Public Meetings - Hastings, Nebraska

The Hastings City Council met in regular session at 6:00 PM on April 27, 2026, at the Hastings Municipal Airport. All eight council members were present. The meeting covered routine consent items, a Federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 grant application, an airport runway engineering resolution, and the first reading of a Restaurant and Drinking Place Occupation Tax ordinance. Consent Calendar - The consent agenda was approved unanimously (8-0). Approved items included the April 13, 2026 meeting minutes, routine claims and payroll (withholding the claim of Vaughan's Printing), event permits and liquor licenses for First Street Brewing Company events (Fun Run/Bags Tourney on August 8, 2026, and Do the Que BBQ on August 21–22, 2026), an addendum to the Duncan Field Lease Agreement adding Hastings Sports LLC, and a $10,505.30 invoice for Brownfield Grant administrative services. An Item J that appeared in a draft of the agenda was removed before the vote. Public Comments & Testimony - Curtis Johnson spoke against Ordinance 4829 (Restaurant and Drinking Place Occupation Tax). He argued the tax would be an additional burden on Hastings residents, citing the city's 14.8% poverty rate (compared to a 10.6% state average) and a median household income of approximately $64,000 (compared to the state average of $76,000). He recommended the council look for budget cuts before enacting new taxes. - Edward Krontz also spoke in opposition, stating that a majority of residents he spoke with are against the tax because they cannot afford it. He argued the tax would likely reduce tips for waitstaff and that people might choose to stop dining out entirely, negatively impacting restaurants and their employees. Discussion Items - Federal Opportunity Zones 2.0 Grant (General Business 4b): HEDC Community Development Director Sydney Erickson presented the application to have two Hastings census tracts designated as federal opportunity zones. These 10-year designations encourage private investment in low-income or economically disadvantaged areas through capital gains tax deferrals. The council asked clarifying questions about the specific tracts (located on the south side of Hastings) and how the tax credits function. A motion to authorize Mayor Beckby to sign the application passed unanimously (8-0). - Airport Runway Project Agency Agreement (Resolution 2026-37, General Business 5a): Airport Manager Matt Kuhr explained the resolution was an application to the FAA for engineering funds covering the entire runway lighting project. The funding structure is 95% federal, 2% state, leaving a 3% city share. Kuhr stated the current lighting is holding but needs replacement, with bidding for construction expected to begin in February of the following year. The resolution passed unanimously (8-0). - Restaurant and Drinking Place Occupation Tax (Ordinance 4829, General Business 5b): City Administrator Mark Funkey presented the ordinance for first reading. The ordinance establishes a 2.5% tax on prepared food and beverages to fund the Hastings Museum and the city's general fund. He estimated that 1% of the tax would generate roughly $600,000 annually. Council debate included: - Support from Councilmember Brad Consbruck as a preferable alternative to property tax increases. - Support from Councilmember Maggie Esch framing it as a necessary step to address a projected $3 million budget gap and capture visitor dollars, noting other communities already have such a tax. - Concerns from Councilmember Michael Anderson about the impact on the elderly and difficulty collecting from mobile food vendors. - Opposition from Councilmember Marc Rowan, who argued the city should find budget cuts equal to the amount generated by the tax. - Concerns about food truck compliance, with staff acknowledging they are working on a better registration and tracking system. - Councilmember Steve Huntley suggested moving the item forward on first reading to allow more public feedback before the second reading. The percentage can be amended at the second reading. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Approved (8-0). - Vaughan's Printing Claim ($215.00): Approved (7-0-1, Councilmember Esch abstained). - Federal Opportunity Zones 2.0 Grant: Mayor authorized to sign the application. Approved (8-0). - Airport Resolution (2026-37): Agency Agreement for FAA funding approved. Approved (8-0). - Restaurant and Drinking Place Occupation Tax (Ordinance 4829): Approved on first reading (6-2). Councilmembers Michael Anderson and Marc Rowan voted against. The ordinance will return for a second reading at a future meeting.

