[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6230340,"mediaKeyId","3442266-92174b7b7fcf01791fd6831b364973ca","parentId",3442266,"title","Council discusses formal policy for use and rental of city equipment and supplies","audioSeconds",217,"startMs",2958000,"endMs",3175000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442266-92174b7b7fcf01791fd6831b364973ca&start=2958&end=3175","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442266-92174b7b7fcf01791fd6831b364973ca/thumbnail_2958000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6230340/Nebraska/Council-discusses-formal-policy-for-use-and-rental-of-city-equipment-and-supplies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230340-3b4d888eaabb10b0e1ef2713b4ec38dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185906&Signature=V2El44S0nlncehpTZ57mk5WktnDvEJB6Zlj2YeH3h6R1QskAUk6YF~RYlTS3v9nNz6kDuTlAYnwlAXAIm~2MQAghReF-cFsPQW1a6Rz0vbNoxrS9adlRNBnVct2ubWJnfltRGkYCV768Yyj0pGrkWrdc4VdxgCjtcKhYfLWsiL4xPDmVRN9VR-h~dm8IbSOfsVTJN3hUvetFmg5vquWe~~NowC6BkbSfwkPBzYSbBVWvwAHGYPQkj~uGLt8V5STad4EKX8uEZqDWw5srN5ns-W3oXj1LJF9qHL2wZS6NkSa6qQyHHB1VZJe309BM~tsG-eHrTgwKlDO00gnzpYWL3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Seward, NE","date","2025-05-22T09:09:07.863Z","article","The Seward City Council discussed a proposed policy to clarify public access, rental and internal use of city property such as picnic tables, cones, barricades, tractors and other equipment.

City staff said repeated informal requests to borrow equipment and supply deliveries had highlighted the need for formal, consistent guidance. “If we give a rate and we allow the public to get something, then we can utilize that and utilize that same rate for employees,” Mike, a city staff member, said during the discussion.

Key provisions under consideration include a list of eligible items for rental, a nominal fee structure to offset delivery and return costs, and an explicit prohibition on employees taking city equipment home for personal use. Staff said there would be exceptions for city‑sponsored events such as the Fourth of July and the Christmas parade.

Why it matters: Staff and councilors said the policy aims to reduce liability, ensure consistent treatment of residents and employees, and recoup modest costs associated with delivering and retrieving equipment. Council members raised questions about liability for items such as chainsaws and about ensuring equitable access for residents who rely on the service.

Next steps: Staff will prepare a written draft policy that specifies eligible items, fees and insurance/liability requirements and return it to the council for formal consideration. At the meeting staff did not move a final motion to adopt the policy; no formal vote was recorded in the provided transcript.

Ending: The policy conversation clarified council priorities—protecting the city from liability, setting fair fees and maintaining exceptions for city events—and set a timetable for staff to produce a draft ordinance or resolution for the council’s next consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","May 20, 2025 Seward City Council Meeting Part 1","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors and staff reviewed a proposed policy that would formalize what city property can be loaned or rented, set nominal fees for certain items, and prohibit employees from taking equipment for personal use; staff will prepare a final draft for future council action.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, City of Seward, Seward County, Nebraska","taxId",69852,"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},6230344,"Council awards water‑main contract at rail campus to low bidder Verba Construction",245,2300000,2545000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442266-92174b7b7fcf01791fd6831b364973ca&start=2300&end=2545","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442266-92174b7b7fcf01791fd6831b364973ca/thumbnail_2300000.jpg","/articles/6230344/Nebraska/Council-awards-watermain-contract-at-rail-campus-to-low-bidder-Verba-Construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230344-8562d6d95b09b4fb7bed686f4c9df781/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185906&Signature=EWSqZZtue-TqvoFsNj2fViHsQvnTf2tu60sHqjag90GVJCVnEfGP8ZY1~IXtaLprg-4P7XfiMrcvh9BEZuZ3eTlYmPEOXhlrEx~h~tFU5fN0AGidQalwF9mbKpmEK6n7a80gUDHBsdmhIXhyoFmPfVVWsdYbteBeTwPih3m-KD4cF73zfbOQPmISc14l1GEek-zXBeGfW9Yow0I0K-eLfYxuGkemwL9WLW1TmrL27rzIJgQKIiG422wjrWsX24pYzUrAEPG4y4zFaMF86YsfbbJiadUcrjgagadMpSC7hd93lKggb8hc-IDBY9yUjWskcLeu0LXHoWbueGC0K8xOPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seward City Council approved awarding a construction contract for a water‑main Phase 2 project at the rail campus to Verba Construction for $514,850.90.

City staff reported there were nine bidders and that the engineer’s estimate for the project was $827,103, making the low bid roughly 62% of the estimate. Mike, the presenting staff member, said the unusually competitive bidding climate accounted for the large gap between the engineer estimate and low bids.

Why it matters: The contract covers water main work tied to development at the Rail Campus and adjacent street work. Staff said competitive bids are favorable for the city and expected to reduce grant match pressure on related CDBG‑funded work.

Council action: Council members moved and seconded the recommendation to award the contract; the motion passed by voice vote recorded as 7-0.

