City holds closed session over 'unapproved sign'

NEBRASKA CITY - The Nebraska City City Council held a closed session Tuesday on an agenda item described as an unapproved sign.

A sign covering the Mayhew Cabin and Museum on Fourth Corso says the park was killed by the city of NC, but city commissioners did not say that was the sign they discussed.

Following the closed session, Mayor Bryan Bequette said city staff had received direction regarding some action, but there were no more specifics.

The Mayhew Cabin with John Brown’s Cave website has posted an article claiming the city of Nebraska City is responsible for the closing of the attraction.

The post came after the withdrawal of a lawyer, who had been working on behalf of Mayhew Cabin & Historic Village without charge, and a district judge dismissed a lawsuit . In an answer to a 2020 complaint, the city denied allegations in regard to flooding associated with a May 27, 2019 rainfall.

The city council denied Mayhew Cabin’s tort claim in September of 2019. The city says it did not use its power of eminent domain regarding the property and has no duty to maintain private property.

The city’s answer says Mayhew Cabin failed to maintain its own drainage.

Mayhew Cabin’s website post says the ravine at the park was dry during the construction of Highway 2 in 1938, so no culvert was built. The complain claims the city increased water drainage with tubing into the ravine from city property.

The post says the city did not maintain a culvert that runs beneath the museum building, so it became clogged.

The post says the city acknowledged responsibility for drainage when it sold property to George Rowe in 1962.

Post: “The Mayhew Cabin Foundation cannot re-open due to significant damage and unsafe conditions, has lost its revenue source, and is facing permanent closure as a result. Without the city removing or updating the drainage on the Mayhew Cabin site to industry standards, there is no point in attempting to repair any damaged structures because flooding and erosion will continue. It is an utter tragedy.

Rather than supporting what was the second most visited museum in Nebraska City, Nebraska City turned its back, refused to take responsibility, and effectively killed an important, unique, and treasured historic site.”