The Hastings Planning Commission met on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Hastings Municipal Airport, beginning at 4:03 PM and adjourning at 4:31 PM. The meeting included a public hearing on a conditional use permit for first-floor residential units at 714 West 5th Street, updates on city development projects, and recognition of a departing commissioner. All votes were unanimous. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: The minutes from March 17, 2026, were approved with a correction changing the day from Thursday to Tuesday. Motion carried 6-0. Public Hearing – Conditional Use Permit 2026-178 - Staff Presentation: Kevin Kubo, Director of Development Services, presented the request from Queen City Development LLC for a conditional use permit to allow first-floor residential units at the former middle school property (714 West 5th Street). Staff recommended approval, noting that first-floor residential is now an allowed use in the C-2 district subject to a conditional use permit, after previous rezoning attempts were deemed spot zoning. The project is consistent with the future land use map and comprehensive plan. - Commission Discussion: Commissioner Kully asked about a nearby church (still active). Commissioner Hubbard questioned why a conditional use permit was used instead of a zoning change; Kubo explained the adjustment to permitted uses to avoid spot zoning and align with the comp plan, and that the permit ensures appropriateness case-by-case. - Applicant Testimony: Dave Rippe (1312 Heritage Drive, Hastings) spoke on behalf of Queen City Development LLC. He stated the building will contain 69 total residential units, with approximately 23 on the main floor. There will be no commercial or leasable space on the first floor; only limited amenity space for residents. He noted traffic will be less than when the building housed 600 middle school students. - Public Comments: No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition. - Vote: Motion to approve the conditional use permit carried 7-0. Reports - Chairman’s Comments: Chairman Rosenberg presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Greg Sinner for serving as Planning Commission Chair for six years. - Staff Reports: - Kevin Kubo gave an update on proposed zoning changes being developed with Ember. The item was presented to City Council the previous evening; some citizens expressed concerns about density. Ember will present at a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Kubo offered one-on-one meetings and additional work sessions for commissioners. - Commissioner Hubbard requested more detailed comparisons to Kearney and Grand Island in future presentations; Kubo agreed to add a slide. - Kubo deferred to Chief Building Inspector Danny Graves for project updates: - Heartwell Biodiesel: Processing into diesel expected by mid-July 2026, full operations by July 2027. - Hastings College: Final Certificate of Occupancy walkthrough scheduled for end of June 2026; project on track for school year opening. - Chief Ethanol: New storage bin construction started last week; new maintenance shop planned. - Central Community College: Utility and water service issues resolved. - D and Cedar Apartments: First townhome sections expected to be available for occupancy by June 2026; apartment buildings now under construction. - Casey’s on Burlington: Awaiting final plat; demolition planned after utilities shut off (Friday, April 23). - Ponderosa Bowl: Building demolished; new construction expected within weeks. - Hastings College Fuhr Hall: Awaiting asbestos documentation before demolition. - Mayor Jay Beckby confirmed he plans to fill the two vacant Planning Commission seats soon. Key Outcomes - Conditional Use Permit Approved: The Planning Commission voted 7- 0 to recommend approval to the City Council for a conditional use permit allowing first-floor residential at 714 West 5th Street. - Future Work Sessions: Staff will hold additional work sessions on zoning changes as requested by commissioners. - Project Updates Received: Commissioners received updates on multiple city development projects, all reported on schedule.

The Hastings City Council held a worksession on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hastings Municipal Airport. Council President Steve Huntley presided. Present were Michael Anderson, Maggie Esch, Marc Rowan, Brian Hoffman, and Matt Fong. Absent: Brad Consbruck and Larry Consbruck. City staff, utility officials, and members of the public attended. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Consent Calendar - Adoption of Agenda: Moved by Michael Anderson, seconded by Maggie Esch to adopt the agenda for the April 20, 2026 worksession. Vote: 6 ayes, 0 nays. Motion carried. Public Comments & Testimony - Lake Hastings Water Plan: - Howard Sheley (518 South Shore Drive) opposed Option 4 (do nothing), arguing the lake is vital for recreation and economic development. He urged the council to maintain the lake. - Nate Karl (415 North Shore Drive) expressed disappointment over the lake’s degradation over 16 years and urged reinvestment rather than inaction. He stated the city should either pump water (as in the past), let the lake dry up, or privatize it. - Doug Zarek (107 E. 5th, Juniata) noted that the city charges a recreation fee for boaters and therefore has an obligation to maintain safe water depths for boating. - Dave Cure (405 North Shore Drive) reminded the council of a historical deed agreement