City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

May 20, 2025 Regular Session: 7:00 PM - Blue Springs City Hall --Mayor Sedlacek called the meeting to order, and roll call was taken. PRESENT: Mayor Sedlacek, Council members Neumann, Rainey, Reedy. Riensche ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Attorney Andy Carothers, Employee Pike, Mary Ells, Dean Cole, Carlee Fiddes, Delferd Schlake, Carolyn Schlake Notice of the Regular 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 May 6, 2025 Regular meeting of Mayor and Council. Motion (Neumann), second (Riensche), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve claims as follow: Direct Bank Payment - NE Dept of Revenue (10) - $125.05; Payroll - $2,577.80; Black Hills Energy - $60.21; Constellation Energy - $128.64; Fairbury Journal-News - $63.80; LARM - $1,163.72; Lauby Plumbing/Heating/Air - $11.99; Municipal Supply - $223.07; Nationwide - $100.00; NE Public Health Environmental Lab - $15.00; Milton Pike - (Postage Reimb - Water Sample) - $31.95; Postmaster (Cert Letters) - $14.55; Katherine Roche (Reimb.) (Cert Letters - Return receipt) - 12.30; Security First Bank - (Pike/IRA) - $55.00; Norris Public Power - $1,014.14; O’Reilly Auto Parts - $25.41; Roehr’s Machinery - $22.24; Visa - $409.72; Windstream - $110.39; Win water - $95.03; TOTAL CLAIMS: $ 6,260.01. PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED: No new applications. DEMOLITION PROJECT: 30 days from controlled burn date - rubble may be disposed of. -- By Jared Epp? (Andy will contact) or by City. Andy will contact family member about preferred disposition of scrap metal on the property. Foundation will be taken out and hole backfilled. A plan will be put in place for the cellar. Two other properties are in line for considerations of controlled burn. CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES: One property owner has removed all vehicles from property (prior to August court date. Plans are in the works to remove all scrap iron from the outside property and that stored inside the structure. In other matters, the semi trailer is being filed in District Court; log splitter removed, stock truck has been sold. 3 boats remain which should be acceptable if covered (Pike will talk to) , and tall brome and blue grass needs yet to be cut. Courtesy and certified letters were sent requesting removal of a vehicle, but no response has been received. The next stage of the process will be determined by continued non-compliance. Another property- behind garage/debris) is under review for action. PAPA B’S EASEMENT (WITULSKI LEGAL DESCRIPTION; EASEMENT, ORDINANCE # 478 WILL INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR VACATING THE ROAD; Carothers to meet with Witulski on Thursday to obtain legal description. Review/approval of Ordinance # 478 (Easements/vacating procedure) will be scheduled for the second meeting in June (17th Carothers unable to attend June 3rd meeting.) EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ JOB DISCRIPTION/WAGE: Narrative considerations: Certifications completed after six months, wage based on qualifications and experience, etc. CAMERA FOR PARK SURVEILLANCE): Cost analysis to be completed (Diode-Diller, per Sedlacek). CATTLEMANS’ BALL WELCOME BANNER: Reedy brought banner to office. Norris is to help getting it in place ( intersection of Walnut & Broad, diagonal), prior to the Ball, and perhaps prior to Memorial Day. Ells showed a sample flag/banner that has been keyed to the cabin area of information, and told of 8 other banners and 5 feather-tips. Members were impressed by the sample and the idea. Ells asked if it would be acceptable if the small bridge (rails) were painted, and members agreed. Members expressed gratitude to Mary Ells, and Shirley Martin, and all others involved, for the banners, painting the river bridge rails, and the flower containers set around town. Electricity is in the final stages of preparation for lights on the river bridge. EMC WORKERS’COMPENSATION AUDIT/INVOICE: Invoice received for $900 was determined by Carothers as acceptable, and a check will be included in claims at the next regular meeting. CITY PARKS (DEAN COLE): Pre-trial diversion (18 year old with background in maintenance) is available to the City and acceptable by all members (afternoons - Thursday start) to work under the supervision of Cole and/or Pike for various clean up efforts, as may include painting picnic tables, working on grounds /protective barriers for new trees, etc. Cole also touched on other issues: 1. Might it be a good idea to locate the new restroom (grants pending) at Feit Park and renovate the existing one. And also, cleaning of the present bathrooms, either by Linda (Clerk to contact her with a request for input), or another assigned party. 2. Plans could be activated to remove Siberian Elms from draw area. 3. Flags flying (both American, and State, and Pike agreed to work on the project. TENNIS COURT (D. SCHLAKE): Cole identified the interest of Mr. & Mrs. Schlake to utilize the City tennis court for Pickle Ball activity. Schlakes volunteered to temporarily set the court up for pickle ball play, to evaluate interest. Positive outcome could well lead to re-designation of the area for pickle ball (4 court) play, which would be followed by evaluation of needed adjustments/additions to the area to make it accessible and safe for general and even tournament play. Sedlacek has spoken to Pavers regarding work on a low spot, and the work was considered possible, but the approach by necessary equipment could prove difficult. OTHER; Carlee Fiddes refreshed information about the June 21 Humane Society event, and said it may even be a bigger event than initially expected, with 5 surgery tables, and she asked if the City of Blue Springs could provide a letter of support that would be instrumental in their activity, now and in the next round of application for a Morris Foundation grant. Carothers indicated he could provide draft narrative. NEXT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES APPROVAL OF CLAIMS PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED DEMOLITION PROJECT CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES (Moved to second meeting in June) PAPA B’S EASEMENT (WITULSKI LEGAL DESCRIPTION; EASEMENT/VACATE ROAD -- ORDINANCE # 478 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ JOB DISCRIPTION/WAGE CAMERA FOR PARK SURVEILLANCE) CATTLEMANS’ BALL WELCOME BANNER/ANY REMAINING CONCERNS PARK PLANS TENNIS COURT PLANS There being no further business, a motion was made by Riensche at 7:50 PM to adjourn. The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved June 3, 2025. Mayor: Tim Sedlacek (Hearing/Regular Session) City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Hearing/Regular Session)