Broken Bow City Council met for their meeting Tuesday, May 28, in the Broken Bow Municipal Building at 6 p.m..
Mayor Rod Sonnichsen called the meeting to order with the absence of council members Paul Holland and Chris Myers.
The meeting started off approving the minutes of the May 14th council meeting, bills as posted, Loud & Proud Fireworks application, Troy’s Hot Rocket Fireworks application and the Broken Bow Ambulance Service’s official roster.
In new business, the sale of Real Property from Lot 6 and the North half of Lot 7 in Block 12 of Jewett & Lilly’s in Broken Bow, Neb. was valued at over $5,000.
Jacob Holcomb, Zoning Administrator, spoke on behalf of the Arrow Seed Lot Split application. This parcel of land is on the North side of Highway 2. It will be split in half, right down the middle. Only the South half of the lot will be sold, the owners are keeping the North half of the lot. This project came with the recommendation from the Planning Commissioners, and was approved by the council.
The main topics that were discussed and open for the public’s input was Ordinance 1282 and Ordinance 1283. The wording of both ordinances did not change from the last meeting, and the mayor suggested that any adjustments the council members may have should be directed to the city administrator prior to the next meeting.
Ordinance 1282 is establishing business permits and regulations and also provides regulation of merchants and vendors.
Speaking on this ordinance was Timothy Freburg. He is co-owner and manager of Tropical Sno. He voiced his concerns against prices, parking, electricity, trash removal, advertising signs and application for permit (specifically the motor vehicles involved). He stated some of the issues should be in “discretion of the property owner.”
The three readings for Ordinance 1282 were not waived, with a motion made by Russ Smith.
Ordinance 1283 amends the vendor permit fees in the city of Broken Bow.
Speaking on Ordinance 1283 was Mishayla Freburg. She is also a stakeholder with Tropical Sno. She was born and raised in Broken Bow, and started helping in the community when she was just 12 years old. Freburg stated, “I want to keep these opportunities for the children in this town today.” She goes on to say a lot of the prices, especially for smaller, family-owned businesses, are “out of line.”
David Schmidt spoke to Freburg about rough, potential costs for upgrading some of the electrical issues around the square she and her husband had brought up, which would potentially be thousands of dollars.
Craig Safranek also took the podium, and voiced his full agreements with both Timothy and Mishayla Freburg.
The three readings for Ordinance 1283 were not waived, with a motion made by Luke Wassom.
The council addressed two temporary street closures. One of which being for the Custer County Historical Society for a car show fundraiser around the square. On Saturday July 13, 8th, 9th and D streets will all be closed between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for the car show.
The second street closure was per the recommendation of the Park Board and interest of public safety. South A Street along the North side of Tyke Arnold Field will temporarily be closed during games. This will be starting at the Tyke Arnold Visitor’s dugout and extending to the scoreboard.
LeeAnn Taylor was appointed by the council as well as Mayor Sonnichsen as the new City Treasurer. Mayor Sonnichsen welcomed Taylor and thanked her for filling the last spot they needed.
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:42 p.m.. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 11 in the Broken Bow Municipal Building at 6 p.m..
