Bellevue council accepts Ward 4 resignation, swears in new members and approves liquor licenses, contracts

Bellevue City Council accepted the resignation of Ward 4 Councilwoman Kathy Welch and completed several routine approvals at its Dec. 3, 2024 meeting in the council chambers, while also swearing in newly elected council members and honoring outgoing Council President Paul Cook.

The actions matter because they change the council's membership and officers ahead of 2025 and authorize federal and local spending and contracts that affect city streets, parks and grant-funded programs.

The council voted to accept Welch's resignation (motion by Councilman Paul Cook; second by Councilman Thomas Burns). Welch abstained; the mayor announced the result as five yes votes and one abstention. The body then recessed to administer oaths to newly elected members and later elected Councilman Rich Casey as the 2025 council president (nomination by Councilman McCall; second by Councilman Burns; motion carried, all in favor).

The council recognized outgoing Council President Paul Cook with a certificate and remarks from members noting his 12 years on the council and additional county service. Cook told the chamber, "It has been an honor to be here for 12 years," and listed public safety progress and street projects among achievements during his tenure.

On regulatory and permitting matters, the council recommended approval to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission of two license additions: an expanded Class C license for Tight Cuts Barber and Beauty LLC at 1308 S. Fort Crook Road South (applicant John James spoke in support) and an addition to a Class D license for Ay Industries LLC at 1003 Galvin Road South. Both recommendations were approved by council motions with unanimous votes.

On land use and code, the council opened or introduced several ordinances. It opened a public hearing on ordinance 4169 (adding a vacant-property registration article to Chapter 19 of the city code) and carried the item forward for a third reading and final action at the Dec. 17 meeting so the public could review recent modifications. The council also introduced three first-reading ordinances (4170, 4171 and 4172) related to rezoning and nuisance-hearing procedures; public hearings for those items were scheduled for subsequent meetings.

The council approved a mix of contracts, final payments and professional services agreements: final payment and substantial-completion acceptance for the 2024 concrete project with Swain Construction (final payment $71,266.35; final change order $85,600.80), final payment for 2024 restrooms at Stone Croft Park with Midwest DCM ($10,453.70), final payment for 2024 restrooms at Washington Park with Midwest DCM ($1,378.86), a professional-services agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc., for Twin Creek siphon stabilization not to exceed $461,450, and an agreement with Pride Home Maintenance Services Inc. not to exceed $60,000 for Hayworth Park ball-field renovations. The council also approved purchase of a Miller welding package and accessories from Matheson Welding Supply not to exceed $12,204.27 and authorized a second extension to a real-estate broker-services agreement with CBRE, Inc. All of those motions passed with unanimous "yes" votes where recorded.

The council approved Resolution 2024-34 authorizing submission of the consolidated annual performance and evaluation report (CAPER) for the 2023'024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program year. Councilman Don Preister emphasized that the program directs federal funds toward low-income areas and thanked staff and volunteers; the motion carried unanimously. The council also authorized the mayor to sign HUD Form 7015.15, Request for Release of Funds and Certifications, as part of that grant process.

Other routine business included approval of an event application and a fee waiver for the Bellevue Community Foundation's Christmas in Old Town event on Dec. 14, 2024, and adjustments to claims: the council removed a claim for Swain Construction from the claims list and later approved the claims as amended.

Upcoming deadlines and next steps noted at the meeting include the Dec. 17 public hearings and third reading for the vacant-property registration ordinance and other introduced ordinances. The council adjourned after completing the agenda and presenting Cook with a commemorative clock and certificate.

Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows the following formal outcomes: - Consent agenda approved (motion carried, recorded as "all voting yes"). - Acceptance of resignation of Councilwoman Kathy Welch: motion by Paul Cook, second by Thomas Burns; outcome accepted, 5 yes, 1 abstain (Welch abstained). - Election of Council President Rich Casey for 2025: nomination by McCall, second by Burns; outcome carried (all in favor). - Recommendation to Nebraska Liquor Control Commission to add a Class C license area for Tight Cuts Barber & Beauty (John James): motion by Welch, second by Burns; outcome recommended (all voting yes). - Recommendation to Nebraska Liquor Control Commission to add to Class D license for Ay Industries LLC (Liquor Cabinet): motion by Casey, second by Preister; outcome recommended (all voting yes). - Ordinance 4169 (vacant property registration): public hearing closed and item continued to third reading on Dec. 17, 2024. - Resolution 2024-34 (CDBG CAPER submission): motion by Welch, second by Preister; outcome approved (all voting yes). - Multiple contracts and final payments (Swain Construction concrete project; Midwest DCM restroom projects; HDR Engineering agreement; Pride Home Maintenance agreement; Miller welding purchase; CBRE extension): motions made and approved (recorded as all voting yes where shown).

The meeting transcript shows discussion and public comment were limited on most items; several approvals were routine. The council recessed briefly to administer oaths to newly elected members and then completed organizational business for 2025.