Hastings, Nebraska City Council Regular Meeting – August 10, 2026

The Hastings City Council met in regular session at the Hastings Municipal Airport, 3300 West 12th Street, on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Mayor George J.J. Beckby presided. Present were Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Marc Rowan, and Maggie Esch. Absent were Larry Consbruck, Matt Fong, and Brian Hoffman. Staff included City Administrator Mark Funkey, City Attorney Jesse Oswald, City Clerk Tyler Ficken, Police Chief Adam Story, and other department heads. Official notice of the meeting was published in the Hastings Tribune on Friday, August 7, 2026. The council adopted the agenda on a 5-0 vote, handled consent and event-approval items, and approved Ordinance No. 4838. The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.

Council Communications

• Councilmember Rowan highlighted the upcoming Kool-Aid Days and encouraged attendance.
• Councilmember Huntley reported a tall grass complaint at Winoka and Ash and said the city administrator was looking into it.
• Councilmember Anderson highlighted Heartland Pet Connection’s participation in Clear the Shelters and noted an adoptable dog was present at the meeting.

Mayor’s Communications

• The mayor recognized six service anniversaries: Mike Hernandez (Auditorium, 10 years), Michael Peters (Whalen Energy Center, 30 years), Katherine Palmer (Police, 5 years), Konner Hinrichs (Landfill, 5 years), Eric Kelly (Street Department, 5 years), and Brandon Miller (Engineering, 5 years). None of the honorees were present.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (items a–d) on a 5-0 vote, including the July 27, 2026 council minutes, July 20, 2026 worksession minutes, claims and payroll, and the renewal of Class “C” liquor licenses, catering licenses, and a cigar shop license for November 1, 2026 through October 31, 2027.
• Approved, on a separate 5-0 vote, the request of Special Olympics Nebraska to travel through Hastings for the Special Olympics Nebraska Truck Convoy on September 19, 2026. Before the vote, Councilmember Rowan spoke strongly in support of the event.
• Approved, on a separate 5-0 vote, Hastings College’s request to use city property for the Melody Round-Up Parade on September 26, 2026, in Downtown Hastings.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Official minutes record “Citizen Communications: None,” and no public hearings were held. The raw transcript, however, includes two residents approaching the microphone: Penny Pratt was not allowed to speak because her topic was not on the agenda, and Kenny Morin deferred his comments.

Discussion Item: Ordinance No. 4838 — Off-Road Motor Vehicles on Public Property

• City Administrator Mark Funkey presented Ordinance No. 4838, describing it as a cleanup requested by the Hastings Police Department to add definitions for off-road vehicles and clarify which vehicles may be operated on public property. He said he was filling in for the City Attorney, who was unable to attend due to a family issue; the minutes list City Attorney Jesse Oswald as present.
• Councilmember Huntley confirmed with Funkey that the ordinance prohibits these vehicles on the bike trail.
• Police Chief Adam Story said enforcement would continue through education, warnings, and citations, and that three vehicles had been seized after prior warnings, mostly involving adults. He reported complaints about electric dirt bikes in parks and on trails, and cited an incident in which a six-year-old on an e-device collided with a vehicle and was life-flighted from the community.
• Story clarified that the ordinance targets vehicles marketed for off-road use only, while scooters and electric bicycles remain legal; four-wheelers and UTVs are already prohibited on public roadways by state law unless the city authorizes them; and snow-removal use of off-road vehicles remains allowed.
• Councilmember Esch asked about complaints; Story confirmed the police department had received them. Councilmember Rowan raised concerns about young riders on roadways; Story said a map of allowed roadways exists and there are currently no age restrictions. Mayor Beckby said age restrictions would be part of future council consideration, and Funkey called the city code a “living document” that may be updated as other communities act.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda adopted 5-0.
• Consent agenda (items a–d) approved 5-0.
• Special Olympics Nebraska Truck Convoy travel request approved 5-0.
• Hastings College Melody Round-Up Parade request approved 5-0.
• Ordinance No. 4838 approved 5-0.
• No unfinished business, public hearings, final ordinance passages, appointments, miscellaneous business, or closed session were conducted.
• Adjourned at 6:22 p.m. The mayor indicated possible future amendments, including age restrictions, and said the topic could return to a future council meeting.