City Council - Regular Meeting

City Council to order. Would you please join us in the pledge of allegiance?

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. As required by section 84-1412 subsection A of the Nebraska statutes, notice is hereby given that a copy of the opens meeting act is posted for your examination on the wall inside the door to the city council chambers. Before we have roll call, I'd like to welcome our guests to this evening's meetings. Could we have roll call, please?

George Klein here. Shane Shepard here. Mark Graves here. Kevin Alexie here. Clay Anderson here. We have a motion to approve the consent agenda or approving of the agenda rather. I move to approve the agenda. Second that. Motion by Mark, second by Shane to approve the agenda. Could we have roll call, please? Anderson, yes. Klein, yes. Shepard, yes. Graves, yes. Alexi, yes. We have a motion to approve the consent agenda.

I'll make a motion to approve of the consent agenda. I'll second.

Motion by Shane, seconded by Clay to approve the consent agenda, which includes minutes for the city council meeting held January 19th. There are minutes from the citizen advisory review committee economic development plan that was held January 8th and the community development city advisory review committee meeting that was held January 21st. There were administratively approved special designated licenses for the favorite bar for the wild game feed at the Dodge County Fairgrounds. On January 31st, Wild's Bar and Grill, the black tie calf fry fundraiser at the Daw County Fairground on February 28th and Wild's Bar and Grill for wedding reception at the Dors Do County Fairgrounds on June 6th. That's all. Any questions about any of those items? If not, could we have roll call, please? Anderson,

yes. Yes. Shepard, yes. Graves, yes. Alexi, yes. Okay. Can we have uh Renee Noble or a student would come forth with FBLA week? We're low in numbers. Sorry. Okay. Would you like us to read it? Yes, please read it. Okay.

Would you like to introduce yourself?

Well, I'll read it and then you can. Okay. So this this is a proclamation for FBA week which is next week and but you know there's no meeting next week. So whereas Future Business Leaders Incorporated, FBALA is a nonprofit educational organization whose first chapter was established in Johnson City, Tennessee in 1942. And the whereas this organization has grown now to encompass over 250,000 members nationwide in high schools, colleges, universities, career and technical schools, and private business schools. And whereas FBA is a professional business organization dedicated to bringing business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. And whereas members perform community service activities and strive to build a students understanding of the realities of the modern business world. And whereas FBLA teaches high schools um and college students basic business and leadership principles and assists in the transition from school to work. And now therefore,

I George Klein, mayor of the city of Shadron, do hereby proclaim February 8th through the 14, 2026 as FPL week in Shadron, Nebraska, dated the 2n day of February, 2026. Thank you very much. This is I'm Dallas Hutchings. I'm a senior in Shatter High School. It's my first year doing FBA

and he's done a great job and he has a twin brother named Dakota who's also done a great job. Um my officers I some of them are at at basketball tonight which I believe is in Bridgeport. In Bridgeport and then I also have a couple that are ill. Um we kind of have some sickness going around the schools. I've put a all call out trying to get more members to come. I'm so glad s I have seniors that need to be here. Um and uh we are a small group this year. We're we're right at about 20 members. Um we have done community service. We've uh performed a um we did a sale for the Alzheimer's Association during football season. um for our own fundraisers, we had a chili feed and we've worked concession stands and then we did um our big community service project which is a feed Nebraska project which was a trickor treat for canned goods um which we then donate to a local um food pantry here in Shadron. Um we have a lot of FBA activities that we do. We have our meetings once a month. Um, we work to have ribbons um for us to when we that we achieve when we go to state. Those ribbons include like the Alzheimer's Association, Feed Nebraska. Um there's also one about um um connecting with uh your business with technology and such and and so we work for these ribbons. Uh you Dallas will compete in job interview uh when we go to state competition and website design, right?

And graphic design. And graphic design. So um all of our students are working towards that now. Um we're getting ready to go to um state FBA in April. So any questions? It's always a pleasure to have you come every year. Thank you. Thank you. You guys did all that service. We do. Well, we usually we used to do more. I mean, we'd like to we'd still like to do more, but again, our numbers are down a little bit. Um, we always used to serve like it closer to home and different events as well. And and of course, we've lost that, but you know, we'll pick something back up. We will. Renee, I got one question. Can you tell the council how long you've been sponsoring the FBLA?

34 years. I was going to guess when you started. It's it's my 35th year of teaching and luckily Mr. Jones let me have that first year to be a first year teacher and then he said get that chapter started. So yeah, 34 years. Good luck in April. Thank you. Thank you. We just competed at the best of the west business competition at Shadron State College. We took 18 students and we did place third as a team and we had some of our students do very well. Um, we placed first in aggra business and we placed first in intro to intro to business and then we had a lot of second through fifth places as well. So

I think I was a student in your first year teaching in Spanish class. That could be and Katie, when were you there? Yeah. Yep. Been there a while. Good times. Oh well, thank you very much. We appreciate it. Okay.

