OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kearney City Council Meeting - July 14, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, July 14, 2026
BodyKearney, Nebraska
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:08

Okay, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:11

I pledge to the flag of the United States of America for which it stands.

0:18

One nation under God, indivisible and justice for all.

0:30

In accordance with section 841412 of the Nebraska revised statutes, a current copy of the Open Meetings Act is available for review in council chambers.

0:38

Peggy, please take role.

0:40

Mary Nicola.

0:40

Here.

0:41

Bushcutter.

0:42

Moore.

0:43

Schmidt.

0:43

Here.

0:44

Stratman absent.

0:46

And Alex is absent.

0:47

Chair is empty.

0:48

Thankfully, we have someone willing to fill that seat for uh the next nine months or so.

0:53

Alex, for those who don't know, Alex is on a deployment in uh the Naval War College in Rhode Island for a period of time in the state of Nebraska has a really great part of their uh state code that allows uh people in military service to have temporary elected people to have temporary replacements so they can feel free to go off and do their service and not leave their communities um in a lurch, as Alex would say.

1:19

So I'm gonna ask uh Pete Kotiopolis to the front, and uh Peggy's gonna uh lead you in the oath of office.

1:31

You guys want to run it?

1:33

Okay, I didn't know they were doing it up here.

1:36

Okay, please raise your right hand and then come after me.

1:40

I do solemnly swear.

1:41

You're solemnly swear.

1:43

That I will support the Constitution of the United States.

1:46

But I will support the Constitution of the United States.

1:49

And the Constitution of the State of Nebraska.

1:52

And the Constitution of the State of Nebraska against all enemies foreign and domestic.

1:57

Against all enemies foreign and domestic.

1:59

That I will bear true faith.

2:01

Then I will bear true faith.

2:02

And allegiance to the same.

2:05

And allegiance to the same.

2:06

That I take this obligation freely.

2:09

I take this obligation freely.

2:11

Without any mental reservation.

2:13

Without any mental reservation.

2:15

Or for purpose of evasion.

2:17

Or purpose of invasion.

2:19

And that I will faithfully and impartially.

2:24

Perform the duties of council member.

2:29

According to law.

2:30

According to law.

2:31

And to the best of my ability.

2:33

And to the best of my ability.

2:35

And I do further swear.

2:36

And I do further swear.

2:38

But I do not advocate.

2:39

And I do not advocate.

2:41

Nor am I a member.

2:42

Or am I a member.

2:43

Of any political party or organization.

2:46

Of any political party or organization.

2:49

That advocates the overthrow.

2:53

Of the government of the United States.

2:55

Of the government of the United States.

2:57

Or of this state.

2:59

Or of this state.

3:00

By force or violence.

3:01

By force or violence.

3:03

And that during such time.

3:04

And that during such time.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████27%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████22%
Affordable Housing██████████████████18%
Community Engagement████████████████16%
Cannabis Regulation████████8%
Personnel Matters████4%
Parks and Recreation███3%
Military Service██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Kearney City Council Meeting – July 14, 2026

The Kearney City Council met on July 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included the swearing-in of new Council Member Pete Kotsiopulos (temporary replacement for Alex Stratman, who is on military deployment), a recognition of Kiane Davidson for her leadership of the Buffalo County America 250th Celebration, and the consideration of several planning and development items. No public comments were made on agenda items.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the minutes of the June 23, 2026 regular meeting.
  • Approved the claims.
  • Adopted Resolution No. 2026-78 approving Amendment Number One to the lease agreement with UNK for Building T-929 at the airport.
  • Adopted Resolution No. 2026-79 approving Change Order No. 1 ($30,115.30 increase) and Payment No. 3 ($140,421.67) for 2026 Part 1 Improvements (Avenue A, 31st–35th Street).
  • Approved plans and specifications for the Kearney Whitewater Cherry Avenue Landing project and set bid opening for August 4, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
  • Adopted Resolution No. 2026-80 approving Change Order No. 1 ($3,135.00 increase) and Payment No. 1 ($311,535.00) for 2026 Part 2 Improvements (45th & Avenue N).
  • Adopted Resolution No. 2026-81 awarding the 2026 Part 4 Improvements (16th Street) bid to Circle P Excavation ($448,278.00).
  • Adopted Resolution No. 2026-82 approving the Developer Constructed Infrastructure Agreement for Spruce Hollow Estates Seventh (storm sewer).
  • Adopted Resolution No. 2026-83 approving the Developer Constructed Infrastructure Agreement for Butler Second Subdivision – Phase 1 (water main).
  • Adopted Resolution No. 2026-84 approving the Developer Constructed Infrastructure Agreement for Butler Third Subdivision – AllCity Suites (water main).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public addressed the council on any agenda item.

