Scottsbluff City Council Regular Meeting - February 2, 2026

The Scottsbluff City Council met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on February 2, 2026, in City Hall Council Chambers at 2525 Circle Drive, Scottsbluff, Nebraska. No agenda changes, emergency public business items, or closed-session actions were announced. All recorded roll-call votes were unanimous (4-0).

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the January 20, 2026, Regular Meeting.
• Approved Resolution No. 26-02-01 authorizing City Manager Kevin Spencer to attend closing and sign all required documents on behalf of the City to accept donation of real estate.
• Approved the claims of the City.
• Motion by Phillips, second by Solomon; passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A representative of Bruner Bunch LLC, the applicant for the sports-complex-area paving district, asked the council to keep the project moving and expressed support for getting 18th Avenue built. The representative said she was not concerned about financing and would consult her attorney about the contract concerns raised by the Quint family.
• Brandon Quint, Bree Quint Kness, and attorney Michael Matika, on behalf of Wilbert and Vicky Quint, stated support for the proposed recreation/sports complex but raised two concerns about the paving district: first, that all district costs be assessed only against Bruner Bunch LLC land and that no assessments or liens be placed on Quint property, consistent with the 2024 contract for public improvements; and second, that the road not be built unless the applicant demonstrates adequate financing to build and operate the project. The Quint family said they did not want the road without the project.
• Bree Quint Kness said the family is the fourth generation to live on the land and agreed to consider the sale and the access road only because of the proposed sports complex use.

Discussion Items

Paving Improvement District #315

• A public hearing was held for the proposed district, covering property in the East Half of the Northeast Quarter of Section 24, Township 22 North, Range 55 West, for 18th Avenue from East 27th to Frontage Road. Staff described the boundary as including the Triple Peak subdivision area and adjacent unplatted/commercial land; the district was drawn to provide benefit and limit expenditures.
• The ordinance was read on first reading. The transcript does not record a separate vote on the first reading.

Sanitary Sewer District #168

• A public hearing was held. Staff said the proposed sewer would be placed in the 18th Avenue right-of-way and tie into an existing sewer, serving lots within the north-of-Winters Creek area. The Quints' property already has sewer access south of Winters Creek, so that area was not included.
• The ordinance was read on first reading. The transcript does not record a separate vote on the first reading.

Water District #106

• A public hearing was held. Staff said the proposed water main would tie into an existing main on East 27th, loop around Lot 3, and connect to an existing pumphouse; properties south of Winters Creek were excluded because they already have water service.
• The ordinance was read on first reading. The transcript does not record a separate vote on the first reading.

LB840 Plan Amendment

• A public hearing was held on proposed amendments to the City of Scottsbluff LB840 Economic Development Plan. Staff presented two changes: increasing retail business assistance from $10,000 to $25,000 and expanding the retail assistance boundary from the downtown Business Improvement District to the entire city; and adding early childhood care or education as an eligible business use. Staff noted the LB840 Citizen Review Committee gave positive recommendations.
• Council members expressed support, noting construction costs had risen and child care was important to economic development and workforce participation.
• Council voted unanimously to waive the three readings and then unanimously approved the ordinance amending the LB840 plan.

Business Improvement Board Membership

• Staff reported the Business Improvement Board had voted to seek a smaller membership because the existing board was difficult to fill due to geographic and property-owner requirements; the board currently had only three members.
• Council voted unanimously to waive three readings and unanimously approved the ordinance reducing the board from seven to five required members and from two to one alternate members.

Conditional Use Permit Terminology Ordinance

• The ordinance, on third reading, amends formatting, adds an expiration date, and changes the terms Special Permit and Special Use Permit to Conditional Use Permit in Chapter 6, Article 6 and Chapter 25, Articles 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 13, and 20.
• The council approved the ordinance unanimously.

2026 Chip Seal Project Bid Award

• Staff reported that only one bid was received for the 2026 Chip Seal Project: $1,456,000, exceeding the $950,000 budget and the engineer's estimate of $1,092,500.
• With only one bidder, staff negotiated the total down to $1,058,850 with Midwest Coatings by reducing quantities to 185,000 square yards, lowering the unit price from $5.62 to $5.21 per square yard, and reducing mobilization from $136,000 to $95,000. The project scope was reduced from roughly one-third of the city to about one-quarter, concentrated north of the highway and east of Fifth Avenue, including Frontier Road and Circle Drive area.
• The council approved the award unanimously.

Use Agreement with 23 Club, Inc.

• The council considered a five-year use agreement between the City and 23 Club, Inc. for a park/sports facility. The club will pay $3,000 per year. Parks staff said the City spends about $10,000-$14,000 per season on the facility, down from $17,000-$22,000 before renovations, and the club serves about 400 participants per year.
• The council approved the agreement unanimously.

Downtown Revitalization CDBG Grant Agreements

• The council approved a professional services agreement with Panhandle Area Development District to facilitate the Scottsbluff Downtown Revitalization Community Development Block Grant. PADD will receive a $25,000 fee (10 percent of the $250,000 grant) for the work. Staff said applications will go through the Scottsbluff CRA, funds are for outside facade improvements, and the grant has a 30-month time limit.
• The council also approved the special conditions and compliance requirements for the CDBG grant, authorizing the Mayor and Vice-Mayor to execute required documents including Authorization to Request Funds, Excessive Force and Financial Certifications, Procurement Procedures, and Code of Conduct.
• Both motions passed unanimously. Staff said applications would likely be accepted in spring 2026, with funds distributed around summer 2026.

Informational Council Reports

• Council members reported receipt of a draft comprehensive plan, a scheduled landfill meeting with a 30-mile radius goal, and audit timing.
• Zoo updates included a return to full staffing, a proposed expansion of the bear counter program with a $50,000 grant application to T-Mobile, progress on reptile exhibits, a swift fox request, and 21 animal adoptions to date.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar adopted unanimously.
• Public hearings completed for Paving Improvement District #315, Sanitary Sewer District #168, Water District #106, and the LB840 plan amendment.
• Paving, sanitary sewer, and water district ordinances received first readings; no separate vote on those first readings is recorded in the transcript.
• LB840 plan amendment approved unanimously after waiver of readings.
• Business Improvement Board membership ordinance approved unanimously after waiver of readings.
• Conditional Use Permit terminology ordinance approved unanimously on third reading.
• 2026 Chip Seal Project awarded to Midwest Coatings for $1,058,850 unanimously.
• 23 Club, Inc. use agreement approved unanimously.
• PADD professional services agreement and CDBG grant compliance authorizations approved unanimously.
• Meeting adjourned unanimously.