requiring the city to maintain the lake, and questioned whether property taxes would be reduced if the lake were allowed to dry up. - Willis Hunt (616 Madden Road) described the lake’s history, including its original construction as a flood control structure and the city’s past efforts to fill it. He urged the council to do what is best for the recreation area. - Proposed Zoning Changes: - Doug Zarek also spoke on zoning, warning that proposed high-density designations could make many existing homes non-compliant and cause property loss. - Edward Krontz (1203 East 6th Street) opposed packing people too densely, stating it would harm property values and neighbor relations. Discussion Items - Lake Hastings Water Plan: - Brandan Lubken, Director of Underground Operations, presented four options: 1. Fill via Units 4 & 5 plant wells: Uses treated groundwater; costs about $2,500 per foot for pump power (400 hours per foot); counts against LBNRD allocations; sets precedent to keep lake full. Groundwater levels have dropped 4.5 ft in 5 years. 2. Fill via municipal wells: Uses drinking water; a conservation plan is mandated (saving 24.5 million gallons/year); one foot of lake filling equals that annual savings and about 3–4 days of city water use; ASR costs $1 million/year; also counts against LBNRD allocations. 3. Construct a dedicated well: Estimated capital $150,000; located in Upper Big Blue NRD (no historic curtailment); avoids using treated water and allocation limits, but still raises conservation concerns. 4. Do not fill: Lake is at historically low levels (30 inches below spillway; now up 9 inches to 2 ft below spillway). LBNRD has never before curtailed allocations. - Scott Nelson, LBNRD General Manager, stated the NRD board “highly discourage[s] the use of groundwater for surface water uses, especially those involving recreational purposes.” - Councilmembers discussed risks to electric rates, allocations, and long-term lake health. Jeff Hassenstab (Parks & Recreation) noted the lake level is 2 ft low and that boat access may need to be shut down if conditions don’t improve. - Derek Zeisler emphasized that Options 1 and 2 could challenge utility operations and electric rates. Councilmember Fong noted the conservation significance and potential for future restrictions. - Councilmember Hoffman suggested assessing a fee on lakefront property owners to offset costs and recommended setting parameters for when to fill the lake. - Consensus emerged to move forward with more information on Options 3 and 4 for a vote at the May 11 City Council meeting. - Proposed Zoning Changes: - Ember Batelaan (City Planner) and Kevin Kubo (Development Services Director) presented a first draft of a comprehensive zoning code rewrite aimed at fixing legal inconsistencies, improving clarity, and aligning with the Comprehensive Plan. - Key background: State Statute 19-5504 (affordable housing report), the 2023 Affordable Housing Action Plan, comparable communities (Grand Island, Kearney, Fremont, Norfolk, Missoula, Salina), and a Neighborhood Character Survey (Nov 17–Dec 31, 2025; 33 participants; 4 public meetings). - Proposed district changes include new densities (R0: 0.33–2 du/ac; R1: 2–7 du/ac; R2: 7–15 du/ac; R3: 15+ du/ac); introduction of R4 (residential village for mobile homes); and new commercial districts (MU, C1, C2, C3, C4). - The aim is to allow accessory dwelling units and slightly higher densities to support affordable housing without dramatically changing neighborhood character. - Public meeting set for May 14 at the library. The entire rewrite is expected to be completed by October/November 2026, with at least two more presentations to council. - Councilmember Hoffman suggested staff personally reach out to developers for input due to low survey participation. Key Outcomes - Lake Hastings Water Plan: Council directed staff to bring a recommendation on Options 3 (dedicated well) and 4 (do not fill) to the May 11, 2026 City Council meeting. Additional information on costs, feasibility, and parameters for filling will be prepared. - Proposed Zoning Changes: No immediate action taken. The council received the draft and will continue public engagement. The next public meeting is May 14, 2026 at the library.

The Hastings City Council held its regular meeting on April 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Hastings Municipal Airport. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Beckby with all eight council members present. The agenda was adopted on a 7-1 vote, with Councilmember Marc Rowan opposed. The meeting adjourned at 6:59 PM. Council, Mayor & Citizen Communications - Councilmember Fong praised the library. Councilmember Rowan announced the 2027 air show and the museum's Art After Dark event. Councilmember Hoffman thanked the Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters, and the public access channel for hosting candidate forums. Councilmember Anderson reminded the public of a town hall on April 23 covering Highway 6, the trail project, and zoning. - Councilmember Huntley requested an update from Utility Manager Derek Zeisler on the new billing system. Zeisler reported the issue affected under 10% of commercial sewer customers. Over 60% of those customers saw impacts under $100. The utility is contacting the major accounts directly and encourages customers to call customer service with questions. - Citizen Comment: Edward Krontz noted the city has three different population numbers displayed on highway