Imperial City Council meets July 20
By Alan Carman
The Imperial Republican
The Imperial City Council held the regular Council meeting on Monday, July 20, 2026 in the Council Chambers. Present were Council members Julie Gockley, Nick Colton, John Miller and Jan Elliott along with Mayor Craig Loeffler and interim City Administrator Ed Dunn.
The Chambers were full of interested patrons, with 30-40 people in attendance.
The first order of business was the consent agenda. The minutes of the July 6, 2026 and July 14, 2026 minutes were discussed. The minutes for the July 6 meeting had one correction to be made.
Julie Gockley made a motion to table the minutes of the July 14 meeting. Jan Elliott seconded the motion and all four voted yes, motion carried. July Gockley made a motion to accept the amended minutes of the July 6 meeting, Miller seconded the motion. Motion passed with Colton abstaining because he was not present at the meeting..
Motion by Colton and seconded by Gockley to accept the Treasurers report and file it for audit. All four voted yes and motion passed.
In unfinished business, the Council considered payment to Lloyd Wilson in the amount of $23,945.76, for damage caused when a spark from a bad connection on a three phase irrigation bank sparked off when he tried to start his irrigation motor, causing a fire which damaged a fence and trees.
Miller made a motion to pay the $23,945.76 with an agreement signed that this was payment in full. Gockley seconded the motion and it passed 4-0.
Public hearing was opened for the purpose of considering approval of an administrative replat to replat Lot 1-A, Block 1, Hospital Addition; 2-A, Carpenter replat of Lots 1-B and Part of Lot 3, Block 1, Hospital Addition to the City of Imperial, Chase County, Nebraska.
The hearing opened at 6:12 p.m and was left open for discussion.
Discussion of WCNDD to Rescind Prior Nuisance Property Designation Resolution R26-07-03, Rescinding Resolution R26-05-12, PID 15500047223 #25. Motion by Elliott and seconded by Gockley to accept the resolution. Motion passed on a 4-0 vote.
The Council discussed the resignation of City Clerk/Deputy Administrator Sarah Hoskovec. Elliott made a motion to accept the resignation of Hoskovec as of July 17, 2026. Colton seconded the motion. Motion passed with: Colton Yea; Gockley Yea; Elliott Yea; Miller Nae.
The Council discussed the resignation of Tricia Moreno as of August 3, 2026. Motion by Elliott and seconded by Gockley to accept the resignation as of August 3, 2026.
Discussion ensued. Motion passed 3-1: Colton Yea; Gockley Yea; Elliott Yea; Miller Nae; motion passed.
City office hour changes were discussed, due to the lack of Employees in the office. New hours will be Monday through Wednesday, 7:30-4:30 and Thursday and Friday from 7:30-12:30. The office will be closed on Saturday and Sunday. Elliott moved to accept these hours and Gockley seconded. Motion passed 4-0.
Discussion was held to add Interim Clerk and Interim Treasurer to Ed Dunn’s job title. Motion by Colton and seconded by Elliott to approve the addition. motion passed 4-0.
Discussion was held to add Ed Dunn as an authorized signer to all City Bank accounts and remove Sarah Hoskovec. Motion by
Elliott and seconded by Colton to add Ed Dunn and remove Sarah Hoskovec to all City bank accounts. Motion passed 4-0.
The Public Hearing on the Replat was closed at 6:30. Elliott moved to accept the replat and Gockley seconded. Motion passed 4-0.
Wage Ordinance 26-07-01, to remove Mitch Hoskovec and Sarah Hoskovec and add Interim City Administrator/Treasurer/Clerk, Ed Dunn.
Dunn was asked what his hourly wage was and he replied $72.12 per hour. This is more than a $50 savings per hour from the previous wage for this position. Dunn will not receive any benefits from the city due to only being part time and on an hourly wage.
Motion was made by Colton and seconded by Gockley to wave the second and third reading of wage Ordinance 26-07-01. Motion passed 4-0.
Discussion on who would do the hiring of the new employees at the city office. Dunn replied that they would have a hiring committee for the process.
Discussion on Ordinance 26-07-02, Impose Sales and Use Tax upon the same transactions within the City of Imperial on which the State of Nebraska is authorized to impose a tax and establishing an effective date.
Gockley moved to wave all other readings of Ordinance 26-07-02. Elliott seconded the motion. Motion passed 4-0.
Colton made a motion to adopt Ordinance 26-07-02 and Elliott seconded. Motion passed on a 4-0 vote.
Colton moved to pay claims for check #27089 for the amount of $2,213 to Prairie States Communication. Motion passed 3-0 with Elliott Abstaining.
Motion by Colton and seconded by Elliott to pay checks #27020-27088; 27090-27106; 27108-27110 in the amount of $255,818.08 and checks #25964-26019 in the amount of $720,612.21. Motion passed 4-0.
Pat Davison gave the Superintendent report. The state will be milling main street from 5th to 8th street. The City will receive the millings for use.
Becky Berry gave a report stating Colleen Williams presents is a facebook page that has Nebraska City Murals. People are encouraged to go to her page and vote for Imperial’s Mural with the chance for her to come and do a featured story from Colleen.
Ron Berry asked about the City’s trail project that has been scrapped from going around the Hospital. The Council stated that they would add it to the next agenda.
The new administrator for the Manor expressed thanks for the warm welcome she has received since coming to the community. The Manor report showed the census for the Manor was up one from the previous month and the Heights was up one resident from the previous month.
On August fourth, the Manor will conduct a back to school drive and BBQ for the community. The Manor will be purchasing 50 backpacks for the students and they ask that people bring donations to fill the backpacks for the students and enjoy a free BBQ.
She also noted that the Manor and Parkview have had between $2500 and $5000 in positive revenue and she hopes to see that number grow.
The question was asked about why the Car Nutz Car Show for fair was cancelled and if it was due to something from the City. It was not due to anything from the City and was just due to lack of help to run the show.
Meeting adjourned at 7:04 p.m.