Sam Sims joins city council

After winning election Nov. 4, Sam Sims officially took his seat on the Grant City Council Tuesday, Dec. 8.

City Attorney Tawna Holmstedt administered the oath of office to Sims and incumbent Kim Bishop, who was re-elected in the November election.

The swearing in was part of the council’s annual reorganization meeting.

Council members re-elected Andrea Brueggeman as council president and approved Mayor Lisa Schmitt’s standing committee appointments for council members. 

They also approved Schmitt’s appointments of citizen volunteers who serve on a variety of city boards, committees, authorities and commissions.

West Central Nebraska  Development District was re-appointed as the city’s nuisance officer. 

The council also approved payments for the housing rehabilitation projects funded under the community development block grant program. The program is administered locally by Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation.

City Superintendent Edward Dunn praised  Director Amy Thelander for their efforts to improve housing in Grant and the area. 

Gift Card Match

At the council’s Nov. 24 meeting, they increased the gift card match limit from $300 per business to $600 per business.

This program was started as a result of the coronavirus pandemic to support local businesses. 

Under the program, the city would match gift card sales by businesses, up to $300. LB840 sales tax funds are being used to fund the program.

Businesses must submit claims to the city for the match. 

Moving into the Christmas season, the council upped the reimbursement limit to $600 per business. 

Dunn said that with every gift card purchase by a shopper, they were helping local businesses to qualify for the matching funds.

COVID restrictions

Dunn said the city office is now open again to the public with the relaxing of directed health measures by the state.

While not required, Dunn said they are urging people coming to the office to wear a mask.

The library will remain closed to the public with curbside service available,.

Dunn said the library board will review that policy at the January meeting. 

A listing of the council assignments and mayoral appointments are as follows:

Council Assignments

Tierney Petersen—Cemetery, City Hall, & Economic Development.

Andrea Brueggeman-—Library & Tree Board.

Kimberly Bishop—Airport, Park & Rec, and Planning & Zoning.

Samuel Sims—Community Redevelopment Authority, Public Works.

West Central Nebraska Development District—Representative: Kimberly Bishop, Alternate: Edward Dunn.

M.E.A.N. (Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska—Representative: Edward Dunn.

Citizen Boards

Airport Authority—Neil Hilton, secretary; Ole Sihm, president; Leon Kumor, vice president; John Woodmancy, Ex-officio Member: Airport manager, Edward Dunn, (one vacancy).

Board of Adjustments—Tim Pofahl, vice president; Nate Pouk-ALT, Bob Tatum, president; Don Softley-ETJ, secretary; Richard Thurin, John Long.

Public Health Board—Clifford Colglazier, City Physician; Lisa Schmitt, Mayor; Andrea Brueggeman, Council President; (One vacancy).

Cemetery Board—Jeanie Daiss, Connie Pofhal, president; Dawnya Dreiling, vice president; Marlene Pritchett, Kenneth Hutsell, (one vacancy).

Community Redevelopment Advisory Board—James Brueggeman, Rochelle Sihm, Kevin Poppe, vice president; Don Softley, president; Edward Dunn, Director/Secretary, (one vacancy).

Economic Advisory Committee—Ryan Cornelius, secretary; Bob Tatum, vice president; Dennis Hansen, president; Kevin Hatch, Edward Dunn, Program Adminstrator; (one vacancy).

Economic Development Committee—Bernie Deaver, vice president; Amy Thelander, president; Ex-Officio Member: Edward Dunn, City Superintendent; (three vacancies).

Housing Authority—Mark Hunter, Deb Hutsell, Chairperson, Jeff Wallin, Co-Chairperson, Jim Howerter, Penny Lee, Debbie Barkley, Director.

Library Board—Jeff Wallin, vice president; Brenda Styskal, president; Ashley Colglazier, treasurer; Dan Thompson, Deb Marshall, secretary.

Park and Rec Advisory Board—Melissa Wilson, president; Wendy Skeels, vice president;, Tricia Flower, Ex-Officio Member: Park/Rec. Director Brittany Brott; (two vacancies).

Planning Commission—Bob Hochstein, president; Richard Thurin, secretary; Patricia Jimenez, Randy Heineman, Jason Noyes, vice president; Ex-Officio Member: City Enforcement Officer, Gary Beckler.

Board of Public Works—Rick Salsman, Tim Pofahl, (three vacancies).

Tree Advisory Board—Deltrude Hall, Shari Friedel, secretary; Kris Long, vice president; Jon Forney, president; (three vacancies).

City Officers:

Mayor—Lisa Schmitt

City Superintendent—Edward Dunn

City Clerk/Treasurer—Jessie Faber

Code Enforcement Officer—Gary Beckler

City Attorney—Tawna Holmstedt

City Engineer—Tom Werblow

Street Superintendent—Tom Werblow

Airport Manager—Edward Dunn

Civil Defense Director—Don Softley

Public Works Foreman—Gary Beckler

Public Works Assistant—Bill Taylor

Public Works Assistant—Eric Mcormick

City Librarian—Robin Quinn

Librarian Assistant—Val Foster

Librarian Assistant—Sarah Pick

Park/Rec. Director—Brittany Brott

Cemetery Caretaker—Tim Taylor

Custodian—Jennifer Tjaden