Minatare City Council Minutes
October 10th, 2023 A regular meeting of the Minatare City Council was held in the Council Rooms in open and public session at 6:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Cheryl Spencer, Council Members: Jon Grumbles, Frank Costa, Celeste Sanchez, Barbara Ross, City Clerk: Angie Hernandez. Also present were Christy Manka, Carolyn Nelson, Chris Lally, Melissa Lally, Jared Shephard, Mike Winget, Josie Hall, Tiffany Hall, Dallas Vernon, Dana Vernon, Colt Edmunds, Marcella Kreiling, Dave-PADD, Kaleb Schank, Notice of the meeting was given in advance by posting in three designated places, the method of giving notice as shown by Certificate of Posting Notice attached to these minutes. Availability of the agenda was communicated to the Mayor and Council of this meeting, and a copy of their acknowledgment of receipt of the minutes and the agenda is attached to these minutes. All proceedings hereafter shown while the meeting was open the attendance of the public. Mayor opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, she also pointed out the open meetings poster to the public. Motion to accept the agenda and the minutes, Grumbles Motion seconded by Ross Roll call Grumbles, Ross, Costa, Sanchez. The following claims were read and audited: ActionCommunications:$19.71,Alfac:$403.86,AngieHernandez :$44.81,BlkHillsEnergy : $252.10,BobbinHeads:$160.00,Bytes:$1736.25CityofScottsbluff:$3264.91,CANSurety:$356. 87,ContractorsMaterials:$411.60ConsolidatedServices:$2603.30,DearBornGroup:$17.20, EakesOffice:$235.55,Ellison,Kovarik:$4603.84,EnviroServicesINC:$25.00, EFTPS:$6063.33,FirstNet:$315.26,FranklinTempleton:$631.96,Galls;$381.10HawkinsInc;$ 633.00,Idealscleaners:$330.51HometownLeasing:$75.62,JudyHoatson:$700.00,Menards:$1 4.97,Larm:$25,841.00,Library:$100.00MonumentPrevention:$612.00,MobuisComm:$62.10 Nebr Printworks:$74.05, NEbr Public Health:$970.00, Nebr State tax:$457.37, Nebr Rural Water:$500.00,NPPD:$2928.55 One Call Concepts:$7.12, Panhandle Coop:$419.00, PVBank:$1680.35SargentDrilling:$7,297.00,SCBFCOUNTYCLERK:$232.36,ScbfBuidling &Zoning:$35.00,ScbfCountyCourt:$17.00Spectrum:$422.92,StarHearld:$745.82, TomCase:$329.44,UMEMPLOYMENT:$5.87UsableLife:$40.50,WasteConnections:$6413.3 7, Payroll$18,189.51 Old Business Handbook: Renew of Melbeta Contract- Jared- Melbeta decided on renewing their contract with the same hours as the contract was last year nothing changed on this beside it will be a 1-year contract instead of a 6 month contract. New Business: Building Permits/Streets: Con Sanchez: NO SHOW again Angie made it very clear to Con when he wanted back on the agenda that if he doesn’t show up this time, he will not be allowed to get his name on the agenda again. This makes 2 NO SHOWS in a round. Cats- Tiffany Hall: Tiffany is very concerned on all the cats in town and has been talking with Midtown Animal Clinic regarding get rid of them not in a bad way. Tiffany read a State Guidelines cruelty to animals and the fines, imprisonment and will be charged with a felony is this does happen, Tiffany states there is a solution this on Cats & fletch located in Colorado. Tiffany can get a group of them and remove them; Midtown Animal Clinic will give the City of Minatare a discount, but she needs 2 traps and her and her wife will match up to $1,000.00 with the city. Keno $ can be used for this to match. Midtown will discount to spade a male cat is $50.00, Female is $90.00 and then Rabies and distemper shot only. Celeste suggested will table this til next month and see how this go. There was a concern on people that are feeding the stray cats already and with the weather changes this might not be a good idea. Grumbles motion that that City donates $500.00 from the Keno account to help with this, and Tiffany and Josie Hall will match with $500.00, 2nd- Costa, Roll Call yeas: Ross, Costa, Grumbles, ney: Sanchez. Tiffany will keep the city informed of how things are going and get with Midtown Animal Clinic in the morning and have them set up an account in City of Minatare name then they will send a bill here and Tiffany will then drop a check off for $500.00 and we can go from there to see how this works out. PADD: Dave was invited by Celeste to talk about getting some grants for the city. Apparently, there was a misunderstanding about how this program works. Dave talks about getting a Planning Group/Grant together and that will cost $2,000.00 this will hire a planning person. The city needs to go Grant founder to see what kind of grants there are out there and see what will benefit the city. Dave thought the planning grants are good for 5 years but was not sure that he will need to check in to this to give us the correct information. Some grants are easy, others not so. There is a fee that will be filed for each grant, so need to make sure that is what we want and have the $$ for. For example, like downtown, sidewalks, signs. Building downtown that are not being used or maintained Dave mention about ordinance, taxes, fines even lien on the property to the owners. We need to check our ordinance on this to see what it states, and Dave thought start putting pressure on the owners and mention nuisance/abatement