The Broken Bow City Council met on Tuesday, February 27th, with Council members Myers and Wassom absent, but excused. Because the agenda consisted of ordinances for Council consideration and possible approval, Mayor Sonnichson reminded the public that City Ordinance 1242 states that the Mayor is deemed a member of the City Council for the purposes of establishing a quorum.
Over 35 people attended the meeting primarily because of a public hearing on Ordinance 1276 that would provide rules and regulations for mobile food vendors. After hearing from some of those in attendance and after comments from the Mayor and Council members, the hearing was closed. The final reading of the ordinance was waived and Ordinance 1276 was approved by Council with April 1, 2024 as the date when the ordinance would be effective. Basically, the new ordinance reads that “mobile food vendors may park parallel to the curb on the east and south sides of the City Square during Market on the Square and when authorized by either the Mayor or City Administrator during other special events permitted at the City Square”.
Mayor Sonnichsen thanked the public for the input they shared over the past several weeks and said there would be a “phase 2” of public hearings regarding mobile food vendors. Sonnichsen stated that additional ordinances would be necessary “to protect the city” and “to be fair to everybody”. City Attorney Jason White offered context to the Mayor’s remarks by saying ordinances from other cities are being reviewed and, according to White, the City of Broken Bow could be “victims of our own leniency” with the current application process. Mayor Sonnichsen added a committee will be established to protect the taxpayers and review other necessary changes regarding mobile food vendors. Anyone interested in serving on the committee should contact the City Administrator.
In earlier business before the Council, a bid for the 2023 Electrical Distribution Improvements Project from General Excavating of Lincoln was approved and a Conditional Use Permit for a dog grooming business at 515 North 5th Avenue was granted to Angela and Randy Bumgarner. A public hearing was also held for Ordinance 1277 that would prohibit parking on the north and south side of Callie Drive for the first 100 feet east on 4th Avenue. The three readings of that ordinance were waived and the ordinance was approved. The meeting closed with department updates from City Administrator David Schmidt. The Broken Bow City Council will next meet on Tuesday, March 12th.
