Hastings City Council Regular Meeting - September 28, 2026

The Hastings City Council met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on September 28, 2026, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 615 W. 3rd Street, Hastings, Nebraska, and adjourned at 6:46 p.m. Mayor Beckby presided and all eight council members were present. The council adopted the agenda, approved a consent agenda, conducted a public hearing and approved a Class I liquor license, approved combined funding agreements for the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce and the Hastings Economic Development Corporation (HEDC), and adopted the FY 2026-2027 Annual Appropriation Bill on final reading.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the September 14, 2026 regular meeting and special council meeting; approved claims and payroll.
• Approved the Hastings Public Library request to use city property for Trunk or Treat on October 31, 2026.
• Approved Resolution No. 2026-58 authorizing the Mayor to sign Exhibit E for the US Highway 6 Improvement/Construction Supplemental Agreement No. 2.
• Approved the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce request to use city property for Celebration of Lights on November 19, 2026.
• Approved Pay Estimate No. 4 to Revive, Inc. for $29,228.65 for Community Development Block Grant Project 24-PFW-001 Revive, and a related CDBG drawdown of $22,476.83 (76.9% per MOU) covering construction management and administrative services.
• Approved Atlas Technical Invoice No. 2731264 for $12,000 for contracted professional services from June 1 through August 31, 2026, for the Hastings Former Middle School Asbestos Cleanup, along with a request to draw funds to pay the invoice.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Richard French opposed the city's proposed 16% property tax increase, calling it almost obscene, and said schools and Adams County government had kept their property tax requests level. He cited utility increases of 8-10%, a motel facing a $25,000 property tax increase, and urged the city to reduce the levy.
• Edward Krontz urged the council not to raise the levy and raised a budget concern about the possible closure of the Cat & Pet Connection, asking what it would cost the city if it had to care for those animals.
• Scott Kvols expressed support for the HEDC funding request of $175,000 and the Chamber request of $30,000, saying the requests were an investment, not an expense, and encouraged approval. Note: The minutes identify this speaker as Scott Kvols, while the transcript names him Scott Coles.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing - What the Dickens? LLC Class I Liquor License: Mayor Beckby opened the public hearing for a Class I beer, wine, and spirits on-sale license at 537 W. 2nd Street, Suite 102. No one spoke for or against the application. Police Chief Adam Story reported that the Hastings Police Department processed the application and recommended approval.
• Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce and HEDC Funding Agreements: Councilmember Huntley withdrew an initial motion on the Chamber agreement and moved to combine Items 4(a) and 4(b) for one vote. Executive Director Shannon Landauer reported that the Chamber was requesting $30,000 for calendar year 2027, funded through Hastings Utilities ratepayer funds rather than the property tax levy, to promote local shopping, marketing, and events; she noted chamber dollars issued exceeded $160,000 over a 12-month cycle in $10 increments. She reported that HEDC was requesting $175,000, paired with Adams County and private-sector partners, for business retention, recruitment, workforce, housing, and advocacy. She said a housing study completed about 10 months earlier showed a need for about 90 housing units per year over 10 years. She cited expansion projects at Bruckman Rubber, Pacha Soap, and Western Reserve, representing more than 550 retained jobs and 55 new jobs, with approximately 80 additional new jobs associated with Western Reserve and other expansions. She also discussed active projects and the need for advocacy on the expiring half-cent sales tax and the absence of an LB 840 program. Utility Manager Derek Zeisler confirmed that the $30,000 and $175,000 amounts were built into the utility rate structure and would not materially affect rates.
• Ordinance No. 4844 - Annual Appropriation Bill FY 2026-2027: The council took up the third and final reading of the appropriation ordinance. Councilmember Anderson asked about the timing and size of potential cuts; Mayor Beckby discussed deferring approximately $670,000 in cemetery and columbarium projects and beginning a budget-cutting process in October. Mayor Beckby later explained his tie-breaking vote, saying the city had lowered its levy in three of the past four years and had to address its budget position; he also questioned the 16% figure cited in public comment.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted the agenda and approved the consent agenda by 8-0 votes.
• Approved Resolution No. 2026-56, granting the Class I liquor license to What the Dickens? LLC at 537 W. 2nd Street, Suite 102, by an 8-0 vote.
• Approved the combined Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce Funding Agreement ($30,000) and Hastings Economic Development Corporation Funding Agreement ($175,000) by a 7-0-1 vote; Larry Consbruck abstained.
• Adopted Ordinance No. 4844, the FY 2026-2027 Annual Appropriation Bill, on final reading by a 5-3-1 vote. Voting yes were Brad Consbruck, Maggie Esch, Brian Hoffman, Matt Fong, and Mayor Beckby; voting no were Steve Huntley, Larry Consbruck, and Marc Rowan; Michael Anderson abstained.
• No appointments or closed session were held; the meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.