Scottsbluff City Council Regular Meeting - April 20, 2026

The Scottsbluff City Council met on April 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM at City Hall for a regular meeting. The council heard a presentation on a proposed ballot initiative for a community aquatics and senior center, conducted a public hearing, approved multiple festival permits, advanced several ordinances, and approved KENO funding requests. All votes taken during the meeting were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent calendar, which included the April 6 meeting minutes, the excuse of Council Member McKerrigan's absence, appointments of Jacqueline Conrad and Jaime Spath to the Planning Commission, Cierra Garhart to the Business Improvement Board, and Linda King to the Library Board.
• Public hearings were set for May 4, 2026, for Paving Improvement District No. 315, Sanitary Sewer District No. 168, Water District No. 106, a Zoning Text Amendment regarding fences, an Ordinance Text Amendment regarding Standard Codes and Multi-Family Dwellings, and the creation of a Public Use District.
• A Change Order Decrease of $17,509.25 for the 28th & Ave. K Storm Drain Improvements was approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing (Sanitary Sewer District No. 169): No members of the public offered testimony. City Clerk Kim confirmed no written objections were received regarding the creation of the district. The hearing was formally closed without council action.
• Chicken Ordinance Discussion: Teresa Briggs, a local chicken owner, spoke in support of the proposed ordinance defining fowl and providing an exception for chickens. She expressed concern that the requirement for coops to be located in the "rear yard" would not work for properties with narrow lots, such as her own corner lot, and requested that side yards be permitted as an alternative.

Discussion Items

• Community Aquatics & Senior Center Proposal: Zach Carf presented a proposal for a community ballot initiative using LB 357 (an additional 0.5% sales tax) to fund a $20 to 25 million indoor aquatics and senior center. The proposed site is the former Kmart property at 27th Street and Highway 26. The group highlighted differences from the 2022 failed ballot measure, including the addition of a senior center, the new location, and assurances the Westmore outdoor pool will remain open. Conrad Boston, CEO of the YMCA, stated the YMCA board has authorized a significant investment in the project and has a letter of intent to purchase the site, with an operational agreement three-quarters finalized with the city. The facility would be fully enclosed and feature an 8-lane competition pool, a diving well, a therapy pool, and a senior center. Council members discussed site elevation, traffic safety, and private fundraising opportunities.
• Financial Report: Finance Director Lane Desire presented the March 2026 financial report. General fund expenditures were slightly ahead of revenues, projected at a roughly $670,000 negative balance for the year due to a transfer for the cemetery. Most departments were near the 50% budget-to-actual mark for the fiscal year.
• Ordinance on Fowl/Chickens (2nd Reading): Councilmembers discussed the draft ordinance in detail. Councilmember Stricker raised concerns about the language requiring a "fenced backyard," noting potential ambiguity for enforcement. He suggested adding provisions for sealed feed storage, manure management, and coop aesthetic standards. The council agreed with citizen Teresa Briggs' suggestion and asked the city attorney and staff to revise the ordinance to allow for side-yard placement and other clarifications, with a revised draft to be brought back on May 4 or May 16.
• Community Festival Permits: Brenda from the Scotts Bluff Area Visitors Bureau presented a permit for a National Tourism Week proclamation and mural unveiling on May 4, 2026, requiring closure of Railway Street from Broadway to Avenue A. Amy Westball presented permits for the Bands on Broadway summer concert series (blocking parking on 1st Avenue, Thursdays June 4 to Aug 6) and the Beef, Beans & Bluegrass Festival on August 22, 2026, which requires extensive street closures. The council approved all three permits unanimously.
• Arbor Day Proclamation: Mayor Vidlack read the proclamation designating April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day in the City of Scottsbluff.
• Annexation & Right-of-Way: The council approved a resolution setting a public hearing for the proposed annexation of right-of-way on 21st Avenue and County Road K to simplify city maintenance jurisdiction. The council also held the first reading for the voluntary annexation of the UNL Extension Center and State Patrol offices (4500 and 4502 Avenue I).
• Opportunity Zone Redesignation: Brian Venebolt presented the case for applying to redesignate Census Tract 9537 as an Opportunity Zone under a new permanent 10-year program offering a 30% capital gains incentive. The council authorized the mayor to sign the application letter.
• KENO Funding Requests: The council approved two KENO funding requests: $2,088 for Scotts Bluff County CERT for radio equipment batteries and chargers, and $1,973.91 for ESU 13 for the Build & Bloom Transition Summer Camp for special education students.

Key Outcomes

• Votes & Approvals: The consent calendar and all subsequent action items were approved unanimously. This includes the Intralinks claim ($12,687.34), the March financial report, three community festival permits, the annexation resolution, the second reading of the labor/equipment/meter rates ordinance (third reading waived and adopted), the third reading of the property conveyance ordinance for Obit Robles, the Rise N Shine Addition plat, and the letter of support for the Opportunity Zone redesignation.
• Directives & Next Steps: The city attorney and staff will revise the proposed chicken ordinance to address side-yard placement and clarify enclosure and maintenance standards, returning a draft for the council's consideration on May 4 or May 16. The proposed aquatics and senior center project will proceed toward seeking formal council support for November ballot language.