Okay. The hour being about 609, we will open a public hearing to consider an application submitted by the Shattered Community Foundation for LB840 economic development funds. Um, and I think we're scheduled to have a presentation by Deb Cottier, but she apparently is not able to do this. So, we're going to wing it. We're we're going to try to attempt between Katie and I try to explain the wishes of what they're doing. Um, Katie, would you like to start or would you like me to start?

Go ahead.

Okay. Um the email that uh Deb had sent out to us was that she's emailing to voice her continued favor for the recommendation of the LB840 advisory committee that the $10,000 grant from the economic development funds be approved. It will be used to help fund creation of a program to assist local child care businesses in the area creating jobs and additional capacity for child care slots in our community. the Shaton Community Foundation will be will act as a funding pass through if you would be so kind to share uh her thoughts to the council and she just apologized for not being here in person as she's feeling underneath the weather. Um I know the presentations that was brought in here to it. Um I did set through the uh committees when they went through the process. It is a beginning step to help us try to take care of some of the daycare or the child care uh needs that we have in our community. Uh in the hopes of once we have these things rotating through. Um the biggest thing that they're looking at trying to do is helping the process to get these people get through the certifications for it. And that's what these monies are going to be being used for is to help with that process. And they're hoping to try to get four new uh facilities in town that would take at least 10 children per facility. Uh this is part of a bigger group which is the six regions one Nebraska initiative and they've have started doing that throughout the entire state of Nebraska in which so far the last I heard you remember how many they said they've gotten started up it it was over a hundred but through this kind of an initiative to try to get these monies going through to help out through the communities for it and I I don't remember Katie do I don't remember

uh Owen Palm's information. Um if you're familiar with Owen Palm, he was manager at the sugar factory in Scotsluff for a number of years and then he went into Dond Deere dealerships and he actually went into the um the company um I forget the name that they operated under before Bombgards

Merkant over the Merkantil. Yeah. Um but he says they set a goal of achieving 300 new license spots and have already created over 175 new spots. So I assume that's a spot is not a facility but rather a child spot, right? No, I believe it's actually a facility. Okay. is what they're talking about because they wanted to have 300 new ones. And I'm glad you brought up that because I couldn't remember the numbers. And and it looks like this money will go towards a matching grant. Yes.

So, any other questions or comments? I I think that's a good program to uh support. Um I I've been involved with a lot of discussions in our community about child care and and there is a significant lack there um that this I I believe this can begin to uh address. So,

and I think the biggest purpose is they're trying to bring in more of the uh people into these smaller or other communities that are lacking these so that both spouses will have an opportunity to explore their careers as opposed to one possibly having to stay home with the the children until they become of age or or until they feel still feed to let leave them at home. And I I too would like to echo Kevin's remarks about uh child care is needed in Shatter. Um I know being on the hospital board that's that's a thing that a lot of the employees um are looking for. So I'm on

um I wanted to mention um you say what you know what the question always is what are you going to use the money for as noted in Owen's um information. And the money will be used to hire three to four champions, otherwise known as coaches, to help interested parties work through the very frustrating process of getting licensed by DHS. Each successful lency is then granted a $2,500 stipen to help with the cost of starting up a licensed inhome daycare facility. but they don't get the stipen until they are licensed. Our goal is to create 250 new licensed daycare spots across the panhandle. So, yeah, you're right. Tom hit

the number of facilities, not children. So the hour being 6:15, I'll close this public hearing and move on to item D on our agenda. I'll introduce resolution 2026-12 and move for its approval.

I'll second. Motion by Shane, second by Kevin for resolution number 2026-12 is to approve these applications submitted by the Shatin Community Foundation for LB econom LBA40 economic development funds which is in the amount of $10,000 and we explained where the money is will be going for those coaches. Any questions, public or council? If not, could we have roll call, please? Anderson, yes.

Flying, yes. Shepard, yes. Graves, yes. Alexi, yes. Okay, moving on. Item B. I'll introduce resolution 2026-13 and move for its approval. I'll second that. Motion by Mark, second by Shane for resolution number 2026-13, which is to approve the amended federal transit administration title six program for the city of Shadran public transit program. We have Autumn here to answer any questions if you guys have any questions that she can do for you.

