Tuesday, February 17, 2026
• February 3, 2026
Regular Session: 7:00 PM - Blue Springs City Hall –Council President Reedy called the meeting to order, and roll call was taken.
PRESENT: Council members Neumann, Rainey, Reedy, Riensche
ABSENT: Mayor Sedlacek
OTHERS PRESENT: Attorney Andrew Carothers, Carol Hughes, Rex Adams, Cline-Williams Attorney Andrew Willis, SENDD Representative Brittany McCullough
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 (Rainey), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve minutes of the January 20, 2026 meeting.
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS: Motion (Neumann), second (Rainey), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve claims as follow: Internal Revenue Service (941) - $707.65; Payroll $2,877.96; Black Hills Energy - $178.54; Constellation Energy - $77.03; Fairbury Journal-News - $50.52; 5 H Repair, LLC – $505.00; NE Dept. of Revenue (501N) - $50.04; Ne Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; Nebraska Rural Water Association (Membership) - $200.00; Postmaster - $278.00; Temps Disposal Service (Mandatory) - $2,587.00; Willet & Carothers- $562.50; Winwater - $777.77; TOTAL CLAIMS: $8,867.01.
PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED: No new applications.
DEMOLITION PROJECT: Property owner Bohlmeyer gave the go-ahead for asbestos inspection. Carothers will contact Bockman. He will also contact McCrimmon about future plans for a controlled burn, and required paperwork with the State Fire Marshall will be pursued within the appropriate timeline. Three potential properties were identified for the next project.
CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES: The continuing progress of one property owner will be monitored.
VACATE ALLEY/STREET EASEMENT: NARRATIVE: Description pending.
SENDD PRESENTATION REGARDING VARIED INTEREST, AS MAY INCLUDE WATER LINE PROJECTS: CDBG CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECT CHOICES/RATIONALE, ETC.:
McCullough gave the presentation. Proposed projects were identified and briefly discussed: Water line (replace aging lines, and loop dead end lines, Street project.) It was noted that combining projects, except in the case of very small ones, is not done. CDBG grant applications were discussed (Open in Spring, deadline in September), with preliminary processes noted, as cost estimates, Planning Grant, Preliminary Engineering Report, a Needs Survey with improved target questions, at least five letters of public support from individuals or business in a position to benefit from projects or have risks reduced. McCullough will reach out to Wickersham of JEO Engineering for cost estimates, processing needs and guidance.
TREE/PARK BOARD MEMBERSHIP; ORDINANCE # 481: Ordinance will be available for review at the next Regular meeting
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PARK RESTROOM/GRANT OPTIONS: Grant (Tourism) being pursued by McKeever.
When available funds are tallied, and it is determined by Carothers if the funds remaining in the last Thomas Grant project for demolition might be used for the restroom project, Carothers will pursue a Thomas Foundation Grant for any remaining balance.
MICRO-TIF PROGRAM – ANDREW WILLIS: Willis gave the presentation, which advised members that “smaller projects,” (less than $350,000, located on a lot vacant for 60 years or on which there was a house for 60 years in the redevelopment area) can apply to the City for inclusion in the Micro-Tif program (pre-application of builder, with 30 days for City to approve, revenue period of 15 years, AND with provisions for transfer available). Builder would have two years to complete the project. A motion by Reedy, second by Neumann and a 4-0 affirmative vote approved Carothers to draft a resolution (# 2026-1) authorizing Micro-Tif in the redevelopment area of the City, and whereby the necessary forms will resultingly be made available. It was described as a process much more simple than the regular TIF Program.
COVERAGE FOR WATER/SEWER PROBLEMS, SNOW REMOVAL-- AS MAY ARISE: Carothers is researching the advisability of a council member filling in if necessary, specifically liability issues.
