NEBRASKA CITY – City commissioners tabled discussion Monday on Karen Stigge and the Clarence Ramold family’s request to cross the old landfill site to get to their five-acre property along Walnut Creek and 22 acres further north to the Missouri River.

The family contends they traditionally crossed the old landfill land until the city leased it out for hunting. Lease holder Justin Walters of Nebraska City told commissioners he has called law enforcement due to trespassers and there was a lawsuit naming the city regarding access to the Stigge land from the Missouri River.

Mayor Bryan Bequette said a fence could be erected to identify the 20-foot path over the 320 feet of the city ground.

Pat Christiansen of Nebraska City said ATV traffic over a narrow, fragile and steep portion of Walnut Creek could cause the capped landfill ground to leech into Walnut Creek.

John Roddy, who owns land along F Road west of the Stigge property, said access from the west is not permissible by federal wetlands authority and not practical because of terrain.

Stigge said whatever river access there may be, it is lost during the winter months.

Construction and Facilities Manager Marty Stovall said he has been working on a draft for an easement to see if the city council would consider it before anyone had to pay the cost of a survey.

Walters is leasing the 121-acre parcel for $1,500 a year. The lease is expected to go to bids when it is renewed.

At an earlier meeting, Walters said the unplanned and unannounced presence of people on hunting ground poses safety concerns.