2002-05 Blair GatewayPRES ORTED ..1-
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
BLAIR, NEBRASKA
PERMIT NO. 47
ZIP C ODE 68008
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Mike Biffar Ward 1 Home 426-5394
115 Caddo
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By Mick Mines
Mayor of Blair
or many years, the City of Blair and
the Washington County Board have
x been concerned about the seriously
overcrowded conditions at the
Washington County Law Enforcement
Center.
The Blair Police Department (BPD), Washington
County Sheriff's Department (Sheriff), and the
County Jail moved into the Law Enforcement
Center in 1977. Washington_ County owns the
addition to the courthouse. They received a federal
grant to construct the facility and the City of Blair
leases office space for BPD on a month -to -month
basis.
Blair and Washington County have changed in 25
years. Drugs, gangs, violence, and related crimes
are a problem now, and will become even more
prevalent in the future. Local law enforcement
must remain proactive and head off crimes before
they are committed. The current building restricts
officers and staff from doing their jobs effectively.
In 1999, the City made a commitment to finally
resolve the problem. The City Council's Police &
Fire Committee (Jim Realph, Dave Waite, and
John Abbott) joined three County Supervisors on a
joint task force to develop a comprehensive
strategy that would keep the Police and Sheriff in
the same building for the foreseeable future.
The task force took its first meaningful step in 2000
when they recommended hiring Wilson Estes Police
Architects from Kansas City to professionally
evaluate the space needs of BPD and the Sheriff.
On May 14, Blair voters will decide if the City
purchases an existing property, or constructs a
new building to house the Blair Police Department.
The following questions and answers should help
you better understand why the City believes that
Blair taxpayers are best served by moving BPD to a
new location.
In March 1976, the Sheriff had five full -time deputies
and BPD had eleven full -time officers. Today, the
Sheriff has twenty -two full -time deputies, and BPD is
authorized for fifteen full -time officers. Including the
jail, and support staff, there are now more than sixty
personnel in the facility that was designed for twenty.
The Wilson Estes report concluded that the
inadequacies of the Washington County Law
Enforcement Center compromise confidentiality,
safety, security, and personnel productivity. The
facility is inadequate to conduct routine law
enforcement operations.
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BPD occupies 3,200 square feet in the Law
Enforcement Center. According to Wilson Estes,
they need 5,400 square feet today to effectively do
their job. In 20 years, BPD and the Sheriff would
need a combined space of 25,101 square feet. Of
that, BPD will need 7,000 square feet.
H ow much does Blair pay today for space in the La
E n f orcement Center?
Washington County leases 3,200 square feet of
office space to the City of Blair for about $20,000 a
continued on page 3.
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It is once again springtime, which means your public works department will
again be working on many projects around the city. Below is a partial list of
projects that will be done this season.
1. Street repairs. The streets department has made a list of concrete streets
that have small areas that need to be removed and replaced.
2. Swimming pool repairs on the deck around the baby pool and main pool,
repainting of the pool tub and installation of a new handicapped lift at the
pool.
3. Construction of seven blocks of new 6" water mains to replace existing I"
water mains. The blocks scheduled are 18th Street from Butler to Davis
Streets, Davis Street from 18th to 19th Streets, Nebraska Street from 14th to
16th Streets, Colfax Street from 3rd Street east for 700', Jackson Street from
23rd to 24th Streets and 22nd Street from Jackson to Wright Streets.
4. The utilities department will once again flush and test all fire hydrants
around the city to check their working condition and pressures. This allows
the utility department to verify the working condition of the hydrant and if
any maintenance is needed. There is a tendency for the water to have a
rusty look to it during this period. All that needs to be done is run the water
through your faucet until it clears. This usually takes a few minutes for the
rust color to clear.
5. All water valves will be exercised this year in the city to ensure proper
working condition.
6. The southwest portion of the city's sanitary sewer system has been jetted
this past winter.
7. The relief sanitary sewer line under construction along Nebraska and 13th
Streets is nearing completion.
