Kearney City Council Meeting – October 14, 2025
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Kearney City Council Meeting – October 14, 2025
The Kearney City Council met on October 14, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The meeting included routine business, nine public hearings, a consent agenda of 13 items, and three regular agenda items. Key actions included approval of tax increment financing for a restaurant project, adoption of new traffic regulations for bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, ATVs, and golf carts, and an open account claim to the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK).
Consent Calendar
- Items 1–13 were approved unanimously by roll call vote. Items included:
- Approval of minutes of the September 23, 2025 regular meeting.
- Approval of Claims.
- Resolution 2025-125 authorizing designated city officials to sign checks.
- Authorization for the Mayor to send letters of no recommendation to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission for two liquor license/manager applications (Palm Garden Lounge and Eagles Frat Order 2722).
- Purchase of an Altec AT41M Bucket Truck ($229,948.00) and a 2025 Larue D50 snow blower ($218,116.00) under Sourcewell cooperative contracts.
- Adoption of Resolutions 2025-126 (Change Order No. 1 for airport apron reconstruction, increase of $38,780.76 and schedule adjustments), 2025-129 (Change Order No. 1 for Harmon Swimming Pool painting, increase of $4,390.56), and 2025-130 (state grant agreement for airport apron reconstruction).
- Adoption of Resolutions 2025-127, 2025-128, and 2025-131 approving keno-type lottery operations at three locations: Eagles Frat Order 2722, McCue’s Nebraska Taproom, and Big Apple Fun Center.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public addressed the council during any public hearing or during the open comment period.
Discussion Items
- Oath of Office – Police K-9 Officer Kuba: Police Chief Kowalik introduced K-9 Officer Kuba, a Dutch shepherd from Czechoslovakia, and his handler Officer Zach Schwartz. Kuba completed a 16-week Nebraska State Patrol certification in narcotics detection and suspect apprehension and has already been used in the field. The council administered the oath of office to Kuba.
- Public Hearing 1 – Vacation of Utility Easement (Turkey Creek Third Subdivision): Planning Commission recommended approval. Craig Bennett (Miller & Associates) explained that the 10-foot wide utility easement on Lot 1, Turkey Creek Third Subdivision (2105 West Talmadge Street) has been vacated because the utilities were relocated to a new easement. The old conduit remains but is de-energized. Council approved Ordinance 8764 unanimously.
- Public Hearings 2 & 3 – Rezone and Final Plat for Butler Second Subdivision: These were discussed together but voted separately. The applicant (Butler Machinery Company) seeks to rezone 6.32 acres from AG (Agricultural) to BP (Business Park) and approve a one-lot subdivision (5.00 acres) at the southwest corner of 56th Street and Chase Avenue. Craig Bennett presented that water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater infrastructure are already available. The city will receive dedication of additional right-of-way. The council approved Ordinance 8765 (rezoning) and Resolution 2025-118 (final plat and subdivision agreement) unanimously.
- Public Hearings 4–9 – Acquisition of Sanitary Sewer Easements: Sarah Son, Utilities Director, presented six easements (three permanent, three temporary construction) needed for a sanitary sewer extension serving the Box Butte development area. The easements are from Gary Henderson, Brent Henderson, and Curtis Baetz (Baetz Properties). The temporary easements will expire 90 days after construction. Council adopted Resolutions 2025-119 through 2025-124 unanimously.
- Regular Agenda Item 1 – Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for Talmadge Jam LLC: Brian (staff) presented a redevelopment project for a one-story restaurant (estimated valuation increase from $48,300 to over $2.7 million) on 1.51 acres south of the Kearney Welcome Center and east of the Sportsplex. The applicant requested $859,975 in eligible project costs with 100% increment over 15 years (starting tax year 2026). Staff recommended approval. Craig Bennett provided site details. Council adopted Resolution 2025-132 with findings of economic infeasibility and community benefit. Vote: unanimous.
- Regular Agenda Item 2 – Amendments to Traffic Regulations (Ordinance 8766): Brad Demirs, Assistant to the City Manager, presented proposed additions to Chapter 8 (Police) regarding bicycles, e-bikes (Classes 1, 2, 3), electric foot scooters, ATVs, UTVs, and golf carts. Key provisions:
- Bicycles and e-bikes (Classes 1-2) and electric foot scooters allowed on sidewalks and shared-use paths, with requirements to yield to pedestrians, reduce speed at crossings, and dismount if necessary; prohibited on downtown sidewalks.