signs (24,907, 25,103, and 25,152) and requested the city resolve the discrepancy. - Mayor Beckby recognized Director of Finance Roger Nash for 15 years of service. - The Mayor read a proclamation declaring April 19-25, 2026, as National Library Week. Consent Calendar - The consent agenda was approved 8-0, with Councilmember Rowan specifically requesting to pull Item (i) for separate consideration. - Item (i) - Release of Easement: Approved separately 8-0. Staff explained the item cleared a 1960s-era railroad easement held by the City on land near West South Street and South Colorado Avenue to clear the title for property owner Brent Terwey. - The remaining consent items were approved en masse, including routine minutes, claims, payroll, professional service agreements for CDBG projects, multiple electric and sewer utility work orders, approvals for Mary Lanning Healthcare's "Fun Wun" (June 6) and "Half Hastings Marathon" (May 30) events, and CDBG fund drawdowns. Public Hearings & Regular Agenda Items - Wanda's Place Liquor License: A public hearing was held with no public comment. Police Chief Adam Story reported no opposition. The Council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-35 for the Class "C" Liquor License at 623 W. 1st Street and the manager application for Grant Hohlfeld (8-0 votes). - Board of Equalization / Subdivision Assessments: The Council adjourned to sit as the Board of Equalization. No public comments were heard on any of the eight proposed assessment levies for the Lochland Meadows Subdivision Number 17 and Elm Meadows First Subdivision. Director of Engineering Lee Vrooman explained the assessment terms: property owners have 50 days to pay in full without interest or finance improvements for up to 15 years at 4.25% interest (14% delinquent rate). The sewer connection fee in Lochland Meadows will be assessed at the time of connection. The Council approved eight resolutions via two omnibus motions (8-0 votes). General Business - Airport Hangar Construction: Airport Manager Matt Kuhr presented the contract award for a new airport hangar to RMV Construction of Kearney, Nebraska, for $774,657. Kuhr reported receiving seven bids. The hangar will be 60 feet deep by 75 feet wide with a 70x20 foot door. The project is critical for achieving regional airport status under the NPPI inventory, taken every 18 months. Councilmember Esch noted the final cost was approximately $25,000 over the engineer's estimate. The motion carried 8-0. - Airport Apron Grant: The Council authorized the Mayor and City Attorney to sign documents accepting a federal grant (Project No. 3-31-0040-025-2026) for sealing, replacing, and reconstructing the airport apron. The city's match is 5%. Work is scheduled to begin August 31. The motion carried 8-0. Ordinances - Johnson Concrete Expansion (Ordinances 4827 & 4828): The Council unanimously approved the vacation of a 14-foot alley (Ordinance 4827) and the conveyance of that alley and a portion of an abandoned railroad right-of-way (Ordinance 4828) within Block 3 of M.J. Smith's Addition to Johnson Concrete to allow for business expansion. The alley currently contains a concrete drainage swale serving the building's roof runoff. Both ordinances were taken to second and final reading via a suspension of the rules (8-0 votes). Appointments & Planning Commission Controversy - Business Improvement District Board: TiAnn Allen was unanimously appointed to the BID Board (8-0). - Planning Commission Appointment: The proposed appointment of Shawn Hartmann (regular) and Jacque Cranson (alternate) sparked extensive debate. - Mayor Beckby defended the candidates' qualifications (former councilmember/HEDC president and prior P&Z/business experience) and stressed the need to fill vacancies after a recent meeting lacked a quorum. - Councilmember Hoffman raised transparency concerns, stating he was told by Council President Huntley that "the votes were there" to remove the item, questioning Open Meetings Act compliance. - Council President Huntley said the conversations were individual calls for advice. He voted against the appointments stating his ward wants representation, noting no applicants were from Ward 1. - Councilmember Fong stated there is no ward requirement for boards and commissions and called the opposition "vindictive." He said he trusts the process and values different perspectives. - Councilmembers Anderson and L. Consbruck opposed based on the conduct of an applicant at prior public meetings. Councilmember Esch supported the candidates. - Councilmember Rowan declined to provide his reasoning. - Vote: The motion failed 3-4-1 (Yes: Esch, Hoffman, Fong. No: Huntley, Anderson, L. Consbruck, Rowan. Abstain: B. Consbruck). Councilmember Hoffman expressed concern over the erosion of public trust. Key Outcomes - Approved Unanimously (8-0): Consent agenda, Release of Easement to Terwey, Wanda's Place Liquor License and Manager, Lochland Meadows and Elm Meadows subdivision assessments, Airport hangar contract award to RMV Construction, Airport apron grant acceptance, Johnson Concrete alley vacation and conveyance, and TiAnn Allen to BID Board. - Appointment Failed (3-4-1): Appointment of Shawn Hartmann and Jacque Cranson to the Planning Commission. - Updates Provided: Utility commercial sewer billing issue update (<10% affected, over 60% under $100). National Library Week proclaimed (Apr 19-25). - Upcoming Events: Town Hall on April 23 (Highway 6, trails, zoning); Air show planned for 2027.

