City Council - Regular Meeting

The Columbus City Council meeting for November 17th, 2025 will now come to order. In compliance with the Open Meeting Act, a current copy of this act is posted in this meeting room. Madame Clerk, would you please call roll? Bley here. Olone here. Bar here. He here. Jablonsky here. Lopez. Pinsky here. Roth here. Schilling here. Mayor Bowley, the role has been called. Thank you, council president.

Our father, thank you for the opportunity to serve our fellow citizens. Please give us your wisdom and guidance to make the proper decisions entrusted to this governmental body. May our conduct show respect, honor, and courtesy to each other as well as to all our citizens. Amen. Oh, say can you see by the dawn early light, what so proudly we held at the twilight last gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright stars Stars through the perilous flight over ramp parts we watched were so gallently streaming. And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star spangled banner yet way. Oh, the land of the free.

and the poem of the brave.

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 just for all. Good evening. I welcome everyone to tonight's council meeting. If at any time during our council meeting this evening, anyone in our audience would like to address the council on any items on our agenda, we would invite you to please come forward. We ask for your name, your address, and we ask that you keep your comments to five minutes or less. All right, with that, we'll move on to the consent agenda.

Item four, consent agenda. The following items are considered to be routine by the city council and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no se separate discussion of these items unless a city council member or citizen requests in which event the item will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. Item 4 A, minutes of the November 3rd, 2025 city council meeting. Item 4B, resolution number R25-141, approving and accepting the permanent drainage e easement, excuse me, by Arbback Enterprises LLC. Item 4 C, resolution number R25-142, approving the agency agreement with Nebraska Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics for Federal Aviation Administration grant number 3-31-0019-21-2026 to obtain federal funding assistance for the Columbus Municipal Airport 8 Tanganger Project. This is CIP23-30. Item 4 D, finance department report, and item 4E, payroll and bills on file. Mr. Mayor and council members, is there anything you would like removed from the consent agenda?

Mr. Mayor, I move that the items on the consent agenda be approved as presented. Second. We have a motion and a second to approve. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by I. Those opposed, nay. Motion passes. Brings us up to special presentations. Item 6A, proclamation of thanks for support, presented by the International Association of Firefighters, local number 1575. Not sure who's presenting. We have someone from local 1575 to present. I'm sorry.

I don't see him. I don't see Jojo. I got nothing, Mr. Mayor. Well, we don't either. Okay. That's why we were asking. Okay. If Jojo is if if if somebody gets here, we will move back to that. Is that okay? Can we do that if we need to? Thank you. This is a no. All right. We'll move on then to report reports of city offices. Item 9A, update on the Nebraska Department of Transportation Loop River South Bridges Project. to city engineer Rick Bogus.

So, the contractor is taking advantage of the weather obviously. So, they're doing all the a lot of the concrete pores they can and that's not what that those pores are are like footings for peers and stem walls and things of that nature. Um they're doing some they'll be doing some driving in some cheap piles, things like that coming up. Kind of standard stuff. And then remember it's all on the river right now because they're they're allowed to do that until um I think early in the spring. Uh weather permitting tomorrow they want to uh restripe the center of the of the the uh northbound lanes, you know, the north bridge on the ones the one way on each lane. They're trying to prepare it for winter. So they're trying to do it so it has a more reflectivity for the winter. Uh the state will be coming by in the next couple weeks putting up some vertical panels just kind of getting as much winter ready as they can for that. So they'll be doing that. Um and then um um just a reminder that um the bridge that there that's there today that they see is a temporary bridge and that's for their construction purposes. That's how they access to construct the bridge and at the end of the day when the when the new bridge is done that bridge goes away. Um we had some questions about that. Just wanted to make sure that was clarified. I think I think the other thing that would be good to clarify because a lot of questions come up from the public or a few questions have come up from the public about potential uh you know ice jams and boy there's a lot of pilings in the that temporary bridge what's going to happen. I think it's and I know maybe just explain the the the scenario that's laid out for that. Would you please?