8. The islands at the intersection of 13th and Washington Streets will have the
concrete surfacing removed and landscaping will replace the concrete.
This work should be completed in May /June this year. This project is being
funded through a grant from the federal government.
9. Jackson Street from 10th Street to just east of Middle school entrance will be
widened this year. This project is being funded through the sales tax
receipts.
10. 10th Street from Highway 30 to Nebraska Street will be rebuilt and widened
to include extensive new storm sewer this summer. This project is being
funded through the sales tax receipts.
11. Highway 91 from 20th Street to 25th Street will be overlaid with new asphalt
after the old asphalt is ground off. Work on this project is scheduled for
June this year. The Nebraska Department of Roads is funding this project.
12. There will be a new sidewalk /bike trail constructed from 11 th and Grant
Streets intersection to the bowling alley just east of the railroad tracks.
13. Replacement of storm sewer on Wilbur Street from 16th Street to approx.
500' east. This work is scheduled to be completed in May of this year. This
work is funded from the streets budget.
14. We will be installing new variable frequency drives in the west pump station
by the west reservoir. This should help in the reliability of the pump station.
This work is funded from the water department funds.
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The City of Blair recently received approval of a $308,939.00
federal grant to construct the first phase of the City's proposed trails
system. The federal funds will pay 80 percent of the cost, leaving 20
percent local funds. The Papio Missouri River NRD is expected to
approve funds to pay 50 percent of the City's local cost.
The first phase will extend from areas in the Deerfield subdivision
in the Northwest area of Blair to Lion's Park, with a short connection
to Arbor School.
It is anticipated that - construction will start on the 1.3 -mile trail by
October 1, 2002, and be completed by December 1, 2002.
Other segments of the proposed trail system currently proposed
for construction as part of other construction projects are 10th Street,
Railroad to Nebraska, Jackson Street, l 0th Street to 3rd Street, Wilbur
Street, 13th Street to 10th Street, Grant Street, 19th Street to Bowling
Ailey, Highway 30, and Lincoln Street to Highway 133.
City Council Agendab lNow
Available ^on the Internet and
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The City of Blair is now offering information to the public via
the Internet and Cable Channel 52. You may access the City
of Blair's web site at www.blairnebraska.org. You may also
obtain an agenda on the Friday prior to each regular meeting
of the Mayor and City Council by contacting City Fall at 218
S. 16th Street, Blair, Nebraska.
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According to the Nebraska State Electrical Act, 81 -2101 to
81 -2145 a well pump installer shall be allowed to connect a
submersible well pump and install the pump wiring in the
same trench with the water line to the building or structure.
No additional wiring shall be done unless he /she is licensed by
the State Electrical Board.
P ICTURED: Jason Roach of
the City Utility Department is
pictured installing a new 6"
tapping T. The Utilities
Department will be installing
over 7 blocks of 6" water main
this summer, eliminating 1"
substandard mains. The new
mains will provide improved
pressure and flow to the
residents, as well as improve
fire flow in different parts of
the City.
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PICTURED: Officer Robert "Bob" Leehy is pictured in driveway of old Safeway
Building. Voters will decide on May 14th whether to build a new building for
the Blair Police Department or purchase the old Safeway Building for use by
the Police Department.
year. The month -to -month lease is very
reasonable because a federal grant originally
funded construction of the building.
or $2,592,000, because property valuation in Blair
represents 28% of Washington County's total
valuation. Washington County would also charge
BPD about $900,000 for rent, utilities, and
operating expenses.
sharing, both departments are capable of
adjusting to change while maintaining their
excellent level of service.
Why not simply x n th e current Law The 20 -year cost to Blair taxpayers is $ uil i size -The Safeway building -6,820 square
E n f orcement C enter? feet. A new building - 7,000 square feet,
A re there other solut ions?
The Wilson Estes study proposes three (3) options
to expand space atthe Law Enforcement Center
by renovating all nonjail areas in the existing
structure; expanding offices into the courthouse
basement, and building a new addition.
