February the 27th.

Uh, if you'll rise, we'll have a moment of silence.

Thank you.

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.

Invisible with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you.

In accordance with section 841412 of the Nebraska revised statutes, the current copy of the open meetings act is available for you.

It's posted on the wall of the council chambers.

We take roll, please.

Mayor Clouds.

President Nicolette Moore here.

Okay.

Oral communications.

We have a couple pretty special things to do tonight.

And uh we've got uh Steve Bay and Roger Peterson.

Um if you want to come up one at a time, but we also have Andy and Eric are gonna say a few words.

Is that right?

We're all one big family, so yeah.

Good evening, council mayor, uh Eric Hellrigal, director of parks.

Um, one of the things that Amy and I discussed is um we've got a couple of 40-year uh city employees, and that in my world is a pretty significant accomplishment, no matter what your what your occupation is, excuse me.

So felt like it was was uh a nice gesture to uh acknowledge their service to our community.

You know, these are these are folks who work in in middle management for us and you know have have very unique and very difficult jobs, and uh they do it with a lot of class, they do it with a lot of effort, and so appreciate city council recognizing um both of them this evening.

Okay, thank you.

Uh really not much to add to that except for uh when you're talking about an employee like Roger Peterson.

Um he makes your job extremely easy and extremely hard all at the same time.

Pretty sure most of you know him, but um and we all understand what you're saying.

Roger's a million miles an hour, but extremely dedicated to the city, and I just would like to thank him publicly as well for for uh being part of our team.

So good.

And I thought about it, we'd have all brought toothpicks and okay.

Well, Roger and see if you want to come up.

You want to say a few words?

One of you both uh Roger has a whole speech, I think.

No, I don't know.

He's got a basketball game you want to get to.

Uh you know, seriously being here for 40 years, you know, you think about it.

That's that is a long time, but it is a short time.

And uh to where I'm at, you know, I'm not educated, I don't have a college education, but I've uh I think I've thrived in the in here, you know, and in uh city of Kearney is number one for me, you know, the the people and stuff, and and I appreciated uh you know being able to do what I can what I've done and it wasn't for the guys that work with me and stuff like that.

There's no way I could do what I do because um is just unbelievable, and it wasn't for them, I guess it would be more difficult, and and I've got a great crew right now, and especially Dwayne Schmidt, who's under me.

And uh, you know, if it wasn't for him, it would be more difficult.

So I just appreciate what they do, and I thank you for backing me and stuff like that, and everybody.

Well, we appreciate everything that you've done over the years, Roger, and we're glad we didn't lose you and and we're we're glad you're back and get a few more years.

Appreciate that.

I don't know about this, you know.

Yeah, when I started with the city 40 years ago, I thought the job cemetery I'm gonna take this for a year or two, the economy was bad, and I would look for working.

I'll throw it somebody you're too and go find something better.

Well, I'm still here.

It's been very fulfilling career so far.

I mean, I've really did a lot of improvements and different things out there that I'm proud of.

Um it's been fun and enjoyable for the most part, and like Roger, I got a crew without it without your staff underneath you, you know, you'd never get your job done.

And that's same with me with the crew I have right now, the crew I have right now, have been together I think close to 10 years, and they've really worked well together and making my job easier.

Um I've enjoyed working here uh for the most part.

It's been a great career, and uh just thankful for the opportunity.

Thank you.

And thank you, Stephen.

And over the years, yes, not many times any have a ribbon cutting at the cemetery for the kiosk and uh you know the time capsule and and people say what's going on out there.

I said, Don't worry, it'll be done nice, and Steve's got it.

So on the expansion.