Scottsbluff City Council Regular Meeting – July 20, 2026

The Scottsbluff City Council met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on July 20, 2026, in City Hall Council Chambers, 2525 Circle Drive, Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The city clerk announced no agenda changes, no emergency citizen business was brought forward, and the council did not enter closed session. The council approved consent items and festival/liquor permits, recommended approval of a Class I liquor license for Riverside Discovery Center, accepted the June 2026 financial report, and took no final action on the first reading of an ordinance covering electric bicycles, scooters, minibikes, and golf car vehicles.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the July 6, 2026 regular meeting and the July 15, 2026 special meeting.
• Excused Council Member Salomon's absence from the July 6, 2026 regular meeting.
• Set a public hearing for August 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. on a zoning text amendment to Chapter 25, Articles 2 and 3, to define Micro Food Processing and allow it as a conditional use in the C-1 Central Business District.
• Acknowledged and took no action on the liability claim from Becky Mehling, forwarding it to the city's insurance carrier.
• Approved the city's claims as presented.

Claim Removed From Consent Calendar

• The council separately considered the Intralinks claim for $17,707.89. Staff said it covered a $7,506 monthly managed services fee, a $2,536 monthly backup fee, an annual $5,997.60 fee for 119 Microsoft Exchange accounts, and Microsoft Office Home and Business email codes. During the item, a council member stated a conflict was being declared; after a motion and second, the council voted to approve the claim.

Financial Report – June 2026

• Staff presented the June 2026 financial report, noting the city was nine months into the budget year with three months remaining.
• The report compared this year with last year through June and highlighted a change in cemetery funding: general fund money is now used instead of the perpetual fund. ARPA funds have been spent, sales tax revenue was described as looking good, and the highlighted TIF amount was a pass-through to bond holders.
• On budget-to-actual comparisons, staff said most accounts had at least 25% remaining and department heads were managing budgets well.
• Staff answered council questions by saying reported general fund and special project revenue shortfalls would even out as revenues come in, and that about three-quarters of a million dollars in debt fund expenditures were bond payments. The city's only remaining debt is for street mill and overlay, with a balance of approximately $2.3 million or $2.6 million after the latest payment.
• The council approved the financial report.

Public Hearing: Class I Liquor License – Riverside Discovery Center

• The council opened a public hearing on the license application from Riverside Zoological Foundation d/b/a Riverside Discovery Center, 1600 South Beltline Highway West, with Tiffany Schank named as liquor license manager.
• Zoo representatives described plans to serve alcohol mainly at events and during weekend summer concessions. The applicant's safety plan included limiting purchases to three per person, TIPS training for all staff, ID checks at the concession stand, wristband and punch-mark monitoring, UV/black-light ID verification, a zero-tolerance staff policy, locked refrigerated storage, video monitoring, and monitoring of the roughly four-acre public access area. Three concert-series events were planned, with a target of having the license in place by August 8 for Zoo Fest.
• A city/liquor investigator spoke in support, noting that Henry Doorly Zoo, Lee Simmons Wildlife Safari Park, and Lincoln Children's Zoo hold similar licenses in Nebraska. The investigator praised the applicant's written policies and all-employee TIPS training, noted no incidents at prior special designated liquor events, and said there was no criminal history or known citizen protest.
• The public hearing was reopened to enter exhibits 1 through 5: the application, city council checklist, and written statements from the police chief, city clerk, and development services. The hearing was then closed.

