City of O'Neill Proceedings (3-13-2025)

A regular meeting of the Mayor and the City Council of O'Neill was held at the City Hall in said City on the 3rd day of March, 2025 at 6:30 P.M.

Present: Mayor Scott Menish, City Clerk/Treasurer Sarah Sidak, City Attorney Boyd Strope, Council President Quana Wheeler and Council members; Kayla Burdick, Michelle Liewer, Chris Laursen, Tim Schneider, Paul Asche and Tim Gleason. Absent: Council member Beth Walsh. 

Notice of this meeting was given in advance thereof according to Section 84-1408 of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska. Notice of the meeting was given to the Mayor and all members of the Council and a copy of the acknowledgement of receipt of notice and the agenda is attached to the minutes. Availability of the agenda was communicated in the advance  notice. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while convened meeting was open to the attendance of the public.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Scott Menish. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Mayor Menish informed the public of the location of the Open Meetings Act poster.

Moved by Schneider, second by Asche to waive the reading of the minutes of the February 3rd meeting and approve them as if read. Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

City Attorney Strope read the final reading of Ordinance No. 1430 by title and number.

ORDINANCE NO. 1430

OF THE

CITY OF O'NEILL, 

NEBRASKA

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE BY THE CITY OF O'NEILL, NEBRASKA OF ITS GENERAL OBLIGATION HIGHWAY ALLOCATION FUND PLEDGE BONDS, TAXABLE SERIES 2025, IN ONE OR MORE SERIES IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,740,000) TO PAY THE COSTS OF CERTAIN REIMBURSEMENTS RELATED TO CONSTRUCTING AND IMPROVING CERTAIN STREETS AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS OF THE CITY; AUTHORIZING CERTAIN OFFICIALS TO DETERMINE THE FINAL AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, MATURITIES, RATES, REDEMPTION PROVISIONS, AND OTHER TERMS AND DETAILS OF SUCH BONDS; PLEDGING FUNDS RECEIVED FROM THE NEBRASKA HIGHWAY ALLOCATION FUND AND PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF AN ANNUAL TAX FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING THE PRINCIPAL OF, PREMIUM, IF ANY, AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS; ADOPTING CERTAIN DISCLOSURE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT TO THE BONDS; AND AUTHORIZING CERTAIN OTHER DOCUMENTS AND ACTIONS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

Moved by Liewer, second by Wheeler to adopt Ordinance No. 1430. Roll call vote as follows: Aye; Asche, Wheeler, Liewer,  Laursen, Schneider and Gleason. Nay: Burdick. Absent: Walsh. Motion carried.

Amy Shane addressed the Council to let them know that there is a group in O'Neill that is looking into the possibility of establishing a branch of the Norfolk YMCA or a recreational facility of some kind here in O'Neill.  It is in the very early stages and they just wanted the Council to know that it is being talked about.

Moved by Schneider, second by Wheeler to amend the agreement with MJ Kersenbrock to allow him to not pave the East 197.03 feet of Donegal Street that goes into a dead end.  Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Council member Wheeler introduced Resolution No. 25-02, which is on file with the City Clerk.

RESOLUTION NO. 25-02

OF THE

CITY OF O'NEILL,

NEBRASKA

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF O'NEILL, NEBRASKA, that:

Sec. 1. The City of O'Neill must be the entity to make the request and take official action in order to use Highways 20/275/281 for events, and since they are within the corporate limits of O'Neill, NE.

Sec. 2. As required by subsection (2) LB 589/NRS *39-1359, that the City accepts all duties set out in said subsection, and

Sec. 3. If a claim is made against the state, the City shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the state from all claims, demands, actions, damages, and liability, including reasonable attorney's fees that may arise as a result of the special event.