Next steps: Staff will finalize the contract with Verba Construction and move forward with construction administration and scheduling. Staff also noted that the city expects to coordinate grant match calculations with the grant administrator if the final amounts differ from initial estimates.

Ending: City staff said they will return with contract documents and a construction schedule; no amendments to the award were proposed at the meeting.","The council approved awarding a construction contract for a water‑main project at the rail campus to Verba Construction for $514,850.90 after receiving nine bids; the lowest bid was well below the engineer's estimate.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6230349,"Council adds David City, Crete and Butler County 911 to cooperative dispatch system",347,1508000,1855000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442266-92174b7b7fcf01791fd6831b364973ca&start=1508&end=1855","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442266-92174b7b7fcf01791fd6831b364973ca/thumbnail_1508000.jpg","/articles/6230349/Nebraska/Council-adds-David-City-Crete-and-Butler-County-911-to-cooperative-dispatch-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230349-a2fac772d8a41bc15ff4856b7b910657/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185906&Signature=hDk4rRA6PR8U5owaF6hvLOqfAmdUBgyNW04AcMMl2QVVSlqYhc~7XnXwqATqpo~AGEYZ6zYmSjP2xK4ky5fE~CMa9gkclbfbu-PGwbrQmwvBcUZ7TTzCkoA08ejfHu0doaZ4hq50F~xuNlC~KKyx96GQruSo25g78iNkn6pUjQwMKj6Gu8ph~cZW1WK77WcBk3cZz1rsBXruZjUzBkjWtzHkeZMp9cU2uyGHgSbgN9eK3C~wPhN43XV9fmnObGaJkagvmbBgX2PcRS8bZML1tX4d1ZXCjjFpIRSCb6xVT39an1oG9KL0~IKkWxUs5H7t-1J~t9QSYn6gTSm3pZG-og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seward City Council approved an addendum to its cooperative public safety software and hardware agreement to add David City, Crete and the Butler County 911 center to the existing Zerker computer‑aided dispatch and records management interlocal group.

Chief Peters presented the item and said the addendum expands the group without increasing Seward’s annual service fee because new participants make arrangements directly with the vendor. “The ability for additional agencies to be part of this group…allows us more direct communication, officers to officers, officers to deputies and vice versa,” Chief Peters said, describing instant alerts and better information sharing on officers’ in‑vehicle laptops.

Why it matters: The interlocal arrangement keeps the primary server in Seward with a backup in York County; officials said the cooperative model reduced initial costs by sharing infrastructure and that monthly or annual service fees for Seward remain “ballpark” less than $4,000 as the group grows.

Staff said the working group meets monthly to coordinate issues with the vendor and other partners and that the system vendor participates in the meetings. Chief Peters also said the group expects to evaluate cloud hosting as the system grows, though no cloud migration estimate was presented.

Council action: The council moved and seconded approval of the addendum and approved it by voice vote recorded as 7-0.

Ending: Staff will continue to coordinate the interlocal group, maintain the server and backup arrangement, and return to the council with any future contract or hosting changes that have budgetary implications.","The council approved an addendum to the city's interlocal cooperative for the Zerker records/dispatch system to add three new partner agencies; staff said the arrangement improves officer-to-officer communication and that annual service fees to the city would not increase because new participants pay their own costs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6230354,"Seward council approves low‑interest loan agreement for wastewater plant expansion",205,2755000,2960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442266-92174b7b7fcf01791fd6831b364973ca&start=2755&end=2960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442266-92174b7b7fcf01791fd6831b364973ca/thumbnail_2755000.jpg","/articles/6230354/Nebraska/Seward-council-approves-lowinterest-loan-agreement-for-wastewater-plant-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230354-60f4b2c51b3e0dfce8fe912a9b9b1950/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185906&Signature=TqBVqNcbLs8pw2E3x9fxvlqhY9nU48PhxalsddUMKHTCDZ8YkvaAqaITKpq232Mv2hFIt44m1qYzmMWgRimuVcaUcjNNC9OsmZIJcrVHPSXCfIzGrGKAwdU0ERsZdvR4sRKn9jqjUplxsA4dsB~qKW9eLfsZfxEZabhT-YljwO3pbAQU6jHPg2awKrXK-B7mFBHhWs7OsvrwHvKQrLnzGHfHIAamyfPoXHgWnYgT4zU2IQFTAClWhZmOvXuEimzuzpsJaoPCiqpJqHBcpXYOTW89D1-5CjngFMGL7QT7IINR33uMloEbplucHYKLLpPfGAeaaGf~mA17YrV3u13Tug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seward City Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2025-12 to enter a loan agreement with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDE) to finance improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

City staff reported the loan would be offered through the state’s revolving fund at an interest rate the city described as about 1.4% for a 30‑year term. Mike, a city staff member presenting the item, told the council that the state indicated it could cover the expanded project “to the tune of about $50.55 million,” and that the SRF loan terms would significantly lower annual debt service compared with a commercial borrowing alternative.