Sure. So the contractor has what's called an emergency action plan and part of that is for um ice and snow and debris removal on that temporary bridge well on the bridges actually. Um so the contractor does have a very vested interest in that. I mean they that temporary bridge and all the equipment sent on it is worth millions of dollars to them. Uh so they it's in their best interest too to make sure that that's clear on that temporary bridge to keep the ice moving or pulling the logs away that might get there. and they have obviously the equipment there. Uh there's also some cameras in placement too, so they'll know when it builds up when they're not there. But they'll be there almost every working day, come when they need to to get that clear because again that's in their vest interest to keep it open as it is in ours as well.

Thank you. I I just think it's important the public know that that has been looked at, has been, you know, addressed with a plan. you know, no plans 100%, but that's a plan that's in place and it's been approved by the state and it actually it was explained to interested parties about four weeks ago at a meeting that was held. So, uh it is something that's being lo, you know, being thought of and hopefully they've got their ducks lined up if needed. All right. Correct. Uh yes, sir. Along that same line, when does the bridge go when does that bridge go away? The temporary bridge.

Yes. um when when the other one is. So what they'll do is they'll they use that bridge to construct it. So as they don't need it from north to south, they'll remove that. That's going to be a little ways off because that that new bridge isn't due to be open until 2027. So it's going to be after that, but they'll move it kind of from north to south backwards as they don't need it anymore to access the new bridge. I was looking for

a date. I don't have a date for you. I don't I don't think they're ready to give that time frame date yet. We just got to see how things are moving, how they want to access the bridge. But again, um you know, they want to get out of there as soon as they can, too, cuz that's money for them as well. So, thank you, Rick. Any other questions regarding All right, we'll move on to new business.

Item 13A, appointment of Jamie Levander as police captain. Council members, with your permission, I wish to submit the the mayor wishes to submit the name of Jamie Levander for appointment to the police captain position at the November 17, 2025 city council meeting. Per council rules, a two-eek waiting period is waved for an appointment of a police captain. The civil service commission certified Miss Levander at their September 22nd, 2025 civil service civil service commission meeting. Throughout her 26 year career in law enforcements forcement, Levander has performed multiple roles including 911 radio dispatcher, community service technician, patrol officer, and criminal investigator where she has been instrumental in invest in investigation of many serious crimes. Her current role as patrol sergeant has allowed her to demonstrate her commitment and leadership skills. She has been a part of the human trafficking task force and internet crimes against children and has applied her specialized knowledge to combat these crimes effectively. Her career reflects a profound commitment to justice and a tireous effort to make a positive impact on her community. Sergeant Levander holds a bachelor degree in human resource management and has completed many advanced leadership trainings. In addition to her police service, she is actively involved in organ organizations such as Columbus Area United Way and Youth Families for Christ and has become a recognized face in the community. Council members, I'd entertain a motion for this appointment.

Motion second. We have a motion and a second to approve. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by I. Those opposed, nay. Motion passes. Jamie, would you please come forward and say hello? Or I should say, Captain Leander, would you please come forward and say hello? Greetings. I thank you all for approving me tonight. I also thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve this community. As as you all serve the community, I feel honored to do so. So, I appreciate your passing me tonight. Thank you. CONGRATULATIONS.

Item 13B, appointment of Tanner Drifers as police sergeant.