Well, in my eagerness to read this stuff, I was reading it this morning and I pages don't have a number, but we tried to create have a creative way of spelling city. It's It's spelled C I Y T in this. Now, that was just some information that we shared with the Department of Transportation and they created this form for us and wanted it to be

Can you come up to the microphone, please? Thank you, Autumn. I believe it was in December or November that the Department of Transportation sent sent out a survey for us to com complete and and they took the the answers from there to um and put in in this new form to start using. Yes. So their spelling errors are theirs. Yeah. And and that'll be corrected then.

Okay. And then there's another one, and it's not really a spelling error, but punctuation in my opinion. They said council members, and they made it all one word. On the second page, and that's about as far as I got.

George, your high school English teacher would be proud. Every teacher in regardless of what the subject was, not just English, spelling had to be right. You would get off counted off in whatever the class was. Okay. Um, any other questions? I think you know we obviously we have to to do it. Um so there's no other questions. Could we have roll call please?

Anderson. Yes. Fine. Yes. Shepard. Yes. Grace. Yes. Alexi. Yes. Thanks Autumn. Thank you. I'll introduce resolution 2026-14 and move for approval. I'll second

motion by Shane, seconded by Clay for resolution 2026-14, which is to approve an application of fur trade days, Inc. for Ace Kino and community development grant funds. Um, the city had budgeted $18,500 uh for ACE Kino applications and the fur trade days is application is for the amount of $5,000.

Kevin, if you want to expound on that since you have inside knowledge. Uh it's 50th year big uh big anniversary for fur trade days and um lot lot of moving parts. So this uh I I think the last five or six years um for trade days has applied for an eastkino grant and that's been uh just very helpful in odds and ends that um may not be supported by a you know a local business sponsor or you know individual donation. Um that's been been helpful with a lot of different pieces of putting on that event each year. Anyone else have any questions?

Looks like you guys in the past have asked for 45 and you're asking for five. So

yeah. Um expecting some increase in cost this year. Um just due to increases in cost. Um but also looking for you know maybe a slightly bigger name in the entertainment um changing a few things. Um some of you might know we're also working on a fairly well a really big project to get a um professionalgrade mobile stage. Um, and that's that's not what this uh money would go towards, but um would definitely help some diminished balance due to to that project, which is about $200,000. So, there are no other questions. Could we have roll call, please?

Anderson, yes. Fine. Yes. Shephard, yes. Yes. Alexi, abstain. Okay. Item G on our agenda. I'll introduce resolution 2026-5 and move for its approval.

I'll second. Motion by Clay, second by Kevin for resolution 2026-15, which is to approve an application of Shattering Community Hospital doing business as Western Community Health Resources for the Ace Kino Community Betterment Grant in the amount of $8,97 96. I don't have anybody from the Western community health resources. Um, these funds are used to purchase pantry supplies for the community essentials pantry in Chadin. The pantry provides hygiene and cleaning products for families who are struggling to make ends meet. Um and of their budgeted for this um the amount from this request is 50% 52% of their budget and they within their I organization I guess they're coming up with the other 48%. So, anyone have any questions? We can pull out of the their application. If not, we have roll call, please.

Anderson, yes. Yes. Shepard, yes. Yes. Alexi, yes. Okay. Item number H on the agenda. Someone care to introduce that? I'll introduce resolution 2026-16 and move for its approval. I'll second that. Motion by Clay, second by Mark for resolution 2026-16, which is to approve the Highway 20 law enforcement interlocal agreement. and Chief Hickstein is here to tell us everything we need to know about it.

Evening, mayor, council members. Uh Rick Hickstein representing the Shatter Police Department located at 125 Main Street here in Shaturn. Um the Highway 20 uh law enforcement interlocal agreements standard. We did it a year ago. We're asking to renew it again this year. Basically, if there's a an emergency in another jurisdiction, they can call us. We would have law enforcement powers there and vice versa. if we needed help here, I could call out resources from them and have them brought here and they would have law enforcement powers as well. Um, as you can see reading through the contract, basically it goes from Wyoming all the way east out to Atinson. Um, it's a really beneficial deal along Highway 20. Uh, we've used it in the past here and there, but thankfully not too often.

So, I would just ask that we approve that again so we have it in place. Have there been any major changes to the agreement? Is it pretty much the same? Same as last year. Have you had to do much of it in the last year or in the last year? I don't recall ever putting it into effect. Really? It's just there in case. Um it's good to be able to get resources for one another when we need them. Be prepared. Be prepared. Okay. Any other questions for the chief? If not, could we have a roll call, please? Anderson, yes. Blind. Yes. Shephard, yes. Grace, yes. Alexi,

yes. Okay. Um, res resolution 2020 6-17 to move for its approval. I'll second motion by Shane, second by Kevin for resolution number 2026-17, which is to approve the plans and specification for the Fourth Street water main replacement project and authorize notice to contractors and biders. We have Tori here.

