City Council

CITY OF HASTINGS, NEBRASKA MINUTES OF CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Monday, July 13, 2026 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Hastings, Nebraska was conducted at the Hastings Municipal Airport, 3300 West 12th Street, on July 13, 2026. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in Regular Session by Mayor Beckby with the following members present Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Larry Consbruck, Matt Fong, Brian Hoffman, Marc Rowan. Absent: Maggie Esch. The following City Officials were present: City Administrator, Mark Funkey; City Attorney, Jesse Oswald; City Clerk, Tyler Ficken; Director of Finance/City Treasurer, Roger Nash; Information Technology, Kirk Layton; Public Information Manager; Tony Herrman; Utility Manager, Derek Zeisler; Director of Engineering, Lee Vrooman; Development Services Director, Kevin Kubo; Fire Chief, Troy Vorderstrasse; Director of Human Resources, Lori Hartman; Library Director, Kelly Reisig; Safety Director, Trent Clark; Museum Director, Teresa Kreutzer- Hodson; Police Chief, Adam Story. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited. Moved by Steve Huntley seconded by Michael Anderson to adopt the current agenda. Roll Call: Ayes: Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Larry Consbruck, Marc Rowan, Brian Hoffman, Matt Fong. Nays: None. Absent: Maggie Esch. The motion carried. Official Notice of the Regular Meeting was published in the Hastings Tribune on Friday, July 10, 2026. Pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute Section 84-1412, the public is advised that a copy of today's agenda and all reproducible written material which will be discussed at today's meeting is available for public review and a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is posted and accessible to members of the public. COUNCIL COMMUNICATION: Councilmember Hoffman highlighted the Adams County Fair. Councilmember Huntley inquired about the food truck ordinance and City Attorney Jesse Oswald reported that the item is in process, but there is no timeline to bring the item forward. Councilmember Anderson provided paperwork for a special meeting to discuss Heartland Pet Connection. CITIZEN COMMUNICATIONS: None. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Beckby stated that he had received emails regarding Heartland Pet Connection; the item has received Council signatures for further discussion. A lot of hours have been spent developing and negotiating a contract. The contract went to the Heartland Pet Connection Board and was turned down, to the dismay of the Heartland Pet Connection lawyer who Council Session – 7/13/2026 Page 1 thought it was a good contract. Heartland Pet Connection continues to seek a different contract. As far as the Mayor is concerned, the matter is closed. Service Anniversaries: Nathan Cummins, Operations, 15; John Adams, Police Corporal, 15; Doyle Bankson, Plant Operator, 15; Shaun Propp, Line Crew Chief; Jon Rojewski, Journey Line Worker, 25. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. All Consent Items. Moved by Steve Huntley seconded by Matt Fong to approve the consent agenda. Roll Call: Ayes: Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Larry Consbruck, Marc Rowan, Brian Hoffman, Matt Fong. Nays: None. Absent: Maggie Esch. The motion carried. (a) Approval of the minutes of the Council Meeting of June 22, 2026 (b) Approval of the minutes of the Worksession of June 15, 2026 (c) Approval of claims and payroll (d) Approval of the request of First Street Brewing Company to utilize city property for the Hastings Fire Dept Annual Stash Bash to be held on October 24, 2026 (e) Approval of the request of No Coast Brewing, LLC dba First Street Brewing Company for a Special Designated Liquor License for the Annual Stash Bash fundraising event on St. Joseph Avenue, 1st Street north to the alley on October 24, 2026 (f) Approval of the request of the Hastings YMCA to utilize city property for the Turkey Trot on November 21, 2026 (g) Approval of the request of Hastings Unique Bicyclists to utilize city property for the Kool-Aid Classic Bicycle Tour on August 15, 2026 (h) Approval of Work Order WA-131, new concrete drive for Well 36 (12th Street and Baltimore Avenue) and new sidewalk at Well 4 (Hastings Avenue and 12th Street) (i) Approval of the drawdown request for Community Development Block Grant funds in the amount of $245,000.00 for project activity items for the Pacha Soap Expansion Project 25-ED-001 (j) Approval of the First Amendment to the Electric Service Agreement between the City of Hastings and Heartwell Renewables, LLC (k) Approval of the agreement with Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions, Inc. for the Don Henry Power Center Controls Replacement REGULAR AGENDA: 2. Unfinished Business of Preceding Meeting. None. 3. Public Hearings. (a) Public hearing on the application of Hastings Sports, LLC dba "Hastings Sodbusters" for a Class "I" Liquor License (Beer, Wine, Spirits, On Sale) at 601 East South Street. Resolution No. 2026-42 approving the application of Hastings Sports, LLC dba "Hastings Sodbusters" for a Class "I" Liquor License at 601 East South Street. Mayor Beckby opened the public hearing. Mayor Beckby closed the public hearing following no comment from the public. Police Chief Story provided a report in support of the application. Moved by Brian Council Session – 7/13/2026 Page 2 Hoffman seconded by Larry Consbruck to approve Resolution No. 2026-42 approving the application of Hastings Sports, LLC dba "Hastings Sodbusters" for a Class "I" Liquor License at 601 East South Street. Roll Call: Ayes: Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Larry Consbruck, Marc Rowan, Brian Hoffman, Matt Fong. Nays: None. Absent: Maggie Esch. The motion carried. (b) Approval of the manager application of Scott Galusha in connection with the Class "I" Liquor License of Hastings Sports, LLC dba "Hastings Sodbusters" located at 601 East South Street. Moved by Matt Fong seconded by Steve Huntley to approve manager application of Scott Galusha in connection with the Class "I" Liquor License of Hastings Sports, LLC dba "Hastings Sodbusters" located at 601 East South Street. Roll Call: Ayes: Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Larry Consbruck, Marc Rowan, Brian Hoffman, Matt Fong. Nays: None. Absent: Maggie Esch. The motion carried. 