Kearney City Council Meeting – May 26, 2026: Fire Department Officer Pinning, Public Hearings on Multifamily Development, Liquor License, Property Purchase, and Data Center Concerns
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Kearney City Council Meeting – May 26, 2026
The Kearney City Council met on May 26, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The meeting included a pinning ceremony for newly elected volunteer fire department officers, three public hearings, approval of a nine-item consent agenda, general public comments on data center regulations, and a report on Chicago flight schedule changes. Key actions included approval of a planned development for a 75-unit multifamily project, a catering endorsement for a local wine room, and the purchase of surplus state property.
Ceremonial Recognition
- The Kearney Volunteer Fire Department held a pinning ceremony for its newly elected officers, presented by Deputy Chief Jason Whalen. Chief Seth Lunberry (16 years of service, 29th fire chief) received his badge, along with Captain Connor Brown and Battalion Chief Lonnie Reader. Other re-elected officers and corporate officers were also recognized. The department has served the community for 143 years.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes of the regular meeting held May 12, 2026.
- Approved the claims.
- Received Planning Commission recommendations and set June 9, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. as the hearing date for applicable applications.
- Adopted Resolution No. 2026-62 approving the revised Kearney Public Library Policy Manual as recommended by the Library Advisory Board.
- Adopted Resolution No. 2026-63 awarding the sole bid received for the Rehabilitation Apron and Taxilanes (Asphalt Mill & Overlay) Project at Kearney Regional Airport to Constructors, Inc. in the revised amount of $5,872,770.75, subject to FAA concurrence.
- Adopted Resolution No. 2026-64 for the purchase of training equipment (FARO scanner) for the Kearney Police Department.
- Rejected the bids received for the Downtown Festoon Lighting project.
- Approved the annual renewal of eight manufactured home court licenses until May 31, 2027 (Cornhusker, Countryside, Merriweather, R-Villa East/South/West, Rodeo Court, Villa Park).
- Approved the Plans and Specifications for 2026 Part 4 Improvements – 16th Street and set the bid opening date for June 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Public Hearings & Discussion Items
1. Planned Development Plan for 5110 Parklane Drive (Resolution No. 2026-39)
- Proposal: Jacob Reiter (applicant) for Kearney Mall Associates LTD (owner) requested approval for a three-building, 75-unit multifamily development on a 5.2-acre grassy lot east of the Hilltop Mall. The plan includes one 21-unit two-story building (with clubhouse) and two 27-unit three-story buildings, 24 garage stalls in three on-site garages, centralized trash enclosure, underground stormwater detention, EV charging stations, a dog park, and a landscape buffer. The developer requested a parking reduction from the code-required 145 stalls to 131 stalls, borrowing 15 stalls from the adjacent mall parking lot via a recorded parking agreement running with the land. The Planning Commission recommended approval with an additional street tree (total five) and submission of the parking agreement (received).
- Public Testimony: Trish K. Brunner (511 Parklane Dr.) expressed safety concerns about insufficient parking and lighting, urging no on-street parking on Parklane Drive. Jacob Bono Larchick (2009 Fifth Ave.) supported the project, suggesting traffic calming measures like bump-outs or chicanes. Carolyn Bloomfield (Parklane Dr.) questioned the room for a dog park and stormwater drainage impacts.
- Council Discussion: Council members debated parking adequacy. Some supported the project as a necessary housing infill, noting nearby underutilized mall parking and walkability. Others worried about overflow parking, future disputes, and safety on Parklane Drive. Council agreed to restrict on-street parking on Parklane Drive. Council Member Schmidt voted against, citing insufficient parking.
- Outcome: Motion to close the public hearing and adopt Resolution 2026-39 with the landscape plan revision (additional street tree) passed 4-1 (Council Member Schmidt opposed). Roll call: Mayor Nikkila aye, Vice-President Buschkoetter aye, Council Member James Moore absent, Council Member Schmidt no, Council Member Stratman aye.
2. Catering Endorsement for Sip & Swirl Wine Room (Resolution No. 2026-60)
- Proposal: The applicant requested a Class K catering endorsement to the existing Class C liquor license, allowing unlimited special designated liquor licenses (SDLs) for events, primarily in the common area near the wine room. Staff confirmed no concerns from Kearney Police Department or Planning Department; alcohol server training completed.
- Public Testimony: None.
- Outcome: Motion to close the public hearing and adopt Resolution 2026-60 passed unanimously (5-0, Council Member James Moore absent).
3. Purchase of Surplus State Property (Resolution No. 2026-61)
- Proposal: City Attorney Michael Tye presented a purchase agreement for a tract of land (part of Lot 5, Section 11, Township 8 North, Range 16 West) – the former Nebraska State Patrol and Department of Transportation maintenance yard on Talmadge Street between 3rd and 4th Avenue. The state deemed the property surplus after building a new facility. The purchase price is $1,100,000 via quitclaim deed. The city intends to evaluate redevelopment opportunities, potentially improving traffic flow.
