Meeting colors

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Kearney City Council Meeting – August 26, 2025: Chief Swearing-In, Keno Fund Transfer, Data Center Sale, Habitat TIF

City Council — Tuesday, August 26, 2025

BodyKearney, Nebraska

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, August 26, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 38:09

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:05

Okay, members of the Carney Police Department Honor Guard will now present the colors, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:11

Gary Color.

0:17

Please.

0:22

I pledge my allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands under God.

0:40

Okay, thank you.

0:41

Please be seated.

0:46

In accordance with section 84, 1412 of the Nebraska revised statutes of current current copy of the OP Meetings Act is available for review and is posted on the wall of the council chambers.

0:55

Peggy, please take roll.

0:56

Mayor Nicola.

0:57

Here.

0:57

Bushcutter.

0:58

Moore.

0:59

Schmidt.

1:00

Here.

1:00

Stratman.

1:01

Here.

1:02

All right.

1:02

We've uh momentous day for a couple reasons for a city and our police department.

1:08

So we're going to uh invite police chief Gabe Koalik to the front for the oath of office, following Chief Kowalik swearing in and badge pinning.

1:15

Uh police officer Gavin West will be sworn in following by followed by his badge pinning.

1:20

So uh Chief, I think come to the podium and Brenda's gonna say a few words.

1:25

Yep, yeah, I won't say too much, Chief, but um so I'll keep it brief.

1:29

Uh but I officially want to congratulate Chief Kuallock and just talk a little bit about the process.

1:34

So it was a very competitive process, it was long, he said several months long um hiring a police chief.

1:39

Um but through that competitive process, what really spoke to me is the caliber of internal leadership that we have within the department is extremely impressive.

1:47

Um and I think I think what's really exciting for for Gabe and what um he's gonna bring to the city and to the department is uh your amazing experience and also your internal insight and the vision that you have for the department and the future of the community.

2:02

So I'm just really excited for you and excited for the department to get to experience that.

2:06

So congratulations and we'll officially swear you in.

2:09

Okay, thank you.

2:10

We'll uh move to the side then.

2:36

All right, please raise your right hand and repeat after me.

2:38

I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States.

2:44

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

2:46

And the Constitution of the State of Nebraska.

2:49

And the Constitution of the State of Nebraska.

2:51

Against all enemies foreign and domestic.

2:54

Against all enemies foreign and domestic.

2:56

That I will bear the true faith.

2:57

That I'll bear the true faith.

2:59

And allegiance to the same.

3:01

And allegiance to the same.

3:03

That I take this obligation freely.

3:05

That I take this obligation freely.

3:07

Without any mental reservation.

3:09

Without any any mental reservation.

3:12

Or for purpose of evasion.

3:14

Or purpose of evasion.

3:16

And that I will faithfully and impartially and impartially.

3:21

Perform the duties of chief of police.

3:24

Perform the duties of chief of police.

3:26

According to the law.

3:27

According to law.

3:28

And to the best of my ability.

3:29

And to the best of my ability.

3:31

And I do further swear.

3:32

And I do further swear.

3:33

That I do not advocate.

3:35

But I do not advocate.

3:36

Nor am I a member.

3:38

Nor am I a member.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety██████████████████████████████30%

Economic Development████████████████████████████28%

Procedural█████████████████████████25%

Budget Equity Analysis█████████9%

Technology and Innovation█████5%

Public Engagement███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Kearney City Council Meeting – August 26, 2025

The Kearney City Council met on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The meeting included ceremonial swearing-in of the new police chief and a police officer, a public hearing on Keno progressive jackpot funds, approval of a consent agenda, and two major regular agenda items: the sale of city-owned property for a data center and a tax increment financing (TIF) redevelopment project for Habitat for Humanity.

Oath of Office Ceremonies

Police Chief Gabriel Kowalek was sworn in after a competitive selection process. City Manager Brenda Jensen praised his internal leadership and vision. Chief Kowalek expressed gratitude and commitment to the community, officers, and partnerships (Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, federal partners, and others).
Police Officer Gavin West was sworn in. Chief Kowalek noted his professionalism, Air Force service, and Air National Guard service. Officer West is badge #233, a Hastings native, and chose Kearney over other departments.

Public Hearing

Keno Progressive Jackpot Funds Transfer: City Attorney Mike Ty presented a public hearing on transferring $16,453.08 from the former Keno operator’s progressive jackpot fund to the City of Kearney Community Betterment Fund. The resolution (2025-97) was required by Nebraska Department of Revenue regulations. The funds will be used for community betterment projects, reviewed by a citizen committee. The council closed the hearing and unanimously approved the resolution.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the following items en bloc (motion by Council Member Schmidt, second by Council Member Stratman, all voted aye):

Minutes of the regular meeting of August 12, 2025.
Claims.
Receipt of Planning Commission recommendations and setting September 9, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. for hearings.
Resolution 2025-98: Final allocation of levy authority – $249,470.00 for the Community Redevelopment Authority and $71,668.00 for Offstreet Parking District No. 1 for FY 2025-2026.
Resolution 2025-99: Amendment to the Police Pension Plan due to LB 179 (Cities of the First-Class Police Retirement Act changes).
Resolution 2025-100: Approval of Construction Management at Risk method for Fire Station No. 3.
Resolution 2025-101: Extension of recreational use agreement with Nebraska Public Power District for the Canal Tailrace (kayaking, canoeing, tubing).
Resolution 2025-102: Municipality Maintenance Agreement with NDOT for installation of four Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) crossings on US-30 at University Drive.
Approval of plans and specifications for 2025 Part 5 Improvements: Marlatt Fourth, with bid opening on September 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
Two consent agenda ordinances (Ordinance 8759 amending speed limits and school zones; Ordinance 8760 amending parking regulations for nonmotorized/recreational vehicles and trucks/trailers in residential zones) were adopted on final passage after suspension of three-reading rule.