Discussion Items

  • Public Hearing 1 – Axe Holes Liquor License: The council conducted a public hearing on a Class I (Beer, Wine, Spirits On Sale Only) liquor license and manager application for Rising Entertainment, LLC dba Axe Holes (5012 3rd Avenue, Suite 150). The police department reported no issues. The owner, Mr. Green, confirmed the business is currently open for axe throwing and paint splatter without alcohol; new employees will complete required training. The council voted unanimously to close the hearing and adopt Resolution No. 2026-75, forwarding the application to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission.
  • Public Hearings 2 & 3 – Stansbury Addition Vacation and Mills Addition Final Plat (Postponed): These items were postponed from June 9, 2026. The applicant, Craig Vennon (Miller & Associates), requested withdrawal because negotiations are ongoing to keep the lot developable rather than converting it to an unbuildable outlot. The council unanimously voted to withdraw both hearings.
  • Public Hearing 4 – Hoehner Estates Third Addition Rezoning: Kyle Hoehner, applicant on behalf of owner Patricia Hoehner, requested rezoning of Lots 1–6, Block One (1705–1809 West 50th Street) from R-1 (Low Density) to R-1D (Residential District) to allow duplexes. The Planning Commission had recommended approval. The council closed the hearing and adopted Ordinance No. 8810 on final passage, suspending three readings.
  • Public Hearings 5, 6, 7 – Arbor View Fifth Addition (Rezoning, Final Plat, Annexation): Craig Vennon presented for Fox Creek Development, LLC. The property (east of Avenue R, north of 64th Street) is being developed in phases. Arbor View Fifth consists of 9.29 acres with 24 lots. Infrastructure (sanitary sewer, water, stormwater) will connect to stubs from Arbor View Fourth. The council closed each hearing separately and voted:
    • Hearing 5: Rezoning from AG to R-1 – adopted Ordinance No. 8811 (unanimous).
    • Hearing 6: Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement – adopted Resolution No. 2026-76 (unanimous).
    • Hearing 7: Annexation – adopted Resolution No. 2026-77 (unanimous).
  • Regular Agenda Item 1 – TIF for Talmadge Jam, LLC: Brian (city staff) presented a redevelopment project for Lot 9, Block One, Younes Center Tenth Addition, east of Riverside Animal Hospital. Current estimated value: ~$62,000; projected value after completion: ~$6.5 million; annual increment: ~$107,000; eligible costs: ~$1.7 million. The council approved Resolution No. 2026-85, finding the project infeasible without TIF, granting 100% of annual increment for up to 15 years starting tax year 2027, and authorizing negotiation of a redevelopment contract.
  • Regular Agenda Item 2 – Open Account Claim – University of Nebraska: The council approved a claim of $292.50 to the University of Nebraska. Council Member Moore abstained.

Key Outcomes

  • Pete Kotsiopulos was sworn in as a council member to fill the vacant seat during Alex Stratman’s military deployment.
  • Kiane Davidson was recognized by the mayor and council for coordinating the Buffalo County America 250th Celebration and for her broader work in Parks and Recreation.
  • Axe Holes liquor license application forwarded to the state with council approval (vote: 5-0).
  • Withdrawal of postponed hearings on Stansbury Addition vacation and Mills Addition final plat (vote: 5-0).
  • Rezoning of Hoehner Estates Third Addition (6 lots) to R-1D adopted (Ordinance 8810, final passage, vote: 5-0).
  • Arbor View Fifth rezoning (Ordinance 8811, vote: 5-0), final plat (Resolution 2026-76, vote: 5-0), and annexation (Resolution 2026-77, vote: 5-0) all approved.
  • TIF for Talmadge Jam, LLC approved (Resolution 2026-85, vote: 5-0) with 100% increment for up to 15 years.
  • Open account claim to University of Nebraska for $292.50 approved (vote: 4-0-1, Moore abstained).
  • The meeting adjourned without further business.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge to the flag of the United States of America for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible 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 in council chambers. Peggy, please take role. Mary Nicola. Here. Bushcutter. Moore. Schmidt. Here. Stratman absent. And Alex is absent. Chair is empty. Thankfully, we have someone willing to fill that seat for uh the next nine months or so. Alex, for those who don't know, Alex is on a deployment in uh the Naval War College in Rhode Island for a period of time in the state of Nebraska has a really great part of their uh state code that allows uh people in military service to have temporary elected people to have temporary replacements so they can feel free to go off and do their service and not leave their communities um in a lurch, as Alex would say. So I'm gonna ask uh Pete Kotiopolis to the front, and uh Peggy's gonna uh lead you in the oath of office. You guys want to run it? Okay, I didn't know they were doing it up here. Okay, please raise your right hand and then come after me. I do solemnly swear. You're solemnly swear. That I will support the Constitution of the United States. But 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 true faith. Then I will bear true faith. And allegiance to the same. And allegiance to the same. That I take this obligation freely. I take this obligation freely. Without any mental reservation. Without any mental reservation. Or for purpose of evasion. Or purpose of invasion. And that I will faithfully and impartially. Perform the duties of council member. According to law. According to law. And to the best of my ability. And to the best of my ability. And I do further swear. And I do further swear. But I do not advocate. And I do not advocate. Nor am I a member. Or am I a member. Of any political party or organization.

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