City Council Discussion

The Blue Hill City Council met on Tuesday, August 11. Mayor Schunk called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Some of the items discussed and business conducted included;

• Building permits were approved for John Weddingfeld, Roy Wibben and Darren Gerdes.
• The council recommended that the automatic renewal of the liquor license for Klancy's Kafe be approved.
• Discussed complaints submitted by residents concerning dogs at 906 W. Seward St. The Clerk's office will investigate the possibility of contracting with the Adams County Humane Society for animal control.
• Wording changes to Ordinance No. 615 pertaining to Dangerous / Vicious Dogs was approved to define the Mayor or City Council as the Director of Vicious Dogs.
• Complaints by residence in reference to an obstructed alley were discussed. Gary Stertz will call the property owner who caused the obstruction to discuss removal.
• Mayor Schunk reported on recent conversations with Sheriff Schmitz.
• Discussion was held on the progress of current street projects. Improvements to York Street east of Sycamore Street (near tennis courts) will be postponed until Spring of 2010.
• Discussion was held on an Interlocal Agreement presented by the Nebraska League of Municipalities.
• Discussion was held on a Building Entrepreneurial Communities Marketing Grant Opportunity. Contact will be made with Glenwood to get their input.
• Approval was given to remove obstructions from an alley near 504 S. Ash Street.
• A process for declaring vehicles abandoned or illegally parked and for their removal was reviewed and adopted. Dennis Timms will be contacted to remove vehicles after proper notice has been given to owners.
• Discussion was held on reserved parking signs to be placed at the Blue Hill Fitness Center. The matter has been turned over to the Fitness Center Board.
• Discussion was held on a pre-application for a grant to make improvements to the Community / Senior Center. The application will be submitted with minor changes.
• The Council adopted a plan to compensate elected officials based upon attendance at regularly scheduled meetings. Currently Council Members make $1,000 per year and the Mayor makes $1,500 per year. Based upon the adopted plan, which would take effect in December of 2010, Council Members would receive $83.33 per meeting (based upon regular monthly meetings only) and the Mayor will receive $125 per meeting. A member need only be present for a majority of agenda items to be considered present for the meeting.
• Discussion was held on a proposed update to personnel policies. A revised copy will be presented at the September meeting.
• Discussion was held on pest control providers and costs. The Clerks office will clarify information on one of the proposals.
• Discussion was held on the Blue Hill municipal website. http://www.bluehillne.com/. Contact will be made with Glenwood to encourage updates or to provide administrative tools to the city.
• August 17, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. was set as the date for the 2010 Budget Workshop.
• Gary Stertz was re-appointed as Blue Hill's representative on the MEAN Board of Directors.
• September 15, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. was set as the date for the September City Council Meeting. This is one week later than the normal scheduled date due to the Labor Day holiday.
• Discussion was held on the completion of a probationary employment period for the Deputy City Clerk with approval of a compensation increase. Discussion was held on employee performance appraisals and appraisal forms were reviewed.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 p.m.