The Hastings Utility Board met on April 9, 2026 at 9:00 AM in the Airport Conference Room at Hastings Municipal Airport. The meeting covered operational and administrative items: budget scheduling, a steam turbine overhaul during the WEC spring outage, updates on field data capabilities, and a sewer billing error affecting approximately 870 customers. Citizen comments addressed Next Generation Nuclear. Consent Calendar - Approval of the minutes of the March 12, 2026 Utility Board meeting. (Moved by Kvols, seconded by Rutt, passed unanimously.) Public Comments & Testimony - Willis Hunt (616 Madden Road) asked about progress on Next Generation Nuclear, noting prior meetings and his involvement with the advanced nuclear coalition. He expressed support for the city pursuing a small nuclear plant. Utility leadership responded that Hastings is among four communities under consideration; if selected, development is likely more than 10 years away. Studies by Nebraska Public Power District and a state application for the nuclear lifecycle innovation campus are in progress. The manager expressed support for exploring nuclear but noted concerns about operation, waste, and cost. Discussion Items - Manager's Communications: The manager reported that all information for Solar Phase II has been submitted and that the utility is exploring Solar Phase III. He also noted rising gas generation costs and capacity value, which create a unique opportunity to vet generation options (to be brought to the board soon), and discussed pending state legislation affecting bidding for Hastings and PPGA. He introduced Jeanne Espina as the new process financial analyst. - Board Chairman's Communications: The chairman thanked for information on the American Public Power Association conference in Boston (end of July/June) and encouraged board members to attend. - Finance – Budget Schedule: Jaci Higgins presented the tentative budget schedule. The July board meeting will be moved to July 23 for the first budget presentation. A water and sewer cost of service study is underway, with a preliminary report expected within the next month; consultants are evaluating tiered rates. - Production – WEC Spring Outage / Steam Turbine Overhaul: Micah McCaffery detailed the spring outage at Whelan Energy Center. WEC 1 (March 20 – May 1) includes a 7-year steam turbine overhaul, valve overhaul, and bottom ash recirculating system installation. WEC 2 (April 24 – May 8) includes precipitator repairs and pump maintenance. The turbine overhaul process (disassembly, inspection, repair, reassembly, testing) was explained with photos from the current outage. The rotor weighs approximately 20 tons and spins at 3,600 RPM. Overhaul costs are approximately $800,000–$1 million and take about six weeks. - Operations – Live Data in the Field: Noel Nienhueser reported on equipping field crews with tablets for outage management. New functionality adds a non-control SCADA view (Web Serve) for real-time system awareness, and tankless system mapping using AMI outage data for faster restoration. - Administration – Sewer Billing Error/Correction: Shane Stone reported a software issue affecting approximately 870 customers enrolled in seasonal sewer exempt billing rates (mostly commercial, some residential apartments and trailer courts). The underbilling occurred from the July 2025 billing cycle through January 2026, with an average impact of about $522. Approximately 65% of affected customers have balances under $100. The correction will appear on bills starting April 13, with notification letters, emails, and phone calls for large balances. Tyler Technologies will conduct an on-site system review starting mid-April, and the utility is training staff internally to improve auditing. The board discussed the impact on customers and the vendor's responsibility; Tyler has acknowledged higher-than-expected issues. Key Outcomes - Motion to adopt the agenda (Meeske/Dewalt) carried unanimously. - Motion to approve the March 12, 2026 minutes (Kvols/Rutt) carried unanimously. - July board meeting rescheduled to July 23, 2026 for the first budget presentation. - Customer notification and correction billing for the sewer error begins April 13, 2026. - Tyler Technologies will send an on-site team to review the billing system starting mid-April 2026. - No closed session was held; the meeting adjourned at 10:07 AM (motion by Dewalt/Meeske, unanimous).

The Hastings City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Hastings Municipal Airport. Mayor Beckby presided over the meeting with all eight council members present (Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Brian Hoffman, Larry Consbruck, Brad Consbruck, Matt Fong, Marc Rowan, Maggie Esch). Councilmember Rowan announced that the Hastings Museum has received preliminary word of approval for re-accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes of the Council Meeting of March 9, 2026, and the Worksession of February 28, 2026. - Approved claims and payroll except the claim of Vaughan's Printing. - Approved the request of Do the Brew/Prairie Loft to utilize city property for the Downtown Do the Brew on April 25, 2026 (insurance pending). - Approved the Prairie Loft Center’s request for a Special Designated Liquor License for a craft beer festival and tasting event on April 25, 2026, at the City Auditorium, Auditorium Park, and 4th Street right-of-way. - Approved the Nebraska Chapter of the Antique Airplane Association’s request to use city property for the Last Saturday Monthly Burger Cookout from March 28, 2026, through October 31, 2026, at the Hastings Municipal Airport. - Approved four invoices and corresponding drawdown requests from the South Central Economic Development District for Community Development Block Grant projects (totaling $16,500.00 across invoice Nos. 2060, 2062, 2063, 2064, and 2065). - Approved the Nebraska Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Home Energy Utility Provider Agreement. - Approved a Quitclaim Deed from the City of Hastings to the Community Redevelopment Authority for property near "F" Street and Lexington Avenue. - The consent agenda passed unanimously (8 ayes, 0 nays). Public Comments & Testimony - Willis Hunt (resident of 616 Madden Road, Hastings) addressed the Council regarding the upcoming financial audit. He praised the thoroughness of the audit and noted that nearly $5 million has already been spent on the Highway 6 East project (primarily utility replacement, not street widening). He expressed that the city has performed well financially, especially in utilities, and suggested that the audit would be better discussed in a work session where he and others could ask specific questions. He thanked the Council for the opportunity to speak. Discussion Items - Approval of Vaughan's Printing Claim: A motion to approve the claim of Vaughan's Printing in the amount of $107.50 was made by Councilmember Huntley and seconded by Councilmember Fong. The minutes record 7 ayes (Huntley, Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Larry Consbruck, Rowan, Hoffman, Fong) with Maggie Esch not listed, while the meeting transcript indicates 7 ayes and 1 abstention. No nays were recorded. The claim was approved. - Financial Audit Presentation for Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2025: - Marcy Luth of AMGL, P.C. (the city’s auditor for the past nine years) presented the audit, focusing on a 12-ratio benchmarking summary comparing Hastings to a dozen peer Nebraska communities (including Fremont, Columbus, Norfolk, Scottsbluff, North Platte, Kearney). - Key financial indicators: - Valuation and sales tax per capita are lower than peers, requiring a slightly higher property tax levy to generate equivalent revenue. Property tax per capita is in line with peers, while state municipal equalization dollars are higher due to lower valuation and tax ask. - Unassigned fund balance as a percentage of general fund expenditures has historically exceeded the 30% benchmark but has been declining due to deficit spending ($2 million operating deficit plus $2.7 million in capital) and use of reserves. The city still meets the benchmark but is an area to watch. - Street fund cash stands at approximately 21 months (benchmark ≈12 months), but upcoming projects may reduce that. - The property tax levy rate decreased from 0.42 to 0.39 (prior year). - Capital asset depreciation: governmental assets are 45% depreciated, utilities 40% (benchmark <35% signals upcoming large capital needs). The city has invested significantly, with additions exceeding depreciation by $8 million (governmental) and $12 million (utilities) in FY2025. - Utility operating ratios: electricity ≈5% of revenue (improved but below 15% target), gas slightly below 15%, water meets the 15% target, pollution control slightly below 15%. The utility operating income target of 15% is intended to build reserves for future system replacement. - General obligation debt capacity is excellent (0.16% of valuation, benchmark <3%). - Combined unrestricted cash and assigned-for-budgetary-stabilization ($9.3 million + $7.7 million = $17 million) is close to the $19 million benchmark for governmental funds. Unrestricted cash declined significantly from the prior year. - Utility cash: $50 million, up $2 million from the prior year, against a benchmark of $86 million (distorted by large construction-in-progress). - Luth reported that the city received an unmodified (clean) opinion on the audit. - Councilmember Rowan inquired about Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects; Luth stated the city has many projects but not excessive, likely comparable to peers. City Administrator Mark Funkey noted that TIF projects represent about 3% of total taxable valuation, below the statewide average of approximately 4% (and below Grand Island’s 8%). - Councilmember Anderson asked about excess pension funding (pre-1984 public safety pension) – an actuarial surplus recognized as an asset. - Councilmember Rowan asked about fraud detection; Luth confirmed the audit is not designed to detect fraud but if irregularities appear, they are reported. She noted that she has encountered fraud in other audits, varying per year. - Discussion also covered the employee health insurance fund (internal service fund with a -32% ratio due to draws to other funds), sales tax receivable ($1,217,720 at year-end), and the transition from a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to a utility dividend. City Administrator Funkey was directed to investigate whether sales tax should be charged on the utility dividend. - Marcy Luth encouraged the Council to maintain oversight and ask questions, a standard recommendation she gives to all cities. - The audit is available on the city website. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda passed unanimously (8‑0). - Vaughan's Printing claim of $107.50 approved (minutes show 7 ayes, transcript indicates 1 abstention; no nays). - The Financial Audit for the year ending September 30, 2025, was presented and received by the Council. - City Administrator Mark Funkey will research and report back on the sales‑tax status of the utility dividend. - The meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.

The Hastings Planning Commission met on March 17, 2026, at 4:05 p.m. at the Hastings Municipal Airport. The meeting began without a quorum and proceeded with a work session on proposed zoning code amendments until a fifth commissioner arrived. Once a quorum was established, the commission adopted the agenda, approved prior meeting minutes, and elected officers. The remainder of the meeting was dedicated to a staff-led review of comprehensive zoning updates intended to align with the comprehensive plan and state statutes, with extensive commissioner discussion on density, neighborhood character, and affordability. The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. Consent Calendar - The current agenda for the March 17, 2026 meeting was adopted by a 5-0 vote (motion by Rossi, second by Hubbard). - The minutes of the January 21, 2026 meeting were approved by a 5-0 vote (motion by Hubbard, second by Rossi). Discussion Items - Staff Presentation on Zoning Code Rewrite: Director of Development Services Kevin Kubo presented proposed changes to the zoning code, explaining they are driven by state statute updates encouraging "missing middle" housing and increased affordable housing options. The commission reviewed 3-D models comparing existing and proposed regulations across all districts, including new districts such as R-O (Residential Estates), R-4 (Residential Village), C-4 (Highway Commercial), and MU (Mixed Use). Key principles included allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), modifying height measurements to the eave, adjusting lot sizes and setbacks, and increasing density in residential districts. - Commissioner Concerns on Density: Commissioner Hubbard raised concerns about the 10-foot side street setback on corner lots, citing traffic safety issues near schools and existing neighborhood patterns. Commissioner Rossi asked how the proposed density compared to peer cities; Kubo stated Hastings is in the middle range (less dense than Grand Island, denser than Kearney). Commissioner Hubbard and Rossi expressed worries that increased density in R-1 and R-2 districts could lead to investor-driven redevelopment, loss of single-family character, and conversion of older homes into multi-unit apartments, particularly near the university. Kubo acknowledged these concerns and noted that density could be adjusted downward based on input, estimating only 0–10% of lots may redevelop over 20 years. - Industrial District Standards: Commissioner Hubbard questioned the proposed 50% lot coverage minimum for industrial zones, arguing it could be too restrictive and discourage industry. Kubo responded that coverage allowances could be raised to 80–100% if desired, and that the code cannot anticipate every scenario. - Public Engagement: Kubo announced two public meetings scheduled for March 25 and March 26, 2026, and encouraged commissioner and public feedback. Chair Rosenberg emphasized that builder and developer input would also be sought after the public meetings. Key Outcomes - Officer Elections: By unanimous 5-0 votes, the commission elected the following officers for the upcoming term: - Chairperson: Chuck Rosenberg - Vice-Chairperson: Shawn Rossi - Second Vice-Chairperson: Greg Sinner - Next Steps: Staff will hold public meetings on March 25 and 26 to gather community input. Following those, the proposed code will be refined, brought back to the Planning Commission for further review and potential revisions, and eventually presented to the City Council by the end of 2026. - Commission Guidance: The commission directed staff to consider lowering density allowances in residential zones (e.g., reducing from five to three units where appropriate) and to coordinate with engineering on setback and traffic safety standards.

