Kearney Planning Commission Meeting - August 15, 2025

The Kearney Planning Commission met on August 15, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. to review the city's capital improvement program for the 2025-2026 budget, discuss amendments to the commission's bylaws, and elect officers for the coming year. The meeting was chaired by Dave Malone.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The minutes from the July 18, 2025, meeting were approved. Commissioners Dakan and Scott-Pandorf abstained; all other present members voted in favor.

Discussion Items

• Presentation of Capital Expenditures (2025-2026 Budget): Director of Finance Kayleigh James presented the capital improvements for paving, water, and sewer. Key projects and allocations included:

  • Miscellaneous Paving, Sewer, and Water Districts: $500,000 each for paving and sewer, $400,000 for water. For the first time in years, these funds will be used for the Marlat Fourth Subdivision, where Habitat for Humanity is building 16 homes. The city will cover 50% of infrastructure costs, to be recaptured through TIF.
  • Rolling Hills Streets: $200,000 set aside for a potential 2-inch mill and overlay of 1.5 centerline miles (3,015 tons of asphalt). The homeowners association has not yet decided to proceed.
  • Special Sales Tax Projects: $390,000 for asphalt street replacement (with annual $10,000 increases and rollover of unused funds) and $380,000 for miscellaneous street improvements.
    • Avenue A (31st to 35th Street): $1,534,100 for reconstruction including 8-inch concrete pavement, stormwater drainage, sidewalks, and conduit for new lighting.
    • Avenue N & 45th Street Traffic Signal: Reconfiguration of the intersection near Sunrise Middle School, adding a southbound left-turn lane and a new traffic signal, relocating an existing mid-block pedestrian signal.
  • Sanitary Sewer Fund:
    • Box Butte Business Development Project: $3.7 million total ($2.6 million EDA grant, $650,000 city funds, $508,000 local business matching). This will extend infrastructure (8-inch sewer main, 30-inch sanitary sewer line, 8-inch water line, and concrete curb/gutter) to open over 400 acres for development between Antelope Avenue and the expressway.
    • Lead Service Line Replacement: A five-year, $4 million SRF loan (0% interest, $3 million forgiven) to replace 1,000 lead service lines (about 200/year). City cost is $1.1 million. Property owners must agree to participate. Ms. James also introduced incoming Finance Director Brian Schultz, formerly of Grand Island.

• Review of Planning Commission Bylaws: City staff (Malia) presented proposed updates to the bylaws, last revised in 2019. Changes were primarily formatting and clarifications, including:

  • Meetings: Clarification that meetings can be canceled if no business exists.
  • Appointments: Clarification of terms for commissioners.
  • Agenda: Ability to vary order but cannot add items requiring public notice without proper notice.
  • Motions and procedures: Reorganization for clarity. Commissioners discussed specific language, including the definition of "senior" (based on length of service, not age), the polling process for special meetings, and the phrase "motions may be tabled or amended by any member" (clarified that a second is required).

• Election of Officers:

  • Chairperson: Dave Malone was re-elected by acclamation (motion by Commissioner Dakan, seconded; vote: all aye except Rickard absent).
  • Vice Chairperson: Richard McGuinness was elected (motion by Commissioner Yaw, seconded; McGuinness abstained, all others aye).

Key Outcomes

• Approved capital improvements report as presented (motion by Commissioner Cochran, seconded; unanimous with one absent).
• Approved the amended Planning Commission bylaws as edited (motion by Commissioner Yaw, seconded; all present aye, Rickard absent).
• Elected Dave Malone as Chairperson and Richard McGuinness as Vice Chairperson for the upcoming term.
• No further business; meeting adjourned.