with PADD we can adopted their ordinance thru PADD states the building is unsafe and go that way. This would be something that the council will need to think about and decide if they want to start making their city start to look nice! Minutes – Star Herald vs Website- Angie brought to the council since August she has spent over $750.00 already to post the minutes in the local newspaper what is our option to post it on the website and save the city some money. Our Atty Jim states that since we are a 2nd class, we do not have to post it in the newspaper. Angie can post in 3 places and have minutes available for inspection in the office during regular business hours. His research disclosed no newspaper publications requirement. You can also post the agendas, minutes, and ordinance on the City Website as convenience to the citizens. The city code also covers this at 1-307 and 1-3017. Cheryl asked at this time if Celeste could give Angie the Password so she could go in and post agenda, minutes for the town. Celest states that she will get with Brian Hale and have him get that information to Angie and show her some things regarding post on the website. Engine Braking- Cheryl Melissa Lally from the State came in and talk about the requirements on the signs and who and what is the city responsibilities after the signs are installed. The state will put up the signs at no charge, but if they are wearing out, tear down, accident, vandalize this is the city responsibility to get this replace and fix the State will come out to fix them but will charge that City which this is expensive to do. Just a reminder that Frank made a comment the first time that these signs were free, come to find out they were not. It was Tom’s responsibility to order the signs. Frank took it upon himself to order the signs through and company that the city never have used and had them deliver to the office because the FedEx guy was unable to deliver at Frank’s House. Angie had no clue on what was going on because this was to be discuss at the Tuesday meeting. Angie called J&A traffic Products and spoke with Jeff Mindham. Jeff informed Angie that these signs were ordered By Frank Costa and asked to be delivery at his house and was paid with his credit card. We later received a receipt that states there was a donation with some of the residents around town. Transfer money- Carolyn per Judy the CPA that we still need to transfer $3,107.00 from the street to general because this pool is overdrawn per Jada the Auditor this need to have this taken care of. Close out Sewer and Water Tax accounts: Angie and Carolyn spoke on behalf of Judy asking us to close these accounts and put everything into General. The council is afraid that if the money goes into general then it will be spent, and they do not want this to happen. We have a water and sewer bond that’s comes out twice a year and that money is already reserved for that. If it goes in the general the council is afraid that we would not be able to pay for these bonds and they have to be paid for no excuses. The council decided to leave things the way they are and not move or close these 2 accounts. Communications: Angie wanted to remind everyone that we need to have better communications between each other regarding having a day off, appointments, if something is being delivered here to the office or anything. Lagoon Bank Repair- Tom has been speaking with the engineer Michael Olsen at MC SCHAFF Paul Reed quote us $38,600.00 for the riverbanks to be fixed over the last 3 years it has gotten bad, Tom stressed that this needs to be done asap. Melissa with the State stated that Tom called her boss and maybe they can help with lower the cost it might be cheaper to go with them. Grumbles Motion to accept $38,600.00 to get started the Lagoon Bank Repair, 2nd by Sanchez, Roll Call Yeas: Costa, Sanchez, Grumbles, Ross. Water well-Tom states the pressure switch is not working the wells are weak and losing water this is not good, the well is from 1976 Tom proposed a VFD motor, 3-way switch will cost $45,000.00this will take care of the old well, piping and new stuff to it. Grumbles Motion to Fix the Water Well for $45,000.00 before something really goes wrong and the city doesn’t have water. 2Nd Ross, Roll Call: Yeas, Sanchez, Grumbles, Ross, Costa Meter Repairs- Tom Meters can last 20 years then needs to be replaces we are getting that this point where the meter are needing to be replace for example PMS 4” guts. Meters. Spinners are needing to be replace Tom is needing to get a meter order at this time unsure what the cost will be he is thinking $300 -$400 for a meter $180 for registration, We might have a few other meters that might be going out too and would like to have some in stock. Sanchez motion to allow $2,000.00 to get this meter replace for PMS , 2nd Grumbles, Roll Call yeas: Grumbles, Ross, Costa, Sanchez ADJORN: 7:10 p.m. Motion by Ross, Sanchez 2nd, Roll call: Grumbles, Ross, Costa, Sanchez /s/ ___________________________ Cheryl Spencer/ Mayor ATTEST: /s/ ____________________________
Minatare City Council Minutes