Tori, if you want to tell us what you're doing and why. Uh Tory Zoover, utilities department, uh 1590 South Maple. Um so basically, we're looking at this project to kind of complete what we've started in the past when Tom was up there from Maine to King. And then we're looking to do also second to Maple. And then this will be that last piece right there in that corner that we're looking to upgrade for new water mane that we've had issues with in the past on both those blocks. So we're looking to just upgrade that and that complete that circle pretty much right there.

And it'll be 6 in instead of eight, but just with the amount of there's not that many service lines on that. So we opted to try and go 6 in instead of eight. Just no need for the eight. What's there now? And how old is it? Uh there's 6 in on part of it and then it goes to 4 inch about probably midway. So all all of it will be 6 in then. Hey. Yes. Yep. Yep. So and age wise you're probably looking I'm guessing probably 80 years old. So it's time.

But uh yeah that's kind of where we're going with it. Um, any other questions? This is on Fourth Street to Maine from So, it' be from King Street. We'd be adding on where Eddie Bender left off here about three years ago. Yeah. Yep. And then, so from that point, we'll tie in right there and then move clear down. It'll be 6 inch clear down to uh An Street on Yep. Any other questions?

Thanks. I hope we get good bids. Um, I guess we have the right to reject them if they're not. So, could we have a roll call, please, on the resolution? Anderson, yes. Yes. Shepard. Yes, Grace. Yes, Alexi. Yes. Okay. Council, open discussion about the discussion on the sidewalk improvement grant that the city has had for at least three years now. Longer than that, I think. Longer than that. I

think we're closer to five. So this grant is to enable homeowners. Um it's not been extended to rental property as I understand. Now Janet normally gives this talk for it. So

to improve sidewalks on their property. There have been a number of them. Probably the most visible one for a lot of people would be on 10th Street um going west and between Shatron Avenue and Morehead. So, but last year we allocated $30,000 Six grants from the public were 20 $10,270.58. And then in addition, the city replaced curb and gutter second and King Street and bring up total cost to $21,270.58. And Janet stated that she's had three inquiries about grants from homeowners for 2026.

I know I've had one or two inquiries about it in the last couple months. I think it's a good idea to help uh encourage people to keep their sidewalks updated with a little help. I would agree. And it does not go to rental properties. No, you have to be homeowner of the property. So if the homeowner of a rental wants to do it. No. No. It has to be a home homeowner occupied. Occupied. Yep.

And I think Tom's uh done some good use with the other money that's been left over. And that's just it. We try to do some other things. We did like second in Bordeaux over here and last year they did second in King Street. They've got a couple more of those things just to help out with the ADA approaches and doing some of those things that are well used down in our areas down in this area right at the moment. So, so why don't we open that up to the rental propert because Shatter is what almost 50% rental properties I think. I don't remember what the exact number was, but

the way I was told was that it was always set up that way, but obviously the council can change whatever they would like to do if uh if they would like to open it up more, just open it up a little more to rental properties. I think maybe the thought was that the rental property is a money generating uh for the property owner and so since it's making money for them that they could pay for their own sidewalk. I think was that kind of the thought process?

I believe that's the way I understood it being opened up as that. But like I said, the council can change whatever they want or we can change the criteria. I just know that Janet when she was talking to me a little bit about this, she apologizes for not being around, but she had a a family issue going on that she needed to attend. Um, but she uh asked that we'd open this up as soon as possible so that they can get the contractor set up and we want to close by September 1st. That allows us to get our financials and everything taken care of by September 30th to end our fiscal year. Now Clay, if you're interested in doing something like that, um, we can definitely look at it. It it would be a question too is if you do open it up, would you stay with the same criteria that we have currently? If you guys do decide to open up for rentals or anything else or whatever differences we we would have, um I would suggest maybe not doing it this year, but if you have some suggestions that you'd like to have that we could have that prepared so that the council can review and go from there.

I'll I'll look into it a little bit more and Okay. Maybe just let us know and if there's something else that would be like to be opened up more but more interested look at anything. We looking to allocate the same dollar amount as last year. 30,000 was put into the budget itself so that it would be a available for the for the homeowners and it has been well received throughout the community. I mean it was six of them last year. That was a good thing. I think is one of the higher numbers that we've had. Maybe if you did change it, you could set it up on a criteria where

and I think that's that would be the fair thing. I mean, just like Mark was saying when when it was initially set up, I believe in the same thing as what it was is so it is helping out the homeowners, but if the renters and right now I think we're at a 5050 on that. Is that correct, Katie? on that I think. I believe so.

