Imperial City Council approves resolutions, discusses nursing facility future

By Julie Thayer
 High Plains News(From the Minutes)
 The Imperial City Council convened for its regular meeting Monday, Aug. 18, with Mayor Craig Loeffler calling the session to order at 6 p.m. in the council chambers. Council members Jan Elliott, Julie Gockley, and John Miller were present, while Nick Colton was absent
Nuisance Abatement Progress
Ed Dunn of the West Central Nebraska Development District (WCNDD) reported on the city’s ongoing nuisance abatement efforts, highlighting that $1.5 million has been returned to the district in the past year. Nine resolutions were adopted to rescind previous nuisance designations on cleared properties across Imperial, including addresses on Douglas, Grant, 12th, and 10th streets. One property at 1114 Park Street was newly declared a nuisance for abatement
Dunn shared a summary of citywide nuisance enforcement: of 301 properties reviewed, 65 courtesy letters were issued, 38 properties were cleared, 27 declared nuisances, and 61 ultimately resolved. Four properties remain under abatement. “This is an impressive summary for the City of Imperial,” Dunn said
Nursing Facility Concerns
A major portion of the meeting focused on the future of the Imperial Manor and Parkview Heights. Representatives from Aris Health Group, founded earlier this year, presented a plan to provide operational support and prevent closure of the facility.
Jeremy Somers and Chris Gonzalez outlined strategies to stabilize operations, including improved clinical consulting, financial oversight, marketing, and staff training. “The facility needs to focus on culture, health insurance, and positive ways to engage employees along with recruiting new residents,” Somers said. Gonzalez cautioned that some staff may resist change, but emphasized that without buy-in, “the facility will fail.”
Council members and attendees voiced concerns over Medicare cuts, staffing shortages, and rising costs of contract nurses, with immigration nurse placements estimated at $7,500 each. The council is expected to continue monitoring options as the facility evaluates its path forward
The council approved Resolution R25-08-01, certifying annual compliance with the Nebraska Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards. This certification is required to ensure the city continues to receive highway-user revenues
Other Business
The council approved a letter of support for FarWide Conservation Trust’s grant application to study water drainage issues in Imperial, with the understanding that the city bears no liability for drainage in low-lying areas.
Utility checks totaling $528,356.71 and general checks of $190,599.34 were approved.
Police Chief Chad Ostmeyer reported a successful Chase County Fair, though Public Works Superintendent Pat Davison noted a temporary power outage caused by a blown transformer fuse during the event.
Administrator Tyler Pribbeno reported that the city’s property valuation, as assessed by Chase County, increased by 8 percent
The meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.