NEXT AGENDA:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED
DEMOLITION PROJECT
CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES
VACATE ALLEY/STREET EASEMENT: NARRATIVE
WATER LINE PROJECTS/STREET PROJECTS/ LETTERS OF PUBLIC SUPPORT: CDBG CONSIDERATIONS
TREE/PARK BOARD MEMBERSHIP; ORDINANCE # 481
PARK RESTROOM/GRANT OPTIONS
MICRO-TIF PROGRAM RESOLUTION #2026-1
INSURANCE ISSUES ---MANPOWER COVERAGE FOR WATER/SEWER PROBLEMS, SNOW REMOVAL AS MAY APPLY
There being no further business, a motion was made by Neumann at 7:50 PM to adjourn.
The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved February 17, 2026
Mayor: Tim Sedlacek (Hearing/Regular Session)
City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Hearing/Regular Session)
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
• January 20, 2026
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 Andrew Carothers, Jared McKeever, Verlyn Dodge, Phil/Tana Padgett
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 January 6, 2026 meeting.
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS: Motion (Neumann), second (Rainey), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve claims as follow: NE Dept. of Revenue (10) – 116.73; Payroll - $524.39; Beatrice Area Solid Waste – BASWA Annual Fee - $1,269.00; Fairbury Journal-News – $40.16; Lauby Heating/Cooling – $50.13; NE Dept. of Revenue – Charitable Gaming (51C) - $750.00; Norris Public Power - $1,068.93; One-Call Concepts - $4.88; Visa - $894.42; Windstream - $132.28; Wymore, City of (Hydrants) - $41.60; TOTAL CLAIMS: $4,892.52.
PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED: No new applications.
DEMOLITION PROJECT: Carothers told of “no response” from second letter regarding demolition concerns for a structure, and he agreed to contact Chet McGrury for an inspection (Notice and Order. filing a complaint as proves necessary). Clean up (Epp) after controlled burns is to begin Thursday. Sedlacek informed members that a well (now covered by a concrete slab) was found on one property, and he will contact the State for recommended “course of action.” Carothers will reach out to the property owner regarding the find. Arrangements will then be made to rectify the situation, and also determination of the plan of action (at a later time) for removal of burnt trees.
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CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES: Much progress has been noted at one site, as debris, trailer, tires, two vehicles, with some materials still remaining behind a metal building, but since not much remains to be corrected, review will continue without further contact to property owner at this time.
VACATE ALLEY/STREET EASEMENT: NARRATIVE: Legal description pending.
WATER LINE PROJECTS: CDBG CONSIDERATIONS /PROJECT CHOICES/RATIONALE, ETC.:
Reedy has made arrangements for a SENDD representative to address members at the next meeting.
TREE/PARK BOARD FORMATION; MEMBERS DISCUSSION: Ordinance #481 to be drafted to determine membership (at least 3 members, and allowing for 1 member to live outside City limits. (Wymore).
PARK RESTROOM/ PRICE/GRANTS/OPTIONS: McKeever advised that grant funds are at $48,000 (project total estimated $108,000). He will apply for a Tourism grant. Carothers will look into a Thomas Foundation grant. Approx. $60,000 additional funds required.
90-DAY EVALUATION (WOUTZKE): Health constraints impart concern regarding larger projects, as water leaks, and snow removal, with several options discussed (Tiemann, Beatrice, Council participation, Independent Contractors, and contacts will be made to determine interest, availability, insurance requirement (LARM), in order to arrive at the most cogent and cost effective solution.
NEXT AGENDA:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED
DEMOLITION PROJECT
CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES
VACATE ALLEY/STREET EASEMENT: NARRATIVE
SENDD PRESENTATION REGARDING VARIED INTEREST, AS MAY INCLUDE WATER LINE PROJECTS: CDBG CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECT CHOICES/RATIONALE, ETC.
TREE/PARK BOARD MEMBERSHIP; ORDINANCE # 481
PARK RESTROOM/GRANT OPTIONS
MICRO-TIF PROGRAM – ANDREW WILLIS
COVERAGE FOR WATER/SEWER PROBLEMS, SNOW REMOVAL-- AS MAY ARISE
There being no further business, a motion was made by Riensche at 7:40 PM to adjourn.
The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved February 3, 2026
Mayor: Tim Sedlacek (Hearing/Regular Session)
City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Hearing/Regular Session)
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