And so depending on what it is up to a certain dollar amount, but if the renters if you wanted to turn it open for more renters housing capabilities, maybe change the criteria to maybe something a little different. I I don't know. It's just whatever the council would like us to investigate and see how it would be. But it might be good to hear from the some of the landlords that have and to see how much interest there is out there. Okay. So after that discussion, anyone care to make a motion about if we're going to do it and how much? And

I'll I'll move I'll make a motion that we continue it at the 30,000 rate. Um just like last year.

I'll second. Okay. Motion by Shane, second by Clay to continue the program in the amount of $30,000 with the same criteria that had been used in the past. And I assume that if we don't have applications from homeowners for that amount, we look at some maybe city projects that we need to upgrade. Hey, could we have roll call, please? Anderson, yes. Yes. Shepard, yes. Yes.

Alexi,

yes. Okay. Item number K, ordinance number 1444 before is before the council for its first reading. Please read ordinance number 1444 by title. An ordinance to amend chapter 16 traffic regulations article one enforcement of the municipal code of the city of shatter Nebraska to repeal section 16-106 garage owner report damaged vehicles to reumber section 16-107 to6-106 truck routes to renumber and amend section 16-108 to6-107 official emergency vehicles exempt to number and amend section 16-109 to 16-108 emergency vehicle right away for to number and amend section 16-10 to 16-109 emergency vehicle government vehicles to number section 16-11 to 16-110 emergency regulations article two operation of Municipal Code of the City of Shatter, Nebraska to amend section 16-204 operator's duty accident to amend section 16-207 muffler to amend section 16-209 209 operation required equipment article 3 parking of the municipal code of the city of Shaturn, Nebraska to enact section 16-334 handicapped or disable parking to number section 16-336

to 16-335 violation penalty article 4 rules of the road of the municipal code of the city of Shatter Nebraska to amend section 16-48 slowmoving vehicles operation passing and meeting to amend section 16-419 allterrain and utility vehicles to enact section 16-420 golf cars and low-speed vehicles article 7 bicycles of the municipal code of the city of Shatter Nebraska to repeal section 16-71 license required to remember section 16-72 to 16-71 license issued inspection fee to remember Section 16-73 to6-72 traffic regulations apply to number section 16-74 to 16-73 parental duties child less than 16 to number 16 to remember section 16-75 to6-704 writing regulations and to repeal subsections 12 and 13 of writing regulations to remember section 16-706 to 16-75 violation penalty. Article 8, skateboards, roller skates, and scooters. To repeal section 16-82, prohibition of use on sidewalks within certain areas. To re number section 16-83 to 16-82, violation penalty. To repeal ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict therewith to provide for publication in

pamphlet form and prescribing the time when this ordinance shall be in full force in effect. It's a long one. Okay, discussion time. Chief, you're the guy that deals with traffic. So, I assume that you have a vested interest in some of this stuff.

Yes, sir. Uh Rick Hickstein, Shatter Police Department, 125 Main Street up here again this evening. Um Katie has gone through and updated basically updated from state statute this set of ordinances. That is where these are derived. I believe the city attorney, Adam Edmonds, has also reviewed this document. I've reviewed it. I still have a few questions uh within the document itself, but I think that's why we're putting it out to first reading so we can get it out there to the public, get it published, and start fielding some comments. Um things like the ATV UTV ordinance, there's a right now you see them up and down Highway 20 and 385. This ordinance and the changes that are in with in it right now would ban them from 20 and 385, which I think could be interesting with our public. Um, we're adding slowmoving vehicles um to the ordinance which is allowed by state statute. So, that'll be interesting. That would include golf carts with a prohibition of them being on Highway 20 and 385. With the golf carts, I would prefer not to see them on Highway 20 or 385 due to the speed of the vehicles and the torque that they don't have to get away from semis and vehicles like that. So, those are just some of the issues within. Um, the one other comment I would have to say is about bicycles. Uh, I think during our workshop I posed the question as to do we want bicycles downtown on the sidewalks or do we want them in the street because it's very hard to enforce. Um, when you got little kids riding bicycles on the sidewalk, it's hard to have them go up theund 100, 200, 300 blocks with the slant parking that we have. It becomes a it becomes a hazard. So, I think that's a question we're going to have to field as a community and decide what we want to do.

