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www.johnsonpublications.zenfolio.com Brooke Robertson | Johnson Publications

The table in the city council chambers that previously faced the council now sits between the council and audience, allowing both the council and audience members to hear the city superintendent, clerk/treasurer and attorney speak.

Councilman argues board appointments

Councilman Matt Greenwood disagreed with Mayor Mike Wyatt’s board of adjustment appointments at June 12’s council meeting, arguing the appointments should be made after the election.

To this point, the city has not had a board of adjustment in place to deal with zoning grievances filed against the city.  

Due to a possible grievance being filed in response to a denial of a building permit, Wyatt appointed five members to a board of adjustment. 

Greenwood asked why council members could not serve as members of the board of adjustment. City Attorney Phil Pierce said council members are ineligible to serve due to state statute and the city’s zoning code.

Councilman Darrell Pierce moved they approve Wyatt’s appointments of Bob Tatum, Tim Pofahl, Don Softley, Doug Beck and Tim Colglazier as members of the board of adjustment. Councilman Bob Bounds seconded. 

Greenwood said he would prefer the appointments wait until the new mayor takes office. 

“We’ve gone this long without it and I don’t think the next six months are going to hurt anything,” he said. “Because to me that’s extremely unfair to the people that are running for that office.”

He suggested explaining the situation to the person whose building permit was denied and asking if it could wait. 

After Wyatt and Councilman Pierce asked for an explanation, Greenwood explained they’re taking the future mayor’s choice away if they want somebody else to serve on the board.

“They’re not elected yet,” said Bounds. “We’re sitting here doing it. That’s our job.”

Greenwood asked why it wasn’t done earlier and Bounds said the issue came up now. 

With council member Andrea Brueggeman absent, Wyatt voted yes for the required three votes to approve the appointments after a 2-1 vote with Greenwood voting no.

Water usage

For the month of May, the first month of billed metered water, 9,165,700 gallons of water were used in the city. This is down 6.4 million gallons from May 2017. A total of 31.1 million gallons have been used this year. 

Pressure complaints

Archie Silvrants addressed the council during public comment, stating the pressure of his lawn sprinklers isn’t what it used to be before the meter was installed. He said his sprinklers used to overlap and now they do not. 

Ken Hightower said he also has water issues, and he believes it’s a common problem all across town. He questioned whether it was more of a volume problem vs. a pressure problem. 

City Superintendent Dana Harris said City Engineer Tom Werblow has checked the water pressure and it is good. She also reported Grant Volunteer Fire Department conducted hydrant testing last week and Chief Don Softley said they were very pleased with the water flow and pressure. 

Cemetery vandalism

Harris said they often have vandalism on city property, but they have recently had someone dumping things at the cemetery and the sheriff’s department is looking into it.

Sheriff Jim Brueggeman said they received a complaint that someone has dumped grass clippings on two separate occasions—once on a road by the cemetery and once by the maintenance building at the cemetery. 

He said they are looking into it but no other information is available at this time. 

New arrangement

Those attending the meeting were greeted with a new audience-friendly arrangement. 

Many attending past meetings had voiced concerns with not being able to hear the city superintendent, clerk and attorney, who sat with their backs facing the audience. 

The new arrangement has the three facing the audience, in hopes this will correct the hearing conflicts. 

Liquor License

A special designated liquor license was approved for Middle of Nowhere Bar and Grill of Venango to serve alcohol on Friday and Saturday, July 20-21 at the Perkins County fair grounds during fair from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. 

Bills and claims

Bills and claims of $244,815.22 were approved with Greenwood voting no, stating he does not agree with how overtime is paid. Overtime wages from May 16-31 totaled $1,176.73. 

 

The Grant Tribune-Sentinel

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PO Box 67
327 Central Ave in Grant
Grant NE 69140