NEBRASKA CITY - The Nebraska City City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on April 7.

The agenda includes the utilities financial report, removing free recycling drop-off, Arbor Day 2025 and a grant applications to benefit the sport complex and Kearney Hill Park fort.

Mayor Bryan Bequette is scheduled to swear in police officers Nathan Miles and Brendan Whitted and introduce Andrew Wesley as a volunteer firefighter.

He will also introduce Joe Grubbs as the paramedic manager after the resignation of Frederick Usoltseff.

Utility Manager Jeff Kohrs has received NMPP’s Bob Arraj Service Award.

The mayor will proclaim electric workers day and national volunteer week.

Bids for the Fifth Rue repurpose project and construction management services for the project are also on the agenda.

Here is portions of the published consent agenda:

  1. Approve the Kearney Hill Fort and Park Enhancements Request and permission to apply for grant funding.
  2. Approve the request from Keep Nebraska City Beautiful for the use of the ROWE Complex Parking Lot on Saturday April 12, 2025 from 9:00am to 12:00pm for an Electronics Recycling Event.
  3. Approve the request from Keep Nebraska City Beautiful to use of the Sunken Parking lot on Tuesday April 22, 2025 from 2:30pm to 6:30pm for the City-Wide Cleanup Event.
  4. Approve the use of 9 picnic tables for the Jaycees Fly-In Breakfast to be held at the Nebraska City Airport on Sunday April 27th 2025.
  5. Approve the Nebraska City Jaycees Road Block Fundraising event on June 7, 2025 from 9:00am to 1:00pm for the fireworks show.
  6. Approve that the waiving the sidewalk permit requirements during the 2025 Arbor Day weekend, Summer Sidewalk Sales weekend, Farm-to-Fork Event and Applejack Festival days, noting that a minimum of five (5) feet of clear walk way zone shall still be maintained in the C-2, Central Business District.

The council will considering renewing a lease to Pam Maybee and Sheila Neeman for a parcel of riverfront property for three years.

Park grants

City Administrator Perry Mader is seeking council permission to apply for a $1.2 million grant through Nebraska Game and Parks with a $600,000 city match.

Rex Nelson of The Kearney Hill Neighbors requests permission to apply for a grant for enhancements to the Kearney Hill Park fort. Nelson said a commercial grade telescope viewer is proposed, as well as educational signage about the history of Kearney Hill and the key features seen when viewing the valley from the fort.

NMPP awards Jeff Kohrs

Nebraska Municipal Power Pool awarded Nebraska City Utilities Manager Jeff Kohrs its Bob Arraj Service Award at an energy conference March 19.

 

In the award presentation, Kohrs was described as a tremendous asset to the Nebraska City community, working at the city utility for 41 years. He has been general manager since 2018.

Kohrs also served 37 years as a member of the Nebraska City Volunteer Fire Department, including 12 years as a captain and secretary for 15 years.

He announced his retirement from the utilities in August of 2025. As part of the award, Kohrs will receive $350 to be designated to the local project or program of his choice.

 

Arbor Day 2025

The theme for this year’s Arbor Day celebration, April 25-27, is “Arbor Day- The Tradition Continues.”  

This year’s honorees are Dennis and Carol Marshal and this year’s tree planter of the year is Rob Schreiner.

The Gingko tree on Second Avenue, which is in the front yard of Ricardo and Lacey Garcia, is the prestigious tree of the year.

Tree Planter and Arbor Day honorees tree planting is scheduled Friday, April 25. A tree row will be planted in their honor on the west and south sides of the upper parking lot in  Steinhart Park. A reception is planned at the Old Stone Cabin.