October 10th, 2023 A regular meeting of the Minatare City Council was held in the Council Rooms in open and public session at 6:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Cheryl Spencer, Council Members: Jon Grumbles, Frank Costa, Celeste Sanchez, Barbara Ross, City Clerk: Angie Hernandez. Also present were Christy Manka, Carolyn Nelson, Chris Lally, Melissa Lally, Jared Shephard, Mike Winget, Josie Hall, Tiffany Hall, Dallas Vernon, Dana Vernon, Colt Edmunds, Marcella Kreiling, Dave-PADD, Kaleb Schank, Notice of the meeting was given in advance by posting in three designated places, the method of giving notice as shown by Certificate of Posting Notice attached to these minutes. Availability of the agenda was communicated to the Mayor and Council of this meeting, and a copy of their acknowledgment of receipt of the minutes and the agenda is attached to these minutes. All proceedings hereafter shown while the meeting was open the attendance of the public. Mayor opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, she also pointed out the open meetings poster to the public. Motion to accept the agenda and the minutes, Grumbles Motion seconded by Ross Roll call Grumbles, Ross, Costa, Sanchez. The following claims were read and audited: ActionCommunications:$19.71,Alfac:$403.86,AngieHernandez :$44.81,BlkHillsEnergy : $252.10,BobbinHeads:$160.00,Bytes:$1736.25CityofScottsbluff:$3264.91,CANSurety:$356. 87,ContractorsMaterials:$411.60ConsolidatedServices:$2603.30,DearBornGroup:$17.20, EakesOffice:$235.55,Ellison,Kovarik:$4603.84,EnviroServicesINC:$25.00, EFTPS:$6063.33,FirstNet:$315.26,FranklinTempleton:$631.96,Galls;$381.10HawkinsInc;$ 633.00,Idealscleaners:$330.51HometownLeasing:$75.62,JudyHoatson:$700.00,Menards:$1 4.97,Larm:$25,841.00,Library:$100.00MonumentPrevention:$612.00,MobuisComm:$62.10 Nebr Printworks:$74.05, NEbr Public Health:$970.00, Nebr State tax:$457.37, Nebr Rural Water:$500.00,NPPD:$2928.55 One Call Concepts:$7.12, Panhandle Coop:$419.00, PVBank:$1680.35SargentDrilling:$7,297.00,SCBFCOUNTYCLERK:$232.36,ScbfBuidling &Zoning:$35.00,ScbfCountyCourt:$17.00Spectrum:$422.92,StarHearld:$745.82, TomCase:$329.44,UMEMPLOYMENT:$5.87UsableLife:$40.50,WasteConnections:$6413.3 7, Payroll$18,189.51 Old Business Handbook: Renew of Melbeta Contract- Jared- Melbeta decided on renewing their contract with the same hours as the contract was last year nothing changed on this beside it will be a 1-year contract instead of a 6 month contract. New Business: Building Permits/Streets: Con Sanchez: NO SHOW again Angie made it very clear to Con when he wanted back on the agenda that if he doesn’t show up this time, he will not be allowed to get his name on the agenda again. This makes 2 NO SHOWS in a round. Cats- Tiffany Hall: Tiffany is very concerned on all the cats in town and has been talking with Midtown Animal Clinic regarding get rid of them not in a bad way. Tiffany read a State Guidelines cruelty to animals and the fines, imprisonment and will be charged with a felony is this does happen, Tiffany states there is a solution this on Cats & fletch located in Colorado. Tiffany can get a group of them and remove them; Midtown Animal Clinic will give the City of Minatare a discount, but she needs 2 traps and her and her wife will match up to $1,000.00 with the city. Keno $ can be used for this to match. Midtown will discount to spade a male cat is $50.00, Female is $90.00 and then Rabies and distemper shot only. Celeste suggested will table this til next month and see how this go. There was a concern on people that are feeding the stray cats already and with the weather changes this might not be a good idea. Grumbles motion that that City donates $500.00 from the Keno account to help with this, and Tiffany and Josie Hall will match with $500.00, 2nd- Costa, Roll Call yeas: Ross, Costa, Grumbles, ney: Sanchez. Tiffany will keep the city informed of how things are going and get with Midtown Animal Clinic in the morning and have them set up an account in City of Minatare name then they will send a bill here and Tiffany will then drop a check off for $500.00 and we can go from there to see how this works out. PADD: Dave was invited by Celeste to talk about getting some grants for the city. Apparently, there was a misunderstanding about how this program works. Dave talks about getting a Planning Group/Grant together and that will cost $2,000.00 this will hire a planning person. The city needs to go Grant founder to see what kind of grants there are out there and see what will benefit the city. Dave thought the planning grants are good for 5 years but was not sure that he will need to check in to this to give us the correct information. Some grants are easy, others not so. There is a fee that will be filed for each grant, so need to make sure that is what we want and have the $$ for. For example, like downtown, sidewalks, signs. Building downtown that are not being used or maintained Dave mention about ordinance, taxes, fines even lien on the property to the owners. We need to check our ordinance on this to see what it states, and Dave thought start putting pressure on the owners and mention nuisance/abatement with PADD we can adopted their ordinance thru PADD states the building is unsafe and go that way. This would be something that the