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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Kearney City Council Meeting: UNK Partnerships, Keno Fair Approval, and Public Comment (June 23, 2026)

City Council — Tuesday, June 23, 2026

BodyKearney, Nebraska

SessionCity Council

DateTuesday, June 23, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 48:31

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

0:06

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:08

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which is one individual with liberty and justice role.

0:26

Okay.

0:27

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.

0:35

Peggy, please take rolls.

0:37

Mayor Nicola.

0:38

Oh, I'm sorry, Jake.

0:39

You're doing it.

0:40

So I'm sorry.

0:41

I am here, yes.

0:42

We switched today.

0:43

He's doing the little trainee today.

0:45

So Mayor Nicola.

0:46

Here.

0:47

Bushcutter?

0:48

Here.

0:48

More?

0:49

Here.

0:49

Schmidt Addcent Stratman.

0:51

Unlike the Yankees when they played Randy's Reds this weekend, I am here.

0:57

Thank you for noticing.

1:00

All right.

1:02

So at this time we have uh Chancellor Neil Schnorr from UNK, who's gonna speak to us today and uh talk about City Carney UNK partnerships.

1:11

Well, thank you very much, uh Mayor Nicola and Council members.

1:15

Uh it's a privilege to spend, and I'll just spend a few minutes with you tonight.

1:19

Uh but I asked um City Manager Jensen when the last time a chancellor came to express our appreciation to all of you, she couldn't find a date.

1:28

So that gives us an idea.

1:34

But I first came to Kearney in 1993 and was teaching at the high school, and I've been able to work with the city for 33 years.

1:42

So I may only be one year as a chancellor, but 33 in Kearney.

1:46

I I just want to thank you for continuing to answer the call to serve uh public service and making Kearney a thriving community and a vital center for greater Nebraskans.

1:58

I'm told, I hope my stats aren't wrong that Kearney's official population is just over 34,000, but swells to 60,000 during the day because of good jobs, good health care, shopping, dining, and entertainment.

2:13

I know that's because of your careful planning, your investment, and your collaboration.

2:19

And I know that our city is one of the main reasons that students choose to enroll at UNK.

2:26

So today I just want to uh call out a few things we're grateful for.

2:31

It's been your investment in the Douglas Christensen Health Complex, University Village infrastructure, tennis and softball facilities, our new innovative aviation program.

2:43

I'm so excited about that one and what it's gonna bring to our community.

2:47

The Highway 30 roundabout project and a recycling site at UNK, and truly a new level of collaboration between KPD and UNKPD.

2:59

It's it's come a long way just in the last year or two.

3:03

And I want to tell you that your investment is paying dividends.

3:06

One in seven teachers in Nebraska are UNK graduates.

3:12

We will award 200 more degrees this year than we did 25 years ago.

3:19

Our faculty research just got this update yesterday.

3:22

Our faculty research productivity productivity is number one against our most aspirational peers.

3:30

So we are number one in the country in our research classification.

3:35

Our rapidly growing business health and law programs are serving critical workforce needs.

3:41

Our hospital partner network now stretches from Sydney to David City and includes Kearney.

3:48

We're very proud and happy for their support.

3:51

Our students annually fill workforce needs across Carney.

3:55

Yeah, we wish they didn't work quite as many hours and they'd study all the more, right, Dr.

3:59

Moore?

4:00

But uh they are working their way through and filling a lot of jobs in Kearney.

4:04

And they've completed nearly 20,000 hours in internships the past few years, and many, many more community service hours in the community.

4:15

And finally, I get to brag a little bit.

4:17

Uh UNK Athletics placed 18th out of 251 D2 schools in the Learfield President's Cup standings, establishing UNK as a top seven D2 program in the nation.

4:33

So tonight I just want to thank you for your vision, your support, and I look forward to continuing to work with you to better serve the citizens of Kearney and Greater Nebraska.

4:44

Thanks for having me tonight.

4:45

Thanks, Chancellor.

4:46

Thank you.

4:47

Any questions for me?

4:48

You want to grill me on anything?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Cannabis Regulation███████████████████████████27%

Procedural████████████████████████24%

Economic Development███████████████15%

Military Service██████████10%

Community Engagement█████████9%

Public Engagement█████████9%

Public Safety████4%

Personnel Matters██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Kearney City Council Meeting - June 23, 2026

The Kearney City Council met on June 23, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. The meeting featured a special presentation from University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) Chancellor Neal Schnoor, approval of a temporary live keno operation at the Buffalo County Fair (July 22–26, 2026), postponement of two public hearings to July 14, 2026, passage of a street renaming ordinance, and public comment regarding a code enforcement complaint. Several consent agenda items were approved, including a final payment for the Harmon Park pool project and a landfill cell construction bid. Councilmember Alex Stratman announced his upcoming military deployment, with Pete Kotsiopulos serving as interim.

Consent Calendar

Approved the minutes of the regular meeting on June 9, 2026.
Approved the claims as presented.
Set July 14, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. as the hearing date for Planning Commission recommendations.
Adopted Resolution No. 2026-71: Final payment of $15,564.96 and acceptance of Certificate of Substantial Completion for the Harmon Park Swimming Pool Tub/Sandblasting/Painting project (Miller Painting Inc.).
Adopted Resolution No. 2026-72: Developer Constructed Infrastructure Agreement for Western Nebraska Property Development Fourth Addition (water, sewer, paving, storm sewer) with KPT&G, LLC.
Accepted the bid for 2026 Part 3 Improvements – Landfill Cells 9 & 10 Construction and adopted Resolution No. 2026-73 awarding the bid to C Lazy B Land Development in the amount of $1,962,416.00.

