July 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Beatrice Regular City Council Meeting

Discussion:  item i - Barnard? how did they change order compared to next.  TT- hard to say, bids were individually.  wouldn't have made high bidder on either site, would have had other bids lower, however, more than likely most contractors were not aware of the additional sand.  Hyod - what for?  TT - several feet of sand under school sites.  city did not know.  not sure if other contractors knew.  worked with JEO to determine how much needed to come out.  cant build on sand.

item J - Doyle - 4th & 5th, Market to Ella - not start of RAISE grant.  no contract with federal government, engineering firm, etc.  completely separate grant.  asked Amanda Kuhlman on making sure notified, she provided a handout.  digital, print, partner outreach, social media, several ways to keep up to date on this project.  letter will be sent out.  main street will assist these businesses personally regarding the project.  important to downtown committee & administration, being transparent, change on those 4 blocks, city engineer, widening 5th street, that many will aprpeciate. 

item m - Hydo - why doing this now?  TT - looking forward into the future, energy capacity locked in through 2030, looking to plan ahead at any future rate increases that may be necessary instead of waiting to implement a large rate increase later.  wrapped up in this budget.  TF - how far into future?  TT - usually 4-5 years.  Mayor - will be change in 2031 or 2032.  Federal government will require more capacity, or insurance, totally agree with rate study at this time, as we know increase will come, that way not a big shock.

item N & O - Ted - administrating airport costs as well, question is all hangers, can we adjust them so due at same time.  TT - could, however, if tenant leaves & is filled, new lease.

item s - Ted - give chad & Courtney pat on back not first loan & other was also paid off early.  this is how this is supposed to work.  not first lender, great partners & employers, so we can give public pat on the back.
 

Discussion:  TT - issued a number of bonds this year, steve likes served as bond cousel.  proposing partnering for a project.  

steve likes - attorney with kutak, bond counsel for several years.  usually issuing bond by city, for city.  also represents 501c3 - __________ owner & sponsor of on campus 50/50 bulidng.  Star Shelcke??  project originally financed through normal _____; asked on refunding as tax exempt basis.  borrowing costs lower, said they could , but you have to have a tax exempt entity issue the bond.  initially approached Lancaster & LIncoln.  County willing to do so, catch - thinks they may be issuing their bonds, therefore ___________, more attractive to bank investors.  Lancaster not willing at this time, LIncoln doesn't typically do these as they defer to County.  city of Beatrice could issue if within, without, or somehow partially within or without.  some reasonable connection - our opinion, reasonable connection exists between this project due to many students needs.  some may have lived here, etc., over life of bond,either Beatrice residents will reside, or possibly frees up more hosuing.  Lancaster may pass.  Beatrice has already exceeded the $10 million - if city were to issue bonds, city cannot be liable on this type of debt, if a default, specifically states city prohibited from using their.  TT - 501c3 -  Steve - explained tax code if organization charitable purposes, educational, religious, civic, will receive certain tax breaks, deductions,  

Star - UNL campus, parking garage 11 years ago.  ground lease with UNL to provide housing for students.  didn't fit in portfolio, providing affordable housing through bond.  sold to 23P?  off tax rolls to generate taxes. up to $50,000 in grants for those living within the facility.  other charitable items.  cap rents not to exceed more than 3% per year.  475 beds, 125 beds 100% leased this year & pre-leased 100% next year as well.

Steve - Lancaster aware they are here, county in any other time they would gladly participate & have been involved in paSt years, just timing with their own personal bond issuance at this time
Mayor - occupied now, next year, is this a refinance?  Qualify?  Star - No; 125 units, 475 beds, most 4 per unit, a few singles

Star - manged by Jerry - on LIncln, knows the residents, families, etc.  helps keep them in school as well.  keep engaged, studying, etc. good academic study.  Location on campus 18th & R

Ted - length of bond?  Star - 26 years; Ted - how does this affect us?  TT _ not a limit & would not impact current or any future bond issuance, we are just a pass through, and not responsible does not have any impact on the CIty
Steve - bank qualification loans - its on an annual basis.because we already have no liability, no change in rating as well
Tobias - cost?  STeve - any cost born by the City, the foundation would be responsible for, additional fees, etc, intended in no way to cost the city
Terry - any negative affect if default?  Steve - possible, however, under state law city would be dismissed pretty quickly as can't be held liable.  
Terry what do we get out of this?  STeve - being a good partner 
McLain - steps moving forward?  Steve - work with City Attorney, before city council, often times 2 appearances, 1st explain, 2nd - public hearing & ordinance - at that time, review them &   Terry - $?  Star - $30 million - will pay off ________ to get to cash flow of $50,000 year for scholarships.

Eskra - why us?  Seward, York, Nebraska City?  STeve - relationship with City & knowing we have issued more than $10 million with no impact.
Mayor - always been good neighbors & this is what it is.  success rates do go up with having resident hall.  
steve - appreciate time

Discussion:  declare blight & substandard prior to adopting plan & tIf  hired hanna keelan to do blight & subtandard study.  area #13.  19th & Scott, good Samaritan center, north houses & open ground to south.  part of study 12 standards set out.  determined eligible to be blight & substandard - 2 factors had strong & 2 had reasonable, open spaces, public welfare:  4 strong, 4 reasonable, 4 - ownership of property, size of water/sewer mains, sidewalks, streets, any sturucre over 40 years of age - hanna recommend to blight - plan basic recommendations - standard from other plans, public & private partnerships, use TIF, grants, private investments to help expand, water/sewer/stormsewer, install new sidewalks, etc.

 

Discussion:  no further discussion

Discussion:  TT _ note % - limited to 35% with this at 34.52% 30 acres remaining or we can remove some areas.  still under state statute.

 

Discussion:  working on -  1 bid, over atnicipated. negotiated with local.  $82,162 - pickleball $80,000 Beatrice plus $10,000 RCRP grant to cover $64_______; to west of courts, hill, terrace seating will be built few other improvements with fencing as well.  start to be determined, next reach out to contractor to determine start date.  looking for fall project & wrap up this fiscal year

Discussion:  already have these codes 2015.  state law says have to update every so often, otherwise not longer applicable.  jumped from 2015 to 2021 - why we are doing.  overtime we have amended various codes most genraly the appeal process.  to more closely match what we do for our other appeal processes.  we know process & courts have blessed - these have been provided to local contractors, no comments back.  Eskra - would rather have what we adopted because we don't 

Mayor - august last time doing 2018, and will move to 2021, will also
Ted - better off if we wait.  Hydo - didn't see any changes, seemed to stay the same except dates & code sections.

Discussion:  fire inspection codes.  2003 addition from when City conducted fire inspections, have not done in 10-15 years.  state does then & state has adopted new codes.  we have nothing to do with.  Fire Dept wanted to keep access boxes - that was moved to building inspector & other is biodiesel plant rule - kept in order to have 

Discussion:  no one