Scottsbluff City Council Regular Meeting - May 18, 2026

The Scottsbluff City Council held its regular meeting on May 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. All council members were present. The meeting covered a consent calendar, a public hearing as the Board of Equalization, multiple ordinance readings, resolutions, and departmental reports.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the minutes from the May 4, 2026 regular meeting.
• The council excused the absence of Council Member Stricker from the May 4 meeting.
• The council approved the appointment of Krista Baird to the Business Improvement Board.
• A claim for Intralinks ($10,097.10) was removed from the consent calendar and considered separately.

Public Hearings & Testimony

• Closed Session (Agenda Item 6): The council unanimously voted to exercise its right to enter into closed session as outlined in the agenda. No closed session discussion appears in the provided transcript.
• Public Hearing (Board of Equalization): The council convened as the Board of Equalization to consider special assessments for demolishing unsafe structures at 1216 and 1220 5th Avenue. No public testimony was offered. Staff presented a single invoice for $40,050 covering both properties. The council unanimously voted to equally spread the demolition costs between the two lots.

Discussion Items & Ordinances

• Claim to Intralinks: The council unanimously approved the claim. Staff noted it covered managed services, backup fees, and a minor cable expense.
• April 2026 Financial Report: Finance Director Lane presented the report, noting the completion of the Lacey Park lights and a stormwater project. The city is approximately 58% through the budget year. The public safety fund was in deficit due to the timing of vehicle purchases, but general fund reserves remain healthy. The report was accepted unanimously.
• First Reading (Ordinance: Apprentice Plumbers): An ordinance was introduced to allow master plumbers to oversee four apprentices and journeymen to oversee three per job site, up from one each, aligning with the Plumbers Board's recommendation.
• Second Readings:
  • Annexation (21st Ave/County Road K): An ordinance annexing two tracts of right-of-way was advanced.
  • Fence Regulations: An ordinance amending the zoning code to clarify fencing materials and improve sightlines was advanced.
  • Public Use District: An ordinance creating a Public Use District was adopted on second reading. The third reading was waived, and the ordinance was approved unanimously.
• Third Readings:
  • Fowl/Chickens: An ordinance defining fowl and providing an exception for chickens was approved (5-1). Council Member Stricker voted no, expressing concerns that the ordinance did not proactively prevent nuisances regarding enclosure materials or feed storage. The Development Services Director stated the ordinance was intended as a guiding document that can be amended later.
  • Annexation (4500/4502 Avenue I): An ordinance annexing the UNL Extension office and Nebraska State Patrol property was approved unanimously, extending the city boundary to the south edge of the country club.
• Resolution (Ambulance Services): The council unanimously approved a resolution extending the obligation of funding for ambulance services with Regional West Medical Center for an additional four years (2% annual increase). Council members inquired about staffing, response times, and vehicle locations. Staff recommended approval, describing the agreement as a bargain for the community.
• Community Festival Permit: The council unanimously approved a permit for the Broadway Bar and Arcade Anniversary Car Show on May 23, 2026. Owner Chrissy reported over 2,000 people indicated interest in attending. The permit allows closing Broadway between 17th and 18th Streets.
• Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Final Report: A representative of M.C. Schaff & Associates presented the final safety action plan. The plan identifies a high-injury network using crash data (10-year average of approximately 500 crashes per year) and positions the city for future implementation grants. The council unanimously accepted the report.
• Sanitary Sewer District 169: The council unanimously approved an agreement with M.C. Schaff & Associates for preliminary engineering services for the new sanitary sewer district, related to the Know-Hau annexation area.
• 2025 Police Department Annual Report: The Police Chief reported on departmental activities. Staffing stands at 31 sworn officers (authorized 33), with a conditional offer for a 32nd and testing for the 33rd. The department handled nearly 21,000 calls for service, made 5 homicide arrests, and recorded 714 accidents (a decrease of 37 from the previous year). The report was received by the council.
• Council Reports: Council members reported on zoo attendance (2,500 visitors in April, over 600 students expected in May) and a CRA meeting discussing an interlocal agreement for LB357.

Key Outcomes

• The April 2026 Financial Report was accepted.
• The claim to Intralinks ($10,097.10) was approved.
• Special assessments for 1216 and 1220 5th Avenue demolition were levied.
• The ordinance on Special Assessments was adopted (first reading waived).
• The ordinance on Apprentice Plumbers was introduced (first reading).
• The Annexation Ordinance (21st Ave/Co Rd K) was advanced (second reading).
• The Fence Regulations Ordinance was advanced (second reading).
• The Public Use District Ordinance was adopted (second reading, third waived).
• The Fowl/Chickens Ordinance was adopted (third reading, vote 5-1).
• The Annexation Ordinance (4500/4502 Ave I) was adopted (third reading, unanimous).
• The Resolution extending ambulance services funding for four years was approved.
• The Community Festival Permit for the Broadway Bar & Arcade Car Show was approved.
• The Final Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Report was accepted.
• The Agreement for Sanitary Sewer District 169 engineering services was approved.
• The 2025 Police Department Annual Report was received.