Council members, with your permission, again, the mayor wishes to submit the name of Tanner Drifers for appointment to the police sergeant position at the November 17, 2025 city council meeting. Per council rules, a two-eek waiting period is waved for an appointment of a police sergeant. The Civil Service Commission certified Mr. Drifirst at their August 5th, 2025 Civil Service Commission meeting. Officer Drifers was born and raised in the Columbus area, graduating from Columbus High School in 2014. Prior to beginning his law enforcement career, he worked for the Columbus Parks and Rex Department as a seasonal worker. Officer Dry first attended the University of Nebraska Omaha to study criminal justice and emergency management. While living in Omaha, he worked as a security officer with CHI Health, working primarily with adult psychiatric units and juvenile behavioral health facilities. He was hired by the Columbus Police Department in August of 2020. Officer Ders is a certified field training officer, a licensed remote pilot and drone operator, and has recently been been credentialed as a drug recognition expert, a certification that provides a department and committee with an expertise and focus on drug impaired driving enforcement. In officer Drifer's career, he has been awarded the firearms proficiency award from the basic training academy, the award of valor from the city of Columbus in 2022, and nominated the officer of the year. Council members, I'd entertain a motion for this appointment.

So moved. Second. We We have a motion and a second to approve. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by I. Those opposed, nay. We got a vote.

Motion passes. Sergeant Drifus, please come forward and say hello to us. Hello everyone. Uh first I just want to say thank you for the appointment. Um I'm really looking forward to stepping into this new role and uh the new challenges that I'll be facing. Um the team of officers that I get to go be leadership of is um Captain Levanner's team. Uh she's done a good job of preparing them and everything and they're incredible group of officers that will help me kind of transition in this new role. But that's all I got. Thank you. Thank you. CONGRATULATIONS.

Item 13 C, appointment of Joel Pope as police officer. Council members, with your permission, the mayor wishes to name submit the name of Joel Pup for appointment to the police officer position at the November 17, 2025 city council meeting subject to successful completion of all tests and training. Per council rule rules, the two-week waiting period is waved for the appointment of a police officer. The civil service commission certified Mr. Pup at their June 24th 25 meeting. Mr. Pup is is a resident of Columbus, Nebraska, a graduate of Nebraska Christian High School. He has a bachelor's degree in education health science from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Is also certified in CPR, AED, and first aid. He has been employed at the Columbus YMCA as assistant youth coordinator since May of 2024. Mr. Pup will attend the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center and participate in the Columbus Police Department field training program. This is a budgeted position. Council members, uh, I'd entertain a motion for this appointment.

So move. Second. We have a motion. We have a motion and a second to approve. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by I. Those opposed, nay. Motion passes. Officer Pup, would you please come forward? I appreciate the uh approval of me being an officer um and all the other officers as well uh being able to get to know them. Officer Strucker um Captain as well as Drifirst. I congratulate them and I thank you guys very much for the approval.

Congratulations. Item 13D, appointment of Melody Jensen to the Downtown Business Improvement Board to fill the unexpired term of Joe Marx Meer.

Council members, the mayor wishes with your permission to submit the following name for appointment to the business improvement board at the November 17, 2025 city council meeting per city council rules. Melanie Mel Jensen is the owner of Mel Hair Salon located downtown at 1268 27th Avenue, has been a Columbus resident for 10 years. Her journey as a hair stylist and small business owner has been fueled by passion, hard work, and a genuine love for connecting with people. Through her customers and local businesses that make the area come to life, she sees firsthand how special the Columbus community. She believes that by supporting each other, the whole community grows stronger. Melanie is excited to share her positivity, energy, enthusiasm to make help make downtown an even more welcoming and vibrant destination for everyone. She looks forward to supporting local entrepreneurs, helping create events that bring people together, and finding new ways to highlight what makes our city unique. Mel believes downtown is the heart of Columbus and is passionate about ensuring it continues to grow and thi thrive. Uh, council members, I'd entertain a motion for this appointment. So moved.

Second. We have a motion. We have a motion and a second to approve. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by I. Those opposed, nay. Motion passes. Item 13E, application from Cushing Terrell on behalf of Le Les Schwab Group Holdings LLC for preliminary plat of Lewab subdivision northeast corner of 23rd Street and East 11th Avenue. The planning commission recommends approval. Mr. Mayor, I move the preliminary plat subdivision be approved. Second.

