Superintendent contract renegotiation takes up most of Grant City Council’s recent meeting
By Becky Uehling
Grant Tribune Correspondent
The majority of the Grant City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10 was spent in executive session to discuss the proposed employment contract with the new City Superintendent. All members of the council except Sam Sims were present for the meeting.
For nearly 45 minutes, the council was in chambers discussing a counter offer from Jeffrey Scott Miller who the council had extended an offer to for the superintendent’s position during its November meeting.
Upon coming out of session, the council approved to amend the contract as discussed pertaining to vacation time and hours worked per week, sending a reoffer back to Miller, who accepted and signed the contract on Friday, Dec. 13.
Miller’s first official day as Grant City Superintendent will be Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. Look to future editions of the Tribune for a more in depth article on Miller.
Further on in the meeting, the council voted to approve the mayoral appointments of Miller as City Superintendent, Airport Manager and Deputy Clerk/Treasurer for the city.
Bishop Sworn In
Newly elected official Kim Bishop was sworn in during the meeting by City Attorney Tawna Holmstedt. The council also voted to approved Bishop as president of the council, which allows her to lead the meetings in the absence of the mayor.
Newly elected official Sims, who was absent from the meeting, will be sworn in at a different time.
Mayor to Serve on Housing Authority Board
It was announced during the meeting that Mayor Lisa Schmitt will serve on the West Central Nebraska Joint Housing Authority (WCNJHA), which represents 185 clients in an 18 county area to provide safe, affordable housing for income-qualifying families. Perkins County communities are part of this area.
Compensation Ordinance Approved
The council approved Ordinance No. 24-12-01, an ordinance for the compensation of officers and employees of the City of Grant for the fiscal year of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.
Public Comment
Grant resident Marlin Wendell spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, saying he was not satisfied with a reply he received from the city in regards to a public records request he submitted. Specifically, Wendell was requesting the licensing documents for the use of music the city plays during the time the council is in executive session. Wendell stated that he feels the playing of the music is in violation to copyright laws and would like to know if the city has a license to play the music. The city had replied to Wendell stating that not such license was needed because the music is being used for private purpose and not for the public.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Grant City Council will be on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at 7 p.m.