December 2, 2024 at 7:00 PM - Beatrice Regular City Council Meeting

Discussion:  TR - code written decades ago & need to be updated as changes & grows.  proposed amendments to update code, can have  tree trimming business, but no lawn care business.  reviewed SIC codes developed by Dept of Labor to classify certain industries, under Ag services, number of things our code does not permit.  proposed change to include: lawn, seeding, etc.  also noticed Pet Services & Veterinary Services, divide between sales & services, clean up & clarify  second thing is Table 4-2 regarding permitted uses, where allowed by right & SUP.  

Barard - one of items had things not quite understandable, cleared this up
Mayor - SIC, lawn & garden Dept of Labor & _______, 078 landscape horticulture...does not qualify artificial turf.

TT - P&Z did not approve this change

Margaret Haith, 104 West Granville, voted unanimously to not approve this.  CC & Mayor pride being transparent. someone else points out that someone is in violation of code, asks to adhere to ordinance & have him relocate buisness.  council changes ordinance to allow this

Dave Rayburn, 100 West Mulberry, not trying to put greenway out of business, has been here 10 years, doens't have to be on property where violated for 14 months.  Tonite clear it up, insert lawn mowing.  part of problem with P&Z, first part adding lawn mowing to Ag services, Ag to him is producing fruit generation...not accessory stuff.  council needs to do this for the city.  take away food, fiber through farming & animal husbandry, not about maintenance of yard.  if want to change, do it right, don't stuff in to help soeone.  at end of day, do the right thing, make it its own grounds maintenance ordinance.  if approved, anyone can open lawn shop outside city limits, city will turn into bastardisation...commercial business in business 10 years.  Taylor eluded to putting someone out of business.  mayor helping him by changing this ordinance, instead   NE Statute does not define lawn servcies. don't just pass because...go back to ordinance committee & do it right.  2nd part is table 4-2 - been to several P&Z meetings, rubber stamped.  4-2 takes P&Z out of it completely.  owner should have asked for SUP...which would have been denied, but when changing 4-2, take away from P&Z to protect city's plan.  eventually no need for P&Z, as SUPs will be gone.  providing lawn care into ag.  didn't disclose full intentions in the beginning.

Caleb Allen, 203 South 21st Street, not sure why not under ag, to treat lawn, have to be certified to create from State.  50x70 storage, not operating out of, not sure what issue is, storage for equipment.  plan to have house as well

Rayburn - city offers him some stuff, but believe what you want.

Gary - asked neighbor what issue, too much dust.  another neighbor said they didnt' know there was a problem.

Tim Fralin, 405 Mulberry Avenue, down road, receive 20x traffic, it is storage facility, has nothing to do with buisness.  DOyle & he thrown under bus, never said Mayor & TT, should no better, community supports business.  been out there, no water, electric.  no reason to go down same path.  no issue with speed limit, more issues with big trucks, encourage to continue path to move forward.

Ruh - P&Z reason voting no?  TR - some felt unneighborly, didn't see eye to eye that code needs to be updated from time to time, thought was for 1 particular person, however, we have dozens of businesses that are included, other services as well, which is why we expanded definition.

Mayor - Rayburn thinks this is about him & it is not, code is outdated, disagree with ag services not including landscaping, 2-4 year school, horticulture college.

Fairbanks - had conversation, not sure when updated, can we put footnote in when reviewing.  as kid, no such thing as lawncare services, didn't exist.  are outdated, need to put footnote in., unfortunate about P&Z, glad can't vote someone out cuz they don't

Mayor - early 70s

Discussion:  federal grant at Airport, have to pass policy, city will not exclude or deny business based on sex, color, or national origin.

Discussion:  hoppe closing was supposed to be in december, asked to extend to allow time to secure gap financing.  everting else on schedule as planned.

Discussion:  kensington grant original, returned, $985,000 spent by 9/2026 playgrounds, no environmental review on this, have to sign covenant 

Discussion:  appt complex on iriving street, west of KFC, allow parking on both sides, last winter had issues, reached out to remove from either both or 1 side to clear snow..  there is a full parking lot that is under utilized.  Ted - is there enough?  TT - yes

Discussion:  bonds that Jay spoke to about, BASWA passes, CIty passes, County will also pass

Terry - next to budget biggest thing in 2 years, does this come back here?  WHen will we know interest rate.  TT - generally no, authorizes myself to issue & work with Jay & Hannah.
Terry - at what point do we decide to just let it out, tying up revenue & when would we decide to bid bond issue?  TT - for years used Ameritas, used Munford, Spearman left & formed a new company.  Did bond with Edward Jones, additional money saved can shop around,   Terry - want best we can get, uneasy about letting someone pick interest rate without bidding.  Also uneasy about the 2 newbies, its a big number.  how much additional staffing?  TT - last time, significant time cant give set number of hours
TEd - don't disagree, but do, we hire experts all the time  to say you can find interest rate range.  when we have to hire an expert we can ask questions & have someone to hold responsible.  agree with vast majority of it.
TT - delaying can be an issue, need to pass tonight in order to meet county deadlines, and proceed with construction
Dana - knew was coming, why have we waiting until last meeting to pass it at?  TT -wainting for engineers to get bids done, etc.
Ted - look at $1 or $2 $10 for fire dept.  if not comfortable, abstain from vote
Ruh - would like to postpone until next meeting to have chance to guide us. McLain discussed for a long time, have to trust previous council who voted on.  trust TT & stay on track.  Dana - terry being cautious Terry - 100% behind landfill, just have concern with not having knowledge or background

Dustin Geesin?? 1510 N 10th Street, lived here since 4th grade, stick in desentigrator like singerpore... Mayor- federal rules & regulations

Terry - ask when brought to market, to let CC know what rate is

Discussion:  working on transfering of stoddard school, one thing is finalize orindnace to transfer, had contract, resolution, 
Terry - have agreement?  TT - yes