- Class 3 e-bikes (over 28 mph) prohibited on city trails (consistent with 2023 council action).
- Electric foot scooters prohibited on streets with posted speed limits of 35 mph or more.
- ATVs and UTVs allowed only for snow removal; golf carts prohibited.
- During discussion, council members raised concerns about the time restriction for ATV snow removal (originally limited to sunset to sunrise). After debate, the council amended the ordinance by removing the phrase “between the hours of sunset and sunrise” in proposed Section 8-319(C), making snow removal lawful at any time. Council also discussed education plans for new rules, especially for younger scooter riders. The ordinance was adopted unanimously with the amendment.
- Regular Agenda Item 3 – Open Account Claim to UNK ($330,000.00): The council voted to approve the claim. Roll call: Mayor Nicolette (aye), Stratman (abstain), Bushkoetter (aye), Moore (abstain), Schmidt (aye). The claim was approved with two abstentions.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous approvals: Vacation of utility easement (Ordinance 8764); rezone and final plat for Butler Second Subdivision (Ordinance 8765, Resolution 2025-118); six sanitary sewer easements (Resolutions 2025-119 through 2025-124); all 13 consent agenda items; TIF redevelopment for Talmadge Jam LLC (Resolution 2025-132); amended traffic regulations (Ordinance 8766, with amendment to remove ATV snow removal time restriction).
- Approved with abstentions: Open account claim to UNK ($330,000) – Stratman and Moore abstained.
- Next steps: The amended Ordinance 8766 will be published as provided by law. Education and signage regarding the new traffic rules will be developed, particularly in schools and on trails. City hall’s elevator will undergo repairs; accommodations for future meetings will be available upon request.
Meeting Transcript
All right, now please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which is stands one nation. All right. In accordance with section. Okay. In accordance with section eighty-four fourteen twelve of the Nebraska revised statutes a current copy of the Open Meetings Act is available for review and posted on the wall of the council chambers. Peggy, please take roll. Mayor Nicolas. Here. Bush Cutter. Moore. Here. Schmidt. Stratman. Here. Okay. At this time we have a great uh opening item. We're gonna invite Chief Kowalik and uh Officer Zach Schwartz and our newest police canine officer of Cuba, who will be administered the oath of office after a few remarks from Chief Kowalik. Schwartz, Kuba, if you guys want to come on in here. All right, it's exciting day today for Cuba named KPD. Um gets to get sworn in today as an official member of KPD and surrounded by friends and family. Stacey, thank you for being here. Colt, uh Easton, I know uh he's part of family now, Cuba is. Uh tell you a little bit about him. Uh he is a Dutch shepherd that uh was born in Czechoslovakia. Wow. Uh he was trained uh by a police officer of Czechoslovakia, uh, where he was then taken to uh Blue Street Canine Kennel in uh Arkansas. We went down and selected him. Uh we always want to get the right dog and the right handler. We know for a fact that we have the right handler and officer Schwartz, as well as Officer Allstrom, they do very good work with their canines. Officer Schwartz had a prior dog with Murphy. Uh it was an actual home run, did a lot of great things for the city of Kearney, and we know that Cuba is gonna do the same thing. So uh we we got Kuba, took him to a 16-week school, Nebraska State Patrol, where he's certified in narcotics uh detection, also apprehension, suspect apprehension, did very well. They train in uh they look at things like courage, uh drive, and this dog tested very high in those areas, and since uh he actually got a certification. We've gotten a back and they have several call-outs where UBA has located methamphetamine, other drugs in our community, keep our community safe. Also has done some suspect apprehension, which is very well-trained dog. And uh Officer Schwartz, like I said, he's proven uh KPD, you always want to get the right officers and the right canines. Um we believe CUBA is that right canine. These guys make an excellent PSD team, which is a police service dog team made up of a handler and uh a canine. They have great bonds, they live together, they work together, um and it's it's a great thing to see. It's a great thing for our community. We have such great community support here. It's awesome to see and with uh Cuba uh proving themselves. Uh we thought it was time to officially certify Cuba and make him a member of the Carnegie Police Department. Thank you. Okay. What's that? They're gonna actually swear them in. Perfect.
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