City of Blue Springs, Nebraska

• June 16, 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, Rainey, Riensche ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Attorney Andrew Carothers, Rex Adams, Verlyn Dodge, Devin Dorn, Wm Gilmore, T. Creek/A.J. McCrimmon/Munsterman of the Fire Department, Crystal McColery, Carol Hughes 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 (Neumann), second (Rainey), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve minutes of the June 2, 2026 meeting. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS: Motion (/Riensche), second (Neumann), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve claims as follow: NE Dept. of Revenue – (10) - $101.30; Payroll - $1,435.53; Black Hills Energy - $59.53; Cline Williams – (TIF) - $750.00; Fairbury Journal – News - $91.33 and $80.31; ; Gage County Clerk (Election Notice) - $100.00; Industrial Chemical - $335.61; Lauby Plumbing - $37.63; Jan Morris (Cabin Expense Reimbursement – Sign) - $324.71; Norris Public Power - $$1,067.90; One Call Concepts - $4.88; Schuster Outdoor - $141.68; Visa - $727.11; Windstream - $132.24; Reedy & Son (Welding Backhoe) - $120.00 for TOTAL CLAIMS: $5,509.76. PLANNING & ZONING: APPLICATIONS FOR BUILDING PERMITS AS SUBMITTED: Upon recommendation of P & Z Commission, application #26-4 – Jeremy Thomas (building) – was held for clarification of footings/foundation in reference to the residential portion especially of the proposed building. Upon recommendation of P & Z for approval, motion (Rainey), second (Neumann), 4-0 affirmative vote to approve #26-5 – William Gilmore (shed). Applicant will be officially notified of approval and fee. DEMOLITION PROJECT: Weather permitting, a controlled burn (Bohlmeyer) is scheduled to begin at approximately 7AM, Saturday, June 20. Carothers will notify property owner. After 90 days, State Fire Marshal regulations, debris may be removed. Carothers will contact Jared Epp. Other properties will be considered for the next demolition, utilizing remaining funds from the previous Thomas Foundation Demolition Grant. Reedy will contact Norris regarding electrical concerns/repairs needed/new wiring/ or possible demolition of one property where an electrical fire occurred. CLEAN-UP/VEHICLES: some improvement has been made on one property, but with issues remaining. Photographs to support repeat contact will be taken. Thistles were listed as a new concern for another property. Generalized rotation of infractions was noted at one property. A certified letter (Carothers) was determined for one location. McColery questioned the scrutiny of materials behind a privacy fence on her property, and Carothers agreed to meet with the property owners for clarification of concerns to “work things out.” Reedy has met with the property owner and helped with the project. Several vehicles noted to be parked on City streets for long periods of time will be reviewed, with photos taken of licenses for Carothers to use to check for validation. VACATE ALLEY/STREET EASEMENTS: NARRATIVES: Repeated contact (Carothers/Reedy) is required to bring closure to this issue. WATER LINE PROJECT: DETERMINATION OF LOCATIONS AND PRIORITY: Pursuit of Engineering (JEO) grant underway for determination of affected situation/locations. Documentation of program and orientation to be held in a potential Special Public Meeting (6:30 pm?) prior to the Regular Meeting of Mayor and Council on July 7, 2026. PARK RESTROOM/GRANT OPTIONS/RESTORATION: $50,000 grant received from Thomas Foundation for new restroom. $20,000 in holdings from the Morris Foundation, (contingent on proof of start of project within the required timeline, or repayment to be made to the foundation). Members will meet at the park following the meeting to determine best location. INTER LOCAL (LIMITED) WORKFORCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN WYMORE AND BLUE SPRINGS: Carothers expects to have a draft available for members for the next meeting. STREET SIGNS/TRAFFIC CONTROL – WALNUT AND BROAD STREETS, AND OTHER STREETS: Narrative (Clerk) will be forwarded by email to the State, sharing concerns and directive of members, and requesting lower highway speed before the city access road, this as a result of repeated “high” speed of many vehicles that puts the safety of children in the area at risk. SECOND CLASS CITY VS. VILLAGE CLASSIFICATION/SPECIFICS OF A SPECIAL ELECTION: Much conversation was devoted to the concern. Carothers has discussed it with the Secretary of State, and determination was made that the statute needs to be cleaned up for such a change – based on the anticipated voter confusion (council members/trustees situation) and cost $5,000 special election. It might be advisable to align consideration for change with a more advisable schedule than the upcoming General Election. 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) It was suggested that the road grader/caterpillar be removed from the excess list. Reedy will contact Purple Wave again and get the auction times/end dates to provide Carothers with information to allow him timely initiation of the necessary resolution. LOCATE TICKETS (ACTIVITY SUPPORT: Review continues. A couple names were presented: (Valentine/Kelly) that would be beneficial in the support of employee performance of relevant duties. FIRE DEPT./ MFO FUND REQUEST/CAR SHOW CONSIDERATIONS: Creek/McCrimmon addressed members indicating that funds remained from last year’s donation from the City for Car Show. Closing the street for the August 9th event will be determined at the July 21st Regular meeting of Mayor and Council. A request for MFO funds in support of the purchase of scoops, brooms, straps, gloves, chain saws, pagers, etc. was made, and a motion (Riensche), second Neumann, and a 4-0 affirmative vote, approved $10,000 transfer of MFO money from the City’s Fire Fund within General Checking to the Fire Department. 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 EXCESS EQUIPMENT -- (OPTIONS: 1975 Dodge D600 2 ton dump truck; Ford 455 backhoe Model 455C, Serial ABD435D; International Tractor 544; sweeper) LOCATE TICKETS (ACTIVITY SUPPORT) There being no further business, a motion was made by Neumann at 8:02 PM to adjourn. The minutes of the Regular meeting were read and approved July 7 , 2026. Mayor: Gene (Radar) Reedy (Hearing/Regular Session) City Clerk: Katherine A. Roche (Hearing/Regular Session)