Kearney City Council Meeting - May 9, 2023
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Kearney City Council Meeting - May 9, 2023
The Kearney City Council met on May 9, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation, seven public hearings on rezoning and plat approvals, approval of a consent agenda with 11 items, and presentations from new staff and the Buffalo County Economic Development Council. All actions were approved unanimously.
Proclamation
- Mayor Jonathan Nikkila presented a proclamation designating May 14–20, 2023, as National Police Week 2023 and May 15, 2023, as Peace Officers Memorial Day. Police Chief accepted, thanking the council and community.
Public Hearings
- Public Hearing 1 (Ordinance 8628): Rezone property east of Cherry Avenue and south of East 11th Street from AG to C-3 (General Commercial). Applicant Roger Harders (West Limited LLC) stated the rezoning would help attract commercial businesses like a convenience store. No public comments. Council approved unanimously.
- Public Hearing 2 (Ordinance 8629): Rezone property at 715 and 805 22nd Avenue from R-3/PD to C-O (Office). Applicant Craig Bennett (Miller & Associates) for KPT&G LLC noted consistency with surrounding zoning and that residential buffer remains. No public comments. Council approved.
- Public Hearing 3 (Ordinance 8630): Rezone 36.85 acres east of 30th Avenue and north of 56th Street from AG to C-2 (Community Commercial). Applicant Craig Bennett for DT Development Inc. stated it fits master plan. No public comments. Council approved.
- Public Hearings 4 & 5 (Ordinance 8631 & Resolution 2023-67): Development of Spruce Hollow West Second. Rezone 84.94 acres from AG to RR-2 (Rural Residential) and approve final plat. Applicant Craig Bennett described 3-4 acre lots with paved roads, water/sewer extensions. No public comments. Approved.
- Public Hearings 6 & 7 (Ordinances 8632, 8633 & Resolution 2023-68): Taylor Villas development. Rezone properties from R-1 to R-2, vacate 11 lots and replat into 10 lots. Applicant Craig Bennett explained infrastructure constraints and slab-on-grade construction. No public comments. Approved.
Consent Agenda
- Approved minutes of April 25, 2023.
- Approved claims.
- Approved Change Order No. 10 for Harmon Park Sonotorium Restoration ($6,351 increase).
- Approved Change Order No. 2 for Airport Terminal Building Expansion ($6,181 increase).
- Authorized letter of no recommendation for Hermanos, LLC dba San Pedro Mexican Restaurant liquor license.
- Approved Peterson Senior Activity Center nutrition service contract.
- Approved appointment of Jake Misener as Deputy City Clerk.
- Approved lease agreement with Vertical Lift Maintenance Solutions at airport.
- Approved Change Order No. 9 for Community Tennis Facility ($18,876.77 increase).
- Approved waiver of 50% of remaining building permit fees for MONA expansion.
- Approved real estate purchase agreement with Airport Road Rentals, LLC (Delux MFG. Co.) for 1.3 acres.
Regular Agenda
- Introduction of Amber Miller as Development Services Director and Jake Misener as Deputy City Clerk. Both spoke briefly.
- Presentation by Trevor Lee, President of the Buffalo County Economic Development Council, highlighting business retention, recruitment, housing grants, and community engagement. No council questions.
Key Outcomes
- All ordinances (8628, 8629, 8630, 8631, 8632, 8633) were passed on first reading and published.
- Resolutions 2023-67, 2023-68, and all consent agenda items were adopted.
- All votes were unanimous (5-0).
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to our city council meeting for May the 9th. If you please rise, we'll have a moment of silence. Thank you. Please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. In accordance with section 841412 of the Nebraska revised statutes, a current copy of the open meetings act is available for view and is posted on the wall of the council chambers. Roll please. Mayor Klaus. Here. Here. Present. More. Okay, so tonight uh we get to present the uh the National Police Week 2023 proclamation to the Carnegie Police Department. It's being signed. It's Chief, you can come up. Says whereas National Police Week occurs every May and was established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, along with a joint resolution by Congress to pay special tribute to those law enforcement officers officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. And whereas there are over 900,000 police officers currently serving in the United States, including over 100,000 uh women in blue, equating to approximately 12% of the full-time police officers. And whereas since n 1791, over 20,000 law enforcement officers in the United States have lost their lives while on duty, including the over 556 new names of fallen heroes being added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this spring, including three officers from Nebraska. And whereas it is important that all citizens recognize the selfless sacrifices police officers make daily by safeguarding life and property, protecting citizens against violence and disorder, disorder, and protecting the get the innocent against deception and oppression while all risking their own lives to do so. And whereas the men and women of the Carnegie Police Department increasingly provide these unceasingly provide these vital services to the citizens of Kearney, regardless of the hazards, rhetoric, or danger they may face. Now therefore be it resolved on behalf of the citizens of Carney, Nebraska, we hereby proclaim the week of May 14th through 20th, 2023 as National Police Week 2023, and be it further resolved that as a community to observe May 15th, uh which is Monday, I believe it is, as police officers, or peace officers memorial day in honor of law enforcement officers who, through their courageous deeds, have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their community or have become disabled in the performance of the duty. And let us also recognize and pay respect to the survivors of our falling heroes. And be further resolved that the mayor and council call upon all citizens to join in commemorating Kearney law enforcement officers, past and present, who, by their faithful and loyal devotion to their responsibilities, have rendered a dedicated service to their community and have established for themselves an enviable and enduring reputation for preserving the rights and security of all citizens. Dated this ninth day of May 2023. So Chief. If I may, real quick, I just want to thank you, Mayor Council for uh for the proclamation of police week. And I also it's a great opportunity for us to we're recognizing and honoring fallen uh police officers who have served communities across our entire country. But it's also an opportunity to recognize those that are still serving in their honor, uh protecting and serving the city, and I would uh just want to thank you all. I want to thank this community. Uh I want to thank our police officers that are that are out there every day uh on a challenge challenging profession. Um but without the continued support we enjoy from this city, um they couldn't do it. So thank you so much for this opportunity, and uh we appreciate the the uh recognition of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. And we do appreciate everything that that you guys do and gals, and we do appreciate that a great deal. Even even one of your own. You kind of close to close to home in my family for sure. So thank you. I got to see if you're pretty good. Oh good. Okay. Okay, we're gonna go first. Um, I'll go first. One, two, three. Okay. One, two, three. Mike, you good. Somebody's cameras. Oh.
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