20211223083316199City of Blair Regular Council Meeting
November 23, 2021
The Mayor and City Council met in regular session in the City Council Chambers on November
23, 2021, at 7:00 PM. The following were present: Present: Kevin Hall, Chris Jensen, Mindy Rump,
Andrew Schank, Marry Shepard, Jon Stewart, Kevin Willis. Absent: Frank Wolff. Also present were City
Administrator Storm, Assistant City Administrator Barrow, Director of Public Works Schoemaker, City
Attorney Solomon and Chief Lager.
The Mayor publicly stated to all in attendance that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings
Act was available for review and indicated the location of such copy posted in the room where the meeting
was being held. Notice of the meeting was given in advance thereof by publication in the Enterprise or
the Pilot -Tribune as shown by the affidavit of publication filed in the City Clerk's office. Notice of the
meeting was simultaneously given to the Mayor and all members of the City Council, and a copy of their
acknowledgement of receipt of notice and the agenda is filed in the City Clerk's office. Availability of the
agenda was communicated in the advance notice and in the notice to the Mayor and Council of this
meeting. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened meeting was open to the
attendance of the public.
Agenda Item #1 & 2 — Mayor Hansen called the meeting to order and made introductions at 7:00
p.m. followed by a statement of compliance with the open meetings act followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Agenda Item #3 — Consent agenda approved the following: 3a) Approval of Minutes of the
November 9, 2021, meeting, 3b) Clerk report of Mayoral Action of the November 9, 2021, meeting, 3c)
City Department reports for the Blair Police Department for October 2021, and 3d) Claims as approved
by the Finance Committee. Motion by Kevin Hall, second by Kevin Willis to approve the Consent Agenda.
Council members voted as follows: Kevin Hall: Yea, Chris Jensen: Yea, Mindy Rump: Yea, Andrew
Schank: Yea, Marry Shepard: Yea, Jon Stewart: Yea, Kevin Willis: Yea, Frank Wolff. Absent. All Council
members voted: Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 1. Mayor Hansen declared the motion carried.
Agenda Item #4 — Director of Public Works Schoemaker stated the proposed developer's
agreement is for the West Valley Subdivision and calls for the city to contract for the design and
construction of the necessary public improvements for the development. The developer will repay the
costs back to the city through special assessments. There is a total of (26) single family residential lots
within the subdivision with most of them needing full public improvements. Some lots along 24th Street
have paving and water already in place the developer's agreement states that all 26 lots will be equally
assessed for the public improvements once the project is complete. This will keep all the costs spread out
evenly keeping all the lots competitive with each other. Council member Shepard introduced Resolution
2021-39 approving a Developers Agreement for the West Valley Subdivision. Motion by Marty Shepard,
second by Andrew Schank to adopt Resolution No. 2021-39 as presented. Council members voted as
follows: Kevin Hall: Yea, Chris Jensen: Yea, Mindy Rump: Yea, Andrew Schank: Yea, Marty Shepard:
Yea, Jon Stewart: Yea, Kevin Willis: Yea, Frank Wolff. Absent. All Council members voted: Yea: 7, Nay:
0, Absent: 1. Mayor Hansen declared the motion carried.
Agenda Item #5 — Director of Public Works Schoemaker stated with the approval of the
developer's agreement in the previous agenda item, the city is ready to move forward with the proposed
ordinance creating Street Improvement District 204 for West Valley Subdivision. There will only be one
Council Meeting November 23, 2021 1
street constructed for the subdivision which is North 25th Circle from Nebraska Street to the cul-de-sac.
This ordnance is necessary for the development of the street under a district format to allow for the
improvements to be assessed once completed. Council member Hall introduced Ordinance 2467 creating
Paving District Number 204 for the West Valley Subdivision.
