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Kearney Council accepts donation of about 71.4 acres from Kearney Area Community Foundation
Summary
The City of Kearney unanimously accepted roughly 71.39 acres donated by the Kearney Area Community Foundation, transferring an existing gravel‑extraction lease to the city; the lease carries a minimum annual rental of $15,000 and runs through March 2028.
The Kearney City Council voted unanimously to accept a donation of about 71.39 acres from the Kearney Area Community Foundation and to take assignment of a gravel‑extraction lease tied to the property.
City attorney Michael Tai said the foundation obtained the parcel with donor support and offered it to the city at no purchase cost. "Anytime the city accepts an interest in property, City Council has to vote to accept that interest," Tai said. He told council the donated parcel sits adjacent to existing city‑owned property and to the hike‑bike trail.
The donation includes assignment of an active gravel‑extraction lease that pays royalties to the landowner. Tai said the lease carries a minimum $15,000 rental obligation and is tied to per‑cubic‑yard production; the lease term runs until March 2028. He said the city had not made any determination about extending or terminating the lease or about future uses for the donated land.
Councilmember motioned to close the public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 2025‑105 accepting the donation; a second was recorded and the council voted in favor. Roll call recorded Mayor Nicola, Moore, Schmidt, Straatman and Bushcutter voting "aye." The council did not identify immediate plans for the property during the meeting.
The donation adds to city‑owned acreage next to the hike‑bike trail and transfers the lease income stream to the City of Kearney for future use or disposition.
