Scottsbluff City Council Regular Meeting - December 1, 2025

The Scottsbluff City Council held a regular meeting on December 1, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. Key actions included a rezone approval, appointment of a Street Superintendent, approval of a stormwater contract, discussion of a City Manager employment agreement (tabled), and a closed session regarding property sale offers.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the November 17, 2025 regular meeting.
• Acknowledged a sewer claim from Thompson Appliance Repair (no action taken).
• Approved bid specifications for the 28th Street & Avenue K Storm Drain Improvements, authorizing advertisement for bids until January 12, 2026.
• Approved claims of the City.

Public Hearings

• Rezone of 1900 South Beltline Highway West: The Council conducted a public hearing and approved the rezone of 1.76 acres from A-Agricultural to C-2 Neighborhood and Retail Commercial. The property was formerly the "Whistle Stop" restaurant and currently operates with a temporary certificate of occupancy. The rezone aligns with the comprehensive plan (auto commercial area) and is less intensive than the adjacent C-3 zone. The Council waived the three readings and passed the ordinance on a 5-0 voice vote (members Phillips, Solomon, McCarrigan, Stricker, and Bidlack voting yes).

Resolutions & Ordinances

• Approved Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the Year-End Street Certification, certifying Philip Mark Bohl as Street Superintendent for 2025.

Discussion Items

• Appointment of Street Superintendent for 2026: The Council appointed Douglas Gompert as the City of Scottsbluff Street Superintendent for 2026, necessary to qualify for state highway incentive payments. Appointed on a 5-0 vote.
• Tri-City Stormwater Contract with Keep Scottsbluff/Gering Beautiful: The Council approved an updated one-year contract (auto-renewing) replacing a previous three-year term, with costs unchanged. The contract now uses decals instead of painted drains for storm drain marking. Approved on a 5-0 vote.
• Amended Employment Agreement with City Manager Kevin Spencer: Mr. Spencer proposed changes including: removing police chief duties, modifying severance (removing vehicle/cell allowance and reference to employee manual for leave payouts, and tying future cost-of-living adjustments and merit increases to annual performance review with Council approval. He proposed a base salary of $86.63/hour (approximately $180,000/year), which represents an 8% increase on top of the 3% COLA already received in October. Several Council members requested time to review the revised document. The Council voted 5-0 to table the item to the next meeting, with direction to include retroactive compensation to the date of the original review (approximately October 1, 2025).
• Sale of Property at 1502 21st Ave: The Council moved into closed session to discuss strategy regarding multiple offers. After returning to open session, a motion was made and approved 5-0 to authorize the City Manager to reject all four offers and provide a counteroffer on offer #3 to adjust the closing date.

Key Outcomes

• Rezone approved (ordinance adopted on first reading with waiver of three readings).
• Street Superintendent certifications approved for 2025 and 2026.
• Stormwater contract approved.
• City Manager contract tabled until next meeting; retroactivity to be included.
• Property sale strategy authorized with counteroffer on offer #3.
• Meeting adjourned.