Council Minutes - February 25, 2025
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF GRANT, NEBRASKA
February 25, 2025
Mayor Lisa Schmitt convened a meeting of the Council of the City of Grant, Nebraska in open and public session on February 25, 2025 at 7:01 p.m. Notice of this meeting was given in advance by publication in the Grant Tribune Sentinel, the City’s designated method for giving notice, February 20, 2025, and to members of the City Council and a copy of their Acknowledgment of Receipt and the Agenda are attached to these minutes. Availability of the Agenda was communicated in the advance notice and in the notice to the Mayor and Council of this meeting. All proceedings hereafter shown were recorded while said meeting was open to the attendance of the public.
Mayor Lisa Schmitt announced the posting of the Open Meetings Act and its location.
Roll call: Present Council members: Bishop, Brueggeman, Petersen, Sims, and Mayor Schmitt.
Others present: City Clerk/Treasurer Jessie Faber, City Attorney Tawna Holmstedt et al.
The motion was made by Brueggeman and seconded by Sims to accept the agenda as presented.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Bishop to approve the minutes of the February 11, 2025 meeting as presented and waive the reading and seconded by Brueggeman.
Roll call vote: Yeas – Bishop, Brueggeman, and Sims . Nays – none. Abstain – Petersen. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS: City Clerk/Treasurer, Jessie Faber, informed the Council of the upcoming board meeting: Cemetery Board meeting March 11th at 5:15 p.m. Faber also stated she just arrived back from the League of Nebraska Municipalities Midwinter Conference and she gave a brief update on a few of the legislative bills currently in this session.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Council member, Petersen – none. Council member, Bishop – none. Council member, Brueggeman – gave an update on the tree board meeting. Council member, Sims – gave an update on the Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) board meeting.
*Public Hearing at 7:05 p.m. MDT on the City of Grant Redevelopment Plan for the 245 Lincoln Avenue Redevelopment Project and Related Cost Benefit Analysis*– The hearing was opened by Mayor Schmitt at 7:05 p.m. Michael Bacon with Bacon, Vinton & Venteicher, LLC presented the City of Grant Redevelopment Plan for the 245 Lincoln Avenue Redevelopment Project and Related Cost Benefit Analysis and answered any questions the Council or public had on the Redevelopment Plan and Project. Amy Thelander with Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation gave a brief presentation on the prior housing projects, the planned housing project at 245 Lincoln Avenue and answered any questions. The hearing was opened to public comments.
Mayor Schmitt closed the hearing at 7:15 p.m.
*Public Hearing at 7:15 p.m. MDT for the Purpose of Reviewing the Proposed City of Grant One- and Six- Year Street Improvement Program*– The hearing was opened by Mayor Schmitt at 7:15 p.m. Tom Werblow with T.C. Engineering presented the One- & Six-Year Street Improvement Program and answered any questions the Council or public had on the program. The hearing was opened to public comments.
Mayor Schmitt closed the hearing at 7:25 p.m.
FINANCIALS – Acknowledged as received.
PUBLIC COMMENT – Marlin Wendell, Phil Calkins, and Genie Bishop.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Action and Discussion on Hiring Interim City Superintendent on Part Time or As Needed Basis – City Clerk/Treasurer, Jessie Faber informed the Council that she had visited with an individual at the League of Nebraska Municipalities Midwinter Conference that may be interested in helping and she would get the contact information to Mayor Schmitt and the City Attorney. A motion was made by Bishop to table the Hiring Interim City Superintendent on Part Time or As Needed Basis to the next meeting and seconded by Petersen.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
Action and Discussion on Resolution 25-02-01 Resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of Grant, Nebraska, Approving a Redevelopment Plan; Approving a Redevelopment Project; and Approving of Related Actions (245 Lincoln Avenue Redevelopment Project) – A motion was made by Sims to approve Resolution 25-02-01 Resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Grant, Nebraska, Approving a Redevelopment Plan; Approving a Redevelopment Project; and Approving of Related Actions (245 Lincoln Avenue Redevelopment Project) and seconded by Petersen.
RESOLUTION NO. 25-02-01
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRANT, NEBRASKA, APPROVING A REDEVELOPMENT PLAN; APPROVING A REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT; AND APPROVING OF RELATED ACTIONS
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
The Resolution will be published in pamphlet form.
Action and Discussion on Resolution No. 25-02-02, A Resolution Adopting the One- & Six- Year Street Improvement Programs – A motion was made by Bishop to approve Resolution No. 25-02-02, A Resolution Adopting the One- & Six- Year Street Improvement Programs with the modification to update M311-47 to only include the CRA owned property and to exclude the Bishop owned property and seconded by Peterson.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
The Resolution will be published in pamphlet form.
