Seward council approves purchase of 410 East Seward, sale of rail-campus lot and several contracts

The Seward City Council on Monday approved a series of land and contracting actions, including the purchase of a flood-prone property at 410 East Seward for $60,000 and the conveyance of Lot 11 in the Seward Rail Campus to MICA Holdings LLC, and authorized construction- and grant-related contracts and a small change order for the city’s water treatment improvements.

City staff described the purchase of 410 East Seward as an acquisition from the estate of Bobby Lee Payne Jr.; Greg said the property is eligible for buyout programs but the city pursued a direct purchase instead. "They offered a very fair price. I believe this is for $60,000 in the purchase agreement," Greg said. The council adopted Resolution No. 2025-4, authorizing the mayor to execute documents related to the acquisition.

The council also approved a resolution directing conveyance of Lot 11 in the Seward Rail Campus to MICA Holdings LLC. Staff said the low-lying parcel behind Plum Creek Seed Services had become inaccessible after nearby development; Kellen Myers approached the city about buying the lot. The ordinance authorizing the conveyance triggers a 30-day remonstrance period during which voters may petition to block the sale.

On construction matters, the council approved Change Order No. 1 for the 2024 reverse-osmosis improvements project with Erickson Construction, increasing the contract price by $4,547.95 to cover conduit and control wiring and adding contract time. Mike explained the contractor sought clearer language and one additional time-extension term tied to equipment delivery delays; the approved change order adds nine weeks to substantial completion and 11 weeks to final completion and was signed by the general contractor prior to the mayor’s counter‑signature.

The council approved a $146,574.50 contract for a shade structure at the municipal bandshell. Staff said Seward Rotary Club has raised funds for roughly half the project and the city will process the purchase through its donation line items. Max and Rotary members and staff had recommended the selected vendor; the city will take a down payment and proceed with purchase and installation under a city contract.

The council approved two agreements with the Southeast Nebraska Development District (SEND) as administrator and construction manager for CDBG project 24ED001 (dairy processing project and Fort Bend Boulevard improvements). Staff said SEND will collect standard administrative fees through the CDBG process and the construction-management agreement will be signed when funds are released.

The council also reaffirmed a city practice on mailbox-damage claims resulting from snow removal, keeping prior practice of $75 reimbursements for qualifying claims and excluding mailboxes on a pre-identified list that had received warning letters about placement. Staff said the city earlier notified owners whose mailboxes were not correctly aligned with postal guidance and that such properties may be ineligible for reimbursement.

Council members moved the meeting into a closed session for up to 30 minutes to discuss real estate interests and provide negotiating guidance to the city attorney; minutes indicate no formal action was taken during the closed session.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution No. 2025-4, authorize purchase of 410 East Seward from Megan Smelker, representative of the estate of Bobby Lee Payne Jr.: passed (votes displayed). - Resolution No. 2025-5, conveyance of Lot 11, Seward Rail Campus to MICA Holdings LLC (starts 30-day remonstrance period): passed (votes displayed). - Change Order No. 1, Erickson Construction, 2024 reverse-osmosis improvements: contract price +$4,547.95; time extension (substantial completion +9 weeks, final completion +11 weeks): passed (votes displayed). - Contract with vendor for municipal bandshell shade structure, $146,574.50: passed (votes displayed). - General administration and construction management agreements with Southeast Nebraska Development District (SEND) for CDBG 24ED001: passed (votes displayed). - Mailbox damage claims policy (maintain $75 allowance, with exclusions for mailboxes previously warned): passed (votes displayed).

No new ordinances or zoning changes were introduced at the meeting. A closed-session period was held for real-estate negotiation guidance; the council announced no formal action would be taken in closed session.