Seward City Council approves water‑tower change order, Workman Boulevard contract and transformer procurement

The Seward City Council met in open session and approved a series of routine and project items, including acceptance of the Citizens Advisory Review Committee (CARC) semiannual report, infrastructure contracts and administrative updates.

The council voted to accept the CARC report covering activity from Jan. 1 through Aug. 31, 2025. City Administrator Greg (first referenced as Greg, City Administrator) told the council the CARC review showed a cash balance of $242,443.41 and that the committee does not audit submitted numbers but reviews expenditures and program activity. "The cash balance, at the end of that time frame was $242,443.41," Greg said during the presentation.

Under administrative business, the council approved a $4,778 change order (Change Order No. 5) with Maguire Iron for the 500,000‑gallon downtown water tower. Mike (first referenced as Mike, city engineer/public works representative) said the change adds conduit work and penetration capacity so fiber can be installed as the primary communications link for the tank’s controls. "This is effectively allowing us... to use fiber as a primary system," Mike said, describing the work to reserve conduit space and avoid drilling through the tank later.

The council also approved a supplemental contract with NE Collins Contracting for the Workman Boulevard intersection reconstruction (agenda amount listed as $48,214.63; Mike noted that many of the bid items totaled about $48,108.39). Mike said the originally designed intersection radii did not meet local standards, necessitating rebuilding in phases. To keep traffic moving during reconstruction the contractor will build a temporary crushed‑concrete access road across two lots for roughly five to six weeks; the contract requires removal and restoration after work is complete. Mike said paving had already begun and the project’s substantial completion date is targeted for Dec. 1, subject to winter weather.

On utilities procurement, the council approved a contract to purchase industrial transformers previously awarded to GridLink; the transformers will be built for the city through a manufacturer affiliated with Hyundai Corporation USA, with components originating in South Korea. Greg explained two contract changes tied to that procurement: a tariff‑allocation clause that limits the city’s exposure if tariffs change and a liquidated‑damages/performance‑bond path if delivery is delayed. Greg said the contract came with those protections after staff and legal review.

Other votes at the meeting included approval of an updated Nebraska Municipal Power Pool (NNPP) master services agreement for DOE reporting (described by staff as administrative and not fee‑changing), approval of enrollment for EIA energy reporting forms (EIA‑860 and EIA‑861), and a liquor‑license address amendment for Squire Wards LLC that will move license No. 124004 to 127 North Sixth Street so the license can be retained while the business relocates.

The council also voted to deny a property/insurance claim from Matt Seymour Hitzen after the city’s insurer denied coverage; staff recommended denial "to preserve all of its rights and any potential legal proceedings," and council members moved to deny the claim. The meeting concluded with a motion and unanimous vote to go into closed session for up to 30 minutes to discuss real‑estate negotiations and provide the city attorney with negotiating guidance.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: approved (unanimous as announced). - CARC semiannual report: accepted (unanimous as announced). - Maguire Iron Change Order No. 5 (water tower) — $4,778: approved (vote announced in favor). - NE Collins Contract — Workman Boulevard supplemental contract — $48,214.63 (agenda listing; bid items ~ $48,108.39): approved. - Resolution No. 2025‑36 — designate city engineer as street superintendent: adopted. - Procurement: transformers (GridLink/Hyundai) and change order revising tariffs/liquidated damages: approved. - NNPP master services agreement (DOE reporting): approved. - EIA‑860 and EIA‑861 enrollments: approved. - Liquor license amendment (Squire Wards LLC, No. 124004 to 127 N Sixth St.): approved. - Claim denial (Matt Seymour Hitzen): denied. - Motion to enter closed session for real‑estate negotiation guidance: approved.

What happens next Several of the approved projects include follow‑up steps: the Workman Boulevard intersection reconstruction will proceed with traffic notices and a temporary access road in place while crews work toward a Dec. 1 substantial completion goal; the transformer purchase will proceed with overseas fabrication and contract protections for tariffs and delivery timing. The closed session was called to provide negotiating guidance on a real‑estate matter; no further public details were discussed during the open meeting.