The Hastings City Council held a worksession on March 16, 2026, to receive departmental updates from the library, museum, airport, and utilities, and to issue a proclamation declaring Ag Week. No public comments were made. The meeting was adjourned at 7:19 PM. Proclamation - Mayor Jay Beckby proclaimed March 15-21, 2026 as Ag Week, emphasizing the importance of agriculture to Nebraska’s economy and community. Library Department Update - Library Director Kelly presented an overview of outreach services, including E3 bags, home delivery, and the bookmobile. Under new bookmobile librarian Katie Schroeder, the number of stops doubled in her first 30 days. In February 2025, the bookmobile had 236 visitors checking out 938 items; in February 2026, it had 595 visitors checking out 1,104 items. The library will celebrate 60 years of continuous bookmobile service on April 19, 2026. The current bookmobile is nearly 30 years old, and a replacement will be considered in future budgets. Museum Department Update - Museum Director Teresa Kreitzer Hodson reported 28,619 museum visitors and 13,000 theater visitors last year, with 813 memberships renewed. Educational programs served 4,760 students. Summer fun classes served 248 students, down from 300+ the prior year, which she attributed to economic uncertainty. The museum completed fire safety upgrades, roof replacement, HVAC design for the planetarium, and a contract for compact storage. The Kool-Aid exhibit opened. The museum is awaiting reaccreditation. Special adult programs like Art After Dark attract nearly 100 participants. The museum will celebrate its centennial in 2027. Airport Department Update - Airport Director Matt reported increased fuel sales and a new training agreement with Grow Aviation. Major projects include an apron reconstruction project (construction start August 31, 2026), a jet hangar out for bid, and a lighting project covering the entire airport (engineering in 2026, construction in 2027) funded by a $4 million FAA grant. The airport will host the 2027 State Fly In and Air Show on June 18-19, 2027, with several performers already booked and sponsors secured. Monthly burger feeds hosted by the Nebraska Chapter Antique Airplane Association continue on the last Saturday of each month through October. Utilities Department Update - Utilities Director Derek outlined measures to improve communication with the city council: utility board packets, post-meeting highlight emails, and monthly financial and production reports will be shared with the full council. Billing is performed in Texas due to lower cost; no late fees are currently charged, but a late fee policy may be introduced. A cost of service study for water and sewer may lead to tiered water rates; electric time-of-day rates are possible with smart meter deployment. Council members suggested using the blank back of the utility bill for a city event calendar; Derek agreed to explore the idea, though cost is a consideration. Key Outcomes - The council issued a proclamation for Ag Week. - The utilities department will send additional communications (board packets, highlights, financial reports) to the full council moving forward. - The utilities department will study inclusion of city event information on utility bill backs and report on feasibility. - The airport will proceed with apron construction, jet hangar bid, and lighting design; updates to follow as bids are received. - No formal votes were taken, as this was a worksession discussion. - Council members offered condolences for the passing of Alton Jackson and expressed concern for those affected by Nebraska wildfires.

