City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

• October 21, 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, Collin Meints, Phil/Tana Padgett, Aldredo/Ruth Razo, Verlyn Dodge, Deb Dorn, Robin Butler, Dean Cole, Laureen Riedesel, Gene/Rosalee Reedy, Steve Borgman, Rex Adams, Carol Maxson, Shirley Martin, R.P. 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion (Riensche), second (Neumann), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve minutes of the Oct. 7, 2025 Regular meeting. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS: Motion (Neumann), second (Rainey), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve claims as follow: Ne Dept. of Revenue (10) – $102.65; Payroll - $1467.83; Black Hills Energy - $60.65; Fairbury Journal-News - $29.15; Lammel Plumbing (Walnut Street Main Repair) - $1,362.71; Lauby Plumbing/ Heating/Air - $8.99; NE Public Health Environ. Labs - $15.00; Norris Public Power - $1,021.41; Postmaster - $278.00; SENDD – (Membership/Housing FY26) - $360.00; Visa - $718.54; Willet & Carothers - $3,368.00; Windstream - $110.51; TOTAL CLAIMS: $8,903.44. PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED: No new applications. DEMOLITION PROJECT: Per Carothers: On schedule for 11/15 (alternate – 11/22) controlled burn of one property. A. J. McCrimmon contacted Carothers to request that trees around the house be knocked down (Jared Epp will be contacted (Carothers). Sedlacek will discuss with employee Woutzke.) Letter will be sent (Carothers) to a property owner about downing a building. Procedures to include arrangements for asbestos testing (Bockman). Plans are to get it down in late December, or January. CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES: Property occupant received a certified letter requiring attention to various nuisances, and was given until November 4 for removal of infractions. One vehicle has been removed, another remains, as well as tires and debris. VACATE ALLEY / EASEMENT: CONTINUED DISCUSSION: Carothers will contact Chris Witulski to request utility easement description for easement for part of Main Street – 30’. Property owners with interest in vacating the alley are Padgetts, Razos (also needs an address for location), Harrisons. Particulars are expected to be worked out by the next meeting, with conclusion hopefully no later than December. CABIN (LANDSCAPING): Laureen Riedesel (Beatrice Arboretum) addressed members to express appreciation that the cabin is on the National Registry, and reflects the efforts of many in regard to restoration, fund raising, maintenance and protection. Long-term supporters of various cabin activities ( Cole – arrangements including City and Park and Cabin efforts to arrange, write grants, follow-up, and conclude grant and other avenues of improvement that included donations and labor, the Reedy family for grant applications, review of service provider activity, donations and labor, and other) were in discord in some ways regarding approach to certain situations, nonetheless agreed that all have the best interest of the cabin at heart. (Note: $2,866.29 remains in the Park Account for the cabin as a result of a grant,). Rosalee Reedy indicated that they are willing to donate a couple trees (scarlet oak). Cole indicated that planting location assessment has been previously marked for the previous grant received ($25,000) -- (inventory, assessment, removal, strategic replacement program), and can be again (hard wood, dwarf trees recommended) to help with the program. A motion (Riensche), second (Neumann), and a 4-0 affirmative vote approved organized effort for location and selection of new trees. WATER LINE- NW SIDE OF TOWN (REEDY): Proposed Water Projects (9-project copy of breakdown attached to the office copy of the minutes and available for public review) were brought up again for review and consideration (Reedy). It was noted that $250,000 CDBG grant funding may be a viable option, with other grant applications (possibly: Morris Foundation, Thomas Foundation) for City match funds ($50,000?) A study will be conducted, as determined by motion (Reedy), second (Riensche), and a 4-0 affirmative vote. FUND TRANSFER: STREET DEPT DEFICIT: $10,141.39: Motion (Riensche), second (Neumann), 4-0 affirmative vote for fund transfer from Keno Fund within Regular Checking to General Fund within Regular checking and then in to Street Department fund within General Checking to cover deficit of $10,141.39. FEES LIST (SEDLACEK): Hook-up fee - $250.00. Discussion of outdated charges and inflationary trend followed by many municipalities (examples were noted), resulted in discretionary changes to be implemented beginning with the next building permit applications, and necessary changes were instigated by motion (Reedy), second (Neumann), and a 4-0 affirmative vote to increase hook-up fees, with customer to pay for the meter and all cost of new water service. RE-ESTABLISHING BLUE SPRINGS PARK-TREE BOARD (DEAN COLE): GOALS FOR FEIT PARK AND BLUE SPRINGS PARK (DEAN COLE): Cole stressed the importance of having a Park/Tree board, a panel of three to five people, and that might include a City official to assess, evaluate needs and assist with a plan to be brought before Mayor and Council. He stressed that goals and objectives are very important to the continued growth, welcome, and beauty of a community, and the City needs to “get going.” He said he would be willing to put the word out. Rex Adams thanked Dean for his long-term interest and involvement and hoped, “we could all work together.” NEXT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES APPROVAL OF CLAIMS PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED DEMOLITION PROJECT CLEAN-UP/VEHICLE VACATE ALLEY EASEMENT: NARRATIVE WATER LINE PROJECTS: CDBG CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECT CHOICES/ETC. SERVICE HOOK UP ASSESSMENTS: CONTINUED AS DETERMINED TREE/PARK BOARD FORMATION: CONTINUED AS DETERMINED CABIN LANDSCAPING (IF FURTHER DISCUSSION NEEDED) There being no further business, a motion was made by Riensche at 8:10 PM to adjourn. The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved November 4, 2025. Mayor: Tim Sedlacek (Hearing/Regular Session) City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Hearing/Regular Session)