AN ORDINANCE CREATING PAVING DISTRICT NO. 204 - WEST VALLEY SUBDIVISION
IN THE CITY OF BLAIR, WASHINGTON COUNTY, NEBRASKA, DESCRIBING SAID
STREET IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND IMPROVEMENTS TO BE CONSTRUCTED
THEREIN, AND PROVIDING THAT SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS MAY BE LEVIED IN
PROPORTION TO BENEFITS TO THE PROPERTY IN SAID DISTRICT; AND PROVIDING
FOR PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE IN PAMPHLET FORM.
Council member Kevin Hall moved that the statutory rule requiring reading on three different days
be suspended. Council member Chris Jensen seconded the motion to suspend the rules and upon roll call
vote the following Council members voted: Kevin Hall: Yea, Chris Jensen: Yea, Mindy Rump: Yea,
Andrew Schank: Yea, Marty Shepard: Yea, Jon Stewart: Yea, Kevin Willis: Yea, Frank Wolff- Absent.
All Council members voted: Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 1. The motion to suspend the rules was adopted by
three-fourths of the Council and the statutory rule was declared suspended for consideration of said
Ordinance.
Said Ordinance was then read by title and thereafter Council member Kevin Hall moved for final
passage of the Ordinance, which motion was seconded by Council member Chris Jensen. The Mayor then
stated the question was "Shall Ordinance No. 2467 be passed and adopted?" Upon roll call vote, the
following Council members voted: Kevin Hall: Yea, Chris Jensen: Yea, Mindy Rump: Yea, Andrew
Schank: Yea, Marty Shepard: Yea, Jon Stewart: Yea, Kevin Willis: Yea, Frank Wolff: Absent. All Council
members voted: Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 1. The passage of said Ordinance having been concurred in by
a majority of all members of the Council, the Mayor declared the Ordinance adopted. A true, correct, and
complete copy of said Ordinance can be found in the Ordinance Record Book.
Agenda Item #6 — Director of Public Works Schoemaker stated the proposed agreement with
FoleyShald Engineering is for the design of the required public improvements for the West Valley
Subdivision which was recently approved. The total fees for the design of the storm sewer, sanitary sewer,
water mains, street and storm water management plan are $29,400 which equates to a little over $1130
per lot well which is within the typical fee for such work. FoleyShald is the engineers of record for the
developer which the city has no objection to using for the public improvements design. Motion by Kevin
Willis, second by Mindy Rump to approve an Engineering Agreement with FoleyShald Engineering for
the Design of the Public Improvements for West Valley Subdivision. Council members voted as follows:
Kevin Hall: Yea, Chris Jensen: Yea, Mindy Rump: Yea, Andrew Schank: Yea, Marty Shepard: Yea, Jon
Stewart: Yea, Kevin Willis: Yea, Frank Wolff. Absent. All Council members voted: Yea: 7, Nay: 0,
Absent: 1. Mayor Hansen declared the motion carried.
Agenda Item #7 — Director of Public Works Schoemaker stated City Councilman Andrew Shank
has requested that staff present a proposed resolution to the city council for consideration of the installation
of stop signs at the intersections of 10th & Colfax Street and 10th & South Street. The stop signs would
stop traffic on Colfax and South Streets when entering 10th Street. The concern is now that 10th Street
has been extended to Highway 75 and with the new industrial development, there is more traffic using
10th Street making it necessary for the city to consider the installation of stop signs at these two
Council Meeting November 23, 2021 2
intersections with 10th Street. The new stop signs are for safety of motorists using all three of these streets.
Council member Schank introduced Resolution 2021-40 authorizing the placement of stop signs at 10th
& South Streets and 10th & Colfax Streets. Motion by Andrew Schank, second by Kevin Hall to adopt
Resolution No. 2021-40 as presented. Council members voted as follows: Kevin Hall: Yea, Chris Jensen:
Yea, Mindy Rump: Yea, Andrew Schank: Yea, Marty Shepard: Yea, Jon Stewart: Yea, Kevin Willis: Yea,
Frank Wolff: Absent. All Council members voted: Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 1. Mayor Hansen declared the
motion carried.