council will need to think about and decide if they want to start making their city start to look nice! Minutes – Star Herald vs Website- Angie brought to the council since August she has spent over $750.00 already to post the minutes in the local newspaper what is our option to post it on the website and save the city some money. Our Atty Jim states that since we are a 2nd class, we do not have to post it in the newspaper. Angie can post in 3 places and have minutes available for inspection in the office during regular business hours. His research disclosed no newspaper publications requirement. You can also post the agendas, minutes, and ordinance on the City Website as convenience to the citizens. The city code also covers this at 1-307 and 1-3017. Cheryl asked at this time if Celeste could give Angie the Password so she could go in and post agenda, minutes for the town. Celest states that she will get with Brian Hale and have him get that information to Angie and show her some things regarding post on the website. Engine Braking- Cheryl Melissa Lally from the State came in and talk about the requirements on the signs and who and what is the city responsibilities after the signs are installed. The state will put up the signs at no charge, but if they are wearing out, tear down, accident, vandalize this is the city responsibility to get this replace and fix the State will come out to fix them but will charge that City which this is expensive to do. Just a reminder that Frank made a comment the first time that these signs were free, come to find out they were not. It was Tom’s responsibility to order the signs. Frank took it upon himself to order the signs through and company that the city never have used and had them deliver to the office because the FedEx guy was unable to deliver at Frank’s House. Angie had no clue on what was going on because this was to be discuss at the Tuesday meeting. Angie called J&A traffic Products and spoke with Jeff Mindham. Jeff informed Angie that these signs were ordered By Frank Costa and asked to be delivery at his house and was paid with his credit card. We later received a receipt that states there was a donation with some of the residents around town. Transfer money- Carolyn per Judy the CPA that we still need to transfer $3,107.00 from the street to general because this pool is overdrawn per Jada the Auditor this need to have this taken care of. Close out Sewer and Water Tax accounts: Angie and Carolyn spoke on behalf of Judy asking us to close these accounts and put everything into General. The council is afraid that if the money goes into general then it will be spent, and they do not want this to happen. We have a water and sewer bond that’s comes out twice a year and that money is already reserved for that. If it goes in the general the council is afraid that we would not be able to pay for these bonds and they have to be paid for no excuses. The council decided to leave things the way they are and not move or close these 2 accounts. Communications: Angie wanted to remind everyone that we need to have better communications between each other regarding having a day off, appointments, if something is being delivered here to the office or anything. Lagoon Bank Repair- Tom has been speaking with the engineer Michael Olsen at MC SCHAFF Paul Reed quote us $38,600.00 for the riverbanks to be fixed over the last 3 years it has gotten bad, Tom stressed that this needs to be done asap. Melissa with the State stated that Tom called her boss and maybe they can help with lower the cost it might be cheaper to go with them. Grumbles Motion to accept $38,600.00 to get started the Lagoon Bank Repair, 2nd by Sanchez, Roll Call Yeas: Costa, Sanchez, Grumbles, Ross. Water well-Tom states the pressure switch is not working the wells are weak and losing water this is not good, the well is from 1976 Tom proposed a VFD motor, 3-way switch will cost $45,000.00this will take care of the old well, piping and new stuff to it. Grumbles Motion to Fix the Water Well for $45,000.00 before something really goes wrong and the city doesn’t have water. 2Nd Ross, Roll Call: Yeas, Sanchez, Grumbles, Ross, Costa Meter Repairs- Tom Meters can last 20 years then needs to be replaces we are getting that this point where the meter are needing to be replace for example PMS 4” guts. Meters. Spinners are needing to be replace Tom is needing to get a meter order at this time unsure what the cost will be he is thinking $300 -$400 for a meter $180 for registration, We might have a few other meters that might be going out too and would like to have some in stock. Sanchez motion to allow $2,000.00 to get this meter replace for PMS , 2nd Grumbles, Roll Call yeas: Grumbles, Ross, Costa, Sanchez ADJORN: 7:10 p.m. Motion by Ross, Sanchez 2nd, Roll call: Grumbles, Ross, Costa, Sanchez /s/ ___________________________ Cheryl Spencer/ Mayor ATTEST: /s/ ____________________________
Agenda
City Council 2023
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Angie Hernadez City Clerk
Jerad Shepard Chief of Police
Mayor and City Council are proud to announce, that we hired Jared Shepard for our Chief of Police. He started with Minatare January 3, 2022.