The Hastings Utility Board met on March 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM at the Airport Conference Room. The meeting featured a clean audit report for FY2025, a Q1 FY2026 financial update, a report on water main breaks potentially related to seismic activity, a virtual tour of the Pollution Control Facility (PCF), and an update on the Share the Warmth program. Consent Calendar - Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the February 12, 2026, meeting were approved (Motion by Dewalt, second by Kvols, carried 4-0-1, with Meeske absent). Public Comments & Testimony - Willis Hunt: Expressed the position that Hastings Utilities, as the city's primary revenue generator, should be reviewed to find ways to decrease costs and increase returns to reduce or maintain property taxes for Hastings citizens. Manager's Communications - The Utility Manager reported the utility is investigating the potential for a Phase III solar farm, leveraging possible ITC credits. The market for gas generation was described as very expensive. Hastings currently sits on generation capacity exceeding its city's needs, but long lead times necessitate planning for 5 to 10 years in the future. Discussion Items Virtual Audit Presentation from AMGL - Marci Luth (AMGL) presented the FY2025 audit findings. - Key Financials: - Received an unmodified opinion. - Total revenue increased by approximately $10 million. - Net position increased by $13.4 million to $262 million (a 5.4% increase). - Total assets were $285 million (up $14M). - Cash and investments totaled $38.8 million. - Unrestricted net position was $46 million (17% of equity; the goal is 40%). - Operating cash flow was a positive $20 million. - Debt decreased to $8.3 million. - Audit Adjustments: Five adjustments were proposed, increasing the utility's net position by $282,000. - Internal Controls: The recurring comment about a lack of segregation of duties was noted. Luth stated 99% of their similarly-sized clients have this comment. Board member Jeanette Dewalt praised the small number of adjustments given the utility's size. - Operational Context: Derek Zeisler noted that the higher than usual cash balance is partly due to delayed capital projects and reimbursements from contribution and aid projects. - Debt Coverage Ratio: Luth explained the utility targets a 15% operating ratio. The electric fund currently sits at 5%, while the combined system rate is 17.9%. Q1 Financial Update (FY 2026) - Jaci Higgins presented the financials for October through December 2025. - Electric Department: Revenue decreased compared to the prior year due to the Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILT) being moved to a dividend fee. A longer-than-normal, compliance-driven fall outage (approximately five weeks) reduced generation revenue but kept expenses high. - Gas Department: The PILT change similarly impacted income. A very mild fall led to low gas usage, though running gas Units 4 and 5 to supply electric generation partially offset the lost revenue. The mild weather allowed for an extended construction season. - Water Department: Revenue decreased due to the PILT/dividend change and reduced yard watering demand from a wet late summer and fall. - Sewer Department: Revenues and expenses remained consistent. Staff are working through billing system issues related to the recent software conversion. Water Outages Update - Brandan Lubken reported on several recent water main breaks. - Earthquake: A 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck 30 miles south of Hastings on March 1st. - March 3rd Break (13th & Baltimore): A major break in a 10-inch cast iron main occurred at 3:30 AM. Dispatch was commended for quickly activating five wells (pumping 8,000 gpm) to maintain system pressure. The leak impacted 27 customers; water was restored by 7:00 PM. - March 6th Break (D & Emerson): A second break in a 6-inch main required cutting out and replacing a valve structure. The crew worked from 4:00 PM Friday until 4:00 AM Saturday. Lubken thanked a neighbor who provided food to the crew. - Infrastructure Plan: Lubken described the utility's strategy to replace 4-inch mains (approximately 18 miles remaining) to improve fire flow and address lead service line replacement. The current break rate is 8 per 100 miles (below the AWWA goal of 15), though the rate has increased 50% over the last 20 years. Ductile iron is the preferred replacement material. Pollution Control Facility (PCF) Virtual Presentation - Brandan Lubken gave a virtual tour of the wastewater treatment plant. - Capacity & History: The plant treats an average of 3.4 million gallons per day (MGD). It has undergone three treatment iterations: Rotating Biological Contactors (1980-2002), Trickling Filter (2002-2014), and Activated Sludge (2014-present). - Treatment Performance: - CBOD: 113 mg/L down to 1.75 mg/L. - TSS: 354 mg/L down to 2.43 mg/L. - Ammonia: 36.1 mg/L down to 0.13 mg/L. - Biosolids Management: Anaerobic digestion produces biogas (40%) used for plant heat and Class B fertilizer (60%). Approximately 2.5 million gallons of biosolids are land-applied annually on 80-acre city-owned parcels. - Recent & Upcoming Capital Projects: - Complete: New digester covers, RBC building conversion to maintenance shop, West Basin commissioning. - Pending: UV sterilization (required by permitting cycle end in 2029), Nitrate & Phosphorus removal (dependent on state regulation, currently awaiting direction), and Lagoon rehabilitation (25-year-old sludge lagoons need overhaul). - Sewer Collection: - A contractor completed year three of a sewer cleaning and inspection project. A significant finding is a corroded concrete main under Burlington Avenue (3 to 4 blocks) that requires relining. Share the Warmth Update - Karl Block announced that the Share the Warmth program has qualified with the Hastings Community Foundation. For the first time, the program will participate in Give Hastings Day on May 7, 2026, to raise funds to assist utility customers in need. - The board acknowledged the contributions of board member Susan Meeske in facilitating the collaboration with partner agencies. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Approved. - Audit Received and Discussed: The FY2025 audit was reviewed with no major issues. - Reports Received: The board received the Q1 financial update, water outage report, and PCF virtual presentation. - Share the Warmth: New fundraising strategy approved via Give Hastings Day. - Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 AM (Motion by Dewalt, second by Kvols, 4-0-1).