We have a motion and a second to approve. Any discussion? Do we have a representative that could explain what uh we is going on? Well, we don't have a representative, but I'm sure our city engineer can. And I say that uh understanding that the representative who was here at our planning and zoning meeting last week for this moving forward came all the way from Montana. And that was a a whole six-minute presentation in front of the council. I think it was okay that he didn't come for this six-minute presentation in front of us. So Rick, would you please just give an update on what this is, please?

Sure. Yeah. Um, that is that is correct. It's not a requirement. We just kind of won the beater if they can. So, um, this is a, uh, a threelop subdivision. Um, Les Schwab is a tire company that's out west that's looking to move here. Um, they purchased this property out in 23rd Street, East 11th Avenue. Um, they plan on doing a U business of theirs on the on one of the lots on the south end. And so this subdivision is a is a roadway with a culde-sac. All the required water, sewer, storm sewer extensions are there and they meet all the requirements of the preliminary plot. Uh do we know what's going on on the other lot yet?

Uh they have two other lots. They don't they this lushab uh coins company is going to own the south two and the the current property owner is going to own the lot three which is on the north side. So we don't have anything for that but um it is a three lot subdivision so it does opened up to make it easier for future development um if somebody's interested. Okay. Thank you. Any further questions? All right. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by I. Those opposed nay. Motion passes.

Item 13F, application from Advanced Engineering Consulting Services on behalf of Meadow Ridge Properties LLC for preliminary plot of Meadow Ridge Properties subdivision, 34th Street, west of 53rd Avenue. The planning commission recommends approval.

Mr. Mr. Mayor move the preliminary plat of Meadow Ridge property subdivision be approved. Second. We have a motion and a second to approve the preliminary plat of Meadow Ridge subdivision. Any discussion? Any comments? Any questions? All right. Seeing none, all those in favor signify by I. Those opposed, nay. Motion passes.

Item 13G, application from Advanced Engineering Consulting Services on behalf of Meadow Ridge Properties LLC for preliminary plat of Meadow Ridge 12th edition and request for a waiver of subdivision regulations for the length of Culdeac to exceed 350 ft. The extension of Greyhawk Place south of 43rd Place. The planning commission recommends approval.

Mr. Mayor, I move preliminary P for Meadow Ridge 12th edition be approved. Second. We have a motion and a second to approve the preliminary plat of Meadow Ridge 12th edition. Any discussion? The only thing I would ask and it was brought up at the planning and zoning and fire chief may want to just comment the extra length of a culde-sac. Uh is that a concern? I mean because to me that's probably one of the only thoughts that it could be a concern. you know, from 350 to 700 foot. No, I don't care enough for that reach. Thank you. Any other comments or questions?

All right, seeing none, all those in favor signify by I. Those opposed, nay.

Motion passes. Item 13H, application from Advanced Engineering Consulting Services on behalf of Shady Lake Development LLC for preliminary plat of Westfield Addition. It's the south side of 23rd Street west of 54th Avenue. The planning commission recommends approval. Mr. Mayor, I move the preliminary PL of Westfield edition be approved. Second. We have a motion and a second to approve the preliminary plaid of Westfield edition. Any discussion?

I noticed that the lot sizes on this particular plat are very large. Uh why why is that? We would ask Mr. Zingman to please uh give us some answers to that.

Good evening, council. John Zingman with Advanced Consulting Engineering Services, 1363 26th Avenue here in Columbus. uh the owner uh wants to have rural residential zoning on that. Rural residential zoning requires lots to be greater than one acre. Uh so this portion of the that I I think there's 40 or 60 acres there total. This subdivision as part of the entire will have larger lots and it'll get more dense as they build out to the east to 48th Avenue.

Thank you. Yes, sir. Any other questions for Mr. Mr. Wingman? He wanted to be up there for more than a minute or two. So, all right, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by I. Those opposed, N.

Motion passes. Item 13 I proposal from Library Furniture International in the amount of $13,937 for additional shelving in the children's library. The full amount to be reimbursed by the Columbus Library Foundation. Mr. Mayor, I move the proposal from Library Furniture International for library shelving be accepted. Second.

