Hastings City Council Regular Meeting - May 26, 2026

The Hastings City Council met in regular session at the Hastings Municipal Airport on May 26, 2026 at 6:00 PM. Mayor George J.J. Beckby presided with Councilmembers Michael Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Larry Consbruck, Matt Fong, Brian Hoffman, and Marc Rowan present. Steve Huntley and Maggie Esch were absent. The meeting covered consent approvals, a library impact report, contracts for a skate park renovation, a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project extension, and Duncan Field turf replacement. A significant portion was dedicated to public comments and council debate on Ordinance No. 4831, which would have restricted alcohol sales hours and prohibited nudity in liquor‑licensed establishments; the ordinance failed on a 4‑2 vote. The council also entered executive session to discuss pending litigation and authorized settlement.

Consent Calendar

• All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously (6‑0):
  • Minutes of the May 11, 2026 meeting
  • Claims and payroll
  • Manager application of Molly Johnsen for a Class CK liquor license at Adams County Agricultural Society
  • Requests to use city property for the Kool‑Aid Days Parade (Aug 15) and Kool‑Aid Fun Run (Aug 16, 2026)
  • Pay Requests #7‑#11 totaling $146,810.56 from the Community Redevelopment Authority for Downtown Revitalization (CDBG project 21‑DTR‑007)
  • Drawdown #16 of $146,810.56 for the same project
  • Pay Estimate #2 of $160,160.40 from Diamond Engineering for Mobile Home Communities (CDBG project 24‑PWI‑008)
  • Drawdown #6 of $112,112.28 for that project
  • Request of St. Michael and St. Cecilia Catholic Church to use city property for a Religious Procession on June 10, 2026

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Item 4c (CDBG extension): Don Willnerd spoke in support, explaining the need for an extension due to USDA funding delays and weather.
• On Ordinance No. 4831: Fourteen individuals spoke:
  • Supporters (13): Mitch Houser, Anita Ruybalid, Chris Shade, Lee Johnson, Mark Millard, Tom Murray, Grant Nitzel, Elwyn Fitzke, Paul Knott, David Stuehrenberg, Edward Krontz, Robert Lemke, and Matt Sass. They argued that combining alcohol with nudity creates moral decay, safety risks, and harms the community’s family‑friendly character. Many cited religious beliefs and concerns about the exploitation of women.
  • Opponent (1): Jonathan Canterbury, owner of The Platform, stated the business has operated for eight years without any citations or violations, employs staff, pays taxes, and donates to the community. He said 75% of his income occurs between 1:00 AM and 4:00 AM, and if alcohol sales were prohibited during those hours his business would be forced to close.

Discussion Items

• Council Communications: Fong reported on the library summer reading kickoff; Hoffman noted the Hastings Community Foundation Give Day raised $1.2 million; Rowan promoted local events; Anderson thanked veterans, praised the Police Department for an obstacle course, and congratulated the museum on re‑accreditation.
• Library Impact Report (Item 4a): Library Director Kelly Reisig presented the annual report. Statistics included 83,511 visitors, 258,918 items checked out, 34,418 computer uses, 521 programs with 15,049 attendees, and the bookmobile making 382 stops (serving 3,459 people, on track to triple). The Library Foundation funds all programming and raised $132,000 on Give Hastings Day. Plans for a new green space in the downtown were highlighted.
• Skate Park Renovation (Item 4b): Director Jeff Hassenstab reported that the Kiwanis Club has raised nearly $200,000 in donations and grants. The council approved $79,500 for off‑site fabrication work by Spohn Ranch to start in August, aiming for October installation before winter. Project funded by donations, grants, and half‑cent sales tax. Vote: 6‑0.
• CDBG Project Extension (Item 4c): The council approved a one‑year contract amendment for the WR Reserve/Noah’s Ark Economic Development project. The $1.01 million CDBG grant requires creation of 29 jobs (51% for low‑moderate income). Delays in USDA meat and poultry expansion funding pushed construction to early 2025, and weather caused further setbacks. Completion is now expected by July 2027. Vote: 6‑0.
• Duncan Field Turf Replacement (Item 4d): The council approved a $402,000 contract with Mammoth Sports Construction to replace the infield turf (installed 2018) and netting backstop (installed 2010). The work will come from a sinking fund and half‑cent sales tax, starting September 2026. Vote: 6‑0.
• Ordinance No. 4830 – Right‑of‑Way Conveyance (Item 5a): The council approved (second and final reading) the conveyance of 6th Street right‑of‑way and the adjacent alley to the Community Redevelopment Authority. Vote: 6‑0.

Ordinance No. 4831 Debate

This ordinance was requested by Councilmembers Larry Consbruck, Marc Rowan, Brad Consbruck, and Mike Anderson. It would have amended city code to restrict alcohol sales from 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM (previously 6:00 AM) and enacted a provision allowing revocation or suspension of liquor licenses for establishments that permit nudity.

• Council proponents argued the ordinance would uphold community morals, protect women from exploitation, and eliminate what they called a “scourge on society.” Larry Consbruck stated, “I don’t believe the good Lord created women to be objectified.” Rowan said he would like to see all bars close at 1:00 AM.
• Council opponents (Hoffman and Fong) cautioned against targeting a single business, infringing on personal choice, and creating a slippery slope of legislating morality. Fong noted the business follows all state and local regulations. Hoffman questioned the inconsistency of wanting to grow the city’s economy while simultaneously voting to restrict a tax‑paying, compliant business.
• Police Chief Adam Story testified that in eight years the business has had no citations or violations; it has three calls for service (typical for alcohol establishments) and has passed all undercover checks by the Nebraska State Patrol Liquor Enforcement Division.
• Mayor Beckby read the ordinance in full and, after extended debate, declined to cast a tie‑breaking vote, saying he would not vote in favor because the business has operated lawfully and without nuisance.
• Vote: Ayes (4) – Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Larry Consbruck, Rowan; Nays (2) – Hoffman, Fong. The motion failed.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items approved 6‑0.
• Skate park fabrication work approved 6‑0.
• CDBG contract extension for WR Reserve approved 6‑0.
• Duncan Field turf replacement contract approved 6‑0.
• Ordinance 4830 (right‑of‑way conveyance) approved 6‑0 on second and final reading.
• Ordinance 4831 (alcohol/nudity restrictions) failed 4‑2. The business continues to operate under existing rules.
• An executive session on pending litigation was held (7:34 PM to 7:42 PM); motion to authorize settlement of claim by the Mayor and City Attorney passed 6‑0 (with Larry Consbruck abstaining from the entry vote).