OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kearney City Council Meeting - August 11, 2026

City Council — Tuesday, August 11, 2026
BodyKearney, Nebraska
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, August 11, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
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0:00

Everyone, uh join me for a moment of silence and then the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:14

All right, please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:17

I believe the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God in the municipal with Justice Graw.

0:35

In accordance with section 841412 of the Nebraska revised statutes, a current copy of the open meetings act is available for review in the council chambers.

0:42

Uh Jake, please take roll.

0:44

Mayor Nicola here.

0:45

Bushcutter.

0:46

Here.

0:47

More Schmidt.

0:48

Cottiopolis.

0:50

Here.

0:50

There are no oral communications.

0:52

There's no unfinished business.

0:53

So we'll move to public hearings.

0:55

Public hearings one through three can be discussed together but voted on separately.

0:58

They pertain to the application submitted by Miller and Associates.

1:01

Applicant for three crosses LLC owners for the development of three crosses.

1:06

Planning commission recommended approval.

1:10

All right, good afternoon.

1:11

My name is Craig Bennett, 1111 Central Avenue, and I'm here representing three crosses LLC for the subdivision, three crosses.

1:19

And so the area that we're looking at to today consists of 7.15 acres.

1:24

It's east of M Avenue and just south of 16th Street there.

1:29

And so the area is previously platted and we're proposing, which I'll show you tonight, 30 residential lots and one out lot.

1:38

And so the area right now is zoned R1, single family, and we're asking to zone it to R1D, which allows up to a duplex for a maximum.

1:47

So abutting the north is an R2, and abutting the East are R2, which are our duplexes that are built on some of those, but the zoning allows up to an R4, or mean a fourplex.

1:59

The current future land use map or the FLU's not asking to change that.

2:05

It's LDR and which is compatible with R1D.

2:09

Water infrastructure, we have a 24-inch water main sitting on the west side of the property located in M Avenue.

2:16

And when O Avenue was improved, an eight-inch water main was also extended there.

2:21

We'll show you tonight how that's gonna extend as well.

2:24

Sanitary sewer.

2:26

We've got a uh large trunk main, a 21-inch trunk main sitting in M Avenue, which we're gonna use to serve this.

2:32

On the east side, there is an eight-inch sanitary sewer main, which will be utilized to be provide services to the east lots that we have in the subdivision.

2:42

The storm water, when this subdivision was developed, it utilized a regional detention cell that was created for what was known as Taylor Edition.

2:51

And that Taylor addition skip the head there.

2:55

There you go.

2:55

Taylor edition has a detention cell that was platted in an easement and was built and constructed for this development, which provides stormwater drainage and then conveys it westerly to the existing infrastructure in M Avenue.

3:09

Taylor edition looked like this.

3:11

It has four lots here that's a part of it and one large lot of which we're asking to vacate those lots tonight.

3:19

So from a public work standpoint, uh the sanitary sewer and water and infrastructure that was going to be proposed along 14th Avenue primarily has remained the same in terms of alignment and serviceability.

3:33

And so sanitary sewer for this particular development was going to be brought up from 11th Street all the way northerly to 14th, which would be where the southeast corner of our development is.

3:52

So what we're asking tonight is to vacate these four lots and the large lot here that's known as Taylor Editions, uh lots 9, 10, 11, 12, and and the large lot 13.

4:05

And the detention cell easement will remain.

4:08

That's already platted on there.

4:09

We're asking to rezone the property from R1 to R1D.

4:15

And before you is a preliminary plat, which we presented at planning commission.

4:20

I'll zoom in just a little bit, which looks exactly the same as the final plat in terms of number of lots and phasing.

4:26

So there's no additional phasing.

4:28

We have um lots one through 23 on the east side and lots one through seven of block two on the west side.

4:35

We created an out lot, um, actually platted a lot for the easement that was already there.

4:41

The final plat looks like this, which is the same 30 lots, uh residential and one out lot, outlaw a 300-foot radius map and infrastructure feasibility plan that we have here looks like this, and so there are are the orange boxes here represent where the single family homes would be.

5:00

The blue represents all the water services that we would provide.

5:04

We are taking sanitary sewer off of the west side there shown in red, and we'll be providing sanitary sewer services by connecting at the intersection of 15th and M Avenue, running at southerly as we're looking at this part.

5:18

Some of these lots here already have services provided, and we'll be providing services to each of those lots that didn't line up with our service was already needed.

5:27

Um there'll be services that'll be provided here, and then we'll be looping this water main.

5:31

Right now, this is a dead end.

5:33

Um additionally, as a part of this construction, uh there'll be paving improvements on 14th, which currently, right now, this was the end or terminus point because of the length of the paving that we had would have exceeded a cul de sac length without a secondary circulation.

5:47

So there's a temporary cul-de-sac that was built as a part of the Taylor Villas addition.

5:53

We will be extending this and providing loop and circulation, which will be a benefit to the neighborhood there, as well as providing loop looping around there.