Sec. 4. The City of O'Neill approves and adopts a resolution as outlined above, for a Special Events activity 

• Painting of the Shamrock on a portion of Highways 20, 281 and 275, within the corporate limits of the City of O'Neill, NE, to be held October 3, 2025 (Friday) from 5:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. from Eighth Street to Madison Street

• Painting of the Shamrock on a portion of Highway 20, 281 and 275, within the corporate limits of the City of O'Neill, NE, to be held November 3, 2025 (Monday) from 5:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. from Eighth Street to Madison Street 

PASSED AND APPROVED this 3rd day of March, 2025.

SCOTT MENISH, MAYOR

ATTEST:

(SEAL)

SARAH SIDAK, 

CITY CLERK/TREASURER

Moved by Wheeler, second by Liewer to adopt Resolution No. 25-02 and to allow Bright Horizons to paint the Shamrock purple on October 3, 2025 for Domestic Violence Awareness month and weather permitting to paint it back to green on November 3, 2025. Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Wheeler, second by Asche to open the 2025 One and Six Year Street Plan public hearing.  Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

O'Neill, Nebraska

(M 466)

1-Year Plan – 2026

Project No. — Description — Estimated Cost

253 — Drainage ditch along 7th Street from S. Fitch Blvd. to river, Ongoing maintenance, cleaning, grading — $28,000

256 — Adams Street, 2nd to 4th Street, Construct 6” P.C. concrete paving — $717,638

6-Year Plan – 2026 to 2032

209 — Morton Street, Douglas to Fremont Street, Construct storm sewer & inlets — $366,100

210 — Fremont Street, Cleveland Street to Jefferson Street, Construct storm sewer & inlets — $378,270

211 — Cleveland Street, Douglas Street to Fremont Street, Construct storm sewer & inlets — $242,180

212 — Everett Street, Cleveland Street to Harrison Street, Construct storm sewer & inlets — $220,350

226 — 8th Street, Adams Street to Williams Street, Construct 6” P.C. concrete paving, storm sewer & inlets — $471,220

239 — Repair Outfall East Side 281, Between Fitch and Hancock, Grading, rip-rap, mitigate maintenance and erosion. — $109,200

243 — 7th Street Drainage, Grant Street to Douglas Street, Construct storm sewer outfall for future drainage capacity — $2,860,500

251 — 9th Street, John Street to Adams Street, Construct 6” P.C. concrete paving — $239,160

255 — 2nd Street, Adams Street to Hynes Avenue, Construct 6” P.C. concrete paving — $797,817

No public comment was made.

Moved by Asche, second by Gleason to close the 2025 One and Six Year Street Plan public hearing.  Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Council member Asche introduced Resolution No. 25-03, which is on file with the City Clerk.

RESOLUTION NO. 25-03

OF THE 

CITY OF O'NEILL, 

NEBRASKA

WHEREAS, Section 39-2115 and Section 39-2119, 1969, C.S.-R.S. of Nebraska 1943 requires that each County and Municipality prepares a one and six year, specific road or street improvement plan and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Council of the City of O'Neill in compliance with the statutes and regulations of the State Highway Commission, did hold a public hearing on that proposed one and six year specific street improvement plans in the City Hall on March 3, 2025, in accordance with the "Notice of Public Hearing," a certified copy of such notice is attached, and

WHEREAS, there were no objections filed with the City Clerk and as presented at the hearing now,

WHEREAS, there were no amendments made to the one and six year plan on file with the City Clerk and as presented at the hearing now,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council does hereby approve said one and six year plan, as filed with the City Clerk, a copy of which is attached hereto,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor of the City is authorized to sign this resolution on behalf of the City Council and City Council hereby approves the proposed one and six year plan.

PASSED AND APPROVED this 3rd day of March, 2025.

SCOTT MENISH, MAYOR

ATTEST:

(SEAL)

SARAH SIDAK,

CITY CLERK/TREASURER

Moved by Asche, second by Gleason to adopt Resolution No. 25-03.  Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Burdick, second by Laursen to approve the alley closure from 3rd Street to O'Neill Pharmacy from 6pm to 2am on Friday, March 14th and Saturday, March 15th. Also, waive the noise ordinance for St. Pat's beer garden with a band on Friday, March 14th and Saturday, March 15th in the alley behind 309 E. Douglas until 2am.  Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Council member Schneider introduced Ordinance No. 1431, which is on file with the City Clerk.

