[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6085651,"mediaKeyId","2902564-278caf00a81f91cf050b2d0a8cd437fe","parentId",2902564,"title","Votes at a glance: council approves bookmobile cap, LB 840 update, budget and other routine items","audioSeconds",888,"startMs",1955705,"endMs",2844455,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902564-278caf00a81f91cf050b2d0a8cd437fe&start=1955&end=2844","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902564-278caf00a81f91cf050b2d0a8cd437fe/thumbnail_1955705.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085651/Nebraska/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-bookmobile-cap-LB-840-update-budget-and-other-routine-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085651-cca0c616136633c701fa1b0cef329c7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184868&Signature=bswBpHJczKumx~pkHeRPZxF1IPoz9tUA04sCjp-Y8cUKL3xvXQR0H7nxKB7RNshkTMgyJQoLwg8uizPp5CwZpqG-DAB5aB-Qx~Fqz8MwQooKIoaRTePAhMn8hjwNtBvTdmhquu07Ep2I~~HE~6ByOyE~CXatL-UFma~hQvQN1apNiCor-1wsxPFoSbXu9Op8uViiJfOF50vWTf~i0XVNvIJzfyZj0jVfJk6i3cPTR2ldpiNxNXqnPLd8nCSfBpGfU6eLSQtSlNsdXz-PoW-CdAMkokxy5XLajDxDQMMg1w8FaTM3r2BhCNJYow4EGBfJAcBHwFqcctmgdcWpMWLcuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Sidney, NE","date","2025-04-09T00:28:05.937Z","article","At the meeting the council took several formal votes on routine and policy items.

- Bookmobile replacement funding cap: Motion to authorize up to $47,000 from ACE funds to make up the difference for a replacement bookmobile; motion made and seconded and carried. (See separate article for discussion and public comment.)

- LB 840 plan amendment: Motion to remove the paragraph limiting the portion of LB 840 revenue that could be used for retail trade, consistent with a state legislative amendment; motion carried. (Staff will post the updated plan to the city website.)

- Budget approval: The council moved to approve the budget for the period presented; a motion and second were recorded and the item carried.

- Claims approval: Council reviewed and approved the presented claims after a motion and second.

- Excuse absent member: Early in the meeting a motion to excuse Councilmember Brad was made and seconded and carried.

- Closed session: At the end of the meeting the council moved into closed session for personnel matters after a motion and second.

The meeting transcript records these actions and council members' listed voices during roll calls; specific vote tallies by named member are not consistently recorded in the transcript for every item. Where a mover or seconder was identified in the transcript, that is noted in individual item write-ups elsewhere in the packet.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 4-8-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a package of routine actions including setting a $47,000 ACE fund cap for a bookmobile replacement, updating the LB 840 plan, approving the monthly budget and claims, and moving into closed session for personnel.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, City of Sidney, Cheyenne County, Nebraska","taxId",69877,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6085656,"Organizer asks council for clear, consistent scheduling and light access for youth softball",160,672780,832870,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902564-278caf00a81f91cf050b2d0a8cd437fe&start=672&end=832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902564-278caf00a81f91cf050b2d0a8cd437fe/thumbnail_672780.jpg","/articles/6085656/Nebraska/Organizer-asks-council-for-clear-consistent-scheduling-and-light-access-for-youth-softball","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085656-9139564e2ba62579202a682ea0d5f1e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184868&Signature=l-EQ9aV7rDTmZJgfhr0enO-qLaylvSslYFe9O3lC4QLAsAhLDT9McQGZoDWiPHLmbS61Pgo2Rb1A7qXqCgZBbl7AvzyKeT7l7hVdDjUFeCD4VVHejmTP6salGxT8fI6V-mPj4meCVW8MZ193Fwm1lrkOsiBjMSpXUao6wrxk4m5uuFprJsq9Jh01ftRpDF6IhsbZ8cuIWjK-uYPOz38v3C5nWhDAeT6JlCYZSrGy-w~9CgxbK2rz2pgdsZ2aZmiKz1Y4FgKQiVd6lNO58ovoyhN~5ertADM2FxQAEy~yTNhMEyIU0wKmaD4~G1JrsvE31-mo1IXzdHuwejJvlol6HA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kendall Windholtz, speaking for a new youth softball club, asked the council to grant the program access to city softball fields and consistent communication from the community center on how to reserve fields and lights.

Windholtz said the club would field two teams for players ages 9 through 15 and that the teams plan to play fast-pitch and host home games. \"Our goal is to provide a safe, organized and positive environment for the girls in our community to play, learn and grow through sports,\" Windholtz said.

Council members asked whether the scheduling issue was with the community center. Staff replied that field scheduling is currently managed under an agreement with the community center and that a meeting between the mayor and community center staff was scheduled for the following week to discuss management and access. No formal council action was taken; council members indicated the matter should be discussed with the community center and resolved through that agreement.