Agenda Item #8 — Director of Public Works Schoemaker presented the annual maintenance
agreement with the Nebraska Department of Transportation for 2022. This agreement covers the NDOT
portions of the highways in Blair that are their responsibility for maintenance. This is for the center two
lanes snow and ice control, pothole patching and other repairs. No credit is given for the outside lanes
because they are the responsibility of the city. The annual payment to the city is $39,060. It can be
expensive to maintain the state's highway, but his is our only option to recoup some money for our
services. Also required is a certification stating we have complied with the maintenance agreement for
this year. Council member Shepard introduced Resolution 2021-41 approving the Nebraska Department
of Transportation annual agreement for Highway Maintenance for 2022. Motion by Marty Shepard,
second by Andrew Schank to adopt Resolution No. 2021-41 as presented. Council members voted as
follows: Kevin Hall: Yea, Chris Jensen: Yea, Mindy Rump: Yea, Andrew Schank: Yea, Marty Shepard:
Yea, Jon Stewart: Yea, Kevin Willis: Yea, Frank Wolff. Absent. All Council members voted: Yea: 7, Nay:
0, Absent: 1. Mayor Hansen declared the motion carried.
Agenda Item #9 — Director of Public Schoemaker stated Flood Break is the manufacturer of the
flood gate at the water and wastewater treatment plants. The proposal is to renew the annual maintenance
agreement with them for the flood gate maintenance. It is important to continue with the maintenance on
the flood gate to insure it will perform as needed whenever the city may have flooding issues from the
Missouri River. This gate was installed in 2015. The cost for this maintenance is $16,425. Council member
Shepard asked if the gate was exercised. Schoemaker stated that staff does exercise the gate from time to
time. Motion by Kevin Hall, second by Andrew Schank to approve Maintenance Agreement with Flood
Break for the Flood Gate at Optimist Park. Council members voted as follows: Kevin Hall: Yea, Chris
Jensen: Yea, Mindy Rump: Yea, Andrew Schank: Yea, Marty Shepard: Yea, Jon Stewart: Yea, Kevin
Willis: Yea, Frank Wolff. Absent. All Council members voted: Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 1
Agenda Item #10 — City Administrator Storm stated the proposed Resolution would extend the agreement
with Cubs Baseball Club for the use of city -owned Petersen and Zimmerman fields on the former Dana
College campus. Due to the club borrowing money to buy new poles for the installation of new lights on
Peterson Field, they would request an extension of the agreement until April 30, 2031. Storm stated they
have been good caretakers of the field and have done several improvements to those facilities. The have
also been an active part of providing recreation and competitive ball to the people of Blair. Council
member Stewart introduced Resolution 2021-42 amending the agreement with Blair Youth Cubs Baseball
Organization extending the expiration date of the agreement. Motion by Jon Stewart, second by Mindy
Rump to adopt Resolution No. 2021-42 as presented. Council members voted as follows: Kevin Hall: Yea,
Chris Jensen: Yea, Mindy Rump: Yea, Andrew Schank: Yea, Marty Shepard: Yea, Jon Stewart: Yea,
Kevin Willis: Yea, Frank Wolff. Absent. All Council members voted: Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 1. Mayor
Hansen declared the motion carried.
Agenda Item #11 — City Administrator Storm stated the city will be accepting proposals for the
purchase of land just west of the new Dollar General distribution center. Seven of the eight lots of the new
Council Meeting November 23, 2021 3
10th Street subdivision are slightly over 1 acre in size and one lot is approximately 0.65 acres. Three
outlots are also included in the sale but these lots are unbuildable as they include the creek and a wooded
area. Storm stated the notice for sale will allow the City Council to review and make recommendations on
proposals, accepting or rejecting any based on what's best for the city. This means the city could accept a
lesser offer if it would mean the business would create jobs, sales tax revenue and property taxes. Staff
has developed the notice to allow the city the full ability to maximize the area for the city going forward.