City Attorney Strope read Ordinance No. 1431 by title and number.

ORDINANCE NO. 1431

OF THE

CITY OF O'NEILL, 

NEBRASKA

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF O'NEILL, NEBRASKA, AMENDING SECTIONS 9-404, 9-415, AND 9-426 OF THE O'NEILL MUNICIPAL CODE; REPEALING PRIOR ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF O'NEILL, NEBRASKA, that:

Sec. 1. That Section 9-404 of the O'Neill Municipal Code is amended as follows:

“SECTION 9-404: APPLICABLE LANDS 

This article shall apply to all lands within the jurisdiction of the City identified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels 3101160001C, 

3101160003C, 3101160004C dated 9/22/1999, as numbered and unnumbered A Zones (including AE, AO and AH Zones) and within the Zoning Districts FW and FF established in Section 9-415 of this article. In all areas covered by this article, no development shall be permitted except upon the issuance of a floodplain permit to develop granted by the City Council or its duly designated representative under such safeguards  and restrictions as the Council or the designated representative may reasonably impose for the promotion and maintenance of the general welfare, health of the inhabitants of the community and where specifically noted in Sections 9-416 through 9-420.”

Sec. 2. That Section 9-415 of the O'Neill Municipal Code is amended as follows:

“SECTION 9-415: ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICTS

The mapped flood plain areas within the jurisdiction of this article are hereby divided into two districts: a floodway overlay district (FW) and a floodway fringe overlay district (FF) identified in the Flood Insurance Study 310116V000 dated 9/22/1999.  Within these districts, all uses not meeting the standards of this article and those standards of the underlying zoning district shall be prohibited. These zones shall be consistent with the numbered and unnumbered A Zones as identified on the official FIRM and identified in the Flood Insurance Study provided by the Federal Insurance Administration.”

Sec. 3. That Section 9-426 of the O'Neill Municipal Code is amended as follows:

SECTION 9-426: DEFINITIONS

a. The definition "New Manufactured Home Park or Subdivision" shall be added:

“New Manufactured Home Park or Subdivision means a manufactured home park or subdivision for which the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including at a minimum, the installation of utilities, the construction of street, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads) is completed on or after the effective date of floodplain management regulations adopted by a community.”

b. The following definition shall be added:

“Expansion to an Existing Manufactured Home Park or Subdivision means the preparation of additional sites by the construction of facilities for servicing the lots on which the manufactured homes are to be affixed (including the installation of utilities, the construction of street, and either final site grading or the pouring of concrete pads).”

Sec. 4.  That all prior ordinances in conflict herewith are repealed.

Sec. 5.  That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval, and publication as required by law.

PASSED AND APPROVED this       day of         , 2025.

SCOTT MENISH, MAYOR

ATTEST:

(SEAL)

SARAH SIDAK, 

CITY CLERK/TREASURER

Moved by Schneider, second by Asche to introduce Ordinance No. 1431 and not waive the three readings. Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Wheeler, second by Schneider to approve Fina Choat for the Fire and Ambulance Department. Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Burdick, second by Schneider to approve Taylor Bockman for the O'Neill Library Board to replace Karen Richardson after her resignation. Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Wheeler, second by Gleason to let out for request for proposals to prepare a new O'Neill Comprehensive Plan and Housing Plan. Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Council member Gleason introduced Ordinance No. 1432, which is on file with the City Clerk.

City Attorney Strope read Ordinance No. 1432 by title and number.