6:00

So the stormwater detention will be provided in this detention cell and work its way out westerly and pipe instead of the ditch that's currently there to M Avenue.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Engineering And Infrastructure█████████████████████████████████████████████52%
Budget Equity Analysis███████████████17%
Procedural█████████10%
Economic Development█████████10%
Parks and Recreation███4%
Community Engagement███3%
Active Transportation██2%
Water And Wastewater Management██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Kearney City Council Meeting - August 11, 2026

The Kearney City Council met on August 11, 2026, in Council Chambers at 18 East 22nd Street. After routine opening items and no unfinished business, the council conducted six public hearings, approved multiple land-use and financing items, and adopted two tax-increment financing (TIF) redevelopment projects. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public spoke during the public hearings or during the final open comment period.

Public Hearings: Three Crosses Development (Items III-1 through III-3)

  • Craig Bennett of Miller & Associates, representing Three Crosses LLC, presented a proposal for 7.15 acres east of M Avenue and south of 16th Street. It included rezoning from R-1 to R-1D, vacating Lots 9-13, Block 2, Taylor Addition, and approving the Final Plat and Subdivision Agreement for Three Crosses, with 30 residential lots and one outlot. Bennett described existing water, sewer, stormwater detention, and planned paving and water-loop improvements. The Planning Commission recommended approval.
  • Council adopted Ordinance No. 8812 (rezoning), Ordinance No. 8813 (vacation), and Resolution No. 2026-90 (final plat/subdivision agreement), each by unanimous roll-call vote.

Public Hearing: 32nd Street Vacation (Item III-4)

  • Craig Bennett, representing owners Jon W. & Leslie G. Abegglen, Tyler W. & Brandee Zumbrunnen, and Kenneth & Melanie F. Vermaas, requested vacation of portions of 32nd Street in Perkins and Harfords Addition. After vacation, the abutting owners planned to divide the property through separate instruments.
  • Council adopted Ordinance No. 8814 vacating all of 32nd Street abutting Lot 6 (except the west 10 feet), Lot 7, Lot 8, Block 7, and Lots 1-3 (except the west 10 feet of Lot 3), Block 8, with a unanimous roll-call vote.

Public Hearing: Half-Cent Sales Tax Capital Improvement Plan (Item III-5)

  • City Manager Brenda Jensen presented the FY2027 Capital Improvement Plan funded by the half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2006.
  • Estimated FY27 revenue is about $5.9 million, including $1.9 million for debt payments and annual financial commitments, leaving about $3.8 million; about $2.3 million is planned for larger projects and $1.5 million for operating capital and equipment.
  • Major projects included the 11th Street Bridge replacement over the NPPD tail race, South 2nd Avenue asphalt replacement from 11th Street to I-80, and the 39th Street project from O Avenue to Antelope Avenue (about $7.4 million total, planned for FY28). The city also anticipated a $4 million city share (20%) for the state-managed West Highway 30 project and annual replacement of equipment such as dump trucks.
  • Council approved the Capital Improvement Plan unanimously.

Public Hearing: One- and Six-Year Street Improvement Plan (Item III-6)

  • City Engineer Luke Dutcher reviewed the state-required One- and Six-Year Street Improvement Plan. The one-year plan included the 11th Street box culvert/bridge replacement, noted as about $1.2 million by Jensen and about $1.3 million by Dutcher, with construction in 2027-2028 under traffic; South 2nd Avenue mill and overlay from 11th Street to I-80; 14th Street (formerly 16th Street); Box Butte and Burt Avenue projects; and developer-funded projects on 6th Street and Meadows Phase 2.
  • Six-year placeholders included 30th Avenue viaduct widening, 39th Street improvements, 16th Street phases, the Central Avenue storm sewer extension, and 30th Street improvements.
  • Council closed the public hearing and set the public hearing for adoption of the One- and Six-Year Street Improvement Plan for September 22, 2026, by unanimous vote.

Consent Agenda

  • Approved the July 28, 2026 minutes and claims.
  • Adopted Resolution No. 2024-106A amending the Developer Constructed Infrastructure Agreement for Younes Center; 3rd Street, 16th Avenue to Yanney Avenue with Turkey Creek Properties, LLC and Talmadge JAM, LLC.
  • Adopted Resolution No. 2026-91 approving Change Order No. 3 (increase of $14,398.00), Final Payment No. 10 ($236,449.39), and the Certificate of Substantial Completion for 2025 Part 2 Improvements - Highway 30 & University Drive Roundabout.
  • Adopted Resolution No. 2026-92 approving purchase of a Western Star 47X Hook Truck for the Utilities Department - Sanitation Division for $251,270.00 from Truck Center Companies under Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing.
  • Adopted Resolution No. 2026-93 appointing a citizen to the Community Redevelopment Authority.
  • Accepted bids and adopted Resolution No. 2026-94 awarding the Kearney Whitewater Cherry Avenue Landing project to Husker Grading for $54,724.00.

Consent Agenda Ordinances

  • Adopted Ordinance No. 8815 authorizing Highway Allocation Fund Pledge Bonds, Series 2026, in an amount up to $4,283,522.42 for the 3rd Street and 16th Avenue Projects, including bond form, tax levy, and sale parameters. Unanimous.