Some proposals might be in the best interest of the city but not be the highest dollar up front but over the
long run would provide jobs and additional revenue for the city. The notice requires sealed proposals are
to be filed with the city clerk by 2 p.m. December 30, 2021. There is no minimum price for the lots, but
each lot will have an assessment of approximately $50,000 for the construction of water, sewer and paving
so these lots should sell for $70,000 plus or minus. The value of the land is minimal compared to the
improvements. Motion by Jon Stewart, second by Chris Jensen to approve Notice of Sale for city surplus
property. Council members voted as follows: Kevin Hall: Yea, Chris Jensen: Yea, Mindy Rump: Yea,
Andrew Schank: Yea, Marty Shepard: Yea, Jon Stewart: Yea, Kevin Willis: Yea, Frank Wolff. Absent.
All Council members voted: Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 1. Mayor Hansen declared the motion carried.
Agenda Item #12 — Mayor Hansen made a promotional appointment of Thomas Byrne as Sergeant
with the Blair Police Department. Chief Lager stated Officer Byrne is currently deployed with the
Nebraska National Guard in Syria, has been a Blair police officer since 2017. He served as a field artillery
fire direction specialist with the U.S. Army and served in Iraq in 2011. He has a bachelor's degree in
criminal justice and criminology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Motion by Jon Stewart,
second by Marty Shepard to approve the Mayoral promotional appointment of Thomas Byrne as Sergeant
with the Blair Police Department. Council members voted as follows: Kevin Hall: Yea, Chris Jensen: Yea,
Mindy Rump: Yea, Andrew Schank: Yea, Marty Shepard: Yea, Jon Stewart: Yea, Kevin Willis: Yea,
Frank Wolff. Absent. All Council members voted: Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 1. Mayor Hansen declared the
motion carried.
Agenda Item #13 — Mayor Hansen appointed Jacob Thome as a Police Officer with the Blair Police
Department. Chief Lager stated this a lateral hire and that Thome has been a certified officer in California
since 2016. He currently works for the Los Angeles County Sheriff s Department. He served three years
with the U.S. Army National Guard. He is married with three children all under the age of five. The reason
he chose Blair is that he wants to move his family from California, and they picked Nebraska. The Blair
Community Schools district was also a factor in his decision to move to Blair. Motion by Kevin Hall,
second by Kevin Willis to approve the appointment of Jacob Thome as a Police Officer with the Blair
Police Department. Council members voted as follows: Kevin Hall: Yea, Chris Jensen: Yea, Mindy Rump:
Yea, Andrew Schank: Yea, Marty Shepard: Yea, Jon Stewart: Yea, Kevin Willis: Yea, Frank Wolff:
Absent. All Council members voted: Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 1. Mayor Hansen declared the motion
carried.
Agenda Item #14 — City Administrator Storm stated the next City Council meeting will be a longer
agenda because there will be no second meeting in December. Mayor Hansen asked about the Fernando
signs. Storm stated Staff had not had time to contact Fernando's regarding their removal. Council member
Jensen asked if there could be a traffic study done on Highway 30 near Pizza Hut. Director of Public
Works reminded the Council that once the bypass goes in, there will be another stop light installed along
Highway 30.
Council Meeting November 23, 2021
Agenda Item #15 - Motion by Andrew Schank, second by Mindy Rump to adjourn the meeting
7:32 p.m. Council members voted as follows: Kevin Hall: Yea, Chris Jensen: Yea, Mindy Rump: Yea,
Andrew Schank: Yea, Marry Shepard: Yea, Jon Stewart: Yea, Kevin Willis: Yea, Frank Wolff: Absent.
All Council members voted: Yea: 7, Nay: 0, Absent: 1. Mayor Hansen declared the motion carried.