We have a motion and a second to accept the quote from Library Furniture International. Any discussion? I just think it's awesome and we just need to highlight as much as we can that the library foundation is paying for this. I just think it's a great thing that they do and continue to support our library in multiple multiple ways and most of the time it's behind the scenes. This is one of those times where we see it and we get to acknowledge it and say thank you. All right, we have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by I. Those opposed, nay. Motion passes.

Item 13J, reallocate $4,020 from CIP26-19 and purchase from Sheiffer Signs Incorporated for new graphic designs on the community service tech and code enforcement vehicles for the police department. Mr. Mayor, I move the reallocation of $4,020 from CIP 2619 and purchase from Chief Signs uh for graphic design on the police department vehicles be approved. Second.

We have a motion and a second for the real approval of the reallocation of funds from CIP 2619. Any discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor signify by I. Those opposed, nay. Motion passes. Item 13K, comments from the mayor and city council members in compliance with the open meetings act. No discussion may be held on this item.

Any comments from council members this evening? I have two comments this evening. First of all, if any of you have not heard, I would like to give my our congratulations to Councilman Schilling for his recent induction into the Baseball Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame. Uh just a great way of acknowledging his involvement, acknowledging his involvement from his years of coaching, volunteering, and just being a part of that of baseball, especially here in Columbus. Thank you, Councilman. Secondly, I just want to let the public know that we are kicking off a communitywide food drive uh actually in coordination with United Way. Uh looking at being kind of maybe a a a helper of that, a a coordinator and a catalyst to help get the word out. We're using uh city facilities as locations for drop offs where uh food items can be brought to the main fire station to Charlie Lewis and to here at the community building. And there's also a spot that Hi is going to have at their service counter. We know that, you know, food insecurity right now is a big deal. Uh you know, I think people might say, well, hey, the shutdown's over, so everything's going to be better. Well, I think more than anything what the shutdown did was highlight the need that's out there in our community. And if there's anything that we can do uh to help uh this might just be one of those little small things. So, um you know, you you you'll see some flyers out. You're going to see some things advertise, you know, some not advertised, but spoken and put out. I was on the radio this morning with with Hope from the United Way, you know, just trying to let the the community know. So there's definitely a need and anything we can do to help would be is going to be greatly appreciated. So all right, thank you for that. We'll move on to

resolutions. Item 14A, resolution R25-143, approving the agreement with Public Consulting Group LLC to provide services related to the ground emergency medical transport reimbursement program. Mr. Mayor, I move resolution number R25-143 be adopted. Second. We have a motion and a second to adopt resolution number R25-143. Any discussion? Questions? Any question? Yes, I do. Okay,

chief. Is this We're reallocating are they simply refiling in protest of every claim or what? Where's this money going to come from all of a sudden when Medicaid doesn't want to pay it to begin with? Why are they going to want to pay it now? This is a federal program um that allows for additional reimbursements from Medicaid to cover additional cost. However, the states have to approve it and that just happened in the last legislative session um here in Nebraska. So, they approved that. Now, we have to go through this process of reporting in order to gain back some of that those funds. When we went through with Public Consulting Group, their estimate was about 75,000 is what they're expecting. uh 10% fee to them. We met Heather, Tara, myself and Mandy met with um we did a whole statewide video conference about this. It is extremely cumbersome. Um so I think the general consensus from the folks that I'm talking to on the fire side is a lot of them are going to do this through PCG the first year to see if it's even worth moving forward with. Um for us, our payer mix is only 10% Medicaid. So if our payer mix was, you know, 50%, we'd be looking at uh substantially more. But as that either increases hopefully or or decreases, that number would change. But this was all this program has been around in the country for a very long time. It just had to be approved by the states, which is where we are now.

Very good. That answers my questions. Any other questions? Seeing none, we have a motion and a second to approve. All those in favor signify by I. Those opposed? Nay. Motion passes. Meeting adjourned. Well, they're not here. I mean,