City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

May 6, 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, Rex Adams, Dean Cole, Jared Epp, Carlee Fiddes - Beatrice Humane Society, Karen Brave- Animal Rescue, Amy Bolton, -The Purpose - It’s About the Cats 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 (Neumann) , second (Riensche), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2025 Regular meeting of Mayor and Council. Motion (Riensche), second (Neumann), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve claims as follow: Direct Bank Payment - Internal Revenue Service (941) - $2,143.28; Payroll -$ 6,195.92; Barco Municipal Products - $149.41; Jared Epp/Sicily Creek Dirt work - (Demolition Project) - $600.00; Fairbury Journal-News - $95.21; 3 J Pest/Jared Johnson (Mosquito Spraying - seasonal) - $1,612.80; NE Dept. of Revenue (501N) - $286.00; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; One-Call Concepts - $13.39; Milton Pike (Tel. Comp.) - $25.00; Postmaster - $258.00; Security First Bank (Pike/Ira) - $55.00; Temps Disposal Service - (Clean up Day/Mandatory) - $3,619.52; Willet & Carothers - $1,997.60; Win water - $230.89; City of Wymore (Tower) - $1,526.23; Milford Woutzke (Tel. Comp.) - $25.00; Wymore Oil Company - $20.00; TOTAL CLAIMS: $18,868.25 (AND FROM CDBG account -- ( FINAL-- DD 7)- $5,320.48 (#115) to SENDD for HA 36-37, HM 34-36, LBP 21-23 and to Henning Carpentry $2,400.00 (#116) for Project #003 (Checks to be released upon ACH deposit to CDBG Account.) . PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED: No new applications. DEMOLITION PROJECT: Fire Marshal granted controlled burn activity for two properties. Planned for this Saturday 5/10. Jared Epp will remove trees as necessary, shove one house down and to the second for combined burn. Carothers will discuss with owner a plan for separation/sorting debris prior to disposal of after-burn materials following the standard waiting period after a burn. Another property is anticipated to be cleared of scrap metal/other contents and inspected for potential controlled burn in the next go round. CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES: Improvement is ongoing at one location and anticipated to be completed by August 5 in avoidance of a return to court. A courtesy letter to go out (Carothers) for junked vehicles, etc. Three letters - (certified with return receipt) were determined for property owners. PAPA B’S EASEMENT (WITULSKI LEGAL DESCRIPTION; EASEMENT, ORDINANCE # 478 WILL INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR VACATING THE ROAD: Continuing preparations underway. SENDD: INCOME SURVEY: Procedure in progress. Results to follow as available EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ JOB DISCRIPTION/WAGE: Narrative being prepared for Mayor to review. CAMERA (PARK/MAINENANCE BLDG (CONTACT WITH LARM/DIODE): $500 Lean on LARM Safety Grant applied for, approved, with purchase arranged, then installation and reimbursement procedures to follow. Comparison of model requirements (Windstream?) continue. CATTLEMANS BALL WELCOME BANNER ($1200) REVISITED FOR CITY TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS SEPARATE FROM OPAT: Blue Banner with white writing (2 sided) 85 ‘ with grommets,/rope? Considered and selected. Reedy will complete order ($1,200) with Extreme Motor Sports, and contact Norris Public Power for site approval (attaching between service poles with most aligned adjacency) and assistance with hanging. It was noted that OPAT workers have painted the bridge railing, made preparations for the lights, and it has been asked to put in the City plan to sweep Broad Street (Reedy) and the bridge (Adams) prior to the event. INSURANCE: SHOP: Prior to the meeting Mayor Sedlacek discussed remaining coverage (shop area), and City will be billed additional premium. PARK POTENTIAL PLANS/GRANTS (DEAN COLE); Cole addressed members and provided information and, as may apply, asked for directions/permission (that was then given) for him to pursue funding options in this time of shrinking grant opportunities -- that may exist/remain for projects: 1. Stump removal. 2. Bob Rutan has made kindling boxes for both parks. 3. Interest exists for adding a bench on the concrete dock Feit Park)(and may require a railing) and participation of the Park Committee (Reedy/Riensche) will be included in the plan which would determine precise location, review of sample styles, etc. 4. Reedy and Riensche will also be involved in activities as may be initiated regarding “mud-jacking” of tennis court floor to eliminate water collection problems. 5. Reedy and Riensche , and Pike will be called upon to help determine location for planting new trees (10 between two parks ( Forestry) - May 14th 9 AM) and Cole indicated he would water them for two years. Also discussed was a sign (limestone) for Feit Memorial Park, as Reedy previously discussed with the Chapman family, but also a Brown Sign (State) which would be a cost-effective option while other plans might be still able to be brought to fruition through ongoing negotiations with the Chapman/Feit family. It was also noted that Jared McKeever has recently completed a grant application on behalf of the City for additional funds as needed for the planned new City Park bathroom. Cole requested that he be called regarding situations or other interests involving park concerns. BEATRICE HUMANE SOCIETY; STRAY CAT CONTROL PROGRAMS/OPTION: Presentation was made by Carlee Fiddes of the Beatrice Humane Society, Karen Brave Animal Rescue, and Amy Bolton - The Purrpose- It’s About the Cats in regard of a scheduled TVNR program for approximately 150 stray cats in the Wymore/Blue Springs Area, and that would include vaccinations (as rabies), chipping, Participation (June 21st and some activity prior to the date) includes, but is not limited to 6 vets, 12 technicians, 2 dozen volunteers, and input from local citizenry to promote success of the project. Needs included: a large enclosed, climate controlled area (Fire Station) (Chief McCrimmon will be contacted. Lodging will be needed for participants. Camp sites, B&B possibilities, meals have been offered, K-State surgical trailer *(w 2 tables) will be in use. It was stressed that this is an opportunity that will initially be enacted, but will not be repeated on any timeline. It is hoped that communities will engage in activities, as fundraising, donations and participation in the $40 cost program offered by the Beatrice Humane Society within their ongoing program, as may be supported by City commitment (as a pledge of 75 annually at $40 each) and also by individuals for both strays and for pet cats. It was stressed that the initial project is not a total solution, but the beginning and that, if community engagement stays strong and continues, could over time greatly improve problems existing in the communities due to the stray population, would improve the health and well-being of the cats, as it is an instrumental process in the reduction of cases of feline leukemia and other diseases caused by frequent stray -overpopulation, cat-fighting, spraying and in general, it would improve the community. NEXT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES APPROVAL OF CLAIMS PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED DEMOLITION PROJECT CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES PAPA B’S EASEMENT (WITULSKI LEGAL DESCRIPTION; EASEMENT, ORDINANCE # 478 WILL INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR VACATING THE ROAD EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/ JOB DISCRIPTION/WAGE CAMERA FOR PARK SURVEILLANCE) CATTLEMANS BALL WELCOME BANNER ($1200) REVISITED FOR CITY TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS SEPARATE FROM OPAT There being no further business, a motion was made by Riensche at 8:40 PM to adjourn. The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved May 20, 2025. Mayor: Tim Sedlacek (Hearing/Regular Session) City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Hearing/Regular Session)