City of Grant considers Vacant Property Registration Act
By Becky Uehling
Grant Tribune-Sentinel
The Grant City Council is exploring options to better manage vacant properties within the city limits through the Vacant Property Registration Act. However, after discussion and first reading of a proposed ordinance at its Jan. 24 meeting, the council decided to push the action forward to future meetings so more clarification and discussion could be held.
The Act, which was enabled with the passage of Legislative Bill 256 in 2018, would allow the council to create a registry of vacant properties within the city and leverage fees for those properties.
The purpose LB 256, and the creation of the Vacant Property Registration Act, is to assist local governments in addressing properties that remain vacant for prolonged periods of time starting at six months, according to the Act. According to City Superintendent Edward Dunn, the act is being implemented in fewer than 10 communities across Nebraska.
While considering the vacant property ordinance, the council will also consider contracting the administration and legal services for the program to Five Rule Rural Planning out of Kearney and Svehla Law Offices, P.C. in York.
More information about LB 256 and the Vacant Property Registration Act can be found on the Nebraska Legislatures website at https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/105/PDF/Slip/LB256.pdf, while the proposed Ordinance 23-01-03 for the City of Grant is available for inspection at the City office.
Change in Meeting Dates
Also at its Jan. 24 meeting, the Council unanimously approved to change its meeting dates from the second and fourth Tuesday of the month to the second and fourth Monday. Because of the change in date, the finalization of the agenda for each week will now be on Thursday instead of Friday the week before the meeting, according to Dunn.
Joint Meeting with CRA
The city council will have a joint meeting with the Grant Community Redevelopment Authority Board on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the city. The purpose of the meeting will be to take action and discussion on items pertaining to the development of the Grant CRA property at 430 East 4th St.
The two groups will specifically discuss options of land purchase and development specifically on Parcel No. 680102345. An agenda for the meeting can be obtained at the City’s office.
Mayor Absent
Mayor Lisa Schmitt has been absent from the first two meetings of the year because of work constraints, with Council President Andrea Brueggeman leading the meetings. Schmitt was also absent from several meetings in 2022 because of work constraints. Her absence has been approved by the council.
Other Action Items
During its two meetings in January, the Grant City Council took the following actions:
• Adoption of Resolution 23-01-02, City of Grant’s 1 -and- 6- year street improvement plan.
• Approval by the Council to rehire retired employee Gary Beckler to help fill in while newly hired employee Garrett Thompson is at training.
• Approval of Don Harris to serve on the city’s Library Board.
• Approval of the Airports 2024-2026 Federal Airport Improvement Program.
Next Meeting
The City of Grant’s next council meeting will be Monday, Feb., 13 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.