- Council Discussion: Council Member Schmidt inquired about environmental risks. Staff stated they inspected the property and are not aware of environmental issues. The appraisal reflects its current use.
- Public Testimony: None.
- Outcome: Motion to close the public hearing and adopt Resolution 2026-61 passed 4-1 (Council Member Schmidt opposed).
Public Comments (General)
- Josh Lillyman (Northeast Kearney resident) addressed the council regarding data centers, specifically the proposed Sequitur Edge facility at TechONE Crossing. He cited a Virginia Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) study from December 2024, detailing concerns about low-frequency noise (inaudible but harmful), residential ratepayer impacts (projected $14–$37/month increase by 2040), and limited local economic benefits (approx. 10 jobs for the proposed 30,000 sq ft facility). He requested four reforms: (1) add a noise performance standard measuring dBA and dBC/dBZ to Section 32-103; (2) reinstate Chapter 33 with modern enhanced standards for high-impact industrial uses near sensitive receivers (e.g., Veterans Home, hospitals); (3) require in future development agreements that infrastructure costs are paid by the operator and not recovered through residential rates; and (4) publish the Sequitur Edge development agreement for public transparency. Council members thanked Mr. Lillyman and committed to further research, noting existing noise ordinances, public power protections, and the city's proactive stance. Mayor Nikkila emphasized the council's obligation to the Veterans Home and stated the city would not compromise community identity for quick financial gain.
Reports & Key Outcomes
- Chicago Flight Schedule Change: City Manager Brenda Jensen reported that from September 8 to October 25, 2026, the departing flight from Kearney to Chicago O'Hare will shift from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. due to federal mandates reducing flights at O'Hare. The incoming flight remains at its current arrival time (~1:30 p.m.). This change is only for six weeks; staff is working to confirm there will be no further disruptions.
- Appreciation: Council and staff thanked the parks department, cemetery staff, veteran service organizations, and volunteers for Big Dig event (15,000 plants planted, over 60 registered volunteers).
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned by motion and second, approved unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
All right, please join me at the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic for which it stands one nation under God 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 review and is posted on the wall of the council chambers. Uh Peggy, please take role. Mayor Nicola Bush Cutter Moore, Absen Schmidt, Stratman. Here. First of all, we have an exciting uh event to kick off the meeting. We are going to invite those in attendance up to the front for the pinning ceremony for the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department's newly elected officers. And uh so who's who's in charge of that? Jason is okay. And then I'll let you give an introduction and then we can give up the podium so that you guys don't have us in your shots when you guys take pictures. Although we're good at photobombing. Yes, right. We can smile. Great. Mr. Mayor, Council, City Manager. Uh, thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk to you guys tonight. Um, it's it's truly a good time. We can celebrate uh the establishments of our volunteer firefighters who've been nominated and voted into these leadership leadership positions by their peers. Um, as you guys are aware, uh the Carney Volunteer Fire Department holds our officer elections every every April. Um, it's always an exciting time uh for our department and its officers. And not only is it just exciting for those who are voted into these coveted positions, but it's it's truly exciting for our whole department as we get to see our members be rewarded for their hard work and dedication in training emergency response uh to our community and most of all each other. Uh the officers that are elected each year, not it's not by accident that they're they're elected into these positions. Uh these guys have put in uh a ton of time to be confident and capable of handing it, handling any of the emergencies that we're called to. Um these officers have given countless hours of their time away from their families uh every month to ensure that our department's always ready. Um we've been serving this community for 143 years now. In that 140 years, um, there's been over a thousand volunteer firefighters, but only 28 of those have been nominated to the position of fire chief. So with that, it is my honor to present to you the 29th fire chief of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, Seth Lunberry. Seth has served on the KVFD for 16 years. He was um pretty much raised in Kearney. He moved to Kearney when he was 10 years old. Um, and he's now raising his own family here. Um Seth has risen through the officer ranks of lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, and now he's been elected as our fire chief. So I would like to invite Seth and his family forward to receive his chief's badge. Joining Seth tonight will be his wife Becca and their children Frankie and Christian. Okay, and we will move to the side and let you guys finish the Mr. Mayor, members of the council, city minister to Jensen, Deputy Chief Chief Whalen, members of the department, family, and friends. Thank you. First, I want to thank Deputy Chief Whalen for the words in introducing to me tonight. Also want to thank my family for being here and for the support that they've given me. Anyone who has served in the fire service knows of the commitment is not carried by one person alone. It takes support, especially at home, support from the department, and support from the community. Being elected the fire chief of the Carney Volunteer Fire Department is truly an honor. This department has a long history of service, but what makes us special is the people standing behind it today. The members of the department give their time, energy, and effort to serve others, often without anyone seeing the amount of work that happens behind the scenes. Tonight is not about one position. It's about recognizing the officers who have been selected by their peers to lead the department forward. These positions come with responsibility. At this time, I would like to recognize the newly elected officers of the Carney Volunteer Fire Department.
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