Long Pine City Council Members - Linda Alberts, Kathy Papstein and Andrea Collatos, with Dave Cheatum absent, met in regular session on Thursday, March 4, 2021.
Under the consent agenda, the Council approved the February 4, 2021 minutes, treasurer’s report, approval of claims and payroll summary.
Animal Control Officer Dave Cheatum was not present so Mayor Brown stated that there have been many reports about dogs running-at-large called in.
Mayor Brown reported that the Health Board met on Tuesday, March 2nd. Several attempts to contact the owner of a property that has several wrecked demolition derby cars continues. The property needs to be cleaned up due to potential nuisance.
Brown stated he will be attending a land bank workshop in Bassett next week. This is a good way to address distressed properties in this region.
The Health Board was contacted by a former resident who asked the Board if they would follow up on a neighboring property that needs a privacy fence. This property has lots of metal and vehicles sitting around.
Under the Mayor’s report, Brown stated that the City and NPPD are working on a Long Pine City website. This will be in addition to the Long Pine Chamber of Commerce’s website.
Long Pine Foundation members and volunteers refurbished the bleachers, and cleaned up the stage and repaired the polar bear’s ear in The Palace. The stage cleanup was overdue and not a pleasant effort.
Jim Debolt spent six hours on Saturday afternoon/evening repairing a water leak on Cedar Street. He found an abandoned water line and curb-stop that was causing the problem. The curb-stop wasn’t on the City’s map dated back to 1994. Quotes will be requested for a new utility map. It may be possible to find some grant money to help pay for this.
The City is looking into painting a mural on the north side of the Palace. A company in Kearney has several murals on buildings in “The Bricks” area of downtown Kearney. The initial over-the-phone quote was $15.00 - $20.00 per square foot. The price would include designing the mural. The company has offered to give Long Pine representatives a tour of their work in town.
The recent audit has been finalized and the final reports will be sent to the City some time this month.
Under old business, the Mayor stated that he is trying to make contact with the Nebraska Game and Parks to move forward on possibly putting up a security camera. He stated there are some other projects to the building that need to be addressed.
The Council approved a new building permit for Matt Pozehl to replace one that had expired. The permit is to tear down an old house and building in the same site for Jennerfer Jones and Allisa Mallard. This property is located on Hidden Paradise Street.
Tim and Garry Denny applied for a building permit to change a single car garage into a two car garage at the property located at 697 N. Main Street owned by Terry Dudley. Due to questions on possible violations of setbacks on this property, the Council voted to refer this application over to the Long Pine Board of Adjustments for them to present a recommendation to the Council.
The Council approved pricing from Topkote Inc., to furnish all materials and perform all labor necessary to complete the 2021 Rout-N-Seal at .67¢ per linear foot with a $10,000.00 maximum price.
The Council approved updating the signature card at Bomgaars, removing Henry Thorne and Nadine Baxter and adding signors, Ed Brown, Jim Debolt and Jan Buoy.
To coincide with the State of Nebraska guidelines on mileage reimbursement, the Council approved 56¢ per mile for employees using personal vehicles to do city business.
Next regular meeting will be held on Thursday, April 1st.