Hastings City Council Regular Meeting - April 13, 2026

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.