Beatrice City Council approves series of resolutions on data center contract, playground covenants, downtown loans and engineering work; reviews 2024 highlights

The Beatrice City Council on Jan. 6 approved a package of resolutions covering a data center agreement, grant-related land covenants for future playgrounds, a downtown rehabilitation loan, stormwater engineering work and site borings — and reviewed the city’s 2024 accomplishments.

Council members voted to renew the city’s maintenance agreement with Radiant Tech LLC for the data center in the industrial park and to revise contract language after roughly six months of operations. Staff said the revised agreement inserts a final build-out cost figure (the city previously estimated build-out costs), places the customer deposit in an interest-bearing account and directs that any interest earned be credited to Radiant Tech’s bill annually. The renewal passed 7–0.

The council also approved Resolution No. 7483 to place restrictive covenants on portions of Frowberry Park, Chautauqua Park, the Lincoln Elementary School site and the Stoddard Elementary School site as required by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for the Rural Community Recovery Program (grant 23-RCRP-039). City staff said the covenants will require those parcels or defined portions of them to remain in public use for 20 years. Staff noted complications: Chautauqua Park currently lacks a legal description, Lincoln School’s exact legal boundaries for the playground will be defined after platting, and Stoddard School is platted so its footprint could be carved by lot for the covenant.

For downtown revitalization, the council approved a reconveyance and a new loan package for Jason J. Hartig and Jessica L. Hartig tied to the city’s CDBG Downtown Revitalization Grant (23-DTR-2). The council approved Resolution No. 7486 authorizing a direct loan of $72,198 to the Hartigs for their project after their original contractor withdrew and the project price increased. Staff said an earlier grant/loan file existed from the prior award but could not confirm the original loan amount during the meeting.

The council retained JEO by approving Resolution No. 7484 to prepare a grading plan for a regional detention cell near Ashland Avenue and Sargent Street as part of the city’s MS4 stormwater obligations. Staff said the study will confirm pond size needed to serve the airport and part of the industrial park and will identify land to be retained by the city versus sold to future developers.

Council also approved Resolution No. 7488 to retain Midstate Engineering & Testing to perform two borings each at the Paddock Lane and Lincoln School sites; the recommended low quote was $4,940. In related redevelopment updates, staff said the city has acquired title to both school sites, is conducting asbestos surveys and preparing for bid packages for asbestos removal and demolition.

Other resolutions approved included: appointing Mike McClain as the city representative to the Ngage board (Res. 7479); executing a Mango Languages agreement for Beatrice Public Library digital language services (Res. 7480); renewing a small-government ArcGIS services agreement with Esri (Res. 7481); approving a service agreement with Modern HR Collaborative LLC to facilitate council strategic planning ($35,100; Res. 7487); and executing an agreement with Radiant Tech as recommended by the Board of Public Works (Res. 7478). All council votes reported in the meeting passed either 7–0 or unanimously as recorded.

During a year-end review, council and staff highlighted 2024 projects: completion of 13th Street; repurposing the downtown auditorium for a gym, youth center, community pantry and office space; improvements at Big Blue Pet Park; a $21.3 million RAiSE (state) grant secured for a multi-year project; completion of the 33rd Lincoln Street project; ongoing Lincoln and Paddock redevelopment design and utility planning; recent acquisition of the Paddock Kensington building and a planned redevelopment partnership; drainage studies for Belvedere and Tributary 44; installation of generators at city facilities for continuity of operations; a full fiber build by Pinpoint to homes across Beatrice; and other community improvements. Staff said the pantry expects to serve about 1,500 more families this year than in past years and that an asbestos survey for the school sites was pending.

The council scheduled its next regular meeting and a work session for Jan. 20, 2025.