City approves ball field improvements: declares nuisance property
FROM THE MINUTES
The Grant City Council moved forward on nuisance abatement and park facility upgrades during a brief meeting Tuesday, Aug. 26, while advancing its annual pay ordinance and reviewing work on the coming year’s budget.
Council President Samuel Sims convened the meeting at 7 p.m., noted the posting of the Open Meetings Act, and took roll. Council members Kimberly Bishop, Andrea Brueggeman and Tierney Petersen were present; Mayor Lisa Schmitt was absent. The council approved the agenda and the Aug. 12 regular minutes and Aug. 20 special minutes, each on unanimous votes.
City Superintendent Derek Brueggeman reported a public hearing on the budget would be held Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 6 p.m., and the Cemetery Board will meet Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 5:15 p.m. He said the city’s armor-coating project was completed last week and the swimming pool’s final day is planned for Saturday, Aug. 30, weather permitting.
Council members acknowledged financials as received and heard a brief standing-committee report from Brueggeman on the Tree Board. No public comment was offered.
On unfinished business, the council entered executive session at 7:13 p.m. “for the prevention of needless injury to the reputation of an individual,” including the council, city attorney, city superintendent, city clerk/treasurer and Ashley Neiman of West Central Nebraska Development District. The board returned to open session at 7:31 p.m. and, on a unanimous vote, approved Resolution No. 25-06-04 declaring 986 Hancock Ave. a nuisance property, citing a current contract change. The resolution will be published in pamphlet form. No action was taken on Resolution No. 25-06-10 regarding 400 E. 4th St.
The council also unanimously approved a Park and Recreation Advisory Committee recommendation to update the ballfield bathrooms with lighting, fixtures, paint and general improvements.
Under new business, members voted unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 25-08-01 rescinding prior Resolution No. 25-06-08 declaring 807 Hancock Ave. a nuisance; that resolution will be published in pamphlet form. Sims read the second reading of Ordinance No. 25-08-01 setting compensation for all city officers and employees for the fiscal year Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026. Council discussed FY 2025-26 budget worksheets; no action was taken.
Bills and claims totaling $287,596.19 were approved on a unanimous vote after prior review by Bishop, Brueggeman, Petersen and Sims. Major expenditures included a $131,312.27 transmission charge to MEAN, $81,002.52 to B & H Paving for armor coating, $16,811.55 to Paulsen Inc. for gravel, and $9,727.19 to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska for employee benefits.
Sims adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Notices for the meeting were published Aug. 21 in the Grant Tribune-Sentinel and posted at Pinnacle Bank, Grant City Hall and the U.S. Post Office. Availability of the agenda was included in the advance notice. All proceedings were conducted in open session.