[{"_1":2,"_85":-5,"_86":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,73],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":43,"_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":66,"_70":71,"_72":71},"mediaId",6520484,"mediaKeyId","5327945-435c9a23fd25b50801b15b741e6e5500","parentId",5327945,"title","Votes at a glance: Columbus City Council approves ordinances, resolutions and contracts on July 7, 2025","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1031000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327945-435c9a23fd25b50801b15b741e6e5500&start=1031&end=1031","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327945-435c9a23fd25b50801b15b741e6e5500/thumbnail_1031000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520484/Columbus-City/Platte-County/Nebraska/Votes-at-a-glance-Columbus-City-Council-approves-ordinances-resolutions-and-contracts-on-July-7-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520484-215a8c0efaacfdd6b790cb2e094523bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1769889063&Signature=QuT1XkiTpqPFqoieDlXjBYR6LT0pIEM66dOd4oJ-FnA4f~WIysDb5reklYs1ZBIrHFOMJTP2DhRDSOyhzD5bVqLUFQBfRKpO6T84yDwN8DK9MW7Rp7fKVEihkMJ~l~X6GQbWkMh5m5kFP1kPtNOmOxCf6vZ6UHsqjYWncsKUlBlxoF-iufeha2QQxvCNOm9Y4WTPBx8DnMP7NCMbBc9xjPzAdLOUvw30hj~EwRI-TulVz4nYuJTnKBp6ApgFgd89AH6FgRxknk~p43TciA71u2XRlQL75XsPURduMazDr9JzIbPUNk~19Xb-P65NhZBVDQlrNtKTndIJnxLZb6CtAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Columbus, Nebraska","date","2025-07-07T22:59:23Z","article","The Columbus City Council on July 7 approved a series of routine and project-specific items, including voter-authorized ordinances, procurement awards and professional services agreements tied to public works and public-safety equipment. Councilors acted on minutes and routine consent items, accepted vendor quotes for city operations, and adopted resolutions to advance capital projects.

Key outcomes

- Ordinance No. 25-09: Adopted. This ordinance implements an economic development program as approved by Columbus voters in the June 10 mail-in ballot. The council suspended rules and adopted the ordinance by motion (Item 7A1). Vote recorded as \"Motion passes.\" (See provenance below.)

- Ordinance No. 25-10: Adopted. Voter-authorized ordinance to continue the city's existing 1% sales tax to commence April 1, 2027 and terminate 15 years after commencement. Council suspended rules and adopted the ordinance on first reading at this meeting; adoption motion carried (Item 15a).

- Resolution R25-94: Adopted. The council adopted revised city council rules (Item 14a), adding distribution of draft agendas to council members. Motion passed.

- Resolution R25-95: Adopted. Awarded bid to Oberus & Company in the amount of $484,962.75 for Lift Station No. 15 (Westbrook) relocation (CIP #20-93). Council discussion noted contractor proximity and that bids were consistent with engineer estimates; motion passed.

- Resolution R25-96: Adopted. Approved a professional services agreement with Alfred Benish & Company for construction-phase services for the Lift Station No. 15 project, not to exceed $46,332 (CIP #20-93); motion passed.

- Resolution R25-97: Adopted. Awarded a sidewalk/ADA ramps project (amount not specified in the transcript; council said the work covers 66 ramps); motion passed.

- Vendor quotes accepted (Item 13): Accepted a $17,691.59 quote for downtown landscaping (stand/quote from Mulkey/Wilkie Landscape Center); accepted Kidwell quote ($16,000) for three-year telephone-system maintenance renewal; accepted CDW Government quote ($16,368) for eight dispatch televisions for the joint communication center; accepted Jones Automotive quote ($28,065.79) for emergency lights and sirens for police vehicles. All motions carried without extended debate.

What this means: The council advanced capital and operating work across public works and public safety with awarded contracts and consultant agreements. Two voter-authorized ordinances tied to recent ballot measures were advanced or adopted, and the council updated its procedural rules to include draft-agenda distribution.

Votes and motion notes: The meeting record used standard roll-call and voice votes; the transcript records each item motion and the clerk’s announcement \"Motion passes\" for many items but does not provide detailed vote tallies for each. Where amounts or other specifics were not read into the public record at the time of motion (for example, the exact dollar amount for one sidewalk award), the transcript marks those details as not specified.