Regular Agenda: TIF Redevelopment Projects

  • Resolution No. 2026-95 (Talmadge Jam, LLC): Approved a redevelopment project in Redevelopment Area No. 8 for Lot 1, Block One, Younes Center Fourth Addition. It is a planned 24-unit apartment complex with 18 one-bedroom and 6 two-bedroom units. County valuation is expected to grow from about $144,000 to about $2.5 million. Council approved 100% of the annual real estate tax increment up to certified eligible costs of about $624,000 for up to 15 years, beginning tax year 2027, and authorized execution of the redevelopment contract. Unanimous.
  • Resolution No. 2026-96 (Three Crosses, LLC): Approved a redevelopment project in Redevelopment Area No. 7 for Lots 1-23, Block One, and Lots 1-7, Block Two, Three Crosses. It is a planned development of 30 ranch-style homes with two-car garages, with valuation expected to grow from about $44,000 to about $10.4 million. Council approved 100% of the annual real estate tax increment up to certified eligible costs of just under $2.6 million for up to 15 years, beginning tax year 2027, and authorized execution of the redevelopment contract. Unanimous.

Reports and Closing

  • Council members praised the City of Grand Island and Kearney public utility staff for helping resolve a traffic signal issue on Talmadge Street, and praised the Whitewater Group/Whitewater Association for advancing the Cherry Avenue Landing project.
  • The meeting adjourned by unanimous vote.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved rezoning, vacation, and final plat for Three Crosses (Ordinances 8812/8813, Resolution 2026-90).
  • Approved the 32nd Street vacation (Ordinance 8814).
  • Approved the FY2027 half-cent sales tax Capital Improvement Plan.
  • Set the One- and Six-Year Street Improvement Plan public hearing for September 22, 2026.
  • Approved the consent agenda, including the Highway Allocation Fund Pledge Bonds (Ordinance 8815).
  • Approved TIF redevelopment projects for Talmadge Jam, LLC and Three Crosses, LLC (Resolutions 2026-95 and 2026-96).

Meeting Transcript

Everyone, uh join me for a moment of silence and then the Pledge of Allegiance. All right, please join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I believe the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God in the municipal with Justice Graw. In accordance with section 841412 of the Nebraska revised statutes, a current copy of the open meetings act is available for review in the council chambers. Uh Jake, please take roll. Mayor Nicola here. Bushcutter. Here. More Schmidt. Cottiopolis. Here. There are no oral communications. There's no unfinished business. So we'll move to public hearings. Public hearings one through three can be discussed together but voted on separately. They pertain to the application submitted by Miller and Associates. Applicant for three crosses LLC owners for the development of three crosses. Planning commission recommended approval. All right, good afternoon. My name is Craig Bennett, 1111 Central Avenue, and I'm here representing three crosses LLC for the subdivision, three crosses. And so the area that we're looking at to today consists of 7.15 acres. It's east of M Avenue and just south of 16th Street there. And so the area is previously platted and we're proposing, which I'll show you tonight, 30 residential lots and one out lot. And so the area right now is zoned R1, single family, and we're asking to zone it to R1D, which allows up to a duplex for a maximum. So abutting the north is an R2, and abutting the East are R2, which are our duplexes that are built on some of those, but the zoning allows up to an R4, or mean a fourplex. The current future land use map or the FLU's not asking to change that. It's LDR and which is compatible with R1D. Water infrastructure, we have a 24-inch water main sitting on the west side of the property located in M Avenue. And when O Avenue was improved, an eight-inch water main was also extended there. We'll show you tonight how that's gonna extend as well. Sanitary sewer. We've got a uh large trunk main, a 21-inch trunk main sitting in M Avenue, which we're gonna use to serve this. On the east side, there is an eight-inch sanitary sewer main, which will be utilized to be provide services to the east lots that we have in the subdivision. The storm water, when this subdivision was developed, it utilized a regional detention cell that was created for what was known as Taylor Edition. And that Taylor addition skip the head there. There you go. Taylor edition has a detention cell that was platted in an easement and was built and constructed for this development, which provides stormwater drainage and then conveys it westerly to the existing infrastructure in M Avenue. Taylor edition looked like this. It has four lots here that's a part of it and one large lot of which we're asking to vacate those lots tonight. So from a public work standpoint, uh the sanitary sewer and water and infrastructure that was going to be proposed along 14th Avenue primarily has remained the same in terms of alignment and serviceability. And so sanitary sewer for this particular development was going to be brought up from 11th Street all the way northerly to 14th, which would be where the southeast corner of our development is. So what we're asking tonight is to vacate these four lots and the large lot here that's known as Taylor Editions, uh lots 9, 10, 11, 12, and and the large lot 13. And the detention cell easement will remain. That's already platted on there. We're asking to rezone the property from R1 to R1D. And before you is a preliminary plat, which we presented at planning commission. I'll zoom in just a little bit, which looks exactly the same as the final plat in terms of number of lots and phasing. So there's no additional phasing. We have um lots one through 23 on the east side and lots one through seven of block two on the west side. We created an out lot, um, actually platted a lot for the easement that was already there.

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