Scottsbluff City Council Regular Meeting – November 2, 2026

The Scottsbluff City Council held its regular meeting on November 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The council unanimously approved a consent calendar, a liquor license recommendation, several community festival permits, a baler purchase, and the first reading of an ordinance adjusting meeting schedules. The council also accepted the resignation of Council Member Jerry Stricker and received reports on community events.

Consent Calendar

• Council approved the minutes of the October 19, 2026 regular meeting and excused the absence of Council Member Salomon.
• Bid specifications were approved for the 27th Street & 21st Avenue Intersection Improvement Project and the Avenue I Railroad Approach Improvement Project. Bids for both projects are due by December 1, 2026.
• A liability claim from the Panhandle Public Health District was acknowledged and forwarded to the city's insurance carrier.

Public Hearings

• Class C Liquor License – El Charrito Restaurant & Lounge: A public hearing was held for the liquor license at 802 21st Ave. Applicant Joseph Gollas, a third-generation owner who has managed the restaurant for eight years and worked there for over 30 years, detailed the establishment's security measures, including an electronic ID scanner, 16 security cameras, and a locked storage room with motion-activated alerts. City staff reported no disqualifying criminal history and no citizen protests. The council voted unanimously to recommend approval of the license to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, naming Joseph Gollas as the Liquor License Manager.

Festival Permits & Community Events

• Downtown Scottsbluff Christmas Parade (Nov 22): Council approved a Community Festival Permit for the parade from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., including a street closure on Broadway from 27th Street to 15th Street (3:00 to 8:00 p.m.).
• Flyover Brewing Food Truck – Eggs & Kegs (Nov 27): A permit was approved for BDS3C, LLC d/b/a Flyover Brewing Company to park a food truck at 1824 Broadway from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. Alcohol service remains inside the establishment.
• Very Merry Christmas Market (Dec 5): Council approved a permit for the market from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., closing Broadway from 16th Street to 19th Street (7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). A representative requested city staff pay extra attention to ice and snow hazards on the curbs and plaza area.
• Special Liquor License – Very Merry Christmas Market: A Special Designated Liquor License was approved for Flyover Brewing Co. to serve beer, wine, and distilled spirits at the market (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) using an ID and bracelet system.

Ordinances & Resolutions

• First Reading – Meeting Schedule & Publication Ordinance: The council held the first reading of an ordinance to amend the municipal code. The ordinance aims to eliminate the fifth Monday regular meeting of each month (moving to only the first and third Mondays) and to update publishing methods to allow quarterly publication of agendas, ensuring compliance with recent changes to the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. The first reading was unanimously approved.

Bids & Awards

• Baler and Conveyor Purchase: Council approved the purchase of a new baler and conveyor from Apex Equipment, LLC for $160,680. The city had budgeted $175,000 for the replacement. The current baler, which processes cardboard for recycling, is old and difficult to maintain.

Staff Reports & Council Vacancy

• Resignation of Council Member Stricker: The council accepted the resignation of Council Member Jerry Stricker, effective October 20, 2026. In his letter, Stricker cited a family move back to Colorado. The council declared a vacancy. The vacancy will be published, and letters of interest are due by December 12, 2026, with candidate interviews scheduled before the statutory deadline of December 19, 2026.
• Zoo Updates: The "Spectacular" Halloween event drew over 3,000 attendees. The "Slender Ends" exhibit is receiving animals, with talks ongoing with two other zoos. The Winter Lights event in December will feature professional lighting designer Dan Deeds from the Denver Zoo, utilizing tree wraps and animal sculptures. Sponsors are being sought.
• Monument Marathon: The 2026 event had 624 registered runners from 40 states and 231 cities. 71% of participants were from outside the area, and 75% of those brought family or friends. The 2026 profit was $80,181, bringing the total raised by the event to $797,771.

Key Outcomes

• Votes: All votes during the meeting (Consent Calendar, Liquor License Recommendation, Festival Permits, Ordinance First Reading, Baler Purchase, Resignation Acceptance) were passed unanimously (5-0).
• Next Steps: Bid advertisements for two infrastructure projects will be published. The ordinance will return for a second and third reading. Letters of interest for the vacant council seat are due by December 12, with interviews to follow before December 19.