Windholtz said transparent, consistent communication would help the club plan fundraisers and tournaments and ensure fair access to lights and field time.","A youth softball organizer told the council the club needs fair, transparent access to city softball fields and use of lights for home games for two teams ages 9 to 15; staff said scheduling is currently managed by the community center and will be discussed with the mayor and community center next week.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":44,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":50,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6085661,"Council approves change to LB 840 economic development plan to broaden retail eligibility",292,2247735,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902564-278caf00a81f91cf050b2d0a8cd437fe&start=1955&end=2247","/articles/6085661/Nebraska/Council-approves-change-to-LB-840-economic-development-plan-to-broaden-retail-eligibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085661-cfa95f3bb6f8dfd772d4729bff867f7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184868&Signature=MguRMldaHx66ahy37wqpykXtXSZaNTUxyUuTF8iM67RQ60XlFXO5iCNdPN8aj3E4hkrhc3-j8i2~gGqosPrzpTF-ECSe4RJnDdLlP4Pit5VaovcA-wjNRr9e78GZiAUPKiMdud445TX7TUj2B1ovfMyiDLOaw07ZZAjhng-olZHt-rBDJfyaiieiV5vrL4Edi4evr2~BD4rvTR8GeXQCAxklEwrDPU1xcsCSIkXUl0ABjhaEQlEgSEDWU-aiVCtWM2XSLhRMJs4jZBQNVixKELoP~Wj1fqyZidSTV3uAj6yrvtINfR~8HR7enBsINK~C4kTEyVOByit2dU-0H1apIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved an amendment to Sydney's LB 840 economic development plan to remove a provision that restricted the portion of LB 840 revenue that could be used for retail trade. The change follows a recent state legislative amendment.

Brandy Stone, city counsel and economic development staff, summarized the item and the legal background: the city's LB 840 plan has been voter-approved and revised multiple times, first in 1997 and then in 2007 and 2017, with a special election in 2018 to allow expanded uses. Stone said the Nebraska Legislature passed a bill (identified in the presentation as LB 289) amending the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act and expanding the definition of qualifying businesses to include larger retail chains.

Stone recommended striking the paragraph in the local LB 840 plan that had capped retail trade at a specified share of LB 840 revenue, explaining the change \"broadens eligibility for businesses seeking economic development funds\" and removes the prior restriction on retail-sector development.

Council members asked whether the restriction had prevented past awards; council staff said it had come up in limited instances. Staff also said that proposed projects would still be reviewed by the Economic Development Advisory Committee and the council.

A motion to approve the change carried. Staff said they would update the city website with the revised plan before the end of the week.","The council approved a change to the city's LB 840 economic development plan to remove previously stated caps on retail-sector use of LB 840 revenue, following a state law amendment.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6085666,"Sandhills Energy: state inspection pending; soft energization planned for Sydney solar site",345,850860,1196695,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902564-278caf00a81f91cf050b2d0a8cd437fe&start=850&end=1196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902564-278caf00a81f91cf050b2d0a8cd437fe/thumbnail_850860.jpg","/articles/6085666/Nebraska/Sandhills-Energy-state-inspection-pending-soft-energization-planned-for-Sydney-solar-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085666-7ac383b51924c4737dc8ed9129a49487/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184868&Signature=Vw8z5X30GD53Wghaq5aQnIGKysGDKIEIXXyA3HoT8GjHQZEN3r~W9yFbUwDVkKROVqXRuyERdcXG-mbPJglnuDP4qVeNOKtT5XIdPzAZQbu3fuuE141LdGJxGvge89nYkD5mLGCBbbYeLMYcv2howCvv8aqp8PtdKpT9Jr8R1heYX1Gt8OTbUbr9Ly9ALJnjebfuCFMoQAridvtolUQdusHhsT7uFTzl5I9Pp4G2QUqZIfVqCEUTazaQBB42hHjQhMQBX9-B0MuSn0o0B-frU8MmJ4-YzwdfOv4thWLC02j23qsO-1b9IJdPCFdP2A6d3cyq9nmBUQ2jtZ8V5KyvAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sandhills Energy told the Sydney City Council that the solar array north of town is at the final stages of commissioning and is awaiting a state electrical inspection before a planned soft energization.

\"We are waiting on our state electrical inspection that happened today,\" Kyle Gorsuch, director of operations and maintenance for Sandhills Energy, said. He said the company expects a state inspection sticker within days and is aiming for a soft energization \"towards the end of next week,\" followed by verification with the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) and other interconnection steps before the site produces power.

Gorsuch said Sandhills has stationed a three-person O&M team in Sydney and is negotiating a long-term lease for nearby warehouse space to support operations. The firm has conducted on-site training sessions with the volunteer fire department and EMS to familiarize first responders with photovoltaic-specific risks.

