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Council approves zoning change, tree inventory, airport grants and leases in unanimous votes
Summary
In one meeting the council approved a rezoning and ordinance, retained JEO for a city tree inventory, authorized airport grant documents for a $3.3 million hangar project, approved temporary staging lease, and amended a lease to allow concrete staging—each measure passing 8–0.
Beatrice City Council members on March 3, 2025, approved a package of routine and substantive items in unanimous votes, including a rezoning that would return a long-standing house at 106 South Sumner Street from commercial back to multiple-family residential, a contract to inventory city trees, and authorization of federal and state grant documents for a $3.3 million airport hangar project.
The council approved the consent agenda—which included claims and several public-works bid awards, including E. Collins Contracting Co. at $554,222.30 for the Beatrice Lincoln Street improvement project, Catherine Sons Construction at $642,223.39 for a 2025 mill-and-overlay paving contract, and Constructors Inc. at $71,893.91 for the Hannibal Park mill-and-overlay project—by an 8–0 vote after Councilmember MacLean moved approval.
Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda: Approved (motion by Councilmember MacLean). Included approval of claims totaling $256,293.61 and $86,048.87, and awards of multiple paving contracts as listed in the agenda. Vote: 8–0.
- Resolution No. 7508 — retain JEO for a city tree inventory and urban forestry management planning work: Approved 8–0. JEO’s proposed price for the inventory was $26,500; staff said JEO offered to complete the inventory and the subsequent urban-forestry plan for less than the original budgeted amount for just the inventory. City staff said the inventory will cover trees on city-owned properties and in parks, excluding private-property trees and certain riverbank trees. The project completion target is June 2025.
- Ordinance No. 25-4 / Rezoning — partial Lot 4 and all of Lot 5, McClary's subdivision (commonly 106 South Sumner Street): Public hearing held; ordinance read three times and passed 8–0, rezoning the parcel from GC (General Commercial) to R-4 (Multiple-Family Residential). Staff said the lot historically housed a residence and has limited commercial frontage or access; Planning & Zoning recommended the rezoning.
- Resolution No. 7509 — Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics grant documents for airport hangar project (project 3-31-0009-024/025-2025): Approved 8–0. Staff said the hangar project budget is about $3.3 million, funded by approximately $2.85 million in a CDS appropriation, a $294,000 BIL grant, and a $66,200 state grant, leaving a local share of approximately $99,300 (3%). Council members publicly thanked Sen. Fisher for the CDS appropriation noted in staff remarks.
- Resolution No. 7510 — lease to Hoppy & Sons LLC to stage equipment on two lots adjacent to Starter School (one-year lease for $1, renewable if needed): Approved 8–0. Staff said the lease allows temporary staging of equipment on city lots that include basketball-court areas while rehabilitation proceeds.
- Resolution No. 7511 — first amendment to lease with PK Management LLC allowing placement of concrete on city-leased property for equipment storage (no buildings; concrete must be removed and not cause runoff onto the trail): Approved 8–0.
Council discussion on the tree inventory clarified that the scope covers trees on city property and in parks, not private-property trees. The council set its next regular meeting for March 17, 2025, and indicated it will consider changing future council meeting start times from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. (a resolution on that change was mentioned as forthcoming). The meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