Why it matters: Staff said a commercial borrowing scenario at roughly 4% over 20 years would have produced annual payments of about $3.7 million, while the SRF loan at 1.4% over 30 years would produce annual payments closer to $2.0 million under the project assumptions discussed. City staff described the difference as a substantial reduction in annual costs to ratepayers if the city proceeds under the state program.

What council approved: The resolution authorizes city representatives to execute the draft loan agreement with NDE and accept the program terms. Mike said state rates are expected to rise modestly in July, so staff recommended acting now to secure the more favorable rate.

Project context and next steps: Staff said the SRF loan will be paired with federal and state project steps including design and bidding; the state remains the contracting authority for the construction procurement tied to the state‑funded elements. Mike noted competitive contractor interest and said staff expect to seek bids when design is complete.

Ending: The resolution passed 7-0; staff will proceed with finalizing loan documents and return with any required agreements or implementation steps to the council as the project moves into design and procurement phases.","Council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing a loan agreement with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy for a low‑interest SRF loan to cover wastewater treatment plant improvements; staff said the loan reduces annual debt service compared with a commercial loan scenario.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6230358,"Seward council limits recycling center access to staffed hours amid cost, out‑of‑county use",1275,220000,1495000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3442266-92174b7b7fcf01791fd6831b364973ca&start=220&end=1495","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3442266-92174b7b7fcf01791fd6831b364973ca/thumbnail_220000.jpg","/articles/6230358/Nebraska/Seward-council-limits-recycling-center-access-to-staffed-hours-amid-cost-outofcounty-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6230358-c7a4fc82b1748b4e7d46fd90bac36005/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185906&Signature=OdiDmn8U4IURZo0aaaZxQVxIOaMp7vr-KWxZSHqUatAu6cTiZNIvSRyFEtzT-13j~7nmVIvQkWwn87TPBAxv1dxM3~kOR7euj8FGZHMkczZN4DFkvG4nJLZoEHJLRqKwhDAHKoajlO5Rmwioe0SAs9quj47BwoDmU4n4LzAeptrWxH4gntnwFlY689LYgBga1qL9T8ZOByLmB6klHVDR5cV4i6NseeaGzT2NgtM5NzwHQMnHxE09zAb9jah5eLbq-VJj7MRRX2TwXQU-DFxdXuiBmoGYm8u3Dlk5e1GKnRxgC9-UwMbyor19rf-38gexKktLaKuqS4nS40hO3SpGGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seward City Council on a 7-0 vote directed staff to limit access to the municipal recycling center to times when city personnel are present, citing costs, large-volume commercial users from outside the county and recurring dumping and cleanup burdens.

The decision came after an extended discussion led by city staff and Street Superintendent Bob Myers about declining markets for recyclables and growing regional use of Seward’s facility. “We are definitely subsidizing recycling in a 3 county area,” Kelly, a city staff member, told the council, adding that corrugated cardboard made up a large share of the volume from out‑of‑county users.

Why it matters: Councilors said the center is consuming staff time and local resources with little or no revenue, and that unchecked use by businesses and residents from neighboring counties reduces the benefit to Seward taxpayers. Staff reported a recent vendor bill of roughly $2,000 for a single month to haul materials, and estimated the city’s recycling program costs roughly $50,000 annually.

City staff reviewed several problems and possible responses. Staff said they had begun recording license-plate information and other user details to understand where users come from and that large users — including some businesses — regularly bring substantial cardboard and other materials. Myers said the center is currently staffed roughly 20 hours per week, and staff recommended restricting access to when employees are present to reduce illegal dumping and cleanup workload.

Councilors discussed narrower options that staff would draft into a formal policy for later consideration: restricting use to Seward County residents, distinguishing commercial versus residential users, charging a nominal fee for nonresidents similar to how some city services are handled, and submitting hauling bills to the Milford waste program for partial reimbursement. “We could benefit a little bit more by doing that,” Kelly said of submitting bills to Milford; staff said communities that submit bills sometimes recover 25% or more of hauling costs.

Council direction and next steps: The council voted to limit public access to hours when city personnel are on site and asked Kelly to develop a draft policy that would address geographic limits, distinctions between commercial and individual users, and any fees. Staff said proposed regular staffed hours would align with current staffed days (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday mornings) and that a final policy will return to the council for approval.

The council’s motion was procedural and focused on immediate operational control; no change to fees or formal restrictions was adopted at the meeting. Council members also noted the program’s long history and urged staff to balance convenience for Seward residents with the need to stop subsidizing heavy commercial use from neighboring counties.

Ending: Staff will draft a policy for council consideration that includes the geographic scope, user categories (commercial vs. residential), and operational hours; the council’s interim action is limited to restricting access to staffed hours.","City council voted 7-0 to limit public access to the Seward recycling center to hours when city personnel are present after staff reported rising costs, heavy commercial use from neighboring counties and ongoing cleanup problems.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council discusses formal policy for use and rental of city equipment and supplies

Council awards water‑main contract at rail campus to low bidder Verba Construction

Council adds David City, Crete and Butler County 911 to cooperative dispatch system

Seward council approves low‑interest loan agreement for wastewater plant expansion

Seward council limits recycling center access to staffed hours amid cost, out‑of‑county use