ORDINANCE NO. 1432

OF THE

CITY OF O'NEILL, 

NEBRASKA

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF O'NEILL, NEBRASKA, AMENDING SECTION 1-505(A) OF THE O'NEILL MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE MINIMUM BIDDING LIMIT; REPEALING PRIOR ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF O'NEILL, NEBRASKA, that:

Sec. 1. That Section 1-505(A) of the O'Neill Municipal Code is amended as follows:

SECTION 1-505: CONTRACTS; BIDDING

“A. The City Council shall advertise for bids before making any contract for labor, goods or services in excess of $30,000.00. In advertising for bids for any such work or for the purchase of such equipment, the Council may cause the amount of such estimate to be published therewith. When required, such advertisement shall be published once in the Holt County Independent, O'Neill, Nebraska, at least seven days prior to the date of opening bids, or a written or printed copy thereof may be posted in each of three public places in the City; provided, in case of a public emergency resulting from infectious or contagious diseases, destructive windstorms, floods, snow, an exigency or pressing necessity or unforeseen need calling for immediate action or remedy to prevent a serious loss of or serious injury or damage to life, health or property, or war, estimates of costs and advertising for bids may be waived in the emergency ordinance when adopted by a three-fourths vote of the City Council.”

Sec. 2.  That all prior ordinances in conflict herewith are repealed.

Sec. 3.  That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval, and publication as required by law.

PASSED AND APPROVED this 3rd day of March, 2025.

SCOTT MENISH, MAYOR

ATTEST:

(SEAL)

SARAH SIDAK, 

CITY CLERK/TREASURER

Moved by Gleason, second by Liewer to introduce Ordinance No. 1432 and waive the three readings. Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Schneider, second by Wheeler to adopt Ordinance No. 1432. Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Wheeler, second by Asche to approve the Contingent Fund bill from February 3rd meeting. Roll call vote as follows: Aye; Asche, Wheeler, Liewer, Laursen, Schneider and Gleason. Nay: Burdick. Absent: Walsh. Motion carried.  

Moved by Schneider, second by Wheeler to approve the Treasurer's Report.  Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Moved by Gleason, second by Wheeler to approve the bill submitted at this meeting by O'Neill Lumber. Roll call vote as follows: Aye; Asche, Wheeler, Burdick, Liewer, Laursen and Gleason. Nay: none. Abstain: Schneider. Absent: Walsh. Motion carried.  

Moved by Schneider, second by Laursen to approve the remaining bills. Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