Estimated construction costs for the three options
are different because each one proposes
completing the changes over different periods
of time. One option would complete all changes
at once for a cost $3,786,259. Another option
phases in changes over 10 years for $4,117,91
The third phases in changes over 20 years, and
would cost $5,488,021.
Wilson Estes recommends a fourth option. They
propose building a new joint Law Enforcement
Center somewhere else in Blair because it
"provides the best long -term solution to all facility
problems." The construction cost would be
$4,4 55,880.
The report went on to say, "There is little to be
gained in keeping law enforcement operations
with the jail and court facilities." By moving the
Law Enforcement Center to a new site, current
deficiencies in space at the jail are addressed,
while maintaining a reserve of space in the
basement of the courthouse for future county
needs.
What did the City do with the Wilson Estes
We agreed that each of the four options would
resolve the BPD space needs, but frankly, we felt
that each option is too expensive for Blair
taxpayers.
We asked Committee members Waite, Realph,
and Abbott to continue their evaluation. This
time, they evaluated options that are in the best
interests of BPD and Blair taxpayers, while still
achieving 20 -year space requirements defined
by Wilson Estes.
They returned with two options. The first proposes
that the City purchase the Safeway property
(building and parking lot) at 127 South 17th Street
and renovate the building. The second proposes
building a new building at a site yet to be
determined.
The Committee unanimously recommended that
the City purchase the Safeway property and
renovate the building.
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Our evaluation included the purchase price of
the Safeway building and paved 44 -stall parking
lot ($395,000), building renovation, new vestibule,
and a new roof ($327,000), utilities and operating
expenses ($322,000), funding with safety bonds
($450,000), and lost city property taxes by
removing the property from the tax role (-
$126,300).
The estimated costto Blairtaxpayers is $1,367,700.
Our evaluation included design and construction
of a new 7,000 - square -foot building ($1,095,000),
purchase and develop a new site ($225,000),
utilities and operating expenses ($322,000),
funding with safety bonds ($817,400), and lost
city property taxes by removing the property
from the tax role (- $67,700).
Date foccupancy-The Safeway building could
be occupied in 2002. A new building could be
occupied in 2004.
O f f -street parkin - The Safeway property has a
paved parking lot with 44- stalls. 30- stalls would
be available for public parking. A new building
site has not yet been determined, so off- street
parking is not known.
Location - The Safeway property is in the center
of Blair at 127 South 17th Street. A new building
site has not yet been determined, so the location
is not known.
G arage - The Safeway building has a single stall
garage. A new building can have a garage
incorporated in the design.
B uilding expansion - The Safeway building has
available room for expansion to the west and
south. A new building can be designed for
future expansion.
T ech nology -The Safeway building hasfiberoptic
communications. The cost to bring fiberoptic
technology to a new building is an additional
$11,000.
It was built in the late 1940s. The age of the
building was a consideration, so structural
engineers Olsson Associates from Omaha were
hired to evaluate the integrity of the building.
Their conclusion - the building is sound.
A new roof and several Olsson Associates
recommendations are included in the total
renovation costs to insure that the building
remains sound for many more years.
Thejoint task force was then directed to evaluate
alternatives to the Wilson Estes options. They
requested that the City and County contract
with HGM Associates, an Omaha architectural
firm, to provide an alternative plan to keep BPD
and the Sheriff together.
They did. HGM proposes the addition of a
second story to the current Law Enforcement
Center and remodeling the rest of the building.
j This is a unique and less expensive approach to
solving the space needs.
HGM estimates the construction cost would be
$3
Although the HGM proposal is $586,000 less than
the least expensive Wilson Estes option, we
concluded that HGM's proposal is still too
expensive.
Would the HGM proposal be cost-effective over
20 years?
L Fl Washington County owns the current
building and would continue to own the new
facility. Blair taxpayers would pay 28 percent of
'I'�I all building construction costs and debt funding,
The estimated 20 -year cost to Blair taxpayers is
$ 2,391,700,
;.