That's where I'm at. As as proposed right now, we would be removing that restriction. That is correct. After doing some thinking, we had a gentleman uh a couple years ago come to council and request this. And after watching it, trying to enforce it, I brought it to our attention during the workshop because it is very hard to enforce when you think about little 5-year-olds, 8-year-olds riding their bicycle. Where do you really want them? So, I think we we need to answer that question as a community. I

I think it's universal and I hope so. You know, you have a young kid riding his bicycle down the sidewalk and you think that's okay. On the other hand, if you got an adult who's trying to set the the record of getting from the south end of town to the north end of town, that ought to be on the street instead of going past my door where I'm stepping out and in danger of being hit by them. I would agree with you, mayor. But sometimes our ordinances aren't just clear-cut, black and white, and common sense isn't always written. So well I think there's some language in there saying in a safe manner as well. So correct what George was

but it's something we can clarify I think to at least make it more manageable from an enforcement standpoint so we can actually police it as you as the community would like us to instead of us going back and forth on it as a community. So on the I got a question on the all-terrain vehicles and slow moving. Is it illegal statewide to be even on Highway 20 or 385? Is there a state highway? And I mean technically there are street town, but there is So you're talking about highway 20 and highway 385. That's what I'm familiar with around here outside of the city limits. So state statute allows the city to accept it or not accept it.

Right now, as our ordinance is written, they're allowed on Highway 20 and 385. There's been a lot of debate since the ordinance got enacted about that, but in consultation with our city attorney, it has been deemed that is it is allowable the way it's written. outside of the city limits. When I talk to other jurisdictions like the Nebraska State Patrol or county officials, they don't even bother with it. That's what I'm being told. Again, not my agency, so I don't control what they do or do not do. I can only speak on behalf of the Sher Police Department. And and the way these are written is now all train vehicles would be allowed and in the slowm moving would not be on the

the way this is this document is being presented tonight. None of them would be allowed on either highway within the city limits of Shatter except so except across except degree. Yeah, correct. For snow removal

and for snow rem removal. The state of Nebraska. Thank you, Katie. The state of Nebraska did enact an LB last year that that made it so ATVs, UTVs can be used for clearing snow all hours of the day. And I I think Rick is really stressing the safety issues more than anything. Um even though we we have most people do follow the speeding limits and everything else, it is Rick is right. There's some of our ATVs and that don't have the torque to get out in front of people and stay out in front of them properly.

I will clarify ATV UTV. I'm going to leave to the council and the citizens to decide what they want. My advocation right now is the golf carts, slowmoving vehicles on Highway 20. That really concerns me uh because they do not have the torque to go up and down east and west on Highway 20 uh to compete against semi-truckss and the vehicles that are on the roadway. I just think that's a safety concern. And then there's also age limits in here too. Correct. 16 year olds are going to be the ones that are going to be allowed to be able to do that. I think I read class O operator's license and farm permits was allowable as well by statute.

I guess I don't mind the ATVs and on the highways by def I agree with you with the just the golf carts and stuff like that. And that's why I was clarifying I'm with the golf carts highway 23 to five I would be no for my in my opinion doesn't make me right. That's just an opinion I have as a who I am and as a law enforcement officer for the city. ATV UTV I'll leave to the discretion of the council and the public. Well, that's why we have the first reading putting it out there for for discussions to take place.

We have our homework to read through this. And all and all those all those slow moving vehicles, they still have to have a class O license by order. Yes. Right. Okay. And insurance. And insurance. Yeah. Which if we ask for it, they have five days to supply to us. Right. Any other Any further questions on all this?

It's a lot. I'd read it two or three times. I still need to read it again. I've read it multiple times. So, the the way it's presented right now, and I'm just going to throw this out for conversation, the ATVs and UTVs or any of the vehicles that are going to be out on these roads for any of that stuff, we're not requiring them to put on turn signals or any of those kind of things, too. Correct. Uh headlight, tail light on the ordinance spells it out. Um Yeah. So, yeah, there are there are requirements within the ordinance. I would encourage everybody to read through. Yeah. And everything's a little different. And those that don't have that kind of equipment, they're still allowed to use the hand signals acceptable.

Hand signals are legal in the state of Nebraska, even in a moving vehicle. So,

yep. Thank you. And if the general public would like to view this specific ordinance, it's going to be on um we can provide it down here at city hall for anybody that wants to. They can either communicate with us via phone, we can email it to them and or um have hard copies too as well. They would like to see those kind of things. Anything that we can do to get the information out to the public? and Katie, we said we have to do we don't have to do this in three readings. If it needs fourth reading or whatever, we want to do it right. So,

at least this gets the ball. Yep. And and I got to admit Katie and Rick and Adam done a lot of work on this. Katie did majority of the weightlifting on it and uh there's a lot of research that she had to do and a lot of things on it. So, I commend uh Katie for what she did on this. This is a huge undertaking, but I know that she was a lot stress. The last time I looked at this, there was way less red text. So, you've Yeah, you've done a lot.

