The Broken Bow City Council approved one measure designed to protect city residents from unwanted intrusion, and heard the first reading of another ordinance limiting how data centers may operate in town, among numerous other topics when they met in regular session on Tuesday, August 11. The meeting took place in the Council Chambers of the Broken Bow Municipal Building with all members of the council present. Mayor Rod Sonnichsen called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Council Bars Installation of Flock Cameras Without Prior Approval
The Council unanimously passed Ordinance 1315, prohibiting the installation or use of automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems without the prior express permission of the Broken Bow City Council.
A hot topic in many circles currently, ALPR systems, such as Flock cameras and similar systems are privately-owned traffic camera networks that monitor the license plates and other characteristics of passing vehicles, reporting them to a central database for use by not only law enforcement but any other paying user.
While neither the City of Broken Bow, nor the Broken Bow Police Department currently contract with or have plans to use such systems in the future, City Administrator Dave Schmidt noted that there is no code on the books for the City that would prevent the installation of such a system without the City’s approval, or the input of the citizens of Broken Bow.
“I have some Fourth Amendment concerns regarding these cameras,” noted Schmidt, “and I think that the council and the public’s voice is very important when it comes to this, and this ordinance would would give you [the Council] and the public that voice.”
After the meeting, Police Chief Chris Anderson said that while some communities had seen law enforcement benefits from working with Flock and similar companies, the costs both in monetary terms and other negative considerations were higher than what the department was interested in paying right now.
Data Center Ordinance Comes Before the City Council
The other hot topic covered in Tuesday’s meeting was Ordinance 1317, prohibiting the construction of data centers in within the city limits without meeting a number of stringent requirements. Zoning Administrator Jacob Holcomb presented an updated version of the ordinance that was first reviewed in a well-attended June 30 Planning Commission meeting.
Among the proposed rules that must be met before construction are pre-development noise studies with strict limits on the types and level of sound to be emitted from the facility, along with ongoing post-construction noise audits. Water and electric usage are also closely regulated under the proposed ordinance.
Companies proposing a data center will be required to front 100% of any municipal upgrades required to run the facility, post a bond of 150% of anticipated costs to decommission the data center, undergo a criminal background check of any major owner, and disclose any foreign ownership or control.
The public will have the opportunity to weigh in on any proposed construction before the council decides whether or not to allow construction to proceed.
Holcomb noted that while the City cannot outright ban construction of any industrial facility, it can use its zoning authorities to govern what is built and how it will operate.
“This is right now one of the most comprehensive zoning ordinances out there that addresses all of these concerns that people have brought up,” stated Holcomb. “We’ve had multiple counties reach out. We’ve had multiple cities all the way down to villages using this as their template for their community too.”
“I feel it’s a really good thing,” added Sonnichsen, “putting something in place. This is this is the only way to protect the citizens and people that pay the taxes and protect our infrastructure from being overworked.”
The Council decided to continue hearing public comment on the proposed ordinance in upcoming meetings. Both the Data Center and Flock Camera ordinances, along with an ordinance governing tiny houses can be found in the Broken Bow City Council Agenda [LINK].
Bike Safety Training Scheduled, City Departments Provide Updates
The Council heard from Jeremy Walton of Broken Bow and the Broken Bow Rotary regarding an upcoming county-wide Bicycle Safety Rally in Broken Bow on Thursday, September 10.
Coinciding with the Jennie M Melham Medical Center Health Day on the Broken Bow Square, the Bicycle Safety Rally will feature training on safe use of bicycles, including helmet use and safe riding skills. Attendees will receive either a free helmet at the Rally, or a voucher for a helmet from either Geared4Sports or Ace Hardware.
Police Chief Anderson provided an annual update on the Department’s activities, indicating he felt the department was heading in a very positive direction. Anderson highlighted the successful completion of training for two new officers, and the upcoming graduation of another from the Nebraska police academy.
The department also continues to upgrade its equipment, with two new vehicles, dash and body cameras and the possibility of adding a drone for aerial crime-fighting. Upcoming activities include the annual Pink Patch Project supporting breast cancer survivors, a Police vs EMS baseball game, supporting the Bicycle Safety Rally, and Trunk-or-Treat later in the fall.
Since October, Anderson said the department responded to 1,702 calls for service.
Library Director Megan Svoboda provided an update on Library operations, highlighting the success of the Summer Reading Program that hosted 39 events with 2,221 readers in attendance and 200 hours read by youth participants. A project to install a new patio at the library is proceeding, along with a 250th American Anniversary celebration “wrapping” the library with images of the books read over the summer.
Svoboda noted that while circulation of hardcopy and periodical materials is down, online and electronic materials are increasing, along with overall attendance at the library.
Kids programming will start again in September, featuring “Toys and Tots, Lap Set Story Time, Lego Club, Art Club, Mobile Storytime tab, and many many other events planned,” according to Svoboda.
Streets and Parks Overseer Darren Marten also provided his annual update, noting the installation of a pickleball court, ongoing work to upgrade the Melham Park disc golf range and renovation of the women’s restroom at Tomahawk Park, among other park improvements.
Street improvements included a large armour coat project completed and preparations for significant road work on Memorial Drive east of the hospital.
The Council also reviewed the 1- and 6-Year Street Plan update presented by JEO Consulting’s Steve Parr, the Broken Bow Street Superintendent.
Other City Council Activities
The Council also:
- Approved an update to City Administrator Dave Schmidt’s contract
- Appointed Chris Smith to the Broken Bow Housing Board
- Approved the sale of excess office furniture
- Approved a 3% cost of living increase for City union employee salaries
- The Council set September 8 at 4:30 PM for the 2026 – 2027 Public Budget Hearing
The council went into private strategy session at 7:11 PM, ending the meeting with no further business conducted. The next meeting of the Broken Bow City Council will be Tuesday September 25 at 6:00 PM in the Broken Bow Municipal Building.