Jared began his career in law enforcement with the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office in December of 20211 and graduated from the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center Basic Academy in April of 2012. He remained employed by the Sheriff’s Office to mid-2016 when he and hiss family moved to Washington State. Jared worked as an officer for the city of Wenatchee for just over 5 years before he and his family relocated back to the Scottsbluff area.
Throughout his career Jared has served in the capacity of a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, School Resource Officer and SWAT Team Operator, and now the New Chief of Police for Minatare NE. Jared and his wife have two daughters, Ruth and Bette. Jared and his family are happy to be back in Western Nebraska with family and friends.
Jared has appointed Matt Rockwell as his fulltime Officer, Matt has 23 years in law Enforcement and is respected by all of his peers. They make a GREAT Team.
CONGRATUALTIONS TO BOTH OF THESE GREAT OFFICERS IN THEIR NEW ROLE
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Mayor Cheryl Spencer
The small town has had struggles - like many rural areas - with a lack of jobs and a small population to balance upkeep of roads and buildings. Main Street, which Spencer reminisced once had several beauty shops, a laundromat, a drugstore and a place to pay your electric bill.
The town's only grocery store closed in 2016, and people have to travel into Scottsbluff for gas and banking. The old Platte Valley Bank branch is now City Hall and only a handful of businesses remain: An auto shop, the post office, a beauty salon and the Broken Spoke Bar and Grill.
Spencer said there are some new prospects, with a Dollar General and a development at Stonegate and County Road 26.
"It would be great to see those develop and open up to our community," Spencer said. Spencer, 65, didn't start in small-town politics. She was born and raised in Scottsbluff, and moved with her husband in 1976 to Minatare.
She raised two daughters while working as a registered nurse at the Bayard nursing home. She returned to school and earned her licensed practical nurse certification to work at Northfield Villa and later a doctor's office.
She also got involved, joining the Minatare School Board in the early nineties while her children were in junior high and high school, and later held a term on the City Council. She lost her husband to a work accident in 2016, but said she continued to look for ways to help in the community.
"I'm still trying to find who I am. Because I've always been mom, wife and stuff," Spencer said. "But I've always liked to be involved in the community, and here I am."
With small-town politics, the tactics were a little different. She bought one banner, hand-painted old signs given to her by a friend to put lettering onto, was given an extra cloth sign made by a neighbor and supporter. She didn't participate in a forum but said she tried to be available. She was inspired to run by friend and new city councilwoman Celeste Sanchez.
Sanchez said she pushed Spencer to run because of her "open mind, and willingness for trying something new."
"We just need some new ideas," Sanchez said. "It's like winning a lotto ticket: 'Why don't I ever win a lotto ticket?' Well, you have to enter to win."
Sanchez, who's lived in Minatare 44 years, said she will balance her human resources career with being on the city council, her first public service position.
"I would like to see Minatare evolve, as far as housing, improving the looks of the city," Sanchez said. "And working with other people getting new businesses in, what can we offer companies to come in to this area, we don't have a lot. As far as downtown, I would like to really put a new facelift on downtown."
Spencer said the election was the easy part, now it's time for the real thing.
"I do realize the mayor doesn't always have a lot of power. You're more of a figure head - but you vote, when there's a tie, she said. "But surely you know if you see issues and address them as a council, maybe we could get some things done."
">Forty-five years ago, Cheryl Spencer fell in love with Minatare's small town charm.
"It's just, to me, a nice little town. People that you don't even know will wave to say good morning. We look out for each other." she said. "I think that's what Minatare is about - is helping each other."
Now, Spencer, is in her first week as mayor. In the town of 896 people, she wants to see the place where she put down roots to grow back.
Spencer won the election over incumbent Bob Baldwin by a margin of 45 votes, winning 142 of the 239 votes cast in the election. Baldwin did not respond to a request for comment. Spencer said her focus is to promote businesses, clean and maintain properties, fix roads and reimagine housing.
"I don't think any city ever has enough money to do everything they'd like to do. But if we could just maintain both that small town atmosphere, that when you come here, this is nice, well-maintained and it would be great to see some new housing."