Well, a lot of it, too, is we're updating our code book, too. And so our codifiers have put in more information that state statutes say they recommend that we update. So good example of that is handicap parking. We don't have a city ordinance for handicap parking right now. And luckily they caught it. Katie caught it, added it in. It is something we probably should have in our ordinance. It outlines how it's going to be signed, how it's going to be painted, and allows us the authority to write something under city ordinance instead of state statute. So it was a good catch. I was going to say there's still state statute. There's always been a state statute. Yeah. This just mirrors it and and gives the city a little more. I can write a city ticket instead of a county ticket or a state ticket.

A lot of updates like that within this document.

Okay. Anyone have any other comments they want to make now or wait until the second reading? Look forward to it. Thank you. Thank you. I would encourage though that if council has any questions or anything that they would like to add to please communicate that with Katie so that we can get those changes done throughout the the process and maybe help keep it moving in the right direction. Correct, Katie? Yeah. Sooner the better. So,

okay. Ordinance number 1444 has been read by title on its first reading. The second reading of ordinance 1444 will be on February 16th, 2026. And I'll move on to item L on the agenda and make a motion to approve the claims as presented. I'll second.

Motion by me, second by Kevin. Um Kevin, in regard to your comment about the stage, there is a payment here and I believe this I'm 99.9% sure it relates to this stage that you were talking about that we applied for a grant some time ago and I don't have the exact dollar amount. It was roughly half um I think it was just shy of a 100,000 and that includes some paperwork amounts of the grant and you had a claim in here for 875 to

Yeah, that's that's the specific um piece of that grant that the the creative district applied for.

Um but that that amount is earmarked for for trade days. and they we asked for that dispersement at this time um because they so the board was able to make a down payment on the stage. Um and at that time the company producing it said that there was no way they would deliver it um by this year's fur trade days. Um but we made that down payment and got our foot in the door anyway. Um, and they actually had a cancellation, so it looks like we may um we may have it by end of April. Um, so it could be used for for trade days this year.

So, was was some of that money from uh Daw County to travel board or um some this this money is through the creative district um and and their grant process, but there is we have um a separate application with the travel board. And that stage will be used not just for for trade days but like bands on Bordeaux and

yeah the the intention is to make it available um for the community. Um so yeah definitely bands on Bordeaux and we're talking some partnership with them um and then also in in the works with um the college as well um to use this for their use of the stage for a period of time after we acquire it. Okay. Anyone have any other questions about any of the claims? If not, could we have roll call, please? Anderson, yes. Yes. Shepard, yes. Grace,

yes. Alexi, now do I uh abstain from that single line item or I don't think Well, I don't think you're gaining anything. Yeah. I mean, yeah, it's not for me, right? Okay. First one. Yes.

Anyone wishing to address the council in a matter not on this agenda may now do so. Individuals are allowed a total of three minutes to speak. two young kids, you don't want to get up and tell what a great teacher that sent you to this class. It gets you a lot of points. You got plent plenty of points, huh? Okay. Appears that we have no takers. So, city manager report.

Thank you, mayor. I just got a couple quick things that I just want to mention as we're dealing with a few uh questions with a little bit of snow that we've received so far. Um city's procedure is to start moving snow between two and four inches when it's falling down as far as the streets grow or if we are anticipating more of that through the weather channel or through the weather predictions on those things or if there's potentials for snow drifting or causing any other issues. uh sand trucks will go out and that's based off of discretions from the police department to the actual uh street department going out and checking uh how it's all working for all those things too as well. um with our new uh position of the community service uh officer. Uh he is also compiling uh names and list of people that actually do snow removal. Uh helps out with any kind of brush removal or tree trimmings or anything else that they would like to have their names put on the list that we will give to the general public for assistance when when we're trying to do those things. I would encourage them to uh send that information to the c uh the city hall so that we have that list available um as citizens are requesting it. Uh and one thing that we were stressing is is that we're taking the list. We're not recommending it as as far as the city, but it's a list. If somebody's asking, you know, do you have any names that we can ask for uh cutting trees or if it's snow removal or anything else, it is just a list to help our citizens have that. Sometimes they don't always have the contacts that are necessary. So, it's important that we have that list for them. And then the the last thing I just wanted to point out is the um what Mike is doing uh for the community is is

that he's periodically going uh through the entire town going through it and now he's starting to go back and seeing some of the things that he's missed or things that needs to be taken and trimmed up. Obviously with the weather, um it all depends on weather and I just want to stress to the council and to the public um if there's concerns about anything that if Mike sends you a letter on on any of these things, just please contact him and communicate with him so that it's clear as far as what's going on. Um the communications is as a key for all of these things. It's uh just allows us to know that things are being followed through and all that all those items. And then as uh with the prediction of some snow here in the next couple weeks that are possibly coming up, please help us out with the snow removal processes and and keep vehicles off streets until we get trucks around and and people around through those things. So, and if council has any questions on any of that or if the general public has any questions, please contact myself or anyone down here at city hall and we'll we'll assist them in anything that we just talked about. And that's all I have for you tonight, mayor. Thank you.