Petitions, Communications, and Public Input: Permits

• National Night Out 2026: The council approved a community festival permit for the Scottsbluff Police Department for August 4, 2026, 6:00–8:00 p.m., including a vendor permit, use of the parking lot south of Bluffs Bakery, and closure of Broadway Avenue from Railway to 19th Street, including alleyways at each intersection, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Staff said the event was similar to previous years, with an hour before and after for setup and cleanup.
• Flyover Brewing Company SDL: The council approved a Special Designated Liquor License for BDS3C, LLC d/b/a Flyover Brewing Company for August 22, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the 18th Street Plaza for the Beef, Beans, and Bluegrass Music Festival and Beer Garden. Representatives said gates would be staffed, employees are TIPS trained, and the setup was the same as in past years, with Flyover as the event's sole alcohol vendor.
• Tacos and Trucks Car Show: The council approved a community festival permit for Anthony Grubbs and Geno Bolger for August 29, 2026, 5:00–10:00 p.m. at 2302 Broadway, including vendors, a noise permit, and closure of West 23rd Street between Avenue A and Broadway. Grubbs said it was a first-year, alcohol-free car show with two local taco trucks, a sound system, bounce houses, a portable restroom, and 10 to 12 volunteers. Vehicle registration was $10, with proceeds going to a local shoe charity led by Kyle King, principal at Reconnect School, to buy shoes for children. Grubbs agreed to coordinate with St. John's Church about its Saturday service and to maintain access for a resident at the end of the block.

Ordinance Discussion and Public Testimony: Electric Bicycles, Scooters, Minibikes, and Golf Carts

• Staff presented the first reading of an ordinance adding definitions, operating rules, and regulations for electric bicycles, electric scooters, minibikes, and golf car vehicles. Staff said existing rules are unclear, the city reviewed other jurisdictions' ordinances, and the goal was to be enforceable without being overly restrictive.
• Staff reported that Bike Walk Nebraska, through Julie Harris, said Scottsbluff's draft came closest to earning the organization's support, but raised two concerns: the draft prohibited e-bikes on downtown streets and sidewalks, which staff called an oversight because bicycles are allowed on downtown streets but not sidewalks; and the draft restricted pathway use. Bike Walk Nebraska is conducting a statewide study, with state-level guidance expected around October, and asked the council to consider waiting.
• Public commenters offered a range of views. Aaron Rains, who said he works in the e-mobility industry and owns multiple e-bikes and scooters, urged the council not to restrict devices it may not fully understand, objected to the pathway ban, and offered to let council and police test his devices. Another e-bike commuter said banning downtown access would be a major hindrance and argued class one and two e-bikes are similar to regular bicycles, which can exceed 20 mph. A class three e-bike owner said a speed limit is more appropriate than a pathway ban and asked the council not to overreach. Greg Elliott described close calls with scooters and riders without lights, stressed the need for education and etiquette, shared his concussion story, and offered to speak in schools.
• Council members discussed possible amendments, including allowing e-bikes on downtown streets consistent with bicycle rules, permitting pathway use with speed limits rather than a complete ban, reviewing the nighttime restriction on stand-up scooters, and clarifying how unclassified personal mobility devices should be treated. Staff also noted community members had called in favor of allowing pathway use. The council indicated it did not want to wait until November for the state study, but would have staff draft amendments and bring the ordinance back for a second reading.

Council Reports

• A council member reported on the new metal giraffe sculpture at the zoo, built by 80-year-old Gary Underwood, containing 900 pieces and standing 12 feet 6 inches tall, with a metal tree containing hidden animals and name plates to be added.
• A council member reported that the Prime Commission met the previous Friday, is between directors, and expects a new director to start the following month.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent calendar, including minutes, the absence excusal, the August 3 public hearing setting, the liability claim referral, and city claims.
• Approved the Intralinks claim of $17,707.89.
• Accepted the June 2026 financial report.
• Recommended approval to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission for the Riverside Discovery Center Class I liquor license, naming Tiffany Schank as liquor license manager; all council members present voted yes.
• Approved the National Night Out 2026 community festival permit.
• Approved the Flyover Brewing Company Special Designated Liquor License for the Beef, Beans, and Bluegrass Music Festival and Beer Garden.
• Approved the Tacos and Trucks Car Show community festival permit.
• Took no final action on the first reading of the electric bicycle/scooter/minibike/golf car ordinance; staff will prepare amendments and bring it back for a second reading.