Yes. At $3,492,000, the HGM option is the least
expensive option that keeps BPD and the Sheriff
together. The investment in the Safeway property
is $1,367,700 ($2,124,300 less expensive) and a
new building is $2,391,700 ($1,100,300 less
expensive).
Additionally, when BPD moves to a new facility,
the Sheriff can expand into the vacated space
I
n the Law Enforcement Center, thus solving the
Sheriff's space problems too.
and the Sheriff?
These are highly professional departments with
highly professional individuals. The relationship
between BPD and the Sheriff is very good, and
there is no indication that separating these
departments will adversely affect this relationship.
Through the effective use of today's technology,
revised administrative procedures, and database
e •
The Safeway property and a brand new building
would both accommodate the BPD space
requirements for the next 20 years. There are
strongly differing views on the Council between
the Safeway property and a new building, so the
Blair voters will make this decision.
Council members DaveWaite, Jim Realph, John
Abbott, and Frank Wolff supportthe purchase of
the Safeway property and renovation of the
building. As mayor, I also endorse this option.
Council members Tammy McManigal, John
Shotwell, Gary Fanoele, and Mike Biffar support
construction of a new building.
If you have any questions, please contact City
Administrator Rod Storm (426 -4191) or any of
Blair's elected officials.
Th f G a t eway
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The Blair Cemetery Staff would like to remind its patrons that
they may set out decorations for the Memorial Day holiday
starting on May 23, 2002, This, however, doesn't include any
glass items, which are not permitted forthe holiday observance,
as these items may get broken and thus cause a danger to
either the staff or other patrons of the cemetery.
We would also ask our patrons that they pick up those
decorations that were set out by June 3, 2002, Any decorations
left out past the June 3rd date will be picked up by the
Cemetery staff and discarded.
The Cemetery does not allow permanent planting except
for peonies, irises, tulips, or other small flowers, and then only
located directly north or south of any markers or monuments.
Any planting of shrubs or trees are to be done only by the
Cemetery staff. If you would like further information as to our
rules and regulations please contact our staff at 402-426-5244
or e-mail us at HYPERLINK mailto:PatL@Cl. Blair. NE.US
PatL@CI. Blair. NE. US. If you would like to checkout our directory
of burials you may stop at our office, or at our outside directory
located at our old office located in the center of the Cemetery,
but if you would like you can also check us out on the City web
site Blair. NE.org and go to the bottom of the page and click on
Cemetery Directory. Then type in the name you are looking
for, A quick reminder: if you are looking for the whole family,
only fill in the last name, This will allow you to pull up everyone
by that last name,
Pat Long
Blair Cemetery and Parks Department Superintendent
PICTURED: Lowell Kubie, Dan McMurtry, and Richard Warrick finishing concrete at
the Blair Municipal Pool. The City is repairing parts of the pool deck to eliminate any
hazards that exist such as cracke or settling concrete. The pool has also been
recently repainted by the W.S. Bunch Co. as part of the regular pool maintenance.
Prior to the swimming season opening crews will also install a new handicapped lift
to make the pool more accessible to everyone.
Effective January 1, 2002, all work shall be inspected
according to the 1999 NEC Section 210-12 as follows:
Dwelling Unit Bedrooms. All branch circuits that supply 125 -
volt, single-phase, 15-and 20-ampere receptacle outlets i
dwelling unit bedrooms shall be protected by an arc-faul
circuit-interrupter (AFCI). This section states that the branc
circuit shall be protected, therefore receptacle outlet
device type AFCI .devices are not approved. The
protection must be from a circuit breaker-type AFCI
device.
Please note that the requirement will change with the
adoption of the 2002 National Electrical Code. The
language in the 2002 NEC Code was changed to require
AFCI protection of all outlets in dwelling unit bedrooms. T[
includes all branch circuits in the bedrooms, not just thOSE
supplying receptacle outlets, as it was stated in the 1999
NEC Code.