BROKEN BOW- Broken Bow City Council met for its regular meeting Tuesday at the Broken Bow Municipal Building with all members in attendance.
Following consent agenda approval, Mayor Rod Sonnichsen and City Administrator Dave Schmidt provided an invitation to the city’s law enforcement personnel to the upcoming Blue Line Family Bash. Hosted by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, the Bash is held in Lincoln on September 19.
In new business, Library Director Megan Svoboda was on hand to discuss proposed changes to library policy. The first change added “vaping” to the list of activities prohibited in the library. Although the council was surprised that such an addition would be necessary, Svoboda said that they have found people vaping occasionally.
The other change approved was an increased usage fee for the library multi-purpose room from $35 to $50. Svoboda noted that there is still no cost for use of the room by non-profit organizations. The multi-purpose room can be booked in person at the Broken Bow Public Library front desk or by filling out the meeting room application on the library’s website under the ‘About’ tab.
In Council Comments, Schmidt stated that the Police Chief position has been posted internally for applicants. He indicated that union procedures require two weeks internal posting before posting externally, if necessary. However, he did not think an external search to fill the open spot would be needed with two excellent applications already in hand. Review of those applications is set to begin September 10.
After meeting adjournment, personnel from the Broken Bow Ambulance Service were on hand for a ‘show and tell’ of the new Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance. Council members received an up close look at the updated features of the unit, including advanced safety features for the ambulance crew, locked storage for medication, and motorized gurney capable of lifting up to 750 pounds into the patient compartment.
The next meeting of the Broken Bow City Council is scheduled for September 9. The meeting will begin at 5 PM with the budget hearing, to be followed by the regular council session.
