Council approves consent agenda, appoints police chief and joins state investment trust; several items deferred or referred

The Beatrice City Council on April 21 approved a consent agenda of routine items, passed a resolution appointing Jay Murphy as chief of police, recommended a local liquor-license applicant to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission and authorized the city to participate in the Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust.

The consent agenda — enacted in a single motion after no items were pulled for separate discussion — included minutes approval, claims and several funding and contract actions as listed in the council packet. Specific items announced on the record included: pay request number 3 for the South MSW landfill phase 1 project (amount described in the packet as “1000107”), a bid award for the Frowberry Park playground improvements to Play Pro Recreation LLC in the amount of $167,162, and funding requests recommended by the Beatrice Plus Advisory Board for the Beatrice Pickleball Association ($10,000), Friends of Beatrice Cemetery Association ($3,500) and Carnegie Center Inc. ($2,000). The consent agenda also included change order No. 1 to Volkswagen Construction increasing that contract by $24,730.99 for the Beatrice Municipal Airport reconstruction apron project, and several ground/Quonset leases at the airport (listed in the packet with lessee Johnny D. Sadoff).

On a separate motion, the council recommended the application for Marcielle Wolfson Darling doing business as Cabo, 115 S. Fifth St., for a Class C liquor license to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. Council members voted to approve the recommendation; the motion passed 8-0 on the council record.

The council adopted Resolution No. 70543 appointing Jay Murphy as chief of police, effective immediately. City leaders said the selection followed civil service procedures, including advertising, a written test and interviews; the Civil Service Commission certified candidates for the council’s selection. The resolution passed unanimously.

The council also passed Resolution No. 7544 to execute a declaration of trust and interlocal agreement joining the Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust and to open an account there. City staff said the trust functions similarly to Nebraska Class, invests under state statute limitations and may provide improved interest earnings and cash-management tools. The resolution passed 8-0.

Council members announced they would take an additional two weeks to resolve outstanding questions on Resolution No. 70545; action on that resolution was deferred.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (items A–P as listed in council packet): approved in one motion; vote recorded as passing on the council record. - Class C liquor license for Marcielle Wolfson Darling (Cabo, 115 S. Fifth St.): council recommended approval to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission; motion passed 8-0. - Resolution No. 70543 — appoint Jay Murphy as chief of police, effective immediately: passed unanimously. - Resolution No. 7544 — execute declaration of trust and interlocal agreement to join Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust: passed 8-0. - Resolution No. 70545: deferred for two weeks to allow staff to answer questions.

The council chair identified the consent agenda items as routine and enacted them by a single motion; members did not pull any item for separate discussion during the meeting. The liquor-license applicant appeared at the hearing and passed the city’s background check according to staff comments on the record.