Council closing comments. We'll start with Clay.

Uh I just want to congratulate all the swimmers at the that participated at the swim meet over the weekend. looked like it was another excellent swim meet. Uh it's really nice to h for the kids to have this opportunity to be a part of a swim team. Uh and just being able to learn how to swim and be better at that and a different activity other than the standard sports that they might not be in be into. Congratulations to all those and can't wait for next year. Okay. Well, couple things going on in the community that were probably not pleasant to hear. Um, Pizza Hut, which is a long time business here in Chadin close their doors and I'm know everyone knows that. and the news from the hospital that they would be discontinuing the dialysis, which is kind of hard to digest, but I'm sure it's um warranted and hopefully the individuals who need that will be able to to make arrangements to get taken care of. Um um just wanted maybe to in this kind of a slow time there's plenty work to do within the city itself and planning for the probably the more constru for the summer session of keeping the city looking good. Um, but wanted to thank Tom and Katie and all the city employees. And then happy Valentine's Day on the 14th. So,

all right. Um, I'd just like to thank uh Renee Noble for uh I didn't realize how much the FBLA does for the community in Chadron and her tenure with the FBA. Um, and then I'd like to I didn't realize that Chief Chief uh Vastine was here 50 years ago uh last week I believe, right? Um anyway, he uh he was here uh I think what 40 you worked here what 30 37 years like somewhere around there. Yeah. Yeah. Anyway, um, thank him for his service. And then I'm gonna make a note because George be happy that I'm not going to drink bottled water anymore. Going to drink our uh our water from uh our tap water that Tori works hard to purify from now on. So, go ahead. Well, uh, as George said, there's a lot of things that going on in the community, and so I been thinking about them, and I I prepared just a little some some thoughts that I wrote down, and I thought I would, uh, share those. Um, as a city councilman and community member, I want to speak plainly about a trend that could should concern everyone. Over the past several years, months, weeks, Shatter has lost critical businesses and essential services. Safeway, Pizza Hut, dialysis services, RSVP, lab service, and mental health care. These are not just storefronts or line items. These losses affect our seniors, our families, our workforce, our students, and our most vulnerable neighbors. They impact quality of life, economic stability, and ultimately whether people choose to stay in or move

away from our community. Not no single entity caused this, and no single entity can fix it alone. If Shatter is going to stop the erosion of services and begin rebuilding the city rebuilding the city, MBDC, Daw County, Shaton State College, Shatter Community Hospital, local businesses, and the community as a whole must work together intentionally, transparently, and proactively. We cannot afford silos. We cannot afford to react after decisions already made. We need to we need shared planning, early communication and collective commitment to protecting essential services, supporting local businesses before they reach a breaking point. This is about this is more than about economics is about community health, access to care, workforce retention and the future of SAD itself. I believe SAD has the people, the institutions and the heart to reverse this trend. But it will require collaboration, accountability, and willingness to sit at the same table with a shared goal. Keeping Shatter strong, viable, and whole for generations to come. The time to work together is now, not after the service. is is gone. So I don't know what that would look like, but we have a lot of entities in town uh NNDC, NBDC from the college. Uh I I just I just feel that uh there needs to be more collaboration to to head off some of these things before they get to uh the point where they go away. That's all I have. Wow, Mark. Um, I I didn't write such eloquent remarks as Mark has, but uh I kind of the same thing. I just wanted to echo, you know, Shadron is uh is not a a grocery store. It's not a pizza place.

Um, I'm sorry to hear that it may not be a dialysis uh facility, but uh, you know, Shadron is people and uh, we we've got to work together to um, take care of each other, to provide for each other. Um, and you know, piece of the trend that I'm seeing is uh, these are frequently larger corporations or larger entities outside of of our community. um that are making the decisions. You know, in the case of of Safeway, that's that's a call by Albertson's, their parent company. Um we don't know the details of Pizza Hut, but that is that is a national franchise, a national chain. Um so I I don't think it's folks in our community doing or not doing something um that is causing, you know, these these businesses to close. Um but I I do think it's it's important to recognize the actions of of all of us, you know, folks in this community um can counteract that. Um can support businesses with local control, local owners, um try to to foster an environment where maybe we can see um some smaller local businesses replacing um these these things that we're we're missing right now. That's all I got. Make a motion we adjourn.

I'll second that. Motion by me, second by Shane. And we have roll call, please. Anderson, yes. Yes. Shepard, yes. Graves, yes. Alexi, yes. Tom. Mhm. So