This summary covers consent, committee and new-business items from the July 7 agenda; the meeting then proceeded to a prolonged public hearing and vote on the fireworks ordinance (Item 17a), which is covered in a separate article.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbus Nebraska, City Council Meeting 7/7/2025","oneSentenceSummary","On July 7 the Columbus City Council approved a slate of routine and project-specific items including two voter-authorized ordinances, several procurement awards and resolutions to fund public works projects; most items were enacted with no extended debate.","taxTitle","Columbus City, Platte County, Nebraska","taxId",44978,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":74,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":75,"_40":76,"_42":77,"_44":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":83,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":84,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":66,"_70":71,"_72":71},6520489,"Columbus City Council limits fireworks season, sets new sale and discharge dates and delays effective date to Jan. 2, 2026",5236,1469000,6705000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5327945-435c9a23fd25b50801b15b741e6e5500&start=1469&end=6705","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5327945-435c9a23fd25b50801b15b741e6e5500/thumbnail_1469000.jpg","/articles/6520489/Columbus-City/Platte-County/Nebraska/Columbus-City-Council-limits-fireworks-season-sets-new-sale-and-discharge-dates-and-delays-effective-date-to-Jan-2-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520489-a37ff22dd7190ff00a898029401429ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1769889063&Signature=G6v7zNx~gQTwOeK-HNOxGRKSIG1FveKLPleEdD49zPWfFVZj5SWxZze8KMenxMrCjnqPi89DSkIVzB7UTmtMkxDOKJsRhwAqg0XXW8rLrLi1rGgVElUN~zWS6mx1AgiiLjgttElac6XfF-7QxiaYwQprF8u3KSVwta5PXHg0UpAIY8hoh2VIL7xxfYnBzAuMNHQIh70qGm3cayzanD8MXN~ZOqmxUSZtpBdVIlyzPhBZQ6jT5x9UcIiEhJAJilYNYklg-EnwtruH1ZGkngXPypwEZQpl7JKrDc9J4QCo7L74Rzvwl3EPiaVEkIKTwY2JqTivbO~OgP6ElnsoGK159Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbus City Council on July 7 adopted Ordinance No. 25-08 to change the city code on consumer fireworks sales and discharge times, setting sales to run June 28 through July 4, limiting discharge to 11 p.m. on all days except July 4 (midnight), and updating required signage at sales locations. The council amended the ordinance’s effective date to Jan. 2, 2026; that amendment passed after a tie and a deciding vote by Mayor Boeckley.

The change, which the council described as the product of compromise after previous readings and public input, follows weeks of discussion and a continuation from the June 16 meeting. Supporters and opponents of the change filled the council chamber and offered contrasting arguments about public safety, animal welfare, veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, and the economic impact on local fireworks vendors and fundraisers.

Why it matters: The ordinance narrows the period during which fireworks may be sold and discharged inside Columbus City limits, directly affecting residents, pet owners, veterans and other trauma survivors, and dozens of seasonal vendors who told the council the shortened window would reduce revenue for families and local fundraisers. City staff and the police department said enforcement and public education will be priorities moving forward.

Public comment reflected deep divisions. Fireworks vendors and supporters argued the change would harm small fundraising operations and local retailers who rely on summer sales. Rachel Tealy, who operates a fireworks stand, told the council, “majority of our customers were non residents of this city which really surprised me,” and said many customers travel into Columbus specifically to buy fireworks. Vendor representative Jason Tilly said retailers tried to help by educating customers and commended the police, adding, “We wrote 3 tickets this year. That’s a big win.”

Opponents of retail sales restrictions cited family traditions and economic arguments. Isabella Menendez, who works at a veterinary clinic, said fireworks are a childhood tradition and that many pet owners and families can prepare: “Fireworks were such a big part of my childhood, such a joyous thing for me.” Vendors also said out-of-town buyers contribute to local commerce while visiting.

Speakers urging tighter restrictions described public-safety and health effects. Carmen Vandevall, a licensed social worker, discussed PTSD and trauma triggers and warned about prolonged exposures: “Longer discharge windows equals more unpredictability,” she said, explaining that repeated, unpredictable loud noises can cause physiological stress and worsen symptoms for trauma survivors. Residents also described property damage, late-night disturbances and safety incidents; Fire Chief Ryan Grace told the council the department responded to a house fire caused by discarding spent fireworks in a trash can.

Council members asked the police and fire chiefs about enforcement and incident counts. Police Chief (acting) said the department increased enforcement efforts this year — assigning officers to overtime shifts between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. on multiple nights — but said staff had to handle other emergency calls and that citation procedures required updating; he said some incidents were routed to court rather than handled as waivable fines while codes are adjusted. The fire chief confirmed at least one structure fire tied to improper disposal of fireworks.

On procedure, council members debated the ordinance’s effective date. Several council members and residents noted some vendors had already purchased inventory and that a delayed effective date would allow current-year sales under prior rules. After an amendment to change the effective date to Jan. 2, 2026 was proposed and voted on, Mayor Boeckley cast the deciding vote in favor of that amendment. The council then adopted the ordinance as amended.

The ordinance text adopted by the council updates city code sections 133.03–133.05 for sale dates, discharge hours and required signage; the council directed staff and the police department to continue refining enforcement procedures and signage compliance.

The council’s next steps include finalizing enforcement details, clarifying whether certain public-street discharges are permitted under the code, and working with retailers on educational materials. Several residents and council members asked staff to provide clearer enforcement costs and to report back on incident statistics from the recent season.

The item was introduced as Item 17a and had been continued from the June 16 meeting. The public hearing and council debate extended across multiple agenda segments before the final vote.","After more than two hours of public comment pro and con, the Columbus City Council adopted Ordinance No. 25-08 amending city code sections 133.03–133.05 to shorten permitted sales and discharge windows and update signage; the council amended the ordinance’s effective date to Jan. 2, 2026, in a tie-breaking vote by Mayor Boeckley.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Columbus City Council approves ordinances, resolutions and contracts on July 7, 2025

Columbus City Council limits fireworks season, sets new sale and discharge dates and delays effective date to Jan. 2, 2026