NEBRASKA CITY – City commissioners agreed to an extension of the hunting lease on river bottom land north of Nebraska City that has preceded civil and criminal cases in the courts.

At its meeting Monday, commissioners agreed to extend the lease two years. Mayor Bryan Bequette suggested that the lease might go to public bidding at that time.

In other action, the city approved Blue Rivers Transportation parking of buses at the parks shop property for one year.

Bobbie Lechner told commissioners that four buses had been parked in a downtown lot, but the space will be used for car sales when construction of a third lane begins on south 11th Street.

Parks Commissioner Patrick Wehling asked that the agreement be changed from three years to one year. He said he does not want the city to be in position to provide permanent parking space for any private entity.

 

Justin Walters of Syracuse requested a three-year extension of the hunting lease at Monday's meeting. The city granted a two-year extension.

Walters and Mayor Bryan Bequette noted legal expenses defending the lease after it was granted three years ago.

The 121-acre plot includes Walnut Creek’s confluence with the Missouri River.

In August of 2021, Karen Stigge filed a lawsuit alleging that adjacent landowners were denying her access to her property. The lawsuit included Nebraska City and the land it leased to Walters for 34 months in October of 2020.

Stigge claims that after years of using a private driveway to access the land, the landowners are now denying permission and keeping her from the property. She requested the city grant permission to cross its land to access her property.

Defense attorneys say the Stigge property is adjacent to the Missouri River, so it is not landlocked. They say access can be gained by the river. The court listed that land is landlocked in its statement of facts.

In March of 2022, the court dismissed the city and Walters as a defendant in the case.

https://sandhillsexpress.com/uncategorized/family-asks-for-access-to-land-across-nebraska-city-hunting-lease-ncnidstory43930251/