City Council meets May 21

By Alan Carman
The Imperial Republican
    The Mayor and City Council met on May 21, in the council chambers. All four members of the Council were present, along with the mayor, City Attorney Josh Wendell, Administrator Tyler Pribbeno, with City Clerk Sarah Hoskovec recording the minutes.
    Ed Dunn of West Central Nebraska Development District, (WCNDD), reported on the declared nuisance properties. 158 properties were reviewed, 26 courtesy letters were mailed, 13 properties voluntarily cleared and there were no extensions.
    Sergio Almanza discussed PID 150121186, East 17th St. Almanza stated he did not receive a letter on this property but has been in contact with the renters, which Almanza will discuss the nuisances with them and get it cleaned up.
    Dunn stated that WCNDD is willing to work with residents to clear properties before they are abated. Dunn said he is willing to give Almanza a 30 day extension if the Council agreed. After discussion, the Council moved to grant Almanza an extension until June 8, 2026.
    Declared Nuisance properties are as follows: 1330 Park St.;  346 East 13th St.;  1416 Broadway St.;  1421 Wellington St.;  205 East 15th St.;  231 East 16th St.;  1538 Park St.;  1620 Broadway St.;  Winters Trailer Park-Lot 14.;  Winters Trailer Park-Lot 25.;  Winters Trailer Park-Lot 26.
    A two year pasture lease agreement with Frenchman Valley Ranch LLC, with lease termination as April 30, 2028 was executed.
    The Council moved to discussion of the grass at City Square. The Council had previously voted to hydroseed the whole block, but it has not been done due to delays of installation of the underground sprinklers.
    Matt Vlasin of Holiday Farms said there was a significant risk of the grass being installed and if Smokin on Broadway is held there, and hundreds of people are in attendance and walking on the new grass, there is potential of areas being smashed down or there is a good chance the grass might not come back.
    The updated bid for sod and hydroseed, includes the whole block. The previous bid did not. Council member Jan Elliott discussed the initial bids compared to the new ones. With the higher price for sod, Elliott believes hydroseed would be the best option.
    Vlasin stated that if the City decides to hydroseed, the grass will not be grown up and able to be sprayed until fall or maybe spring of next year. The weeds will grow before the grass comes in completely and it will not look good.
    If sod is installed, with higher temperatures and people walking on it, the sod will stress but will come back easier with a lot of water applied.
    Vlasin stated if the ground is ready, his crew and his partner crew could possibly lay the sod the second week of June. If the City decides to hydroseed and we get much rain, it will be a muddy mess.
    Administrator Tyler Pribbeno stated there are enough bond funds for either purchase. Elliott wanted to know if the figures take into account the $1 million dollar bond. Pribbeno stated the City is under budget with either purchase and is still planning to receive $281,000.00 back from the grant now that enough eligible expenses have been submitted.
    Vlasin said the City would not be able to use the grass this year if hydroseeded and will fight more weeds, which will look worse. He also stated the sod will take within two to three weeks. If sprayed, the City would have to maintain the grass after it is seeded.
    Ron Berry questioned if the City could postpone Smokin on Broadway at the City Square for another year. Pribbeno pointed out that Smokin on Broadway is not a City function, it is put on by the Imperial Chamber of Commerce and it would be up to the Chamber.
    Chris Lee with the Chamber, stated the Chamber would like to utilize the grass area at Cambell Park if the City Square is not available.
    There is a legion baseball game, a wedding, and Nebraska Land Days the same weekend and doesn’t see there being a huge turnout with everything going on.
    Nick Colton discussed that kids are going to be walking on the grass either way. Gina Blocher, as a citizen, believes the cost for sod is not a cost the City should be spending and believes the hydroseeding would be better, stating the area could be roped off until next spring.
    Elliott believes putting two strands of rope around the game will deter kids. John Miller said he is ok with either, but said sod looks better right away, even if it is more expensive.
    Elliott would be for purchasing the sod if the City had originally chose this but the situation we are in, and having to bond $1 million dollars, and members of the community upset, she does not believe this should be done.
    Vlasin stated that sod costs more up front but in the long run, you are better off. Pat Davison discussed that no matter what fencing is put up, people find there way around it. Sarah Hoskovek stated that if the City has spent a million dollars on the project, wouldn’t we want to be able to use it sooner. Colton doesn’t like adding costs, but agreed that it would look better much sooner.
    Pribbeno discussed the change in the utility billing credit card company.
    A motion was made by Colton and seconded by John Miller to amend the agreement with Holiday Farms to purchase sod in the amount of $36,180.00. On a roll call vote: Nick Colton: Yea, Jan Elliott: Nay, Julie Gockley: Yea, John Miller: yea, Motion carried.
    Discussion was held to change the City billing from Billflash to Harris Print and Mail, whose software works in conjunction with Invoice Cloud. Motion by Elliott and seconded by Miller to approve the Harris Print and Mail agreement as presented with a minimum of 12,000 prints per year. Motion carried unanimously.
    The City Council approved vesting changes from seven to three years at a prior meeting. Mayor Loeffler read the resolution R26-05-01 by title only.
    Discussion was held over ALLO changing their structure of business away from cable. With this change, the master right of way to use City easement will change. The franchise fees ALLO pays the city would also change. The change in price would be #32.65 net change. No action was taken.
    Pat Davison reported that the pool will open on June 1, 2026.
    KC Belitz from NIFA visited the area to learn about Imperial’s Rural Workforce Housing Project, trying to find out what kind of housing is needed. Belitz was impressed by the four homes and apartment complex, built by Plex Construction utilizing those funds.
    The Neb. Comm. Foundation sent six individuals to Imperial. There was a bus tour last year and they saw the City Square getting started and they wanted to see the progress of that project and the Imperial Theatre Project. They were blown away by the progress.
    Imperial has an affiliated fund with NCF and currently the 11th highest out of over 200+ communities as far as endowment, which means the local fund receives $80-90K every year forever to help with soccer program, parks, school, etc.
    The final two lots in Cornerstone are in the process of being purchased that have infrastructure to them.
    The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.