Action and Discussion on the 2025 Armor Coating Project and Setting a Bid Date – A motion was made by Bishop to accept the 2025 Armor Coating Project removing the armor coating on 3rd Street and adding on 9th Street from Central Avenue going east as far as we can go and setting the Bid Date for March 25, 2025 and seconded by Petersen.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Action and Discussion on Resolution 25-02-03, A Resolution Adopting and Approving the Execution of an Agency Agreement with Nebraska Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics for Project No. 3-31-0035-016/017-2025 to be Submitted by the Department to the Federal Aviation Administration to Obtain Federal Assistance for the Development of the Airport – A motion was made by Brueggeman to approve Resolution 25-02-03, A Resolution Adopting and Approving the Execution of an Agency Agreement with Nebraska Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics for Project No. 3-31-0035-016/017-2025 to be Submitted by the Department to the Federal Aviation Administration to Obtain Federal Assistance for the Development of the Airport and authorize the City Council President to sign and seconded by Sims.
RESOLUTION NO. 25-02-03
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND APPROVING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGENCY AGREEMENT WITH NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DIVISION OF AERONAUTICS FOR PROJECT NO.
3-31-0035-016/017-2025 TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION TO OBTAIN FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE AIRPORT
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
The Resolution will be published in pamphlet form.
Action and Discussion on Authorizing Jessie Faber to sign all documents associated with the Airport Project as City Clerk/Interim Airport Manager – A motion was made by Petersen to Authorize Jessie Faber to sign all documents associated with the Airport Project as City Clerk/Interim Airport Manager and seconded by Brueggeman.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Action and Discussion on Action and Discussion on the SUFR Grant Potential Impact of a Stop Work Order on the SUFR Grant – A motion was made by Sims to go up to $9,500.00 in total costs on the SUFR Grant and if no stop work order is issued then go up to the $19,000.00 and seconded by Bruggeman.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Action and Discussion on the Homeowner Authorization to Plant Tree Form and City of Grant Tree Removal Owner Permission Form and Waiver of Liability for the SUFR Grant – A motion was made by Brueggeman to approve the Homeowner Authorization to Plant Tree Form and City of Grant Tree Removal Owner Permission Form and Waiver of Liability for the SUFR Grant and seconded by Sims.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Action and Discussion on the SUFR Grant Matrix for Tree Selection – A motion was made by Petersen to approve the SUFR Grant Matrix for Tree Selection and seconded by Brueggeman.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Action and Discussion on Vacation Time for Jessie Faber – The Council discussed Faber is at her maximum number of hours banked for vacation time addressed in the personnel manual and due to the City Office being short staffed. The Council expressed the need to allow Faber to go over the maximum number of hours at this time until the City is able to get new staff hired and trained. A motion was made by Brueggeman to extend Jessie Faber’s vacation time for 12 months and have the Mayor reevaluate with her in 12 months and payout if needed at that time and seconded by Petersen.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Action and Discussion on City Superintendent Position (interview process, hiring process & applicants) – A motion was made by Bishop to table the City Superintendent Position (interview process, hiring process & applicants) to the next meeting and seconded by Sims.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Action on Bills & Claims – Black Hills Energy, utilities – 892.01; Blue Cross Blue Shield of NE, employee benefits – 8,622.15; Carlson Electric, supplies & repairs – 420.00; Ryan Flaming, supplies – 14.58; Holmstedt Law Office, P.C., L.L.O., professional services – 13,135.00; Ken’s Construction LLC, contract labor – 1,020.00; MEAN, transmission charge – 126,075.56; Midwest Electric, utilities, O & M Charge, & billing – 19,739.16; Mutual of Omaha, employee benefits – 90.00; Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy, dues & training – 155.00; Nebraska Public Health Environmental, lab & well tests – 30.00; Pioneer Research Corporation, supplies – 298.33; Sandhills State Bank, employee benefits – 555.00; Utility Service Co., Inc., water tower contract – 3,525.34; American Funds, retirement –1,086.46; Nebraska Department of Revenue, sales tax – 9,484.60; United States Treasury, federal tax withholding – 3,275.15; Overtime Wages 2/2-2/15 – 1,398.77. Total Bills and Claims $189,817.11.
The motion was made by Bishop and seconded by Petersen to approve the Bills and Claims in the amount of $189,817.11.
Roll call vote: Yeas – all present. Nays – none. Motion carried.
Bishop, Brueggeman, Petersen & Sims reviewed the bills and claims prior to the meeting.
Mayor Lisa Schmitt adjourned this meeting of the Grant City Council at 8:04 P.M.
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Lisa Schmitt, Mayor
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Jessie Faber, City Clerk