Discussion Items

Regular Agenda Item 1 & 2 – Shamrock Data, LLC Purchase Agreement and Deed of Sale: City Attorney Mike Ty presented the sale of city-owned Lots 2 and 3, Block 2, Tech One Fourth Subdivision (east of 56th Street near the new NPPD substation) to Shamrock Data, LLC for $1,355,000. The buyer plans a compact, tier-three data center of approximately 30,000 square feet, using about 4.99 megawatts of electrical power (expandable to 15 megawatts). A right of first refusal allows the city to repurchase the property if a building permit is not pulled within one year of closing. Council members asked about cooling methods, footprint, and whether a lease was considered. The purchase agreement (Resolution 2025-103) and deed of sale (Ordinance 8761) were approved unanimously.
Regular Agenda Item 3 – Habitat for Humanity Redevelopment Project (TIF): City staff presented the redevelopment project for Kearney Area Habitat for Humanity in Redevelopment Area No. 7 (east of 18th Street and Avenue M). The project will build 16 single-family homes on land currently valued at $95,000; after construction, the anticipated valuation is $3.6 million, creating an increment of over $3.5 million. Eligible costs are estimated at just over $1 million. The Community Redevelopment Authority approved 100% of the annual increment for up to 15 years, beginning tax year 2026. The city will manage infrastructure construction (using a joint funding model: 50% upfront from Habitat, 50% from city budget, reimbursed via TIF). Council approved the findings and Resolution 2025-104, authorizing the redevelopment contract.

Key Outcomes

Unanimous approval of Resolution 2025-97 (Keno fund transfer to Community Betterment Fund).
Consent agenda items (including 9 resolutions and 2 ordinances) approved unanimously.
Resolution 2025-103 and Ordinance 8761 approved unanimously for the sale of property to Shamrock Data, LLC.
Resolution 2025-104 approved unanimously, granting 100% of annual TIF increment for up to 15 years for the Habitat for Humanity redevelopment project.
Next steps: Construction bids for Marlatt Fourth improvements open September 16, 2025; budget hearing scheduled for September 3, 2025; NPPD small modular reactor coffee event on August 27, 2025; Destination Downtown event on September 2, 2025.

Reports

Council members and City Manager Brenda Jensen offered congratulations to the new police chief, noted high load factors (83%) for SkyWest air service (eight empty seats on average), and reminded the public about the upcoming NPPD nuclear conversation event and the budget hearing.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, members of the Carney Police Department Honor Guard will now present the colors, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Gary Color. Please. I pledge my allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands under God. Okay, thank you. Please be seated. In accordance with section 84, 1412 of the Nebraska revised statutes of current current copy of the OP Meetings Act is available for review and is posted on the wall of the council chambers. Peggy, please take roll. Mayor Nicola. Here. Bushcutter. Moore. Schmidt. Here. Stratman. Here. All right. We've uh momentous day for a couple reasons for a city and our police department. So we're going to uh invite police chief Gabe Koalik to the front for the oath of office, following Chief Kowalik swearing in and badge pinning. Uh police officer Gavin West will be sworn in following by followed by his badge pinning. So uh Chief, I think come to the podium and Brenda's gonna say a few words. Yep, yeah, I won't say too much, Chief, but um so I'll keep it brief. Uh but I officially want to congratulate Chief Kuallock and just talk a little bit about the process. So it was a very competitive process, it was long, he said several months long um hiring a police chief. Um but through that competitive process, what really spoke to me is the caliber of internal leadership that we have within the department is extremely impressive. Um and I think I think what's really exciting for for Gabe and what um he's gonna bring to the city and to the department is uh your amazing experience and also your internal insight and the vision that you have for the department and the future of the community. So I'm just really excited for you and excited for the department to get to experience that. So congratulations and we'll officially swear you in. Okay, thank you. We'll uh move to the side then. All right, please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States. That I will support the Constitution of the United States. And the Constitution of the State of Nebraska. And the Constitution of the State of Nebraska. Against all enemies foreign and domestic. Against all enemies foreign and domestic. That I will bear the true faith. That I'll bear the true faith. And allegiance to the same. And allegiance to the same. That I take this obligation freely. That I take this obligation freely. Without any mental reservation. Without any any mental reservation. Or for purpose of evasion. Or purpose of evasion. And that I will faithfully and impartially and impartially. Perform the duties of chief of police. Perform the duties of chief of police.

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