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Seward council discusses long-term lease for Legion Field; approves routine infrastructure and administrative items
Summary
Council discussed a proposed long-term lease of Legion Field with Seward Public Schools and unanimously approved several routine infrastructure and administrative measures including a $23,000 work order and a $3,900 BNSF pipeline easement.
The Seward City Council on the night’s agenda discussed a potential long-term lease of the city-owned Legion Field with Seward Public Schools and separately approved a series of routine infrastructure and administrative items by unanimous votes.
City Manager Greg described the lease discussions as the outcome of multi-year planning tied to turf-field projects and a proposed school bond. “Our board was overall very supportive of the long term lease,” Dr. Fields said when asked to summarize the school board’s position. Greg told the council the intent would be to transfer responsibility for scheduling and day-to-day maintenance to the district while the city would retain ownership of the property. “We’re not selling the property just to be clear,” Greg said.
School officials and coaches attended to describe how a lease could simplify scheduling and maintenance if the district invests capital in turf and facility upgrades. Greg and Dr. Fields said utilities and liability responsibilities would be spelled out in lease terms and that the school district had indicated it would accept mutual indemnification. "There’ll be a mutual indemnification," Greg said.
No formal lease motion was presented at the meeting. The administration asked the council for direction to continue discussions: staff recommended the item go to the Parks and Recreation Committee for review and, if supported, that a draft lease be returned to council in November for consideration. Dr. Fields said the school board could consider a draft lease at its November 10 meeting.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: Approved (consent included pulling a large insurance claim for separate consideration). Vote tally: 6-0. - Work Order No. 3 with NE Collins Contracting Co. (Worthman Boulevard extension): Approved; amount $23,000. Vote tally: 6-0. Greg said $17,143 of the increase related to additional quantities and $6,395 was for four items not in the original bid. - Pipeline easement with BNSF for Worthman Boulevard extension (water main under railroad): Approved; fee $3,900; described as a 25-year pipeline lease for a municipal water main bored under BNSF right-of-way. Vote tally: 6-0. - Resolution approving street closure across Highway 15 for Seward County Chamber & Development Partnership Christmas parade on Nov. 29, 2025 (Resolution No. 2025-35): Approved. Vote tally: 6-0. - Amendment with Southeast Nebraska Development District (SEND) for closeout and administration of CDBG No. 21DTR011: Approved (extension for project closeout). Vote tally: 6-0. - Audit engagement letter with AMGL to perform the city’s annual audit: Approved (continuation of existing engagement). Vote tally: 6-0.
City Manager’s report and administrative notes Greg highlighted ongoing work on the Worthman Boulevard extension, coordination with rail-campus businesses and contractors, and progress on pretreatment planning for an incoming dairy processor (site pretreatment and metering manhole requirements discussed). He also reported on staff evaluations, a recent trip to review pretreatment facilities, and preliminary internal discussions about municipal uses of artificial intelligence and related staff policies.
Next steps on Legion Field The council agreed to forward the lease discussion to the Parks and Recreation Committee for review and asked staff to return a draft lease for council consideration in November. Dr. Fields and school officials said they expect the school board to consider a lease draft at its November meeting. No lease was approved at this session.
