City Council meets August 3, committees created to help fill vacant positions within office

By Alan Carman
The Imperial Republican
    The Imperial City Council met in open and public session at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3, in the Council Chamber. Members present were: Nick Colton, Julie Gockley, John Miller and Jan Elliott, along with mayor Craig Loeffler, City Attorney Josh Wendell and interim Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer Ed Dunn.
    Consent Agenda items, minutes for the July 14, July 20 Council meetings and a review and ratify of the City of Imperial General Checks from the July 20, 2026 City Council meeting, were discussed. Motion by Miller and seconded by Colton to accept these as presented. Motion passed 4-0.
    Public Hearing for considering approval of a request by Cyndi Langenfeld for a conditional use permit to operate a day care facility at the Rainbow Promise Preschool in the Methodist Church, at 420 Holland Street in Imperial Ne. was opened at 6:05. The floor was open to any discussion until 6:15, but there was no discussion.
    A motion by Gockley and seconded by Elliott was made to adopt Resolution 26-08-01, to issue a Conditional Use Permit to Cyndi Langenfeld to operate a day care center on property at 420 Holland Street, in Imperial Nebraska, legally described as Section 4, Township 5, Range 38 West, Lots 8-9, 16-21, Schroeder Addition to The City of Imperial, Chase County, Ne. Motion passed 4-0.
    Discussion and update on  the Prairie Sage Trail Project (PSTP), was discussed. Elizabeth Haarberg spoke on the project.
    Haarberg noted that the committee for the PSTP project had been working with the Chase County Hospital Board and CEO and that they had indicated that they were the decision makers regarding the project.
    The committee had Hospital Board minutes documenting the Boards support for PSTP, contingent on approval of the final trail route and satisfactory easements of the trail. The project committee had every reason to believe that the Hospital CEO and Board had the authority to make decisions on the trail.
    The committee met with the Chase County Commissioners and other community stakeholders to ensure transparency throughout the procedure. Ultimately the County Commissioners voted no to approve the trail on County owned property.
    They stated that the project would not be in the best interest of the County and they did not wish to proceed with the project if it could put the County at risk of doing anything unlawful.
    While the committee respected the commissioners decision, actions and communications throughout the process had led the committee to believe that the Hospital CEO and Board of Directors were the appropriate decision makers regarding Hospital property and easement discussions.
    The grant money that the PSTP had been granted, could have been used to pay the fair market value of the 25 year easement agreement. This was not acceptable to the commissioners and as a result, the project could not move forward and the committee formally declined the Grant award because it could not be used in another area.
    County Commissioner Jacci Brown stated that it wasn’t a decision made because they didn’t want to work with the City or the walking path, but that there are two statutes that apply to the County that don’t apply to the City, and County Attorney Joel Burke had advised they would be breaking statute if they proceeded with the project.
    Next was discussion and action on understanding of services between AMGL, P.C. and the City of Imperial, Nebraska for Audit Services for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. Discussion ensued and it was agreed that AMGL, P.C. was doing a good job. Motion by Gockley, seconded by Colton to approve the service letter between AMGL P.C. for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2026 and authorize the mayor to sign. motion passed 4-0.
    Discussion and action on understanding of services between Dohman, Akerlund, and Eddy LLC, (DA&E) and the Imperial Manor for Audit services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. Colton made a motion to approve the understanding of services letter between DA&E and the Imperial Manor for fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 and authorize the mayor to sign. Elliott seconded the motion and it passed 4-0.
    Discussion for final payment  to Miller Construction minus 5% retainage for final punch list items was held. Motion by Colton and seconded by Gockley to approve payment of $55,260.50 to Miller Construction, LLC. Motion passed 4-0.
    It was noted that the electricity has been hooked up to the Peleton Game System in the City Square and they are looking to get the game up and running very soon.
    Police Chief Chad Ostmeyer addressed the replacement of the speed limit sign at 10th and Broadway. It has been out for about two months.
    Discussion was held on how many speed signs should be purchased. After discussion, Colton moved to purchase three signs to be placed around town for a cost of $9,000 and it was seconded by Gockley. Motion passed 4-0.
    Discussion on procurement of a loan from Adams Bank and Trust for the Police Pick-up. The Pick-up will arrive the end of August. Colton made a motion to approve a short term loan with the maturity date of October 15, 2026, in the amount
of $29,387 at a rate of 5.9% and allowing the mayor and Chief of Police to execute said loan. Elliott seconded. Motion passed 4-0.
    Motion by Gockley and seconded by Miller to bring in extra law enforcement for the 2026 Chase County Fair at a rate of $50 per hour for one officer Friday and two officers Saturday. Motion passed 3-0 with Colton abstaining due to the fact that he is related to one of the officers.
    Ordinance 26-08-01 was read by the Mayor. The Ordinance Authorizing Volunteers to assist in day-to-day Administration tasks to include, but not limited to elected officials, community members, and those authorized by the Mayor and/or City Administrator. Discussion followed from the large group in attendance at the meeting, with the majority of the people voicing concern over volunteers having access to people’s private financial information. The Ordinance will have it’s second reading at the next City Council Meeting on August 17, 2026.
    Discussion on office hours was held. With the lack of employees in the office and Interim Administrator Dunn having other obligations on Thursday’s and Friday’s, there is no one to keep the office open. Motion by Elliott and seconded by Gockley to close the City Office on Thursday and Friday, August 6&7 and 13&14, hoping to have someone hired after that.
    Action was approved on a motion by Elliott and seconded by Miller and a vote of 4-0, to Approve the appointment by the mayor, of Christina Peterson to City Treasurer.  Peterson will start her duties August 4, 2026, with a salary of $67,500.
    A committee for hiring a City Administrator was organized to include Council members Elliott and Colton with Gockley as alternate along with the mayor to interview candidates for the Administrator position.
    A committee for hiring a City Clerk was organized to include, Council members Colton and Gockley, with alternate Elliott, along with Mayor Loeffler and Interim Administrator Dunn, to interview candidates for the position of City Clerk.
    Ryan Stromberger addressed the Council about trash pick-up at the Chase County Fair. The Council agreed that the trash truck will swing by and pick up trash with one or two employees to assist the fair board.
    The meeting adjourned at 8:05.