000 to $24,000) Areas covered: Ecosystem benefits, tree diversity (genus, age, canopy condition; community distribution, street trees, arboretum trees), And a summary of tree inventory recommendations. All topics were covered, with percentages and counts, and needs assessment as for tree removal of a number of potentially qualifying 16 City trees and 6 Park trees , replacement, trimming, stump removal. A copy of the Tree Inventory Analysis Report (attached to the office copy of the minutes ) is available for public viewing. Dean Cole has reviewed the situation with a local certified tree service (Nelson) and basic estimates were provided. It was related that, if grant funds are awarded (and the potential is good based on the fact that the City meets the qualifications of a deprived community), either One Property at a Time or the City could be designated to officiate grant activities. Grant application must be submitted by the 15th of May, preferably May 1st for optimal presentation of the grant application (Cole), and with the understanding that the qualifying party will initially pay the bills and be reimbursed by awarded grant funds. December 30th of 2025 has been designated as a completion date for activities. The meeting concluded at 7:05 p.m. The Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council of Blue Springs, Nebraska, was held starting at 7:10 p.m., April 16th, 2024, at the Blue Springs City Hall. Mayor Meyer called the meeting to order and roll call was taken. Present: Mayor Meyer, Council Members Newman, Reedy, and Riensche Absent: Council Member Sedlacek Others Present: Rex Adams, Dean Cole, Heather McKinney, Employee Pike, Nebraska Forest Service Representatives Gregg Lemke and Graham Herbst Notice of the 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 meeting/ hearing 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 an advance notice to the Mayor and City Council of the meeting/ hearing. Motion (Neumann), second (Riensche), 3-0 affirmative vote to approve the minutes of the April 2nd, 2024 Regular meeting. Motion (Riensche), second (Neumann, 3-0 affirmative vote to approve claims as follow: Bank Direct: NE Dept. of Revenue (#10) $102.97; Payroll - $2,838.90; Beatrice Sand & Gravel - $184.90; EMC Insurance - $3,595.35; Fairbury Journal-News - $29.15; HJP Pest Control (Annual mosquito spraying) - $2,419.20; Johnny's Welding-$56.06; Lauby Plumbing - $105.16; Municipal Supply - $124.62; Norris Public Power- $1,051.42; Milton Pike (postage reimbursement - water sample) - $30.95; Security First Bank-(Pike IRA) - $55.00; Visa - $581.81; Windstream- $96.50;City of Wymore (Tower and Individual) - $797.23; TOTAL CLAIMS - $12,069.22 AND: from the Keno Process Account to Papa B's Keno Lounge- $464 44. CITY TREES- DISCUSSION, DECISIONS, AS INDICATED BY THE OPEN FORUM MEETING (HELD PRIOR TO THE REGULAR MEETING: Following discussion, decision was made for Dean Cole to proceed with the Grant application through the Nebraska Forest Service with the City serving as the officiary. SCHOOL (JOHN EISENHOWER- PORTABLE STOP SIGN AT CROSSWALK: After suggestion was made by Mayor Meyer, members were in agreement to confer with Attorney Carothers prior to considering this option again at the next Regular meeting. PLANNING AND ZONING, APPLICATION FOR BUILDING PERMITS: After a 4-O recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission for passage of building permit application 24-4 for John D. Woodyard for a storage unit building, a motion was made by Riensche, second by Reedy, and followed by a 3-0 vote to approve building permit application 24-4. Applicant will be notified of approval and fee. DEMOLITION PROJECT: Information was received from Carothers by email, indicating that asbestos testings have been scheduled, with hope that the property that the City has recently acquired can be included in that project and timeline. Adams indicated that the excavator will be available within about 2 weeks and he hoped that demolitions could be conducted during the time the machine is available. CLEAN UP/ VEHICLES: Previous court scheduling for one individual has been continued to allow time for cleanup. The status hearing has been set for June 20th and the trial date a tentative July 25th. Three other individuals under current legal address have been set for May 21st. CRACK SEALING, ARMOR COATING: Reedy will follow up again with Tiemann Construction regarding location assessment and cost. Pike is working on the City tar kettle. NEW SIGNAGE, AS WELL AS PAINTING FEIT MEMORIAL PARK SIGN( LETTERS, SIDES ALSO?), PAINT TO BE DONATED BY CECILIA SEACHORD /PAINTING DONE BY DEREK KOSTAL: Neumann informed members that Seachord requested that Kostal purchase the paint he needs, and she will reimburse him. Reedy reported that arrangments are being made to make corrections to the sign to be placed at Feit Memorial Park. ORDINANCE # 475- CAMPER PERMANENT OCCUPANCY, APPROVAL, OR THREE READINGS: Motion (Riensche), second Neumann, 3-0 affirmative vote to suspend the rule of three readings. Motion (Neumann), second (Riensche) followed by reading, per: AN ORDINANCE TO ADD PROVISIONS PROHIBITING ANY PERSON FROM USING A CAMPER AS A DWELLING ON PROPERTY ZONED FOR RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO PROHIBIT CONSUMERS OF THE MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM TO SUPPLY WATER TO INDIVIDUALS RESIDING ILLEGALLY IN A CAMPER ON PROPERTY ZONED FOR RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS; TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION FOR MAJOR REPAIRS OR NEW CONSTRUCTION WITH PRIOR APPROVAL BY GOVERNING BODY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE REPEAL OF CONFLICTING, ORDINANCES AND SECTIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE , And followed by a 3-0 affirmative vote to approve passage ORDINANCE #476 - CAMPING REGULATIONS: Motion (Riensche), second (Neumann), 3-0 affirmative vote to suspend the rule of three ratings. Motion (Reedy), second (Riensche) followed by reading, per: AN ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO CAMPING IN MUNICIPAL PARKS; TO AMEND PROVISIONS FOR A DAILY CAMPING FEE OF $10 FOR CAMPING AT FEIT MEMORIAL PARK; TO MAKE THE CAMPING FEE APPLICABLE TO CAMPERS THAT USE THE ELECTRICAL HOOKUP; TO PROVIDE FOR THE REPEAL OF CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND SECTIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, and followed by 3-0 affirmative to approve. PAPA B's (BORGMAN) - TEMPORARY MODIFICATIONS INVOLVING ALLEY: After brief discussion, determination was made to address the nature and scope of the situation with Carothers, and to address situation at the next Regular meeting. LIFT STATION PUMP: REPAIR/REPLACE: The quotation for replacement, in the amount of $20,723.50 was discussed by members, but a repair quote was not yet available. The situation will be reviewed and discuss further at the next regular meeting. NEXT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES APPROVAL OF CLAIMS PLANNING AND ZONING: BUILDING PERMITS ETC. DEMOLITION PROJECT CLEAN UP /VEHICLES CRACK SEALING /ARMOR COATING PAPA B's (BORGMAN) - TEMPORARY MODIFICATIONS INVOLVING ALLEY SCHOOL - PORTABLE/ TEMPORARY STOP SIGN AT CROSSWALK, ETC. LIFT STATION PUMP: REPAIR/REPLACE OTHER: Topics of general discussion but without action taken were TIF taxes, Champlin option for old tires, and flag (Nebraska). There being no further business, a motion was made by Neumann at 7: 50 pm to adjourn. The minutes of the Regular meeting and for the Open Forum for City trees were read and approved May 7th, 2024. ____________________ Mayor: Lonnie D. Meyer ____________________ City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche