City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

• October 7, 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, Dean Cole, Robin Butler, RP Harrison, Rex Adams, Verlyn Dodge, Deb Dorn, Phil Padgett, Ruth Razo 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion (Riensche), second (Neumann), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve minutes of the September 16th Regular meeting. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS: Motion (Neumann), second (Riensche), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve claims as follow: Internal Revenue Service (941) - $1,636.08; Payroll $3,201.76; Fairbury Journal-News - $81.93; NE Dept. of Revenue (941N) - $208.00; NE Dept. of Revenue, Charitable Gaming (51C – July-Sept./25) - $676.00; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; Network consulting Services (Comp/printer/monitor/data transfer) - $2,207.50; One-Call Concepts - $1.64; Southern School – (Papa B’s Liq. License) -Local fee - $300.00; Super Foods - $8.77; Temps Disposal Service (Mandatory) - $2,624.00; Milford Woutzke (Tel. Comp.) - $25.00; City of Wymore (Tower/Individual) - $1,591.13; Wymore Public Library (Annual Donation) - $750.00; TOTAL CLAIMS:$13,326.81, and from Keno Proceeds Account to Papa B’s (Sept. Report) - $327.76. PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED: Planning and Zoning Commission gave recommendations for approval--- followed by Council: Motion (Riensche), second (Neumann), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve United Methodist Church application for a building permit (#25-2) for a fence. Motion (Neumann), second (Rainey), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve building permit (#25-3) for a shouse (Phil Padgett). Motion (Neumann), second (Riensche), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve garage building permit (#25-4) (RuthRazo). Applicants were/will be notified of approval and fees. DEMOLITION PROJECT: Pending signatures on signed owner consent affidavits have been completed. Fire Chief McCrimmon will be contacted (and State Fire Marshal) to complete needed documentation for a controlled burn date and alternate date (anticipated for November), and another property owner will be contacted by Carothers for potential inclusion of his property (house) in the upcoming controlled burn project. CLEAN-UP/VEHICLE: A certified letter (return receipt letter was drafted - Carothers) for an individual with multiple nuisance infractions, which include: vehicles, tires, truck bed trailers (full of trash), construction/demolition debris, tires. Abatement is requested by November 4th,. A courtesy letter will be drafted (Carothers) for another individual with infractions, and action leading to District Court action will proceed for another individual for a semi trailer. EMPLOYEE EVALUATION (WOUTZKE): Dean Cole spoke well of his work with Woutzke, and general consensus was that Woutzke’s work was more than adequate, and a motion (Reedy), second (Rainey), and a 4-0 affirmative vote increased his hourly rate to $21.00 effective the next paycheck, with further evaluation to be made in 90 days. VACATE ALLEY (Harrison): A request was made (Harrison) for consideration for a 30’ft wide general utility easement (Norris Public Power)/vacate the alley (Harrison/Padgett) for designation of the strip as a private drive. Carothers will make contact with Witulski to get a legal description, and to determine the cost --- with Harrison agreeing to “share the cost.” CABIN (Tree): Dean Cole reminded members of the parameter of recently completed tree assessment, removal, trimming, etc for the $25,000 grant he gained for the City, and during which the many professionals involved in the process evaluated the tree in question, and trimmed it during the project. No determination was made for its removal at the time Nonetheless, a motion was made by Neumann, seconded by Reedy, and received a vote of: Riensche – NO, Reedy – YES, Rainey - YES, and Neumann - YES to approve the removal of the tree. Further discussion will continue at the next Regular meeting to determine the service provider. INTRODUCTION: AUNT ROBIN’S BUTTERFLY STITCHES (ROBIN BUTLER): Robin Butler addressed members to introduce her new in-home business, and to request members for support of local businesses, as on the website, Facebook, Instagram, newsletter. Riensche expressed that complications and legal problems might well result from public media involvement by the City, and members were in agreement that it would be best if interested community members enter into such a project individually or as a group. There was no negative intent or criticism intended toward Ms. Butler, who was not pleased with the outcome. NEXT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES APPROVAL OF CLAIMS PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED DEMOLITION PROJECT CLEAN-UP/VEHICLE VACATE ALLEY (Harrison) EASEMENT: CONTINUED DISCUSSION CABIN (Tree): DETERMINATION OF SERVICE PROVIDER FOR REMOVAL WATER LINE- NW SIDE OF TOWN (REEDY) There being no further business, a motion was made by Neumann at 7:55 PM to adjourn. The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved October 21, 2025. Mayor: Tim Sedlacek (Hearing/Regular Session) City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Hearing/Regular Session)