4. General Business. (a) Community update - Michele Bever, South Heartland District Health Department Director. Michelle Bever of the South Heartland District Health Department reported on mosquito surveillance activities and the ongoing updates to the Community Health Improvement plan, and highlighted the chronic conditions portion of the plan. (b) 2026-2027 Budget Presentations: Landfill, Streets. Director of Engineering, Lee Vrooman reported on the Landfill budget, providing that there would be no additional headcount, acquiring a dozer and skid steer, an asphalt overlay of main roads into the cells, and a fee increase to cover state-imposed fees. Councilmember Rowan asked if the fee increase would cover the state fees and the equipment, and Director of Engineering, Lee Vrooman provided that, additionally, the landfill sets aside money for future cell development to the north. Councilmember Huntley confirmed with Director of Engineering, Lee Vrooman that the landfill is self-funded and does not utilize property tax revenue. Councilmember Fong asked Director of Engineering, Lee Vrooman to look into extended hours to improve availability to the public. Director of Engineering, Lee Vrooman reported on the Street budget, providing that there would be no additional headcount, acquiring a used motorgrader, loader and electronic message board, the 2nd payment for the Hastings SE project and projects for the upcoming 1 & 6 presentation in August. Councilmember Huntley asked if making the project payment out of the street fund would stress the fund. Director of Engineering, Lee Vrooman explained the funds had been saved for the project in the street fund for this purpose. If the proposed projects in this proposed budget were all funded, there would be three months of cash reserves. Six months is ideal, but it can be built back up. (c) Approval of the final plat for Lakeview 11th Subdivision. Moved by Steve Huntley seconded by Matt Fong to approve the final plat for the Lakeview 11th Subdivision, generally located north-west of Lakeridge Dr and Lakeview Ave. Development Services Director, Kevin Kubo reported that the plat conforms with the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, conforms to applicable zoning regulations, adequate and appropriate access is provided and design of the public infrastructure meets the City's minimum standards. The Planning Council Session – 7/13/2026 Page 3 Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of the final plat. Roll Call: Ayes: Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Larry Consbruck, Marc Rowan, Brian Hoffman, Matt Fong. Nays: None. Absent: Maggie Esch. The motion carried. 5. Ordinances and Resolutions. (a) Ordinance No. 4832 creating Water Extension District 2026-1 Lakeview 11th Subdivision. Moved by Steve Huntley seconded by Brad Consbruck to approve Ordinance No. 4832 creating Water Extension District 2026-1 Lakeview 11th Subdivision, Ordinance No. 4833 creating Sanitary Sewer Extension District 2026-1 Lakeview 11th Subdivision, Ordinance No. 4834 creating Gas Extension District 2026-1 Lakeview 11th Subdivision and Ordinance No. 4835 creating Street Improvement District 2026-1 Lakeview 11th Subdivision. Director of Engineering, Lee Vrooman reported that the developer has requested improvements which will connect to existing improvements and notices will be sent to the property owners within the district. Roll Call: Ayes: Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Larry Consbruck, Marc Rowan, Brian Hoffman, Matt Fong. Nays: None. Absent: Maggie Esch. The motion carried. Moved by Matt Fong seconded by Brian Hoffman to suspend the rules and approve Ordinance No. 4832 creating Water Extension District 2026-1 Lakeview 11th Subdivision, Ordinance No. 4833 creating Sanitary Sewer Extension District 2026-1 Lakeview 11th Subdivision, Ordinance No. 4834 creating Gas Extension District 2026-1 Lakeview 11th Subdivision and Ordinance No. 4835 creating Street Improvement District 2026-1 Lakeview 11th Subdivision on second and final reading. Roll Call: Ayes: Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Larry Consbruck, Marc Rowan, Brian Hoffman, Matt Fong. Nays: None. Absent: Maggie Esch. The motion carried. The motion to suspend the rules was adopted by three fourths vote of the Council and the statutory rule was declared suspended for consideration of said ordinance. The ordinance is declared to be lawfully adopted upon publication as required by law. (b) Ordinance No. 4833 creating Sanitary Sewer Extension District 2026-1 Lakeview 11th Subdivision (c) Ordinance No. 4834 creating Gas Extension District 2026-1 Lakeview 11th Subdivision (d) Ordinance No. 4835 creating Street Improvement District 2026-1 Lakeview 11th Subdivision (e) Resolution No. 2026-44 designating the method of publicized notice for public meetings. Moved by Matt Fong seconded by Brian Hoffman to approve Resolution 2026-44 designating the method for publicized notice of public meetings. City Attorney, Jesse Oswald reported that action is necessary due to a recent legislative change and the notification process will remain the same. Roll Call: Ayes: Steve Huntley, Michael Anderson, Brad Consbruck, Larry Consbruck, Marc Rowan, Brian Hoffman, Matt Fong. Nays: None. Absent: Maggie Esch. The motion carried. 6. Final Passage of Ordinances. Council Session – 7/13/2026 Page 4 None. 7. Appointments. None. 8. Miscellaneous and Other Business. None. 9. Possible Closed Session (if necessary or requested). None. There being no further business before the Council, Mayor Beckby adjourned the meeting at 6:34 p.m. APPROVED: ________________________________ George J.J. Beckby, Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________________ Tyler Ficken, City Clerk (SEAL) Council Session – 7/13/2026 Page 5