The following claims were approved: Acco, Inv, 2055.48; Accurate Testing, Svc, 1514.50;
American Legal Publishing, Svc, 650.00; American Underground Supply, Inv, 1368.11; Baker & Taylor
Books, Inv, 37.36; Beth Clarke, Inv, 625.00; Bh Ne Gas Utility, Svc, 3317.85; Bishop Business, Inv,
3411.00; Blair Ace Hardware, Inv, 67.57; Bomgaars Supply Inc, Inv, 930.11; Buds Auto Repair, Svc,
94.89; Burns & Mcdonnell, Svc, 1584.97; Calvin Poulsen, Svc, 540.00; Cdw Government Inc, Inv,
148.96; Cede & Co, Invest, 60000.00; Cede & Co, Invest, 11733.75; Cede & Co, Invest, 5948.75; Ciox
Health Llc, Svc, 20.00; City Of Blair, Svc, 137.52; City Of Blair, Svc, 144.61; City Of Blair, Svc, 760.07;
Dick's Electric Co, Svc, 4442.81; Dtn, Llc, Svc, 582.00; Eakes Office Plus, Inv, 98.93; Eftps, Dues,
32326.60; Eftps, Dues, 36068.16; Eriksen Construction Co Inc, Svc, 1035.00; Fairfield Inn & Suites, Svc,
624.75; Galls Llc, Inv, 33.16; Hawkins Inc, Inv, 13371.47; Hicks Drywall Llc, Svc, 350.00; Hjr Properties,
Svc, 500.00; J.P. Cooke Co., Inv, 21.70; Jdm Concrete Inc, Svc, 50.00; Kelly Ryan Equipment Co, Svc,
150.00; Kelly's Carpet Omaha, Svc, 217.94; League Association Of Risk, Svc, 340761.09; Midwest
Mudjacking Inc, Svc, 1462.50; Mississippi Lime Co, Inv, 14269.15; Nalco Company, Inv, 67784.50;
Ndeq, Invest, 142160.73; Nebraska Child Support Pmt Ctr, Dues, 214.62; Nebraska Child Support Pmt
Ctr, Dues, 214.62; Nebraska Dept Of Environment &, Svc, 1380.00; Nebraska Dept Of Health &, Svc,
617.80; Nebraska Dept Of Revenue, Svc, 9140.56; Nebraska Dept Of Transportatio, Svc, 5443.12;
Nebraska Salt & Grain Co, Inv, 3812.85; Nebraska State Fire Marshal, Svc, 50.00; Neelkanth Hospitality,
Svc, 306.95; Ne-Ia Industrial Fasteners, Inv, 389.27; Officeteam, Svc, 4333.04; Olsson Associates, Svc,
336.25; Omg Midwest Inc, Svc, 964.71; O'reilly Automotive Stores Inc, Inv, 33.24; Orkin Llc, Svc,
125.00; Pioneer Cleaning Llc, Svc, 11.43; Pioneer Telephone, Svc, 10.50; Police Officers Association,
Svc, 15.00; Pounds Printing Inc, Inv, 100.00; Principal Financial Group, Dues, 21095.87; Principal
Financial Group, Dues, 22254.05; Regional Care Inc, Svc, 438.00; S.E. Smith & Sons, Inv, 62.11;
Schonstedt Instrument Co, Inv, 477.88; State Withholding, Dues, 5120.25; State Withholding, Dues,
5869.48; Symbolarts, Inv, 110.00; The Sign Depot, Svc, 66.56; Thompson Construction Inc, Svc,
58655.37; Titan Machinery, Inv, 164.45; Univar Usa Inc, Inv, 24051.57; Us Postal Service, Inv, 2000.00;
Usa Bluebook, Inv, 244.01; Vessco Inc, Inv, 1044.26; Washington County Bank, Svc, 8222.36;
Washington County Bank, Svc, 8222.36; Woods & Aitken Llp, Svc, 610.00.
Richard Hansen, Mayor
ATTEST:
f
eeler, City Clerk
HM t' November 23, 2021
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