Kearney City Council Meeting: Fire Service Awards, Zoning Changes, and Consent Agenda - December 9, 2025

The Kearney City Council met on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 18 East 22nd Street. The meeting began with a moment of silence, Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call. Major agenda items included recognition of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, four public hearings on zoning and plat approvals, approval of the consent agenda, and public comment regarding Oxford Houses.

Fire Department Service Awards & Training Certificates

• Fire Chief Aaron Jameson presented service awards for years of service: Tyler Vlasin and Mathew Begnoche (10 years), Dave Krueger and Lonny Reeder (15 years), Jerry Folck and Eric “Ric” Pulliam (20 years), Jason Whalen (25 years), Todd “Walt” Walton (30 years), and Jerry Thompson (35 years). Jerry Thompson was recognized for 35 years of service (joined 1990). A special acknowledgment was made for Terry Irik, who has served 38 years and recently entered hospice.
• Firefighter 1 training certificates (86 hours) and Hazmat operations training (32 hours) were awarded to Zach Beckman, Riley Favinger, Peter McGowen, Caleb Miller, and Josh Miller. Chief Jameson noted that this year’s training expanded to include Firefighter 2 (75 additional hours), bringing the total training to nearly 200 hours.

Consent Calendar (Items 1–8)

• Minutes: Approved the minutes of the regular meeting held November 25, 2025.
• Claims: Approved the claims as presented.
• Resolution 2025-158: Set the interest rate for special assessments for 2026 and established a policy for reimbursing developers for infrastructure costs.
• Sanitation Truck Purchase: Approved the purchase of a Sanitation Side Loading Refuse Compactor Truck from Elliot Equipment Co. for $416,966 under the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract.
• Change Order No. 1 – Butler Avenue Place: Adopted Resolution 2025-159 approving a decrease of $50,908 and final payment of $236,745.13 to Dan Roeder Concrete, Inc. for 2025 Part 3 Improvements.
• 2025 Part 4 Improvements – Box Butte: Approved plans and specifications and set a bid opening date of January 6, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
• Liquor License for Drop Zone: Authorized the Mayor to send a letter of no recommendation to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission regarding a Class C liquor license application for Kearney Golf & Pickle, Inc. dba Drop Zone at 101 11th Avenue.
• Change Order No. 2 – Highway 30 & University Drive Roundabout: Adopted Resolution 2025-160 approving a decrease of $132,542.62 and final payment of $103,991.50 to Nielsen Contracting LLC for 2025 Part 2 Improvements.

The consent agenda was approved unanimously via roll call.

Public Hearings and Discussion Items

1. Rezoning of 119 Central Avenue – Buckshot Farms (Ordinance No. 8772)

• Applicant Miller & Associates sought to rezone a 5.22-acre parcel from C-2 (Community Commercial) and M-1 (Light Industrial) to BP (Business Park) to consolidate two parcels for future development. The site is east of Central Avenue and north of First Street, with existing water and sewer infrastructure. A neighbor had raised a boundary dispute, but planning staff advised that boundary issues are a civil matter and do not affect the rezoning process. No public testimony was offered. The council voted unanimously to close the public hearing and adopt the ordinance, waiving three readings.

2. Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement – Buckshot Addition (Resolution No. 2025-156)

• This hearing was held concurrently with the rezoning. The final plat creates a single 4.83-acre lot (Buckshot Addition) and confines blanket MPPD electrical easements to specific widths. The council unanimously approved the resolution.

3. Rezoning of 5808 10th Avenue – Cobalt Skies (Ordinance No. 8773)

• Applicant Miller & Associates requested rezoning of 0.67 acres (1.18 acres including street centerline) from C-1(N)/PD (Neighborhood Center with Planned Development Overlay) to C-O (Office District). The property is the north track of a previous lot split and is intended for commercial use compatible with the MU-1 future land use designation. No public testimony was given. The council unanimously adopted the ordinance.

4. Vacation and Final Plat – Elementary School Third Addition (Ordinance No. 8774 & Resolution No. 2025-157)

• Applicant Buffalo Surveying Corp., representing General Properties LLC, requested vacation of part of Lot 1 of Elementary School Second Addition and approval of the final plat for Elementary School Third Addition (two lots totaling about 2.08 acres). The development is west of the existing Meadowlark Elementary School. Access to the south lot will require future alignment with a planned street if the adjacent land to the east develops. No public testimony was offered. The council unanimously adopted the ordinance vacating the plat (No. 8774) and approved the final plat resolution (No. 2025-157).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kent Schroeder (resident, owns rental property at 3611 Avenue I) spoke about an Oxford House (substance abuse recovery group home) operating at 3615 Avenue I. He described issues with high occupancy (up to 11 men) and frequent police visits. He noted that Oxford Houses are protected under the Fair Housing Act as a reasonable accommodation for disability, but urged the city to adopt a reasonable restriction on the maximum number of unrelated occupants in single-family neighborhoods. He cited the U.S. Supreme Court case City of Edmonds v. Oxford House, Inc. and a subsequent California case. Council member Kurt Schmidt acknowledged the legal complexity and stated that city staff plans to update outdated terminology in the zoning code and will continue to study the issue.

Reports and Adjournment

• Council member Randy Buschkoetter reported on the successful "Give Where You Live" community giving event, raising over $2.3 million, and highlighted contributions by Council Member Tami James Moore’s nonprofit for sustainable housing.
• Council member Pete Kotsiopulos encouraged attendance at the Kearney Area Arts Council’s Jazz at the World concerts.
• The meeting adjourned after a roll call vote.

Key Outcomes and Votes

• Ordinance No. 8772 (Buckshot Farms rezoning): Adopted 6-0 (Mayor Nikkila and Council Members Schmidt, Stratman, Buschkoetter, Moore, Kotsiopulos all voted aye).
• Resolution No. 2025-156 (Buckshot Addition final plat): Adopted 6-0.
• Ordinance No. 8773 (Cobalt Skies rezoning): Adopted 6-0.
• Ordinance No. 8774 (Vacation of part of Lot 1): Adopted 6-0.
• Resolution No. 2025-157 (Elementary School Third Addition final plat): Adopted 6-0.
• Consent Agenda (items 1–8): Approved 6-0.

The council took no action on the Oxford House issue but committed to further review by city staff.