City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

• April 21, 2026 Regular Session: 7:00 PM – Blue Springs City Hall – Mayor Reedy called the meeting to order, and roll call was taken. PRESENT: Mayor Reedy, Council members Dorn, Neumann (arrival 7:15PM) , Rainey, Riensche (arrival 7:10 PM) ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Attorney Andrew Carothers, Devin Dorn, Verlyn/Karen Dodge, Phil/Tana Padgett, Valerie Hazen, Rex Adams, Carol Hughes, Delferd Schlake 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 (Rainey), second (Dorn) , 3-0 affirmative vote to approve minutes of the April 7, 2026 meeting. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS: Motion (Rainey), second (Dorn), 3-0 affirmative vote to approve claims as follow: Ne Dept. of Revenue (10) - $123.82; Payroll - $1,357.68; Fairbury Journal-News – $63.80; 5H Repair LLC – 160.00;Johnson Service Co. - $1,775.00; Lauby Plumbing - $64.15; NE Public Health Environmental Labs - $15.00; Norris Public Power - $1,070.49; Unit 1, Windstream - $132.24; Visa - $329.54; Winwater - $701.03; TOTAL CLAIMS: $5,792.75. PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED: Following P & Z recommendation for passage of Phil/Tana Padgett application for structure building permit #26-2, motion (Rainey) , second (Dorn), and followed by a 3-0 council affirmative vote for passage/approval. DEMOLITION PROJECT: Carothers reported: Pillen rescinded burn ban. One structure will be scheduled for controlled burn (thru arrangements with Fire Chief and Fire Marshal) for sometime in June. CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES: Two certified letters with compliance deadline of May 19th were prepared by Carothers for mailing. Other properties were discussed with action pending. VACATE ALLEY/STREET EASEMENTS: NARRATIVES: Per Carothers: To preclude alley vacating, 30’ General Utility Easement is being prepared for Norris approval and property owner signatures. WATER LINE PROJECT: DETERMINATION OF LOCATIONS AND PRIORITY: Per Reedy, M. Schultis of JEO Consulting Group is putting figures together. Project start date for actual work can not yet be projected. PARK RESTROOM/GRANT OPTIONS/RESTORATION: Park Board will be meeting 7PM, April 28 – Blue Spring City Hall to address issues regarding location, funding options for a new structure in the City park, and possibly will discuss renovation of existing City restroom outside City Hall. Opinions differed as to which (new building vs renovation) would be the best and the most cost-effective. However, existing grant funds have been allocated to new construction. Carothers indicated that July 1st was the date pertinent to grant proposal for funds from the Thomas Foundation. INTER LOCAL (LIMITED) WORKFORCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WYMORE AND BLUE SPRINGS: Tabled until the next regular meeting. SPEED BUMPS – WALNUT AND BROAD STREETS: Liability issues and problems during snow removal were discussed. Traffic signs were entered as an option to minimize the problem, both in this area and in other parts of the municipality where signs are in poor shape. ( as A Street). Review will continue. SECOND CLASS CITY VS. VILLAGE CLASSIFICATION/SPECIFICS OF A SPECIAL ELECTION: Per Carothers: Dawn Hill is putting figures together regarding a Special Election, filing deadlines and voting for 5 trustees, with a potential mailing of ballots for a late Spring (May?) Special Election. Carothers will have more information at the next Regular meeting. RURAL WATER RATE STUDY: Results of study recommendations: Water Basic $28.00 monthly, with quarterly readings Water Basic $28.00 plus $2.50 per thousand gallons for the period, and Sewer Basic $22.00 monthly (School - $190.00). Following discussion favorable to the calculations and a July 1st effective date it was determined that Carothers prepare Ordinance # 482 for review at the next Regular meeting. EXCESS EQUIPMENT: (OPTIONS: 1975 Dodge D600 2 ton dump truck; Ford 455 backhoe Model 455C, Serial ABD435D; International Tractor 544; caterpillar 1958 N 112, road grader; sweeper) Mayor Reedy will discuss additions to the list with Milford Woutzke. Purple Wave will take pictures, and schedule items for auction. BUILDING INSPECTOR: More information will be sought ( per Carothers: Wise potential prices, as possibly a seven inspection series during construction at potential cost of $35 each, which would be added to the cost of getting a building permit, and which would require first City adoption of the International Residences Code, and possibly (for commercial applications) the International Building Code. FEIT PARK: PORTABLE TOILET: Members agreed (motion (Riensche), second (Rainey), 4-0 affirmative vote) to have one again this season (until October) , and the service provider will be notified. PICKLE BALL NET / SCHLAKE: Delferd Schlake asked if he could put a temporary net at the tennis court, and members agreed. Discussion also included the possibility of future changes at the court to facilitate use for the rapidly growing sport. CABIN (GENE REEDY SR: Tabled until the next meeting PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL: Following discussion, motion (Riensche ) , second (Dorn), and 4-0 affirmative vote to accept/approve Ronnie Rainey as President of the Council. NEXT AGENDA: APPROVAL OF MINUTES APPROVAL OF CLAIMS PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED DEMOLITION PROJECT CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES VACATE ALLEY/STREET EASEMENTS: NARRATIVES WATER LINE PROJECT: DETERMINATION OF LOCATIONS AND PRIORITY PARK RESTROOM/GRANT OPTIONS/RESTORATION INTER LOCAL (LIMITED) WORKFORCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WYMORE AND BLUE SPRINGS STREET SIGNS/TRAFFIC CONTROL – WALNUT AND BROAD STREETS, AND OTHER STREETS SECOND CLASS CITY VS. VILLAGE CLASSIFICATION/SPECIFICS OF A SPECIAL ELECTION WATER/SEWER RATE INCREASES – ORDINANCE 482 EXCESS EQUIPMENT BUILDING INSPECTOR/BUILDING CODE CABIN/ GENE REEDY SR. 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 May 5, 2026. Mayor: Gene (Radar) Reedy (Hearing/Regular Session) City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Hearing/Regular Session)