\"Our O and M team is fully staffed up in Sydney,\" Gorsuch said. \"We have 3 full time technicians, including myself.\" He added the firm has completed required switch installations and will perform a punch-list and tracker control verifications after inspection.

Gorsuch encouraged residents to view the site and said project partners will work with the city to issue a permission-to-operate letter after the inspection and verifications. He said billing to off-takers would begin only after full energization and verification.

No formal council action was taken; Gorsuch's presentation was an update to keep the city and public informed as the project completes commissioning steps.","Sandhills Energy told the council its Sydney solar installation is waiting on a state electrical inspection and will undergo a soft energization and verification with WAPA before producing power; the company's O&M team will be based in Sydney.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6085671,"Council authorizes up to $47,000 from ACE fund to cover bookmobile purchase shortfall",711,1200890,1912095,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902564-278caf00a81f91cf050b2d0a8cd437fe&start=1200&end=1912","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902564-278caf00a81f91cf050b2d0a8cd437fe/thumbnail_1200890.jpg","/articles/6085671/Nebraska/Council-authorizes-up-to-47000-from-ACE-fund-to-cover-bookmobile-purchase-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085671-0dc71622ddd78899aa90e13b1265dec6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184868&Signature=FR1x8eYqKKvRZCJY5zln3YbALvO7NLkRR6n3GPmV9QI-Fxzs1J1rm56Wvi24YJRraz3-bz8tbmF-Wz1n8wYEn00teh2lUlDp~WYnAYFy2fTQOMWF0GQ480Ks9IzYuSdWiJt6LbqdsCDS2fiBNtD3xNMeWkcH9jSBL12vp13MWAqtGEa9GoI7uLg9zYoSAcAIGnkCF14UnWRGNUyCC2BY3X6cN-x4PaVP9EkmWX1YgDnoF6an-TuELNk7OpYzEXamj8BOV-v7UQvgCnFmbygdwzGZp-r4l9mwb9k9Fc1jA5gILWvwTWzQOF8JlcEqbDaiBVW2xkWtdx8lPwdfDSRFMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sydney City Council members voted to authorize the city to cover up to $47,000 from the city's ACE fund to make up the shortfall on buying a replacement bookmobile.

The decision followed detailed staff comments about the condition of the current vehicle and multiple public comments urging the council to preserve the service. \"The current bookmobile is over 30 years old, has 98,832 miles, has logged 3,555 hours,\" a city staff member reported, listing several recent repair bills, including one for $6,300 and another for $17,491.

The bookmobile provides scheduled stops across the county, serving students and older residents who told the council the vehicle is an essential link to library services. \"Our students benefit greatly from the bookmobile,\" Chris Hart, superintendent of schools at Potter Dix, said during public comment. Andrea Harrod, administrator of Sloan Estates assisted living, said the bookmobile is \"a big part of our activity schedule\" and urged the council to consider residents' needs when deciding funding. Resident Diane Shader said, \"It's very important to me that you keep that. I think it's a very good service that Sydney offers.\" Shirley Rogers, another Sloan Estates resident, told the council the service \"would be beneficial for them to get a new bus.\" Terry Brostrom of SRMC Long Term Care said losing the service \"would decrease significantly\" the facility's ability to meet residents' needs.

Council discussion focused on funding sources and limits. Staff said the library and partners have been pursuing grants and fundraising; the council also discussed using ACE fund reserves to bridge the gap. A motion was made to \"make up the difference up to $47,000\" from ACE funds. The motion was seconded and carried.

Council members and staff said they will apply any incoming grant awards to reduce the ACE fund contribution; staff noted the Buckley Trust decision is expected next week. The council specified the funding cap to limit the city's exposure while preserving the bookmobile program.

The council did not adopt a specification for the replacement vehicle at the meeting; staff said they had investigated trailer-style units and tablet-based alternatives but reported concerns about safety, shelf wear and program changes that would require further discussion with county partners. Staff also said local vendors were not available to build a vehicle on short notice and that additional fundraising may reduce the final ACE fund draw.

Council action: motion to fund up to $47,000 from ACE funds to cover the shortfall for a replacement bookmobile; motion seconded and approved.

The library will proceed with procurement under the funding cap and return to the council as necessary if the cost or funding sources change.","After hearing public testimony about the bookmobile's role for schools and assisted-living residents, the council voted to cap the city contribution at $47,000 from ACE funds to make up the difference toward a replacement vehicle.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: council approves bookmobile cap, LB 840 update, budget and other routine items

Organizer asks council for clear, consistent scheduling and light access for youth softball

Council approves change to LB 840 economic development plan to broaden retail eligibility

Sandhills Energy: state inspection pending; soft energization planned for Sydney solar site

Council authorizes up to $47,000 from ACE fund to cover bookmobile purchase shortfall