ALL FUNDS

Payroll, salary 162,989.02

FED & FICA, tax 36,505.63

American Family, ins 1,665.02

Black Hills Energy, util 3,984.73

BlueCrossBlueShield, ins 55,121.23

Bomgaars, su 1,166.44

Colonial Life, ins 1,083.44

Dana F. Cole, pmt 18,400.00

Guardian, ins 1,623.12

John Hancock, pension 8,527.56

NE Dept. of Revenue, tax 5,263.34

NPPD, util 19,341.52

NT&T, phone 920.94

Quadient Finance, postage 1,000.00

Quadient Leasing, fee 1,044.15

Unum, ins 247.64

Verizon, phone 670.67

Wex Bank, fuel 4,050.54

GENERAL FUND

Above the Garage, ser 109.95

Alder Plumbing, ser 126.73

Allo, ser 636.00

Appeara, su 540.16

AT&T, phone 175.68

Bound Tree, su 1,342.48

Carhart, su 102.50

Century Link, phone 64.19

Contingent Fund, su 614.02

Dearborn Life, ins 86.00

Ecolab, ser 78.75

Egan Supply, pmt 260.00

Floor Maintenance, su 79.99

GreatAmerica Financial, pmt 218.25

Holiday Inn, room 256.00

Hollman Media, ser 25.00

Holt Co Clerk, ser 207.40

Holt Co Independent, ad 507.69

Island Supply, su 157.00

KBRX, ad 22.50

LB840 Fund, pmt 44,539.46

Mathison Heating, ser 670.48

McIntosh Jewelry, su 10.00

Municipal Code, ser 125.00

NEDEE, fees 80.00

NECC, fees 740.00

Odeys, su 5,448.03

Ogden's, su 73.55

One Office, su 165.21

Pinnacle Bank, su 287.02

Schaecher Electric, ser 250.70

Brenda Schmeichel, ser 750.00

Paul Schwindt, ser 185.00

Smoke It Up Welding, ser 95.00

SteppCo, ser 471.26

Torpin's, su 11.24

VSP, ins 93.88

Mike Walker, ser 100.00

POLICE FUND

AT&T, phone 38.09

Benchmark Gov, fees 124.50

BlueStreak K9, pmt 10,000.00

C&S Repair, ser 227.48

Century Link, phone 76.19

Contingent Fund, su 156.80

GreatAmerica Financial, pmt 129.00

Heartland Fire, ser 192.25

Holt Co Independent, ad 44.51

Holt Co 4Paws, ser 1,000.00

Jack's Uniforms, ser 315.78

Terri Krysl, ser 36.00

Mathison Heating, ser 3,145.00

NE Law Enforcement, fees 500.00

One Office, su 50.79

Pinnacle Bank, su 102.95

Quill, su 42.58

Ranchland Auto, su 10.79

Rasmussen Surveying, ser 700.00

Taylor Made, su 34.35

Town & Country, ser 85.00

STREET FUND

Appeara, su 269.73

Connot Tire 15.25

Contingent Fund, su 105.63

Cornhusker Marriott, room 338.00

Cubby's, fuel 149.37

Great Western Gas, su 16.11

Holt Co. Independent, ad 16.70

Mathison Heating, ser 182.50

Mitchell Equipment, su 563.25

Olsson, pmt 2,083.89

O'Neill Auto, su 35.12

Ranchland Auto, su 10.25

VSP, ins 23.97

SEWER FUND

A&J Tire, ser 496.29

Accounts Management, pmt 258.46

Cole Petroleum, su 72.85

Cubby's, fuel 64.46

Farmers Pride, fuel 587.34

Grainger, su 529.89

HACH, su 393.67

Livingston Micro., su 3,137.01

Midwest Lab, su 170.57

Olsson, pmt 17,772.72

One Call, ser 4.71

Ranchland Auto, su 34.41

Tax Commissioner, tax 4,092.95

Torpin's, su 14.99

USA BlueBook, su 234.81

VSP, ins 39.45

WATER FUND

A&J Tire, ser 1,477.12

Badger Meter, su 1,312.35

City Utility Deposit, re 240.00

Cole Petroleum, su 72.85

Contingent Fund, su 16.00

Farmers Pride, fuel 587.34

FedEx, ser 171.37

NE Child Support, pmt 141.24

NE DEE, fees 115.00

NE Public Health, tests 244.00

NE Rural Water Assoc, fees 890.00

One Call, ser 4.70

Rutjens, pmt 36,475.56

Smoke It Up Welding, ser 189.41

Tax Commissioner, tax 844.68

Torpin's, su 14.99

SOLID WASTE FUND

Accounts Management, pmt 743.49

Avera Med Group, ser 150.00

Butler Co. Landfill, fee 42,254.09

Central States Wire, su 672.10

Cole Petroleum, su 1,070.00

Connot Tire, ser 366.89

Cubby's, fuel 1,495.59

Elliott Equipment, su 866.78

Holt Co Independent, ad 76.25

Irwin's Engine, ser 303.23

Johnson's Plumbing, ser 873.77

Linweld, su 42.47

Niobrara Valley, util *

NMC, su 499.13

Ranchland Auto, su 139.58

Schindler Electric, ser 2,044.82

Paul Schwindt, ser 175.00

LB840

Dana F. Cole, pmt 500.00

KBRX, ad 7.50

COMMUNITY 

IMPROVEMENT

BOK Financial, pmt 2,895.00

CHRIS LAURSEN, WARD II

TIM SCHNEIDER, WARD II

Moved by Schneider, second by Wheeler to adjourn. Roll call vote as follows: All Ayes. Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:16 P.M.

SCOTT MENISH, MAYOR

ATTEST:

(SEAL)

SARAH SIDAK, 

CITY CLERK/TREASURER

Published March 13, 2025            11

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