Public Comments & Testimony

Mike Hosey (301 West 25th) expressed frustration with a code enforcement notice requiring him to mow weeds within three days, noting he had recently undergone brain surgery. He stated the timing (notice received on a Monday after being mailed Friday) effectively gave him only one day to comply. City Attorney and Council members clarified that code enforcement is complaint-driven, the city works with residents on extensions, and the notice included a phone number for questions. Council acknowledged the need for communication and reiterated that staff are willing to accommodate health or other issues.

Discussion Items

Recognition of UNK Partnerships: Chancellor Neal Schnoor thanked the Council for ongoing collaboration, citing investments in the Douglas Christensen Health Complex, University Village infrastructure, tennis/softball facilities, the aviation program, Highway 30 roundabout, and a recycling site. He reported that Kearney’s daytime population swells to 60,000–66,000 (official population ~34,000). UNK graduates one in seven Nebraska teachers, will award 200 more degrees than 25 years ago, and ranks #1 nationally in faculty research productivity among its aspirational peers. UNK Athletics placed 18th out of 251 Division II schools in the Learfield President’s Cup. Council members praised the university’s economic and community impact, with Mayor Nikkila noting that UNK is a critical economic pillar. Chancellor Schnorr also highlighted a new Family Consumer Science teaching endorsement.
Big Red Keno – Buffalo County Fair Temporary Operation: Bill Harvey (Big Red Keno) presented an update on operations since taking over the contract in summer 2025. Key statistics: $496,376 paid to the City of Kearney (including $200,000 initial investment and $296,376 through May 2026); $261,983 paid to local host locations (commissions, sign-up bonuses, equipment); $82,547 in local vendor purchases and sponsorships (including UNK); total direct economic impact of $840,906. The company expanded from 6–7 locations to 18, added a full-time manager and two part-time staff, and introduced a new paybook with player-friendly games (e.g., classic catch-all, June top-bottom special with ~90% payout). The request seeks approval to operate a live keno booth at the Buffalo County Fair (July 22–26, 2026) with age-compliance and equipment security measures. Council members expressed appreciation for communication and growth. No opposition was voiced; the resolution was adopted unanimously.
Discussion on Code Enforcement Process: Following public comment, Council discussed the weed/mowing complaint process, emphasizing that it is complaint-driven, that staff work with residents, and that state law mandates a 12-inch height limit. Councilmember Stratman noted the right-of-way had to be mowed for pedestrian access. Council praised staff for fair handling of complaints.

Key Outcomes

Public Hearings (Items III-1 and III-2): Further postponed to July 14, 2026 (motion carried unanimously; Councilmember Schmidt absent).
Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (4 ayes, Schmidt absent).
Consent Agenda Ordinance No. 8809: Passed (4 ayes) – renaming a portion of 16th Street to 14th Street from 30th Avenue to 24th Avenue.
Resolution No. 2026-74: Approved (4 ayes) – authorizing Big Red Keno to temporarily operate a live keno lottery operation at the Buffalo County Fair, July 22–26, 2026.
Open Account Claim – University of NE ($292.50): Postponed to July 14, 2026 (referred due to conflict with UNK presentation).
Adjournment: Motion carried at approximately 6:30 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which is one individual with liberty and justice role. Okay. 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. Peggy, please take rolls. Mayor Nicola. Oh, I'm sorry, Jake. You're doing it. So I'm sorry. I am here, yes. We switched today. He's doing the little trainee today. So Mayor Nicola. Here. Bushcutter? Here. More? Here. Schmidt Addcent Stratman. Unlike the Yankees when they played Randy's Reds this weekend, I am here. Thank you for noticing. All right. So at this time we have uh Chancellor Neil Schnorr from UNK, who's gonna speak to us today and uh talk about City Carney UNK partnerships. Well, thank you very much, uh Mayor Nicola and Council members. Uh it's a privilege to spend, and I'll just spend a few minutes with you tonight. Uh but I asked um City Manager Jensen when the last time a chancellor came to express our appreciation to all of you, she couldn't find a date. So that gives us an idea. But I first came to Kearney in 1993 and was teaching at the high school, and I've been able to work with the city for 33 years. So I may only be one year as a chancellor, but 33 in Kearney. I I just want to thank you for continuing to answer the call to serve uh public service and making Kearney a thriving community and a vital center for greater Nebraskans. I'm told, I hope my stats aren't wrong that Kearney's official population is just over 34,000, but swells to 60,000 during the day because of good jobs, good health care, shopping, dining, and entertainment. I know that's because of your careful planning, your investment, and your collaboration. And I know that our city is one of the main reasons that students choose to enroll at UNK. So today I just want to uh call out a few things we're grateful for. It's been your investment in the Douglas Christensen Health Complex, University Village infrastructure, tennis and softball facilities, our new innovative aviation program. I'm so excited about that one and what it's gonna bring to our community. The Highway 30 roundabout project and a recycling site at UNK, and truly a new level of collaboration between KPD and UNKPD. It's it's come a long way just in the last year or two. And I want to tell you that your investment is paying dividends. One in seven teachers in Nebraska are UNK graduates. We will award 200 more degrees this year than we did 25 years ago. Our faculty research just got this update yesterday. Our faculty research productivity productivity is number one against our most aspirational peers. So we are number one in the country in our research classification. Our rapidly growing business health and law programs are serving critical workforce needs. Our hospital partner network now stretches from Sydney to David City and includes Kearney. We're very proud and happy for their support. Our students annually fill workforce needs across Carney. Yeah, we wish they didn't work quite as many hours and they'd study all the more, right, Dr. Moore?

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