The Blair City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on second reading to rezone property west of the new Dollar General distribution site Tuesday during its regular meeting.
City Administrator Rod Storm presented the council with a preliminary plat for the property, which includes seven lots that are just over 1 acre and an outlot, which would leave the trees as a buffer to residential neighbors.
Council members had voiced their concerns about future property owners removing those trees.
The preliminary plat still needs to be approved by the Blair Planning Commission at its July meeting.
The ordinance will rezone the property from office park district to agricultural/industrial and manufacturing.
Chief Joe Lager introduced the Blair Police Department's newest officers — Cody Peters and Antonio Leslie — to the council.
Both officers were previously certified. Peters was a deputy for the Washington County Sheriff's Office, while Leslie worked for the Burt County Sheriff's Office.
Blair police chaplains Mark Degner and Amy Krejcarek presented the officers with challenge coins.
The council approved two bids for the renovation project for the Harry Ohrt Lions Club Shelter in Steyer Park.
Advantage Lawn Care was awarded the sole bid of $9,984 for a retaining wall, while Dick's Electric was awarded the low bid of $10,459 for electrical work.
The city did not receive any bids for the masonry work. The council authorized city staff to seek a negotiated proposal for the work and present it back to the council for approval.
The renovation plans for the shelter include opening the back wall of the building to a courtyard with picnic tables, a retaining wall and additional landscaping for the public to better utilize the facility.
The Washington County Chamber of Commerce will host its second annual Business and Brews from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 27 in the St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church parking lot.
The council approved a special designated liquor license for the event.
Executive Director Jordan Rishel said the chamber is hoping to increase the number of vendors from 35 to 50 and add a band.
The council approved a resolution for participation in the Papio-Missouri Natural Resource District hazard mitigation plan, which is a multi-jurisdictional multi-hazard mitigation plan. It involves Washington, Burt, Dakota, Douglas, Sarpy and Thurston counties in the plans.
The plan is a FEMA requirement for jurisdictions to be eligible for grant funding options.
